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March 29, 2009 | From TC 9:1 - "Buzzards in the Projection Booth" by H.H. Morris
Tornado, population 937, the largest town in Walnut County, Missouri, was abuzz this Monday with theories about Gil Corbin's weekend disappearance. Corbin taught math at Walnut County Consolidated High School, located on the eastern edge of Tornado. The most prevalent rumor said he'd run from or been caught by a father, husband, brother, uncle, or male cousin of one of the many girls who'd passed algebra or geometry only because she scheduled unclad tutoring from her teacher. Other gossip suggested that one of Corbin's failed business adventures had him leaving town with only a short lead over bankruptcy judges and creditors.
Jon Staggers avoided adding his own theories to the mix, choosing instead to listen over lunch at Janet's Highway Café—one of several businesses in which his grandfather had left him a silent interest. If no one was around, Janet didn't collect his check. Today he'd pay and consider a greasy cheeseburger and fries an investment in more than cholesterol. He'd inherited the weekly Tornado Independent, Walnut County's only surviving newspaper, from his father almost five years ago, and as publisher and editor-in-chief he had to figure out what to write about Corbin's unexcused absence from work and family life. He couldn't say what he thought—that based on what he'd experienced and observed while a student in high school, Corbin's disappearance improved the educational environment.
Posted by The Editors at 03:43 PM in Literary Journal
March 25, 2009 | From TC 9:1 - "Schadenfreude" by Clare Hughes
Schadenfreude: Scha.den.freu.de. From the German, meaning to take malicious joy out of the suffering of other people.
She studies her feet and for the first time Mr Supergenius there finally notices she's missing a shoe. Her eyes are red and there are bruises up and down her arms. She can't be more than eight years old.
He looks at this little girl, so wide-eyed and vulnerable. The poster girl for charity cases. And God knows the streets are no place for a little kid, but she's got that wide-eyed vulnerability that tourists open their wallets for and, this is how screwed up this guy is, for a minute he almost wishes he was that little girl.
Posted by The Editors at 01:30 PM in Literary Journal
March 21, 2009 | From TC 9:1 - "Existentialism at the God Rodeo" by Diana Goble
Blood-coated Cheerios slid down the white porcelain like a slow-motion avalanche. I watched the red whirl into the water, creating a smoky tie-dye pattern. I didn't remember eating coffee grounds, but the former contents of my stomach seemed to suggest otherwise.
Posted by The Editors at 07:23 PM in Literary Journal
March 20, 2009 |
3 Cheers and a Tiger Writing Contest NOW OPEN CLOSED!
Click here for this spring's topic and word limit.
The spring Three Cheers and a Tiger contest is a mystery contest. Click here for the 3 Cheers contest rules.
Click here for the general contest rules (how to format your entry, etc.).
The contest closes on Sunday March 22 at 5pm Eastern Time.
Good luck and have fun!
Posted by The Editors at 05:01 PM in Contests
March 18, 2009 | Million Writers Award Nominations
Toasted Cheese's nominations for the storySouth 2009 Million Writers Award are:
"Malicious Acts" by Kate Gibalerio
"Fireglass" by Jacob Strunk
"Things Difficult to Say" by Alan Averill
Best of luck to you all!
Posted by The Editors at 11:23 AM in Literary Journal
March 17, 2009 | From TC 9:1 - "Shadow" by Aaron M. Wilder
When he gets home from college it'll be that time of year. The Millers' old lab won't move from under the withered pines lining their property. They let him lie in the shade all day, bringing him kibbles in stainless steel trays. Wondering when the sun will cool so he can play like he did in spring.
Posted by The Editors at 01:06 PM in Literary Journal
March 15, 2009 | Plot + Emotional Journey
This month's Absolute Blank article is "Plot + Emotional Journey = Good Story Structure" by TC Editor Amanda Marlowe (The Bellman).
Posted by The Editors at 11:14 PM in Articles
March 13, 2009 | From TC 9:1 - "When a Porn Star Steals a Poet's Name" by Natasha Kochicheril Moni
The poet with her shirt
off, again, boils
water for hot cereal she will eat
in her bra. And apple. A pink lady,
she slices, blanches,
adds to the sugar
oats whose only redeemer
is the organic seal.
Maybe you wanted her
Posted by The Editors at 10:39 AM in Literary Journal
March 02, 2009 | March 2009 issue of Toasted Cheese!
TC 9:1 features poetry by Natasha Kochicheril Moni, Aaron M. Wilder & Casey Hill and fiction by Diana Goble, Clare Hughes, H.H. Morris, John Riha, A.M. Riley, Melanie Summers, Dave S. Shearer, Nathaniel Tower & Richard Wolkomir.
Also look for Dead of Winter Contest winning stories by Ryan Peterson, Shannon Schuren & Kristi Petersen Schoonover.
This issue's Best of the Boards winner is Matthew David Curtis.
Congratulations to everyone. Happy reading!
Posted by The Editors at 08:09 PM in Literary Journal