by Jim Proebstle The sound of KC growling shocked Jake out of a deep trance and onto his feet. He must have fallen asleep on the couch before shutting the cabin down for the night. A glance at the clock over the antique bookstand told Jake it was 1:45 AM. KC’s hair bristled on his [...]
Yearly Archives: 2004
Morada Memories: Prayers for Peace by Karima Alavi
by Karima Alavi Coming in from the intense New Mexico sunlight to the entrance of the candle-lit Morada was like stepping back centuries in time. The whitewashed walls of the adobe church displayed a few primitive pieces of art that reflected the strong Hispano/Mexican heritage that the male members of the Penitente Morada were proud [...]
Pieces of Us: An Excerpt by Paula Younger
by Paula Younger 2004 SFWP Literary Awards Program Finalist ‘How was the rehearsal dinner? Think you’re going to like the new in-laws?’ Frank, the older pharmacist, asked from behind the counter. He was balding and his remaining hair gray, but his eyes were mischievous and made him look younger. Margaret was sure he was more [...]
Accidental Anti-Christ by Jason Nunes
by Jason Nunes 2004 SFWP Literary Awards Program Finalist This is how I find out: I’m sitting in the chair feeling old, and foolish, the doctor, who has been prodding at my scalp figuring out exactly how much hair he needs to extract from my ass to cover my growing bald spot, stops in mid [...]
Rebound by Stephanie Han
by Stephanie Han 2004 SFWP Literary Awards Program 5th Place Winner I tightly hold my father’s hand as we approach a red building near the escalator, a bar in Central. He explains to me, this is where the rich foreigners drink and watch football. My father cannot afford to drink here, nor would he be [...]
Witold’s Polka by Peter Kuklinski
by Peter Kuklinski 2004 SFWP Literary Awards Program 4th Place Winner An Excerpt Witold Kozak grabbed a gnarled tree root as his foot slid down the shiny hard slick dirt. He managed to save his balance by grappling the steep side of the gorge with quick steps, but his pants – he could not save. [...]
Cuentitos Ca’ticos by Whitney Purvis
2004 SFWP Literary Awards Program Prizewinner by Whitney Purvis An Excerpt Los Bluejeans Pr’digos Vuelven [The Prodigal Jeans Return] 1. Jun’pero Afortunado Among Jun’pero Afortunado’s most prized possessions in his hatchback that day were a suede jacket that was actually made out of fuzzy plastic; a pair of snakeskin boots that he had inherited from [...]
A Saint in the Family by J. M. Schuster
2004 SFWP Literary Awards Program Prizewinner by J. M. Schuster From the Prologue After six years in the minor leagues, Edward Everett Yates gets called up to the St. Louis Cardinals; in his first appearance, the team inserts him as a pinch hitter for injured Lou Brock in the bottom of the 17th inning of [...]
Falling Rock by Bethany Harvey
2004 SFWP Literary Awards Program Prizewinner by Bethany Harvey Darcy’s been alone long enough to get good at it. She’s the only woman in her family to have passed twenty-five without being married at least once. Men leave her alone. She figures this has to do with her looks. Darcy is six feet tall, broad-shouldered [...]
Falling Rock, page 2 by Bethany Harvey
At home, Darcy takes off her shoes and socks and empties her pockets of keys and knife and guitar pick and driver’s license in a pile on the floor. The smells of stale smoke and alcohol cling to her clothes and hair. She opens the window, letting in a cold, unsteady breeze. The river goddess [...]