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 neck, and [...]
Yearly Archives: 2004
In the Absence of Honor by Jim Michaels
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 to [...]
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 depressed than she [...]
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 examination, he turns [...]
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 welcome if he [...]
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. Imbedded dirt with the [...]
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 his grandfather; one sand-cast silver belt buckle [...]
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 a scoreless game on [...]
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 and long-limbed. She [...]
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 [...]