Flash Fiction Challenge: A Gift for Dad

Photo by K.S. Brooks
Photo by K.S. Brooks

Skyler clutched the little jelly jar full of coins to his chest as he stared at the rack of neckties. This would be the first time he’d bought his dad a gift for Father’s Day – and he would do it with his own money that he got from under the couch cushions. There was always some money there after dad napped.

“Look mom,” Skyler said, almost awestruck at the beauty and genius of a necktie you didn’t even have to tie. “Do you think dad would like that one? He doesn’t have a pink one.”

In 250 words or less, tell us a story incorporating the elements in the picture. The 250 word limit will be strictly enforced.

Please keep language and subject matter to a PG-13 level.

Use the comment section below to submit your entry. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time.

On Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll for the best writing entry accompanying the photo. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday.

On Friday afternoon, the winner will be recognized as we post the winning entry along with the picture as a feature. Then, at year end, the winners will be featured in an anthology like this one. Best of luck to you all in your writing!

Entries only in the comment section. Other comments will be deleted. See HERE for additional information and terms.

What Indies Unlimited Did for Me

Morgan Winters Author PhotoGuest Post
by Morgan Winters

My name’s Morgan, and I’m an author. I feel kind of like I’m at Authors Anonymous, confessing my deepest secrets. I’ve kept my writing hidden for a very long time because I write incredibly dark and disturbing stuff. In fact, it’s so warped, I can’t even discuss it here on this Safe-for-Work platform. It’s better that way, anyway.

I’d started a half dozen or so projects, finishing none of them. That’s probably not a lot compared to most of the authors who frequent IU. But for me – the “nice guy” – it was a lot, and it was frustrating. I couldn’t complete them; I knew that once I did, I’d have to publish them. And then – then, I’d get “the looks.” You know the ones I mean… OMG, did he really write that? He must be sick! What a creep! I hope they fire him. I don’t want to work with someone that disturbed. Yeah, those.

No one expects that kind of dark stuff from me, you know? I have no idea where it comes from. Sometimes I wonder if I am indeed disturbed. But I have no urges to kill or torture anyone. No urges. Thoughts, sure, we all have those, don’t we? And usually in the boss’s office. But I digress.

Speaking of bosses, I need my job. I enjoy a roof over my head and food in my stomach. But I also have stories that need to get out of my head. Trading sanity for comfort? I figured there had to be a better way. Continue reading “What Indies Unlimited Did for Me”

It’s a Piece of Cake to Vote for the Next Flash Fiction Champ!

cakeVoting for your favorite flash fiction entry is easy as pie. Yes, that’s right – we’ve got lots of puns for this week’s challenge! We’re just getting started.

Remember, the winning entries will all be included in the next edition of the IU Flash Fiction Anthology.

Check out this week’s entries here. Make your decision, then use those share buttons at the bottom of the post to spread the word.

Voting polls close Thursday at 5 PM Pacific time.

Which flash fiction entry takes the cake this week?

  • Dick C. Waters (23%, 15 Votes)
  • Tom Kepler (20%, 13 Votes)
  • Joanne Lloyd (17%, 11 Votes)
  • DaveDAuthor (13%, 8 Votes)
  • Melissa Bowersock (8%, 5 Votes)
  • Morgan Winters (5%, 3 Votes)
  • The Purple Helmet (5%, 3 Votes)
  • AL Kaplan (5%, 3 Votes)
  • Mathoska (3%, 2 Votes)
  • Ed Drury (2%, 1 Votes)
  • Venkatesh Iyer (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 64

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NOTE: Entrants whose submissions exceed the 250 word limit are eliminated from the poll. ONE VOTE PER PERSON, please. Duplicate votes will be deleted. The results displayed above are unofficial until verified by administration.

Flash Fiction Challenge: The Great Dessert Riot

cake jan 2011Cakes are the most festive desserts. If there is a party or ceremony, there must be cake. Retirement? Cake. Wedding? Cake. Birthday? Cake.

There is no doubt people love cake. Frankly, the pies are sick of it. Cherry pie has been talking to the other desserts, and they have decided to take action…

In 250 words or less, tell us a story incorporating the elements in the picture. The 250 word limit will be strictly enforced.

Please keep language and subject matter to a PG-13 level.

Use the comment section below to submit your entry. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time.

On Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll for the best writing entry accompanying the photo. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday.

On Friday afternoon, the winner will be recognized as we post the winning entry along with the picture as a feature. Then, at year end, the winners will be featured in an anthology like this one. Best of luck to you all in your writing!

Entries only in the comment section. Other comments will be deleted. See HERE for additional information and terms.