Monthly Archives: December 2016
by Abby Zwart | Dec 31, 2016 |
In the spirit of the anthology, we’ve decided to tailor our annual “best of” list to the sections in the book.
by Kyric Koning | Dec 30, 2016 |
I can’t be the only one who wanted to know others’ thoughts about them. The stories locked away, whatever they are, waiting to be told.
by Brad Zwiers | Dec 27, 2016 |
Whenever I wake up in the middle of the night, my mind goes to empty and distant places.
by Nick Meekhof | Dec 26, 2016 |
The road to the Two Hearted River is not an easy one.
by Jack Van Allsburg | Dec 25, 2016 |
Every day since then, when I wake, the first thing I experience is that ringing.
by Julia LaPlaca | Dec 23, 2016 |
I never identified with Scrooge until this Christmas. It’s so easy to be Scrooge.
by Matt Medendorp | Dec 22, 2016 |
Can you imagine how ridiculous a whip and fedora would look paired with elbow patches? The jacket lays the foundation of the transformation.
by Gabe Gunnink | Dec 20, 2016 |
“Just for the sake of the simulation. I need to enter an end point. How long do you plan on living?”
by Mary Margaret Healy | Dec 19, 2016 |
I don’t know how long I do this, but I have begun making a map in my head of the curves and turns in the wall.
by Ben DeVries | Dec 18, 2016 |
If this is grace, it’s as lovely as it is disconcerting. It takes the very ugliest of us and says, “I can work with this. Child, I can work with you.”
by Geneva Langeland | Dec 17, 2016 |
Two important facts: first, there are two doors leading into this bathroom, one from the hallway and one from my housemate’s bedroom. Second, a deadbolt on the bathroom-hallway door allows it to be locked from the inside.
by Andrew Knot | Dec 16, 2016 |
Vienna is a bizarre place to spend Advent because, as Billy Joel reminds us, it’s a city more accustomed to waiting than arriving.
by Cassie Westrate | Dec 15, 2016 |
When I’m confused, I need the motions. I need to plant the mustard seeds. Watch them grow, and even watch them die.
by Will Montei | Dec 14, 2016 |
Lights shine along Seattle’s hills, illuminating all the homes where everyone no one knows eats, sleeps, listens, and loves.
by Catherine Kramer | Dec 13, 2016 |
So there you have it: my NYC role models. Here’s hoping I learn from their mistakes and also make some non-fictional friends ASAP.
by Abby Zwart | Dec 12, 2016 |
It’s a typically bustling city now silent and eerie, “Jingle Bell Rock” echoing forlornly down the avenues.
by Elaine Schnabel | Dec 11, 2016 |
I can’t be the only woman who read his post and thought, “You’re kidding, right?” I can’t be the only woman who read his post searching for the punchline.
by Katie Van Zanen | Dec 10, 2016 |
But Nathan was right. I can’t plan for the apocalypse. I can only do what I believe to be useful and good now. I can only do what is in front of me.
by Bart Tocci | Dec 9, 2016 |
When is the last time
You knew what you wanted?
by Paul Menn | Dec 8, 2016 |
Kids are insanely gullible. They will believe literally anything you tell them.
by Caroline (Higgins) Nyczak | Dec 7, 2016 |
What do you mix with eggnog? What is a good Christmas gift for someone you are only casually dating?
by Josh deLacy | Dec 6, 2016 |
I would wear my long underwear for the rest of the day, feeling like a fur trapping Superman throughout econ, band, English, and calculus.
by Alissa Anderson | Dec 5, 2016 |
I have used my extensive knowledge of the genre to rank them in order based on the covers and (occasionally) cover copy.
by Ben Rietema | Dec 4, 2016 |
Whatever he has been, Dylan always returns to his humanity, and the fact that he’s simply an artist doing his thing.
by Meg Schmidt | Dec 3, 2016 |
Take two balls of dough out from the fridge. Roll out both on the kitchen counter. Don’t bother trying to form a perfect circle, only God could manage that.
by Jacob Schepers | Dec 2, 2016 |
To name without claiming full understanding and possession is to adopt an attitude of humility, subscribing to mystery over mastery.
by Katerina Parsons | Dec 1, 2016 |
I had always prided myself on writing and speaking well, and suddenly I was handed different tools to use; they felt cumbersome and did not fit well in my hands.