The Writer's Workout

Twenty-Five Yards to Life by Deidra Whitt Lovegren First Place That’s my name and my number, but it’s not me. With a flick of my thumb, I pop open a black umbrella and square up behind a rusty chain-link fence. Fresh cut grass takes me back to the start of my own NFL career—before the chronic pain, relentless lawsuits, and crazy carousel of ex-wives ruined my life.  Did it always rain like hell during training camp? The players don’t seem to notice the wet jerseys stick

Teacher's Pet by Thomas Second Place Everybody hated Colin O’Dowd.  He was a snake, a stool pigeon, a rat.   We didn’t have much to amuse ourselves at Bede Middle, but one thing we did like was making soggy moggys– wetting toilet paper and throwing it at the ceiling.  Stevie Allen had it down to a fine art. He said some of his pieces had been on the ceiling since the first term. I liked to imagine that in 3000 years, some archaeologists excavating our school would loo

Roadkill by Steven O'Hara Third Place In a town, not far enough inland to be considered the sticks, but not close enough to any city or sister settlement to gain any overflowing economy, is a white steepled church, where all the townsfolk, no matter their religious affiliation, or if they’ve any religion at all, seem to gather; a redbricked school that houses all students no matter their age, as there is no other school in this town—nor close to it—but the children don’t se

We love Fiction Potluck because the submissions are so much fun! Here are January's Fiction Potluck Finalists for the Endings With a Twist challenge. Look for the Finalist badge across social media to connect with these authors. January Finalists Thomas Thomas currently lives in Hanoi, where costs are low and lived experiences are rich. The move has allowed him to devote more time to becoming a full-time writer, with occasional days off for Bia Hoi and rocket-fuel coffee. 

The Small Magic of Midwinter by Storm Lomax First Place A pink-tinged moon hangs high, and the castle grounds are silent as Princess Esmarie scrambles through her window like a stuck cat. Growling, she tugs her dress free from where it’s snagged on a rogue nail. With the rip of fabric, it releases her. Esmarie doesn’t even have time to curse before she drops to the ground with all the grace of a sack of flour. Thankfully, the castle grounds are full of pillow-soft grass ove

I Put a Spell on You by Katie Kent Second Place “Something you want to tell me?” Zadie nudged me, winking.  I tore my eyes away from Georgia, my cheeks warm. “Nothing to tell.” Zadie rolled her eyes, dropping her voice. I had to strain my ears to make out her words over the chatter in the canteen. “Come off it, Skye. You’ve barely stopped looking at her since she started here.” I scoffed, taking a sip of my water, but I had no retort- I’d been busted. Georgia was the

Don't Steal My Wine by Madison Rayon Third Place Delaya settled against the trunk of a pecan tree and was doing an excellent job eschewing all thoughts centering around consequence, safety, and shelter from the coming winter. She had slept in a cave hidden by ivy for three nights, but it wouldn’t do for much longer. The air was thick with frost, and she had failed to bring a flint. From thirty miles away, her plush and warm bed beckoned to her. Delaya pressed her hand aga