“The Audition” is a short story by J. R. Nichols. It first appeared in the August, 2021 Extra! Edition of The Writing Shorts Newsletter. “How was the audition, Sweetie?” “Fine, I guess.” “Fine? You know that play frontward and backward. You could recite your lines in your sleep. Heck, you could probably recite the entire show in your sleep. Surely, you nailed the audition, and are just being modest. Am

“Surface Tension” was written by J. R. Nichols and first appeared in the October, 2021 issue of The Writing Shorts Newsletter. Marty mumbled some curses on his way out of the kitchen and kicked a paper bag that had been left on the floor, evidence of Sandra’s run for previsions the previous afternoon. She had returned with sports drinks, as well as the staples of the BRAT diet to combat

Frosty the Teenager originally appeared in the December, 2021 issue of The Writing Shorts Newsletter. Frosty the Teenager “I still can’t believe someone donated that,” Mona said. “It’s a Christmas miracle,” sighed Alison. The girls watched as Tommy placed the old silk hat they’d found on top of the snowman. First, the lump-of-coal eyes blinked. Then, the half-carrot nose twitched. Finally, the tree-branch arms stretched overhead before one twiggy hand hovered

This is the Editor’s Note about gratitude from the December, 2021 Issue of The Writing Shorts Newsletter.Click HERE to read a random post! December is upon us, and while I have been living in sunny Florida for three years, now, I’m a midwestern girl, and sunny warmth seems incongruous with the inflatable snowmen and twinkling lights on display as I drive through my neighborhood. It is also at this time