Sweat made my clothes stick. I finally found him in the greenhouse. "Need help?" he said... unsure. I slogged through muddy thoughts; bath, dinner- produce still low; new fertiliser, new supplier? He waited, annoyed. "I'm fine," I said, words too stuck. I left. That night I dreamed of tangible thoughts, tendrils reaching, seeking connection. He... Continue Reading →
Posts
Whispers Remain
People come out changed, or not at all, says the whispers. Called me in ta' fix a drone. Remembered thinkin' their workers looked mindless, till one leaned in, showed me circuitry boosts I never could'a imagined. Wondered, why me? Then they hired me full time, ta learn their subatomics, an' I keep gettin' a sense... Continue Reading →
New Worlds
Across the water, something glistened. Had he finally found it? Racing, stumbling through waves, he slipped. The water dragged him under. He kicked and thrashed for an age. Ever sinking, tired now. He'd searched for nothing. A voice, otherworldly and infinite, reached him beneath the river's roar, "fight, human." One final moment, through agony, he... Continue Reading →
September 2021
Diverse Author Shout Out First off, I'd like to congratulate Nakia Cook on the release of her debut novel, Inamorata, a supernatural thriller featuring a black, Muslim protagonist. It's such an achievement to get that first novel done and published, her dedication to her stories and her craft is inspiring. Her warm and authentic presence... Continue Reading →
Purpose Rewritten
The alien looked ugly, dying in the dirt, trying to remain human. It looked like her when she screamed about my room, again. Face twisting like I wasn't supposed to be there. I screamed back, she slapped me. I laughed. Actually, she looked like it when I left. Ugly and dying. I found the alien... Continue Reading →
What’s the Chance?
"Black's not moving-" he cried. "It's okay baby, I'll fix it," she said. She'd chosen Black. She should've seen the signs. Never again. No more shortcuts. She'd tried other horses, same dark fur, tall, friendly, but he always knew. Her team arrived, collected Black and she returned to work, tireless and determined. If anyone could... Continue Reading →
Debt to be Paid
Radiation reached his skin through UV-resistant clothes. "Four-hundred-thirteen billion credits for today's contestant! If he survives..." A hidden crowd cheered. He retrieved his only permitted secret ingredient with a blistered hand. "What's today's contestant chosen for us?" Blinding light. The crowd gasped. The glare receded and he staggered forward, balancing a platter, alien delicacies piled... Continue Reading →
Timeless
Despite countless weeks spent on coding and design, she'd almost forgotten the outfit. School notification; dance-hall activated. Eyes closed, chest tight, time to upload. Other students uploaded too, filling the dark virtual dance-hall with a chaos of colour. The guests contrasting with timber decor meant for long-lost tuxedos and ballgowns. She took a moment to... Continue Reading →
August 2021
Supporting Diverse Writers Zoraida Córdova Zoraida Córdova is the acclaimed author of more than a dozen novels and short stories, including the Brooklyn Brujas series, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: A Crash of Fate, and The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina. She also writes romance novels as Zoey Castile. In addition to writing novels, she serves on... Continue Reading →