Howlietzer Publishing

Tag: shonen fiction

  • Friday Fictioneer: 12/28/12

    coffee(Copyright Jean L. Hays)

    I love early morning coffee, and 708 Fulton Cafe is my favorite stop.

    They roast all their beans in house. No pre-made bags, every cup expertly made, and roasted to order.

    My favorite? The light roast for a smooth, mellow taste that eases me to pleasant, zen-like alertness.

    My problem? My favorite barista left for a corporate job at Starbucks. I can’t blame her. She had a degree and finding a higher salary is rare.

    The new barista is still learning, but I’m impatient. She can’t get the flavor right, and I wonder just how much longer I can hold in my dissatisfaction.

  • Son of Santa

    Eric, the miracle child of the Claus’s, in the tradition of his father, slung a brown leather sack over his shoulder, pulled on his Elven snow boots and set out to visit his friend Cready in his little cottage in the Elven suburb of Spotted Elephant.

    The North Pole had several Elven suburbs that surrounded Castle Christmas, the home and workshop of Santa Claus, and Spotted Elephant was one of the largest. Cready, Eric’s friend, had left the long tradition of toy making to become a doctor, much like his great uncle Hermy, who went on to become a dentist.

    His family didn’t understand at first, but just as a dentist became necessary, a doctor did as well, as Eric learned all to well on their many great adventures. And many other Elves followed suit, opening shops, boutiques and doing other odds and ends for Santa and all the other citizens of the North Pole.

    Today, on Christmas, however, Eric was visiting Cready for a simple Christmas party. All their intimate friends would be there, since Cready wasn’t fond of large gatherings.

    (more…)

  • The Master

    Friday Fictioneers 12/21/12

    Photo- copyright Scott L. Vannatter

    cat

    This dinner gives me pause… Don’t giggle! I know you think it’s funny, but this is ridiculous! Your will is not yours now. You gave that up the moment you took me home. When I told you I wanted turkey tonight, I meant 6:00 sharp! Not 6:30, which you’ve begun to get in the habit of, but 6:00 pm.

    Where have you been all day? My bidding has yet to be done. I left a list on my bed (which I graciously let you use), and I seriously doubt you’ll be able to get it all done before your morning duties. Now cook that bird!

  • Empathy

    Friday Fictioneer 12/14/12

    Photo- copyright Douglas M. MacIlroy

    facebook

    My kids got me a laptop for Christmas last year and I haven’t really had too many problems until I got my Facebook page. It’s really a neat idea. I can connect with old friends, but I can also get horrible viruses.

    I opened up a message from someone I don’t know. Not sure who it was, and curiosity getting the better of me, I opened it. It was a cute message about love… But then it got strange.

    My heart was overcome with emotion. I felt everything. Have you ever felt the pain of the entire planet? It’s debilitating.

  • ReDemon Chapter 5

    Book 1: Beckham Institute for Prodigies

    Chapter 5: A Reason to Stay

    Suzan woke up to the sounds of Bonnie Rupp singing. It was a weird sensation, as if every cell in her body awoke and was ready to start the day. She grabbed her clothes and looked on at the crowded student center, trying to see the bathroom.

    All freshman students slept in the student center for the first week–boys in the upstairs lounge and the girls in the downstairs commons. It was a way for the students to get to know each other and find roommates before they were given room assignments.

    Suzan didn’t appreciate this at all. She was hoping to get some time to herself, but it was virtually impossible. Even in the bathroom stall, Suzan could barely breath and that was partially because one of the girls smelled like digested tacos; no, it wasn’t just the bathroom.

    The rest of the previous day was uneventful. She, Sadie, and Tabatha went back to finish their tests while Whitney explored the campus. That evening only the three met for dinner. That was ok with Suzan because she didn’t particularly like Whitney, but she had to admit the way she saved that girl yesterday was impressive and inspiring.

    (more…)