Story Discovery Podcast [Short Stories | Poetry | Flash Fiction | Audiobook]

Convention by Summer Hammond

Experience the frustration, the anger, the bewilderment that a naive young Jehovah’s Witness encounters as she is betrayed by the system and the elders she trusts. This potent First Place Prose winner of Etched Onyx’s 2024 Writing Contest explores the convergence of doctrine and emotional, psychological, and domestic violence. After the reading, award-winning author, Summer Hammond, talks about some of the crueler aspects of her childhood religion that impel her to write, and she shares writing advice gems such as contrary action and approaching critiques with your heart. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Summer, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Osama by Jill Martin

A first-generation boy learns through the cruelty of his classmates that his given name is not a blessing but a curse at his American school. Second Place Prose winner, Jill Martin, tells a poignant and relevant story for the Etched Onyx 2024 Writing Contest. Afterward, Jill talks about her writing process, the importance of prompts, submitting pieces, and how to get inspired by rejection. If you’d like to read her story or learn more about her fascinating novel in progress, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

Black Widow by Lindsay N. Marshall

Vengeance is a drink best served cold. Etched Onyx’s third place prose winner, Lindsay Marshall, weaves a web of intrigue, slowly revealing the cause and effect of male predation of women. During the interview, Lindsay spills the tea about dancing bartenders, the value of MFAs, and the uniquely inspiring performances of both Green Day and the show Supernatural. If you’d like to read Lindsay’s story or learn more about her, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

A Collection of Poems by Nancy Beauregard

From mistresses and tornadoes to what to take as you leave a life behind, Nancy Beauregard’s collection of poetry will make you smile, and all the while, her everyday silken wisdom will leave you reverent. Nancy won First Place for poetry in the Etched Onyx 2024 Writing Contest. Nancy really did survive tornadoes, inspiring her to move to New Mexico where she began a career as a writer and teacher. Learn about Nancy’s writing work with the incarcerated, about Japanese poetry forms, and about her belief that grief can inspire the best poetry. Find out why she believes strongly in writing groups, especially the Badass Over 60 Writers group, and discover how Nancy is quite the badass herself. If you’d like to read her poems or learn more about Nancy, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

A Selection of Poems by Ryan Caidic

Storms, history, humanity, the wild, and the wild within us come together in these lyrical diaspora poems by Ryan Caidic. From home-country longing, to lives in the past and present, these poems will transport you into thought spaces you probably avoid. After the reading, Ryan discusses diaspora poetry, how creative advertisers and poets have the same goals, and what it’s like to raise a family in a country not your own. Ryan’s beautiful poems were Etched Onyx’s 2024 Writing Contest 2nd place winner, and if you’d like to read his poetry or learn more about Ryan, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

The Fire and Other Poems by Jennifer Harrison

At times luscious, then heartbreaking, then steeped in memory, the poems of Etched Onyx’s 2024 Writing Contest 3rd place poetry winner Jennifer Harrison will have you reading them repeatedly, making new discoveries each time. After the reading, multi-award-winning Australian poet, Jennifer Harrison, tackles topics such as what inspires our writing and why poems should be read aloud. Her projects range from collaboration with psychologists to musicians, and you’ll want to find out why not everyone needs beta readers. If you’d like to read her poetry or learn more about Jennifer, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio and story material are copyright 2024, all rights reserved.