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

Man-Man by Bruce Overby

What do you get when you mix a beat-down-silicon-valley-exile-turned-High-School-teacher and an attractive student with a dangerous proposition? You get Man-man by Bruce Overby. During today's show we talk with Bruce about the inspiration for this piece and his proclivity for writing about challenging societal topics and his focus on character in storytelling. Bruce also reveals how persistence, even after jumping into the writing game 'late in life', eventually yields results. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Bruce Overby, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

Hanging On by Cathy Hammond

Broken hips, sick calves, and the snake-like strike of COVID coalesce in this narrative poem before unwinding into grief and choice. After the reading, Cathy Hammond reveals the unfortunate circumstance that created this piece and the iterative process she went through to create it. You'll learn how she writes when inspiration crashes into her, and the unique way she pulls ideas out of the 'pool.' She discusses her slow journey to writing and shares her tips on getting the ideas while the ideas are hot. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Cathy Hammond, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2023, all rights reserved.

Pilots by Mary Carroll Moore

A midwestern woman takes a nine-month reprieve from her clockwork husband and average life to study cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. There she discovers sumptuous temptations beyond delicate pastries and French accents and embarks on a flight that leads to unexpected outcomes. After the story, award winning food writer, chef, and novelist, Mary Carroll Moore, reveals her own journey to writing, the types of stories she finds most engaging, and the idea of deserved happiness. If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Mary Carroll Moore, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

Pastoral and Other Poems by Meggie Royer

Addiction, redemption, death and Greek gods will inhabit your soul after hearing these poems by one of our Fall Contest Honorable Mention winners, Meggie Royer. After the reading, Meggie reflects upon her struggles and personal journey revealed through these works. She also discusses her passion for helping others and the creation of a literary and arts journal for abuse survivors, Persephone’s Daughters. If you’d like to read these poems or learn more about Meggie, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

A Selection of Poems by Delaney Gray

Birds, the evaporation of time, and constellations are all featured in these poems of reflection by one of our Fall Contest Honorable Mention winners, Delaney Gray. During the interview Delaney reveals her passion for food, cooking, and capturing everyday moments in words. She’s a Nashville resident with a treasure trove of cookbooks, as well as insights, into the recipe of productive writing and journaling. If you’d like to read these poems or learn more about Delaney, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.

Tess is her Name by Michail Mulvey

Today’s show features our Fall Contest Third Place winner, Tess is her Name, by Michail Mulvey. Prose contest judge Katie McDougall said “With a voice that sings with subtle characterization and musicality, the narrator suggests “in-between” lives of his neighbors below and above, ultimately illuminating his own lonesomeness, a pining for meaning and connection. The author masters the art of flash fiction; short in length, Tess is her Name is expansive in aboutness.” Michail was unable to participate in our interview, so after the reading, Melissa and JW discuss Michail Mulvey’s background and how it relates to this flash piece. Melissa and JW also discuss the merits of NaNoWriMo, Writers Groups, some of the writing resources they've used over the years, and most importantly, how to sign-up for Melissa’s weekly newsletter and Onyx Publications’ mailing list! If you’d like to read this story or learn more about Michail Mulvey, head over to Etched Onyx Magazine at www.onyxpublications.com. All audio, poetry, and story material are copyright 2022, all rights reserved.