June 24, 2024

“La Hacienda de Las Chismosas” by Rachel Gonzalez

“La Hacienda de Las Chismosas” by Rachel Gonzalez

*Featured image courtesy of Katsiaryna Endruszkiewicz on Unsplash* This week we are proud to present another piece by our Writer-in-Residence, Rachel Gonzalez. Rachel has put a lot of work into creating this story, and it has resulted in a truly beautiful piece of writing. They come to La Hacienda to ease their bodies and their minds.  It’s a resplendent house of generations that will always stand. The burdened, the troubled, the mischievous, all come for the caring touch from the hands of the hacienda. With more importance and reverence than any state building or diplomat’s home, it is the beating heart of this town. A home to all, if even for a moment. Halls of brightly-tiled walls and dimly-lit ways for privacy and peace. Cobblestone paths meander and lead into the heart of the hacienda….

Continue reading →

June 21, 2024

It’s All Been Done Radio Hour

It’s All Been Done Radio Hour

It’s All Been Done Radio Hour, a live scripted comedy show and podcast, was created in 2015. Building on the success of that program, and realizing many in the talented troupe had other gifts to share, creator Jerome Wetzel expanded to the It’s All Been Done Presents network one year later. Based in Columbus, Ohio, we seek to prove that not all American entertainment must come from the coasts. Instead, the middle of the country can compete in this arena as well, with quality offerings. To that end, IABD Presents seeks to be your home for podcasts, live theatre, movie and television reviews, written work, and more! Privates:Ex Marks the Spot Detective Jake Cotton is on, and sometimes in, the case in this noir spoof. Chapter 1 Dame Judy Bench asks her ex-boyfriend, private eye…

Continue reading →

June 20, 2024

4 Poems by Glen Armstrong

4 Poems by Glen Armstrong

*Featured image courtesy of Pexels on Pixabay* Glen Armstrong has a unique voice and style that leads to some magical lines in his poetry. Check out his four poems down below. Antonyms for “Blue Grass”  Has the violin been over-repaired?  It doesn’t sound   hillbilly enough.  And what about my singing voice?  There are worse ways to earn a dollar.  I holler   at my sweetheart the way I holler   at an animal  that it’s time to eat.  Rich folk leave the Met pretending   their feet do not exist,  pretending that a God   they don’t believe in has chosen them  with a magnet   tied to a string   tied to a bamboo fishing pole.  We invite them to pull up a chair,  but they are statues  broken from their bases.  We offer them bread,  but their bellies are…

Continue reading →

June 19, 2024

Excerpts from “Ocean of Tears” by Ololade Akinlabi

Excerpts from “Ocean of Tears” by Ololade Akinlabi

Ololade Akinlabi is an author who isn’t afraid to discuss gender and societal issues in his work. Included below are two excerpts from his upcoming novel, Ocean of Tears. The excerpts are followed by an interview with Ololade, where he discusses his inspiration for writing the book. CHAPTER FOUR DUNSI AND HER CHILDREN DRESSED FOR CHURCH and waited patiently for the decision of the pregnant clouds that loomed outside. As she settled into her seat on the sofa next to Ariyo, Dunsi couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride in the vibrant garment she had purchased for her daughter. The intricate details and col­ors perfectly complemented Ariyo’s natural beauty. Itunu, seated beside Ariyo, looked dashing in his African wax print Ankara outfit and brown sandals. Tobi, who occupied the other end of the sofa,…

Continue reading →

June 14, 2024

6 Poems by Marissa LaPorte

6 Poems by Marissa LaPorte

*Featured image courtesy of Ian Deng on Unsplash* We have a nice collection of poems this week by Marissa LaPorte. Marissa evokes a lot of emotion in her writing, which we were immediately drawn to. Let’s give her a warm welcome to the community! Smoke and Nostalgia on the Underground City Train  The city smog was suffocating  Air purifiers blasting noise like static   on the underground train   Those purifiers didn’t have a chance against the thick city air   It swarmed in like hordes of black flies every time the train stopped   and dared to open its doors to the harsh conditions of outside  Silly us for thinking we would be safe  underground  Sillier that people still believe it is a long-term fix  I stifle the urge to laugh in the face of the absurdity  Maybe…

Continue reading →

June 7, 2024

“The Books of Thoth” by Sam McDonald

“The Books of Thoth” by Sam McDonald

The god of wisdom holds many books with his great library. Unfurl the papyrus, and breathe in the ancient scent. Come with us as we explore the stories contained within The Books of Thoth. The Books of Thoth is an audio drama anthology podcast. You will explore tales of the past, the future, and even alternate realities. Every book in Thoth’s library has a story to tell. Let’s go find some, shall we? 100 million years in the future. Humans are long extinct. Squids rule the Earth. They only know us from the fossils we leave behind. What will they make of us? What assumption will they draw? Written and produced by Sam McDonald. A fleet of alien space probes enter the night sky. But this is not our sky, and the probes are from…

Continue reading →

June 4, 2024

“All’s Fair in Love and War” by Brandon Breen

“All’s Fair in Love and War” by Brandon Breen

*Featured image courtesy of Jack Ward on Unsplash* This piece by Brandon Breen takes us on an emotional journey that also gives us some insight into Italian history. This is truly a special piece and we hope Brandon shares with us again in the future. Padua, Italy, 1968 Everything was about to change in Gabriella’s own country. Not everyone had the foresight to see that the revolutionary spirit brewing inside the students would soon be turned out onto the failures of Italy itself. There were so many injustices going on in Italy and the entire world and it was ironic that it was an occurrence on a worldwide scale that reflected the lens back towards Italy. Others were convinced that fascism was dead and gone and ignored the fermenting of familiar ideology. What most people…

Continue reading →

June 3, 2024

3 Poems by Ndaba Sibanda

3 Poems by Ndaba Sibanda

*Featured image courtesy of Ian Kiragu on Unsplash* Ndaba Sibanda is a skilled poet who writes lines that are both intelligent and emotional. Take a look at his excellent poems below. Doors Of Justice a loss of mental faculties for a ruthless street robber and an infamous killer got tongues wagging- with many citizens claiming karma had finally knocked on the doors of justice Ours Is An Unbreakable Love Your gains are the pains of villains, Your grins come in several scopes, I really revere your super sunrises, but Beautiful Beloved, I’ve requests despite your stunning, seemly sunsets. You’re the nub of love and custody. You’re not just any other landscape, for at the core of our link is a bold bond. Ours is durable, divine, dear and decisive. Though I can live yonder, it’s…

Continue reading →

May 29, 2024

3 Poems by Mickey J. Corrigan

3 Poems by Mickey J. Corrigan

*Featured image courtesy of Talha Riaz on Pexels* These poems are a bit different from our usual postings. They are written as a biography following the husbands of the poet Dorothy Parker, and their life with her. On Dorothy Parker by her First Husband (Edwin Pond Parker II)  When I met her she was small a woman you could woo breathe her woody scent run hands down slim hips have lively discussions  her sweet gentle voice sharing words of love.  Time sharpened her edges her soft speech peppered with bricklayer swears her radical views cutting bitch wit deep sense of injustice anger at the rich which I took personally, insulted as provider in our home scion of a fine family successful stockbroker she seemed to reject all that she had come from that I was giving her  she bit the open hand of her master once too many times.  After the war I returned from the front different…

Continue reading →

May 24, 2024

“Homicide at Heavensgate” by Sentinel Studios

“Homicide at Heavensgate” by Sentinel Studios

When a mysterious guest is found dead during the grand opening of a new lunar resort, two detectives are sent to investigate. What they find is a rich assortment of potential suspects, and the emergence of a mystery that goes deeper than they imagined. Former cop turned private detective Bianca Buchannan gets an unexpected phone call, takes a new case, and finds all is not well in the gates of heaven. Homicide at Heavensgate stars Marta da Silva as Bianca Buchanan, Lofty Fulton as Cole Duncan, and features the voice talent of David Ault — June Yoon — Joanna Tope — Antonio King — Sasha Masakowski — Ethan Carlson — Andy Harvey — Daniel Cross — Hesham Elshazly — A. G. Willoughby — Joseph Narducci — Nato Jacobson — Joseph Narducci — Laura Richcreek —…

Continue reading →