“Lady Luck” by Narween Otto

“Mum! What did you do with my curling iron?”

Trinh’s voice tumbles down the staircase. There is an uncomfortable silence at the table as Leah avoids the glances of her friends . . .

“if you leave a twenty and a crackhead alone in your room, it’s your own damn fault!” by Eshu Bandele

I started by speed walking, then high-stepping, then flat-out mad dashing. I knew that my increasing anger was irrational.

Really, if you leave twenty bucks and a crackhead alone in your room, it’s your own damn fault! . . .

Spotlight on the NYU Creative Writing Program

On Friday, February 13, the NYU Creative Writing Program will feature Akashic authors Nelson George (The Lost Treasures of R&B), Bernice L. McFadden (Loving Donovan), and Arthur Nersesian (The Fuck-Up) as part of their Reading Series. Today, Akashic is thrilled to spotlight the NYU Creative Writing program.

SALE: Black History Month Blowout!

43 of our e-books are only $2.99 each until the end of the month, wherever e-books are sold. Plus exclusive web sales, free e-book excerpts, and much more!

“Pierced” by Mina MacLeod

It cut through me like a knife. Not a sharp one—quick and hot and over immediately, no. That would have been too simple. Jacob’s first meltdown was more like a dull, rusted blade that sawed its way back and forth over my heart . . .

“Nightfiends” by Rob Hill

The riffraff of Tompkins Square wear wool jackets in the humid night, perhaps in defiance of the elements. The squirrels aren’t panhandling as usual. They’re preoccupied with something in the weeds behind a bench, what looks to your eye like a mangled piece of bread or a crumpled paper bag. A closer look reveals a human hand . . .

“West End Boy” by Robin Hall

After the meal we headed back to the Groucho Club. We were a few drinks in now. We went upstairs and had some cocaine in the restroom . . .

Listen to Nelson George’s Mixtape for The Lost Treasures of R&B!

To celebrate the release of The Lost Treasures of R&B, Okayplayer hosted an exclusive streaming mixtape created by Nelson George!