“A Version of Everything” by Kristen Valentine
We decided that one thing we could do with the money is buy a house, so we looked at some houses and it was weird and to offset the weird we got tattoos . . .
News & Features
Kwame Dawes’s Preface to Coming Up Hot
To celebrate the release of Coming Up Hot: Eight New Poets from the Caribbean, today we’re pleased to give you a look at the book’s preface, written by Kwame Dawes.
Ed Park’s Introduction to Buffalo Noir
To celebrate the release of Buffalo Noir, the latest in Akashic’s Noir Series, we’re pleased to give you a look at coeditor Ed Park’s own personal Buffalo noir with his introduction, “Ice-Cold Stories.”
“Civil Blood” by S. Douglas Hosdale
A hush had fallen over Hvar. The fish market was closed, and the cold cement countertops were empty and the knives and scales aremained untouched. The cold weather of fall had descended upon us with a ferocious howl of wind and a violent clap of thunder, and I watched the few bright patches of shimmery water fade into a dark sea . . .
“I, Murderer” by Anthony Moore
I’m patiently scoping out my next victim, but I’m distracted. Thanks to the news, I’m not savoring the moment like I normally do . . .
“Guango River” by Tricia Allen
The lunch bell begins to ring, so we say our prayers, chewing the words up in our mouths with half-open eyes as we watch our teacher, leather belt in hand . . .
“Children Play While Shadows Walk” by Neala Bhagwansingh
We scampered across the assembly hall to peep out of the wooden louvered windows of our primary school, hoping to catch a glimpse of the parents as the cars pulled up across the street at the porte cochere of the Members Club to deposit their passengers . . .
“The Belizean Body Dump” by Tom Leins
Freddy scowls when I shine my flashlight in his face. His gold tooth glints in the gloom . . .