Intense New Dark Fiction – The Rosary of Maria Torres
Intense New Dark Fiction – My short story The Rosary of Maria Torres appears in the newest issue of Hotch Potch Literature & Art. In place of a content warning, one editor called this story “a gut punch.” I am thrilled to be a part of Hotch Potch. This is our fifth issue and I could not be prouder.
It goes without saying that everyone loves a good read. Better than that, how about a free read? And still more, how about an entire magazine delivered as a free download or a free online read? That’s right, Friends and Neighbors, Hotch Potch Volume Three Issue One is completely free, a labor of love delivered to your hungry reader eyes.
There is no doubt that Hotch Potch is a great mix of stories, art, and more. Guest artists create beautiful artwork, then guest writers write stories based on those images. Intrigued? You should be! Besides reading my story (yes please!) you can peruse the current issues at:
In our last few installments, I mentioned that July has been shaping up to be a bit frantic. Please disregard all of my prior statements. This July borders on the abyss. Seven (count ’em, seven!) stories accepted so far this month. There are so many stories going live, I must admit I’m having trouble keeping up. Fear not, for I will endeavor to persevere.
That’s it, Lovely Readers! I hope you enjoy this latest bit of dark fiction. Meanwhile, don’t miss any upcoming stories. You can stay tuned for all the latest by following the MEF blog:
But whoa there, you need some summer reading. And hey, I gotta make a coin or two. Never fear, Readers, MEF has your back. In fact, how about a great collection of short stories? That’s right, folks, it’s here! Indeed, hot off the presses, U6 Stories awaits your hungry reader eyes:
U6 Stories – Vienna Underground Tales
Every train carries a story.
The U6 is one line of the Vienna underground transit system. The silver and red trains carry stories, many stories. A woman mourns her musical lover, and a man discovers his courage. A Syrian family flees to a fragile new beginning, and a young man helps circus performers during a pandemic. Lovers rediscover each other after decades apart, and a man finds a father he never knew. A contract is broken, and neighbors defend their own. Eighteen tales of love lost and found, of the darkness within us, and the glimmering light that keeps us afloat. Unforgettable characters struggle against the pressures of an impersonal world, and against the burdens they carry within. Welcome, Reader, to the stories of the U6.
Marco Etheridge is a writer of fiction, an occasional playwright, and a part-time poet. He lives and writes in Vienna, Austria. His stories have been published in more than seventy reviews, journals, and magazines in Canada, Australia, the UK, and the USA. U6 Stories gathers eighteen of his best short stories into one collection. The U6 is one line of the Vienna underground transit system. The trains transport more than people. Each silver and red carriage carries stories, many stories. A woman mourns the death of her musical lover, and a man discovers his courage. A Syrian family flees to a fragile new beginning, and a young man helps circus performers during a pandemic. Lovers rediscover each other after decades apart, and a man finds a father he never knew. A contract is broken, and neighbors defend their own. These eighteen stories tell tales of love lost and love found, of the darkness that lies within us, and the glimmering light that keeps us afloat. Unforgettable characters struggle against the tides and pressures of an impersonal world, and against the burdens they carry within. Welcome, Reader, to the stories of the U6.
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Marco Etheridge
Marco Etheridge is a writer of prose, an occasional playwright, and a part-time poet. He lives and writes in Vienna, Austria. His work has been featured in over one hundred reviews and journals across Canada, Australia, the UK, and the USA. His story “Power Tools” has been nominated for Best of the Web for 2023. “Power Tools” is Marco’s latest collection of short fiction. When he isn’t crafting stories, Marco is a contributing editor for a new ‘Zine called Hotch Potch. In his other life, Marco travels the world with his lovely wife Sabine. Website: https://www.marcoetheridgefiction.com/