Listen to the critique of the short story, "Pound of Flesh" profiled on the podcast The Literary Whip. The host of the podcast called Mike Sharlow, "a young Hemingway"
The Complete review of the science fiction short story, "The Rest Stop" that was published in the magazine, Theme of Absence.
“In Many Worlds I Live” a science fiction short story in Volume 7 Issue 7 August 2022
“This was a fine piece of old-school, Twilight Zone-esque storytelling. Well-created character, a surprising turn in the third round, and a knock-out ending.”
----Garrison Somers, Editor, Corner Bar Magazine
“The Field of Play” a literary short story
“This is extremely well written and an enjoyable read.”
----Michael Shields, Editor in Chief, Across the Margin / ATM Publishing
“Play Army” a literary short story
“I love this! This is incredibly nostalgic and fun read.”
----Cavin Bryce, Editor of the Soft Cartel Magazine
“I’ll Show Him” a literary short story
“We enjoyed this read very much.”
----Michael Shields, Editor in Chief, Across the Margin / ATM Publishing
“We Fell in Love on a Violent Day” a literary short story
"I like the juxtaposition of falling in love and teenage macho cockfighting.
I like it that the violence does not get out of hand and go someplace dark.
I think the Korner and the kids are believably portrayed. It's a nice piece of nostalgia and comment. There are some good scene descriptions. The author uses the details like a song to help us understand the place and time while still giving it enough vagueness to feel like a memory."
----Johana Miklos, Reviewer for Bewildering Stories Magazine
"Showdown at the DA" a literary short story
"reads well due to strong narratorial voice"
“This is a gritty slice-of-life piece set in the late 70s. The introduction of the story spells it out pretty clearly: it is about bullies and the bullied, and those who refuse to be bullied.”
----Heather Frederick, Reviewer for Bewildering Stories Magazine
“The Rock Fight” a literary short story
The Rock Fight is a great little story of Boomers as kids, on the cusp of coming of age. The author speaks with detail and assurance about life in the 60's (the Stingray bike gave it away) where, as the author perceptively observes, the neighborhood was everything, most especially during summer vacation. All the characters, most on the verge of adolescence, ring unerringly true, with nary a false note struck. The pace of the story moves along naturally, keeping the reader's interest without gimmicks or sensationalism, the descriptions sufficiently fleshed out to create a feel of the kids, the neighborhood, the era, and the plot engages, with a believable and satisfying climax and denouement. The narration is well written in simple, accessible declarative prose, with dialogue the stuff that kids actually said to each other in that generation. In summary then, The Rock Fight paradoxically succeeds as it faithfully hews closely to its own modest parameters
----Edward Ahern, Reviewer for Bewildering Stories
“Love Is I Stalk You This Much” a literary short story
“We’ve never read anything like this.”
----Absinthe Revival editors comment upon acceptance for publication of this story.
"The Bus Stop” a literary short story
The story is more of a children's tale but is still a good read for an adult. The writing is fairly simple, no extravagant descriptions anywhere or digressions of any sort. It does sound like a part of some bigger work, like a background for the main character to show what he was as a child and the reasons why he is who he is today. Having said that, it can still stand on its own as a short story.
It also touches on some psychological concepts of how most of the things are in our head and most of the times we assume wrong things and read others incorrectly, and that is a very good lesson and I particularly liked the description of Mick feeling regret immediately after having hit Don. This childish notion of freedom is quite prevalent in adults too, which makes this story just as good and valuable for an adult.
Overall, it's a very good read and a reader of any age will enjoy it.
----Bewildering Stories Magazine, comments upon acceptance of the literary short story
The Complete review of the science fiction short story, "The Rest Stop" that was published in the magazine, Theme of Absence.
“In Many Worlds I Live” a science fiction short story in Volume 7 Issue 7 August 2022
“This was a fine piece of old-school, Twilight Zone-esque storytelling. Well-created character, a surprising turn in the third round, and a knock-out ending.”
----Garrison Somers, Editor, Corner Bar Magazine
“The Field of Play” a literary short story
“This is extremely well written and an enjoyable read.”
----Michael Shields, Editor in Chief, Across the Margin / ATM Publishing
“Play Army” a literary short story
“I love this! This is incredibly nostalgic and fun read.”
----Cavin Bryce, Editor of the Soft Cartel Magazine
“I’ll Show Him” a literary short story
“We enjoyed this read very much.”
----Michael Shields, Editor in Chief, Across the Margin / ATM Publishing
“We Fell in Love on a Violent Day” a literary short story
"I like the juxtaposition of falling in love and teenage macho cockfighting.
I like it that the violence does not get out of hand and go someplace dark.
I think the Korner and the kids are believably portrayed. It's a nice piece of nostalgia and comment. There are some good scene descriptions. The author uses the details like a song to help us understand the place and time while still giving it enough vagueness to feel like a memory."
----Johana Miklos, Reviewer for Bewildering Stories Magazine
"Showdown at the DA" a literary short story
"reads well due to strong narratorial voice"
“This is a gritty slice-of-life piece set in the late 70s. The introduction of the story spells it out pretty clearly: it is about bullies and the bullied, and those who refuse to be bullied.”
----Heather Frederick, Reviewer for Bewildering Stories Magazine
“The Rock Fight” a literary short story
The Rock Fight is a great little story of Boomers as kids, on the cusp of coming of age. The author speaks with detail and assurance about life in the 60's (the Stingray bike gave it away) where, as the author perceptively observes, the neighborhood was everything, most especially during summer vacation. All the characters, most on the verge of adolescence, ring unerringly true, with nary a false note struck. The pace of the story moves along naturally, keeping the reader's interest without gimmicks or sensationalism, the descriptions sufficiently fleshed out to create a feel of the kids, the neighborhood, the era, and the plot engages, with a believable and satisfying climax and denouement. The narration is well written in simple, accessible declarative prose, with dialogue the stuff that kids actually said to each other in that generation. In summary then, The Rock Fight paradoxically succeeds as it faithfully hews closely to its own modest parameters
----Edward Ahern, Reviewer for Bewildering Stories
“Love Is I Stalk You This Much” a literary short story
“We’ve never read anything like this.”
----Absinthe Revival editors comment upon acceptance for publication of this story.
"The Bus Stop” a literary short story
The story is more of a children's tale but is still a good read for an adult. The writing is fairly simple, no extravagant descriptions anywhere or digressions of any sort. It does sound like a part of some bigger work, like a background for the main character to show what he was as a child and the reasons why he is who he is today. Having said that, it can still stand on its own as a short story.
It also touches on some psychological concepts of how most of the things are in our head and most of the times we assume wrong things and read others incorrectly, and that is a very good lesson and I particularly liked the description of Mick feeling regret immediately after having hit Don. This childish notion of freedom is quite prevalent in adults too, which makes this story just as good and valuable for an adult.
Overall, it's a very good read and a reader of any age will enjoy it.
----Bewildering Stories Magazine, comments upon acceptance of the literary short story