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Shapeshifting by Leda Muscatello

[223 words] I gave you this, she says,hands too full of tension to gesture.She might have attempted to pirouette,but her joints remain fixed.This leaves room …
book cover of Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison. The back cover is a black and white image of the Parchman cemetery arch, underneath which is a bare dirt road. The pullquote reads "Books are dangerous where there is injustice." - Jack Henry Abbot. The front cover is another dirt road, lined with telephone wires and prison buildings.

Darkness and Wit, Delusion and Hope: Writing and Art from Parchman Unit 29, a book review by Amita Basu

[2,107 words] This week, we’re presenting you with a book review, written by one of our recent slush readers and Pushcart nominee, Amita Basu. Published …

Micro Fiction by Matthew Chamberlin

[76 words] TrucksSometimes I think I too will die or merely come apart in mists,only to curl and re-cohere, as banks of automotive smog, which …

Spring Updates

[379 words] Hello readers! It’s Spring here in Los Angeles, and I’m writing to you with a couple updates. Since we’re closed to new submissions …

The Memory House by Maddison Scott

content warnings Mentions of death and allusions to pregnancy loss and dementia [2494 words] Two things infuriate me today. Firstly, the music is different. The …
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Unbound by Maudie Bryant

[873 words] With each turn of the worn pages, words beckon me to an uncharted world. The very first sentence, “In the heart of shadow …
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Dancing Like Mother by Nadim Silverman

content warnings violence, sexual content [813 words] Mother would stand barefoot in the living room and amuse six million lonely souls from around the world …
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Dadless by Elise Glassman

[352 words] Dad was on his way.Dad was on his way, said, Trust me, Elise. Said stop your bellyaching, said …
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Micro Poetry by Mykyta Ryzhykh

body to tree, wood to body,metal nails for fingernails:the sun warms the crucifix. Babel letters sprout in the spring garden …
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that slow DRAGGED END. by Devayani Anvekar

content warnings references to depression, suicidal thoughts, and death [450 words] there are times when I feel my life ought …
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Podcast

The Metaworker Podcast | 022 Creating Anthologies, Part 3

Elena, Mel, and Cerid discuss Mel’s launch of River and Stone and Cerid’s updates for Artificial Sweetener, as well as the thought and care that …
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The Metaworker Podcast | 021 Creating Anthologies, Part 2

Elena, Mel, and Cerid discuss publishing software, fostering communities, marketing plans, and their hopes for their publications. #TheMetaworker #ForgeFriday …
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The Metaworker Podcast | 020 Creating Anthologies, Part 1

In this podcast episode, Elena talks with Mel and Cerid about their upcoming anthology projects outside of The Metaworker. They discuss how the projects got …
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The Metaworker Podcast | 019 Pushcart Prize Nominees, Part 2

In this two-part series, we celebrate our Pushcart Prize nominees. This episode features @coopd88, @FrankNjugi, and Linda Lacey. #TheMetaworker #PushcartPrize …
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Micro

Micro Poetry by Mykyta Ryzhykh

Micro Poetry by Mykyta Ryzhykh #TheMetaworker #MetaworkerMonday #literarymagazine #writingcommunity …
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Amoral Familism by Sophia Carroll

“When I was ten my mother fell in love with someone who was not my father.” – excerpt from Amoral …
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Your Scent by Erin Jamieson

“I trace your name in morning shadows.” – excerpt from “Your Scent”, micro fiction by Erin Jamieson @erin_simmer #MetaworkerMonday #TheMetaworker …
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book cover of Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison. The back cover is a black and white image of the Parchman cemetery arch, underneath which is a bare dirt road. The pullquote reads "Books are dangerous where there is injustice." - Jack Henry Abbot. The front cover is another dirt road, lined with telephone wires and prison buildings.

Darkness and Wit, Delusion and Hope: Writing and Art from Parchman Unit 29, a book review by Amita Basu

[2,107 words] This week, we’re presenting you with a book review, written by one of our recent slush readers and Pushcart nominee, Amita Basu. Published …
/

Dadless by Elise Glassman

[352 words] Dad was on his way.Dad was on his way, said, Trust me, Elise. Said stop your bellyaching, said For crying out loud I’m …
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Numbers by Kathryn D. Temple

[1,372 words] [ I. ] At 4 months, a baby in the womb is 6 and a half to 7 inches long. 7 inches is …
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Artwork by Gregg Williard, from “Scared Boy with Theory and Mask”

These drawings are part of an unpublished illustrated novella, “Scared Boy with Theory and Mask”, drawn and written by Gregg …
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Walking the Parks by Seth Wright

I stood on the hill gazing down at Pinkerton Park in Franklin, Tennessee, my camera aiming at each piece of …
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Art Dept by Sean Bw Parker

Watercolour, acrylic, pencil and ink on canvas Artist’s note: Art Dept. was painted shortly before the [COVID-19] lockdown struck, in …
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Interviews

book cover of Unit 29: Writing from Parchman Prison. The back cover is a black and white image of the Parchman cemetery arch, underneath which is a bare dirt road. The pullquote reads "Books are dangerous where there is injustice." - Jack Henry Abbot. The front cover is another dirt road, lined with telephone wires and prison buildings.

Darkness and Wit, Delusion and Hope: Writing and Art from Parchman Unit 29, a book review by Amita Basu

[2,107 words] This week, we’re presenting you with a book review, written by one of our recent slush readers and …
/

Looking Back to Forge Forward: A Catchup Series by Lena Bramsen

“An interview compilation with some of The Metaworker’s first contributors, reflecting upon the past and updating us on their careers.” …
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Profile: Jeremy Bock

Jeremy Bock is a West Virginia native and technologist currently expatting Bangkok with his wife and daughter. His novel, Caroline, …
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Speculative Fiction & Poetry

Unbound by Maudie Bryant

“The typeface begins to rise from the aged paper. …They stretch and coalesce into an undulating vortex, spiraling around my …
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Captive Monsters Sleeping by Michelle R. Brady

“The tantal was there before we were. … It was probably always there, waiting in the sand.” – excerpt from …
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The Last Tree by Victoria Meyer

“There are places in the earth that call to you when you’re that age, and you just have to stick …
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Desiccation Daze by Marla Dial Moore

[247 words] Marla Dial Moore is a recovering journalist who previously worked for The Associated Press and various news publications in Arizona and Texas. She …
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Sharh on Sunan an-Nasa’i 736 by Reyzl Grace

—for E. R. Shaffer Reyzl Grace is a poet, translator, and fictionist with work nominated for the Pushcart Prize, listed as a finalist for the …
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Not Done Yet by Nancy Noelke

The awe of still being here when odds ride shotgun on the sickle edgebut for one black ice spinoutone errant cell there, andone more friend …
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Walking the Parks by Seth Wright

I stood on the hill gazing down at Pinkerton Park in Franklin, Tennessee, my camera aiming at each piece of …
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Unknown Author by Paul Rabinowitz

I will always return the books you lend me because I know they are important and remember you told me …
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“typoem” by Michael Betancourt

Artist’s note: I am a Cuban-American artist who is better known from my work with digital video and Glitch Art …
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