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Rotten by Bran Winkler
“The swirling tendrils of smoke lifted from the cigarette, manifesting into clouds that hung heavy and low in the troposphere.” – excerpt from Rotten, fiction …
Song for the Diagnoses by Christa Fairbrother
“A medical diagnosis is a baptism into a new name.” – excerpt from Song for the Diagnoses, poetry by Christa Fairbrother …
Exhibits in Orbit by Paige Eaton
“In a different reality a murder encompasses the tree / of metal spires, lining the ground with pebbles” excerpt from Exhibits in Orbit, poetry by …
Six-Word Stories by Matthew Kasper
[23 words] OutsideYogis stretch toward those prison windows. Last RitesWalk away now, whispers the priest. The EpiphanyWaiting for you, I missed loneliness. Matthew Kasper is …
Lunch At Café 86 by Michael Smith
[996 words] I knew when he asked for more napkins, there might be trouble. I’m good at this. Hector, my boss, told me once that …
Daylight under the Geofence by Robin Wyatt Dunn
[854 words] Freedom is a funny thing. The root of the word is ‘friend.’ The more friends you have, the more free you are. I …
Princess and Dragon by Amy Forstadt
[459 words] Did you know I killed a dragon once?A bully made of scales and firewho biked everywhere and refusedto …
Candy by Freddi Gralle
[27 words] your love is like candyso naturally you think you should hide it away from me in a jarthe …
Anatomy of a Memory by Anthony Ikeh
[161 words] i. in this dream we’re all sharp objects and try, please, dance with me & ignore the burning roof …
Podcast
The Metaworker Podcast | 024 Pushcart Prize Nominees, Part 2
Episode Description: In Part 2 of our Pushcart Prize Nomination podcast series, we review three pieces: one of poetry, one of creative nonfiction, and one …
The Metaworker Podcast | 023 Pushcart Prize Nominees, Part 1
Listen to the newest podcast episode! Elena, Mel, and Cerid discuss three of their nominees for the 2024 Pushcart Prize, plus readings and interviews with …
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 …
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 …
Micro
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 …
Micro Poetry by David A. Goodrum
Micro Poetry by David A. Goodrum #TheMetaworker #MetaworkerMonday …
Puppeteering by Jackson Mattocks
content warnings depression, mention of self harm [2378 words] After only a few months into my master’s program, each day had become just another attempt …
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 …
Mother and Child by Julie Mota Kondi
Pen and ink drawing inspired by social changes in built-in environmental landscapes. Julie Mota Kondi is a freelance artist who …
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 …
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 …
Interviews
The Dead Are Not Dead: A Review by Lena Bramsen of the Afrofuturistic Graphic Novel, Zana
“Zana imagines an Afrofuturistic scenario set in 2048, where Nelson Mandela had died while imprisoned… and the entire continent finds …
Darkness and Wit, Delusion and Hope: Writing and Art from Parchman Unit 29, a book review by Amita Basu
A book review of Parchman Unit 29, poems, drawings, and creative non-fiction pieces that constitute a powerful call for systemic …
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.” …
Speculative Fiction & Poetry
Princess and Dragon by Amy Forstadt
“Did you know I killed a dragon once? / A bully made of scales and fire” – excerpt from Princess …
Daylight under the Geofence by Robin Wyatt Dunn
“I let them into the library to steal the books. They say they’re going to digitize everything. In time, we …
The Needle Man by Clint Sabom
content warnings reference to drug use [1291 words] In my worry chamber birds fly east and west but never north …
Anathematikon, Part III by Lukas Jackson
[180 words] a new day dawns wolves are howling far across the moon a spun night dark the mighty rapids rise wind beats against the …
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 …
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 …
Triptych by Tim Love
[656 words] LEFT PANEL Life looked ahead long before it could remember. The better we could anticipate the future, the …
The Needle Man by Clint Sabom
content warnings reference to drug use [1291 words] In my worry chamber birds fly east and west but never north …
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 …