In the vast world of storytelling, these compelling pieces below are the ones that left us most captivated. Each one offers a unique lens into the human experience, blending powerful emotions, thought-provoking themes, and masterful storytelling.
These stories are a testament to the power of storytelling. They delve into universal themes with distinct voices and perspectives, ensuring there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of emotional depth, historical drama, or speculative fiction, these pieces promise a rewarding reading experience.
Here’s an introduction and the line-up into the fascinating tales and its author you can read in our 8th edition of The Quiet Reader.
Thursday – Hazel Smoczynska
In this deeply reflective piece, the narrator revisits a forgotten settlement from their childhood, confronting memories of an experimental community that thrived and faded. As they explore the overgrown remnants of their past, themes of resilience, nostalgia, and the passage of time echo throughout the narrative. Hazel Smoczynska lives in Leeds, England, where she works for an environmental conservation charity and nurtures her writing alongside tending her allotment.
The Fervent Finger of Blame – Marcia Yudkin
A deeply introspective non-fiction piece, The Fervent Finger of Blame explores the complexities of accountability and forgiveness. Through vivid anecdotes and philosophical musings, it questions our natural inclination to point fingers and invites us to find deeper truths in our interpersonal conflicts. Marcia Yudkin’s essays have graced The New York Times Magazine, Ms., and NPR.
Shattered Dreams – Lisa Lahey
A haunting tale of unrequited love, Shattered Dreams is an emotionally raw exploration of longing, rejection, and the pain of isolation. Its brutally honest portrayal of vulnerability resonates deeply with anyone who has faced heartbreak. Lisa Lahey is known for crafting immersive worlds through short stories and poetry, with works featured in literary journals such as Spaceports and Spidersilk and Spadina Literary Review. She began writing in her late 50s when everything seemed to “come together” in this area.
Coney Island Days – Robin Herzog
Brimming with nostalgia, Coney Island Days recounts the aspirations and struggles of two friends striving to become celebrated writers in 20th-century New York. It’s a heartfelt ode to friendship, dreams, and the bittersweet passage of time. Robin Herzog, a Stockholm-based writer of magical realism, draws inspiration from historical figures and events, transporting readers to dreamy settings far from his Nordic home.
Ikon – Nick Young
Ikon transports readers to a remote Russian village during the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution. With rich descriptions and a poignant storyline, this tale captures the tension between faith, tradition, and the darker corners of human nature. Nick Young, a retired CBS News correspondent, has published extensively across journals and anthologies. His first novel, Deadline, debuted in September 2024.
Quality Control – Stephen Baily
This gripping narrative plunges into the world of political paranoia during the mid-20th century. Through sharp dialogue and unexpected twists, Quality Control masterfully explores loyalty, ideology, and the personal costs of betrayal. Stephen Baily, with a repertoire of short fiction in over sixty journals, is also a playwright and novelist.
The Palestinian Jew – Amir Sommer
In a gritty and intimate portrayal of friendship, this story delves into the complexities of identity, cultural tension, and the ever-changing dynamics between two flawed yet deeply connected individuals. Through humor and heartbreak, it reflects on what it means to belong and to rebel against expectations. Amir Sommer, the son of a Palestinian man and an Israeli woman, has broken taboos with his work, published globally from Los Angeles to the Arab world. He splits his time between Berlin and California.
The Sucker – A.D. Capili
Blurring the line between reality and folklore, this tale is an exploration of obsession and otherworldly allure. Set within a close-knit Filipino community abroad, it teases the reader with glimpses of the supernatural, leaving us questioning what is real and what lies beyond the veil of perception. Filipino philosopher and writer A.D. Capili teaches in Brussels, sharing his passions for philosophy, history, and literature through diverse writing that spans fiction, non-fiction, and academic articles.
The Witch of Greenbriar Drive – Ron Nicholson
Childhood fears and prejudices take center stage in this poignant tale about Rosie Couver, a mysterious woman rumored to be a witch. What begins as a whimsical neighborhood legend unfolds into a profound story of compassion, misunderstanding, and the burdens carried in silence. Ron Nicholson, after teaching writing for forty years, now focuses on his craft. He lives in a small American river valley town with his wife and geriatric cat.
The Great Theatre of War – N.H. Van Der Haar
The Great Theater of War masterfully blends dark humor, surreal imagery, and poignant reflections to depict the absurdities of conflict. From flamethrowers fashioned out of wine bottles to catfish claiming neutral ground, it presents war as both chaotic theater and haunting spectacle. Australian writer N.H. Van Der Haar is an autistic, queer storyteller whose work has appeared in Antithesis Journal and Farrago Magazine. When not writing, they enjoy birdwatching and observing people.
The Angel of Belleau Wood – Reed Venrick
This mesmerizing poetry takes us to the streets of Strasbourg, where the narrator encounters an ethereal figure near a grand Gothic cathedral. As history and the surreal converge, this piece contemplates fate, loss, and the haunting beauty of life’s fleeting moments. Reed Venrick’s lyrical poetry offers an ethereal experience. As a writer he spends his winters in Florida and his summers in France.
Mother & Child – Sharif Gemie
Set aboard a spaceship, Mother and Child merges science fiction with existential dilemmas. This poignant story examines themes of survival, autonomy, and humanity’s role in creating the next generation under extraordinary circumstances. Sharif Gemie, a retired History professor, has penned eight books and numerous academic articles. His first novel, The Displaced, was published earlier this year.
The staff readers for this edition were Helen Le Anderson, Marjuice Destinado, Sharif Gemie, YJ Jun, Tim Lundergan, Scott Pedersen, Brent Peters, Frank Podmore, Michele Van Rensburg and Khoi Tran. Editing powers came from Gabrielle Yetter and Ramon Stoppelenburg.
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