fiction

Valentine’s Day!

Pop Lit Fiction

PARENTAL DISCRETION ADVISED

Our publication of “Valentine’s Day” by Jess Mize illustrates three things about us.

First we’re out to publish new talent. We aim to own the literary future. That means presenting to the world exciting, edgy young writers.

Second, we’re eager to be different. If we publish what everyone else is publishing, then what’s the point?

We especially seek writers who operate outside “the box” of establishment literature. Yes, there are scores, hundreds, thousands of well-smoothed and tamed conformist literary stories fabricated every year by MFA factories. Very refined. So much alike they’re interchangeable. They’re commodities. What they lack is the unique, daring voice.

Jess Mize has a unique voice. We’re publishing her story without the kind of changes other editors would demand, because we love the reality of her story. Jess Mize gives us not some consensus-safe parlor talk out of a New Yorker magazine boardroom, but instead, the way we live and speak today.

Which brings us to our third point. In this constipated century of political correctness, safe zones and the like, we remain committed to open expression and free speech. If writers and publishers don’t defend speech, who will?

In the famous words attributed to Voltaire, “I may disagree with everything you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.”

But enough of us. Please read “Valentine’s Day.”

Violet should have known something was up. They were the kind of assholes who would order food and send it back five times because it didn’t taste right. Of course it didn’t taste right. They had been smoking crack for three straight days and they were hungry but couldn’t eat because of the drugs.

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(Watch for our “Lit Question of the Month” answers, coming soon at our “Interactive” blog, linked at “Extras!”)

Lucid Dreamer: Conclusion

Pop Lit Fiction

Have you read Part I of Scott Cannon’s “Lucid Dreamer”? The character– and ourselves– have plunged into the alluring world of lucid dreams– dreams as real as life. Now the dreams will become more interesting. . . .

The unsettling conclusion of “Lucid Dreamer” is up! Read it if you dare.

He moved to leave, remembering that with his dream awareness and the control of lucidity he could find his way out, or make the tent maze disappear entirely and transport himself to some other place if he felt like it.

(When you finish, be sure to read our interview with imaginative writer Scott Cannon.)

 

Lucid Dreamer Part I

Pop Lit Fiction

Are you an imaginative person?

Are you easily frightened?

Take care reading this story: “Lucid Dreamer,” by Scott Cannon. One of the best stories we’ve ever published. It may be the scariest, or creepiest, or most unsettling story you’ll ever read.

What’s lucid dreaming, you ask? You’re about to find out. Encounter Part I of the tale– and plunge into the world of your own head.

“But really, as an adult? I can’t think of one time a dream has scared me awake. If that’s what you mean by nightmares. You know, the kind where your heart is just pounding and you kind of just thrash out of it. . .” His voice trailed off and his eyes lost focus for a moment. Ashlee’s smile went away and her gaze sharpened.

Other People’s Clothes

Pop Lit Fiction

Hello! Today we have for you a mystery story of sorts. We think you’ll enjoy “Other People’s Clothes,” by Ron Singer. Or, the hazards of working out– the dilemmas of contemporary life. You enjoy going to the gym, you say?

Everything seemed there, and the garments had even been laundered –unfortunately, with perfumed detergent. When he checked more carefully, however, his pants knee no longer had the raspberry stain. Stranger and stranger…

Service

Pop Lit Fiction

Stories! We’re all about stories!

In this instance we have a story which includes stories: “Service” by Tom Ray. Most of us still communicate– for better or worse!– via stories.

Note: the title of the story may have a double (or even triple) meaning. Can you name them?

Let us know what you think about it!

“I shouldn’t be talking about this stuff. I’m a good Christian now, or I try to be. I’m trying to put all of that killing stuff behind me.”

 

Rejects from the Pretzel Factory

Pop Fiction

With all of us bombarded by bad news from mainstream media on a daily basis, we at NEW POP decided it was time for some humor. After all, we advertise ourselves as the MF (More Fun) website. Sit back, turn off the world and read John Gorman’s “Rejects from the Pretzel Factory.” Humor with heart. But watch out for bad puns!

Has anyone done something so nice for you you’re mad as hell at them? You’re mad because you need to pay them back, not because they expect it, but to squish it from your conscience. After Nick ducktaped my knee at the factory he nursed me in an inexcusable way. He made my life rosier. He talked the head honchos into getting me to play Auntie Bloom, the fake founder of the pretzel franchise.

Minivan Vigilante

Pop Fiction

This is not a Thanksgiving story– not exactly anyway. It’s a story about junior high, and mothers and minivans, and other things. We think you’ll conclude after reading it that Laura Herrin’s “Minivan Vigilante” is an ideal story to read around the holidays.

There on the gym floor Bridgette Calhoun was lined up right next to Kate Carlson. Kate came home and locked herself in her room for days in a row before finally collapsing in Sue’s lap and spilling the saga of Bridgette’s cruelty.

Only in America

Pop Fiction

A different take on the American Dream from our previous story is Alan Swyer’s entertaining tale, “Only in America.” The mob meets high society. Who is Whitney St. Clair anyway? What is he doing, and why is he doing it? Find out!

Despite the fact that he could never quite shake the constant fear and trembling at 3 AM that his days as Whitney St. Clair might be numbered, the weeks that followed were a rollercoaster ride the likes of which the guy formerly known as Mickey Rose would never have even dared imagine.

The Serpent’s Wink

Populist Fiction

How many stories give a sense of living in history?

Our new tale does. Read Nathaniel Heely’s “The Serpent’s Wink,” in which main character Andrew Schulden is caught amid financial manipulations, media noise and street protests– the chaos of the contemporary world.

“I’m fucking helping people here.” Matranga’s voice interrupted, “I’m really really trying to at least and,” that was snot, flecked with snowflakes again, now tripping down his lip, “and people—my own goddamn friends—are calling me crooks! Like making money was something I did wrong!”

Tanks Growing Like Flowers

Pop Lit Fiction

HAVE our smart phones detached us from the natural world? Has contemporary technology removed part of our feelings for others– objectification run amok? Is our humanity gone?

What’s the psychology of the male mind?

These are questions which might be asked after reading Chelsea Ruxer’s short story, “Tanks Growing Like Flowers.”

(What would Jerry Mander say about it?)

Fiction has the ability to raise questions about the world and ourselves. At its best, no art form is more relevant.

I listen as he explains how the world has evolved from a Hobbesian state of nature into a social contract which mirrors it, in which island on island crime is necessary and resources spontaneously regenerate. War is expected, and polite.