At five I never imagined what would occur in the years that followed. I believed that world revolved my sister and I. Our days were filled with endless adventure. We were only stopped by the bright yellow sun that slowly sank below the horizon, but even then our play was illuminated by the twinkling of … Continue reading Adult Mainstream, Literary, Historical, Comedy, Romance – Editor Critiques

Evelyn O’Brien scrambled out of her sodden uniform. She fired the offending garments into the wash basket, then stuck her long brown hair under the tap. With one ear cocked to Bob Marley’s soulful songs on the radio, she dried her hair in a hurry, whipped on blue denim jeans and a Diesel sweater then … Continue reading Middle Grade (All Genres) – Editor Critiques

Maysa was nine when she first felt that surge of power with each note she sang. She told her fellow singers about it, to which they responded with warnings that the scouts will soon find her. True enough, that did happen years later. It happened at the riverbanks, a kilometer away from the city proper. … Continue reading Young Adult Fantasy – Editor Critiques

Orion. A Breeze of wind whistles through the open window. Blowing the curtains sideways knocking the Tracy McGrady bobble head on to the floor next to the bed. It hits the metal leg making a high pitch noise. While it echoes around the room a squeaking ache noise starts coming from the bed. On the … Continue reading Young Adult Science Fiction – Editor Critiques

I imagine proper young ladies seldom found themselves in such a questionable state–crawling in the shadows of a dark, deserted emporium like some marauder. But I, being a Holmes, welcomed these singular predicaments. Crouching under a counter, I swiped my black bangs aside and held up the anonymous telegram wired to Scotland Yard, the cryptic … Continue reading Young Adult Mystery, Thriller, Horror – Editor Critiques

That first time. That first time I saw her. It was as though I’d been kept in the dark my entire life and only now was finally being shown the light. Being freed from a prison I didn’t even realise I was in. It was mystifying and magical. Captivating. Just like that my soul was … Continue reading Young Adult Mainstream, Literary, Historical, Comedy, Romance – Editor Critiques

On a different battlefield, in different time, one ancient race was split in two over their early interferences with humans. One branch formed the hālien people, followers of Haligan, the Father, Teacher, Protector and Healer, a ridiculously lengthy title through which humans to this day remember him in their worship. The rest that protested Haligan’s … Continue reading Adult Fantasy – Editor Critiques

Dusk settled down around me as I stood staring at the beginning tree line of a forest. A gentle, but cold breeze wisped thru tall, white quaking aspens. These aspens gave way to smaller then massive redwoods. Shivering, I pulled the hood of my deep red sweater over my head. Where was I? What was … Continue reading Adult Science Fiction – Editor Critiques

Heart speeding with rage, I knocked on the door of Jessica Brown’s house. When no one responded a second after, I slammed my hand against it. Another second after, I pounded. It was nearing eleven at night, spring air fresh against my fuming face. Jessica Brown was throwing a party that night. I had snuck … Continue reading Adult Mystery, Thriller, Horror – Editor Critiques