There’s no escaping the bath ladies. They come out at night in our small village and limp to my tiny house on Naujoji Street. They knock and I go to open the door. It’s the custom to let everyone in. I’m in northern Lithuania, near the edge of a pine forest with roaming stallions that bite. I left New Jersey to live here. I am polite. The ladies are one hundred years old. I offer them coffee, not tea. They bring a paper bag. I recognize the bag. I’d thrown it out. At midnight the two search ... [READ MORE]
NOTEBOOK
Orbits
The fumes from the super limousine dirtied the snow. The vehicle stretched a full block. She could see her father’s kufi hat duck under the roof as he got inside where ninety-nine other members of his delegation sat looking like packaged food waiting to be microwaved. The limo drove off in a cloud of white smoke, dragging winter behind it. It came to a stop three blocks later before turning the corner and curving out of her vision. What could she do but watch? What was he leaving behind for ... [READ MORE]
Now Closed: The Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize 2023
We’re so pleased to announce that our judge for this year’s Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize will be the wonderful Kelly Link. A MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Link is the author of the acclaimed books Get in Trouble, Stranger Things Happen, Magic for Beginners, and others. Her latest story collection, White Cat, Black Dog, was published in March 2023. This year, we're again partnering with the Tasajillo Residency, an idyllic writing residency that neighbors the Halifax Ranch just ... [READ MORE]
The 2023 American Short(er) Fiction Prize Winners
We are thrilled to announce the winners of this year's American Short(er) Fiction Prize, judged by Karen Russell. Thank you to everyone who submitted—it is always inspiring to read your work. Congratulations to the winners! _____ First-Place Prize: "Tombs" by Yasmin Adele Majeed Judge Karen Russell writes, "My favorite of many excellent, extremely short stories is 'Tombs.' I was amazed by the sorcery that Majeed accomplishes with just a palmful of words. This short piece distills decades ... [READ MORE]
The Potatoes
The potatoes came out of the compost pile thick-limbed and determined, looking almost like tomatoes, given their height. You shook your head. “Once there are potatoes, there’s always potatoes.” I liked the infinity of this. I thought Beget! The potatoes are begetting more potatoes! I thought of who would live in the little house after me, their wonder at the potatoes and the potatoes wondering at them. I liked the idea of this happening: someone happening upon a stock of potatoes behind their ... [READ MORE]
Swung
I came along to this place called the Squirrel Ranch, where they had actual live squirrels and rabbits and a rooster in a big outdoor hut of mesh wire. A few deer wandered around in the grass. Postings announced that all these creatures had been rescued but not from what. A series of cabanas and tall fencing sheltered it all from the world beyond. On the varnished log walls inside hung the antlers, heads, and hides of all kinds of animals, antique-looking fishing rods, canoes, snowshoes, old ... [READ MORE]