1 Publishers’ summaries are promotions for readers looking for something new. You find them on Amazon, Audible, Goodreads and most other bookseller websites. Their most notable characteristics are cliches, exaggeration and urgency—altogether,
Satire
If You Are Having Thoughts of Murder…
We live under such a barrage of public service announcements that they have become white noise. When a train comes to a grinding halt or my plane stands idly by the runway, I'm likely to hear the standard line, “We apologize for any
Trial by Zoom Session: A Story
Moderator: Let me introduce this month’s guest, Tom Reynolds. Tom has practiced consumer law for more than fifteen years and currently has his own law firm. We’ve invited him here today to talk to us about our rights as consumers. So, Tom, welcome to
Call for Appointment at a Doctor’s Office: A Story
Automated response system: If this is an emergency, hang up immediately and dial 911. If you are a hospital or doctor, press 1 because your call is important to us. If you are calling to make your first appointment with this office, press 2. If you
Testy: A Story
There I was, the morning after the surgery. “Morning after” seems apt because it was like a hangover, except without the really bad headache. A staff member in civilian clothes came through the door without so much as a knock. “How are we doing,
Libby Speaks 1: “The Homeless Problem” (a story)
Gavin Kane was a Democratic member of the newly Democratic majority city council. His colleagues warned him against inflammatory tweets. “We’re in charge now,” they said. “It was one thing to throw T-bombs when we were in the minority and couldn’t