May 2026 Publications
may publications
“We see the yellow sign in the distance. 9:00 PM. One hour till close, but Cheryl—she works this shift—usually starts drinking around 9:30 and locks the doors by 9:45. We’re talking about Bobbie Jo’s cousin’s new job.”
Do You Have Friends in Dollar Land? by Grace Crouthamel
“I’m four.
My brother, Chris, is about two.
We kneel at the foot of the carpeted stairs, stuck inside our waiting.
“What is it?” my little brother asks.
We’ve come to the foot of the stairs—and no further—because of a thing we’ve heard: our mother, screaming.”
Self-Portrait with Death by Scott Garson
ten years ago
“The seismologist’s only child was a boy and the boy was a dream. He looked exactly as you would imagine he would look. You would look at him and say, Well now, isn’t that right. Isn’t that the exact face I was hoping for.”
To Be There for the Earthquake, Which Couldn’t Happen Without Them by Nini Berndt
“My 61st great-grandpa, Pontius, the Sixth Governor and Procurator of Judea, pronounced Christ’s death sentence and went home to eat grilled sardines and wine with his wife, my 61st great-grandma, Claudia Pilate.
I’m Eric Pilate. Friends call me "Skipper." I live in Wesconnset. On Great South Bay.”
Take Me to the Pilates by Dave Petraglia
matchbook in SmokeLong
This May, Co-Founder and Managing Editor Brian Mihok was featured in The Village, SmokeLong Quarterly’s internal site for flash writers. In it, he talks about why he became a journal editor, what makes a great matchbook piece, and more.
You can join The Village (it’s free!) to read his interview and find community with other lovers of flash.
mb staff is loving
Unclean Jobs for Women and Girls by Alissa Nutting
The album Roses by Widowspeak