The writing course racket

One of the banes of subscribing to newsletters for writers and a range of publishers is the constant pitching of courses for writers. Apart from a deep suspicion as to their value (I'll come back to that later), I am flabbergasted by the cost. Yes, there are a few shining lights of moderation in this …

GAS – Poetry

Delighted to be today's featured poet in the GAS Journal, an arts publication based in El Paso, Texas. https://gaspoertyartandmusic.blogspot.com/2022/06/gas-featured-poet-doug-jacquier.html

Up to your ears in bolls

These pieces were written for Six Sentence Challenge, with the prompt word of 'key'. Can you dig these ‘ere worms? No point in a brand new pair of roller skates (even if you’ve got a brand new key) when you can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd, especially since I heard it through the grapevine …

World on Fire Propagandie

I'm honoured to have 4 poems and a piece of dialogue between an Earthling and a Martian included in this collection put together by Dumpster Fire Press in Michigan, US, and just published on Amazon. All profits are being donated to Red Cross for its work in the Ukraine. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2TYLX8B/ref=cm_sw_s_fa_dp_A4BCVE207EY12S6MAEY9#=

Double edge words

These two pieces were written for the Six Sentence Challenge, with the prompt word of 'edge'. One for fun and one for reflection, and a bonus film clip. -edge as a suffix (extract from Wackypedia) ‘edge – border for a Cockney garden Straightedge – Cockney garden border after trimming Knowledge – from the Old English …

The fluid solid citizen

This piece was written for the Six Sentence Challenge, with the prompt word of 'fluid'. When Raymond saw beggars on the streets, rattling their plastic cups in the hope of loose change, he wished the government would solve the problem but then next day he would worry that might involve raising taxes. When Raymond read …

The coming of petrichor

This piece was written for the Carrot Ranch's weekly 99 word story prompt of 'well's gone dry'. Well’s gone dry and Adam stares at the grey-black clouds that cluster like a bunch of stuck-up girls at a school dance that turn him down every time. So he flicks on his solar batteries (powered by the …

Two detours

Two for one today in response to the Divine Denise's Six Sentence Challenge, with the prompt word of 'detour'. Detourmentia It began with her putting the kettle in the fridge and calling everybody ‘darling’ because she couldn’t remember their names. Then she copied the young women’s craze for ash-blond streaks in her hair and started …

Altar egos

This piece was written for the Six Sentence Challenge, with the prompt word of 'confetti'. Brad realised later that he should have been expecting it but when he arrived at the church for his second wedding, he was surprised to find a shiny black hearse wrapped in a black ribbon and bow (and filled with …

The extraordinary thing is ….

Delighted to see my story 'The Extraordinary Thing Is ...' published by Bombfire. https://bombfirelit.com/2022/05/07/the-extraordinary-thing-is-by-doug-jacquier/