Texas State Fair [original painting on display in the office of Scott Zashin, M.D. in Dallas, Texas - circa 1970s]
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A Major Award... and in romance of all things!
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Recently Discovered... Story Teaser Flyer for "The Delivery!"
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Featured Stories and Narratives
Once Upon a Time in Knob River Valley
A Collection of Grins & Grimaces
Coming in 2026 - A Zombie Works Publication:
by Lisa H. Owens
&
featuring the award-winning work of author Dawn DeBraal
Once Upon a Time in Knob River Valley
A Collection of Grins & Grimaces
Coming in 2026 - A Zombie Works Publication:
by Lisa H. Owens
&
featuring the award-winning work of author Dawn DeBraal
2026 Online Short Story Publications
A Mundane Monday Morning - Globe Soup April, 2026 Micro-Fiction Contest Winner
The Delivery - April, 2026 World of Myth Magazine
Keeping Time with Jesus - March, 2026 World of Myth Magazine
Murphy Comes a Courtin' - February, 2026 World of Myth Magazine
Twenty Minutes in the Badstuga - January, 2026 World of Myth Magazine
Ms. Pitty-Pat's Finishing School - Featured on Spillwords - February 3, 2026
Gardening Tips From the Great Beyond - Press 53 Monthly Contest Winner - Theme: Measurement January, 2026
A Desperate Christmas Wish - Globe Soup January 2026 Micro-Fiction: Theme Christmas Horror
A Mundane Monday Morning - Globe Soup April, 2026 Micro-Fiction Contest Winner
The Delivery - April, 2026 World of Myth Magazine
Keeping Time with Jesus - March, 2026 World of Myth Magazine
Murphy Comes a Courtin' - February, 2026 World of Myth Magazine
Twenty Minutes in the Badstuga - January, 2026 World of Myth Magazine
Ms. Pitty-Pat's Finishing School - Featured on Spillwords - February 3, 2026
Gardening Tips From the Great Beyond - Press 53 Monthly Contest Winner - Theme: Measurement January, 2026
A Desperate Christmas Wish - Globe Soup January 2026 Micro-Fiction: Theme Christmas Horror
2025 Online Short Story Publications
The Annual Ritual Set Forth by the Apparition of Baron Willoughby - Spillwords Featured Halloween: October 31, 2025
A Glitch in Time - 101 Words: October 2, 2025
We Might be Onto Something Here - Press 53 Monthly Contest Winner - Theme: Sand July, 2025
The Art of Malingering - 101 words: July 30, 2025
The Gift of Gab - 2025 Write-In Celebration: Flash Fiction Prompts: June 19, 2025
When Life Gives Your Hellas Planitia Fruit... - 2025 Write-In Celebration: Flash Fiction Prompts: June 19, 2025
Summer of T.V. Dinners for One - 2025 Write-In Celebration: Flash Fiction Prompts: June 18, 2025
If it Ain't Right, it Must be Left - 2025 Write-In Celebration: Flash Fiction Prompt: June 17, 2025
The Art of Peeling an Egg - Spillwords Father's Day Feature: June 15, 2025
Introduction Over Avocados - 2025 Flash Flood Fiction: June 14, 2025
The Breaking Point - Instant Noodles Mag Edition: May, 2025: Theme Current
Brother Jeremiah's Liar-Liar Elixir - 101 Words: February 17, 2025
The Day the New Manager Arrived - Globe Soup January, 2025 Micro-Fiction: Theme Hotel
The Annual Ritual Set Forth by the Apparition of Baron Willoughby - Spillwords Featured Halloween: October 31, 2025
A Glitch in Time - 101 Words: October 2, 2025
We Might be Onto Something Here - Press 53 Monthly Contest Winner - Theme: Sand July, 2025
The Art of Malingering - 101 words: July 30, 2025
The Gift of Gab - 2025 Write-In Celebration: Flash Fiction Prompts: June 19, 2025
When Life Gives Your Hellas Planitia Fruit... - 2025 Write-In Celebration: Flash Fiction Prompts: June 19, 2025
Summer of T.V. Dinners for One - 2025 Write-In Celebration: Flash Fiction Prompts: June 18, 2025
If it Ain't Right, it Must be Left - 2025 Write-In Celebration: Flash Fiction Prompt: June 17, 2025
The Art of Peeling an Egg - Spillwords Father's Day Feature: June 15, 2025
Introduction Over Avocados - 2025 Flash Flood Fiction: June 14, 2025
The Breaking Point - Instant Noodles Mag Edition: May, 2025: Theme Current
Brother Jeremiah's Liar-Liar Elixir - 101 Words: February 17, 2025
The Day the New Manager Arrived - Globe Soup January, 2025 Micro-Fiction: Theme Hotel
2024: Online Short Story Publications
Surveillance Games - Third-place in December Globe Soup Micro-fiction Contest
An Enticing Souvenir - Winner of Tortive Lit's 2024 Winter Wonderland Theme Contest
Thank You for Choosing BOSS Journeys - Christmas at Spillwords
The Zombies' Halloween - Spillwords' Halloween 2024 Series
Interview Q&A with Lisa H. Owens - Spillwords June 2024 Author of the Month
Speed-Date Night at the Senior Center - 101 Words
The Rescue Pup - 101 Words
A Coversation Regarding the Effects of 'Shrooms - 101 Words
The Last Storyteller - Featured on Spillwords
The Case of the Missing Brougham - Featured on Spillwords
The Nightly Ritual - 101 Words
Literal Potions - Black Hare Press Patreon
Surveillance Games - Third-place in December Globe Soup Micro-fiction Contest
An Enticing Souvenir - Winner of Tortive Lit's 2024 Winter Wonderland Theme Contest
Thank You for Choosing BOSS Journeys - Christmas at Spillwords
The Zombies' Halloween - Spillwords' Halloween 2024 Series
Interview Q&A with Lisa H. Owens - Spillwords June 2024 Author of the Month
Speed-Date Night at the Senior Center - 101 Words
The Rescue Pup - 101 Words
A Coversation Regarding the Effects of 'Shrooms - 101 Words
The Last Storyteller - Featured on Spillwords
The Case of the Missing Brougham - Featured on Spillwords
The Nightly Ritual - 101 Words
Literal Potions - Black Hare Press Patreon
Twelve Months of 100-Word Photo Prompts
A Camel and Kangaroo Walk into a Bar... [May, 2026 100-Words]
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They took the last two barstools alongside a chonky rat-like fella and asked him to join them in a cultural celebration of their homeland. He nodded and the camel ordered first.
“Bartender, three shots of your finest Camel Vodka!” In the midst of chatter were murmurs of assent, as eavesdropping patrons agreed it was the obvious choice. The kangaroo was up, “Three Flying Kangaroos, good sir.” Again, the curious crowd agreed it was a befitting choice. The chonky rat-like fella cleared his throat and it became deathly quiet, as everyone wondered what kind of madman fever-dream this chonky fella was. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - May, 2026 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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Traces of War [April, 2026 100-Words]
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Joey was born without a left hand. Mom's radiation contamination after The Really Big War (the biggest anyone'd ever seen, according to the king), doctors speculated. Hell. Joey felt lucky. Tons of kids were really jacked up.
“Things could be worse,” Dad said, sending the soccer ball to kingdom-come with a sick hip-check before it crossed the goal line. They were a motley pair, each missing a crucial appendage, Dad having lost his right arm in the strait when their destroyer hit a submerged mine. Hell. Dad too felt lucky. Most of the crew didn't survive the initial explosion. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - April, 2026 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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The Book of Names [December, 2025 100-Words]
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I remember nights preceding Delivery-Eve. How we sat upon Grampy's knees as he taught us the art of calligraphy. Dipping his nib, hand gliding to the top of a blank page, he penned the date. Then… the names. This is where his exceptional memory came into play. Children's deeds were recalled before committing them to a column. GOOD, in loopy black, always shorter than NAUGHTY, in sinister blood-red. My breath hitched as the ‘Ks’ approached. Brother Kris forever GOOD, in loopy black, and no matter how hard I tried, Grampy's nib dipped red, adding me, Krampus, to the NAUGHTY list.
~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - December, 2025 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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Juliette's Bakery [November, 2025 100-Words]
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The Lilliputians had a daunting order to fill, for Gulliver was traveling again. This time with wife Mary in tow, who had a particular penchant for poached pomegranate. During their rendezvous, he'd never once mentioned a wife to Juliette.
She was irritated by the wife thing, but even more so by the burden of the order he'd put upon her staff. Obtaining a pomegranate was an arduous task requiring tons of manpower. And the poaching of the mammoth fruit? Well that was… unacceptable. Juliette gave her staff a much-needed break before adding the final ingredient—numerous bowls of belladonna berries. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - November, 2025 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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Well, That Took a Weird Turn [October, 2025 100-Words]
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He stepped out of the light, and I was he, and he was me, and we were they. A star dropped from the sky, hovered in the dip where mountain met sea, and Boomer ran ahead, the brilliance of October stars lighting our path.
“Brother,” I called from afar. Meant to charm and disarm this manifestation, and as I drew near, he smiled my smile. But it didn’t reach his eyes, and his nictitating membranes blinked so fast I almost didn’t see it. His jaws snapped - took my head clean off - and I didn’t see anything after that. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - October, 2025 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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Studying Ted [September, 2025 100-Words]
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They enter the toll-booth and Stacey studies Ted’s profile, a handsome man who unleashes a myriad of emotions while driving.
Smirks while effortlessly passing a Gremlin belching smoke. That’s calling the kettle black, she thinks, peeling the VW Beetle’s flaking upholstery. “Loser,” he shouts at a bedraggled hitchhiker, shuffling backwards—thumb outstretched. And yet he picked me up. Hmmm… Uproarious laughter as he unveils gory details of a local woman’s murder. How could he know that? Ted flatters the pretty toll-booth attendant and Stacey investigates. Duct-tape and rope in the backseat, she lunges for a nonexistent door handle. Ted giggles. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - September, 2025 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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Gnome Sand Castles [July, 2025 100-Words]Gizmo, Sprocket, Mutter and Fader watch the the teenagers frolick in the tantilizing waters of Sola Strand.
“This is how it begins,” says Mutter. The couple swims for a while—all elbows and giggles—then turns to paddle to deeper water, beyond the break. They give each other an extended hug, swim back to shore and nap for a while before pulling the tools from their knapsack. “Watch closely,” Fader whispers. A plastic yellow shovel scoops sand into a red pail, and a fifth tower slowly emerges alongside young Gizmo. “And this, my boys, is where babies come from.” ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - July 2025 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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When the Monster in the Closet isn't the Only Monster [March, 2025 100-Words]
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A monster lived in Austin’s closet. Though he'd only caught nightly glimpses as it slithered back-and-forth from closet to beneath the bed—a bloated thigh, a withered arm or bulbous head—Austin knew this creature was one scary mother-trucker.
Beginning at the footboard, he strategically taped a series of magic-marker drawn arrows along the narrow hallway leading to the room at the end. One giant arrow pointed to his stepdad’s side of the shared bed. He'd seen all the bits and pieces of Mama’s most recent meal-ticket, Reginald-the-perv, and it was time to pit monster against monster. He awoke to Reggie screaming. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - March 2025 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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An Attempted Murder Becomes Something Else [February, 2025 100-Words]
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Before the Maui Bike Down a Volcano Tour began, we’d been cautioned about the switchback curve beyond the picnic area. We stop for lunch and our guide points downhill to the memorial, five stones stacked between road and mountain-side plummet, a rock for each tourist who’d careened into oblivion.
We brake as the asphalt abruptly switched directions, and those who’d already navigated the turn came face-to-face with those still on the uphill side. Upon passing, I realize the wire cutters in my backpack aren't necessary, smiling as my evil step-mother one-handedly steers while swigging Smirnoff Pineapple from a flask. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - February 2025 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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Last One to Leave... Turn Out the Lights [January, 2025 - 100-Words]
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Boomer children were cautioned against sharing drinks and kisses, for there were disgusting monsters with sharp claws living inside our mouths. Nevertheless, we spent lazy summer days sharing colas, playing spin-the-bottle, kissing yucky boys and girls. And we-the-Boomers were resilient, our immunity boosted by carelessness and bravado.
Decades later, masks and saran-covered baby kisses and isolating indoors while working remotely proceded low birth rates and human fertility waned. In an attempt to give humans time to reconnect, AI took over our jobs, but it was too little too late and the last one standing forgot to turn out the lights. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - January 2025 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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Pink is the Color of Death [August, 2024 - 100-Words]Through my bedroom window, I watched a mighty fist zip across the pink stratosphere, static electrifying my hair as it punched its way into my room through a faulty wall-outlet.
Buried in bed beneath piles of quilts sewn by my own hand when I was but a child, their combined heft pinning my arms, I watched the hand clench to cast the quilts aside, and I was afraid. Cool fingers unfurled. Smoothed my hair, then softened to lift my frail body. The room became the sky and I devoured the pinkness, my pain gone as I drew my final breath. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - August 2024 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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On the Spectrum [July, 2024 - 100-Words]
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The sweaty young man curled into himself in the corner chair. He was always there, in that same metal chair. The one closest to the red telephone hanging on the gray wall with the cracked plaster.
His clothes were dirty, carrying the ripe scent of unwashed flesh, and a mountainous man folding mounds of cloth diapers, mumbled, “Someone oughta report him to management.” “Yup,” I shrugged, a mock sneer of contempt tugging at my lips. My brother looked up, hurt apparent on his face, but then a flustered woman asked him for change and he shuffled to the back office. ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - July 2024 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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The Harshness of Earthlings [June, 2024 - 100-Words]
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Martin the Martian bleep-blop-blooped across Central Park. His pulsing orb scanned the tent-city this once crime-ridden park space had become. The tents were a picture of organization, in alignment with adjacent tents to form a perfect grid, unlike the chaos of the luxury highrises surrounding the parklands.
His auditory orbs tweeted in glee at the sound of a zipper being unzipped to release a fair-haired maiden from within the confines of her tent. His tentacles released, wrapping the human in a soft hug and his voice modulator activated. “GREETINGS, EARTHLING.” Her snaggle-tooth wiggled with each throaty syllable, “Buzz-off, mother trucker.” ~ By Lisa H. Owens Just 100 Words 100 Word Story - June 2024 Photo Prompt |
[photo courtesy of www.100wordstory.org]
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Audio / Video Narratives
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Scare You to Sleep: Tucked in a Gucci Bag Chuck: a tale of horror [read an excerpt here] Narrator: Shelby Scott Location at 22:37 on audio track |
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Inspiration Card
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The Holly Berry Ritual [read the story here] by Lisa H. Owens Winner of the Weird Christmas 2023 Weird Card Category (location at 45:45 on the audio track) |
Christmas in Four Parts [horror]
The Poets Lounge
Production, Narration and Music by: the late great Alan Johnson [R.I.P, my friend]
Written by: Lisa H. Owens
First publication: "Journeys: the Writers' Journey Blog Anthology"
Read this story along with two others by author Lisa H. Owens in "Journeys"
The Haunting of a Cracked Window [paranormal]
Happy Halloween!
Day-Six of Creepy Pod Podcast's 31 Days of Horror, 2022
(The Haunting of a Cracked Window begins at 18:40)
Published in Unwelcomed: Stories of Hauntings and Possessions
Day-Six of Creepy Pod Podcast's 31 Days of Horror, 2022
(The Haunting of a Cracked Window begins at 18:40)
Published in Unwelcomed: Stories of Hauntings and Possessions
Till Death Do Us Part
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Her Chair
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A Lover's Kiss
The Poets Lounge
Production, Narration and Music by: the late Alan Johnson
Written by: Lisa H. Owens
Published on Spillwords
The Eyes Have It
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The Gatekeeper
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photos by lisa
"Big Tex" [State Fair-1988]
Rescue, Fred [Chihuahua/Schnauzer mix - 12 years old-2025]
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Rescue, Lucky [English Pointer - RIP] and Al & Autumn
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Rescue, Buddy [Terrier mix - 17 years old-2025]
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Neo [Boxer Mix - RIP] & Rescue, Dingo [Shepherd mix - RIP]
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Rescue, Cleo [Basset Hound - RIP]
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Rescue, Henry [Labrador mix - RIP]
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It's not that we are bad pet owners; it's just that we've had many dogs over the years that led post-rescue lives, long lives, filled with kindness. RIP to those we lost.
Until we meet again someday.
Until we meet again someday.