This anthology marks the debut of Long Island's Easy Writers, six talented authors who share Long Island, New York as their home. They met through a creative writing workshop at Suffolk County Community College and together they have assembled 32 of their best short stories for your entertainment. Coming from the worlds of business, law, medicine, security and the military, they have brought an array of experiences and interests to their works.
These stories expertly show us the world through the eyes of characters as diverse as the authors themselves: troubled teenagers coping with lives that are changing too fast, caring families suffering the loss of a loved one, regretful adults working to overcome their mistakes, not to mention a genie, some ghosts and a psychopath or two. Each story is a new journey along a road that covers tragedy and redemption, cruelty and kindness, love and longing. With ample doses of drama, action, horror, mystery, fantasy and even humor, Long Island's Easy Writers' Short Story Collection-2008 has something for every literary taste.
Although 32 stories, I have six in the collection (Tom Hannon).
1942- A drama (could be a one stage play) Takes place in an almost empty diner with three customers. Two of them- Audrey and Frankie are working out a delicate problem and a stranger who has his own reasons for being there.
Purple Haze- About a famous baseball player. He crosses through a mysterious cloud, and he is now no longer who he used to be.
Amanda's Seduction- My favorite. A great twist at the end. Tommy hooks up with the mother of an old girl friend and his affair turns out to be a disaster.
Crystal's Secret- Two former lovers meet twenty five years after their breakup. There is a lot to catch on and Mark learns of Crystal's Secret.
Guilty- A man is wrongly convicted of his wife's murder. Twenty seven years later, a young detective is opening up the dead case for reasons only the detective knows.
Walk On The Wild Side- Barbara is obsessed with an Internet stranger and her facination with bondage leads to a shocking twist.
Excerpt
Excerpt - Crystals Secret (Tom Hannon)
"Every picture tells a story, Mark. There is more to this story than a pretty woman standing on the beach."
"Care to read me the first chapter, or at least the prologue?" he asked.
"The story isn't finished yet, although I'm working on a surprise ending. If my plot turns out the way I expect, I'll need you to write the epilogue."
"Sounds like a best-seller," Mark teased. "Will there be a happy ending?"
"I wouldn't know. Aren't you the one writing the epilogue?"
Professional Reviews
Mary Kral
Long Island' s Easy Writers Short Stories are Fantastic, June 2, 2008
By Mary Kral (Jacksonville, FL)
When I first saw the title of the book I just had to buy it. Being from Long Island myself I could picture the places in these stories. Having been away now for many years, it brought me back to my "home".
The stories are as different as the writers themselves.
I really loved Tom Hannon's stories. Crystal's Secret is about a man and a woman who meet again after 25 years and share more than he knows but is about to find out. Great ending with a few twists.
Tom has a great imagination on Purple Haze and Guilty was absolutely my favorite. 1942 had a really interesting twist. Tom is so good at the surprise endings. A Walk on the Wild Side is intriguing, naughty and again, a surprise ending. If you like surprises read his stories.
Paul Moran's Still Waters was great as was Rekindled Senses. That really tugged at my heartstrings.
I enjoyed all six authors and their different writing styles. I recommend this book to everyone. These short stories are great and keep you wanting more.
Donna (unknown)
Good book! , May 21, 2008
By Donna (Charlestown, NH USA)
This book has honestly made me rethink the idea of reading short stories. I never thought I cared much for short stories before, but I truly enjoyed reading this book, and I think that anyone would; there's something in there for everyone. Give it a try!
T. Mcgann
By Thomas Mcgann -
What a surprise! Six Long Island wrters (Easy Writers) have combined their efforts to prepare this feast for gourmands. A smorgasbord of friendship/fornication/forgiveness; horror/humor/hubris; death/delusion/destiny all stirred in with a pinch of incest and some funny bits seasoning this spicy jambalaya. My personal favorite is "Solitude." Have a taste
'Better Without You'is a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of an affair, hidden secrets, and abuse. It also highlights a daughter's heartfelt journey as she cares for her mother who is battling dementia.
Imogene, a country-bred girl, longs to make a life for herself in New York City. She joins forces with her former college roommate to start a movie production company in the big city.
Five years have passed. The sequel to the award-winning Chapel of Eternal Love, this book revisits the same couples in the first book, and where the lives have taken them since they left the altar at The Chapel of Eternal Love
