No Extra Words one person's search for story

There are the ties that bind and those we run from. Jim Szabo's six word story is the beginning of (a beautiful?) marriage. Copyright 2014, used with permission. Read Jim's bio or find him on the Second Hand Stories Podcast. Five-time No Extra Words contributor Tina Tocco ponders whether you really can go home in "That Boy's a Catch." Copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Tina's bio. Writing Spaces for Episode 86 features Dallas Woodburn, who first appeared with us back on Episode 28. Click here to see her writing space. We are also featuring Sheila Good, whose story was featured on Episode 35. Click here to see her writing space. Sometimes escape takes you away from something. Sometimes it takes you towards something. "Moira Actually" is by Adam Kluger and voiced by Bill Tush. Copyright 2016, used with permission. People aren't perfect, but there's perfection in the imperfection, like when your girlfriend gets "Sweaty." By T.E. Cowell, copyright 2017, used with permission. Read T.E.'s bio.

Today's drabble writer is my buddy and fellow podcaster Kelly J. Covert, and she pays tribute to something sacred to us all. Find Kelly on Instagram or head over to her website to check out her amazing podcast.

What do you do when time away is simultaneously long enough to sink your teeth into and yet not nearly long enough? "Walk a Pavement Once." By Eivend Nerberg, copyright 2007, used with permission. Originally published in 2008 in the anthology Nano2ales, edited by Ziv Navoth (Franc Roddam's Ziji Publishing, UK.) Read Eivend's bio. It's funny how every familiar place eventually becomes a "Ghost Town." By Jessica Psenski, copyright 2017, used with permission. Originally published over on her lovely blog. Read Jessica's bio. For today's segment, a grand experiment: Found Literature. This is an anonymous piece and there is no good way to locate its author so as I said on the show it lives in a murky area of U.S. copyright law. I am choosing to take the risk and bring it to you, trying to operate on good faith. Story really is everywhere, and if anyone knows where the author(s) of this piece might be, I hope you'll reach out. As a Pacific Northwest native, I am a sucker for excellent visual descriptions of this amazing part of the world, such as those found in "Red of 10,000 Years." By Dave Barrett, copyright 2015, used with permission. This piece is an excerpt of his novel Gone Alaska and the excerpt was originally published in the Summer 2015 issue of The Vignette Review. Read Dave's bio.

I loved my chat with Jim Szabo, host of the Second Hand Stories podcast. We chatted about the inspiration for our shows, how we deal with submissions and what our pet peeves are, how much we love our writers, our recording spaces, and so much more. Here's some links to the things we talked about. Camp Nanowrimo The Ira Glass video on taste and creativity The silly podcast Kris used to be obsessed with is TBTL. (Haven't listened in years, no idea if it's any good anymore.) Dan Carlin is an indie podcasting legend Jim recommends Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People If you haven't listened to S-Town, it is great as literature Kris loves the How to Be a Girl podcast Here's the article on podcasting as literary nonfiction Jim talked about being featured on Bookstr No Extra Words submission guidelines [READ THEM] Second Hand Stories submission guidelines [READ THEM, TOO] The Twitter account @AdviceToWriters And the two recommendations Kris gives to podcaster wannabes are: Helen Zaltzman blog posts on podcasting The team at She Podcasts have a free podcasting course!

Not what you think. This is what happens to the living that the dead don't have to deal with. "The Adequate News Report" gives us just the facts, and just the end. As in all good microfiction, you get to come up with the beginning. By Dan Seiters, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Dan's bio. Paul and Emma have had "A Death in the Family," and someone has to decide how they tell. By Amanda Staples, copyright 2017, used with permission. Read Amanda's bio. No new announcements on today's episode, but definitely think about contributing your 100 word story to our Instagram challenge and check out how you can support the show. Supporters also get a behind the scenes look at how I used Google to create poems like the one featured on today's episode "What Happens After Death?" Dealing with Grandma's death is one thing. Getting Grandma to her final resting place is something different in "The Ministry." By Niles M. Reddick, copyright 2014, used with permission. Visit Niles's website.

One minute, one hundred words, one story. Click here to see the photo that inspired this story and here to learn how to submit your own work via Instagram.

Up late wondering if they know what they are doing to memories of "My Last Husband." By Mary J. Breen, copyright 2013, used with permission. "My Last Husband" first appeared in The Waterhouse Review in January 2013. Read Mary's bio. Today's episode features a silly campfire story by Kris Baker Dersch. The three guardians of this podcast are Submissions, Promotion, who would like to introduce you to the wilds of Instagram and YouTube, and Support. Writing spaces for Episode 83 features Steven Mayoff, who was previously with us on Episode 47 and Episode 56. Click here to see his writing space. Our second Writing Spaces contributor is Rachel Lyon, whose work can be heard on Episode 46. Click here to see her writing space. You can also see detailed photos of the balloon, the lion, the angel, and the novel-in-progress featured in her piece. It's always hard to explain a dream. "I Had Children in a Dream" is by Stacy Stepanovich, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Stacy's bio. The Google poem featured in this episode is by Kris Baker Dersch and is the launch of our fundraising campaign on Patreon. You can view the video of the Google poetry writing technique by becoming a Patreon sponsor to the show. The poem is called "Lost Sleep" and is inspired by the stories of this episode. We've all had that middle of the night feeling like it's "Three in the Morning and You Don't Smoke Anymore." By Peter J. Stavros, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Peter's website.

This mini-episode launches our Instagram challenge! Click here to see the photo of the found poem that inspired the story. To participate in the Instagram challenge, find us on Instagram @noextrawords Be sure to follow #drabbleoninstagram and on Fridays look for our #foundpoetry

It's our two year podcastiversary! This jam-packed episode honors the short form of the drabble, a story of exactly 100 words. All 12 of today's stories were part of the Apples to Apples Drabble contest put on by Katharine Grubb at the 10 Minute Novelists blog. Katharine herself stops by on this episode to talk writing, the contest, and the 10 Minute Novelists facebook group. We are grateful to Katharine and the 10 Minute Novelists for being part of this special episode. Read Katharine's bio. Read the bios of today's contributors here, here, and here. All of the stories featured on this episode are copyright 2017. All are used with permission and remain the intellectual property of their creators. The blog post I spoke about in my interview with Katharine is on the Blonde Write More blog.

A little history of the No Extra Words podcast and a story I really want to share with all of you. "Mother's Day in the NICU," by Kris Baker Dersch, is copyright 2015. I shared the true story from this time in my own life on the New Parent podcast back in April. This is the fictionalized version.

Do you think the cop in your rearview mirror knows you are "Tipsy?" By T.E. Cowell, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read T.E.'s bio. Lunch with a friend teaches us that in so many ways there is a "First Time for Everything." By Amanda Staples, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Amanda's bio. What's truth and what's fiction in "The Afternoon Sleepwalk?" By Cara Lopez Lee, copyright 2012, used with permission. Visit Cara's website. Back for Episode 82, Writing Spaces! Past contributors share with us where they write. First up is Charles O'Hay, who shared his poem with us back on Episode 45. Click here to see his writing space. Next up the master storyteller Eldon Reishus from Episode 71 takes us into his world. Click here to see his writing space. Coming next episode! A two year anniversary and a jam-packed episode with 11(!) stories. Let us know what you want to know about No Extra Words history.

Everyone's on some kind of a journey today. No border wall could ever keep out the "Dust." By Patty Somlo, copyright 2009, used with permission. Visit Patty's website. Episode 67 contributor and poet Anuja Ghimire is our guest on the Poets' Corner today. Born in Kathmandu and always seeming to visit her homeland in periods of great tumult, she tells us how poetry and place entwine in her life and shares with us some poetry. Read Anuja's bio. A brief encounter reveals so much of "The Fishermen of Dragon-Tooth Beach." By Michael Paul Hogan, copyright 2001, used with permission. Read Michael's bio. Not all journeys are long or grand. Sometimes it's the small distances that mean the most, like the search for the "Thrush." By Norbert Kovacs, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Norbert's bio.

For those who love books, they become almost human beings standing there in their "Dust Jackets." By Samantha Dutton, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Samantha's bio. Some things just cannot be escaped, especially "The Curse of the Virgin." By Richard Sensenbrenner, copyright 1992, used with permission. Read Richard's bio. In the first ever installment of our Poet's Corner segment, Kelli Russell Agodon invites me into her office where she shares poetry and we discuss poetry, small presses, and the importance of finding your voice. Visit Kelli's website or the website for Two Sylvias Press. For photos of the field trip and Kelli's writing space, check out the show notes. All editors are the same, such sticklers about reading the "Guidelines." by T.E. Cowell, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read T.E.'s bio.

A literary celebration of a national pastime. Come with Shawn Aveningo Sanders for "One Final Inning in St. Louis." Copyright 2011, used with permission. Visit Shawn's website. Susan Vollenweider was with us back on Special Episode #3. She is back with a special guest telling us how she came to know "Baseball: My Way." Copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Susan's website. Niles Reddick's famous name has him throwing out a "First Pitch." Copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Niles's website. In a brand-new segment, we are diving into the archives to bring back Angela Lombardo's story from last year's baseball opening day special...a gift for you Cubs fans. Copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Angela's website. Most of us had someone who helped us learn to love the game. In Bill McStowe's story, it's "Astrid from Sweden." Copyright 2017, used with permission. Check out Bill's previous contribution to No Extra Words and visit his website. You never know what will help you in this game. Carolyn Martin tells us why "It's Good I'm Slow." Copyright 2011, used with permission. Read Carolyn's bio. Stay tuned to the end of this episode to hear about Attagirl: your women and girls in baseball podcast. Visit the website or find Attagirl in your favorite podcast app. Happy baseball season! Kris

Somehow life got "Lost at Sea." By Drew Lovell, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Drew's website. Can't go gator hunting without "Gator Bait." By Paul Rousseau, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Paul's bio. Sometimes life puts you in just the right uncomfortable place, and in this case it involves "Bodily Fluids" By Ron Riekki, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Ron's website. Don't forget to share podcasts with your family and friends and us the hashtag #trypod all March long. Writing Spaces has a sponsor for this episode! Visit Matt Keefer over at the Ravings of a Mad Music Man blog to hear his Writing Spaces essay. Jen McConnell, Episode 54 contributor shares all about where she writes. Click here to see her writing space. Marina Frances Mularz is behind "What We Talk About When We Talk About Homer" from Episode 20. She shares all about where she writes. Click here to see her writing space. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

It really can all change in "One Moment." By Amanda Staples, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Amanda's website. If only all fairy tales ended like "The Frog Prince." By Clive Collins, copyright 2014, used with permission. Read Clive's bio. Back for Episode 77: Writing Spaces, featuring No Extra Words contributors. Pat Obermeier was with us back on Episode 36. Click here to see her writing space. Joan MacIntosh was featured on Episode 57. Click here to see her writing space. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

No matter how far you run away, you never escape who you are and what your past is. After not being able to slow down a friend who is struggling, those left behind must deal with the fact that there was "Nothing They Could Do." By Kim Farleigh, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Kim's bio. New segment today! You Be the Producer, with No Extra Words contributor Arden Wren Sawyer. Arden wrote "Caffeine, Cancer, Coco, Candida," copyright 2016 and used with permission, with a special secondary character. Read Arden's bio. It's not always your choice, sometimes it's "Policy." But that doesn't mean it doesn't haunt you. By Timothy Boudreau, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Timothy's bio. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

No one knows life in the ring like "The Undercard." By David Whippman, copyright 2000, used with permission. Read David's bio. "First a Woman Then a Man" is a fictional story about the real-life Guevedoce of the Dominican Republic. By Justin Fenech, copyright 2016, used with permission.Visit Justin's website or read more about the Guevedoce. Writing Spaces returns this episode featuring two more previous No Extra Words contributors. Korey Wallace was featured on Episode 52. Click here to see his writing space. T.J. Peters was featured on Episode 43. Click here to see his writing space. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

"How May I Help You?" is by Kris Baker Dersch, copyright 2015. Inspired by the #FridayFlash hashtag, which I won't link because some people...don't use it as intended. Another new segment! "Social Media Snippets," as inspired by Episode 14 contributor Jake Bible and his fun podcast "Writing in Suburbia." How many times have you been asked to "Please Hold?" By Genelle Chaconas, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Genelles' bio. Always always always hold on to your "Passport." By Marina Rubin, copyright 2008, used with permission. Visit Marina's website. I want to be the customer service rep who reads this "Complaint Letter to Bloomingdale's Cosmetics Department." By Sally Stevens, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Sally's website. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Never has a family been so in need of "Healing Time." By Paul Beckman, copyright 2015, used with permission. Visit Paul's website. "Suebelle's Homecoming" may not be all it's cracked up to be. By Helen Grochmal, copyright 2014, used with permission. Read Helen's bio. People have the oddest way of telling you to "Stay Away." By Thom Young, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Thom's website. The rules all change when you reach "Autumn." By Fred D. White, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Fred's bio. NEW THIS EPISODE, our Writing Spaces segment featuring two former No Extra Words contributors. Sarah Mitchell-Jackson was featured on Episode 39 last March, Episode 67, and Special Episode #5. Click here to see her writing desk. Click here to see her library. Edith Gallagher Boyd was featured on Episode 54 in July. Click here to see her writing space. The bookstore I mentioned in this show was Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, Washington.

When I released our non-Election Day Election Day episode in November, I did not expect to be doing a non-Inauguration Day Inauguration Day Episode, but here goes. "Guinivere Tries a New Kind of In-Vitro" is one of those stories that is better when you don't try to describe it, so I'm going to let it speak for itself. It is by Dina Greenberg, copyright 2016, used with permission. I just saw a play in which they go a little bit into the legend of Cerridwen, mentioned in the story. If you don't know the reference, it is a wonderful tale of Welsh mythology and you should read more about it. Also, visit Dina's website. Ever wonder who decided which books get read and what becomes canon? It was decided in the "Blood Feud: Melville vs. Hawthorne." By James Bezerra, copyright 2015, used with permission. Visit James's website. Today's show closes with the reading of an important historical document, inspired by my friend tweeting government documents to the President Elect. Check out her Twitter feed. Hey, while you're hanging out on Twitter, follow us! Special episode coming when we hit 1,000 followers. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Our special guest for today explains our unexpected three week hiatus. We appreciate all our listeners and followers and are glad to be back. As we look to the future of the No Extra Words Podcast, we want to hear what you think. What segments would you like to see? What is missing from our show? Contact us at [email protected] or find all our social media on our website noextrawords.wordpress.com For today's short story, I share the folk tale "The Tailor" or "Just Enough," a Jewish folk tale of Russian origin. The version I share is my own adaptation of the story. We will see you January 20, if not sooner, with a brand-new episode.

For today's new content, I go into my own archives and share a personal story, "Green Angels," copyright 2000. The books mentioned on this episode are: The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell, copyright 1946. There have been many editions of this book, but our copy is illustrated by Sergio Leone and published by Watertower Books. A Cup of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg, illustrated by Warren Hanson. Copyright 1982, published by Waldman House Press. Santa's Crash-Bang Christmas by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Tomie DePaola. Copyright 1977, published by Xerox Education Publications. For photos of the books and angels discussed, please visit our website at https://noextrawords.wordpress.com/2016/12/19/episode-72-a-christmas-serial-remix-part-4/ This episode ends with the conclusion of A Christmas Serial. Parts 1-3 were featured in Episodes 69-71. A Christmas Serial is written and read by Kris Baker Dersch and the current version is copyright 2015. The version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" featured on this episode is by the U.S. Marine Corps Band. It is in the public domain and comes to us courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

Fun new content today, the title says it all: "The Tiny House on Singing Wheels on the Prairie & The Army Corps of Engineers Container." By Eldon Reishus, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read his bio. Part 2 of our four-part "A Christmas Serial," takes us onstage, backstage, and points in between. Check out Episode 69 if you missed Part 1 and Episode 70 if you missed Part 2. This version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is played by the U.S. Marine Corps Band. It is in the public domain and comes to us courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

Once again we start with new content! Everyone dreams of being an "Extra." By Charles Rammelkamp, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read his bio. Part 2 of our four-part "A Christmas Serial," takes us onstage, backstage, and points in between. Check out Episode 69f if you missed Part 1. This version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is played by the U.S. Marine Corps Band. It is in the public domain and comes to us courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

New content! Two people who start off one Christmas "Perfect Strangers." By Connie Armstrong, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Connie's bio. We are pleased to bring you Part 1 of the four-part Christmas serialized story. Serialized fiction has a long, proud history, carried on this day by a number of sources including our friends at channilllo.com. A Christmas Serial is by Kris Baker Dersch, copyright 2015. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

It's not unusual for family members to make things "Shiny." By Tina Tocco, copyright 2013, used with permission. Read Tina's bio. We all take "Measurements" of the relationships in our life. By Ingrid Jendrezejewski, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Ingrid's website. Is "The Singer" what she seems? By DeanJean Phng, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit DeanJean's website.

Tellabration (tm) is an international day of storytelling put on by the National Storytelling Network. Across the country and across the world, storytelling events large and small are put on, but to our knowledge No Extra Words' storytelling event is the only all-digital Tellabration (tm) event. We have invited podcasters large and small to tell their stories in their own special way to celebrate the audio storytelling done on podcasts every day. Podcasters telling their stories on this episode are: Hilda Wapf, Wise Traditions Natalie and Lala, Radio Tatas Levi Noe, Rocky Mountain Revival Amy Oestreicher on The Unmistakable Creative Civila Morgan, 21st Century Hannah Barbara Stevens, Breakup Recovery Hadas Ben-Tsur, Common Room Cody Gough, Game/Life Balance U.S. Nathan Pierce, MicroBrewr Autumn Beam, Write Your Own Story Links will take you to the podcast website or search for your favorite in your favorite podcast app. Help and inspiration for my commentary came from Anne Lamott's fabulous book Stitches: a handbook on meaning, hope, and repair. Our thanks for help on this episode to our fabulous podcast hosting service Libsyn and to the community at She Podcasts. The campfire sounds on this episode come to us from the Free Sound Project, user matucha, with our thanks. As always, theme music for this episode is "Aria Variata" by Bach, played by Brandon Kinsella. It is in the public domain and comes to us courtesy of the Free Music Archive. Every attempt was made to locate the copyright owners of the camp songs used, but no author was located. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Some things are bigger than all of us. Some forces make their own rules. A rough night may lead to some marks on "Stone Colored Pants." By Paul Rousseau, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Paul's bio. Sometimes a "Storm" ruins everything. By Sarah Mitchell-Jackson, copyright 2011, used with permission. Visit Sarah's website. "April, Quakes in Kathmandu" is fiction based on a true story. By Anuja Ghimire, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Anuja's website.

Welcome to your non-Election Day Election Day Episode. "A Wedding Jig" is a fractured fairy tale of the most fractured sort. By Sarah Haasl, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Sarah's bio. Chance plays a big part in how we live. Our lives really are the result of "A Lottery of Birth." By Donovan James, copyright 2010, used with permission. Read Donovan's bio. It's quite a trip when you go into "The Mind." By Levi Andrew Noe, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Levi's website. I was sorry I couldn't get permission to use an election year poem by Janet Wong, but do check out her book and her poems. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Reinvention is an artistic endeavor in "Robots With a Vengeance." By Bill McStowe, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Bill's website. "Reinvention" is a family endeavor. By Tina Tocco, copyright 2013, used with permission. "Reinvention" was previously published in Fiction Fix (Winter 2014.) Read Tina's bio or check out her previous contributions to the show in Episodes 19 and 23. Everyone reinvents themselves at "Camp Athabasca," whether they want to or not. By Trystan Carter, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Trystan's website. This traveler will never be the same after "June 9, 2015." By Donte'vian Harris, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Donte'vian's bio. Check out all our previous four story, four contributor episodes: Episode 54, Episode 51, Episode 50, Episode 47, Episode 30, Episode 28, Episode 23, and Episode 19.

Gabriela gets a call she has been waiting for, but her broken heart has power in "The Greater Pain." By Jaclyn Adomeit, copyright 2014, used with permission. Visit Jaclyn's website. Kuki's artist retreat is heaven, but "The Bell" tolls. By Eric D. Goodman, copyright 2012, used with permission. Visit Eric's website. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

A Symphony of Everyday Life, in short story. Starting with the trio of short stories "Sights," "Sounds," and "Pitches," by Ben Berman. Copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Ben's website. Does life ever have spice in "The Suburbs?" By Jason Heroux, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Jason's website. Sometimes the sensory experience is overwhelming, and sometimes it's just "God Awful." By Robert Carnahan, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Robert's website. To learn more about the Carnegie Hall concert mentioned or to purchase tickets please visit https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2016/11/25/0800/PM/A-Christmas-Holiday-Spectacular/ http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

How well do we really know our oldest friends? Sometimes it takes someone who has really been there when you are "Low." By Harold Klae, copyright 2016, used with permission. Contact Harold. I've known "My Pal Rich" for a long time and never expected this. By Cam Lay, copyright 2014, used with permission. Read Cam's bio. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Those quiet moments in a relationship when it's just you and your partner. "Cowboy Nocturne" is a falling in love story by Evan Guilford-Blake. Copyright 2008. An expanded version of "Cowboy Nocturne will appear in Evan's forthcoming short story collection Love and Loss and Love. Read Evan's bio. Relationships have big dynamic moments, but they also have a lot of everyday moments, those involving "Cereal Bowls and Lukewarm Coffee." By Marika Brooks, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Marika's bio. Will "The Fart" come between Michael and his lady? By T.E. Cowell, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read T.E.'s bio. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Senior in high school Molly has trouble learning from her elders in "A Nun's Arse." By James Mulhern, copyright 2015, used with permission. Visit his website. The real Joan Galt is here to tell her story in "The Termite Squad: My Official and Authentic Report." By Joan Galt, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit the website, learn the truth...or some version of the truth. Is truth truth anymore?

It's been almost 50 years now. You know what happened. You've seen her picture. But you haven't heard her side of the story...until now. "The Attractive Brunette - Her Looks Now Ruined - Speaks" gives you a backstage pass to a story you thought you knew. By Nan Wigington, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read her bio. Will the road back end where you think it does? "Espresso Milkshakes in Nederland" is by James McGrath Morris, copyright 2014, used with permission. Read his bio. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Sometimes it's not about what's going on but about who shows up to go through it with you in "Cost of Living." By C.S. O'Cinneide, copyright 2014, used with permission. Read her bio here. Security guard work has its drawbacks in "The Unfortunate Death of Martin Stephonopolus." By Jakob Weyms, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read his bio here.

We're wrapping up a three day weekend here in the U.S. Maybe you spent it on an artist's retreat. Hopefully, not this kind... "Inspiration" is to be found on the retreat Joan McIntosh's character is headed to. Copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Joan's bio. "Paint the Walls Red" with second-time contributor Devyn Millette. Copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Devyn's bio. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

What lives in your family history? One family searches for the real home of "Opa and Oma." By Robert Wexelblatt, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Robert's bio. Second-time No Extra Words contributor Steven Mayoff tells us the story of "The Two Annes" of Prince Edward Island, Canada...and it isn't the story you think. Copyright 2006, used with permission. Visit Steven's website. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Be wary of those who prepare the food. In "Pencils at the Ready," the school is ready to meet the new headmaster, although perhaps not in the way he expected. By Sarah Bigham, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Sarah's bio. In "Just a Microwave Dinner?" those who are behind the food finally speak. By J. Paul Cooper, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read J. Paul's bio. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

"Shingle Spit Road" is where what you think you know and what you actually know collide. By Meaghan Hackinen, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Meaghan's bio. Sometimes life doesn't crack open all at once. Sometimes there's "The Opening." By Edith Gallagher Boyd, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Edith's bio. "Not Dog People" is a 90-word short story that asks what if. By Jen McConnell, copyright 2015, used with permission. Visit Jen's website. Three-time No Extra Words contributor Sally Stevens finishes off today's episode with "Jasper," about the ways we experience the world. Copyright 2014, used with permission. Read Sally's bio. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Being yourself is a constant struggle in "What Does Anyone Remember About High School, Anyway?" By Arden Wren Sawyer, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Arden's bio. Annabelle is about to have one "Last Night." By Mike Chin, copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Mike's website. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

"Ben Ailing" isn't sure how he ended up where he did, but there was a reason he was supposed to be there. By Dave Barrett, from his collection Republic, USA. Copyright 2014, used with permission. Read Dave's bio. "A Sometimes Kind Wolf" by Korey Wallace, is a blast from the past. Copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Korey's bio. "Firewood" is the story of one man and one day job. By Frank Haberle, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Frank's bio. Be sure to send us your summer camp flash fiction by July 5.

Those who won't change and the rest of us who get to deal. Witness the creative destruction of "A New Heart." By Mitchell Krockmalnik Grabois, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read his bio. Grocery clerks are always the ones who hear your rants in "Blu-Ray/DVD." By Daniel Maluka, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read his bio. At what point do you get to call out the ridiculous? "Dean's Dilemma" is by Paul Beckman, copyright 2015, used with permission. Visit his website. Did you ever wonder who is reading your submissions? After "The Party," will you wonder if it had remained a mystery. Written and produced by Adam Kluger, copyright 2016, used with permission. Featuring the voice work of Aesha Waks. Read Adam's bio. Don't miss your chance to be part of our 2016 Summer Camp Special! http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

It's our special anniversary episode! "Wrong Number" is a voice mail message from an old friend. Does her friend really want to hear from her right now? Written and read by Sally Stevens. Copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Sally's bio. "Contrast" takes us on a mission that you feel really never had a chance for success. By William C. Blome, copyright 2014, used with permission. Read William's bio. This super-sized episode also features listener feedback PLUS listeners' favorite stories from our archives...re-live some favorite moments! http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Today's episode is super-sized because it contains some special bonus holiday content at the end. "Memorial Day" looks closely at an important holiday. By C.M. Gabbett, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read his bio. In "The Quiet Raspberry Wormhole," if you look at just the right angle you can see back a ways to what was. By Jefferey H. Toney, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Jeffery's bio. "Yasmina" is the story of a women who has experience great loss adjusting her vision of the future. By Evan Guilford-Blake, copyright 2013, used with permission. Read Evan's bio. Bonus Memorial Day content: stick around to the end of this one to hear the true story of one American hero. Sounds from this episode are courtesy of the Free Sound Project. Thank you to freesoundjon01 for the church bells and 18hiltc for "Taps." 50th episode and our one year anniversary coming next week! See you then! http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

"Saving Andie" is the story of a board room meeting in which the experts must decide whether to launch a rescue mission. By Lars H. Hoffmann, copyright 2015, used with permission. Visit Lars' website. In "Sunshine and Asteroids," a disaster survivor is alone in a new world. By Jason J. Nugent, from his anthology (Almost) Average. Copyright 2016, used with permission. Visit Jason's website. "Rewards" is a story of a fantastical person and an ordinary family. By Anne Elizabeth Weisgerber, copyright 2015, used with permission. Visit Anne's website. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Back in January we had a Contributor Appreciation promotion, where we randomly drew four winners from our list of contributors. They received a prize from our sponsor, Channillo.com and the chance to have an interview feature on the show. Today I am delighted to bring you the last of those interviews. Brianne's delightful and funny story was featured all the way back in October as part of an episode with strong storytelling voices. She was kind enough to record her answers to my questions about writing, inspiration, and her background and it is an absolutely delightful listen. I hope you enjoy this special feature, and stay tuned for a new episode with three short stories coming next week. Please check out our Contributor Appreciation Month sponsor, your home for serialized literature online, Channillo.com http://noextrawords.wordpress.com

Four stories, four moments, about mothering, motherhood, and this thing called family. "Chicago, 1965" is one of those wonderful stories that pull you immediately into the writer's experience. By Rhonda C. Poynter, copyright 2016, used with permission. Read Rhonda's bio. "Heaven, Maybe" asks the often unanswerable question "What is this place?" By Jesse Glass, copyright 2015, used with permission. Read Jesse's bio. "Danger in the Summer Moon Above" is about the ongoing search. By Steven Mayoff, copyright 1996, used with permission. Read Steven's bio. "About Me Being a Big Brother" navigates one of life's many tough transitions. By Audra Kerr Brown, copyright 2014, used with permission. Read Audra's bio. Stay tuned to the end for a Mother's Day guest I hope you'll enjoy...had to bring it your way. http://noextrawords.wordpress.com