September 2019 - James Kirst Short Story and Novel Blog

Short Story Saturday: Mountain of Despair

Posted on September 28, 2019December 3, 2023 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Mountain of Despair. Please enjoy. Also, if you haven’t already checked out my FAQ on my upcoming book, Magic Once Removed, please check that out as well. Thanks again!

“Don’t tell me you’ve never done anything stupid, Dad.” Jennifer crossed her arms and shivered in a foot of snow. She couldn’t believe she was up there. “I’ve read your high school yearbook.”

“I can honestly say I’ve never summoned Satan.”

The teenager scoffed. “It’s Bogmath, Dad. One of Satan’s lieutenants, not Satan himself. Get it right. Besides, what the hell were you doing with that book, anyway?”

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Short Story Saturday: Pizza Guys

Posted on September 21, 2019December 3, 2023 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Pizza Guys. It is inspired by this prompt: https://www.writersdigest.com/prompts/pizza-delivery-driver. Please enjoy. Also, if you haven’t already checked out my FAQ on my upcoming book, Magic Once Removed, please check that out as well. Thanks again!

The haze fades as my eyes blink themselves awake. It must have been a wild night. I’m sure I was at a party or something though I don’t even remember going to bed.

Wait a second, there wasn’t a party and this isn’t my bed. I’m sitting on a chair bolted to the floor. My ankles are attached to its legs with some sort of adhesive. I’m guessing duct tape. Both arms are behind me. I struggle frantically to move my limbs. No dice. It seems my hands are literally tied, probably duct tape again as well but I’m not sure.

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Short Story Saturday: His Princess

Posted on September 14, 2019December 3, 2023 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled His Princess. Strap in as it is perhaps the longest story I’ve written on the blog thus far. Please enjoy. I am currently listed at #16 on feedspot’s Top 20 Short Story Blog page. Please check it out. Also, if you haven’t already checked out my FAQ on my upcoming book, Magic Once Removed, please check that out as well. Thanks again!

People were surprised by my sudden retirement and have been distraught over my subsequent behavior. Most have blamed mental illness but I assure you that I am not suffering from a defect in the mind. Rather, I am cursed with knowing the truth. Perhaps a discussion of my last case is warranted as it’ll help enlighten how a hardened veteran police detective became a disheveled mess sitting alone in a cheap hotel. This may be my last chance.

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Short Story Saturday: Dream Girl

Posted on September 7, 2019December 3, 2023 by jkirst

Hello everyone! As part of Short Story Saturday, I have posted another short story, this one entitled Dream Girl. Please enjoy. I am currently listed at #16 on feedspot’s Top 20 Short Story Blog page. Please check it out. Also, if you haven’t already checked out my FAQ on my upcoming book, Magic Once Removed, please check that out as well. Thanks again!

“I dreamt of her again,” Mark said.

“Jesus, really?” Stan replied.

Mark proceeded to tell his best friend about his latest dream. It once again featured a young petite Asian woman with auburn eyes and thick jet-black hair wrapped into a ponytail. He was also sure to add her thick black-rimmed glasses every time he mentioned her. He was really into that for some reason. Then he, as always, proceeded to describe in vivid detail how he’d kiss those thick pink lips before the two of them went much further. Dirk always stopped him before he could say more.

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