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This is the best part of being editor of the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette: showcasing the work of a flash fiction writer. Hello hello hello, my brother and sister bloggers and writers. The Old Soldier is feeling pretty spry today. I just did a Google search for the key words “flash fiction.” And guess what. The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette was in the top ten responses. The Gazette may not be there tomorrow, but it sure was there today.
So, how would you like to be a guest writer for the most dynamic flash fiction blog on the Internet? Don’t wait too much longer before you send me something. The writing contest closes on October 1, 2010. So, send me something. Be sure to read and follow the submission guidelines. The submissions tab is at the top of the page.
Now for our feature presentation.
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Father
“Whenever I can I visit father,” Carlos said. “You should do the same.”
“I will,” I said.
Carlos, my younger sibling who got married before me, never fails to remind me every time we see each other. It sounded like an obligation when he says it. We don’t see each other often though. Only on special occasions. His son’s or his daughter’s birthday. Christenings. Christmas. My birthday. Carlos thinks like father. He took after our old man’s serious disposition. To him all things no matter how commonplace it is must be taken seriously.
“You have more time than I,” Carlos said.
“I have tons of work in school waiting to be done.” It sounded like a lame excuse to my ears.
“You’re free Saturdays and Sundays. I’m not. Sometimes I even have to work on Sundays when the company requires us to.”
“I have graduate school on Saturdays,” I said.
“You should visit him, though.”
Carlos works in a feeds manufacturing plant. We both finished the same course. He never took the Licensure Examination for Teachers. He opted for a job in a company rather than teach.
“He’s our father,” he said. “And he’s living alone.”
My brother took our father’s advice. He has a seven-year old daughter and two younger sons. They often disagree. But you can tell that they both try to understand each other. Carlos always runs to our father whenever he is in need or in trouble.
“I do visit him,” I said.
“But not as often as I do,” he said.
“I’ll try to do so more often.”
“You should. Besides, I need to spare some time with my children,” he said.
The End
Bio: Billy T. Antonio was born in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Philippines. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree at the Urdaneta City University, Urdaneta City, Philippines. He was a fellow for fiction of the 44th U.P. National Writers Summer Workshop in Baguio City.
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Let Me Help You Get Published
August 24, 2010 — pittsburghflashfictiongazetteCover of The Great Gatsby
Hello hello hello, my brother and sister bloggers, writers and Flash Fiction Fanatics. F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my favorite writers. Most critics agree that The Great Gatsby is a great novel, but even Fitzgerald got rejection notices.
It’s the Old Soldier here with some words of encouragement and practical help to get you published.
The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is always looking for writing talent to showcase. I want to publish you as much as you want to be published. I will work with you to get you into this magazine, the most dynamic flash fiction blog on the Internet. If you Google “flash fiction” you will find The Gazette holding fast at #3, or at least it has been for the last few days. So, if you get published by The Gazette, people will see your work.
Take a chance and send me something. What do you have to lose? I’ll get back to you in a few days with either an acceptance email or with a short critique on how to improve your chances of publication for your next submission. You can’t beat that with a stick.
Just read and follow the submission guidelines. The submissions tab is at the top of the page. Good luck.
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