Coming soon: a story in The Café Irreal
But first: some recommendations
Excited to announce that I have a story coming out very soon in The Cafe Irreal
In honor of this occasion, here's a few recommendations from some mainstays of this incredible publication.
First: Laundromat, D Harlan Ellison
I asked the attendant behind the counter how to proceed. She finished folding a shirt, then gave me a once over and warned me not to cause trouble.
“I just want to dry some clothes please.” I showed her my laundry basket.
“Do I have to call the police? I will.” She pointed out the window at a pig truck parked in a handicapped spot. I could hear the cargo’s purposeful oinks and grunts.
Then a couple that I love from Kuzhali Manickavel
Cats and Fish , & Because We Are Precious And Brave
by Kuzhali Manickavel
“Why you doing that?” I asked.
“Doing what?”
“Pulling cats out of your mouth.”
“Why, are you allergic?”
“No.”
“Are they bothering you?”
“Not really?”
“Want to see something?”
Before I could answer, he began tweezing something out from between his front teeth.
Also by Manickavel, “Kisi Shayar Something Something”
"Women’s hostels always smell like limestone. Everyone gets tetanus from the rusty metal beds but we are used to the tetanus."
Next, "The Ledger Angel", by Bruce Holland Rogers
"Trust me on this. I have it on good authority that there is only one angel who reads the ledger."
“Pete and the Elephant”, Nikolaj Volgushev
"A week after they'd moved in the elephant (who, in the meantime, had settled in quite well in Pete's living room) Pete completed his astronaut training. "
And we’ll wrap up with “Three Stories” from Avra Margariti
"Someone cut off my hands and sewed them back on wrong. Whoever they are, they're hopeless with a needle and thread."
Looking forward to appearing in the upcoming issue, please do check it out and these ones and many more