Authors can share their short stories (less than 2000 words please) or poetry, and it won’t cost you a penny! The deadline this month is 27th November. Stories or poems can be on any subject, but please keep them reasonably family friendly. On 29th November I will pick a winner and runner up and share the links in my newsletter and on my Facebook and Twitter pages. Please ensure that you add your story to this current month’s submission page and not any previous month, or it may be missed.

I look forward to reading your efforts. The winner and runner up will receive these laurels to add to their story:

SHORT STORY LAUREL WINNER November 2018SHORT STORY LAUREL RUNNER UP November 2018

Here’s a poem for those of you who have ever been on a long car journey with small children:

ARE WE THERE YET?  BY STEVIE TURNER

Four hours in a car with two little grandsons,

But we’ve played this game before.

Mummy gives us their DVD players,

To make it a bit less of a chore.

 

Their daddy and his little brother

Hated long journeys as well,

They’d play thumb wars on the back seat,

Shout, punch each other, and yell.

 

“You get in the front, and you stay in the back!”

I’d shout at the top of my voice.

I would have preferred to go somewhere on my own,

If I’d been given the choice.

 

They’d always listen to a Postman Pat tape,

But after the twenty first repeat,

It kind of grates upon the nerves,

And makes you fidgety in your seat.

 

“Are we there yet?” would come the question,

And I’d look around and say “Don’t! –

When we get there we’ll be there,

And until then we won’t.”

 

“But I’m bored!” would come the cry,

And a foot would kick his brother,

“He kicked me!” A voice would whine,

“I hate him!” Yelled the other. 

 

Tension in the car would rise,

And Sam would drive much faster,

I’d shut my eyes so I wouldn’t see

Any impending disaster.

 

Then at last we arrive,

And the sun comes out to play,

Two little boys spring from their cage,

To fight and kill all bloody day.