Death haunted her before she was born.The (in)decision of termination/new identity/hidden lifeor living in the lie that maybe things would changemarked herbefore she was born. The voice of doom:her mantra while she grew.Her unpretentious tone brought giggles/whispers/uneasinessto people she had contact with during the day,the opposite of her hopes;her mantra grew. She lay stillon the […]

Creation of a Dark Mother – Danielle Wong

Say I to the girl – go fetch me some waterbreak bread and bake dreams and knead starssays girl to I: I fletched seven golden arrowsI milked eight silver cows, I sewed you moons.Say I to the girl – by the well is a whispergo listen to land wights and braid meadowsweetsays girl to I: […]

Disir – Allister Nelson

ah, Julietborn into an old family hatredyour heart could not understandthe love of your young lifeportrayed as an enemybut love is stronger than hateand there was no one but Romeobetter to diethan to be without himin a worldwhere parents care not for their children’s happinessbut only for ancient grudgesthat have long ago lost their meaninglife […]

Dear Juliet – Georgiann Carlson

The Heretics, Lovers, and Madmen Literary Collective loves a good writing/creativity prompt challenge. Our goal is to provide prompts on a regular basis. We hope that our ‘Shadow in the Frame’ prompt stirs your muse and that you consider submitting your prompt response to Heretics, Lovers, and Madmen for publication. We welcome poetry, prose, flash fiction, creative […]

Writing/Creativity Prompt Challenge: My Last Innocent Year

I hear you theregrim worry thoughtscritch-scratching at the doorof the closetin the back of my head.I keep you locked therecaged and deadbolted- as one wouldthe fiercest predatoror harrowing demon. yet you are omnipresentmore clever by halfthan my assiduouspreparations.susurration incessant- besieges meappeals to my beliefin self as logiciantempts me to tiptoecloser, closer what if?you murmurI spring […]

The Art of Magical Overthinking – Marcia J. Weber

I hear you theregrim worry thoughtscritch-scratching at the doorof the closetin the back of my head.I keep you locked therecaged and deadbolted- as one wouldthe fiercest predatoror harrowing demon. yet you are omnipresentmore clever by halfthan my assiduouspreparations.susurration incessant- besieges meappeals to my beliefin self as logiciantempts me to tiptoecloser, closer what if?you murmurI spring […]

The Art of Magical Overthinking – Marcia J. Weber

“In Rachael Ikins’ A Handbook for Alchemists, one finds and follows a challenging fascinating character, warts and all. She is not nice, she is not even always good—but she is always interesting. “ Jennifer Maloney, author of Evidence of Fire, Poems and Stories and Don’t Let God Know You Are Singing, Poems and Stories The […]

Our Dark Library: A Handbook for Alchemists by Rachael Ikins

My every fiber mourns you.Echoes dancein the forsaken corners of my mouth.Light of the moon peeksthrough my open window.And I sit here, idled by the numbingof a night that comes and goes,calmly biding its time.Hours grow slimmer each day.Only to be taken abruptly by the gods.Lest we not forget so easily.Your name echoes forevermorebetween my […]

Oh, The Mourning – S.A. Quinox