a short story by Frank Diamond A short-short story of mine called “A Christmas Carol” was published today (December 16, 2025) in a literary magazine called Yugen Quest Review, which is based in Kolkata, India. Here’s the link to the story. And below is the WordPress version of the story. You order a bowl of French … Continue reading A Christmas Carol

A literary magazine based in Canada called Let Me Tell You A Story published my short-short story "Let Me Tell You A Story About My Strange Day at the Beach" today (July 15, 2025). Here it is. https://tinyurl.com/y86b2h5x

My short story, “Remorse,” was published last month (July 10, 2025) in Stepping Stones Literary Magazine. Here’s the link.  https://www.steppingstoneslit.com/blog/finalist3(issue3)

by Frank Diamond My short story, “Elevator Pitch,” was published today (June 1, 2025) in the summer 2025 issue of Thriller Magazine. Here is the link which allows you to buy the publication on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F79P9WJQ And here is the link that allows you to subscribe and get the first digital copy of the magazine … Continue reading Elevator Pitch

My short story,, "Nudge," was published today (May 5, 2025) in Jokes Literary Review. Here it is: https://lnkd.in/exk8ATNe

My short story “Sup” was published today (April 23, 2025) in the literary magazine Wordrunner eChapbooks. Here it is.https://echapbook.com/anthology/2025/sup.html

AUTHOR’S NOTE: My short story, “How Long?” was published this week (December 23, 2024), in a literary magazine called Lost Lake Folk Opera. Notice that for once I didn’t say “little literary magazine” because this issue comes in at over 190 pages; that’s not little. Here’s the link to the pdf of the magazine. “How … Continue reading How Long?

My short story, “Sixth Man,” was published today (November 12, 2024) in the inaugural issue of the literary magazine Dulcet. Here is the pdf of the issue. “Sixth Man” begins on page 65. https://www.dulcetlitmag.com/issues Here’s the story below on my WordPress page.  Pete Tillinghast needs to be here. Needs to say goodbye as midnight approaches. Needs … Continue reading Sixth Man

by Frank Diamond AUTHOR’S NOTE: A short story of mine called “Going to the Chapel” recently (September 2024) ran in a little literary magazine called The Sucarnochee Review, a publication of the University of West Alabama. There’s no online version. But if you’d like to purchase a print copy of the magazine you can email the … Continue reading Going to the Chapel

Here's a short story of mine called "Lights Out" that was published today (July 15, 2024) in a little literary magazine called Cosmorama. https://cosmorama.site/fiction

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here's a short story of mine call "Rejuvenation" that was published July 2023 in the little literary magazine Fleas on the Dog. Here's the link to the story: https://tinyurl.com/yc7sbe35 It's also pasted in below in black. The content in blue before the start of the story are remarks by the editor, as well … Continue reading Rejuvenation

Here is a short story of mine called “The Fixer” that was published today (May 26, 2023) in the Rockvale Review.  https://rockvalereview.com/issues/issue-ten-may-2023/the-fixer-by-frank-diamond/?fbclid=IwAR1sb3e-LLgn9JMdFDpS1-kkdbu5n2bryYnWocON1Jdq2HB12XD5iZjvzwo

Here’s a short story of mine called “Sal the Barber,” that was published today (March 26, 2023) in The Fictional Cafe.  https://www.fictionalcafe.com/sal-the-barber-by-frank-diamond/ Featured image courtesy mcmahanphoto.com, photographed by Charles Conlon in 1910.

Here's a short story of mine called "Accumulator" that was published today (April 16, 2022) in the publication Wordrunner eChapbook.https://echapbook.com/anthology/2022/accumulator.html?fbclid=IwAR3zQYjcNM9OTDOREAHXrEuLDGRseY9X-NdgeUOQU9XsnEoFOUcwQLVK3eU

a short story by Frank Diamond AUTHOR'S NOTE: My short story, "Lie Detector," was published today (July 30, 2022) in a little literary magazine called redrosethorns. To buy the magazine, almost 100 pages of (I think) cutting edge short stories, poems, and art, go to this link: https://www.redrosethorns.com/redrosethornsmagazineissue01. And below is a version of "Lie … Continue reading Lie Detector

Here’s a piece of mine that was published today called “Morning Run.” I wrote it as a short-short story but the publication is called Whimsical Poet so I guess it’s a poem. The link is to the digital edition and “Morning Run” starts on page 13. It’s a bit of a departure for me in … Continue reading Morning Run

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here's a short story of mine called "Accumulator" that was published on April 16, 2022 in the publication Wordrunner eChapbook. https://echapbook.com/anthology/2022/accumulator.html?fbclid=IwAR3zQYjcNM9OTDOREAHXrEuLDGRseY9X-NdgeUOQU9XsnEoFOUcwQLVK3eU And it's pasted below in WordPress, as well. Rodney McDaniels pushes open the kitchen door enough to be able to crane his head out and scan the bar. He spots the guy … Continue reading Accumulator

AUTHOR'S NOTE: A short story of mine, called “Quoth the Raven” was published today (October 27, 2022) in Parhelion Literary Magazine in its special Halloween issue. Here’s a link to the issue: https://parhelionliterary.com And here’s a link to my short story: https://parhelionliterary.com/frank-diamond/ And here it is below in WordPress. Quoth the Raven a short-short story … Continue reading Quoth the Raven

a short-short story by Frank Diamond AUTHOR’S NOTE: This short-short story originally appeared in my short story collection Damage Control, which was published in 2005. Reynold’s Bubble Gum factory. It wouldn’t be so bad if me and Farley worked on an assembly line that turned out cars or air conditioners or refrigerators.  You wouldn’t believe … Continue reading Farley

a short story by Frank Diamond A short story of mine called "Unremembered Acts" was published today (May 4, 2022) in a little literary magazine called Nzuri Journal of Coastline College. Here it is below in WordPress. “You have a name,” Lenore Lyons says. “Gabe Sullivan.” “You are here.” “I am.” Silver Waters of Yardley, … Continue reading Unremembered Acts

a short story by Frank Diamond As the taxi pulls away from the bus depot we almost hit a jogger. I mean, this close. I can smell the burning rubber while the car’s still rocking. And you know what? This guy stops, jabs his fist at us a few times and then runs on.  “Fake,” … Continue reading Marty

A short story by Frank Diamond We were downing brews in Iffy’s when Julie mentioned that she would love me to kill her ex-husband. Of course, she didn’t say it just that way.  “Take care of Donald for me, will you Cheryl?” she whispered. In the darkness, the bruises under her eyes could have been … Continue reading The Anointed

From Damage Control, a collection of short stories by Frank Diamond. Go ahead, I’ll talk while you’re eating lunch. We only get a half hour.  This is your membership card. I’m supposed to tell you that dues will be deducted from your paycheck at the end of each month. We have a closed shop here. … Continue reading The Shop Steward

A short story by Frank Diamond published in his short story collection “Damage Control.” My daughter wants a hamster. We’ve already got a dog, Spike, and he’s a handful. I’m not dead-set against a hamster, and neither is my wife. But we’re not jumping in, either. My daughter’s the nicest little 12-year-old you’d ever want … Continue reading Hemingway the Second

a short-short story by Frank Diamond (appeared in a little literary magazine called 50 Give or Take https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?u=09e9431de1a89ec0d0e21d16e&id=e3a1175fa2&fbclid=IwAR1ZEZUX7DlQEL2EmzcqabNkEqz9ThfaapeWVf28mNRQ5C95USBkei2dcew

a short story by Frank Diamond https://www.dreamerswriting.com/frank-diamond/

Dad and big brother, Jason, got along well — great, in fact — except for those stupid occasional arguments that any two family members can have; the kind often forgotten before they’re forgiven.

a short story by Frank Diamond appearing in The Fictional Cafe. https://www.fictionalcafe.com/ave-maria-on-the-moon-by-frank-diamond/ and here it is pasted in below. Desperation birthed the plan, if you want to call it a birth, and if you want to call it a plan. NASA threw us at the Moon; a Hail Mary pass for world peace, of all clichés. … Continue reading Ave Maria on the Moon

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This short story, “Therapy Dog,” was published July 11, 2021, in a little literary magazine called Sincerely Magazine. The magazine can be purchased here https://www.sincerelymagazine.com/volumenineserendipity. Below is the story in WordPress. About 10 years ago, when my daughter Allison attended the University of Pittsburgh, she’d periodically call home with updates. Her college experience—you’d … Continue reading Therapy Dog

It was quiet when I got in. There’s something almost cathedral-like about McStew’s in the slow hours. The light filters in through the stained glass, and every echo sounds like a kneeler being slammed down. How many windbaggy dreams were offered up? How many resolutions? How many times had someone come in full of new … Continue reading Surprise!

I dream that my late wife, Megan, and my very-much-alive girlfriend, Sophia, sit in a café downtown, sharing wine and some delicate finger thingys — rare cheeses, quiche, caviar. They are working class girls who climbed up and out, and neither would munch like this in real life. Give ’em Buffalo wings! The spicier the … Continue reading The Winnings

I reach into my back pocket, unfold both copies of the formula and hand them to him.  “Here’s the Fountain of Youth,” I say.  “Golden,” Jake says, squinting at the figures. “Cheryl, you’re amazing.” “Careful,” I say. “Looks like rain.” He leans against his car, gives me a look. He places his hands on my … Continue reading The Chase

I could either lie awake afraid, or angry. I choose anger. But I didn’t become angry at Marty for not giving me a raise this year, or the soccer coach who benched Debbie because of her attitude. I got mad at me, Cheryl DeMarco. At my younger self. I got mad that I am a … Continue reading The Checklist

A friend’s dad is a ward leader and we get to be on the advance team for Robert F. Kennedy and that means Secret Service clearance and other privileges. When RFK arrives in Philadelphia in late March, we ride in the motorcade out to Our Lady of Czethochowa in Doylestown. Because we have college kid … Continue reading 1968

I decided to explore, find a hoagie shop somewhere. Hunger and the need to get my bearings allowed me to set aside the unpacking for a while. I had moved away from this neighborhood 30 years earlier. The places I knew then had either closed or changed ownership long ago. The residents were now predominately … Continue reading Welcome to the Neighborhood

Mr. Landrew read like crazy. When I was a kid, about twice a month he’d saunter down Albanus Street in the Olney section of Philadelphia carrying the latest pile of books he’d gotten out of the library. He’d use one of his old belts to tie them into a bundle. It was a big bundle, … Continue reading The Reader

I’m a light sleeper anyway. I miss nothing: the creak of a door, the settling of a load-bearing wall, the slightest rustle of the living room curtains. It was a little after 5 a.m. when I awoke. There was noise at my door. Someone knocked about trying to get the key in the two locks. … Continue reading Dizzy Returns

“Strawberry daiquiri,” you tell the bartender.  He’s not happy. It’s not shot-n-beer. You just tagged yourself “outsider” in this tough Philly neighborhood. Now you’ve broken two “too” rules: ordering a too-fancy drink, and sitting too close to Trouble. You’re trying your best not to let on that you notice, but Trouble’s next to you. Her … Continue reading Meet Trouble

So two guys walk into a crowded bar on a Friday night at the exact moment a couple right near the door stand and—presto—two vacant stools. They belly-up and the bartender’s there. They are regulars, a little older than the crowd that averages late-20s to mid-40s. Two beers. They quaff deeply and put their pints … Continue reading The Calling

On the night of the first and most important PTA meeting of that year, 2005, the sky cracked open — according to Principal Maggie Batten’s watch — at 6:42 p.m. She’d been testing the sound system when, suddenly, there seemed to be a thousand hands slapping the sides of the building. “Mr. Norbeck?” Maggie called. … Continue reading Maintenance

I am 26 and it’s the night my father died. My mother insists that I had nothing to do with it. My siblings don’t play; they curse me over the phone. They’ll be in tomorrow. At one point, I slump at the kitchen table, crying and sick from withdrawal. Crystal tugs my arm: “Mommy! Mommy! … Continue reading The Place Where the Chiefs Meet

There was something about the ocean that made 12-year-old Emily Dunn happy and sad at the same time. She couldn’t quite figure out why, but her mother had a theory.

Monkeydemon is the reason I stand on this bridge above a man-made lake in the middle of which sits a man-made island. It is 10:30 on New Years Eve. Anticipatory bangs, pops, and shouts stumble in the pitched distance. I parked in a cutoff in fog-laden brush. No cars passed as I carried my package … Continue reading Monkeydemon

We meet in the afternoon. Since Amy raises a young child, she’s the first to leave. I linger. Twice I stop at the hotel bar but it smells like formaldehyde, and after that I usually head back to the Vault—to where we began. Inside the Vault, business people unwind and I study the list of … Continue reading The Vault