Short Stories
The "73 Words in the 732" contest seeks original short stories that contain seventy-three words or fewer. Stories can be on any theme or topic, and a panel of library staff will select the best short stories, which will appear on the library's website.
The contest is open through the month of May every year. All ages are welcome to participate and East Brunswick residency is not required.
The Hill
The bottom of a long hill has a steel mill, at the top is a college.
In May of my senior year, father asked what did I plan to do after graduation?
My reply, join the army or work...
Donald Carugati
The Artichoke Women
I smell earth boiling.
Hawkeyeing the women around the table, I hear shrieks and laughter.
""Artichokes!""
And three large green flowers appear.
The cacophony dies to a...
Arianna M Astuni
Most Colorful Kid in the Class
“There’s no such place as Fillateens! You’re Chinese! My mommy said so!”
(shrug) “It’s PHILIPPINES and it’s real! I’m not lying!”
(multiple glares all around) “Fine, Fillateens! You’...
J. K. Momling
Untitled
She never knew her father. Mother said very little—only that he was from the city and left during her pregnancy. She had to meet him and had many questions. She ate a last forkful of pizza, rinsed...
Loris Nattrass
Good Morning
I last saw my father twenty-seven years ago; I was seventeen. I remember eating breakfast- Rice Krispies. He entered the kitchen and said, "Don't know why you bother going to school- you're just...
Geneva Hague
A Waiting Room
The picture was handed to me. I glimpsed...
Risa Waters
Untitled
When the car broke down it was no surprise. They decided to just leave it pulled over on the shoulder -- I think the piece of junk’s already lasted much longer than any of them anticipated. They’...
Nandini Mishra
He
I’ll get a really good wine for my big date tonight. It took me a few weeks to get up the nerve to ask her out. I see her almost every day at work; I never have any trouble talking with anyone but...
Ed Mendlowitz
She
He finally asked me out. I was thinking of asking him out but could never get up the nerve. I see him almost every day at work; I never have any trouble talking with anyone but for some reason I...
Ed Mendlowitz
Untitled
The diamond was gone. The blue diamond, which brought out the beautiful light in Helena's eyes. The perfect diamond that Maya had been saving for months for. Everything is ruined. This is a sign,...
Lori Nattrass
Untitled
Money is tight, so...
Lori Nattrass
Is it ever worth it?
“This traffic stinks. I’ve been inching up for the last 45 minutes and will be really late for my interview. I don’t even have a number to call. I’m gonna be really late. There’s an opening – I...