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.

Ronin's Wallet

A bloody wallet lays on the banks of the river. A praying mantis takes something out of the wallet and dances, swaying, like a pendulum. Flashback 3 days ago; a lone Ronin walks into the post...

Alan M

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

The Gunman

“Do you think he really means it?”
“Yes,” she texted back.
The twins hid under a covered display table. A gunman had quietly slipped into their classroom locking the door. He ordered...

Alice H. Brown

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

A Honeymoon on the French Riveria

A HONEYMOON ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA
 
""Can you call the front desk for the time"" my husband asked? "" You can speak French"", he added confidently. I willingly picked up the phone and...

Joyce Fisher

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

The Sandy Shore

She sat down with a canvas and her palette. Dipping her paintbrush in the blue hue, she created the majestic sky! Blending some white shade in blue, she painted some gleaming strokes of water....

Komal Mehra

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Devastated

The boy looked down as he ran, wary of tripping on the uneven ground. Hurried yells echoed off the nearby walls. Various things fell from the sky and landed all around. The cacophony of raised...

Brandon Murphy

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

A Fun Day

A Fun Day

It had been a fun day; half days often were. No math today, just a word game. She had finally beaten Jamie. But the ride home was strange. A lot of moms at the bus stops. We’re...

Neal Stoffers

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Indie Love

Bobby wrestled independently in New Jersey. He loved performing for fans. This hobby cost him money , after travel costs. Bobby worked the midnight shift at CVS . Three mornings a week he trained...

Phil Luchun

Friday, May 27, 2022

Untitled

The universe desired to know what became of the world it had given to humanity, so it took the shape of a mortal and walked upon the earth.
A rose, vivid as a nebula, caught the universe’s...

Natania Birnbaum

Friday, May 27, 2022

Untitled

There was no fuss that Saturday morning, Alex had just come downstairs. Lawrence was standing  at the front door with his friend Liam. My Father was in the scullery washing his breakfast dishes...

Eileen M. Regen

Friday, May 27, 2022

A Woman

She is amazing with many feathers in her cap. Everyone wonders how she does it all and still smile. Its ok if she falters from time to time or needs a break for herself. Because she is beautiful...

Priti Kandlur

Friday, May 27, 2022

Moan Alone

You like lines, I prefer designs, like a spiral in a spiral, or a box within a box, over hills and over clover, over sticks and over rocks and over and over and over and over all over the summer...

Dj

Friday, May 27, 2022

World of My Dreams

Mom, did you hear the news about the school shooting?
My heart skipped a beat & I hugged my young, scared child. I prayed for all those who lost their loved one. I prayed for the world...

Priti Kandlur

Friday, May 27, 2022