The Murder Year
Jasper witnesses the grisly murder of his identical twin, Jason. Grief is one thing. But when you are reminded that you are Plan B, the clone, the backup copy, how do you move on?
(Content Advisory; explicit sexuality, graphic violence, profanity)
The Meaning of Christmas
Brad has a problem: his parents think he’s spending Christmas with his girlfriend’s family. He doesn’t know how to tell them that not only did he and his girlfriend break up, but he’s ditched Christianity as well. He’s still trying to figure out how to tell himself.
(Content Advisory: profanity, sexual references)
That’s the Spirit!
This non-fiction piece is a no-nonsense look at what it means to be spiritual. Nothing mystical or weird. Just down-to-earth, inexplicable stuff.
Son of Rusalka
Gabriel and his parents spend a few days in a remote cabin in the woods, pretending to be a normal family spending the holidays together. But Gabe cannot forget what happened five years before when Dmitri, his adopted brother, pounded the door on a frigid winter’s night after their father locked him outside. Dmitri’s body never was found, and the family covered up what happened. But now Gabe hears a voice in the night…
(Content Advisory: child abuse, explicit sexuality, profanity)
The Angel and the Pastor and the End of the World
Decades, miles, and societal circumstances separate Winston and Marvin, yet they are destined to meet. Winston is a successful minister leading a charmed, but complicated life. Marvin is a biracial survivor of child abuse who ricochets through the world. Their gifts, their curses, their struggles are very different, but they share one in the same question: “What do I do with the fact that I am gay?
(Content Advisory: child abuse, explicit sexuality, profanity, suicide)
The Book of Eoh
Eoh is the last living human aboard a spaceship bound for a new world, whenever and wherever that might be found. He is in the company of intelligent machines who care for him and are devoted to his well-being. But what’s the purpose? What’s the point? He wants to know, but his non-biological companions aren’t saying.
(Content Advisory: explicit sexuality, profanity, sexual violence, suicide)
Emma’s God
Georgia and Van’s newly adopted daughter is a mystery. At four years old, she is verbal, perceptive, and apparently happy. But how can a child whose parents either died or gave her up be so well-adjusted?
Epiphany
Ray is hanging out with his great-grandfather—Grandpa Du—who is cashiering at a convenience store. A gunman attempts to commit robbery, but the gun misfires and the gunman dies. The Lord be praised! But Grandpa Du’s life takes a turn that no one expects. The family thinks they know what has happened to Grandpa Du, but Ray is not so sure.
(Content Advisory: profanity, sexual references)
The Undercover Atheist
Jackson doesn’t believe in God. But his mother does. What’s more, she has to—or everything falls apart. There’s nothing Jackson won’t do to make sure his mother keeps it together. But how do you survive when what someone else needs drains the life out of you?
(Content Advisory: child abuse, profanity, sexual references)
Whatever Happened to Larkin and Rose?
Emily Larkin and Piermont Rose, a married-couple team, are smashing the children’s book scene with one hit after another. But violence strikes their suburb, and the question of what-if paralyzes their creativity. What becomes of a relationship when its center falls apart?
(Content Advisory: profanity, sexual references)