“To My Pregnant Belly” by Tatiana Lopez

I look at my belly in the mirror, swollen to the size of a basketball at seven months pregnant . . .

“The Clown Nose” by Stephanie Laterza

“The kids are full of sugar,” Martin’s teacher announces at pickup time. “They had cupcakes for Kyle’s birthday.”

I suppose this explains why my son and his toddler cohorts are roadrunning around the classroom and catapulting off the low leather couches . . .

“Dancing with the Queen” by S. Douglas Hosdale

“That’s Datura—Queen of the Night.” Raphael was pointing at a large tree filled with big, cream-colored, bell-shaped flowers . . .

Yardenne Greenspan: On Translating Tel Aviv Noir

To celebrate the release of Tel Aviv Noir — the latest in Akashic’s Noir Series — we’re pleased to feature a guest post from Yardenne Greenspan on translating the anthology.

“A Little Piece of Heaven” by Steve Flam

He blew into town on a Greyhound from Cleveland. His name was Christopher McKendrick—at least that’s what his license said. He couldn’t wait to get to the beach. If he was caught, he’d snatch a little piece of heaven first . . .

“Paignton Rust” by Tom Leins

It’s happy hour at the Dirty Lemon, but I recognize the same lipstick smear on my glass from when I was in here this morning. It’s 9 pm, but the room is still hot and my half-drunk beer is already warm . . .

“Sword” by Rita Davis

Every day at 3:15 p.m. my son and I walk two blocks to pick his sister up from kindergarten. Every day he has a fit, a small tantrum, or decides to become sixteen months old and needs to be held the few blocks to school . . .

Jason Carney’s Tour Diary: Dayton, OH

Looking for a little adventure? Travel around the US with Starve the Vulture author Jason Carney as he tours the country’s slam poetry circuit! This week, the residents of Dayton, Ohio, give Jason a warm welcome.