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SmokeLong Quarterly

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A Trip to the Grocer’s

Story by Beverly Jackson (Read author interview) September 15, 2003

In the produce bin, among discarded corn shucks and carrot tops, but discernible in a transparent plastic bag, a severed human hand lay with its curled fingers extended toward her, begging. She stared.

“Like I needed this, right?” she said.

Tossing a head of broccoli in her cart, she glanced over her shoulder, steering toward the meat counter. She waved a small goodbye. It was an omen, she reckoned.

About the Author

Beverly Jackson, poet/writer, is also the Editor of Literary Potpourri and Publisher of Lit Pot Press, Inc. Her work can be found in Melic Review, Pindeldyboz, Outsider Ink, Zoetrope All Story Extra, Rattle, and Night Train, to name a few. Her journal can be found at http://literarypotpourri.com.

This story appeared in Issue One of SmokeLong Quarterly.
SmokeLong Quarterly Issue One
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The March Micro Marathon 25

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We’re doing it again! We’re homing in on the micro: 100-word, 250-word, and 400-word stories. In March 2025 SmokeLong is hosting The March Micro Marathon, a 24-day workshop with a new writing task each day, peer review in small groups, 3 webinars, a reading and interview with Michelle Ross and the editors of 100 Word Story, and 3 competitions with cash prizes.