Original stories by William H. Coles
The Necklace
A Short Story
"The Necklace" by William H. Coles
Two couples on tour find new meaning in their lives after the theft of a precious necklace.
William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Awards Finalist (2011), Finalist (2012).
The Golden Flute
A Short Story
"The Golden Flute" by William H. Coles
Two women with declining allure fight for supremacy for the men in their lives.
William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Awards Semifinalist (2011), Short-list finalist (2012).
The Amish Girl
A Short Story
"The Amish Girl" by William H. Coles
A girl and boy in love challenge diverse cultural values.
William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Awards Semi-Finalist (2012).
Dr. Greiner's Day in Court
A Short Story
"Dr. Greiner's Day in Court" by William H. Coles
A young girl comes of age when her father is charged with murder.
The Cart Boy
A Short Story
"The Cart Boy" by William H. Coles
A store manager befriends an employee.
Big Gene
A Short Story
"Big Gene" by William H. Coles
A black piano player infiltrates the KKK in the cultural wars of the seventies.
William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Awards Semifinalist (2011), Semi-Finalist (2012).
Grief
A Short Story
"Grief" by William H. Coles
A mother grieves her former boyfriend and sees her daughter in a new light.
William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Awards Finalist (2010), Semi-Finalist (2012).
The War of the Flies
A Short Story
"The War of the Flies" by William H. Coles
A grandmother helps her grandson maneuver in the custody battle of his parents.
Father Ryan
A Short Story
"Father Ryan" by William H. Coles
A Catholic priest confronts lust.
The Gift
A Short Story
"The Gift" by William H. Coles
A determined mother protects her deformed child from the destructive sympathies of family and society.
Listen (31:37) The Gift |
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Suchin's Escape
A Short Story
"Suchin's Escape" by William H. Coles
Suchin's Escape was a short-list finalist in the 2010 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition.
Listen (36:54) Suchin's Escape |
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The Stonecutter
A Short Story
"The Stonecutter" by William H. Coles
Stonecutter's son falls hopelessly in love with a client.
Listen (21:04) The Stonecutter |
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Facing Grace With Gloria
A Short Story
"Facing Grace With Gloria" by William H. Coles
Finalist in the 2007 William Faulkner Creative Writing Competition
Listen (21:09) Facing Grace with Gloria |
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Homunculus
A Short Story
"Homunculus" by William H. Coles
A top three finalist in William Faulkner:William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition 2008
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The Perennial Student
A Short Story
"The Perennial Student" by William H. Coles
An associate professor learns more from his student than he expected.
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The Activist
A Short Story
"The Activist" William H. Coles
Coming of age while helping a nephew.
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Curse of a Lonely Heart
A Short Story
"Curse of a Lonely Heart" by William H. Coles
A dinner party goes awry.
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The Miracle of Madame Villard
A Short Story
"The Miracle of Madame Villard" by William H. Coles
Miracles emerge in the chaos of the French revolution.
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On the Road to Yazoo City
A Short Story
"On the Road to Yazoo City" by William H. Coles
Discovering love in Mississippi when there's nothing left at the bottom of the bucket.
Listen (13:26) Yazoo City |
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Captain Withers’s Wife
A Short Story
"Captain Withers’s Wife" William H. Coles
Finalist in the William Faulkner: William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition
Listen (30:49) Cpt Withers’s Wife |
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The Thirteen Nudes of Ernest Goings
A Short Story
"The Thirteen Nudes of Ernest Goings" William H. Coles
A finalist in the 2008 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative writing competition.
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Reddog
A Short Story
"Reddog" by William H. Coles
Winner 2006 Sandhills Writers Competition
Listen (38:21) Reddog |
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Clouds
A Short Short Story
"Clouds" by William H. Coles
A mother drives her handicapped son to be institutionalized.
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Dilemma
A Short Short Story
When is a life not worth saving?
"Dilemma" by William H. Coles
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Crossing Over
A Short Short Story
"Crossing Over" William H. Coles
Presented at Kenyon College and at Zoetrope Belize Workshop
Listen (6:11) Crossing Over |
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The Bear
A Short Short Story
"The Bear" by William H. Coles
Sacrificing a child to survive.
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Lost Papers
A Short Short Story
"Lost Papers" by William H. Coles
Losing a wife to keep a secret.
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February 3rd, 2011 at 6:55 pm
[...] literary short stories are [...]
October 2nd, 2010 at 8:18 am
We have really enjoyed your short stories…they are WONDERFUL !!! Enjoyable reading.
May 3rd, 2010 at 12:29 am
I would like share with you a story of a young girl from the Vietnam who grew up and came to America dream.
Thuy Phan face book-profile.