Short Stories by Stella

Prose is a fun medium. Short stories, flash fiction, micro fiction, novels…

There are so many ways to share a journey. With various places to support short stories, many writers submit short stories to publications while writing larger projects. We do this for various reasons, from taking breaks on current works in progress to creating full story arcs while practicing and perfecting their our craft while building a larger portfolio. Some of my short stories or micro fiction work is available in other publications, many of my favorites are in The ARZONO Publications Annual Presents publications, and some are available to read below.

Small Call to Action Headline

STORIES SOUTH OF THE SUN is a collection of short fiction by Stella Samuel. Take a shallow dive into just a few of the various genres Stella writes in this diverse collection of pieces from middle school adventure to young adult coming of age and love and loss sprinkled with a bit of suspense.

Available for purchase or read for free on Smashwords or Kindle.

An awakening thought as a woman journeys through the surreal fight to hang on to love during the toughest of battles of living and dying.

After losing first love, a young woman finds common ground with her father and later on the dance floor with another man in “Father, Mine and Someone’s.”

From a dark night’s dream to reality, being with those we love often takes a toll.

Dreams was published in The Scarlet Leaf Review in January 2020.

Sometimes freedom needs to be alone away from the world and those still yearning for a bond.

Treasure hunters come in all ages. Charlie’s grandfather has searched the desert for a golden in “Desert Loss.” When he invites his grandson along for the hunt, the stakes are higher than lost gold.

When memories of affairs become twisted and tangled, the only thing left in common is The Room.

After waking from a visit to the past, Zane Daven must remember a mission from an ancient god drawn into modern times in the first short featuring a not so adventurous nine-year-old boy in “Zane and the Desert.” Quirky Zane decides his fate in his quest to save the world as his friend hangs in the hands of an evil monster.

When challenged to write a short story consisting of forty-eight paragraphs with no dialogue, Stella found her mind wandering to the desert again where “El Dorado Man” stirs up trouble as Pauly tries to escape bad deals and leave poor choices behind him.

Dignity is important to every human at all stages in life. If it’s not gifted, take it for your own.

Five Locks for Comfort was published in The Scarlet Leaf Review in May 2018, print edition.
Comfort isn't a small request for this older woman confined to a chair on wheels in a dark, dank apartment. With her safety and security compromised before, from her chair, she stands her ground and sets her boundaries.This piece was based on a visual writing prompt in the form of a music video. The surreal images brought me a sense of reality when I saw an old woman in a wheelchair staring at her flimsy door and five deadbolt locks. I wondered what her story was, and how I could bring her story to life.