Category Archives: Fiction

by | April 29, 2024 · 9:06 am

Three Stories in MacQueen’s Quinterly

What a lovely surprise this morning. The fabulous EIC of MacQueen’s Quinterly, Clare MacQueen, has published three of my stories in the new journal issue. This is one of my favorite lit mags because Clare has a very eclectic taste, so the magazine offers so much variety, including funny stories and syllabic poetry.

Here are links to my stories:

Very micro humor story: http://www.macqueensquinterly.com/MacQ23/Castle-New-One.aspx

Surreal flash story: http://www.macqueensquinterly.com/MacQ23/Castle-Mountain-Painting.aspx

Creative nonfiction/memoir childhood story: http://www.macqueensquinterly.com/MacQ23/Castle-Haunted-Childhood.aspx

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Filed under #AmWriting, #amwriting, #writingcommunity, Essay, Family history, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Flash Nonfiction, Memoir, Microfiction

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by | March 18, 2024 · 8:59 pm

Until April

Four years ago the gardener and I visited Costa Rica. The pandemic started while we were there. In our hotel room, someone who cleaned our room left a small bottle of sanitizer. I remember being so grateful as I cleaned our airplane trays, etc., on the way home.

While in Costa Rica, I heard some stories that have inspired my own writing. One of my stories, a 50 word dribble called “Aftermath of a Childhood Accident,” was published in 50 Give or Take (hint: it has howler monkeys in it):

https://preview.mailerlite.com/l6x1f4e6p3/2432770394009115561/n3s1/?fbclid=IwAR0L4NZHoQy1TRHvXEWTOFmNj7R5U69KXx4BJL9xhh26dmPb5DZHML42TWc

I have been writing every day since February 1, and for the last three weeks taking care of my baby grandson every day while his parents are at work. I have other stuff going on, too, so I probably won’t post until in the early part of April.

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by | March 7, 2024 · 4:16 pm

What’s Going On

Editor Jeff Harvey at the brand new really hot lit journal Gooseberry Pie published one of my stories. The journal only publishes six sentence stories. Try to write one if you haven’t. They are really fun.

And You Thought it Was Just a Headache

Another thing going on is that Mad Swirl journal has published their annual anthology, and along with many stories and poems, they have featured the work of four artists. One of those is me, if you can believe it. Two of my collages. The anthology is available on Amazon.

It sounds like I’m busy, and I am, but mostly with taking care of my baby grandson all day! What a cutie. The only trouble is fitting in work, writing, art, and my daily walk. We’re working it out though, and he’s been so good today. However, yesterday, I typed a 100 word first draft with one hand while I held him!

I’m closing comments just because I it’s hard to respond one-handed–at least until I get used to it!

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by | March 2, 2024 · 2:17 pm

The Past Holds No Reality for Me at Masticadores USA

Editor Barbara Harris Leonhard has published my Remedios Varo inspired flash fiction story, “The Past Holds No Reality for Me,” at Masticadores USA. More surreal fun!!!

“The Past Holds No Reality for Me” by Luanne Castle
I would love it if you comment over there, if you have time. Turning off comments here. Hope you are having your best kind of weekend!

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by | March 2, 2024 · 9:14 am

Flash Boulevard: Three Stories, Art Inspirations

The famous-for-flash Flash Boulevard has published three of my flash fiction stories. A big thank you to Editor Francine Witte, who is a well-known flash fiction writer.

I’m very excited to have my stories published at Flash Boulevard because they publish the best flash fiction writers, so to think that my stories are keeping company over there is dreamy.

The first two stories are inspired by Remedios Varo stories. The third was written after seeing Frida Kahlo’s “Wounded Deer” painting, although the story is not itself ekphrastic. Instead, it is about living with a variety of illness and health conditions. They are all surreal and yet relate to matters of the human heart. Please feel free to comment at the site. I will close comments here.

LUANNE CASTLE: When the daffodil doesn’t fit the scene

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by | February 27, 2024 · 2:42 pm

Uncatitional Love, Award-Winning Story at Writer Advice

My 100-word story, “Uncatitional Love,” was one of nine winners at the Writer Advice Flash Micro Contest. I won $30, which is quite extraordinary!

This story was inspired by all the cats who have ever been part of my life. My story is listed first of the nine when you go into the link, but enjoy some of the others while you’re in there. Image is from Pexels, not one of my cats.

https://writeradvice.com/the-contest-winners-are/?fbclid=IwAR0uz3jLk53BTkkVF7Us3eR5IQlz224QJaMTwKQgd2v0QGPpHsfJi90hrEg

I’ve been very migrainatious for the past week or more, so I didn’t participate in #TankaTuesday last week. Not sure if I will this week or not as it depends how I am feeling. So we will see . . . .

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by | February 3, 2024 · 8:45 am

The Shadow’s Man at Masticadores USA

Editor Barbara Harris Leonhard has published my Remedios Varo inspired 100-word story The Shadow’s Man at Masticadores USA. Hope you like another fun time in Varo’s surreal world.

“The Shadow’s Man” by Luanne Castle

Here’s an image of the Varo:

Remedios Varo – Shadow Man (1963)
byu/earthmoonsun inmuseum
By Kati Horna - Original publication: unknownImmediate source: http://www.femmespeintres.net/peintres/mod/varo.htm, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62799123

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by | February 1, 2024 · 9:08 am

101 Words Published by 101 Words, Or the Story of a Cat and a Woman

Editor Shoshauna Shy has published my 101-word story, “Home is Where the Heart Is,” at 101 Words.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

This story was inspired by my dear cat Perry.

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by | January 4, 2024 · 5:09 pm

Best Small Fictions 2024 Nominee

What a thrilling morning. The Dribble Drabble Review has nominated my micro story “Historia de La Iglesia Católica del Sagrado Corazón” for Best Small Fictions 2024. This is a huge honor, and I am so tickled.

Here is the story, which I have posted before.

I know I don’t talk about rejections very often, but I sure get them. I had fun with one of them, making an erasure out of it and posted in on Facebook where it was seen by the editor of the amazing MacQueen’s Quinterly who posted it with some other rejection erasures. They are all funny so take a quick look!

http://www.macqueensquinterly.com/MacQ21/Rejection-Erasures.aspx

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by | December 18, 2023 · 5:20 am

Incident at Shady Acres

In October I discovered that my flash story “Incident at Shady Acres” was first runner up in the Julia Peterkin Literary Awards sponsored by South 85 Journal. Now the issue has been published with the winning story and the runners up.

I hope you like this ecofiction story. Pretty pleased with this one. https://www.south85journal.com/winter-2023/incident-at-shady-acres-by-luanne-castle/

Here’s an adobe preview image of a haboob.

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