By Annie Newcomer:
The Flapper Press Poetry Café endeavors to introduce our readers to all the many different ways they can connect with writing and feel the enjoyment it brings. The idea of Six-Word Stories as a celebration of Gratitude, particularly as we enter this week of Thanksgiving, was born in the hopes that we could delight in sharing words together with friends, family, and one another. With just a handful of words, you can create magic.
For this writing call, we have submissions from various states and age groups in our global Flapper Press Café community. Families, individuals, teachers, and students contributed.
Writing is a way of thinking, and sound thinking, we believe, helps build a blessed and more peaceful world. Thank you for taking the challenge and for sharing your Six-Word Stories with us. And if you haven’t written yours yet, remember, it is never too late to try.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Kathleen Klier is a Special Educator in Upstate New York. Ms. Klier’s students adopted pen names to use for their Six-Word Story submissions to Flapper Press. The theme was Thanksgiving. The students were prompted with “Six-Word Stories” and given a word bank to stimulate a class discussion and brainstorming session before writing.
Kansas City, Missouri, Checkmate Class After-School Program.
Before these elementary chess players set up their boards, they took a moment to share their Six-Word Stories with us.
Paula Anderson is a talented Leawood, Kansas, photographer,
mother, & grandmother.
Her mission is to collect used toys to refurbish and repair
so that she can bring joy to young children.
Anne Foley Rauth grew up in a small town in Northwest Missouri with a high school graduating class of only 44. After high school, Anne received her MBA from the University of Kansas and went to work at Hallmark Cards in their advertising and Hall of Fame division. She also worked at other Fortune 500 companies such as H&R Block, managing national promotions and sponsorships, but ultimately followed her passion
and is currently working in the nonprofit sector.
"My name is Grey Williams. I am 10 years old. I have lots of experience
with poetry, and I write lots of kinds of poetry like
haiku, normal, and 6-word poems."
Reading, memorizing, and writing poetry have been part of
Patricia Durkin's life since childhood and
continues with her children, grandchildren, and friends.
Sydney Williams (14 yrs. old): "I started writing poetry in fourth grade. I wrote a poem about secrets. It was later published in a book.
Now I love writing poetry."
Anna Gall travels, gardens, cooks, teaches culinary classes, collects antiques, reads, and writes two blogs about gardening, kitchen creations,
home life, and wholeness as a woman.
A writer from youth, German-born Ute Carson has published two novels,
a novella, a volume of stories, five collections of poetry, and numerous essays.
Tim Spurlock is a retired veteran, father, grandfather, and media junkie.
His daily life is filled with cats, a wolf, and his loving wife.
John Swainston started writing poetry to cope with isolation during COVID. He has taken Zoom classes in poetry and writing.
He has had several poems published, including by Flapper Press.
Indunil Madhusankha Hewage is originally from Sri Lanka and is presently living in Pullman, Washington, USA. He is currently a doctoral student and teaching assistant at the Department of Mathematics,
Washington State University. Even though he is academically a mathematician, he also pursues a successful career in the field of English language and literature as a researcher, reviewer, poet, and content writer.
Interestingly, Indunil’s works have been featured in many
international anthologies, magazines, and journals.
Annie Newcomer teaches poetry classes at the University of Kansas Medical Center's Turning Point—a place for hope and healing for people suffering with chronic health problems. Her North Stars series shares interviews with poets and writers and Annie's own experiences through writing. Annie also helms the Flapper Press Poetry Café—dedicated to celebrating poets from around the world and to encouraging everyone to write poetry!
Flapper Press Poetry Café.
Presenting a wide range of poetry with a mission to promote a love and understanding of poetry for all. We welcome submissions for compelling poetry and look forward to publishing and supporting your creative endeavors. Submissions may also be considered for the Pushcart Prize.
Submission Guidelines:
1. Share at least three (3) poems
2. Include a short bio of 50–100 words, written in the third person.
(Plus any website and links.)
3. Share a brief backstory on each submitted poem
4. Submit an Author's photo and any images you want to include with the poems
5. Send all submissions and questions to: info@flapperpress.com