Short Story Selections

New redesigned Dead Bod Man book available now: The Dead Bod Man 2nd Edition

New Dead Bod Man edition coming next week.  The novel will still be available for free reading on shortstoryselections.com -- Asa

Sam. By: Asa Montreaux As the weeks rolled on at The Andrews School, the excitement of the dance-off faded, replaced by the looming stress of exams. The air was thick with anxiety as students prepared for their tests, a combination of practical magical assessments and traditional academic evaluations. Hugh found himself buried in textbooks, surrounded by spell components and notes, trying to balance his studies while keeping a close eye on Talia and Leo. In the common room, the atmosphere was a mix of diligent study and hushed gossip. Hugh, Eliza, Mish, Sam, and Fiona gathered at their usual table, their books spread out before them, but their minds were focused on the unfolding drama rather than the pages in front of them. “I heard Talia and Leo are planning something big for the exams,” Sam said, his voice low as he leaned in closer. “They were seen talking to some older students. I don’t like this.” Hugh glanced around the room, his brow furrowing in concern. “We need to find out wh...

Hugh. By: Asa Montreaux The day after the dance-off, the atmosphere at The Andrews School was charged with a mixture of excitement and gossip. Whispers filled the hallways as students replayed the performances in their minds, debating who had truly stolen the show. Hugh and his friends felt a wave of satisfaction wash over them, their hearts still racing from the thrill of their successful performance. However, amid the post-event jubilation, an undercurrent of tension began to surface. As they gathered in the common room after class, Sam leaned in, his expression serious. “Have you guys heard about the rumors going around? They’re saying something weird happened during the dance-off.” “What do you mean?” Eliza asked, her curiosity piqued. “Apparently, a couple of upperclassmen were caught using some sort of forbidden magic during their performance,” Sam said, lowering his voice as if the walls had ears. “Something that’s not supposed to be allowed at school.” Fiona raised an eyebrow. ...

By: Asa Montreaux The anticipation in the air was palpable as Friday approached. The Andrews School buzzed with excitement about the upcoming dance-off, an event that promised not only magical displays but also the chance to showcase personal talents and creativity. Posters decorated the hallways, and the announcement board overflowed with sign-up sheets.  Hugh, Eliza, Sam, Fiona, and Mish gathered in their usual corner of the common room, the flickering light of enchanted candles casting a warm glow over their discussion.  “Are we really doing this?” Sam asked, fidgeting with the hem of his sweater. “I mean, a dance-off? It’s a bit out of our comfort zone, don’t you think?” “It’s not just about dancing,” Eliza replied, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. “It’s a chance to show our magical skills in a fun way! We can work spells into our performance.” Mish leaned forward, her excitement contagious. “Exactly! We could combine our powers—imagine levitating while dancing! It would b...

By: Asa Montreaux As the winter semester progressed at The Andrews School, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation—not just for upcoming exams and magical lessons, but for the social dynamics unfolding among the students. The school felt more like a reality show, with various subplots, romances, and scandals intertwining.  In the common area, students gathered around tables, exchanging gossip and sharing the latest news about their peers. Hugh, Eliza, Fiona, Sam, and Mish often found themselves in the thick of these conversations, eagerly soaking in the drama. One chilly afternoon, as they settled into their favorite corner of the common room, a group of upperclassmen burst in, laughter trailing behind them like a comet’s tail. They carried with them the latest gossip that rippled through the school like wildfire. “Did you hear about Talia and Leo?” one of the seniors exclaimed, her voice dripping with excitement. “They were caught sneaking into the Forbidden Wing!” The group lea...

By: Asa Montreaux As the winter semester unfolded at The Andrews School, excitement filled the air. The students immersed themselves in their studies, discovering the nuances of magic and honing their abilities. However, an undercurrent of curiosity began to circulate among the students about their future—specifically, what came after The Andrews School. It all began one afternoon during lunch. The group of friends—Hugh, Eliza, Fiona, Sam, and Mish—sat at their usual table in the bustling dining hall, surrounded by the tantalizing aroma of roasted vegetables and simmering stews. As they dug into their meals, whispers about college drifted through the room, piquing their interest. “Did you guys hear about the wizarding colleges?” Mish asked, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. “I overheard some seniors talking about them, and they sound amazing!” “Really? What’s it like?” Eliza leaned forward, intrigued. Mish set down her fork, clearly excited. “Apparently, they’re hidden within regular univ...

By: Asa Montreaux The crisp winter air greeted the students as they stepped off the bus, excitement buzzing like electricity around them. The imposing structure of The Andrews School loomed ahead, its stone façade shimmering under a light dusting of snow. For Fiona, Eliza, Sam, and Hugh, it felt like returning to a second home—a place where they could truly be themselves, away from the expectations of their old lives. As they made their way towards the grand entrance, the familiar sight of friends reuniting filled the courtyard. Laughter and cheers echoed in the air, mixing with the sounds of snow crunching underfoot. Fiona spotted Clara and Tom, their faces lighting up as they spotted her. “Fiona! You’re back!” Clara exclaimed, rushing forward to pull her into a warm hug. “How was your break?” “Great! It’s so good to see you guys!” Fiona replied, her heart swelling with joy. The warmth of their friendship wrapped around her like a cozy blanket. Nearby, Eliza was swept into a group hug...

By: Asa Montreaux As Americans head to the polls on November 5, 2024, the nation braces for what could be a prolonged wait for the presidential election results. The razor-thin race between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump could mean that the final outcome remains unknown for days—or even longer—after Election Day. This year’s election depends on key battleground states that will largely determine the winner. With the first polls closing at 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT) on Tuesday and the last at 01:00 EST (06:00 GMT) early Wednesday, results will start to emerge as votes are counted. However, with such a close contest, seven swing states could hold the deciding votes. These states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—are where the campaigns have focused most intensely in recent weeks. The importance of Northern and central states does generally signal the election result by the next morning. When Do Polls Close and...

By: Asa Montreaux Harris leads Trump 49%-48% in the HarrisX/Forbes poll, which was taken between Wednesday and Friday and has a margin of error of one point. The vice president(Kamala Harris) has a four-point lead (51%-47%) in a new PBS News/NPR/Marist survey. She has a two-point lead, 49%-47%, in a Morning Consult survey of likely voters out Sunday with a margin of error of one point—a slight tightening of the race since Harris led by three points last week, and four points in two prior Morning Consult polls. The vice president has a three-point 49%-46% lead in an ABC/Ipsos poll, compared to her 51%-47% lead last week and her 50%-48% edge in early October. NBC News and Emerson College polls out Sunday show the two candidates tied at 49%  Yahoo News/YouGov survey also produces a 47%-47% deadlock. Harris leads Trump 49%-47% among likely voters in an Economist/YouGov survey out Wednesday, with 2% unsure and roughly 3% backing other candidates (margin of error 3.6)—a slight narrowing ...

By: Asa Montreaux As Election Day approaches, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are pulling out all the stops in a high-stakes sprint across battleground states, aiming to energize voters in a presidential race tightening. With Election Day just hours away, both candidates are leveraging their campaign strengths to secure the critical votes needed to capture the White House. * Kamala Harris, Vice President and Democratic nominee, has set her sights on Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes—the biggest prize among swing states. She will spend all of Monday in the state, crisscrossing working-class areas, with stops in cities like Allentown before concluding the night with a rally in Philadelphia. Her rally will feature an all-star lineup, including Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey, aiming to convince voters she is the more safe choice. In recent days, Harris has shifted away from directly referencing Trump, choosing to focus on her campaign’s optimistic vision for America.  Throughout her campai...

By: Asa Montreaux • The race between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump is still too close to call, with only two days to go until Election Day. --On the contrary, Harris has been ahead by two, even three percentage points since the Presidential debate between herself and Former President Trump. Recent trends in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Michigan, and other swing states, have Kamala Harris’ lead increasing. • Harris has held several rallies in Michigan, while Trump has jumped between Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia – all crucial swing states. --On the contrary, Harris was in North Carolina for rallies as well, and her lead in this state is increasing from about one to two-three percentage points in some polls. • Trump visited Virginia and North Carolina on Saturday, while Harris was also in North Carolina and made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live in New York City. --Both campaign candidates are active, and plan closing remarks between no...

By: Asa Montreaux A lot of importance rests on the pivotal moment when Former President Donald Trump is either re-elected to office, or not elected. If he is re-elected to office, many, if not all, of his legal battles could dissipate, and in fact end. On the flip-side, some of his trials may go ahead. As well, some charges may only be delayed for when the President has finished his last Presidential term. At that point, prosecution will continue. And if Trump loses the election, it is very likely most of his trials will move forward, and the request for dismissals he has made will be denied.  The recent Supreme Court Ruling made clear that issues not related to the duties of the Office of the President are open to prosecution. Although he has asked Judge Merchan to dismiss the case based on his Presidential Immunity, Merchan has previously affirmed the validity of the case. And if Trump is not elected, there will be little reason not to continue with the sentencing hearing. Withou...

By: Asa Montreaux In the final days before a high-stakes presidential election, recent rulings in Pennsylvania have placed Democratic votes at risk of not being counted, raising alarms among voting rights advocates and Democrats in one of the country's most crucial battleground states. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal from Republicans that could have resulted in thousands of provisional ballots being discarded. The decision upheld a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling, which required election officials to count provisional ballots cast by voters whose mail-in ballots were rejected due to minor errors. This outcome is seen as a victory for voting rights advocates, who argued that rejecting these votes disproportionately affects Democratic-leaning counties. Still, the process highlights the obstacles Democrats face in ensuring that every ballot is counted. In a separate decision, however, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dealt a blow to Democratic voters. Th...