ISSUE 80 · AUGUST 21, 2026

STORIES. ART. WIT. LEISURE.

READING FOR WHEN TIME IS TIGHT. NO ADS, POP-UPS OR DISTRACTIONS.

SPONSORED BY

WHAT THIS IS

STORIES (MEMBERS ONLY)

SERIALIZED STORIES (PART 1'S)

ARTIST INTERVIEWS

POEMS (MEMBERS ONLY)

Two years of COOL HAND FRANK? The best is yet to come? YES.

ONE HUNDRED WORDS | 70

COOL HAND FRANK
Artwork: "Sky Chip" by Christina Moser, all rights reserved.
A serialized thriller told in precise 100-word installments, this tale follows a successful attorney accustomed to control navigating increasingly dangerous threats to his professional and personal worlds.
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IT’S ALL GONE TOO FAR: SPORTS COLOR COMMENTATORS

COOL HAND FRANK
Artwork: "I am Talking" by Rich Lo | Greatsketch, all rights reserved.
A sharp, funny take on why sports color commentators ruin the viewing experience, framed by soccer's 2026 breakthrough moment in the U.S. and a countdown to college football season.
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THE BOY WHO TURNED INTO A MAN: BRODY’S FIRST LINEN SHIRT

CHLOE WELLINGTON HUNT · BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
Artwork: “Man with a Cigarette” by Rich Lo | Greatsketch, all rights reserved.
A humorous mock-scientific essay tracking Brody's transformation from a regular New York guy into a linen-clad Europhile after one fateful Uniqlo purchase before his summer trip to Italy.
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LETTER FOR JAMES

EMILY BOYLE · GUEST WRITER · ATLANTA, GA.
Artwork: “BEACH TIME” by Ray Brilli Fine Art, all rights reserved.
This accompanying artwork is the original, protected, and sole property of artist Ray Brilli Fine Art and held under copyright. Ray Brilli Fine Art’s images, artwork, and content on this website and his website may not be copied, collected, or used for personal or professional gain without written authorization from him.
A mother's heartfelt letter to her son as he returns to Georgia Southern for his senior year — a tender reflection on empty nests, unconditional love, and always leaving the light on for the ones who come home.
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FEATURED WRITER SELECTIONS

MARIANNA GAVURMADZHYAN · BOSTON, MASS. 4/17/26 MARIANNA GAVURMADZHYAN · BOSTON, MASS. 4/17/26

THE “ART” OF NONCHALANCE

MARIANNA GAVURMADZHYAN · BOSTON, MASS.

This accompanying artwork is the original, protected, and sole property of artist Ray Brilli Fine Art and held under copyright. Ray Brilli Fine Art’s images, artwork, and content on this website and his website may not be copied, collected, or used for personal or professional gain without prior written authorization from him.

Why do people find nonchalance attractive? Explore how social media destroyed mystery and why emotional withholding has become the new currency of cool—and what it costs genuine connection.

EMANUEL (MANI) ISLER · DENVER, COLO. 1/23/26 EMANUEL (MANI) ISLER · DENVER, COLO. 1/23/26

WANNA BET?

EMANUEL (MANI) ISLER · DENVER, COLO.

This accompanying artwork is the original, protected, and sole property of artist Marilyn Binder Silverman and held under copyright. Marilyn Binder Silverman’s images, artwork, and content on this website and her website may not be copied, collected, or used for personal or professional gain without written authorization from her.

Sports used to sell beer and razors. Now they sell the promise of easy money. A witty personal essay on gambling’s grip on modern culture.

ALYSE ANDREE · NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. 10/17/25 ALYSE ANDREE · NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. 10/17/25

“WE WERE TOGETHER”

ALYSE ANDREE · NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.

Artwork: “four flowers” by Kirk Stansbury.

In a drought-ravaged California village, four teenage girls cling to memory, survival, and each other. "We Were Together" is a haunting story of friendship, loss, and fragile hope at the end of the world.

EMILY SLEPSKY · ATLANTA, GA. 9/26/25 EMILY SLEPSKY · ATLANTA, GA. 9/26/25

WHEN LOVING THE SEASON BECOMES A LITTLE UNHINGED

EMILY SLEPSKY · ATLANTA, GA.

A witty take on fall obsession, from Pinterest craft fails and pumpkin spice chardonnay runs to sweater martyrdom in 85-degree heat.

JASON ROGERS · KENNESAW, GA. 1/17/25 JASON ROGERS · KENNESAW, GA. 1/17/25

IT’S A VINYL WORLD, AND I LIVE IN IT

JASON ROGERS · KENNESAW, GA.

Artwork: "GOSPEL LIGHT" by Kirk Stansbury.

A personal journey from compact discs to vinyl obsession—finding Holy Grails, making friends in record stores, and discovering the joy of truly listening to music.

FEATURED WRITERS

COOL HAND FRANK

What is your “walk up” song?

ABOUT
ALYSE ANDREE

“Gotta be ‘Party In The U.S.A.' by Miley Cyrus!”

ABOUT
MARIANNA GAVURMADZHYAN

“I’d say right now it’s ‘like I do’ by Ariana Grande!”

ABOUT
MANI ISLER

“My walk-up song … Sinatra singing ‘Fly Me to the Moon.’”

ABOUT
JASON ROGERS

“INXS, ‘Do n't Change.’”

ABOUT
EMILY SLEPSKY

“Walk up song would be ‘Out Of My League’ by Fitz and the Tantrums.”‍ ‍

ABOUT

ALL COOL HAND WRITERS

ARTIST GALLERY PREVIEW

MARILYN BINDER SILVERMAN

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RAY BRILLI FINE ART

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ELIKYA ART

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MR. HOOPER ART

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JILLERY.

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J. KING ARTWORKS

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RICH LO

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LYNNE MCDONALD

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CHRISTINA MOSER

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OBSCURE NONSPECIFICS

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SCOTT PADGETT FINE ART

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KELLY SAUNDERS ART

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KIRK STANSBURY

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VISIT COOL HAND ARTIST GALLERY

ASK ME ANYTHING (I MIGHT LIE)

Do you like ice cream? How often might you partake?

— ANNE, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.

Anne,

The word “like” is an understatement. I absolutely love ice cream. In a medical emergency a few years ago, I pleaded with the Lord above that I would give up caffeine, alcohol, steak, seafood, candy … anything except ice cream. And if I had to give up ice cream, just let me die in the hospital.

Fortunately, the doctors informed me I wouldn’t have to give up any food or drink. I believe my pleading was answered. Reasonably, I partake in five to ten tablespoons a week.

Moral of the story: ice cream is non-negotiable.