Summer has set in, and with it those lazy days where all you want to do is chill in the air conditioning or find shelter from the sun (or, for you beach bums, hang out 'til your heart's content). If you're lucky enough to be in a part of the world that isn't (too) warm right now, just know that we'll be visiting soon. Don't worry: our staff knows how to party!

Speaking of partying, please direct your attention to this month's excellent prose features. It's been a quiet month from the *WordCount account, but our staff has been working tirelessly behind-the-scenes to bring you something worthwhile. Thank them (and thank yourselves) by plugging through each piece and giving prose its due!


100 words or less

A Sign on the Road to Nihilism by ~IanAlmighty

Philosophical: Twenty-four words that pack quite a punch.

El caballo que habla by ~florpy

Children's Fiction: A sweet story of magic and surprises, with an enchanting ending.
_{(This deviation is in Spanish.)}


101-300 words

Five Kisses by *mollysugar

Romantic Fiction: Simple, sweet, and innocently honest. This short piece is about first kisses and the imprints they leave.

Never Live in the Alphabet by *iconistas

Fictional Perspectives: A piece in which the imagination wanders and the feet are liable to follow. The author ponders the pull of the "T" and what it would mean to answer it.


301-500 words

No Experience by ~Shizuka12

Humor: In keeping with that "T" theme, the first line says it best: "The trouble with living at the top of a T-street is that there is always a road leading away from your doorway."

Blagged by =ebony66136

Theatre and Scripts: Cleverly written with an excellent pace, this deviation takes a chance and dares you to laugh.


501-1,000 words

A Child Called 'Hope' by ~Shinji-Complex

Horror: This deviation is presents, in black and white, the grotesque reality of a nuclear disaster.

Wrath of the Swedish Monkey by ~Mr-imperfect

Humor: Have you heard the one about the Swedish Monkey and the Prince of Persia? No? Well, get reading!


1,001-3,000 words

The Value of a Second by ~Arkhein

Science Fiction: Dialogue-driven science fiction is difficult to pull off (even as some things may be difficult to believe), but this short sketch over coffee makes the experience so relevant you can almost believe that anything's possible.

Homeless by ~februarydreamer

Editorial: A well-written editorial about deforestation and its effects on the primate population. Take a stand and be informed.


3,001-5,000 words

Of Sunsets by =IfrozenspiritI

General Fiction: Winner of *fotoFRIDAY's Challenge, this piece reminds us that everyone needs something to believe in, even if that something is regret.

The Present Past by ~DarkLOTRCorgi

Science Fiction: A story about the ethical struggles involved in time travel, as well as a well-thought idea of how it works.


Published Works

The Book of One by `frail

The Book of One is a scrap-paper chronicle of a boy's journey to reconcile his sharp-edged reality with the unspoiled world of his imagination. Finding himself without a friend in the world, his path takes him from the storm-clutched city to the cabin on the hill, from the lull of his dreams through the slow stretch of time. It is a simple story of innocence, longing, and self-discovery. And like pages torn from a book and scattered by the wind, this is all that remains.


Jesse Michael Renaud's graphic novel will be released 07.07.07 by WorldForge Press, but products are now available for purchase at trickstergear.com. Join the hype and pick up your copy as soon as it comes out!

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For additional features in each category, please be sure to check out the *WordCount journal. We promise you won't be disappointed.

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June's Prose DDs Suggested by *WordCount Staff

This month the *WordCount staff suggested several prose DDs, and we'd just like to recognize those writers one more time:

When Your Heart Stops Beating by ~MyMidnightLove (925 words)
Uncle Jimmy's Suicide by ~jlar (2,422 words)
Isaac. by *yourpleasantdarkness (2,756 words)
The House by =anjaleck (4,217 words)

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Meet Our Staff: ~TheNeuf

Please permit us to introduce you to one of our Humor and Satire staff members, ~TheNeuf. "THE" Neuf hasn't been on dA very long, but he's been an absolute asset to our team. Hailing from Canada, he brings a fresh mix of humor and sarcasm and has a keen eye for picking out only the best pieces. For more information on this interesting young man, be certain to check out the rest of TheNeuf's Gallery.


Parting

6 words: Six words can say a lot.

Betrayed

286 words: What does stress do to you?

Missing Everything Comp. Story

917 words: An insightful representation of some of life's little complexities.


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<sub>For more information about *WordCount, be sure to check out the following links:

Categories Explained
Frequently Asked Questions
Staff Requirements and Application
WordCount Feature Archive
Make a Prose Suggestion</sub>

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This month's article included features suggested by:









_{(This article has less than 1,000 words.)}