ISSUE 81 · SEPTEMBER 4, 2026

STORIES. ART. WIT. LEISURE.

SMART READING WHEN TIME IS TIGHT.
NO ADS, POP-UPS, OR DISTRACTIONS.
BECOME A MEMBER
BECOME A MEMBER 
WHAT THIS IS
SPONSORED BY
Blue neon-style of the 'Play' logo 
LEARN MORE

NEW STORIES (MEMBERS ONLY)

  • Artwork: “Dolly” by Kirk Stansbury.

    PEOPLE WHO DIED: DOLLY PARTON

    COOL HAND FRANK

    Artwork: “Dolly” by Kirk Stansbury.

    JAN. 19, 1946 - AUG. 25, 2026

    A tribute to Dolly Parton, the country icon whose songwriting, acting, philanthropy and business sense carried her through six decades of American music.

    Read More

  • Artwork: “Glimpse of Her” by ELIKYA Art, all rights reserved.

    YOUR CLOTHES HAVE NOWHERE TO GO: FUNCTION AS THE FOUNDATION OF STYLE

    EMILY SLEPSKY · ATLANTA, GA.

    Artwork: “Glimpse of Her” by ELIKYA Art, all rights reserved.

    Why does personal style feel thinner lately? A cultural essay traces fashion's lost function, from trench coats and jeans to the Birkin bag, and asks what happens when outfits only have to survive a photo.

    Read More

  • Photo: "message number two" by Obscure Nonspecifics, all rights reserved.

    GRAMMATIC NOISE

    EMANUEL (MANI) ISLER · DENVER, COLO.

    Photo: "message number two" by Obscure Nonspecifics, all rights reserved.

    A humorous personal essay about one writer's compulsive urge to correct every grammar mistake he encounters — even when he knows better. What starts as an ordinary day takes an increasingly absurd turn.

    Read More

  • Artwork: "daisies and dragonflies" by Obscure Nonspecifics, all rights reserved.

    ONE HUNDRED WORDS | 71

    COOL HAND FRANK

    Artwork: "daisies and dragonflies" by Obscure Nonspecifics, 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.

    Read More

MORE STORIES (MEMBERS ONLY)
SERIALIZED STORIES (PART 1'S)
ARTIST INTERVIEWS
ARTIST INTERVIEWS
POEMS (MEMBERS ONLY)

FEATURED WRITERS

  • COOL HAND FRANK

    COOL HAND FRANK


    NCAA or NFL, and which football team is your favorite?

    ABOUT
  • ALYSE ANDREE

    ALYSE ANDREE


    “I’m so sorry but I am Canadian, so I don’t prefer either, ha, ha, ha!”

    ABOUT
  • MARIANNA GAVURMADZHYAN

    MARIANNA GAVURMADZHYAN


    “While I’m not really into football… I do love a good halftime show so I’m gonna go with the NFL. Los Angeles Rams, mostly just cause I’m from there, LOL!”

    ABOUT
  • MANI ISLER

    MANI ISLER


    ‍ ‍“NFL, Denver Broncos.”

    ABOUT
  • JASON ROGERS

    JASON ROGERS


    “I don’t follow sports, so I will just go with NFL and the Atlanta Falcons.”

    ABOUT
  • EMILY SLEPSKY

    EMILY SLEPSKY


    “NCAA… Georgia Bulldogs, duh!”

    ABOUT
ALL COOL HAND WRITERS

FEATURED WRITER SELECTIONS

IT’S A VINYL WORLD, AND I LIVE IN IT
ON THE STEREO, Music & Culture, Personal Reflections, Nostalgia, Lifestyle & Leisure JASON ROGERS · KENNESAW, GA. ON THE STEREO, Music & Culture, Personal Reflections, Nostalgia, Lifestyle & Leisure JASON ROGERS · KENNESAW, GA.

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.

Read More

ARTIST GALLERY PREVIEW