Natalie Parker-Lawrence’s essay, “Playing for Keeps," is about how girls learn math a little differently than boys do. This piece was first published in The Commercial Appeal in 2006 and is a favorite at readings and festivals, the last time at this year's Fringe Festival at Rhodes College.

“Seven/Eleven” is a short story based on a true event, a murder of a convenience store clerk by one of the author's former students. This story was the November 2019 choice of Memphis Magazine's short story contest.

Dawn LaFon will read “The Peacheanid,” a story about finding the dog of your dreams in a most unusual way.

Robert Burns will read his story, “Working After Hours.” The story occurs at the intersection of lust and ambition. It was published at 3ElementsReview.org.

Ron Gephart will be reading his story, “The Cucumber Bicycle Seat.” It is the story of a mother who, for 40 years, has found a special place to grieve her child. This is a new version of the story performed for the Voices of the South Fringe Festival at Rhodes College this past summer.