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San Diego painter with 40 years experience finally falls

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My summer with Santa Ysabel Indians

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My uncle plays the Granada piano bar in Hillcrest

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Kitchen Spanish

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Feature Stories Writing Contest

San Diego painter with 40 years experience finally falls

How many people wake each day with the opportunity to fall? How many go to bed each night worrying about their fall? How many fall? You’re not a bird — ...

Feature Stories Writing Contest

My summer with Santa Ysabel Indians

The first time I ever saw Arlo Two Moons, I was seven. Except that I didn’t know it was him. My father was driving his black ‘67 Chevy truck on ...

Balboa Park Feature Stories Writing Contest

My uncle plays the Granada piano bar in Hillcrest

We didn’t meet often, and when we did, it was always in the dark. From the outset, I could have described the warm baritone voice, the music, and the well-worn ...

Barrio Logan Chula Vista City Heights Downtown San Diego Ensenada Feature Stories Golden Hill National City Pacific Beach San Ysidro Tijuana Writing Contest

Kitchen Spanish

A clatter against the window of my second-story room in Golden Hill awoke me. Then, shouts. What the hell? “Eh, Miguel.” “Miguelito.” “Barba de Chivo, levántate, cabrón.” Only Rodolfo called ...

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A day In the life of Charles Snelling

He awoke to the shrill sound of the alarm pulsating through his skull like there was a rat in his brain. “Fuck!” he impotently screamed as he pushed the button on his alarm clock, ceasing ...

April 6, 2022

Feature Stories Writing Contest

The poet who washed cars by hand

I’m kinda glad to talk ‘bout this, Sarge, ‘bout Audrey and such. Spendin’ time talkin’ to a smart cop like you is good for an intellect like me. But ‘fore you go thinkin’ wrong stuff ...

April 6, 2022

Cover Stories Hillcrest La Jolla Pacific Beach Tierrasanta Writing Contest

March 30, 2022

Midnight Movies at East San Diego's Academy Theater

The long, piercing, terrible scream that echoed through the auditorium didn’t come from the movie; it emanated from somewhere in the back of the theater, and it was alive, an entity. Here, near 37th and ...

Baja Feature Stories Writing Contest

March 23, 2022

Harley rider punches dad on way to Baja

In Memory of Dennis Avery It was a hot Saturday afternoon in 1984. I’d been on the chopper for several days straight and I reeked worse than skunk roadkill. But I didn’t think the old ...

Feature Stories Writing Contest

March 23, 2022

My Filipina mom always said I was too American

When I was nine years old, just a year after my dad died, I choked on a sharp fish bone. The bone became lodged in the back of my throat, stuck behind one of my ...

Feature Stories Oceanside Writing Contest

March 16, 2022

San Diego boys try picking up bar girls in Orange County

Author’s note: This story is non-fiction, but certain elements are romanticized. Think Hunter S. Thompson. The sun cut flat over the city, and as it departed, it took with it the last of my time ...

Feature Stories Writing Contest

March 9, 2022

Cry Covid

The smell of blood and fear and death hangs in the air like the toxic smoke of a chemical fire. The sound of alarms ring in my ears, drowning out the voices of my teammates. ...

Feature Stories Writing Contest

March 9, 2022

He actually stabbed me

I’ve heard about these turning points in people’s lives, little moments when someone could maybe stop their future from happening. I like the idea of those moments, I’ve missed a few myself. I always wonder ...

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Cover Stories Mission Valley Morena Shelter Island Solana Beach Torrey Pines Writing Contest

2022 San Diego Reader writing contest winners, part 2

First Place Winner CHANGING OF THE GUARD Unexpected violence at the San Diego Zoo When people found out I worked security at the world famous San Diego Zoo, they asked: “What’s the craziest thing you’ve ...

March 2, 2022

Chula Vista Clairemont Coronado Cover Stories El Cajon Fallbrook Hillcrest Kearny Mesa La Jolla La Mesa Little Italy Mission Hills Mission Valley Sunset Cliffs Writing Contest

2022 San Diego Reader writing contest winners, part 1

The Reader’s editorial staff was gratified and frequently delighted by the response we got to our writing contest: 347 non-fiction stories, 31 pieces of fiction, and no less than 199 poems. It’s good to know ...

February 23, 2022

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Writing Contest

San Diego painter with 40 years experience finally falls

My summer with Santa Ysabel Indians

My uncle plays the Granada piano bar in Hillcrest

Kitchen Spanish

Writing Contest

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