Short Stories
The "73 Words in the 732" contest seeks original short stories that contain seventy-three words or fewer. Stories can be on any theme or topic, and a panel of library staff will select the best short stories, which will appear on the library's website.
The contest is open through the month of May every year. Ages 18 and older are welcome to participate and East Brunswick residency is not required.
A Brief Encounter
At a social gathering, kate enjoyed the food. the music and her friends. kate loved singing and dancing. From a distance Jake noticed Kate having fun. Jack came closer to Kate. Jack and Kate...
Carole A. Doerr
The Lifeguard
A breath. Bobbing. My eyes gaze up at the blue sky.
A breath. I sink. The cold water surrounds me.
A whistle. A splash. Motion and waves move towards me.
A hand. A snatch...
Brunswick the Lifeguard Bear
Golden Child
Before their embrace, he visited the bathroom yet again.
“Got cash?”
She paid. They both knew he should have his own fare. They both knew why he didn’t.
“Talk soon?”
...Sarah Zyto
Pink Blossoms in East Brunswick
Earlier this spring, I took a picture of the pink blossoms at the East Brunswick Public Library. This picture was featured on the Tap-Into East Brunswick news. I am grateful and honored that my...
Yan Yakirevich
Alone
The moon gleamed on the backyard bay when she found Stephen crying and alone on the patio, shivering, completely drenched. Empty beer cans surrounded the dejected figure. His suit reeked of the...
Karen Blumenthal
$120 Dilemma
Entering the shopping center I noticed several dollar bills on the floor. I picked them up and to my surprise they were six $20 dollar bills. My dilemma. Should I pocket the money and quickly walk...
Donald Carugati
Just 73 words
I love to write. I have started and stopped hundreds of novels, screenplays, and articles over the years. I can’t seem to find the ambition to finish anything I start. I love the 73 words or less...
Deanna Perlmutter-Tarulli
Enjoy The Dash
We’ve all seen the dates of birth and death
for example 1900-1965
Between those two dates we carry, the one we enter with and the one we leave by
A thin stroke of ink that holds...
Jersey Jon
Medusa
E.R.’s new patient:
“You’re the cop who brought that abandoned baby girl 25 years ago, the baby I adopted and raised. She’s now a medicine intern. I named her Angeline.”
“Yes, that was...
Gene P. Del Carmen
A Great Treasure
...
Andrew G Stephenson
I’m longing for a short story
Life is short for some. Short is a measure of time, a distance, an order of liquor. It’s a length of a story or of a nap, short hair or shortfall.
You can be short sighted, short on cash or...
Jersey Jon
Libraries are Always The Best Story
In 2026, the library staff no longer whisper—they welcome noise. The building is a thriving community hub for all ages, full of conversation, laughter, and movement. Physical books share space...