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One Hundred Words: A Collection of Short Stories
“Within these pages, a wondrous realm awaits — somewhere between once upon a time and happily ever after — to become a part of who you are, an eternal refuge absorbed into your soul.”
This debut collection of short stories from author Michael E Smidts takes the reader from the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of the solar system, from bygone eras to the distant future and everywhere in between. Each story is captured in exactly one hundred words and will spark your imagination and self-reflection.
“Step on board Michael Smidts’s slice-of-life train and experience 215 stops that bring you full circle with the human experience. Each of these masterfully written short stories cleanses the emotional cupboard with a poetic brilliance that belies a debut offering.” - Stephen Roth, author of Innocence on Trial and The Perfect Season
This debut collection of short stories from author Michael E Smidts takes the reader from the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of the solar system, from bygone eras to the distant future and everywhere in between. Each story is captured in exactly one hundred words and will spark your imagination and self-reflection.
“Step on board Michael Smidts’s slice-of-life train and experience 215 stops that bring you full circle with the human experience. Each of these masterfully written short stories cleanses the emotional cupboard with a poetic brilliance that belies a debut offering.” - Stephen Roth, author of Innocence on Trial and The Perfect Season
250 pages, Hardcover
Published October 18, 2023
10 people want to read
About the author
Michael E. Smidts
1 book4 followersMichael is a devoted husband and father of two young
children.
He lives in the picturesque town of Stratford, Ontario, Canada, where he enjoys the theatre along with the cultural and culinary scenes.
When he’s not writing, he can be found sketching, painting, reading the classics, co-riding the tandem bike, and managing his fantasy hockey team.
The inspiration for Michael’s stories are drawn from his
childhood experiences, the arts and literature, historical figures, current world events, and personal joys and traumas.
Michael hopes that by pursuing his passion for writing, he can inspire his children to chase their own dreams.
children.
He lives in the picturesque town of Stratford, Ontario, Canada, where he enjoys the theatre along with the cultural and culinary scenes.
When he’s not writing, he can be found sketching, painting, reading the classics, co-riding the tandem bike, and managing his fantasy hockey team.
The inspiration for Michael’s stories are drawn from his
childhood experiences, the arts and literature, historical figures, current world events, and personal joys and traumas.
Michael hopes that by pursuing his passion for writing, he can inspire his children to chase their own dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 10, 2024
“One Hundred Words” is so brilliant. Named due to the length of each short story, one-hundred words, readers are quickly spun by the text and spit back out once again. Such a unique and exhilarating reading experience, I can’t say I’ve ever experienced anything quite like it, in the best way possible!
Take stories such as “Time Cab: Mourning Rays,” in a present-day world where taxis are often left unused in a world of Ubers, author Michael E. Smidts presents the story of a taxi that can take you to destinations in time rather than simply present-day physical ones. Imagine going to the past to see someone just one more time, even if they can’t see you, that’s the beauty of this short. Other stories, such as “Consolation Prize,” feel so painfully truthful and dramatically real, you can’t help but react. While yet more leave you wondering what’s happening in the fictional characters’ reality to warrant that response and reaction within Smidts’ story.
There’s so much baked into these short stories you find yourself yearning to read them again, share them quickly with the person next to you, and keep thinking about the outcome long after the story has ended. This is a compilation of short, short stories, with each never running longer than one page, it is a truly extraordinary collection. Laid out in a style that ranges from a half page, to just shy of a full page, there is so much packed into so few words.
The work of true talent to convey so much into such a short number of words, time and time again are what make this read so spectacular. Each story is unique and yet captivating. Smidts’ work is truly remarkable.
Take stories such as “Time Cab: Mourning Rays,” in a present-day world where taxis are often left unused in a world of Ubers, author Michael E. Smidts presents the story of a taxi that can take you to destinations in time rather than simply present-day physical ones. Imagine going to the past to see someone just one more time, even if they can’t see you, that’s the beauty of this short. Other stories, such as “Consolation Prize,” feel so painfully truthful and dramatically real, you can’t help but react. While yet more leave you wondering what’s happening in the fictional characters’ reality to warrant that response and reaction within Smidts’ story.
There’s so much baked into these short stories you find yourself yearning to read them again, share them quickly with the person next to you, and keep thinking about the outcome long after the story has ended. This is a compilation of short, short stories, with each never running longer than one page, it is a truly extraordinary collection. Laid out in a style that ranges from a half page, to just shy of a full page, there is so much packed into so few words.
The work of true talent to convey so much into such a short number of words, time and time again are what make this read so spectacular. Each story is unique and yet captivating. Smidts’ work is truly remarkable.
October 31, 2023
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow wow wow! To put it shortly, this book is brilliant.
Smidts debut piece proves his mastery of language and storytelling. Each 100 word story draws you in and pulls you into its world. I felt every story existed well outside the bounds of 100 words and yet was somehow perfectly contained within those scant 100 words. The stories breathed, they had pulses, they lived. I cannot describe Smidts imagery as anything but truly alive. I am in awe.
My only complaint is that there isn’t more. Each “chapter” could easily be expanded to full novels should Smidt decide… oh how I’d love to read them! But In leaving you wanting more, Smidt allows the reader to imagine their own beginnings and ends to the stories.
The stories can be enjoyed at the surface layer or analyzed together or as individual pieces for greater meaning.
I see this book enjoyable for many. The quick nature and rapid stoping points lend it to slow readers, fast readers, people who have time for only a few pages a month, people who wish to devour a book in a setting, and for people falling in love with reading again or for the first time.
Wow wow wow! To put it shortly, this book is brilliant.
Smidts debut piece proves his mastery of language and storytelling. Each 100 word story draws you in and pulls you into its world. I felt every story existed well outside the bounds of 100 words and yet was somehow perfectly contained within those scant 100 words. The stories breathed, they had pulses, they lived. I cannot describe Smidts imagery as anything but truly alive. I am in awe.
My only complaint is that there isn’t more. Each “chapter” could easily be expanded to full novels should Smidt decide… oh how I’d love to read them! But In leaving you wanting more, Smidt allows the reader to imagine their own beginnings and ends to the stories.
The stories can be enjoyed at the surface layer or analyzed together or as individual pieces for greater meaning.
I see this book enjoyable for many. The quick nature and rapid stoping points lend it to slow readers, fast readers, people who have time for only a few pages a month, people who wish to devour a book in a setting, and for people falling in love with reading again or for the first time.
November 1, 2023
Step on board Michael Smidts’ slice-of-life train and experience 215 stops that bring you full circle with the human experience. Each of these masterfully written stories cleanses the emotional cupboard with a poetic brilliance that belies a debut offering.
An excerpt from my favourite, in reverence to an aging baseball star:
"Hitting a soft dribbler to first, he grounds out before he makes it out of the batter’s box. Walking back to the dugout, he knows this is it, and already misses the game."
What a creative and interesting concept. With each story of exactly 100 words, Michael’s eclectic array of stories sweeps the reader away with purgative fervor. Tenderness, compassion, love, longing, passion—the complete gamut of feelings is in play.
With painstaking skill, Michael has created a thoroughly exceptional read. Reader beware: Be prepared for the cathartic release.
An excerpt from my favourite, in reverence to an aging baseball star:
"Hitting a soft dribbler to first, he grounds out before he makes it out of the batter’s box. Walking back to the dugout, he knows this is it, and already misses the game."
What a creative and interesting concept. With each story of exactly 100 words, Michael’s eclectic array of stories sweeps the reader away with purgative fervor. Tenderness, compassion, love, longing, passion—the complete gamut of feelings is in play.
With painstaking skill, Michael has created a thoroughly exceptional read. Reader beware: Be prepared for the cathartic release.
November 3, 2023
Michael E. Smidts is a very talented writer and a gifted storyteller.
The way he captures so much feeling and emotion in so few words is truly remarkable.
His astute insight into the human condition is honest and revealing.
His stories cover the full range from humorous to touching and historical to fantastical. I especially enjoyed the romantic ones.
Each story shines on its own but they all come together as a whole to form a memorable cohesive collection.
Inspiring much thought and consideration, One Hundred Words will stay with me for a long time!
The way he captures so much feeling and emotion in so few words is truly remarkable.
His astute insight into the human condition is honest and revealing.
His stories cover the full range from humorous to touching and historical to fantastical. I especially enjoyed the romantic ones.
Each story shines on its own but they all come together as a whole to form a memorable cohesive collection.
Inspiring much thought and consideration, One Hundred Words will stay with me for a long time!
November 6, 2023
I couldn't believe what a gem I found in this book!
I don't read short stories but these ones woke my curiosity with the number of words used to tell their stories.
Every one of them had its own beauty, from the very first one to the very last one. I was amazed by the talent of the author to use the words and language to create pictures and emotions.
I was really excited to experience all those glimpses of the author's imagination. I will be reading them soon again.
I don't read short stories but these ones woke my curiosity with the number of words used to tell their stories.
Every one of them had its own beauty, from the very first one to the very last one. I was amazed by the talent of the author to use the words and language to create pictures and emotions.
I was really excited to experience all those glimpses of the author's imagination. I will be reading them soon again.
May 4, 2024
This was such a fun, smart, and poignant read!
Michael spins 250 pages of 100 word stories that leave us wanting more.
Some of the stories are Sci-Fi, some are Social Commentary, some are Sexy, some are Creepy, but all are Brilliant.
I think it's safe to say I have never read a book quite like this one. Many of these shorts read like poetry.
I was gonna try to be cute and write a 100 word review, but I ain't got it in me 🤣
Michael spins 250 pages of 100 word stories that leave us wanting more.
Some of the stories are Sci-Fi, some are Social Commentary, some are Sexy, some are Creepy, but all are Brilliant.
I think it's safe to say I have never read a book quite like this one. Many of these shorts read like poetry.
I was gonna try to be cute and write a 100 word review, but I ain't got it in me 🤣
December 9, 2023
Reading Michael Smidts' stories is like eating cookies. One is never enough! Even with this very short form, Smidts manages to evoke emotion, paint a picture, and in many of the stories, twist the plot.
Recommend!
Recommend!
Read
November 26, 2023These stories give the feeling as if they bleed into you long after you finish reading them… A cool selection!
September 15, 2024
Beautiful and heart wrenching.
June 25, 2024
I won a copy of this book through “StoryGraph”, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to read it as it’s an epub version. My devices at home aren’t compatible. I look forward to reading it eventually, therefore I haven’t scored it.
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The author Michael E. Smidts contacted me and provided me with a “One Hundred Words” PDF copy as per my first review. I have started reading it again and I loved how each story was approximately 100 words. Thank you so much for giving me opportunity to read this.
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The author Michael E. Smidts contacted me and provided me with a “One Hundred Words” PDF copy as per my first review. I have started reading it again and I loved how each story was approximately 100 words. Thank you so much for giving me opportunity to read this.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews