Alison McBain
Bio
Alison McBain writes fiction & poetry, edits & reviews books, and pens a webcomic called “Toddler Times.” In her free time, she drinks gallons of coffee & pretends to be a pool shark at her local pub. More: http://www.alisonmcbain.com/
Achievements (30)
Stories (147)
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An Absence of Stars
The two girls are arguing over a toy from the dollar store, a cheap plastic lizard that is now missing three toes and the tip of its tail. It is a shade of purple not normally found in nature, with glowing green eyes faded from smudged fingerprints. Gigi splits the air with her scream, and the mother look over at her cell phone lying discarded on the desk atop a pile of papers and books.
By Alison McBain5 months ago in Fiction
Fading. Honorable Mention in Instructions for Disappearing Challenge. Content Warning.
When his words cut at the waitress, your laughter is hard. He’s spoken about mortgage rates and you’ve talked rings. She didn’t smile enough. She was slow. You tell yourself it’s blowing off
By Alison McBain5 months ago in Poets
Role Playing
Paki felt it in the pit of his stomach—that sickening drop when the doctor told him the bad news about the cancer. Instantly, he saw in his mind’s eye the small and fluorescent-lit room from decades before: his eight-year-old self at the Pretoria hospital in South Africa and Mother lying in a creaky metal bed, her skeletal frame dark against the blank, white sheets.
By Alison McBain6 months ago in Fiction
Equations. Top Story - July 2025. Content Warning.
It’s Monday at eight PM when I pick up the phone and dial. As the phone's ringing, I think of all the things to say. I rehearse the permutations in my head, playing out imaginary scenarios. If she says this, I will say that. If she tells me this, I will tell her that. Our conversation will be equal.
By Alison McBain6 months ago in Fiction
I'm Sorry to Say...
Dear Sorry, You might be wondering why I’m writing to you, Sorry. I use you all the time in my life—to show sympathy when someone dies: “I’m sorry.” Or to express contrition when something goes wrong. I say that I’m sorry when something’s not my fault but I don’t want the other person to get upset. I even say sorry when someone bumps into me walking down the street because they’re on their phone or careless or just don’t see me. I’m the one apologizing when that happens, and most of the time the other person doesn’t apologize back.
By Alison McBain8 months ago in Journal
