Welcome to the June, 2003 edition of Kudzu Monthly, a literary ezine brought to you by writers seeking readers. Kudzu Monthly features short stories, poetry, fine art, and informative articles on health, history, and true crime. This is a magazine for folks who like to read, and we're very happy that more than 9,500 of you chose to visit in May! Our writers, both aspiring and accomplished, contribute their work for you, so, please, if you like what you read, leave a supportive comment for the author.

True Crime

The Phantom Killer
Gerald Sheagren

In 1946, a brazen killer stalked the border area between Texas and Arkansas known as Texarkana. The police, including famous Texas Ranger Manuel "Lone Wolf" Gonzaullas, found few clues, and this case remains an enigma to this day. Who was the "Phantom Killer?" Gonzaullas had his suspicions, but, lacking proof, took his suspicions to the grave. If you like true crime, you'll find this article engaging. If you're squeamish about such topics, scroll on down.

Fiction

Throwing Rocks
Sohn Enis

This nice short story by Little Rock, Arkansas-based technical writer, screen-writer, and author Sohn Enis was eagerly accepted by our editors. You'll learn about Crazy Hattie and her penchant for throwing rocks, and you'll remember these characters when you finish. This is good, old southern story telling. Enjoy.

Poetry

The Art and Poetry of Janet Parker
Kudzu Monthly Special Feature

An award winning watercolorist, Alabama resident Janet Brice Parker graciously provided ten of her paintings for us to enjoy. This page is very graphics intensive, so please allow time for it to load. To see each painting in a more detailed format, click directly on the image.

Thatsa
A Best of Kudzu Monthly Feature
by James Waine Carpenter

An editor's choice for excellence in story crafting, this touchingly-rendered short story by musician, songwriter, and author James Waine Carpenter is sure to resonant with our readers. We're so confident that it will that we've made it one of this month's "Best of Kudzu Monthly" features.

The Vegan Dilemma
A Best of Kudzu Monthly Feature
by Lisa J. Binkley

This article, which ran in the fifth Kudzu Monthly, is one of the more popular articles in Kudzu Monthly. It deals with the hard choices that one has to make when one decides to abstain from all meat consumption. With the consolidation of our food industry and the use of byproducts, it's hard to actually know what's meat and vegetable anymore.

Health

The Smell of Love
Lisa J. Binkley

"The fringe of her hair, the curve of her face, and the sparkle of her eyes..." Somewhere between initial attraction and decided mutual compatibility, love happens. Despite the efforts of our consumer-driven culture that promotes the premise that clothes, breath mints, and a sporty car are needed to find a good mate, Lisa Binkley looked through the veil and found something much more basic, and ancient, in operation. Find out how to find the right mate in this article.

Nonfiction

Death by Obscurity
Jeff Kirven

Will never-ending extensions of copyright laws prevent significant works of the past that are on no publisher's current backlist to languish in obscurity forever? This is the question that technical consultant and columnist Jeff Kirven addresses. This article should be of interest to writers and those who enjoy classic works.

Uncle Bill's Helicopter
Michael Taht

Although written as a graduation speech, this article by Micheal Taht became an internet phenomenon when he published it on several places on the net and asked for help in locating his missing newphew. Here is the most recent version of this work, dated April 15, 2003.

Humor

A Bucketfull of Quarters
Loren Moore

90% true and 10% fiction? We're not sure, but we'll leave it to you, dear reader, to decide. Sure to become a regular feature of Kudzu Monthly, please welcome the humorous stylings of Lone Star State philosopher and story-teller Loren Moore.

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The Kudzu Klub is a free, secure, gated writer's work shop on the web where aspiring authors and poets can gather to post their original work and receive comments, critique, and constructive criticism from other like-minded writers, all in a friendly, non-competitive atmosphere. Are you interested in improving your writing? If so, check out the Kudzu Klub today!