Otherwise Wretched: Stories

The backdrops for these tales are sparse rural lands, from the Alleghenies to the deserts of the West. Farmers, gangsters, meth cookers, miners, cafe workers, lovers, and dreamers. And the animals that cross their paths, mysterious and wild. Addiction, neglect, and conflict combust, ignited by the slim flickers of self-pride, humor, and hope that yet linger. But what haunts is tenacious and unwavering. And otherwise wretched.  WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: “…gruesomely saturnine and comic… sharply limns the bleaker aspects of rural life.” —KIRKUS REVIEWS “…sterling, startling language… These are hard-hitting, reflective literary works…” —MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW “…looks the horrific in the eye, and pushes back.” —Meagan Lucas, author of the Anthony-nominated collection Here in the Dark and Editor-in-Chief of Reckon Review “…strongly emotional, nostalgic, heartbreaking, and oftentimes hilarious.”  —Joey Hedger, author of Deliver Thy Pigs   by William Burtch Page Count: 154 Trim Size: 6 x 9 Publish Date: February 25, 2025 Imprint: Catamount Press Genre: Literary / Short Stories FICTION / Short Stories (single author) FICTION / Small Town & Rural FICTION / Addiction