Discover the extraordinary in the ordinary with Stories by the Side of the Road, a captivating collection compiled by Edward Mickolus.
This book transforms everyday roadside sights—forgotten objects, abandoned vehicles, quirky signs, and mysterious artifacts—into a tapestry of short stories, flash fiction, and creative musings from a diverse group of talented authors.
Each tale invites you to see the world with fresh eyes, finding humor, heartache, nostalgia, and wonder in the things we usually speed past.
Whether it’s a disco ball with a secret, a white-painted bicycle memorial, or a box of fried chicken left behind, these stories will make you laugh, reflect, and remember that every object has a story waiting to be told.
Perfect for lovers of storytelling, road trips, and the hidden magic of everyday life, this book is your ticket to a journey you won’t forget.
AVAILABLE in Paperback and Kindle/Ebook
- Publisher : Wandering Woods Publishers
- Publication date : July 6, 2026
- Language : English
- Print length : 156 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1949173275
- ISBN-13 : 978-1949173277
- Item Weight : 8.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5 x 0.36 x 8 inches
Introduction
My wife and I were driving down I-95 when we saw the rear quarter panel of a vehicle on the apron. We said “I bet there’s a story there.”
There probably is a story attached to any of the stuff one drives past—missing shoes, toilets, sofas, bikes, you name it.
I contacted several authors who might have insights. They answered with several styles: flash fiction, short stories, a 6-Word Challenge, a haiku, a film treatment.
Here are their answers:
Table of Contents
Introduction
Mike O’Malley
Disco Fever-Mirror Ball
Stewart Harris
Flush Toilet-Flush Toilet
Darrell G. Crawford
Chevrolet Nose-piece-Chevrolet Nose-piece
Parker Francis
Promises to Keep-A Disabled SUV
Dale Hankins
Naomi-Double Wide
Dale Hankins
A Roadside Graveyard in Glendale Time-Roadside Cemetery
Dale Hankins
Bettie Jean-Parked Funeral Cortege
Dale Hankins
After the Sandwiches Are Gone-Fishing Family
Dale Hankins
Blooding-Deer Crossing Sign
Dale Hankins
Hot Rod Road-Crashed car
Vicki Macfarlane
The Chicken on the Side of the Road-Publix fried chicken
Ed Mickolus
Tantalizing Mystery Box-Earthly artifact
Ed Mickolus
Forgotten Memories-A Random Object
Ed Mickolus
Last Ride-White-Painted Bicycle
Ed Mickolus
Homeward Bound-A Green Squirrel
Ed Mickolus
The Poem Version-
Loose Sheets of Paper Blown Around by the Wind
Ed Mickolus
A Shot Rang Out-Loose Pages
Ed Mickolus
Ode to Jimmy’s Dad-Kite-Eating Tree
Ed Mickolus
Tatterdemalion Billboard’s Top Ads-Ripped Billboard Sign
Ed Mickolus
Bye Bye Baby-Baby Doll
ChatGPT
Amelia and Zarael-Mysterious Figure
ChatGPT
Time Traveler-Phone Booth
Lou Pugliese
Roadside Reflection-Footless Statue
Darrell Crawford
Plowing Ahead-miscellany
Darrell Crawford
The Old Backer Barn-Barn
Marian Beaman
The Geography of a Journey-Travel Trailer
Sheila Weinstein
Life-Woman Awaiting a Bus
Josef Junn Krebs
I Guess a Pleasant Night Might be -Roadside Garage Appraised in Different Ways
Josef Junn Krebs
Downcast in Doncaster-Traffic
Charles Brockmeyer
That’s Saudi for You-Saudi Drum
Charles Brockmeyer
With a Little Help from My Friends, And God-Broken-down Motorcycle
Mark Hocamp
Passing Brooker, Florida-Humble Service Station
Sue Jones
A big Big Boy-Big Boy statue
Sue Jones
Fear Lurks at the Side of the Road-Danger
Mary Ellen Orvis
Detour on Route 66-Intact Billboard sign
Pat Krause
Haikus-Squirrel, Rivulets
Sandra Murphy
One Pink Hippo and a Dozen Flamingos-you guessed it!
Doug Noble
Tough Night on Bayou Meto-Bank deposit bag
Derek Christopher
Weight of Empty Cages-Birdcage
Coda
More Items and Stories by the Side of the Road
About the Authors
