Fiction

Beyond music and acting, La Botz is also a fiction writer. His stories have appeared in many lit mags and have been shortlisted for the J.F. Powers Prize as well as nominated for the Pushcart Prize. A debut collection of short fiction is forthcoming from the University of Wisconsin's Cornerstone Press.

Published stories:

“Fourth for Cards” - Wrong Turn Lit - July 31st, 2023
”Pick a Part” - The Museum of Americana (Issue 31) - Oct., 2023
”Almost Free” - In Parentheses Magazine (Vol.8 Issue 1) Oct., 2023
”Triple Feature” - Bear Paw Arts Journal (Issue 1) - Nov., 2023
"Mashed Potato Time" - The Inquisitive Eater - Dec., 2023 “The Microphone” - Revolution John Journal - Jan. 25, 2024 “Self-Help” - Berlin Literary Review (Issue 3) - Feb, 2024 “Your Place in this World” - Third Wednesday Magazine (Vol. XVII, No. 2) - March, 2024
"Good Sturdy Furniture” - Metonym Literary Journal (Vol. 12 - print edition) - April, 2024 “Closer” - The Hooghly Review (Issue 3) - April, 2024 (Nominated for the 2025 Pushcart Prize!) “Tonight’s Sermon” - Progenitor Literary Journal (Vol. 59 print and online) - May, 2024 “Pierce” - Fiction on the Web - June 28, 2024 “Sponsors” - Exacting Clam (Issue 14) - September, 2024 “March 15th” - The MacGuffin (Volume 40.1 print edition) - Fall, 2024 “The Old Lady” - Exacting Clam (No 16) — Feb., 2025 “Liberty Bell” - The Razor - April, 2025 “The Devil’s Pump” - Mojo Journal (Issue 21) - June, 2025 “Mall Doors” - NUNUM - Fall, 2025 “Chicago Skyline” - Cowboy Jamboree Magazine - (Issue 10.3) Nov., 2025 “Describe Yourself in Three Words - Explanation with Examples” - The Argyle - (Issue 6) coming Dec, 2025 “V-necks” - Eleventh Hour Literary - coming Winter, 2026 “Through the Cracks” - Cardinal Sins - coming Spring, 2026

Read more on my Substack page: https://substack.com/@jakelabotz