PAUL GERMANO
To explore Paul Germano's published fiction, click on the appropriate boxes below. If there are links to the stories, you can read them. For the ones without links, in the words of the esteemed 20th century philosopher Mick Jagger, "You can’t always get what you want."
(50-Word & 100-Word Stories)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Germano lives in Syracuse, smack dab in the center of New York State. His fiction has been published in over 70 literary magazines in the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, the Channel Islands, Hong Kong and India. He is a Best Microfiction Awards nominee.
In his adventures in high-end retail, he has held management and sales positions with Hugo Boss, Brooks Brothers, Johnston & Murphy, Lord & Taylor, Armani, Hickey Freeman, Hannoush Jewelers, Art of Shaving and Perfumania.
In his nonfiction adventures, Germano has worked as an editor and writer for Le Moyne College, Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, The Catholic Sun and as a freelance writer for the Syracuse New Times, Stars Magazine and The Post-Standard. His writing has earned him three Syracuse Press Club Awards.
If you'd like a fun look at what people are saying about his stories, click the WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING box below.
To learn about his book projects, click the IN THE WORKS box above. To explore his published fiction, click these boxes above: DRIBBLES & DRABBLES, MICRO FICTION, FLASH FICTION, SHORT STORIES and HORROR STORIES. If there are links to the stories you can read them. For the ones without links, in the words of the esteemed 21st century philosopher Aaron Lewis, "You get what you get."
“People tend to drink a lot in my stories: coffee, milk, tea, soda, juice, beer, whiskey, wine and even water. I like to keep my characters well-hydrated.”
--Paul Germano, writer; Syracuse, NY
IN HIS OWN WORDS
(Excerpts from Paul Germano’s Stories)
“Roy Samanski loosens his necktie, pours himself a Bourbon on the rocks and downs it so quick, the ice never gets the chance to melt.”
--Excerpt from “Bourbon on the Rocks” by Paul Germano, published in Bright Flash Literary Review, 2021.
"The pawnshop owner gives him the once-over. This kid is scrawny and fidgety. He’s got a scar, which seems quite recent, just above his jawline on the left side of his face and a snake tattoo winding around his scrawny pasty-white arm. He’s wearing a loose pair of faded jeans that are belted tightly around his thin waist to keep them from falling. The kid smells like he hasn’t showered in a while and his eyes look like he could use a good night’s sleep. It’s difficult to pinpoint his age, maybe he’s in his thirties, but his face is so filled with worry that he could be younger, possibly in his twenties."
--Excerpt from "Blue Sapphire Ring" by Paul Germano, published in Bull, 2025.
“They remain a happy campus couple for what’s left of their senior year. On graduation day, they brace themselves for an emotional farewell to Syracuse University, sitting side by side in their caps and gowns and playing with each other’s tassels. They make a promise that they’ll stay in touch, forever. They don’t.”
--Excerpt from “Springsteen in the Dorm Room” by Paul Germano, published in Bright Flash Literary Review, 2022.
“He desperately wants to stop, but he can’t. ‘Just one more time, then I’m done for good.’ He’s uttered those good intentions so many times that he’s lost count. But he meant it every single time he said it. He doesn’t say it anymore.”
--Excerpt from “Wasted at 27” by Paul Germano, published in Flash Fiction Magazine, 2015.
“Connie’s daughter also used a pinch of her hard-earned modeling money to take an accelerated course in Italian. She became obsessed with learning the language. Obsessed, not because it was the native tongue of her immigrant great-grandparents, but obsessed because it was the language of fashion. The language of Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Ferragamo and on and on and on.”
--Excerpt from “Lacking that Certain Something” by Paul Germano, published in VIA: Voices in Italian Americana, 2012.
“Blue-eyed social studies teacher Claire Peabody pushes open the door to the faculty lounge, letting herself in and shutting out the sweaty stink of youth that permeates the middle school’s hallways. Inside the lounge, the air smells inviting, thanks to an autumn breeze blowing through a propped-open window that intermingles with the rugged woodsy scent of a colleague’s cologne and a freshly brewed pot of Hazel Nut coffee."
--Excerpt from “Faculty Lounge” by Paul Germano, published in Word City Literary Journal, 2023.
“My people, we like to say ‘forget-about-it.' But we never really do. Good or bad, we don’t forget anything. We remember the promise of the Lady in the Harbor. And we still remember what they did to Mr. Sacco and Mr. Vanzetti.”
--Excerpt from “Black Coffee” by Paul Germano, published in Feile-Festa, 2008.
"The bartender wakes up hungover and content, his sleepy green eyes half open, a slight smile on his chiseled face. A weathered American flag, handed down to the first-born for four generations thus far, hangs proudly over his headboard. ... He’s wearing a silver chain with the holy medal of his patron saint around his neck and nothing more. ... His shabby knock-around Mets ballcap is hung over the bedpost. His brand-new sneakers are one over the other, leaning against the pale blue wall. On that same wall, the nearly identical flags of Italy, Ireland and France, hang in proud homage to his immigrant ancestors."
--Excerpt from "Sebastian Awakens" by Paul Germano, published in The Ulu Review, 2023.
“They stood, looking at each other, smiling, making a few stabs at conversation. Gradually their bodies were in motion. Elaine swayed, keeping time with the beat. Darryl swayed from alcohol. Blaring from the sound system, in song after song, B.B. King and Etta James and Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin' Wolf and Koko Taylor and Monster Mike Welch, were all taking turns singing about love gone sour. Without fail, they all blamed it on someone named Baby.”
--Excerpt from "Car Trouble in a Blues Bar” by Paul Germano, published in Slow Trains Literary Journal, 2004
Paul Germano appreciates you for taking the time to visit his website and encourages you to stay awhile, visit often and tell your friends.
You can contact Paul via email at paulgermanowriter@gmail.com and you can also find him on Facebook and Instagram.
