Michael Price
(1958 - 2016) Michael Price received his BA in Theater from the University of Minnesota in 1980 and has been writing fiction, primarily as a source of self entertainment, ever since. He performed his own one-man one-act play at the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival to considerable critical acclaim, has had a number of his short stories published in 2012, and recently finished his first novel, "Serpentine."
About Michael Price
I grew up in suburban Minneapolis (MN) and attended Osseo Senior High, where I was known much more for my athletic successes than anything literary, and I was selected to play in two high school all-star games. I was also elected class treasurer -- for which I did absolutely nothing--a tenor soloist in an excellent high school choir, and an active participant in the school's theater department. I graduated in 1976.
I went to college on a football scholarship but immediately ripped up an ankle, was forced to miss my entire freshman year on the gridiron, a period in which I became heavily involved in The University of Minnesota's Theater department. I also worked for the first time as a waiter, made lots of cash, and was easily able to pay my own tuition. I gave back the football scholarship and graduated in less than four years. It was during this period that I began writing, and have been writing ever since.
My first pieces were almost entirely satirical in nature, but I never attempted publication. I like to say that I wrote for almost thirty years, strictly as a source of self-amusement/entertainment, before submitting anything. I went to graduate school in 1987, studied English Education, and broadened my scope as far as writing is concerned. I now write for the enjoyment of a very small audience -- me -- with hopes that other readers will find my work compelling as well.
I also have studied acting in L.A., worked as a photographic body model, and enjoy singing for weddings. When I'm not writing, my favorite thing to do is take the puzzle page of the local newspaper to the gym, work out, and do the Sudokus and crossword puzzles in between sets. I live with my long-time best friend, Pamela Veeder, an excellent nature photographer, in St. Paul, the capital of our beautiful state.
-
Impressions — cover story short fiction
Michael Price received his BA in Theater from the University of Minnesota in 1980 and has been writing fiction, primarily as a source of self entertainment, ever since. He performed his own one-man one-act play at the 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival to considerable critical acclaim, has had a number of his short stories published in 2012, and recently finished his first novel, "Serpentine."
-
Return Fare — cover story short fiction life
Now there's a kid who knows how to take care of his toys!
-
The Hottest Spot — cover story short fiction life
An atheist will tell you that there isn't any such thing as "Pearly Gates" -- so why be wary of what's on the other side of any door?
-
Me — short fiction relationships
Who is that clever, handsome, rich -- and don't forget HOTT chappie over there? Yes, that one -- the one watching himself in the reflections of the window...
-
The Health Club Gallery Tour — cover story short fiction humor life
Let's take some time for culture. This way to the Museum of Muscle and Money...
-
Out of the Closet — cover story short fiction
We all start out in the dark, barely able to look around and see what we've got stored in there...
-
Grandmother — cover story short fiction life
"...adjective: related or joined in spirit..."
-
Our Father — fiction life family
A child is told that Authority comes from Heaven, and that Authority comes from the head of the family. Think about it.
-
Perchance — cover story fiction speculative fiction
...And everyone was there, in that place where everyone is remembered, everyone is celebrated, and everyone is about three sheets to the wind...
-
The Rainy Day Restaurant Wine List — essay humor wine
The clouds have moved in, time to sit by the window and ask the host which bottle is special today...
-
A Sudden Death Victory — cover story fiction life death sports
The adrenaline high, the pounding rhythm of footfalls, and the oh-so-glorious feeling of putting more and more air between you and your pursuers...
-
Life and Death in the Crosshairs — cover story fiction life death
Bringing Death as a guest to every task isn't looked upon the best way to live your life, for who knows when Death will follow you home from the job?
-
Mostly True Random Thoughts — fiction life memories
You get them when you wake up at 3:45 AM and they just crawl all over you...
-
Electives — cover story fiction humor college
It's never too late to go back to school...
-
Away Games — cover story fiction life kids sports
Change is inevitable. But at the pinnacle of the perfect summer, changes aren't always what you think they'll be...
-
Ransom in a Bottle — cover story fiction life drinking
Just me, you, and the elephant in the room...cozy, isn't it?
-
The Write's Tough — cover story fiction writing
Your fingers itch to be moving, your brain bulges with mental momentum, and there's that white screen staring you down...
-
Giving Back — cover story fiction death
You think you know him, have known him all his life...but what he has done in the world isn't half of what the world has done to him...
-
Occasionally True Random Thoughts — cover story fiction eccentricity
I'm betting the shoelaces thing is true...
-
We'll Start Tomorrow — fiction friends relationship
It was a bad idea to start with, but it turned out to be...much worse...
-
No Substitute for Terror — fiction bully teaching
Still want your credential, do you?
-
Traffic in the Tunnel — cover story fiction education
If only he'd kept his temper, the store wouldn't have been closed...
-
A Fistful of Fringe — cover story fiction stage
"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts..." -- Shakespeare
-
Lest We Forget — cover story essay memoir
Sometimes the Great Chasm that divides us makes it easier to communicate, after all...
-
The Ultimate Roast — cover story fiction memoir
He's got the floor -- so to speak -- and it's time for him to tell all...
-
Playing Catch in the Street — cover story fiction baseball
Can you say ... "Automatic?"
-
Reunion — cover story fiction love
This is Michael Price's last work to appear in the Piker Press. Mike died unexpectedly on February 12, 2016, and will be sorely missed.
-
DECEMBER 25th — poem rhymed
"...Light-em-up Santas and look-alike trees, tinsel, wild parties..."
-
Zucchini Bread: The Recipe — food
Food! Zucchini! Action!