Trowbridge Dispatch - Short Stories
A series of contemporary short stories based in New England often exploring public service
Trowbridge Dispatch developed as a means of engaging readers between the publication of novels, which are intended to pop out annually during the fall, aiming for a date close to 9/11. While connection to events of 9/11 remain physically remote, no other event (except my birth) caused more disruption and focus in my life and career.
These stories revolve around the characters found in the novels and adventures of my fictitious rescue squad. I intend for the reader to read or listen to the stories slowly and quietly. I don’t think they work when crushing it at a gym. They likely work better during a quiet walk or 20 minutes of contemplation. That’s a writer’s arrogance though, isn’t it.
Audio or Written
I record the audio myself and read it to you. Both of my editors say that my stories work better in the audio form. Frankly, I know I write the stories so that I can read them, as if I were writing scripts. Enjoy either, enjoy both.
Podcast
Due to the nature of Substack’s audio entries, these short stories are also podcasts and can be found anywhere podcasts can be found.
Please Share
This is that bit where I say “Like, subscribe, and click the little bell”, except there is no bell.
Please do share the links with others. There is no chronological or logical order to approach these stories.
The stories in order of released (newest to oldest)
Mister Lincoln: Veteran of the Korean War (FEB 2026) audio
Just Another (JAN 2026) audio
Kahlil’s Wall (DEC 2025) audio
The Night the Plane Crashed (SEP 2025)
Murmuration (AUG 2025) audio
3 Faces of Raven (AUG 2025) audio
First Corn (JUN 2025) audio
The Curious (JUN 2025) audio
Rubber Duckies (May 2025) audio
The Firefighter’s Statue (APR 2025) audio
When Johnny Goes Marching Away (APR 2025) audio
Cooking Bacon with Propane (APR 2025) audio
The Name
I am playing on the word “dispatch”. I have spent a lot of years listening to and following instructions from “dispatch.” There is a person behind a suite of computer monitors, telephones, and a microphone telling me to wake my ass up and go do a thing somewhere, now.
“Dispatch” has also been used as the name of small town and regional newspapers: The Columbus Dispatch, St Louis Post-Dispatch, Richmond Times-Dispatch, etc.
Take your pick on the source.