STORY SHOWCASE #7

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NOT HIS NAME

by Arthur Ursini

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A little taster…

Only a few people back in Philly knew about the existence of Jonah Morisson. When they had heard what he had done they could not believe it. What they were hearing seemed impossible. Not to Izzi. He knew the truth before he ever heard it spoken. For years there was a fear in his heart, a fear that he would have to watch someone he loved be taken by unwelcome hands.

The drive out to Colorado had taken several days, giving Izzi many long, silent hours to think about what he wanted to do once he landed in the sunburnt heart of the Centennial State. Despite his father and his boss’ demand to simply bring Jonah Morrison back to Philadelphia, he could not fight the instinct to do what he did best. Izzi saw himself as more than an enforcer; he was a man who solved problems, no matter the kind. Seeing how he was fighting on foreign soil, he took the time to watch and learn and best understand where to direct his violence.

About the author

Arthur Ursini is an American writer, born and raised in South Brooklyn. Other than being an avid reader and writer, he is also a competitive amateur boxer as well as a passionate home cook. He currently lives in an old schoolhouse with his partner. “Not His Name” is his first published piece of fiction and he is currently working on a novel. He can be found on Instagram @arthur.ursini

We asked Arthur…

K&R: What was the spark or idea that led you to write this story?

AU: I started thinking of this story in the summer/fall of 2024. A phrase I continually heard during that time was “the lesser of two evils”. I couldn’t stop thinking about the implications of that phrase, how progress and the future is solely in the hands of evil and that “good” not only can’t win, but it is not even included in the fight for what comes next. Also, I just really like “when a stranger comes to town” stories.

K&R: Do you have any other work do you have out there, for folks to dig into?

AU: This was my first piece of published work and I couldn’t have been happier that it was in Trash Tales. 

K&R: What’s next for you as a writer?

AU: I am currently working on a novel that explores and expands on the themes and ideas I wrote about in “Not His Name”.

K&R: What does “trashy fiction” mean to you, and what do you love about it?

AU: Unlike the limitations of more constrained genres, trashy fiction has a wild, unapologetic nature. It can be anything and take any form allowing for dark, outlandish, and diverse stories that would otherwise be left out in the cold.

K&R: Hit us with your own favourite “trashy” fiction recommendations!

AU: Dead City by Shane Stevens and Little Caesar by W. R. Burnett. Both of these “trashy” novels were inspirations for “Not His Name”. 

K&R: If you’ve read the rest of the stories in Trash Tales, what’s your favourite, and why?

AU: “Bloodemic” by Hokunani Sorci. The short story of humanity and moral choices nestled within a grotesque, surreal apocalypse was thoroughly disgusting and unbelievably enjoyable.

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