Former Flame Fridays - Alex Hoeft

2/28/15

You were featured in volume 777. What has happened since?

Exciting things! An environmental horror short story of mine was accepted and will be published as part of an anthology in Dark Matter Presents: Little Red Flags Fall 2025. That was a piece that a couple of beta readers struggled to connect with, but one that I believed in, so it was rewarding that someone else did, too. Also, in an attempt to broaden my appreciation for and connection with the short fiction world, I’m now an editor with Creation Magazine (!). I’ll be reviewing fiction and non-fiction submissions.

Lunch Break

“I appreciate you giving me your lunch hour.” My voice is steady and my posture relaxed. 

I turn, lifting my hand in a casual wave, a gesture to echo my words. “Hello, welcome; I’m grateful you’re here.” Again, I pivot. “Very kind of you. I couldn’t believe it either.” I’ve practiced mimicking friendliness until it appears natural.

I glance at my watch and catch my smile in the reflection of its glass face. I look manic, teeth sharp enough to cut.

Lowering my wrist, I brace my hands against the podium. Not a single empty seat in the boardroom, chairs lining the walls; a packed house. Filled by shapes of all different sizes—minky fabric encasing cotton or polyester; hard, black eyes and pink noses. A pastel rainbow. 

I smile so hard my cheeks hurt. That’s right, assholes. My time to shine.

“Thank you all again for coming,” I say, leaning into the mic. There’s a peal of audio feedback and I wince. My hands automatically go to strangle the stand, squeezing and twisting the cool, metal rod until long after it would have been able to fight me off—until I’m sure the inanimate object submits.

“Sorry about that,” I laugh. My skin tingles. I straighten my tie. 
My colleagues stay quietly devoted. I lock eyes with a figure seated near the door. Floppy ears and plush coat. A black-button glare back at me. Trent. I widen my eyes briefly in warning, tightening my grip on the podium in subtle threat.

(read the full story in 777)

What/who inspired Lunch Break? How does it fit into your style/body of work?

The story premise stemmed from a prompted first line (one I didn't end up using): "Thank you for meeting with me today." From there, I began brainstorming unexpected scenarios for a conventionally stiff and formal work meeting, and Lunch Break was born. Without spoiling the piece, it's definitely an ... odd sort of meeting to have. (Please support Troublemaker Firestarter and read it!) As far as my style of work, I enjoy writing both contemporary and horror/thriller. This piece straddles those genres.

Why Troublemaker Firestarter? What compels you to submit your work? Why be a writer at the end of the world?

Troublemaker Firestarter is a place for the weird and uncomfortable, which is exactly the energy Lunch Break was giving. And what a beautiful space you've created, Davi! I'm such a fan of literary magazines seeking to publish exploratory pieces and support emerging writers, and I hope to submit to Troublemaker Firestarter again in the future.

As for being a writer at the end of the world: I have to cope somehow, right? 😅

Who are your current favorite writers?

I enjoy C.S. Pacat's skill, Tamsyn Muir's and Casey McQuiston's writing voices, and Haley Jakobson's style.

Are you a troublemaker, a firestarter, a heartbreaker, a lucky duck, a devil, a terror, or sad and horny?

Mostly a terror, as my day job is as a news reporter, so I'm constantly reaching out to, following up with, and interviewing people of Earth. Have to be a bit dogged to do so ;)

Where can people find you?

I've recently started an author Instagram account and am actively building my writing community on social media! Come say hi: @alexhoeftwrites

What would you want the lovely readers of Substack to do?

Please keep an eye out for my debut novel, out early 2025! Details forthcoming. Follow me on Instagram for updates, and/or visit my website: www.ahoeft.com.