Swimming Pools. Movie Stars.

Dedicated to all my friends out here... who came from someplace else.

Many thanks to director, photographer and designer Kathleen Lorden for contributing to this week's tale. Please visit her Flickr page to see many more of her incredible and diverse photos.

Words by Stiles. Photography by Kathleen Lorden.

Six-Word Sketchbook: Matt Strackbein

Since Matt created these preliminary sketches for this week's tale, I thought I'd share them with everyone as well as a little info about the newest member of the SWT gang.

Matt sez: "I'm always working on my own original comics - obsessively - but lately I've been contributing to two different zines, which I think are super cool. I appreciate the underground street level attitude that comes from zines and I'm very proud to contribute to them. In terms of my heroes, the list is: Dr. Seuss, Charles Schulz, Harold Gray, Milton Caniff and Norman Rockwell."

For more of Matt's work, you can visit The Matter, Stumptown Underground and Matt's site right here.

They Say It's Your Birthday

Please welcome Matt Strackbein -- another new artist joining the Six-Word Tales collective. Matt's got more tricks up his sleeve, so stay tuned for future stories from this clever chap.

Let the party begin! The Birthday Boy is waiting.

Words by Stiles. Art by Matt Strackbein.

Deep Freeze

We're very excited to have artist Mike Manomivibul join Six-Word Tales this week. Mike created an incredible series of illustrations for his book Jetsam that you must check out by clicking here.

And now... lay back in the sleep chamber. Comfortable? Good. You'll feel a quick blast of cold and then it's off to dreamland. Just one last question: What kind of world do you want to wake up in?

Words by Stiles. Art by Mike Manomivibul.

Tomorrow Never Knows

Welcome to the new season of Six-Word Tales. I've got more incredible artists coming on board and we're very excited about sharing a fresh crop of illustrated microfiction with all of you.

So... this is the year. For decades, countless movies and books all but guaranteed we'd be living in an era where sci-fi dreams would become reality. We're finally there!

Or does today feel a lot like... yesterday?

Words by Stiles. Art by Greg Ruth.

Happy Holidays From Six-Word Tales!

Thank you all for being part of Six-Word Tales. It's been great to share these stories with everyone.

I'm ending the year with a piece by Greg Ruth -- the artist who helped me kick-off this project. We share with you one of Greg's many magical depictions of New York City during the season of winter wonders.

All the best in 2010!

Words by Clement Clarke Moore. Art by Greg Ruth.

Long Distance Caller

Paul Harmon returns to illustrate this tale of an unusual traveler.

I have to admit, this spaceman intrigues me. Has he been sent to explore... or conquer?

Words by Stiles. Art by Paul Harmon.