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8: Tales of The Big Men from The Nod / Wells Timelines
In recent years, the “Nod/Wells Timelines” have become a fixture in the speculative-fiction community, with seven novel-length books spanning the science fiction, paranormal thriller, and horror sub-genres via their unique and compelling takes on historical, contemporary, and near-future versions of the world we all inhabit.
Throughout these tales stand “the big men,” individuals of great power and prominence whose actions (or lack thereof) often profoundly shape and influence those realities.
At times driven by their own ambitions and desires and at times the victims or beneficiaries of stunning turns of fate, the big men go about their business, playing important roles in their world, and others, and proving beyond question that, as the old adage suggests: “Sometimes, the clothes… and shoes… do indeed make (or break) the man.”
This collection includes the following eight tales in addition to the special “bonus” stories, “Exit Strategy,” “A Little Help,” “Out With a Bang,” and “Imitating Art,” which offer a few “optional” extensions and alternative conclusions to the experience.
Paper or Plastic?
Walt
Office Hours
The Beloved Jacob Westbrook
Hostile Takeover
Poker Night
Fair Game
If The Shoes Fit
Throughout these tales stand “the big men,” individuals of great power and prominence whose actions (or lack thereof) often profoundly shape and influence those realities.
At times driven by their own ambitions and desires and at times the victims or beneficiaries of stunning turns of fate, the big men go about their business, playing important roles in their world, and others, and proving beyond question that, as the old adage suggests: “Sometimes, the clothes… and shoes… do indeed make (or break) the man.”
This collection includes the following eight tales in addition to the special “bonus” stories, “Exit Strategy,” “A Little Help,” “Out With a Bang,” and “Imitating Art,” which offer a few “optional” extensions and alternative conclusions to the experience.
Paper or Plastic?
Walt
Office Hours
The Beloved Jacob Westbrook
Hostile Takeover
Poker Night
Fair Game
If The Shoes Fit
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2025
3 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Michael Shotter
16 books59 followersMichael Shotter is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a lover of science, fiction, and fantasy, his works aim to push beyond the boundaries of traditional genre fiction into new and exciting realms born from literary craftsmanship.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 12, 2025
This latest work from Mr. Shotter is another whirlwind of dark mystery with rich details and fascinating characters. As always, he seems to elegantly walk the edge of providing enough background “Easter eggs” for fans and keep each story accessible for anyone to jump into. Great anthology to pick up and read when you’re craving noir thriller with a touch of sci-fi.
January 12, 2025
An awesome compilation of additional stories. Its great fun to dive back into unseen areas of the main story arc/timelines to get views into events that you never would have known happened. These stories aren't required because the main timeline was so good, but they are eye opening, creative, and a blast to think about.
Also, a little disturbing sometimes in what I find to be "in a good way"..
Also, a little disturbing sometimes in what I find to be "in a good way"..
May 23, 2025
8: Tales of The Big Men from The Nod/Wells Timelines is a layered entry in the evolving mythos of the Nod/Wells universe, and it carries the weight of that history well. Less a traditional narrative and more a collection of tightly wound character studies, this installment deepens the larger continuity while standing solidly on its own.
This book focuses on “the Big Men,” figures who’ve lingered on the edges of previous stories looming, hinted at, half-legendary. Here, they step forward. These aren’t superheroes in the usual sense, and the title is no accident: these are stories about scale, legacy, and what power means in a world already shaped by myth. The tone shifts from grounded to surreal, often in the same breath, echoing the thematic dissonance that defines the Nod/Wells timelines as a whole.
In terms of where this fits, it feels like a hinge point. Chronologically, it follows the emotional fallout of earlier events especially the collapse of certain institutions and ideologies that were once central. But it also builds toward a new understanding of the Wells Continuum, expanding not just the scope but the texture of the universe. The Big Men aren’t new so much as newly illuminated. Their influence is retroactive they were always there, but now we see how.
The writing is confident and strange, unafraid to use fragmentation as a device. Some stories are told in clipped dialogue, others in poetic bursts. That won’t work for every reader, but it suits the material. These tales are about memory, distortion, and mythmaking. The structure reflects the content.
One of the stronger themes here is legacy what is passed down, what is forgotten, and what must be rewritten. If you’ve followed the timeline from earlier entries, you’ll catch references and echoes that add depth. If you haven’t, the book still holds up, but some of the emotional resonance will slip past.
The only real flaw is that the density of the timeline occasionally works against the narrative. If you don’t remember earlier entries in detail, you may need to revisit them. But for fans of the series, that’s more invitation than obstacle.
In short, 8 expands the Nod/Wells world without losing its strange, unsettling soul. It's reflective, bold, and occasionally cryptic.
A solid, thoughtful addition to a deeply ambitious timeline.
This book focuses on “the Big Men,” figures who’ve lingered on the edges of previous stories looming, hinted at, half-legendary. Here, they step forward. These aren’t superheroes in the usual sense, and the title is no accident: these are stories about scale, legacy, and what power means in a world already shaped by myth. The tone shifts from grounded to surreal, often in the same breath, echoing the thematic dissonance that defines the Nod/Wells timelines as a whole.
In terms of where this fits, it feels like a hinge point. Chronologically, it follows the emotional fallout of earlier events especially the collapse of certain institutions and ideologies that were once central. But it also builds toward a new understanding of the Wells Continuum, expanding not just the scope but the texture of the universe. The Big Men aren’t new so much as newly illuminated. Their influence is retroactive they were always there, but now we see how.
The writing is confident and strange, unafraid to use fragmentation as a device. Some stories are told in clipped dialogue, others in poetic bursts. That won’t work for every reader, but it suits the material. These tales are about memory, distortion, and mythmaking. The structure reflects the content.
One of the stronger themes here is legacy what is passed down, what is forgotten, and what must be rewritten. If you’ve followed the timeline from earlier entries, you’ll catch references and echoes that add depth. If you haven’t, the book still holds up, but some of the emotional resonance will slip past.
The only real flaw is that the density of the timeline occasionally works against the narrative. If you don’t remember earlier entries in detail, you may need to revisit them. But for fans of the series, that’s more invitation than obstacle.
In short, 8 expands the Nod/Wells world without losing its strange, unsettling soul. It's reflective, bold, and occasionally cryptic.
A solid, thoughtful addition to a deeply ambitious timeline.
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January 12, 2025This latest work from Mr. Shotter is another whirlwind of dark mystery with rich details and fascinating characters. As always, he seems to elegantly walk the edge of providing enough background “Easter eggs” for fans and keep each story accessible for anyone to jump into. Great anthology to pick up and read when you’re craving noir thriller with a touch of sci-fi. I don’t normally rate 5 stars, but I couldn’t put this one down!
February 1, 2025
A remarkable collection of thought provoking tales. Fans of the “Nod/Wells Timelines” will have a blast trying to find all the connections weaved throughout. Those new to Shotter’s work are in for an excellent sampling of his ability to deftly move throughout genres, while maintaining his engrossing writing style that always makes for a fast paced captivating read.
October 8, 2025
I won this book and will post more after reading. Thank you for the giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews