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Stray Thoughts
Welcome to the next chilling collection of short stories from MJE Clubb exploring the fascinating, and at times feral, boundaries of morality in modern life. Ask yourself if you could do the unforgivable for the greater good—or even just for yourself.
Follow the zombie outbreak as it rampages throughout the United States and the terrible sacrifices that develop.
See how the loneliness and isolation of a stranded space shuttle forces partners to plan for the inevitable.
Cheer for the suburban murderess in the middle of concealing her crime despite nosey neighbors and a victim who refuses to stay dead, and more…
These horrifically hungry tales will keep you enthralled and haunt your dreams.
Brace yourself, it is time to entertain these terrifying Stray Thoughts…
Follow the zombie outbreak as it rampages throughout the United States and the terrible sacrifices that develop.
See how the loneliness and isolation of a stranded space shuttle forces partners to plan for the inevitable.
Cheer for the suburban murderess in the middle of concealing her crime despite nosey neighbors and a victim who refuses to stay dead, and more…
These horrifically hungry tales will keep you enthralled and haunt your dreams.
Brace yourself, it is time to entertain these terrifying Stray Thoughts…
155 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2024
4 people want to read
About the author
M.J.E. Clubb
8 books16 followersMJE CLUBB is an LGBTQIA+ author of fantasy novels, horror stories, and poetry chapbooks. Her short story Midnight Zephyr—first collected in the Lonesome Train anthology published by Thirteen O’ Clock Press—began her early career in 2019. Since then, she has published numerous titles and is always actively working on more. Currently, she is a resident of the Pacific Northwest with her partner, children, and pets.
2025 Firebird Book Award winner
2025 Firebird Book Award winner
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 19, 2024
Since there's only 6 stories in this fantastic little collection, I'm just going to do a micro review for each story.
1. Writhes and Shine
A story about the price you pay for mediocre men, featuring ants. The imagery in this one made me very uncomfortable.
2. Awakening
Lovecraftian horror on a cruise ship? Yes, please! Maybe I'm biased because I hate cruise ships and therefore think they're the perfect vessel for horror but I loved it.
3. The Stray
Reading this while my dreams have been plagued with the idea of adopting a tiny orange kitten (I'm not adopting another cat anytime soon, let alone a kitten, my trio of old cats would not stand for it) felt very personal. Isn't your interest piqued now? Beware, it will make you side eye your needy cat.
4. Rank and File
If you ever watched the movie The Taint this one is the reverse story. Its commentary is a little on the nose, but it gave me all the we're in this together sis vibes and I was here for it.
5. Bad Manners
Honestly, good for her. Good. For. Her. Very satisfied.
6. The Kronos Nightmare
When the decisions start to rely on the premise that the world is ending, what will it look like, with a space twist. I don't care how many times I've seen/read a similar premise I always love that kind of story if it's well done, this one was.
4.5 rounded up.
I received an eARC of this book through Booksirens and since I've been living in a blur of head splitting migraines (thanks coworker who hasn't learned of the magic of earbuds or the superior magic of just not listening to the freaking radio on an alarm clock) I briefly wondered if I had entirely hallucinated this book as I was unable to locate where it came from, I'm telling you this to say it didn't affect my appreciation of the book not just because I am a yapper (though I certainly am a yapper).
1. Writhes and Shine
A story about the price you pay for mediocre men, featuring ants. The imagery in this one made me very uncomfortable.
2. Awakening
Lovecraftian horror on a cruise ship? Yes, please! Maybe I'm biased because I hate cruise ships and therefore think they're the perfect vessel for horror but I loved it.
3. The Stray
Reading this while my dreams have been plagued with the idea of adopting a tiny orange kitten (I'm not adopting another cat anytime soon, let alone a kitten, my trio of old cats would not stand for it) felt very personal. Isn't your interest piqued now? Beware, it will make you side eye your needy cat.
4. Rank and File
If you ever watched the movie The Taint this one is the reverse story. Its commentary is a little on the nose, but it gave me all the we're in this together sis vibes and I was here for it.
5. Bad Manners
Honestly, good for her. Good. For. Her. Very satisfied.
6. The Kronos Nightmare
When the decisions start to rely on the premise that the world is ending, what will it look like, with a space twist. I don't care how many times I've seen/read a similar premise I always love that kind of story if it's well done, this one was.
4.5 rounded up.
I received an eARC of this book through Booksirens and since I've been living in a blur of head splitting migraines (thanks coworker who hasn't learned of the magic of earbuds or the superior magic of just not listening to the freaking radio on an alarm clock) I briefly wondered if I had entirely hallucinated this book as I was unable to locate where it came from, I'm telling you this to say it didn't affect my appreciation of the book not just because I am a yapper (though I certainly am a yapper).
September 20, 2024
This is a collection of short stories. These things can be a hit or miss affair, so here's a review of each one.
Writhes and Shine - I'll be honest with you, I thought I knew where this was going and then it blindsided me, in a good way. Also in a good way, it reminded me of an episode of Tales From the Darkside and other horror anthology series. It was a good lit equivalent to a popcorn flick. Oh, and fuck Tammy, nosy bitch.
Awakening - I really liked the way this ramped up, and the craziness of the second half was so good. The leads were a lot of fun to read about as well, and their relationship was so interesting.
The Stray - Unfortunately, the only word I can say to describe this one is lame. After the absolutely batshit turn the first story took and the amazing climax of the second, I read the ending to this and was like, "oh." And honestly? Maybe I'm weird and this is what actually killed it for me, but if my cat or any other animal did what this cat did, I would be honored. My body is just hardware, anybody else can have it for any reason if I'm not using it anymore.
Rank and File - I hated this one. Within the first page, I got where she was going with the premise, and I was actually nodding right along with her until it got to the part about these female-only cities being utopias, which has some unfortunate female supremacist implications. It wasn't even a commentary on wealth inequality or anything, it was just, "These gated communities would be better not because it's a wealthy gated community, but because it's all female!" Then we have the unfortunate implications of forced not-quite-sterilization, which brings to memory the long history of minorities being sterilized in modern genocides. Finally, we have the unfortunate implications of one private company owning all the water. Really? We're not going to think about how awful that would be? Oh, and the drug the protagonist creates. Did she even test it on women? What about children? She literally says it causes damage! I wouldn't object to the fact that it's arsenic-based, I know the author's trying to invoke thimerosal, which got demonized because it has a molecule of mercury in it, but thimerosal is a harmless preservative, whereas, yet again, she said this drug causes damage! It's like the entire premise unraveled before my very eyes.
Bad Manners - Sometimes, it's just fun to see an asshole get their comeuppance. One thing I have to say is, I haven't heard a single reference to a fedora in relation to incel creeps since like, 2017 I think? Well, outside of when I tell people what Linux distro I use. This is another grindhouse popcorn flick. Protag is intentionally hateable in the best way possible. My one real criticism is I kinda saw the ending coming as soon as the girl showed up, but it didn't really hurt anything.
The Kronos Nightmare - Far and away my favorite story of the six, but I'm big into things like right to repair and software freedom, so this one kinda appealed directly to me.
Overall, four out of six isn't bad, so if I've piqued your interest, go ahead and give this one a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Writhes and Shine - I'll be honest with you, I thought I knew where this was going and then it blindsided me, in a good way. Also in a good way, it reminded me of an episode of Tales From the Darkside and other horror anthology series. It was a good lit equivalent to a popcorn flick. Oh, and fuck Tammy, nosy bitch.
Awakening - I really liked the way this ramped up, and the craziness of the second half was so good. The leads were a lot of fun to read about as well, and their relationship was so interesting.
The Stray - Unfortunately, the only word I can say to describe this one is lame. After the absolutely batshit turn the first story took and the amazing climax of the second, I read the ending to this and was like, "oh." And honestly? Maybe I'm weird and this is what actually killed it for me, but if my cat or any other animal did what this cat did, I would be honored. My body is just hardware, anybody else can have it for any reason if I'm not using it anymore.
Rank and File - I hated this one. Within the first page, I got where she was going with the premise, and I was actually nodding right along with her until it got to the part about these female-only cities being utopias, which has some unfortunate female supremacist implications. It wasn't even a commentary on wealth inequality or anything, it was just, "These gated communities would be better not because it's a wealthy gated community, but because it's all female!" Then we have the unfortunate implications of forced not-quite-sterilization, which brings to memory the long history of minorities being sterilized in modern genocides. Finally, we have the unfortunate implications of one private company owning all the water. Really? We're not going to think about how awful that would be? Oh, and the drug the protagonist creates. Did she even test it on women? What about children? She literally says it causes damage! I wouldn't object to the fact that it's arsenic-based, I know the author's trying to invoke thimerosal, which got demonized because it has a molecule of mercury in it, but thimerosal is a harmless preservative, whereas, yet again, she said this drug causes damage! It's like the entire premise unraveled before my very eyes.
Bad Manners - Sometimes, it's just fun to see an asshole get their comeuppance. One thing I have to say is, I haven't heard a single reference to a fedora in relation to incel creeps since like, 2017 I think? Well, outside of when I tell people what Linux distro I use. This is another grindhouse popcorn flick. Protag is intentionally hateable in the best way possible. My one real criticism is I kinda saw the ending coming as soon as the girl showed up, but it didn't really hurt anything.
The Kronos Nightmare - Far and away my favorite story of the six, but I'm big into things like right to repair and software freedom, so this one kinda appealed directly to me.
Overall, four out of six isn't bad, so if I've piqued your interest, go ahead and give this one a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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September 20, 2024This is a collection of short stories. These things can be a hit or miss affair, so here's a review of each one.
Writhes and Shine - I'll be honest with you, I thought I knew where this was going and then it blindsided me, in a good way. Also in a good way, it reminded me of an episode of Tales From the Darkside and other horror anthology series. It was a good lit equivalent to a popcorn flick. Oh, and fuck Tammy, nosy bitch.
Awakening - I really liked the way this ramped up, and the craziness of the second half was so good. The leads were a lot of fun to read about as well, and their relationship was so interesting.
The Stray - Unfortunately, the only word I can say to describe this one is lame. After the absolutely batshit turn the first story took and the amazing climax of the second, I read the ending to this and was like, "oh." And honestly? Maybe I'm weird and this is what actually killed it for me, but if my cat or any other animal did what this cat did, I would be honored. My body is just hardware, anybody else can have it for any reason if I'm not using it anymore.
Rank and File - I hated this one. Within the first page, I got where she was going with the premise, and I was actually nodding right along with her until it got to the part about these female-only cities being utopias, which has some unfortunate female supremacist implications. It wasn't even a commentary on wealth inequality or anything, it was just, "These gated communities would be better not because it's a wealthy gated community, but because it's all female!" Then we have the unfortunate implications of forced not-quite-sterilization, which brings to memory the long history of minorities being sterilized in modern genocides. Finally, we have the unfortunate implications of one private company owning all the water. Really? We're not going to think about how awful that would be? Oh, and the drug the protagonist creates. Did she even test it on women? What about children? She literally says it causes damage! I wouldn't object to the fact that it's arsenic-based, I know the author's trying to invoke thimerosal, which got demonized because it has a molecule of mercury in it, but thimerosal is a harmless preservative, whereas, yet again, she said this drug causes damage! It's like the entire premise unraveled before my very eyes.
Bad Manners - Sometimes, it's just fun to see an asshole get their comeuppance. One thing I have to say is, I haven't heard a single reference to a fedora in relation to incel creeps since like, 2017 I think? Well, outside of when I tell people what Linux distro I use. This is another grindhouse popcorn flick. Protag is intentionally hateable in the best way possible. My one real criticism is I kinda saw the ending coming as soon as the girl showed up, but it didn't really hurt anything.
The Kronos Nightmare - Far and away my favorite story of the six, but I'm big into things like right to repair and software freedom, so this one kinda appealed directly to me.
Overall, four out of six isn't bad, so if I've piqued your interest, go ahead and give this one a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Writhes and Shine - I'll be honest with you, I thought I knew where this was going and then it blindsided me, in a good way. Also in a good way, it reminded me of an episode of Tales From the Darkside and other horror anthology series. It was a good lit equivalent to a popcorn flick. Oh, and fuck Tammy, nosy bitch.
Awakening - I really liked the way this ramped up, and the craziness of the second half was so good. The leads were a lot of fun to read about as well, and their relationship was so interesting.
The Stray - Unfortunately, the only word I can say to describe this one is lame. After the absolutely batshit turn the first story took and the amazing climax of the second, I read the ending to this and was like, "oh." And honestly? Maybe I'm weird and this is what actually killed it for me, but if my cat or any other animal did what this cat did, I would be honored. My body is just hardware, anybody else can have it for any reason if I'm not using it anymore.
Rank and File - I hated this one. Within the first page, I got where she was going with the premise, and I was actually nodding right along with her until it got to the part about these female-only cities being utopias, which has some unfortunate female supremacist implications. It wasn't even a commentary on wealth inequality or anything, it was just, "These gated communities would be better not because it's a wealthy gated community, but because it's all female!" Then we have the unfortunate implications of forced not-quite-sterilization, which brings to memory the long history of minorities being sterilized in modern genocides. Finally, we have the unfortunate implications of one private company owning all the water. Really? We're not going to think about how awful that would be? Oh, and the drug the protagonist creates. Did she even test it on women? What about children? She literally says it causes damage! I wouldn't object to the fact that it's arsenic-based, I know the author's trying to invoke thimerosal, which got demonized because it has a molecule of mercury in it, but thimerosal is a harmless preservative, whereas, yet again, she said this drug causes damage! It's like the entire premise unraveled before my very eyes.
Bad Manners - Sometimes, it's just fun to see an asshole get their comeuppance. One thing I have to say is, I haven't heard a single reference to a fedora in relation to incel creeps since like, 2017 I think? Well, outside of when I tell people what Linux distro I use. This is another grindhouse popcorn flick. Protag is intentionally hateable in the best way possible. My one real criticism is I kinda saw the ending coming as soon as the girl showed up, but it didn't really hurt anything.
The Kronos Nightmare - Far and away my favorite story of the six, but I'm big into things like right to repair and software freedom, so this one kinda appealed directly to me.
Overall, four out of six isn't bad, so if I've piqued your interest, go ahead and give this one a read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 14, 2024
I received a review copy for free via BookSirens and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Pretty average collection of stories. One has editing errors that need addressing.
Pretty average collection of stories. One has editing errors that need addressing.
September 16, 2024
Thank you, M. J. E. Clubb
This collection is six stories. My two favorite stories in this collection were Awakening, a cosmic sea horror adventure, and The Stray, about a stray cat that's harmless or may not be harmless. There is one story that I did not like.
LGBTQIA+ collection
This collection is six stories. My two favorite stories in this collection were Awakening, a cosmic sea horror adventure, and The Stray, about a stray cat that's harmless or may not be harmless. There is one story that I did not like.
LGBTQIA+ collection
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews