Resonant Dust: Stories - Volume 4

by Stan C. Smith

Venture beyond. Witness the impossible. Stories that resonate long after the final page.

New hi-tech toys keep appearing in a young boy’s crib, but his mother knows for certain no one else has entered the house. A teen and his parents travel from their Mars colony to Earth, seeking answers to a strange radio silence, only to discover the planet’s entire civilization has vanished. Miners excavating palladium on a remote asteroid realize the asteroid is not what it appears to be. Following cryptic instructions in a letter from his deceased parents, a man opens an antique chest to find a mysterious ‘conjuring machine’ that will transform his entire life. A woman accidentally inhales a toxic chemical and becomes patient zero in a global pandemic that forces everyone to look just like her.

Fifteen science fiction stories to challenge your perception of humanity’s future. Whether you're a devoted sci-fi explorer seeking fresh perspectives or a multi-genre reader hungry for thought-provoking short fiction, Resonant Volume Four will fire up your imagination.

From the author of the Bridgers series, Across Horizons series, Diffusion series, Peregrine Outpost series, and more.

282 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2025

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Way of Looking At Science Fiction . . .

This author is brilliant in so many ways. His newsletters outshine the encyclopedia! He plants a seed in our minds, raises up our curiosity, then explores the subject in every way to get our minds to open up and learn more. Not only are we taking in new information, but wondering what to make of it or where it might be taking us. We aren't always used to engaging our imaginations this way, but the stories in this book promote and inspire that. I have a feeling that each reader will react to this book in a different way. As we are all unique, so are the stories and our reactions. Give it a try and become a fan. (And if you have an opportunity to sign up for his newsletter, definitely do so. It's like none other... and includes pictures! Seriously, this is one of my favorite authors and he never disappoints!)

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love these short stories now brought together in this superb collection. Although I've already read all but one of the stories before. I really enjoyed reading them again. The variety of different storylines keeps you turning the pages.
Definitely recommend this volume and the previous 3 volumes

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of the same?

And by “the same”, I mean just as good as the previous volumes in the series! All of these stories are based on interesting concepts, well thought out, well written and reach a satisfying conclusion. They are bite sized pieces of the kind of writing that you find in Stan’s novel length books. Highly recommended!

[Chris Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional collection of short stories. What an imagination Stan C Smith has. Each of these tales is engrossing, addictive reading. The author himself notes that there isn't time to write a novel length version of all of the stories he comes up with. He's correct, though, that each of these shorts are ideas worthy of such treatment. Please, please keep these awesome collections coming, Mr Smith!

[C. Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Tales

I've just read Resonant Dust 4 and 5 in quick succession.

It brings me back to the days of browsing secondhand bookshops and finding a new sci-fi anthology of favourite authors. Hours of reading pleasure ahead.

Stan C. Smith does a wonderful job of creating these vignettes of a different world every time.

Recommended...

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky but interesting short sci-fi stories to amuse, confuse and make you think! Volume 4, so you know they are really good, by excellent writer Stan C. Smith. I liked the very last story best!

I was given a copy of the book by the author. I am voluntarily posting an honest review.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable and eclectic selection of short stories, with some stunningly original and unusual new ideas.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this selection, and many of them were particularly memorable!

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth addition to the Resonant Dust series is fantastic. Stories from many dimensions will tickle your sci-fi gene.

[Daniel Butts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing that gets your emotion and holds your interest. Highly recommend this group of short stories

[James Mincey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great selection of stories. Stan comes through again . Some are great, all are good.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of short stories, all very different in topic but all thought provoking as well as most enjoyable to read.

[Brian Busby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely brilliant storyline and characters each individual story has its own helping of suspense and gripping attractions.
I absolutely recommend this book.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan Smith’s short stories are true gems, full of imagination, fun and interesting characters, and unexpected plot twists. The only problem is they always leave me wanting to read more about what happens next!