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Alt-ernate: A Collection of 37 Stories
"A deliciously thought-provoking, evocative, and spine-tingling collection." – Cassie Hart, author of Butcherbird There are places where the boundaries are thin and a step off the path could take you further than you meant to go. Step off the path and submerge yourself in 37 stories that explore alternate realities, presents, and futures through science fiction, fantasy and horror. Dip your eyes into ethereal worlds, discomfiting climate fiction, heartache-inducing near and far-flung futures, and the creepy darkness that shadows humanity. Alt-ernate is the debut short story collection from author Melanie Harding-Shaw. Alternating between bite-sized micro-fiction and longer stories, it includes five never-before-published stories as well as the first novelette in the Censored City trilogy, Would She Be Gone. Table of AN AVIAN INTRODUCTION STRANDS OF OUR TOMORROWS LOVE NOTE A DEVOTED HUSBAND SHE WAS NO WITCH UNREQUITED SONATA GREEN IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP THE FISHER BIG BROTHER WOULD SHE BE GONE A SQUASH OF COMMUTERS A NEW COLD WAR LIVE UNDERGROUND GAC ATG ATT ACA TIME EXPLOSION IRONY BREAK GLASS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY COMMON DENOMINATOR ONLY CHILD REVOLUTIONS INDENTURE IS A NERVOUS SYSTEM THE GIFT OF TIME A GALACTIC SYMPHONY RETOUCHED THE GENESIS OF INTERDIMENSIONAL TRAVEL THE SIX STAGES OF REVENGE RADIO SILENCE A FAIRY TALE LOVE CAGE THE ENEMY WITHIN TEPID AN EYE FOR AN EYE WHEN SUPERMARKETS GO BAD A SECOND CHANCE MOTHER CEPHALOPODA SYNAESTHETE SEE ME
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2021
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 20, 2023
An excellent collection of stories curated by the author, showcasing her distinct flavour of Dark fiction, horror, dystopian Sci-Fi and themes between these genres.
The collection flows excellently, showing off the authors powers of compelling story telling.
The collection flows excellently, showing off the authors powers of compelling story telling.
June 8, 2021
The collection of 37 stories within this anthology of Melanie Harding-Shaw's is a delight to read through. As each story progresses, it feels as though the reader is watching the transformation of multiple writing styles. And of course, some of the best stories are saved for last.
As for context, Harding-Shaw delves into the weird, horrorific, strange, the scifi, and the unusual. There are so many styles and perspectives used in this book that it shows how much Harding-Shaw has grown, and noticing this process is a rollercoaster ride of fun. The pacing through the book is balanced well, subject matters evolve from one thing to another in a fluid motion, and being strapped in for the ride is such a thrill.
By the end of this book, it's obvious that Melanie Harding-Shaw is a talented writer, and her work is quite expansive over the last few years. And with a lot of printings from magazines and other anthologies etc, she's definitely an author to look out for.
As for context, Harding-Shaw delves into the weird, horrorific, strange, the scifi, and the unusual. There are so many styles and perspectives used in this book that it shows how much Harding-Shaw has grown, and noticing this process is a rollercoaster ride of fun. The pacing through the book is balanced well, subject matters evolve from one thing to another in a fluid motion, and being strapped in for the ride is such a thrill.
By the end of this book, it's obvious that Melanie Harding-Shaw is a talented writer, and her work is quite expansive over the last few years. And with a lot of printings from magazines and other anthologies etc, she's definitely an author to look out for.
May 12, 2021
Fascinating collection of quick reads. This collection is hard to put down full of unique tales exploring ideas in science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews