Being Heroes, Being Villains: A Superhero Short Story Anthology

by Catelyn Winona

A varied collection of superhero stories told in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person from Catelyn Winona, also known as Caffeinewitchcraft.

Ominous Halo - Sharon swore long ago that she would never again be a hero. But when Sunrise, one of the most powerful heroines in the city, needs her help, can she keep her promise?
The Wreckage and Ripper - You are the villains' therapist. The villains have kidnapped you. This wasn't covered in school.
Madame Science - Life gets a little tricky when Christine's crush is a hero and she's a villain. But, if she quits, everything will be solved! Except he doesn't seem interested?

Eighteen different stories come together to create a Superhero universe that seeks to address THE question. What makes a hero? What makes a villain?

Boasting four new stories, this anthology merges old and new to create a thrilling reading experience. Those stories that have been previously shared online have been remastered for this anthology, edited and tailored so that they all operate in the same world.

Genres: Short Stories, Superheroes

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2022

About the author

Catelyn Winona (she/they) was born in 1994 alongside her fellow triplet siblings and her (later) twin step-siblings. She grew up in a home with four siblings her age which has led to a lifelong indulgence of chaos.

She has always been attracted to storytelling, no matter the form. She was blessed to grow up with musicians, artists, and entertainers who all understood the value of a good story.

Catelyn writes primarily fantasy. Oftentimes her stories seek to address current media.

"Is the 'Chosen One' ready to fight for the world that foresaw their arrival? Or will they bring a different agenda to the table entirely?

What do you do when the transfer student is a vampire and no one notices but you? Fall in love? Or reach for the stake?

Why would you make a deal with the devil? Better, why would the devil make a deal with you?"

It's with this mindset that Catelyn has self-published two books - her debut collection of short stories " A Caffeinated Collection of Curious Accounts" and her 2nd person style book "I Reap You Not."

Catelyn Winona currently lives in Northern California with her cat and several cursed dolls she found at a thrift store she never found again.

Reviews

[Kevin Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I had read some of the stories already via her Patreon, and she wove these existing stories together with new ones in a way that built up a sense o that these were snapshots into a much larger world. Highly recommended!

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! I love exploring super heroes and super powers and this is great at that. Great book!

[AlrightOkay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following this author on tumblr for a long while now, so when I found out they had released a book with all those short stories (plus some extras) that I had saved in my drafts, I had to buy it and read it.

Catelyn/caffeinewitchcraft delivers as always. I've loved her stories and enjoyed reading them as an expanded universe. Seems like being a hero isn't easy, but neither is being a villain 😂

The complicated relationship between being a good guy or a bad guy (or whatever lands in between) and being the person behind the mask is explored in these stories. As is the thin line between heroism/villainy, good/bad, doing good for goodness sake vs your own agenda, etc.

I can't wait to read more from this universe and this author 😊 Recommended read!

[May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is possibly my favorite short story collection I've ever read. I already knew I liked Winona, I follow her blog, but still, this collection blew me away, and as a result, I blew through it!

So many of these stories I wish were full-length novels. Not because they left too much unsaid, but because I loved nearly every character I met, and wanted to read more about them than a short story could contain. (The story about Mary in particular--her power was so interesting, and her team so interesting, I just want so much more!)

I'm hopeful Winona will release a full-length novel, or even a novella, sometime in the future, I would love to read so much more of the worlds she creates!

[Jen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

great collection of short stories

I found Catelyn Winona through Tumblr Short stories, and when I found out I could read them in a convenient book format, I obviously wanted to do so.

There's some humor in these, but it's not a comedic book, or tragic. Just really interesting situations in a unique superhero universe.

[Elzbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slice of life book about heroes. And some villains. It’s exactly what it sounds like, heroes that aren’t exactly heroic all the time. Who are just normal people and who struggle and give up being heroes. Villains that aren’t all bad all the time and who love people and might save you because they once loved you, but don’t expect it ever again. Sometimes a little funny, mostly charming

[Miss Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

i kinda want to make like. a tumblr superhero rec list; like i could pair this with kitty burroughs posterchildren and seanan mcguire's velveteen trilogy

anyways i'm subscribed to catelyn winona's patreon now so that should tell you how much this slapped

4 stars

[Tyrannosaurus regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I missed reviewing this when I first read it because I absolutely loved it. I came to it from the author's tumblr, because their stories are moving, unpredictable, and take the world of superheroes in a new and really interesting direction.

[Ada · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

Got the paperback and have asked that that edition will be added but is hasn't so far.

[Tric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I like the variety of characters and perspectives, and the writer definitely knows how to hit you right in the feels with some of these stories.

[Kit Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally like short story anthologies, but this absolutely blew me away. I adore it, and I can't wait to reread it.

[TheWomanWithTheBookTattoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best reads ever, she writes really compelling characters!