When All That's Left Are Stories: Diaries From the Dystopia

by J. Moody, Nicholas Katsanis, Kristen Illarmo

Twelve writers from around the world bring their unique visions of the future to these pages. This dystopian and sci-fi collection allows readers to explore new worlds, new technology, and new traditions, while holding fast to the hope that makes us human.

Authors include A.A. Rubin, Chiamaka Muoneke, Emma Merrell, Bob Freeman, Lauren Cipollo, Deon Ashleigh, Ellie Lieberman, J. Moody, Melissa Rose Rogers, Dewi Hargreaves, Kristen Illarmo, and Nicholas Katsanis.

Genres: Short Stories, Dystopia, Anthologies, Science Fiction, Fiction

218 pages, Paperback

Published November 10, 2022

About the author

J. Moody is an educator by day, a writer by night, and an adventurer in every moment between. She’s the author of The SEPA Project, its sequel, Quántóu Rising, and the final book in the trilogy, A Rue's Revenge. Her short fiction “To Be a Woman” won the Best Horror Award in Ooligan Press Magazine. She has two short stories published in the anthology Once Upon Another Time: Fresh Tales From the Far Side of Fantasy and two dystopian stories published in When All That's Left Are Stories. She lives with her family in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Megan Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary Future, Great Stories

I absolutely loved this collection of short stories. So much so that I hates that they were short! I could have read each of them as a full novel. Each made me really think and dive into the unknown of our future. Fantastic read!

[Raymond Casillas · Rating 5 out of 5]

That first story alone already makes it worth reading. It's like you found an unpublished Ray Bradbury's!
I like the way it's formatted: author's line up at the beginning and a brief synopsis of each work. You can window shop stories right within the book!

Thank you, J. Moody for exquisitely selecting this crew of talents!

Get it while it's free, 'cuase this should definitely have a price tag.

[Craig Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of wonderfully depressing dystopian short stories. Collated by J.Moody, the talented author of the SEPA Project. Indeed, one of the shorts in this book is a prequel to her own book series.

If you are like me and revel in all things at the miserable end of life's spectrum, you will enjoy these intriguing tales of life in various states of societal collapse.

Captivating characters and imaginative plots draw you into the absorbing adventures and misadventures) of the characters. Even if dystopia isn't your bag, if you enjoy short stories by the likes of Stephen King, you will love this book.

The various authors skillfully build their worlds, which is quite a talent with the natural limitations of a short story. Some of the shorts feel like sneak previews of larger works. Others stand alone as great fireside tales.

There were, as with all books, some minor editing errors, but that's the author in me. I still find them in my own published work. Also, it's worth noting that many of the stories are more sci-fi than pure dystopia, but the cross-over is inevitable and not at all unwelcome.

Pull up the ruined hull of a combat drone, gather around the Prism VR console, and prepare to dream. The future awaits, and it's not looking pretty.

I score "When All That's Left Are Stories" five out of five H-90 crystal cells. A fine body of work by a talented group of writers.

[maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

When All That's Left Are Stories is a gripping blend of dystopia, sci-fi, and raw humanity. Each writer brings a unique voice, creating a collection that feels fresh, thought-provoking, and emotionally rich.

I enjoyed how every story explores new worlds and technology while still holding onto hope—something that ties the whole anthology together beautifully. Some tales are haunting, others uplifting, but each one leaves an impression.

A standout collection for anyone who loves futuristic storytelling with heart.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few great stories and others that aren't so good. Some of the stories are more science fiction than dystopian. Also, a few of the stories need better editing.

[Haylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially got this book because I was interested in the prequel for The SEPA Series that was in it. I love a good dystopia story, and this book had several. Each story made me want more.

[J. Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I have two stories featured in this collection and helped bring these authors together for the project. However, I was a delighted reader of the other stories as well, so I feel justified to share my review. My favorite thing about this collection is the diversity in content for a dystopian/sci-fi collection. As I was reading each story, I kept being surprised by the new, innovative takes on the future. My personal favorites were "Only Son" for the writing style and "The Wedded" for the world building, but I truly appreciated and enjoyed each story. I am a big dystopian and sci-fi nerd, though, so there's that.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of journeys into futures and realms that come into life with how these authors have told these stories.

Some surprising and varied in style pieces in this collection that will intrigue anyone.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

uneven

This is a collection of short stories that is decidedly dystopian in nature. Some are just a few pages, some slightly longer, but all are pretty strange and slightly depressing. Most are well written with a nice twist. In general, bedtime reading for the marginally weird. ;-)