Connecting Readers and Writers discussion
Short Stories
>
Post Here
My Short Story is:
The Seamstresses
Death is just a career change.
When Yin opens her eyes at the beginning of the story, she realizes two things. She is in an old abandoned seamstress shop – and she is dead. This afterlife is filled with laughing snowflakes and endless city streets. The only person here to guide her through this world is her older sister, who also happens to be dead.
Yin soon discovers that they must use their abilities to sew together the relationships of the living. Although Yin finds this prospect thrilling at first, not everything in these snow-lined streets is as it seems. She will soon discover that good and evil are woven more tightly together than she could have ever imagined.
The SeamstressesDeath is just a career change.
When Yin opens her eyes at the beginning of the story, she realizes two things. She is in an old abandoned seamstress shop – and she is dead. This afterlife is filled with laughing snowflakes and endless city streets. The only person here to guide her through this world is her older sister, who also happens to be dead.
Yin soon discovers that they must use their abilities to sew together the relationships of the living. Although Yin finds this prospect thrilling at first, not everything in these snow-lined streets is as it seems. She will soon discover that good and evil are woven more tightly together than she could have ever imagined.
I'm always writing short stories, and consequently I have a few collections available. Two new stories also appear in the BestsellerBound Anthologies. Hope you'll check them out!
I just released a free short story:
The Viscount and the Witch
You can
Download it here
. It's a prequel to my Riyria Revelations but no prior knowledge of that series is necessary as this is meant to be a standalone work.The Viscoun and the Witch: A Free Riyria Short
Eleven years before they were framed for the murder of a king, before even assuming the title of Riyria, Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater were practically strangers. Unlikely associates, this cynical thief and idealist swordsman, were just learning how to work together as a team. In this standalone first installment of The Riyria Chronicles, Royce is determined to teach his naive partner a lesson about good deeds. Join Royce and Hadrian in this short story (5,400 words) about one of their earliest adventures.
If you get a chance to read it (it's short), please let me know if you read it what you think.
Hi,I wish to introduce
An author having a conversation with his fictional character, or losing control of his character, mind numbing points leading one twists and turns spinning the mind of the reader with hallucinogenic colors, concepts, and eurekas.
The short stories begin simplified, and walks together with the author as he takes a personal journey deep within the universe of his own consciousness, dwelling, prodding, dissecting, and creating...
This book is a play on different writing styles uniquely conjured by the writer from random inspiration and experimentation with poetry as prior experience. This is a chronological anthology spanning the imagination and sanity of the writer.
This book is a collection of humour, satire, and philosophy, with the most unique writing style and twists.
This book evolves as one reads, from basic and simple stories of humor, to deeper and more profound satire best savored twice.
Their very blood betrays them.
A disease passed to each new generation of descendants attracts vampires. Pieces of family history and the secrets to survival are lost as the lineage progresses. The Kindred Curse Anthology prequels lead you back in time, revealing the root of a dynasty's plight and a beginning that ultimately transcends the family's end.
Gleaming White is the first short of this series, with it's prequel, Streaks of Red, to be released in November.
Terra Harmony
Here is my first release, a collection of Western short stories:
Suspense, humor and a touch of romance await in seven short stories of the American West. In the title story, "The Ranch Next Door," a cattleman's young son dreads breaking the news to his family that he has fallen in love with the daughter of a neighboring sheep rancher despite an ancient feud between the two families. In "Cross My Heart," a boy is torn between betraying his conscience or a fugitive friend, and in "Delayed Deposit," five people are taken hostage during a bank robbery that turns into a tense standoff. The collection also includes the award-winning "Disturbing the Peace," honorable mention in the 2010 Rope and Wire short story competition.
It's not about fairies. This is a collection of 12 interconnected short stories (all previously published in literary journals, magazines, and anthologies)about the life and times of J.T. Glass, a graveyard shift security guard in Los Angeles. Adults only. 99 cents on kindle. (35k words)
Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy --> http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Mundo/e/B...
I've just released a novelette to go with my thriller series.It's A Dog's Life Mel Comley
and here's my other short stories too.
A Twist in the Tale
High Spirits A TRUE paranormal short story
I hope you like them.
Mel ;-)
Rattling Bones is a collection of short stories with a dark edge. Meant for the chicklit reader who likes her fiction a little dark in places, it has a distinct literary flavor. The ideal reader doesn't mind a death or two and she certainly doesn't mind a few 'bad words' or adult situations. It's just 1.99 for Amazon Kindle
I am not selling any short stories at this time, but if readers would like to see a couple, I have them as notes on my fb page. https://www.facebook.com/note.php?not...
Diary of a Christian Dog is actually an excerpt from Hope and the Knight of the Black Lion, which I have posted in the YA section.
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?not...
Carrie's Hired hand is a Civil War era short story which someone told me I should expand. *sigh* someda, maybe.
Murder is afoot aboard the magnificent airship Rio Grande, and James is the prime suspect! He and his partner Bartleby must use all their wits to find the true culprit before his sabotage causes the massive vessel to crash into London below!
The whining seemed to be coming from the turbines themselves – they were labouring harder and harder to function, but the slapping sound was coming from behind a two by two panel set into a bulkhead. It was slightly ajar, tool-marks evident near its popped lock. I opened it, and found behind it a fist-sized fat-diamond shaped cavity in which a series of pistons spun freely. Leather connective straps attached to the pistons flailed uselessly against the steel casing, whatever they had secured now missing.
I took a quick look around the immediate area, but couldn't find anything that looked like it might fit in the gap. Unfortunately I'm unschooled in the mechanics of areoengineering and had no idea what might have been removed from the ship's workings. I returned to the control room to put the question to the Chief Engineer.
I described the empty panel to him the best I could, and his face paled. I followed Miller as he raced, without a word to me, into the engine room, stopping in front of the open hatch over the empty cavity. He gave out a frustrated and terrified groan, grabbing handfuls of his own hair and stumbling back a little in horror.
“We're so very very dead,” he said.
“Bad then, is it?”
“Do you have any idea how difficult it is to keep a ship this size right side up?” he asked, pulling a small level out of his breast pocket and laying it on the floor. He dropped prone next to it, eyeing it carefully. I crouched for a look myself, and saw that we were listing a few tenths of a degree. The Chief sprang to his feet with another hopeless moan.
“The pounding of the turbines, the shape of the air bags, the balance of the ballast – it's all precisely calibrated to keep the Rio Grande from listing,” he explained, “and it's the gyroscopic stabilizer that controls the analytical engine that calibrates it. Without it those oscillations you've been hearing are going to increase at a geometric rate, the ship is going to flip over, and we're going to crash into the city below.”
"Maiden Voyage of the Rio Grande" is the 2nd story in the steampunk mystery series "Adventures of Bartleby and James", available at Amazon for the kindle and at Barnes & Noble for the nook, and in other formats via Smashwords.
Michael wrote: "
Murder is afoot aboard the magnificent airship Rio Grande, and James is the prime suspect! He and his partner Bartleby must use all their wits ..."
Sounds like a good book. I love mysteries. going on my TBR list
Another 5 star review for Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories An exciting series of short stories which reads like a novel
This is ostensibly a series of short stories, but because of the common theme and character of the narrator J.T. Glass, it feels much more like a novel. The reader is led through a series of situations J.T. finds himself in --- sometimes from childhood, sometimes adolescence, and sometimes adulthood --- and sees those situations through J.T.'s eyes. Those eyes are ironic, intelligent, and full of humor about things that would otherwise be impossible to cope with.
Reading this book is something of an emotional adventure. The situations are so shocking, and so varied, that there's never a point at which you can guess what's coming next. But the heart of the book --- the tone which is maintained throughout --- is kind enough that the ride can be endured, and is worth going on.
Oh, and most importantly. This book is written with an artist's eye (a fact which is hinted at in the very first story). Phrases are used symmetrically, popping up meaning one thing at one moment, and something much richer at another. The language, the pacing, and the mood are all established carefully.
If you ignore the attention poured into it, the end result is a book which reads smoothly and easily. If you care to, though, it's also a book worth studying.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Very exciting. Got another 5-star review for my new book Gary, the Four-Eyed FairyBeautifully written, February 4, 2012
This is a series of short tales based upon the same character, J T, as he stumbles his way through life. From childhood to adulthood, you are exposed to every sort of intimate thought as he tells stories of moral dilemmas, embarrassing moments, and other memorable times. You watch as he wrestles with his own conscience while handling varying degrees of stress in everyday life.
Frank Mundo's writing style is pure art, with an incredible ability to see and describe every nuance so perfectly that he forces the reader to experience the emotions, picture the setting, and live the story. He easily switches from humor to darkness, and can elicit laugh-out-loud chuckles as well as tears.
The exquisite writing, outstanding editing, and interesting stories make this a must read.
Read more at amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
The Morning AfterWhen Jen and Rahul are tardy joining their friends for a weekend getaway in the woods, they're shocked to find the cabin deserted except for Arjun, who has been stabbed. Rescue efforts lead to drama, heartbreak, and unexpected revelations in this short mystery
Hey, my book Tales the Wind Told Me is a collection of short stories. They range in genre and style but modern fantasy predominates. I have gotten lots of good feedback in person from readers but I am having a hard time getting people online to read/review it. I would gladly trade a smaashword coupon (for a free digital copy) for a review. I would love to see online sales grow as much as in person sales have.
My sister Patti had sent me a link to Amazon to check out the short story: The Colors of Qua by Elle LapraimI really loved this story about Sofia who's job is quite unusual she is the Grim Reaper. It's up to her to seek out the dying and assist their souls for transitioning to the other side.
Death to many is a mystery and is often feared. It's comforting to know that we will be taken care of when we breathe our last breath in our physical bodies, then we will be escorted by loved ones into the white light.
My short story will apear in the anthology, Tidal Whispers, in June. http://www.jtaylorpublishing.com/book...
Yay. My new book Gary the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories received another 5-star review today on Amazon. The review also helped the book crack Amazon's 100 top-ranked short story collections at #89. Very exciting. 5.0 out of 5 stars: A Literary Achievement!
I just finished, Gary, the Four-Eyed Fairy and think it's brilliant. It is literary genius! Although written with a fair amount of humor, the stories within these pages have a chilling darkness to them that compel us to stop and think about life...the many decisions we must face when growing up, chances that are lost, and paths we take that have life-changing consequences.
These stories are deftly penned, precisely edited and, for me anyway, profoundly thought-provoking. Kudos and praise to this man's story-telling abilities. I am in awe.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
My short stories are posted here:http://storywrite.com/stories/by/sput...
They have a wide variety of genres. From gay, love, flash fiction to intensely graphic and disturbing stories. Feel free to check them out.
My poetry collections can be had for free too as long as you ask for it and promise you would make a review of it. =P
Frank wrote: "Yay. My new book Gary the Four-Eyed Fairy and Other Stories received another 5-star review today on Amazon. The review also helped the book crack Amazon's 100 top-ranked short story collections at ..."this sounds interesting. is it available in smashwords too?
John,Thanks! Much appreciated. No, it's not available on Smashwords. I only set it up on Amazon for now. It's in the prime program right now so people can borrow it for free.
Frank wrote: "John,Thanks! Much appreciated. No, it's not available on Smashwords. I only set it up on Amazon for now. It's in the prime program right now so people can borrow it for free."
How can i do that. Sorry i am new in Amazon too? Would love to review it. The title is a killer.
John,Cool. Prime members on Amazon is a program you join and you get to borrow books and watch videos for free and no late fees. It's kind of like netflix but it's $6 a month and you can borrow books as well.
If you have a kindle or free kindle reader app on your computer I can email you a free copy of the ebook to read. I just need an email address. I'll friend you so we can communicate.
Here's the link for getting an app for your computer or phone or other device: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html...
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Eyed-Fairy...
Frank wrote: "John,Cool. Prime members on Amazon is a program you join and you get to borrow books and watch videos for free and no late fees. It's kind of like netflix but it's $6 a month and you can borrow bo..."
unfortunately, i am just a poor philippine boy who has to do freelance and boring academic essays for money in order to save up for a kindle and tori amos' comic book tattoo hahaha a pdf would be so much better if possible. my email is jinnypark_1691@yahoo.com
John,Okay, I will see if I can figure out how to make a pdf file version. I'll be back home on Monday and will send it to you.
Hope all is well,
Frank
Frank wrote: "John,Okay, I will see if I can figure out how to make a pdf file version. I'll be back home on Monday and will send it to you.
Hope all is well,
Frank"
thank you hope it does not trouble you at all.
I would like to share my excitement over my current suspense thriller OF GOOD AND EVIL. With international locales and vivid, vibrant characters resonating perfectly with the plot, it is about a troubled ex-Green Beret, Ron Sheffield, and his beloved, Amber Ash, whom, among other things, are propelled into harrowing ventures with the Mafia, terrorists, an unsavory government cell and a powerful secret society; and in the end are confronted with the nuclear obliteration of a major American city which is impossible to stop.The novel has received several powerful 5-star reviews and is presently being explored for the screen.
http://geraldggriffin.blogspot.com
Gerald wrote: "I would like to share my excitement over my current suspense thriller OF GOOD AND EVIL. With international locales and vivid, vibrant characters resonating perfectly with the plot, it is about a tr..."congratualtions!!!!! i know you can do it so well.... will start reading the book tomorrow after i save up for it. =P
Frank wrote: "John,I sent the PDF. I hope you like it.
Have a great week!
Frank"
Received it... thank you so much. will start later
Chris wrote: "My short story collection SHADES OF IMAGINATION is available for Kindlehttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Shades-of-Ima...
A..."
Wow this seems like a very good collection to have~~~~~~ I love all the blurbs!
Excerpt: Shirley had a perfectly logical explanation. On a lark, according to her, she’d worn St. Pierre’s jock strap to her pole dancing class that morning… Chasing a Murderer into Polar Bear Country – “Three Scoops” Is A Blast! http://amzn.to/r8SYlo
I've just released a new short, War Memorial—a Civil War story, approximately 6500 words long. Here's the synopsis:
At the bottom of an old trinket-box lies a misshapen bit of lead—a bullet from the Civil War, an old family keepsake preserved, but mostly forgotten, by later generations. And behind it lies a story—the story of a young girl’s experiences in the days surrounding the fateful battle of Gettysburg, which force her to examine her own heart and show her the face of war in a way she could not have understood before.
Something Nice is a collection of ten of my short stories written from 2000 to 2011. Many have been published in small press magazines, a couple have won competitions, but all the rights had reverted to me and I realised that no one other than myself had read all of them.
Something Nice: 10 Stories is available from Amazon and Smashwords in every format I could find.
My stories are sometimes creepy, sometimes scary, sometimes horrible and sometimes funny, but hopefully always entertaining. There's some tongue in cheek SF space opera action in The Hero Function, an unpleasantly Kafkaesque transformation in Gluttony, and a haunted photocopier in Tempaghost. And metafiction gone bonkers in the oldest story in the anthology Write a Short Story.
And the title? Whatever I write, my Mum is very supportive right up until she finds out what it's about. At which point she sighs and says: "Andrew. Why can't you write something nice?"
Well, now I have :)
does someone have to get a degree in writing to truly write a good, publish-able book by the bigwig publisher?
I have three degrees, and though none of them are in writing as such, I think higher education does make it easier to get into writing for three reasons:1) Learning stuff is never going to hurt.
2) Academic studies and deadlines instil discipline and self-motivation.
3) You make loads of friends, many of whom may also be interested in writing and publishing. Networking is invaluable.
The first of the short stories in my collection Something Nice - 10 Stories talks about students studying creative writing, though at a slightly lower level than university, and makes the point that while education can hone a writer's skills, it can't replace that essential spark of creativity and flair.
Kindling an award-winning collection of twelve diverse short stories.
Best wishes, Stephen Livingston.
My short story collection, Curiosity Killed the Sphinx and Other Stories, was just released by Press Americana.
It's available in paperback at Barnes & Noble and at Amazon.com. The ebook and Kindle will come out later this summer.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/curio...
http://www.amazon.com/Curiosity-Kille...
My first collection of stories, all previously published in literary journals, is the ebook "My Governor's House and other stories", available at Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...It's available other places too, but if you visit my blog (oralrandomly.blogspot.com) you can find a coupon in the margin to download a copy in your preferred ebook format for free!
My latest published short story appears in the Fall issue of Menacing Hedge. Titled, "The D. C. S. G. Meeting" it satirizes a particularly adult issue for (some) modern men, and is rated R - so no kiddies! Especially if you listen to the reading I did of the story, which is posted above the online print. Check it, and the rest of the fabulous collection of stories and poems, out and let me know what you think.
I am happy to announce the release of my holiday short story, A Bibliophile Christmas. Here's the blurb.
From the author of “A Whisper to a Scream (The Bibliophiles: Book One)” and “Until My Soul Gets It Right (The Bibliophiles: Book Two)” comes a heartwarming holiday tale of friendship and family.
Sarah Anderson and Annie Jacobs have not had the best of years. And now, here come the holidays.
Great.
Sarah's husband Tom is stuck in Boston after a nor'easter dumps a foot of snow on the day he is scheduled to leave for home.
And Annie is working hard at picking up the pieces of her life after a painful divorce.
But, maybe with a little help from their friends, Christmas won't be a total wash after all.
This holiday season, take a break from all the hustle and bustle, pour yourself a beverage, and have “A Bibliophile Christmas.”
Thanks for the opportunity to tell you about my work.
Karen
Hi, thanks for starting this thread :~)My short story collection includes 10 stories all sharing the theme of love (but not traditional romances)with a dark twist, from love gone horribly wrong and twisted, to enduring if somewhat chilling love, right through to love for your "owner".
Strange Love - Short Stories and Twisted Tales is also available on the KDP select program, so you can borrow it for free :~D
The next in gthe collection, Strange Worlds, Surreal Stories and Tainted Tales will be out soon, watch this space :~)
Science Fiction | Fantasy | Humor
With and Without Class is a free collection of fourteen stories that refuse to be pigeon-holed.
From the edges of the known universe, to the microscopic limits of a petri dish, to a yuppie's post-apocalyptic bachelor pad, be prepared to imagine new worlds and new ideas.
Perfect for the zombie-clown-loving, giant albino spider and deranged-junkie enthusiast!
I have a new novella/short that is up online now. It's entitled A SMALL SEASON OF MAGIC. Here's the blurb: A Small Season of Magic is not a mystery, yet it contains mystery.
It is about school friends and bullying and brokenness and yet it’s not.
It’s about life and death and love.
It’s exceedingly sad, and yet hopeful at the same time.
And like its name suggests,
it’s about magic.
writerhall.comA Small Season of Magic
I have a new short story, about 1500 words, called "Monkey Bars." It's free right now on Amazon, if anyone is interested.http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Bars-ebo...
Books mentioned in this topic
Your Pick: Selected Stories (other topics)A gift from the Immortals (other topics)
Frost (other topics)
Coffee Monsters (other topics)
Impromptu Scribe (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
T.R. Sutherland (other topics)Phillip Frey (other topics)
Terra Harmony (other topics)





* Please only use this thread for your post. Individual threads will be turned into full length novels and kept on my shelf at home.