New Story at Yellow Mama

Issue #35 of Yellow Mama is out now, including my 1,165 word crime story 'Like a Boss'

There's a very sensible bit of advice that says you should always make sure your second-in-command knows what's going on, in case you get hit by a bus--or a massive heart attack. Jay's boss didn't follow that advice, and now Jay finds himself at a bit of a disadvantage...


The office safe was empty except for a folded bundle of notes that might just about have paid for a couple rounds of beers, his home safe had some fake ID and a rumpled picture of ex-wife number three, the one who disappeared with the alligator wrestler down Florida.  And that was all.  So where in hell was the rest of the stuff?  

Read the rest at Yellow Mama #35

New story in Penumbra eMag

The December issue of the wonderful  Penumbra eMag , from Musa Publishing, is out now. The theme for this issue is 'Utopia,' and it includes my story 'For Your Safety and Comfort,  Please Keep Arms, Legs and Tentacles Inside the Car At All Times' 

This is a story about finding God. Not in the usual sense of undergoing a religious conversion, but literally discovering the omnipotent creator of the universe. During a house clearance in Balham.

'God,' Katie said. 'Actual, biblical God.' 

'I know. But it's amazing what you can find tucked away in these places, sometimes. And that old lady was one hell of a hoarder. I wouldn't exactly say biblical, though―we're not talking about the old man in the flowing robes and long white beard. It's more of a... well, a...' she trailed off.

'A trickster coyote? A shower of gold? Alanis Morisette?'

'No, no,' Lia said. 'Nothing like that. It's more like... okay, remember my Great Aunt Doris, the one with all the tea cosies? Try to imagine a cross between her, that security guard who arrested us for shoplifting eyebrow pencils out of Superdrug when we were kids, and the Grand Canyon.'

Katie dutifully tried to imagine this. She failed. 

Read the story in vol 2, issue 3 here

New story at Roar and Thunder

I have a new SF teleportation story up now at the wonderful Roar and Thunder:

Meredith Said - SF - 1,639 words

Meredith said that he should always remember that history gets written by the winners, and that what was in the books wasn't always how it actually happened in real life.  

This story was inspired by watching the Doctor Who episode 'The Beast Below.' What I took away from the ep was how sorry I felt for the poor space whale, and it struck me that first contact with an alien could very well end up being a lot less about awe and wonder and more about the opportunity for profit.

New story at Apocrypha and Abstractions

I have a new flash up today at the wonderful Apocrypha and Abstractions - tasty little mouthfuls of story.

Leap of Faith - SF - 150 words
They say Icarus's sin was hubris.

New story at Morpheus Tales

My mid-apocalypse story 'No Past, No Future, Just Now,' is out now in issue #18 of the wonderful Morpheus Tales.

Preview
Print version
Kindle version

My contributor's copy is shiny and beautiful - while I love my Kindle with a fiery passion, there's still something special about print :)

My 'office'

Including my laptop, newly named Lazarus after I spilled half a mug of coffee over it. Amazingly enough, after being drained out and hairdryered, it survived unscathed. Which is more than you can say for my heart.

Health Tip of the Day: Back up your shit. Regularly.

New Story at Fiction 365

The Great Escape - drama - 583 words - at Fiction 365
It didn't satisfy his daughter. She wanted more. Always did.

New story at The Cynic Online

Speeding Toward Enlightenment - crime drama - 1,138 words - at The Cynic Online
I love my sister and I want to help her, but she doesn't make it easy.

Recs Round Up #2

Stories I have enjoyed recently:

Tight Little Stitches in a Dead Man's Back by Joe R Lansdale - currently free for Kindle at Amazon
I love post-apoc stories, and this is a wonderfully visceral, brutal version with lashings of crunchy survivor guilt and some highly unusual zombies.

New Skin by Peter Kispert at Word Riot
Sharp flash that's a lovely depiction of refracted grief.

Taking Care of Ma by Lee Hallison at Daily Science Fiction
Great story about wariness around technology, with an adorable robot 'character' and an absolutely killer last line.

The Magnificent Rife Machine by R D Kuensting at Eunoia Review
I like unusual format, and this sad story about a potential miracle cure makes good use of news clippings, emails and blog entries as well as traditional narrative.

Requiem in the Key of Prose by Jake Kerr at Lightspeed
Another story in an unusual format, this one using the structures and styles of fiction itself. A full story with plot, worldbuilding and emotional resonance, told using the hint and snapshot technique that gives good flash its impact. A treat for readers and writers alike.

New flash at The Journal of Microliterature

New flash up today at The Journal of Microliterature, another great site:

Toil and Trouble - 606 words - humour. Sometimes, magic isn't the easy way out...

New flash at the Pygmy Giant

New flash piece up at The Pgymy Giant - a great little site, UK-centric. Some real gems there.

Damnable Behaviour - drama - 200 words

New story at Flash Fiction Offensive

Flash Fiction Offensive is a brilliant site. I have a new flash up there today:

Stop Me if You've Heard This Before - crime - 410 words.
Sally's determined to make it as a stand-up comedian, even if it kills her. Or anyone else...

Recs Round Up

Some stories I've read and enjoyed this week:

The Poinsettia by L. Lambert Lawson at Every Day Fiction.
A woman gets an unexpected lover, pot plant and life advice in this great flash. What I loved most about it is the confident weirdness of the writing; this is a story that's totally comfortable in its own skin.

The Long Con by Megan. R. Engelhardt and Frog/Prince by Melissa Mead, at Daily Science Fiction.
I enjoy remixed fairy tales, and these are a couple of excellent examples. The first has a wonderful psychologically logical core, and the second is a touching and beautfully played out backstory.

Out of Thin Air by Kathryn Netzel at Eunoia Review.
I'm not a massive fan of second person POV, as I don't find it a natural method of storytelling. For this, however, with its self-reflective, journalling style, it works perfectly. A raw, emotional piece.

Zombie vs Ninja by Lee Williams at Smokelong Quarterly.
I just love this. Gorgeous, captivating snapshot of a dysfunctional bromance played out against the backdrop of a disintegrating society. Original and surreal.

New story at Hogglepot

I have a new story up now at Hogglepot this week, A Cat May Look at a Queen - fantasy - 683 words

New story at Bent Masses

I have a new post-apocalyptic story up today, What We Leave Behind at Bent Masses - 587 words - horror

New story at MicroHorror

I have a new drabble out today at one of my favourite sites, MicroHorror: Deep - horror - 100 words

New Story at Long Story Short

I have a new flash up at Long Story Short today - In the Eternal Hope of Finding Treasure - drama, 391 words.

New story at Flash Fiction World

I have a new flash up now, Communicaton Skills (250 words) at Flash Fiction World. This is a nifty site!

W1S1 Writing Stats - March 2012

Total new pieces written: 29 (11,505 words)

• Flashes under 500 words:  20
• Flashes over 500 words:  6
• Short stories: 3

Total submissions:  13

• New: 9
• Resubs:  4

Acceptances:  4

• Bring It On at Shotgun Honey – crime  - 383 words
• They Do Things Better at Albuquerque by Infective Ink  - drama - 1,559 words
• Still Life at Fractured West  - drama - 300 words
• A Cat May Look At a Queen at Hogglepot - fantasy - 683 words

Rejections:  11

Publications:  3

• Bring It On at Shotgun Honey
• They Do Things Better in Albuquerque at  Infective Ink
• An Object Lesson in Misanthropy at Untied Shoelaces of the Mind

Pending responses: 16

 

 

 

 

New story at Untied Shoelaces of the Mind

I have a Sci-Fi flash (912 words), 'An Object Lesson in Misanthropy' at Untied Shoelaces of the Mind today. This is both a paid sale and one of my favourite online zines, so I am well chuffed :-)