Reasons to Read Short Stories

Last month, I posted over at the IWSG anthologies' blog. I have five reasons why you should read short stories, so visit me over there.

Expanding the World Through Short Stories #alternatehistory #scifi #fantasy

These anthologies, Parallels: Felix Was Here, Mayhem in the Air, and Spirits in the Water, have one thing in common, besides having great stories written by talented authors: They each feature a story set in my paper magics' world.

I wrote "Paper Lanterns" for Mayhem in the Air first. As an avid fan of origami, I was always intrigued by the idea of magic in conjunction with the art of paper folding. Yet the character that stood out to me the most in this story was Mayor Alfred Merry, a man married to a Paperist yet who has no magic abilities himself. His turbulent marriage and his reaction to such betrayal became the catalyst for a world banning paper magics. This story created the terms Paperist (person with paper magic), Futurist (person against paper magics), and Ritualist (a Paperist who believes paper magics should be used to rule the world and is against Futurists). Mayor Merry is a staunch Futurist. "Paper Lanterns" is set in 2020s America.

When the announcement came for Parallels: Felix Was Here, I tried to think of an alternate/parallel world, and my world of paper magics instantly came to mind. I combined that with the Curse of Tippecanoe. What if President Reagan died during his assassination attempt in the 1980s? What would that mean for the President elected in 2000. Thus, "Folds in Life and Death" was conceived. Allyson Moore is a simple Paperist, who completely believed in the Curse of Tippecanoe, and watched in horror as it struck her brother. She must come to terms with his death and all that is left behind. "Folds in Life and Death" is set in 2001 America.

The newest story connected to my paper magics' world came out this October in Spirits in the Water. "The Folding Point" follows sixteen-year-old Aimee Washington, a person with paper magic abilities. Like her brother Xavier, Aimee falls in with a group of Ritualists, considered a terrorist organization to Futurists. The Ritualists are trying to free some fellow paper magicians from prison. One of those prisoners includes Aimee's mother, who was captured releasing a soul to the sky (via a paper lantern), which is a Paperist's sacred duty. Not all goes as planned for Aimee and the Ritualists. "The Folding Point" is set about five months after "Paper Lanterns," so 2020s America.

In the future, I hope to expand upon my paper magics' world with a series titled Folding the Future. Each novel will be told by a different main character: a Paperist, a Futurist, and a Ritualist. These three will have connections to the short stories that created a vast new world for me to play in.

As a writer, have you used short stories to expand your world? As a reader, do you enjoy reading stories that branch off from a series' world?

To purchase Parallels: Felix Was Here.

To purchase Mayhem in the Air.

To purchase Spirits in the Water.

FUTURE PLANS

Hey, friends, yes the book is out, the reviews are coming in, and we thank you for your kindness in posting them. If you any of you are still interested in a review copy, please let us know.

We apologize for the long silence, the A to Z knocked a few of us out, but we've come up with a blogging schedule we hope you'll support. I've listed it below. We'll post a for sure once a month article on the 4^th Wednesday of each month. A day you can count on, but also, look for blog hops, contests, and giveaways!

If you'd like to be a guest, or know of someone who would please send them our way, we'd love to feature other speculative fiction authors! Just send an email to any of us, or to yolandarenee@hotmail.com

Look for our first 4^th Wednesday post next week, with L. G. Keltner, author of Felix Was Here!

Thanks for your patience and support!

L G Keltner – June 22

Sandra Cox – July 27

Sylvia Ney – August 24

Michael Abayomi – September 28

Crystal Collier – October 26

Yolanda Renee – November 23

Cherie Reich – December 28

Hart Johnson – January 25

Tamara Narayan - February 22

Melanie Schulz -   March  22

We're Ready!

If you have a suggestion or question, please let us know!

PARALLELS IS HERE!

TODAY IS BOOK RELEASE DAY!

But first
Winners of the Parallels
A to Z Drawing are:

Won via L. G. Keltner's posts - Nilanjana  @ Madly-in-Verse

Won via Yolanda Renée's posts - Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor

Won via Sandra Cox's posts -    J. Lenni @ J Lenni Dorner Blog

Won via Crystal Collier's posts – Michelle @ Writer in Transit

Won via Melanie Schulz's posts – Gina @ Life & Being Lost

Won via Tamara Narayan's posts – Bish @ Random Thoughts

Won via Cherie Reich's posts - Kathleen @ Kathleen's Blog

Won via Sylvia Ney's posts - Lynn @ Lynn Proctor

Won via Hart Johnson's posts – Heather @ HMGardner

Won via Michael Abayomi's posts - Michele @AnAnimalChaplain

PARALLELS: FELIX WAS HERE!

Enter the realm of parallel universes!

What if the government tried to create the perfect utopia? Could a society linked to a supercomputer survive on its own? Do our reflections control secret lives on the other side of the mirror? Can one moment split a person’s world forever?

Exploring the fantastic, ten authors offer incredible visions and captivating tales of diverse reality. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Crystal Collier, Hart Johnson, Cherie Reich, Sandra Cox, Yolanda Renée, Melanie Schulz, Sylvia Ney, Michael Abayomi, and Tamara Narayan.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will expand your imagination and twist the tropes of science fiction. Step through the portal and enter another dimension!

Print

Amazon

 Barnes & Noble

Ebook

ITunes

Amazon

 Barnes & Noble

 Kobo

 Goodreads

Release date: May 3, 2016

$14.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 218 pages, Freedom Fox Press

Science Fiction/General ( FIC028000) and Fiction/Alternative History (FIC040000)

Print ISBN 978-1-939844-19-4 eBook ISBN 978-1-939844-20-0

Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or from the publisher

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

“Pensive and manifold views into parallel earth not without a glimmer of hope.”

- Edi’s Book Lighthouse

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, two Facebook groups, and a monthly newsletter.

 

Freedom Fox PressA division of Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

P.O. Box 383, Pikeville, NC 27863-0383

inquiries@dancinglemurpressllc.com

www.dancinglemurpress.comwww.dancinglemurpress.com

Z=Zenith

Here we are at the end of the A to Z Challenge.  We started this month with the hope of launching the IWSG anthology Parallels: Felix Was Here into the stratosphere, and only time will tell if we succeeded.  Who knows where the anthology will be when it reaches its zenith?  We, the ten authors who’ve contributed to this book, can only hope that those who do read it find an enjoyable and thought provoking experience within its pages.

Dive into worlds where memories may be sacrificed for the sake of utopia, where drug trials are unregulated, where cures for diseases may bring about even worse consequences, and people are sorted into groups, inevitably leaving a few who don’t fit nicely within any one box to fend for themselves.  Experience the horrors of looking into the eyes of a serial killer every day and exploring the memories of the dead.  See a society where all but a few people are interconnected by a worldwide network, or another where the internet can be explored through a virtual reality interface.  Experience the magic of creatures folded from paper coming to life and the unsettling feeling of being haunted by that which never was.

There’s a wide variety of stories to read, and odds are that you’ll find something that will entice and intrigue you.

The release date is fast approaching!  May 3^rd is just around the corner.  It's this coming Tuesday, in fact!  Are you excited?  I know we are!

Don’t forget!

Every comment gives you a chance to win one of ten copies of Parallels: Felix Was Here!

T = Tippecanoe and Terror

Cherie Reich and Sandra Cox are here today and are sharing excerpts from their stories "Folds in Life and Death" and "Rainers," respectively, in the forthcoming Parallels: Felix Was Here anthology.

The Curse of Tippecanoe, also known as Tecumseh's curse, is a historical curse placed upon the presidency, starting with President Harrison and seemingly ending with President Kennedy, although both President Reagan and President Bush (George W.) survive assassination attempts. In "Folds in Life and Death," I pondered what if Reagan hadn't survived and what that would mean with the new President elected in 2000. Here is an excerpt from "Folds in Life and Death" by Cherie Reich.

T is for Tippecanoe

“Thank you, Sarah.” John Kelly stood not far from the White House. A gust of wind blew his suit jacket against his lean frame. Behind him, dark smoke trailed from the destruction. Other TV crews crowded along a police barrier. “As you can see, smoke billows from the remains of the West Wing. Paperists search for souls. According to sources, a drone slipped under the radar and plummeted toward the White House. The explosion occurred after one o’clock. We await word on whether or not President Moore and his family survived. Until further notice, the FAA has grounded all aircraft except official military ones.”

Allyson jumped to her feet and headed to the foyer to grab her coat, keys, and purse. As a Paperist, she could help locate souls. As the President’s sister, she needed to be in Washington, DC.

The Curse of Tippecanoe struck again. She warned her brother Charlie not to run for the 2000 Presidency. Since 1840, every President elected every twenty years had died in office. The most recent victim of the curse occurred in 1981 with the assassination of President Reagan. Was her brother dead? Did Tecumseh and his brother, Tenskwatawa, kill another President?

Her hand touched the doorknob, but she didn’t turn it. Should she go to Washington, DC? If she didn’t run into any traffic along the way, a car trip would take her four hours. Alive or not, Charlie wouldn’t want to see her.

AND

Terror~Intense, sharp, overmastering fear. An instance or cause of intense fear or anxiety. (dictionary.com). Here is an excerpt from Sandra Cox's "Rainers."

T is for Terror

Grrr. Two pair of glowing eyes stared at me in the dark. 

My blood crystallized in my veins, the only thing flowing through them…terror.     

Backing up, my shoulder blades hit the jagged edges of the cavern wall. My vision adjusted enough to make out a gray wolf and her pup a few feet away, her lips drawn back in a snarl.

She growled again, then crouched. 

My hands on the rough interior surface, I inched backward along the wall, going deeper into the cavern.

Grrr. She sprang.

I took off into the darkness, racing for all I was worth, my heart pounding so hard I was afraid it would burst loose from my body.

She’s gaining on me. Fear screamed through me. Up ahead a shaft of light flickered from an indention in the cavern wall. The air wheezing out of my lungs, I lunged for it, stretching out my aching legs as far as they would go. Pushing for one last burst of speed, I jumped into the narrow cleft. 

***

Every comment gives you a chance to win one of ten copies of Parallels: Felix Was Here.

Don't forget to visit the other participants in the A-Z Challenge.

Q = Quelled the Queasiness

Those pesky emotions when people you love have died is striking Allyson Moore again in this excerpt from "Folds in Life and Death" by Cherie Reich.

Q is for Quelled the Queasiness

Peterson paused at an elevator and pushed the button. The doors slid open, and he placed his hand against the side to keep them from closing. “The children are two floors down, ma’am.”

“Down?” She entered the elevator.

“Yes, ma’am.” Peterson stepped inside and scanned a card. “They constructed this building to withstand a nuclear explosion. Several key government officials will remain here until the threat level lowers.”

The elevator went down, and her stomach flipped. Was the new President here? She looked toward the lieutenant. “Has someone informed the children that their parents… you know?”

She couldn’t say were dead without crying again.

“No, ma’am.” He focused straight ahead. “We thought a family member should be here.”

“Okay.” How could she break the news? Her stomach flopped again, and several deep breaths quelled the queasiness.

***

Every comment gives you a chance to win one of ten copies of Parallels: Felix Was Here.

Click here for the other blogs participating in the A-Z Challenge.

E = Emotions

My story "Folds in Life and Death" deals with the emotions involved in learning about a loved one's death. When two army officials arrive at Allyson Moore's door, she knows the worst has happened in this excerpt.

E is for Emotions

“Our news contains information about President Charles Moore.” Peterson stood at ease before her. “He’s your brother, correct?”

She nodded, not trusting her voice at the moment.

“We regret to inform you President Charles Moore passed away in today’s bombing.” Peterson bowed his head. “I’m sorry for your loss, ma’am.”

The news didn’t surprise Allyson. As soon as she heard about the bombing at the White House, she feared the worst, but she’d clung to delicate hope. Her eyes watered, and she held her breath to keep from crying. Her brother. Charlie. She pressed her hands over her mouth in an attempt to contain the surging emotions.

***

Don't forget every comment gives you a chance to win one of ten copies of Parallels: Felix Was Here.

Click here for the other blogs participating in the A-Z Challenge.

A to Z - Parallels

A TO Z CHALLENGE THEME REVEAL

We are the authors of the 10 stories

that make up the book

Parallels: Felix Was Here

and

we're going to be discussing us and our stories.

So tune in daily to learn something new

and if you comment you'll have

a chance to win a copy of the 

most exiting book to hit the shelves

this year! 

Parallels: Felix Was Here!

Every comment during the A to Z Challenge

will be one entry into the hat

for a drawing and 10 winners will receive a copy of the book!

IWSG Parallels Cover Reveal

Parallels:Felix Was Here
Enter the realm of parallel universes!

 What if the government tried to create the perfect utopia? Could a society linked to a supercomputer survive on its own? Do our reflections control secret lives on the other side of the mirror? Can one moment split a person’s world forever?

Exploring the fantastic, ten authors offer incredible visions and captivating tales of diverse reality. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Crystal Collier, Hart Johnson, Cherie Reich, Sandra Cox, Yolanda Renée, Melanie Schulz, Sylvia Ney, Michael Abayomi, and Tamara Narayan.

 Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will expand your imagination and twist the tropes of science fiction. Step through the portal and enter another dimension!

Parallels: Felix Was Here

Release date: May 3, 2016

$14.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 218 pages, Freedom Fox Press

Science Fiction/General ( FIC028000) and Fiction/Alternative History (FIC040000 )

Print ISBN 978-1-939844-19-4 eBook ISBN 978-1-939844-20-0

Order through Ingram, Follett Library Resources, or from the publisher

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

To Be Released May 3, 2016
Pre-Order Now!
Parallels: Felix Was Here!