This short story is about a mother wanting her children to enjoy the
outdoors. The story takes Nathan, Iris, and Mommy on another trip to the
national park. Nathan and Iris are extremely excited to visit with their new
friend, Gob the Gnome again. Gob takes Nathan, Iris, and Mommy on a short
tour of park and Nathan sees a large empty area of the park. Gob explains to
Nathan, Iris, and their mom the unfortunate realities of what happens in
some parks due to human interference and natural occurrences. Gob also
introduces the family to some of the animals and explains how they suffer
through deforestation, tornados, and storms. In this story Iris comes to age
by using what she learns from Gob to defend the forest.
Since the 1400s, folklore has described gnomes as guardians of treasure and
the protectors of Earth. Gnomes represent stability, growth, and good luck.
This is the second book of the six-book series about Gob the Gnome. The six
books in this series all revolve around Gob, the protector of a local
forest, who becomes friends with Nathan and Iris and helps to educate them
on the importance of caring for the environment.
About the Author
Marilyn Slaughter is an educator with experience teaching second through
fifth grades, middle school science, and social studies. She now spends time
authoring books for children and adults for engagement, learning, and
entertainment. Marilyn’s first six books are a set with the theme of
children, with their families enjoying the outdoors; and with teachers and
classmates learning about the environment. The children are introduced to a
magical and mythical being in the forest and they work to save the local
forest. Her goal is to provide a fun read with an entertaining way for
children to learn about science.
Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Short Stories
Date Published: May 7, 2024
Spine-tingling
Breathtaking
Mind-blowing
Experience these powerful new voices—vivid, visceral, and
visionary—as they explore uncharted worlds and reveal unlimited
possibilities.
Open the Writers of the Future and be carried away by stories—and
illustrations—that will make you think, make you laugh, and make you
see the world in ways you never imagined.
Twelve captivating tales from the best new writers of the year as selected
by Writers of the Future Contest judges accompanied by three more from L.
Ron Hubbard, Nancy Kress, S.M. Stirling. Each is accompanied by a full-color
illustration.
Plus Bonus Art and Writing Tips from Gregory Benford, Bob Eggleton,
L. Ron Hubbard, Dean Wesley Smith
“When her owner goes missing, a digital housecat must become more
than simulation to find her dearest companion through the virtual
world.—“The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast” by Sky
McKinnon, art by Carina Zhang
No one came to his brother’s funeral. Not even the spirits.
Étienne knew it was his fault.—“Son, Spirit, Snake”
by Jack Nash, art by Pedro N.
Man overboard is a nightmare scenario for any sailor, but Lieutenant Susan
Guidry is also running out of air—and the nearest help is light years
away.—“Nonzero” by Tom Vandermolen, art by Jennifer
Mellen
Mac wanted to invent a cocktail to burn itself upon the pages of
history—but this one had some unexpected side
effects.—“The Last Drop” by L. Ron Hubbard and L. Sprague
de Camp, art by Chris Arias
Dementia has landed Dan Kennedy in Graydon Manor, and what’s left of
his life ahead seems dismal, but a pair of impossible visitors bring
unexpected hope.—“The Imagalisk” by Galen Westlake, art by
Arthur Haywood
When a teenage swamp witch fears her mama will be killed, she utilizes her
wits and the magic of the bayou—no matter the cost to her own
soul.—“Life and Death and Love in the Bayou” by Stephannie
Tallent, art by Ashley Cassaday
Our exodus family awoke on the new world—a paradise inexplicably
teeming with Earth life, the Promise fulfilled. But 154 of us are
missing.…—“Five Days Until Sunset” by Lance
Robinson, art by Steve Bentley
Spirits were supposed to lurk beneath the Lake of Death, hungry and patient
and hostile to all life.—“Shaman Dreams” by S.M. Stirling,
art by Dan dos Santos
A new app lets users see through the eyes of any human in history, but
it’s not long before the secrets of the past catch up with the
present.—“The Wall Isn’t a Circle” by Rosalyn
Robilliard, art by Guelly Rivera
In the shadows of Teddy Roosevelt’s wendigo hunt, a Native American
boy resolves to turn the tables on his captors, setting his sights on the
ultimate prey—America’s Great
Chief.—“Da-ko-ta” by Amir Agoora, art by Connor
Chamberlain
When squids from outer space take over, a punk-rock P.I. must crawl out of
her own miserable existence to find her client’s daughter—and
maybe a way out.—“Squiddy” by John Eric Schleicher, art by
Tyler Vail
Another outbreak? This time it’s a virus with an eighty percent
infection rate that affects personality changes …
permanently.—“Halo” by Nancy Kress, art by Lucas
Durham
Planet K2-18b is almost dead, humanity is enslaved, and it’s
Rickard’s fault. Now in his twilight years, he’d give an arm and
a leg for redemption. Literally.—“Ashes to Ashes, Blood to
Carbonfiber” by James Davies, art by May Zheng
What if magic could undo the unthinkable, and undo Death itself? Would you
use it no matter the cost? What would you sacrifice for
love?—“Summer of Thirty Years” by Lisa Silverthorne, art
by Gigi Hooper
Joe is a prospector tasked with exploring the cosmos on behalf of an
all-powerful government. Breadna is a toaster. There have been weirder love
stories, but that’s unlikely.—“Butter Side Down” by
Kal M, art by Selena Meraki
L. Ron Hubbard, Nancy Kress, S. M. Stirling, Gregory Benford, Bob Eggleton,
Dean Amir Agoora, James Davies, Kal M, Sky McKinnon, Jack Nash, Rosalyn
Robilliard, Lance Robinson, John Eric Schleicher, Lisa Silverthorne,
Stephannie Tallent, Tom Vandermolen, and Galen Westlake.
Illustrators: Dan dos Santos, Ashley Cassaday, Gigi Hooper, Jennifer
Mellen, Pedro Nascimento, Steve Bentley, Connor Chamberlain, Selena Meraki,
Guelly Rivera, Tyler Vail, Carina Zhang, May Zheng, Lucas Durham, and Chris
Arias.
They become impossible at mealtimes and say they don’t like it before
seeing it.
Why are dinosaur-shaped nuggets so popular? They taste just the same as
normal nuggets, but they are shaped for fun.
If you put a sticker of your child’s favorite cartoon character on an
apple, they will want that apple, not the identical one next to it.
What if there was a fun game to play at mealtimes that also helps with
picky eating?
This book gives you just that. Imagine if you stood in the middle of the
kitchen and said in a funny voice, “I think Kiwi fruit looks like
troll boulders, and they’re all mine,” or “Brussels
Sprouts look like cannon balls, so tonight we’re eating like
pirates,” or “This rice looks just like snowflakes, can you
sprinkle the snowflakes on that plate for me?” Do you think
you’d have your child’s attention and possibly get a
giggle?
Children have amazing imaginations, so let’s use them to reduce the
stress around mealtimes and create a play environment.
Written by a Nutritionist and mum of two who has helped many children
overcome picky eating and families reconnect at mealtimes, this little book
takes you into a food fairytale. It encourages children and adults to come
up with their ideas of what food looks like to them.
About the Author
Social Media Links
Author: Emma Brown @emmajebbink
Author Photo Credit: Malo Photography (Instagram @malophotographyau)
Scott Carter is a bully. Scott Carter is a racist. Scott Carter is the most
arrogant douche I have ever met. This man-whore charms the pants off all the
girls, but not me – the Latina from the wrong side of town – I see none of
that charm. I get the worst of him. He has made my life a living hell,
tormenting me for years with no reprieve.
Just when I’m at breaking point, Scott Carter steps in and makes
everything ten times worse. My whole life is turned upside down in an
instant. And now, after he’s messed up everything, that’s when
he decides that maybe we should try to be friends. He wants to reconcile and
put the past behind us.
Ugh! No! He can go to hell. I want nothing from Scott Carter…but
it’s starting to look like he wants something from me.
Dear Reader,
Although this is definitely not a ‘dark romance’, please take note that
this book contains many triggers that may be offensive such as suicide
(before the book begins) and bullying. In particular, there are some racial
slurs. As a woman of color myself, I fully understand how hurtful these
words can be. I am no stranger to them either. However, I did not want to
tiptoe around this issue or sugarcoat the severity of it. I wanted to
highlight how damaging such slurs (or any kind of name-calling for that
matter) can be to the person on the receiving end. It also contains strong
language and sexual content and is not recommended for readers under 18
years of age or sensitive readers.
Number cruncher by day, raging romance novelist by night;
Jacqueline’s creative inspiration stems from romance and all its
literary and rom-com depictions. Matters of the heart are what fascinates
her, because ultimately, what makes a life out of – what would ordinarily be
a typical existence – is Love
One way to understand self is through the skeletal frame. Skeletal bones
hold many secrets which can be unlocked to tell stories of humankind; they
become lessons for life. This book provides four perspectives on bone:
culture, measurement of bones and body postures, grammar, and bone names.
Word roots and definitions related to bone vocabulary allow the reader to
gain insight. A major theme is to know oneself-to develop self-awareness.
What can a person learn about self from bones? This book accompanies each
person on their quest to know themselves, whether or not on a conscious or
subconscious level. The current popularity of DNA kits that are being sold
today-as well as the many websites offering assistance to people delving
into their ancestry-validate this. Whether it is to delve into possible
hereditary health conditions or to locate relatives and forge a
connectedness to others in the world around them, people want to learn more
about themselves. Bones provide such framework, for body and self.
EXCERPT
INTRODUCTION
Words in this book are methodically explored with their etymologies and definitions to reveal the fundamental nature of the skeletal structure. See Method of Word Exploration below.
Before exploring bone names culture, bone as symbol, correlations in grammar and sentence structure, and measurements and growth of the skeletal frame are presented. This book has four parts. The first part discusses bone as symbol and as an integral part of cultural beliefs and practices. The second part introduces the relationship of language and grammar to bone names. The third part shows how everyday language is related to measurement of bone. The last part presents an exploration of the meaning of the names of bones in the body. The four parts of this book are like sets of skeletal keys that can be used to develop body awareness. Each set of keys opens up a greater understanding of self.
The quest to “Know Self” is just one of several wisdom precepts integral to understanding the “Lessons” presented in this book. Knowing self is key to promoting wisdom. Another precept, “Know thy measure,” is related to passages that state man is made in the image of God. St. Bernard of Clairvaux (circa 1090-1153), founder of the Cistercian order sates, “What is God? He is length, width, height, and depth.” Knowing self through measurement is a way to, at least, begin to understand the Creator.
Humankind, in many world paradigms, is made in the image of the Creator, and therefore is him/her self a Temple, a Holy and Sacred body. The human can recognize measurement as an attempt to know self, compared to other. Pythagoras, the 6th cent. BCE Grk philosopher and mathematician states that all is number. Geometry is part of the field of mathematics. Since geometry can be defined as a measure of the Earth and the heavens, and humans are of the Earth, geometry also applies to the “measure of Man.” Geometry as fixed measures also reveal implied continuous motion of angles and dimensions. There are standards of measurements that are recognized as criteria for normal development. Bone growth development of an individual as measured in height and body proportions has recognized standards. Measurement of growth of the skeletal structure is vital data as part of cultural values including medical evaluations. Words related to human posture are explored. This represents one’s stance in life at any given time.
How does a person measure him/her self? What standards are applied to self or other? What is my capacity to judge something? What constitutes my ruler? When is it wrong to measure through comparisons? Am I competent to measure? The answers to these questions are part of the quest to know self, down to the very bones in the body.
About the Author
Lois Liggett is a retired physical therapist and a world traveler. She
worked in Japan in 1990 as a geriatric rehabilitation consultant. She has an
M.A. in gerontology and a B.S. in physical therapy from Russell Sage
College. She has an avid interest in the interface of language with
mythology, religion, and spirituality. She developed a method she calls
“spiritual linguistics” to find common and essential meanings of
a nomenclature using word roots and definitions. Her first book, Decoding
Norse Myths with Pet Ravens, published by Mindstir Media, LLC in 2021,
reflects this linguistic method, as does this book, Bone (& Body)
Lessons.
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