Tag Archives: Fantasy

Writers of the Future Volume 40 Blitz

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Writers of the Future Volume 40 cover

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.

 

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The Beginning of the End Virtual Book Tour

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The Beginning of the End cover

Fantasy

Date Published: 08-10-2022

Publisher: Ocean Reeve Publishing

 

 

Ramulas’ peaceful world as a farmer is shattered when he is pulled into the
midst of a magical civil war between two worlds. With the appearance of a
mysterious young woman, Ramulas starts to unravel some of the mysteries of
his forgotten childhood and secret ability to communicate with
animals.

He starts to fear for the safety of his family when his daughters reveal
that they too, have unexplained abilities, and the intrigue only deepens
when he discovers that the very existence of their world is under threat and
that he may be the key to avert impending doom.

 

Other Books in the Series

 

 

Sanctuary cover

With the help of the king’s magician Shigar, Romulus and Pip avoid capture
and Race to Sanctuary to find Oriel. War with the legion is coming, and
Oriel sends out a call across the kingdom for help, which is answered by
thousands who come to Sanctuary.

While the people train for the battle and dig into the mountain to free
Oriel, Remus and his warlords weave magic to cross into this world and
ravage everything. But king Zachary angry with Shigar for joining Ramulas,
and his people worshipping the escaped prisoner, prepares his army to march
as soon as his agents locate Ramulas.

Their only hope is to defeat the legion and an enemy closer to home.

The Legion Has Come cover

The people of Sanctuary are recovering after narrowly defeating the kingdom
army. Remus has brought the first legion into the kingdom, he has made a
deal with thousands of Symiaks and plans to use the kingdom army to help him
get Oriel.

Ramulas needs to free Oriel before the legion arrives, or everyone in the
kingdom will suffer the wrath of Remus.

The Beginning of the End tablet

EXCERPT

Ramulas woke to absolute agony, his hand felt as if it were going to explode. He opened his eyes and was shocked to find James kneeling over him. James held Ramulas’ injured hand and was squeezing it. Ramulas screamed in pain.  

              

James reached back with a hand and punched Ramulas in the face so hard that his head bounced off the stone floor under the straw.

               

“Oriel!” Ramulas screamed.

                

James hit Ramulas two more times in the chest, spreading the pain throughout his body. Ramulas had never felt this helpless before. Where was the magic inside of him that Oriel spoke about? Why couldn’t he do anything? 

 

About the Author

Adam J Scholte

Adam was born in Melbourne in 1970, and from his earliest memories was
always captivated by reading, he fell in love with fantasy in his early
teens and discovered a way to escape into a new world.

He attempted to write novels from the age of twenty-two and couldn’t find
the way to piece it together properly. Then in 2015 one of the main
characters of The Ramulas Chronicles came to Adam, followed by other
characters and the rest of the fantasy series.

He has found something that he loves doing and has the characters of this
series constantly running throughout his mind. Adam lives with his son and
his dog, and is extremely happy to be able to share his world with lovers of
fantasy.

 

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Before the Emerald Crown Virtual Book Tour

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Before the Emerald Crown cover

The Before Series, Book 5

Fantasy

Date Published: 02-28-2024

Publisher: Sword and Thistle LLC

 

 

In a time nearly ancient, before a brave Scottish princess defied her
mother, a young woman has lost everything.

Except for her unexplainable talent for magic.

Now Magda’s being hunted, and in her attempt to survive, loneliness and
desperation take control.

Until she meets someone who offers her a chance at happiness, at normalcy,
at the fullness of life. Then she discovers something wrong, so shockingly
wrong with this hopeful future, and she must make a harrowing decision to
ensure her survival.

And she will have to draw on all her magic to do it.

Actions have repercussions — Magda knows this better than anyone else —
and with her magic, she will ensure everyone else learns that lesson as
well.

 

Before the Emerald Crown tablet

EXCERPT

All the sound suddenly died and I whirled around, dropping my basket of fruit and stepping back quickly. I wished I’d brought my whittling knife with me.

He was taller than me by at least a head, not that I was tall, and his dark brown-black hair peeked out from under a slouched cap perched precariously on his head, covered in a light dusting of snow.

Bright green eyes, greener than Geneen’s or the elder leaves at summer, than the glen at midday, than an emerald in a silver setting, sparkled at me from under that dark hair sweeping across his forehead.

They did not seem like suspicious or mean eyes, nothing like Robbie’s eyes when he had come to Geneen’s and met me.

My eyes dropped to his broad shoulders wrapped in a black and brown tartan wool cloak, down past his heather-hued tunic and brown braies to high leather books.

He could have been a fae stepping from a fairy ring for how easily he came up on me and how he blended into the woods.

His brilliant eyes squinted slightly. “Did ye hear me, lass? Are ye far from home? Or lost?”

I cleared my throat and focused my attention on my fallen basket. As I crouched to collect the bruised fruit, he joined me, placing a handful of berries into the basket.

“I’m no’ lost,” I answered in a shaky voice. 

Why was my voice shaky? Or my hands? The grainy, frost-burned apple threatened to fall from my hand.

“Och, no’ lost? What, a lass by herself in the woods this far north?”

This far north?

Oh nay. How far south had I come in search of food? Had I stumbled upon a MacCarron?

Or, mother-maiden-crone, a Galbraith? 

My breath caught in my chest.

I’d have to be more careful in the future.

I may have rambled too close to the Galbraith lands.

“Who are ye?” I asked, trying to keep my voice from quivering.

The man’s head bobbed up so those deep green eyes bore into mine.

“How rude I am! Grant. Grant MacCarron at your service.”

He bowed slightly as he spoke his name.

I thin, relieved breath escaped from between my lips.

So not a Galbraith.

The animals near me must have read my emotions because their low chattering resumed. Not nearly as loud as it had been, but enough for me to hear.

Their sounds soothed me.

“And ye are?” he asked.

I rocked back on my heels, brushing snow away with a flip of my cloak. Despite the snowy nip in the air, my skin was hot. Inflamed. Fevered.

What was wrong with me?

And those green eyes made my brain as hot as my skin. 

“Magda,” I finally answered, then bit my lip hard enough to draw blood. 

Gads! I should not have given him my real name!

“Magda. From which clan? Are ye a MacCarron I’ve no’ met?”

I shook my head, Geneen’s caution reverberating in my ears. 

I sucked in a deep breath. “Nay. Magda Ferguson.”

“Ferguson. From the north? Ye are verra far from home!”

I shook my head as I rose and adjusted my basket on my arm.

“No’ too far. I live in these woods, to the south of Ferguson lands.”

Why was I telling this stranger so much? Giving him so much information about myself? Geneen would be sorely disappointed.

Grant swiveled his head, studying the woods around us and giving me a good look at his chiseled jaw and strong, handsome profile. 

“Far, I think. Why are ye this far south on your own?” He glanced at my basket. “Food?”

An odd nervous shame came over me. I snatched the basket close to my chest. “A wee bit. Extra for the winter. And I walk these woods on my own all the time.”

I hope my voice conveyed more confidence than I felt.

His eyebrows creased slightly. “The woods can be dangerous. Wild animals and the like, aye?”

I bit my lips again so the grin that yearned to burst forth was held at bay. The wee creatures nearby tittered at his suggestion.

“I dinna think the animals are anything I must fear. Truly, I’m quite safe here.”

He did not appear convinced. 

“Are ye done collecting food? I’d feel better if I could walk ye home, make sure ye arrive safe.”

Now it was my turn to narrow my gaze at him. He might be a MacCarron, but was he a man I could trust or not? 

The tingling at the back of my head bloomed hard, and the animals nearby chattered, speaking into my thoughts about him.

They sensed nothing amiss about the man, thus my confidence in him grew.

A bit.

 

 

About the Author

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple is an award-winning author of historical
romance — Scottish, Highlanders, and Ancient! To Dance in the Glen was
recently a bestseller! She also writes contemporary romance as M.D.
Dalrymple — police and campus romances, and as Strawberry Chase, paranormal
romance author.

Winner of the Top Ten Author Academy Award for 2018, Best Indie Book 2019,
and N.N Night’s 2021 Winner for Scottish Romance.

 

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Purchase Link

Amazon

 

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Before the Emerald Crown Blitz

Before the Emerald Crown banner
 

Before the Emerald Crown cover

The Before Series, Book 5

Fantasy

Date Published: 02-28-2024

Publisher: Sword and Thistle LLC

 

 

In a time nearly ancient, before a brave Scottish princess defied her
mother, a young woman has lost everything.

Except for her unexplainable talent for magic.

Now Magda’s being hunted, and in her attempt to survive, loneliness and
desperation take control.

Until she meets someone who offers her a chance at happiness, at normalcy,
at the fullness of life. Then she discovers something wrong, so shockingly
wrong with this hopeful future, and she must make a harrowing decision to
ensure her survival.

And she will have to draw on all her magic to do it.

Actions have repercussions — Magda knows this better than anyone else —
and with her magic, she will ensure everyone else learns that lesson as
well.

About the Author

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple is an award-winning author of historical
romance — Scottish, Highlanders, and Ancient! To Dance in the Glen was
recently a bestseller! She also writes contemporary romance as M.D.
Dalrymple — police and campus romances, and as Strawberry Chase, paranormal
romance author.

Winner of the Top Ten Author Academy Award for 2018, Best Indie Book 2019,
and N.N Night’s 2021 Winner for Scottish Romance.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

 

Purchase Link

Amazon

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RABT Book Tours & PR

Comments Off on Before the Emerald Crown Blitz

Filed under BOOKS

Before the Emerald Crown Reveal

 

Before the Emerald Crown cover

The Before Series, Book 5

Fantasy

Date Published: 02-28-2024

Publisher: Sword and Thistle LLC

 

 

In a time nearly ancient, before a brave Scottish princess defied her
mother, a young woman has lost everything.

Except for her unexplainable talent for magic.

Now Magda’s being hunted, and in her attempt to survive, loneliness and
desperation take control.

Until she meets someone who offers her a chance at happiness, at normalcy,
at the fullness of life. Then she discovers something wrong, so shockingly
wrong with this hopeful future, and she must make a harrowing decision to
ensure her survival.

And she will have to draw on all her magic to do it.

Actions have repercussions — Magda knows this better than anyone else —
and with her magic, she will ensure everyone else learns that lesson as
well.

About the Author

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple is an award-winning author of historical
romance — Scottish, Highlanders, and Ancient! To Dance in the Glen was
recently a bestseller! She also writes contemporary romance as M.D.
Dalrymple — police and campus romances, and as Strawberry Chase, paranormal
romance author.

Winner of the Top Ten Author Academy Award for 2018, Best Indie Book 2019,
and N.N Night’s 2021 Winner for Scottish Romance.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

 

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Amazon

 

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