Galactic Stew

Galactic Stew
Author: Gini Koch
Publisher: Jabberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2020-07-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1940709326

Join us for a feast! Step into a roadside diner run by witches. Attend a banquet with aliens who are as crass as they are brutal. Eat oysters on the half shell with a pair of conjurers, or scratch out a meal with warring pilots marooned on a desolate planet. Pity the ghost who must cook her way to freedom, and mourn with the warrior who seeks a final delicacy for his lost love. Search the far reaches of space for sustenance or descend into a hellscape of culinary horrors. In this volume, food is the star! Fantasy and science fiction authors Paige L. Christie, Diana A. Hart, A.L. Tompkins, Esther Friesner, Derrick Boden, Andy Duncan, Chaz Brenchley, Howard Andrew Jones, Mike Jack Stoumbos, R.S. Belcher, Mia Moss, Gini Koch, D.B. Jackson, Jason Palmatier, and Gabriela Santiago have prepared a GALACTIC STEW that will entice and tantalize, nourish the imagination, and sate the most ravenous of literary appetites. But beware! These dishes are not what they seem...

ZNB Presents: Year One

ZNB Presents: Year One
Author: Marie Brennan
Publisher: Jabberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.
Total Pages: 461
Release: 2023-08-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1940709512

Welcome to the first year’s worth of stories from the new online magazine ZNB Presents published by the small press Zombies Need Brains. In these pages, you will find original science fiction and fantasy stories of awe and wonder, darkness and light, ranging through all of the subgenres, including urban fantasy, alternate history, space opera, fairy tales, and more. They come from the most talented authors in the field today—new voices as well as trusted and familiar names. Join us as we explore visions of the past, present, and future, as we encounter strange new creatures, both in our own backyard, in the depths of space, and our own imagination. Here you will: --Enter an abandoned colony on a hostile world --Come face-to-face with a horrific Stampede on an alien planet --Search for a murderous golem made of salt --Fight in the brutal pits of an apocalyptic America --Fight in the brutal pits of an apocalyptic America --Fight in the brutal pits of an apocalyptic America --Find betrayal and redemption in a world full of clowns --Hunt for those who are killing your fellow gunslingers --Rebel with the Little Match Girl in a search for something beyond her story And so much more! Twenty-four stories written by Brian Hugenbruch, Jason Palmatier, Diana A. Hart, Evan Marcroft, Cislyn Smith, Hazel King, Barbara Ashford, Ryan T. McFadden, Maria Z. Medina, Adria Bailton, Marie Brennan, Crystal Sarakas, Marc Fleury, Anaea Lay, Desmond Astaire, A. Katherine Black, P.A. Cornell, Alma Alexander, Antony Paschos, Jack Gallegos, Brian Crenshaw, Chloie Piveral, Evergreen Lee, and L.D. Colter, each with its own illustration by artists Kat D’Andrea, Ariel Guzman, or Gulzara Tokhtamysheva. Welcome to the multi-faceted worlds of ZNB Presents. Find us on Patreon at: http://www.patreon.com/zombiesneedbrains

Anything With Nothing

Anything With Nothing
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Publisher: Astra Publishing House
Total Pages: 361
Release: 2023-11-28
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0756418747

This 17th anthology of short stories set in the beloved Valdemar high fantasy universe features tales by debut and established authors and a brand-new story from Mercedes Lackey. The Heralds of Valdemar are the kingdom's ancient order of protectors. They are drawn from all across the land, from all walks of life, and at all ages—and all are Gifted with abilities beyond those of normal men and women. They are Mindspeakers, FarSeers, Empaths, ForeSeers, Firestarters, FarSpeakers, and more. These inborn talents—combined with training as emissaries, spies, judges, diplomats, scouts, counselors, warriors, and more—make them indispensable to their monarch and realm. Sought and Chosen by mysterious horse-like Companions, they are bonded for life to these telepathic, enigmatic creatures. The Heralds of Valdemar and their Companions ride circuit throughout the kingdom, protecting the peace and, when necessary, defending their land and monarch. Join a variety of authors as they ride with Mercedes Lackey to the beloved land of Valdemar and experience the many facets of this storied high fantasy realm.

Lord of a Shattered Land

Lord of a Shattered Land
Author: Howard Andrew Jones
Publisher: Baen Books
Total Pages: 512
Release: 2023-08-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1625799233

A VAST EMPIRE'S GREATEST FOE. A CONQUERED PEOPLE'S LAST HOPE. HIS NAME IS HANUVAR, AND HE WILL SET HIS PEOPLE FREE! The Dervan Empire has at last triumphed over Volanus, putting the great city to the torch, its treasures looted, temples defiled, and fields sown with salt. What little remains of Volanus is scattered across the empire, its wealth plundered and its survivors sold into slavery. It is an absolute victory for the Dervans in every way but one. Hanuvar, last and greatest general of Volanus, still lives. He now travels the length of the Dervan Empire that conquered his homeland, driven by a singular purpose—to find what remains of his people who were carried into slavery across the empire, and free them from subjugation by any means necessary. Against the might of a vast empire, he had only an aging sword arm, a lifetime of hard-won wisdom, and the greatest military mind in the world, set upon a single goal. No matter what the empire musters against him, no matter what man or monster stands in his way, from the empire’s festering capital to its furthest outposts, Hanuvar would find his people, every last one of them. And he would set them free. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). Advance Praise for Lord of a Shattered Land: “This wonderful work put me in mind of the stories I read when I was editing Baen’s Robert E. Howard library.” —David Drake, best-selling author of the Hammer’s Slammers series, Redliners, Vettius and His Friends, and the RCN series. “Howard Andrew Jones is the leading Sword & Sorcery author of the 21st century . . . His Lord of a Shattered Land is his best work yet, a heroic fantasy retelling of one of the great tales of antiquity, the fall of Carthage and its legendary general Hannibal . . . It's a magnificent achievement, destined to become a modern classic.” —John O’Neill, World Fantasy Award Winning Publisher of Black Gate “The book is a riveting portrait of a hero trying to keep his civilization alive in the wake of a devastating military defeat; it’s a series of ripping yarns that collectively add up to a greater story with a deeper impact than any of its parts; it’s another triumph for Howard Andrew Jones, premier wielder of the new edge in sword-and-sorcery.” —James Enge, World Fantasy Award nominated author of Blood of Ambrose Praise for Howard Andrew Jones: “Howard Jones writes not-to-be-missed epic fantasy with immersive world building and the highest stakes for the characters, fighting for personal survival and the survival of their world.” —Martha Wells, Hugo, Nebula and Locus award-winning author of the Murderbot series “Howard Andrew Jones is a scholar and a gentleman, a deft multi-genre wordsmith . . . a living link between the right action-adventure narratives of old and the sprawling epic fantasies of today.” —Scott Lynch, author of The Republic of Thieves “Howard Jones creates engrossing fantasy tales by combining historical authenticity with his thoughtful modern sensibilities and shapes events with his keen understanding of great adventure writers like Harold Lamb, Robert E. Howard, and Leigh Brackett.” —S. Craig Zahler, novelist and writer/director of Bone Tomahawk Praise for the Ring-Sworn trilogy: “Jones writes well, his strong prose giving a good sense of setting and able to stir emotions without ever getting itself noticed. . . . but the real strength of the book is simply that it is fun to read.” —Mark Lawrence, author of the Book of the Ancestor series “For the Killing of Kings is a fast, fun swords-and-sorcery tale in the grand style, but updated for a modern reader. Magic, mayhem, betrayal, reversal, sword fights, court intrigue? This book hits all the right notes and has a great time doing it.” —Kelly McCullough, author of the Fallen Blade and WebMage series “This is exciting storytelling from one of the best and most knowledgeable writers of heroic fantasy around . . . Jones’s prose is skillful and clean, equally adept at creating intimate moments of loss and longing or trumpeting big moments of battle and disaster.” —Black Gate Praise for The Chronicles of Sword and Sand series: “A modern iteration of old school storytelling. Highly recommended to anyone in search of a fun run through strange lands and times.” —Glen Cook, author of The Black Company series “A grand and wonderful adventure filled with exotic magic and colorful places.” —Kevin J. Anderson, NYT best-selling author of The Saga of Seven Suns and the Young Jedi Knights series “First class New School Sword and Sorcery, and anyone with the remotest interest in Sword and Sorcery would be cheating themselves if they did not avail themselves to try the work of Howard Andrew Jones.” —SF Signa

When Worlds Collide

When Worlds Collide
Author: Esther Friesner
Publisher: Jabberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.
Total Pages: 282
Release: 2021-07-15
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1940709431

What could possibly happen when two cultures meet for the first time? In WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE, anything. WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE presents fourteen original stories where two different societies intersect and deal with the aftermath of that meeting. Will the conflicting cultures merge and adapt and find peace? Or will they clash, unable to either accept their differences or acknowledge their commonalities? Who will survive when the last of the Fae battles a world-killing AI? What happens when a being who is part of a vast collective-consciousness is forced to face their own individuality? Can a werewolf ever break free of the unholy pact its fae creator has made with humanity? Will Earth really manage to commit the biggest and most egregious faux pas in history when it’s on the cusp of joining the Galactic Union? And why is it that two very different kinds of elves are angrily facing off at a simple dinner party? Whether your taste runs to humor, horror, science fiction, or fantasy, the stories collected in this latest anthology from Zombies Need Brains and written by some of today’s hottest SF&F authors will delight, thrill, and terrify you. Join Christopher Leapock, Howard Andrew Jones, Gary Kloster, Louis Evans, Peter S. Drang, Esther Friesner, S.C. Butler, Nancy Holzner, Auston Habershaw, Violette Malan, Stephen Leigh, Alan Smale, Steven Harper, and Jordan Chase-Young as they delve into what may happen...WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE.

Mind Warp 20/20

Mind Warp 20/20
Author: Richard Kydd, Jr.
Publisher: iUniverse
Total Pages: 122
Release: 2003-10-19
Genre: Poetry
ISBN: 0595295312

In Mind Warp 20/20 (After Shock), his fifth volume of published poetry, Richard D. Kydd JR. shows once again the wide breadth of his perspective. Just when poems such as the street-wise A Fool's Way and the tragically cynical Crack Down convinces you his vision is bleak, he surprises you with the optimistic spirituality of Spirit in Flight, or the haunting imagery of Life of Its Own. Kydd's work is full of seemingly contradictory surprises. Many of his poems deal with apparently helpless struggles and situations, yet there is an undercurrent of humor that shows the poet's maturity and acceptance of difficult circumstances. The facetious frustration of Meter Beater transitions smoothly to the still funny but savage reaction to unemployment of Job Hunter. He swings with ease from the raunchy physical humor of Free Style to the romantic spirituality of Intertwined. Searingly realistic but tempered with deep compassion and a true awareness of the beauty of humanity, this collection of Kydd's work reveals him to be a champion of the disadvantaged, and a mature observer of life's troubles and rewards.

Ampyrium

Ampyrium
Author: Esther Friesner
Publisher: Jabberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.
Total Pages: 315
Release: 2024-07-15
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1940709776

Welcome to Ampyrium, a city of a thousand wonders! May the trading be always in your favor. Powerful magicians called the Magnum have created a massive city contained within eight walls, each with its own portal to another world. Here, eight different magical lands collide. In these streets, all of the races from those worlds come to trade, to politic, to carouse, and to murder. Merchants and royalty, thieves and assassins; caravans and envoys, armies and entourages. Everyone...and everything...can be found in Ampyrium. Every dream can be made real. Every vice is available. Every wish can be fulfilled. All you have to do is stay clear of the Magnum...and their Eyes are everywhere. Enter the streets of AMPYRIUM with your guides in tow—authors Joshua Palmatier, Juliet E. McKenna, David B. Coe, Esther Friesner, Patricia Bray, S.C. Butler, and Jason Palmatier. Eight stunning worlds await you. But beware. Don’t stray. Don’t fall behind. Don’t get lost. Because the streets of Ampyrium will swallow you whole.

Apocalyptic

Apocalyptic
Author: Seanan McGuire
Publisher: Jabberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.
Total Pages: 251
Release: 2020-07-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1940709342

Who doesn’t love a good apocalyptic story? They come in all kinds, from the nightmare terrors of superflus and zombie invasions to quieter, more reflective tales of loss and survival. Stories that feature people struggling through the end of the world or fighting to survive in what little bits of civilization still remain are always compelling. What better way for readers to safely explore the extremes of the human condition without actually having to fight off the ravening hordes themselves? APOCALYPTIC features stories from fourteen old and new favorite authors: Seanan McGuire, Aimee Picchi, Tanya Huff, Nancy Holzner, Stephen Blackmoore, Zakariah Johnson, Violette Malan, Eleftherios Keramidas, James Enge, Leah Ning, Thomas Vaughn, Marjorie King, Jason Palmatier, and Blake Jessop. Flee the Baboon King, die of thirst in the White Mountains, brew up a bubbling blob of nanotech road kill in the back of a garbage truck, or, worst of all, try to reintegrate yourself back into society as a former zombie. Then ask yourself, would you survive the Apocalypse? Would you even want to?

Shattering the Glass Slipper

Shattering the Glass Slipper
Author: Marie Brennan
Publisher: Jabberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.
Total Pages: 313
Release: 2022-08-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1940709490

Fairy tales are as old as time, and yet... In SHATTERING THE GLASS SLIPPER, fifteen talented authors take on these age-old tales and transform them into bold and brave new visions. Discover worlds where the Seattle Space Needle acts as Rapunzel’s tower; where seven princesses plot their own rescue from the fae; where a magic mirror is connected to an app on your phone...and shows you more than you may be able to handle. Get hired by a giant to climb beanstalks, each with its own problem to solve...or by the Goblin King to turn Tweets into gold. Hunt a firebird for a single feather. Use the internet to find a prince for a princess. And more! In each of these stories, there is a thread of the familiar, spun by magic or technology into something new to achieve the improbable and, often, the impossible. Through ages past and into the future, our writers are traveling roads less traveled with characters that are light, dark, and always unpredictable. Join Marie Brennan, Lucia Iglesias, Alyse Winters, Rebecca A. Demarest, R.J. Blain, Miyuki Jane Pinckard, Rachel Swirsky, Angela Rega, Alethea Kontis, Y.M. Pang, Patricia Bray, Cat Rambo, Rhondi Salsitz, R.Z. Held, and José Pablo Iriarte as they turn Happily Ever After inside out!

Galactic Pirate Brides

Galactic Pirate Brides
Author: Tamsin Ley
Publisher: Twin Leaf Press
Total Pages: 373
Release: 2023-10-03
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1950027783

Escape, Experience, Explore Two breathtaking stories. Two couples whose love defies all the rules. Visit top-secret labs, board rebel spaceships, and view gorgeous alien planets while falling in love. Secrets, betrayal, and unexpected twists bring an edge-of-your-seat tension that keeps you invested from the first page to the last. These stories of rebel warriors and indomitable women will capture your imagination! Volume 2 includes: CLAIMED BY THE CYBORG Doug is half-man, half-machine, a prisoner in a corporate lab. Private Attie Swan is a loyal soldier ensnared by fate. When their worlds intertwine, secrets surface that could doom them both. MATED TO MEK She’s a telepathic lab experiment with a traumatic past. He's an alien doctor who believed he’d never find a mate. In each other, they find the impossible—love. But can their newfound passion survive the dark truths lurking in her past? What readers say about the books in this collection: "Great characters" - USA Today Bestselling Author, Cara Bristol "Wickedly addictive scifi romance!" ~ NYT Bestselling Author, Laurann Dohner "Genius and hilarious at the same time" - Goodreads "sexy hot fun...kept me absorbed from start to finish" - Goodreads Dive into adventure and heart-pounding romance with characters who will risk it all for their chosen mates. Get your copy of Galactic Pirate Brides Volume Two today!