Tag: Short Story Anthology

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My Author Copy of Midnight Menagerie!

Harriet Phoenix

It’s been a while since I had good news to share on this site, so I’m hoping to close out the year with some joy for a change! My author copy of Midnight Menagerie by Wolf Singer Productions has arrived.

I have previously mentioned some issues that I have with this book. Well, one issue: after being accepted for this anthology, I realised that the cover was designed by AI. I of course have many, many issues with AI and especially its use in creative fields. However, I feel like I’ve covered that in my previous post, so I’d like to devote this one to just enjoying having a book out.

The stories in Midnight Menagerie explore the world of fairs, carnivals and zoos in a variety of science fiction and fantasy settings. There’s aliens. There’s goblins. There’s shapechangers, sentient clouds and a retelling of Jurassic Park where the exhibits may seem just a little familiar…

My story, The Menagerie of the Milky Way, obviously leans towards the sci-fi end of the scale and features an orbital zoo full of aliens. I had a lot of fun writing it (at least until I read out parts of it in my writer’s group and had to actually pronounce the names I’d come up with for all the alien species. Pro tip: consider these things while writing!) and I hope other people have as much fun reading it.

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My Space Brides LLC Author Copy is Here!

Harriet Phoenix

It’s nice to close out the month with some good news, and luckily I have some! My author copy of Space Brides LLC has arrived! You long-time readers know how much I love this part!

Can I take a moment to enjoy a couple of things? First of all, look at that gorgeous cover. The bride in her flowing gown and that neat little bouquet, set against the backdrop of space… that is beautiful. Secondly, my story, which I had a lot of fun writing, is mentioned in the blurb. It’s a bit of a strange story that explores what marriage might mean in a society drastically different from our own, and I’m more than happy with the result. Ever want to visit a place you created in your mind?

There are plenty of other contributors besides myself, of course. I haven’t read all of them yet, but the ones I have read are brilliant. They’ve all done such different things with the concept, and results are touching, epic, funny and – of course – romantic.

Space Brides LLC is a short science fiction anthology by Wolf Singer Publications. It’s due out on December 5th, and available for pre-order as an ePub or paperback direct from the publisher, where you can use the code NR2023 to save 15%. Alternatively, find it in ePub form from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. So if you have a person in your life who enjoys fun and quirky science fiction, consider grabbing them a copy for whatever upcoming holiday you prefer!

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My Terrors from the Toybox Author Copy is Here!

Harriet Phoenix

It’s that time again… the part of an anthology’s publication when I get to hold a copy of the book in my actual hands! That’s right: Terrors from the Toybox is now available in both Kindle and paperback formats, and my author copy has arrived!

I think I’ve mentioned before that there’s no feeling quite like this. My brain-baby is out there, on actual pages that, just maybe, someone is reading right now!

Yes, I’ve done this before. But it just never gets old!

I’ve been reading some of the other stories in Terrors, and I can say without (too much) vanity that there is some brilliant writing in here. So, if you’re looking for some short fiction to get you in the Halloween spirit, consider giving this one a try!

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Terrors from the Toybox

Harriet Phoenix

I’m happy to announce my inclusion in Terrors from the Toybox, an upcoming horror anthology from Phobica Books! The anthology is due on the 1st October (in good time for Halloween!) and will be available to buy from Amazon. A great gift if you have a tradition of gifting people horror fiction for Halloween, and I’ve certainly heard of worse ideas.

Enjoy this cover art and title page illustration, courtesy of Phobica’s editing and publicity teams. I think someone had a lot of fun creating these. Seriously, how brilliantly creepy are they? Yeah, those are just old toys spilling out of a trunk… but then you see that clown. Somehow, for me the smiling clown in the attic is creepier than the jack-in-the-box below. It’s that smile. THE CLOWN KNOWS THINGS.

It’s always exciting to be accepted in an anthology. In a totally cool and professional way… someone likes my writing who isn’t my mum! They like it enough to put it in a book! Check it out: I’m on their Author Bios page!

Toy-themed horror is definitely fun to write about; specific enough to give a feel for what they want, but open enough to leave plenty of leeway. I can’t wait to see what everyone else has done with it, and I’m proud to say that my entry, ‘Enid’s Dollhouse,’ wouldn’t be out of place on Supernatural.

October can’t get here fast enough!