Showcasing some of my previously unpublished sci fi and urban fantasy short stories. Shorts as a form of literature have fallen from fashion. But as our lives become more frantic and demanding, short stories fill a niche… A 5- or 10-minute read is perfect for mobile-reading commutes, bedtime reading or coffee breaks, and generally staying sane. And very short stories even work whilst standing in queues.
Not surprisingly, most of my short stories tend to have a twist and a pinch of fantasy or horror and usually all three. And I largely stopped writing them when I moved onto novels, but am minded to do a few more – so please forgive these early efforts. Much better collections are out there and I recommend Em, or Commaful as just two examples.
Favourite Tales
The short story ‘Meteorite‘ (originally ‘Rocks’) managed to win a short story competition, although I can’t remember which. It concerns identical twins who discover a meteorite before their peaceful existence is turned upside-down.
In contrast, Stripper Killer (also the first chapter of the vampire novel Creation), is darkly erotic, and describes what happens when an estate agent unwittingly crosses paths with the forces of evil. Poor Jake.
‘The Krampus‘ is a weird one. An ancient and cruel spirit follows a family to Cornwall and threatens their lives ans only a special kind of music can save them. This was based partly on an 1869 newspaper article from Lancashire https://lancashirefolk.com/2017/04/19/a-boggart-did-it-proved-in-court/ which involved broken windows that denied an earthly explanation. The krampus in my tale is much more sinister than that and is in the habit of beating people to death with his hammer. But like everyone, all he really wants is to be loved. Read more here….
In The Girl with Tattoos, night owl Jason is employed to follow an attractive and mysterious woman. Then he is paid to kill her. Jason enjoys the dark side, and so eventually agrees. The Girl With Tattoos is not what she seems, and Jason does not follow instructions. It will be a life-changing experience.
Frog Heaven is a moralistic children’s story although there has to be a slightly gruesome twist. It’s also a poke at the human condition for latching onto and then believing in absurdity, in this case of a religious nature.
Blogging is quite therapeutic (maybe not so much for the reader) and writing ‘Pangolin‘ helped me deal with the awful news about these poor creatures – nothing to do with Sci Fi. Reality exceeds anything we can dream up.
Skin Stealer
Kiera Chan stood on the porch of her father’s white cedar house on Seabrook Island,…
When seances go bad – death walks behind you
This short story was the result of a challenge – written in an hour, for…
Stripper Killer – a short story about partying to excess
This short story about a rather dangerous stripper is a modified version of the opening…
Frog Heaven, or be careful what you believe
A short story about religious belief within the frog community. Frog Heaven A very old…
A Red, Red Rose – or when florists go bad
The idea of short story ‘A Red, Red Rose’ comes from a scene in Creation,…
Pangolin – a short story about greed and ignorance
A very short story about the plight of the pangolin, seen through the eyes of…
The Willow Tree – a tale of love and loneliness
Trees aways fascinate me – almost as if they possess different personalities. This short story…
Langley – or ancient evils never die
I wrote this haunted house short story a while time ago. It’s now the basis…
The girl with tattoos – or be careful what you wish for
Jason was strictly nocturnal, his life an endless round of night clubs, dark streets and…
Meteorite – short story about a life-changing experience
The short story Meteorite was written for a competition rather a long time ago, and…
Iceman – a winter’s tale of crossing time
A tale inspired by a skiing injury and the discovery of Otzi the iceman. Iceman…
Perfume – a tale of seduction and murder
The attractive young woman pushed back her wet hair as she came in from the…
Kelpie – a tale of paying the price for love
“Holy Mother, bring me some fish. Okay, bring me one, that’s all I ask. One…
Wasp. A short story of a queen’s quest for revenge
I might die tonight. I’m a fugitive, exhausted and hungry. The vicious winter is draining…
Time Capsule – when the Earth has had enough
Nine-year-old Lorna watched with fascination as the time capsule was carefully removed from the base…
Balloon Trip – A birthday treat has unexpected results
It’s difficult to daub the thick paint onto the sandy rocks, but once dry, the…
The Krampus – a short story of old evil returning
Ivan Kratchev sat on the cottage roof, mending tiles in the heat of the August…
Trick or treat – a tale about the art of deception
Simon checked his Rolex and made his final sales call. It was the night before…