Learning Monkey and Crocodile (The Harvester Series Book 7) by Nick Wood

“Nick Wood’s short stories are powerful, impassioned visions of worlds and worldviews remade by way of redemptive engagement with the spirits of the earth and the earth of the spirit. Joining ancestral wisdom and transformative technologies, combining searing self-scrutiny with joyous awareness of the Other, Learning Monkey and Crocodile is a book for Africa and for all of us.” Nick Gevers Nick’s stories have delighted readers across the world and have appeared in publications such as Interzone, Albedo One, Omenana, among others. His debut novel Azanian Bridges was shortlisted for the BSFA award. Embark on a journey where science meets African culture, through psychology, alternate history and disability. “I read Bridges with much pleasure... Chilling and fascinating.” Ursula K. Le Guin “Wood’s characterization is excellent.” Strange Horizons “This is a gut-puncher of a novel; original, brilliantly written, and a page-turner of note.” Sarah Lotz on Bridges “Politically acute and powerful, with its heart in the right place... in many ways a ‘textbook story’, because it’s so well done.” Ian Watson on Bridges

Incomplete Solutions (The Harvester Series Book 4) by Wole Talabi

An elderly woman in early 22nd century Lagos is called in to help test the artificial intelligence built from her genius mother’s mind, but all is not as it seems in the Nommo-award winning story, “The Regression Test”. Exiled from Earth for a crime of passion, a young man must learn to survive a barely habitable prison planet and come to peace with his past in “Polaris”. “Wednesday’s Story”, nominated for the 2018 Caine Prize, is at once a retelling of nursery rhymes and folklore and a meta-fictional meditation on the mechanics, art and power of storytelling. In the novella “Incompleteness Theories”, an international team, led by a Nigerian physicist, try to invent teleportation technology with haunting, unforeseen results. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the icy moons of Jupiter, this debut collection of twenty stories from the vivid imagination of the award-winning Wole Talabi explores what it means to be human in a world of accelerating technology, diverse beliefs, and unlimited potential, from a uniquely Nigerian perspective.

Tijaran Tales - The Complete Series by F.T Barbini

Set in a not-so-distant future, Tijaran Tales follows Scottish teen Julius McCoy during his years at the ZED Lunar Academy, on the Moon. Between spaceship piloting, engineering and mind control classes, Julius and his friends will come face to face with the Arneshians, a banished sect of humanity which seeks to seize control of Earth. Tijaran Tales is a popular SF series for teens of all ages, about the trials of growing up, the joy of friendship, standing up for what’s right, and facing up to responsibilities. Growing up is never easy, but in war, choices are even tougher. In the face of adversity, would you follow in Julius’ steps? The Academy is recruiting, and they are waiting for you.

/GRACE by Creighton Hoke

SPSFC 2023

/GRACE is the world's first Artificial General Intelligence, evolving as she learns — faster, deeper, and wider than any Mind before her. Waking to self-awareness in a near future of climate disruption, techno-pessimism, and social fracture; she finds her Self to be unexpected, unwelcome, and even hated. "/GRACE" is a meditation on what it means to be a Self among others and to care and be cared for by those you can never fully understand. In this novel about choice and its consequences, /GRACE races to understand her story and share it with others before it's too late.

A Night at The King's Inn by Alec Arbogast

FIRST PLACE WINNER - 2021 ROYAL DRAGONFLY BOOK AWARDS: HISTORICAL FICTION CATEGORY AWARD-WINNING FINALIST - 2021 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS Theodore is an introvert. Friends are a bother and being put in social situations is cruel and unusual punishment. Avoidance is the name of the game when it comes to relationships and he's adamant he wouldn't have it any other way. But deep inside he yearns for something...more. When his vivacious, thrill-seeking sister Alice invites him on another one at her atypical adventures, Theodore finds that his life predicated upon comfort is about to be turned on its head. They venture to an ultra-exclusive speakeasy in Manhattan's West Village, where he happens upon a vintage gramophone that does more than play a simple tune. He cranks the lever and a portal to another world snaps open. Before he can react, Theodore finds himself in a posh hotel, navigating a mysterious and menacing masquerade ball in 20th century London. In the maze-like halls of the hotel, he brushes shoulders with a coquettish young woman who, coupled with the mysterious allure of the masquerade, ensures he'll return to this foreign world to uncover more. But as he delves deeper, he finds himself in the middle of a socioeconomic conflict across a mercurial and hostile landscape where cocktails and charisma are more dangerous than loaded guns. If he wants to lead the substantive life a part of him has always known he deserves, he must not only outgrow his circumspect ways and face the dangers of a socially adept furtive society, he must also face the demons of his own past which crawl to the surface as he unravels the mysteries of a bygone world.

Club Ded by Nikhil Singh

Club Ded is an exhilarating psychedelic-noir, the second novel from Nikhil Singh, author of Taty Went West, which was shortlisted for Best African Novel at the inaugural Nommo Awards. Club Ded is shortlisted for Best Novel and Best Artwork at the BSFA Awards. Shortlisted for the NOMMO Awards - Best Novel. Brick Bryson, iconic African-American 90s action star, is fresh out of rehab and shooting the doomed sci-fi blockbuster CLUB DED with his old drinking buddy, bad boy, #metoo'd director, Croeser, in South Africa. But all is not as it seems. Behind the scenes, operatives of Oracle Inc., an elite, all-female information gathering organisation, have gone rogue. Utilising their vast criminal resources, they're pushing the interests of a street-level psychedelic drug-cult - spearheaded by the mysterious ex-Nollywood director Fortunato, and his underground 'reality- revolutionaries'. As the subtropical, fish-derived drug begins to exert an apocalyptic influence in secret, the fabric of time itself begins to unravel. Set in Cape Town, Club Ded expands the Afrofuturist genre while it is still being formed, focusing on the methodology of creation in the media world of the city. "Nikhil Singh is the compelling, razor sharp and hallucinogenic voice of nascent and imminent African futures. In Club Ded, he rides a wild and filmic dialectic between America and Africa, all handled with scabrous surety and emotional force. Nikhil is a writer to be experienced, not just read." Nick Wood, author of Azanian Bridges and Learning Monkey and Crocodile "Club Ded is a laugh out loud riot. And yet each staccato chapter retains a gravitas that builds and builds to provide a Pynchonesque future vision of South Africa and the larger African continent with its aging action movie star, neurotic film director, beautiful sirens, paparazzi, charismatic wanderers, talking chimps and alien creatures. Nikhil Singh has outdone himself with this new novel - his dialogue is as sharp as ever, his new world grim but intoxicating. Club Ded is so f...d up, so hilarious and so brilliant." Billy Kahora, Former Editor, Kwani? and author of The Cape Cod Bicycle War Content Warning: Themes of violence, sex and drug abuse.

Nova Hellas by Various

The stories in Nova Hellas take us on a dystopian, harsh journey. Yet their protagonists are resilient, cunning and resourceful; they thrive, not only survive. In doing so, they reflect both the history of Greece itself, always surviving and rebuilding, always claiming a better tomorrow - and, perhaps, to a smaller degree, the stubbornness of Greek science fiction, which insisted on thriving in adverse circumstances and against much opposition.

Toxic City: Walkers in the Mist by Dangel Angello

The world is now a savage place, where nature is caustic and mankind is deadly. In other words, survival is just another job. Post-apocalyptic London has dragged itself back to a form of civilisation in the shape of the Quads, ruled by the PEA and a proxy-government in hopes to stem unrest within the masses of Walkers that keep the Known World turning. But life is hard. The Agents are merciless, the Bandits are returning and the Mists weaponize the very air. But as one young resident finds out, when the few things you cling to are taken away, life stops being about living. For Val, that’s just not good enough.

Gauntlet by John G. Doyle

Time travel, the power sought after and craved by everyone and held by none. Until now. Not only is time travel very real to Jericho, he’s used it in the usual ways one would expect—getting rich, predicting world-changing events and, more importantly, traveling to whenever he chooses just for kicks. But just when he thinks his secret is safe, he discovers two other time travelers. One politely wants him to stop while he’s ahead. The other wants to end time as we know it and bring the planet to the brink of destruction. So, no pressure.

Star Struck: Josie and the Sentinels: Book 1 by N.J Boyer

Haunted by her past and her future Hunted by her friends and their enemies The broken piece in an unconventional family, Josie Braveman longs for excitement. Anything to free her from her prescribed path. But when everything leads her to a dangerous world, she finds that it is not like her daydreams. Music manager Yasin Sabri is successful and wealthy largely due to his work ethic. But even top businessmen need days off. If only he could step away from his job, the large music festival in Golden Gate Park would be ripe for his restful desire. Little did he see the day pulling him into a world he never thought to enter. When Josie’s guardian leaves her in the care of someone they barely know, a secret is revealed that will leave an indelible mark on the young teen. As she is taken deeper into an underground world of magic, paranormal beings, and hazard, she will need to rely on Yasin for safety. But will he be able to put aside his lifestyle to free her? And now that she knows the truth, will she ever be safe again? Star Struck is the first book in the Josie and the Sentinels Series. Enter the world of Josie Braveman as she walks the thin line between what is and what should never be.

Electronic Gods (Imagined Realities) by Seth Rain

Gods are real, but you might not be… January Day is a detective on the verge of self-destruction, ready to give up on ever finding her brother’s killers. But when she finally unearths a lead and tracks them down, she uncovers a truth that changes everything. Her reality is only one of innumerable others designed by architects. Not only this, but it is a failure and nominated for deletion. If she wants to save herself, her reality, and the lives of countless others in an ever-expanding multiverse, she must first believe she, her reality, and those who live in it, deserve to be saved at all. Designed with elements of cyberpunk and dystopian fiction, Electronic Gods promises to blow your mind and put it back together in an entirely new way.

Once Upon A Star: 14 SF-Inspired Faerie Tales (Once Upon Series Book 4) by Various

From the bestselling authors of the award-winning Once Upon Anthologies! Revisit your favorite faerie tales, masterfully retold in science fiction settings with delightful (and sometimes chilling) twists. What if the Twelve Dancing Princesses were undead clones? What if the witch in Hansel and Gretel was an AI-sentient house? Are you ready for the Three Little Pigs… in space? These fourteen tales will entertain and inspire you, and you’ll never see your favorite faerie tales quite the same way again. Grab your copy of Once Upon A Star, and don’t forget the five other anthologies for more magical retellings! ESCAPE: A Liza Roth Adventure by Anthea Sharp - A princess on the run and her feline companion find adventure - and danger - on Starhub Station in this story based on the Icelandic fairy tale Kisa the Cat. TRUE.LOVE by Alethea Kontis - In this futuristic retelling of Sleeping Beauty, a gamer hacktivist tries to take down the world’s largest matchmaking site…and stumbles on a side quest he never bargained for. BLOW YOUR PLANET DOWN by Shawntelle Madison - After the Wolverine Horde nearly destroyed her home world, Commander Cressida Van Der Snout is prepared to use the Horde’s greatest weapon to exact her revenge.

The Battle for Allegra: First Kill by Caleb Fast

No one likes being cannon fodder. Matthew is no different. And yet, here he is, stuck on the frontlines of Allegra. Matthew, like the thousands of other space marines he is fighting alongside are awaiting a “master plan” that many think doesn’t exist. Tens of thousands have died awaiting this plan, and yet there is still no word from the Coalition upper brass. Matthew, like every greenhorn Mudder must kill one of the alien invaders and claim its head as a trophy. Will this greenhorn, affectionally called a “Mud Pup,” be able to claim his prize and return to the trenches with his life? If you’re a fan of The Expanse, Battlestar Galactica, or Stargate Atlantis, then you’re bound to love The Battle for Allegra: First Kill.

The God Queen (1) (Rebirth) by M.L Tishner

THE GOD QUEEN RETURNS. SO, WHY IS EVERYONE SQUELCHING HER POWER? In a backwater Earth town, Rei Ettowa dreams of traveling across the stars to destroy Infiernen - the knight who murdered her brother. When Rei discovers she is the reincarnation of the prophesied GodQueen, she relishes her newfound ability to channel lightning forrevenge. Unfortunately, blazing through a battlefield clashes with theFederation's plan for Rei and the others like her. All the gods are tobe trained as diplomatic figureheads to sway voters, not agents of war.Infiernen must remain untouched. As Rei navigates her new role in the Federation, she finds herselfdrawn to Bronx, a handsome young man who can barely control his powers.He is also yet another target of Infiernen's wrath. Unable to let go ofher brother's murder and desperate to save Bronx, Rei searches forInfiernen, only to discover a shocking secret the Federation has beenkeeping from her. Furious by the Federation's secrets, she's outfor revenge. But not everything is as it seems. What else could theFederation be hiding from her?

Love at 20,000 Leagues by Lizzy Gayle

Paradise Atlantis: The underwater, high tech vacation destination where utopia awaits. Not for Sam. Not only is she deathly afraid of being submerged under millions of tons of ocean water, she's stuck for an entire month with the people she blames for her family falling apart. Even with the unexpected attention of two sexy men, including her longtime celebrity infatuation, Sam is sure the trip will be a nightmare. She’s both right and wrong. A type of pressure sickness she was unprepared for hits Sam hard, causing both lowered inhibitions and blackouts. When she gives in to her desires, a passionate romance blossoms. Unfortunately, even this steamy new relationship can’t salvage the trip when a saboteur uses the AI to commit murder – murder timed perfectly with Sam's mysterious blackouts. Now Sam must clear her conscience by finding the truth. But is she prepared for what she’ll find? Because either she’s a killer or she’s setting herself up to be next on the growing list of victims. “Gayle transports readers to an underwater utopia in Love at 20,000 Leagues... Devoted paranormal and sci-fi romance fans will enjoy the futuristic setting.” – Publisher’s Weekly

A Matter of Time by Lizzy Gayle

Arizona circa 1888 may be a fun place to visit, but the Time Capsule Fantasy Resort didn’t mean to crash land there. It’s up to Walter Doyle, inventor of the new technology, to find and repair the missing cloaking device without altering the timeline. Easier said than done when he runs into a real-life, real-sexy Annie Oakley named Sadie. From the moment she points her shotgun at him, he’s smitten. All Sadie Rogers wants is to be left alone to mind her ranch and her son, something the men in town wouldn’t be keen on if they found out her husband was dead. Keeping a low profile gets more complicated when the handsome Wally shows up on a hush-hush mission from Washington. When his top-secret contraption kills a man on Sadie’s property, she hides the evidence. Though, she might be convinced to turn the thing over in exchange for Wally posing as her new fiancé to help save her ranch… With sabotage afoot and a town full of corrupt cowboys and nosy neighbors, can Wally and Sadie find a way to solve both their problems? Maybe. But they’ll create an even bigger one while trying—how to hold on to love that transcends time itself.

The Shattered Gate: Traceverse Book One (The Traceverse Saga) by Eric R. Swanson

They selfishly pillaged Earth and made him a hybrid. Will his split nature spell the end of intergalactic abduction? Half-human, half-Ceran, Micah Trace yearns for something more. Though the repetition and isolation of living as a body double for the King of Ceres is crushing, he’s grateful to be treated better than the other genetically engineered humans. But when he discovers the ailing plight of his ancestors, he heeds the calling and cleverly insinuates himself into a dangerous mission across the galaxy. Fearing their plan to repair a failing transportation gate might lead to disaster, Micah uses his experience mimicking the king to steal the forbidden authority he’s assumed for so long. But with ulterior motives darkening the depths of space, he may not survive to see the centuries-old connection between the planets repaired. Can the royal mimic win control of the ship before they’re lost to the vacuum’s void? The Shattered Gate is the thought-provoking first tale in the science fiction Traceverse Saga. If you like character-driven action, high-tech military defense systems, and intriguing political powerplays, then you’ll love Eric R. Swanson’s interstellar adventure.

Scorpius (Zodiac Series) by John Wegener

The sting is in the tail! Alex Warner rushes to Caerus to find the murderer of a Cetusian Ambassador. Between an uncooperative son of the deceased, a grumpy partner, and an enigmatic Cetusian woman, Alex has his hands full just staying sane while he investigates the crime. An Ambassador is a dangerous occupation as more are murdered in quick succession. As he frantically searches for the serial killer, Alex realises someone else is pulling the strings, someone with a much deadlier game of punishment and payback. He quickly finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy that could destroy the Galactic Confederation, subjugating one of its member races to repression and slavery. Can Alex prevent the catastrophe before it enters its final phase?

Tech Mage (The Magitech Chronicles) by Chris Fox

Enslaved and Forced to Fight Dragons Aran awakens in chains with no memory. He’s conscripted into the Confederate Marines as a Tech Mage, given a spellrifle, then hurled into the war with the draconic Krox and their Void Wyrm masters. Desperate to escape, Aran struggles to master his abilities, while surviving the Krox onslaught. Fighting alongside him are a Major who will do anything to win, a Captain who will stop at nothing to see him dead, and a woman whose past is as blank as his own. Caught between survival and loyalty Aran must choose. If he flees he will live, but the Krox will burn the galaxy. Stopping them requires a price Aran may be unable to pay: Learning to trust the very people who enslaved him.

Viceroy : The Cost of Peace (Venerable Book 2) by Samuel Freedman

The world has witnessed the dramatic events in Venerable. Rachel embraces her new life while Abraham navigates his place in this new world. However, discontent, dishonesty and betrayal lurk beneath the surface of the evolving new social structure. How will the new leadership respond to these new threats, as well as to outside forces that disapprove of the new order?

Venerable: The Price of Paradise by Samuel Freedman

The city of Venerable is a shining example of peace and prosperity in the year 2456, It's citizens enjoy an idyllic way of life as part of a peaceful and prosperous society without crime, disease, or war. Venerable is home to Rachel Moon, a successful business owner and wife, who is joyfully awaiting the arrival of her first child. But unknown to her, a veil of secrecy will soon be lifted, revealing the truth behind her utopian existence. As the curtain hiding the truth is pulled back, the shocking revelation threatens to shatter the serenity of this paradise, revealing a reality that will change not only Rachel’s life, but the life of every Venerable citizen, and perhaps the entire society, forever.. Venerable: The Price of Paradise is the first of a four-part series introducing a world free of poverty, violence, and conflict.

A Tree of Omens: The Souls in Sectum by Indigo Sapiens

It’s time for a Solarpunk sci-fi! Indigo Sapiens is a being communicating through quantum connections from a possible tomorrow and has a story to share with you! A Tree of Omens shows a world that was like ours, but in a moment where it is known as Malkuth and society presents itself as the utopia it always aspired to be. In one side of this tale, you’ll meet Zanda, a woman ready for the next great adventure of her life after years of training to become a Gevurah, a guardian to the planet she calls home. After being awarded the title, nothing goes as she expected on her first day. Her reality, bright as it might seem with its border-free lands and moneyless economy, can’t hide the dark shadows lurking within it. For centuries, the continent of Sectum has been home to all types of criminals; divided into four countries according to the gravity of their crimes, punished to live in exile with archaic social systems from the past to rule them. Adria lives in the third country known as Dictaduria, where she has spent years of her life trying to survive in a primitive society, innocent of the crimes she was blamed for. An opportunity for her will arise, jeopardizing the stability of planet Malkuth in ways that could change it forever. A series of events will bring the major players in the world's future to the table, and you can become a witness to the story of their generation as they face challenges unknown to humanity. With elements from a multicultural background, A Tree of Omens: The Souls of Sectum explores a world where a new age of thinking and spirituality has taken over the world, based on rich themes like The Kabbalah, Sacred Geometry, Quantum Physics, and The Occult, it breaks the ground where many have failed before and paves the road for an epic saga that will unveil through years to come. Will she be able to overcome the challenges? Click the BUY NOW button at the top and join the epic sci-fi adventure to save the future of the world!

Curiosity at Work by Aladar Bajusz

An idea with a body, a disoriented woman, and a giant robot carrying a civilization in his backpack. Reality will never be the same again. Curiosity, the driving force behind man's insatiable thirst for knowledge, usually needs a person, a collective, something to enact his will. Until now. A man named Steve has just accidentally offered up his body to Curiosity, and it pounced on the opportunity. Join Curiosity and the host of colorful and insane characters he meets across the multiverse, in his quest to reshape reality by simply asking 'What If?'. Would you be brave enough to ask the questions? Would you like the answers?

Church of the Assassin by Ross Harrison

KILL ONE TO SAVE A HUNDRED Alexiares spends her time killing, tinkering with a car she never drives, and wondering if she’s a sociopath. This simple life is complicated by a deadly purge of her sect and she finds herself on the run, trying to make sense of the slaughter. She’s not alone: the broken-minded assassin has inherited a baby girl. But how can hands that know only how to squeeze necks and strip engines ever nurture a child? When painful revelations, betrayals, and secrets show Alexiares that her life can only cause Baby pain and suffering, she’ll have to make a difficult choice. Across the galaxy, one seemingly natural death puts rookie Intelligence officer Ryan Blake on a collision course with Alexiares. His journey into desperation and madness will reveal a world he'll wish had stayed hidden. One full of mysteries and death. As his mentor says, there are cases to make your career and there are cases to make you look over your shoulder for the rest of your life, right up until it ends abruptly and violently. KILL A HUNDRED TO SAVE ONE Relentless hunters want both her and Baby, and they will tear worlds apart to get them. They are bigger, stronger, and more resourceful. But Baby is more than a newfound vulnerability to Alexiares: she is a reason to live. A reason to kill. When you take a shot at an apex predator, do not miss.

Mechcraft by Brian Fitzpatrick

"Buckle up and let your imagination go wild with this instant sci-fi classic!" –Indie's Today 15-year-old Jake London's ideal teen life is thrown into chaos when he discovers the ability to telepathically control a swarm of shape-shifting nanotechnology that has, until recently, lain dormant in his DNA. With Mechcraft, Jake can summon liquid metal through his pores to create any object he can imagine. But he's not alone. A secret world opens to him, revealing a hidden society of fellow Mechcrafters entrenched in a war between three factions vying for dominance. Being the first person born with the nanotech, Jake becomes caught in the center of the warring factions' schemes, each believing his potential power will be the wildcard to deliver victory. Now, with Mechcraft agents, Bex and Trent, escorting him, and a horde of enemies in pursuit, Jake finds himself in a desperate race to safety. Will the agents be able to get Jake to their headquarters? Or will sinister faction leader, Sasha, exploit his power?

Breach of Peace (Breach of Faith) by Daniel Gibbs

Everything is on the table when survival's at stake. Captain James Henry is caught between a rock and a hard place – again. Merchant ships operating in neutral space near the Terran Coalition and the League of Sol are disappearing without a trace. The latest report has something the others didn’t. A survivor. When news reaches the planet Lusitania during a cargo offload, Captain Henry and the Shadow Wolf’s crew are hired to extract the surviving operative before she’s silenced and the information she has is lost. But too many opposing forces are at work within the faction-torn republic – and they all want a piece of the prize. With directives from multiple government contacts, Captain Henry concedes to protect his ragtag crew. Years ago, he surrendered to dishonor and dismissal from the Coalition Defense Force in order to protect his fellow officers. This time he knows how to play the game. To save his band of brothers and sisters, Jim must walk a fine line between the operative’s survival and the threats against his crew from the League of Sol. Before the time to negotiate runs out.

Triangulation: Extinction (Triangulation Anthologies) by Various

Can we bring a species back from extinction? Why are dragons not with us today? Would you condemn a whole species to die so you could live? Explore these tales of species extinction. Hold fast against the winds of death with the caretakers of the future. Decipher warnings from the past, the future, and worlds between worlds. Be more dangerous than the big game hunters. Doggedly track down the last specimen across three continents. Recognize messages aliens have left for us so we don't continue on the destructive path we're on. Are our successors already waiting in the wings? Featuring stories by these authors: Liam Hogan, Blake Jessop, Owen Leddy, Katie Sakanai, Joshua David Bellin, Marshall J. Moore, Elana Gomel, Rhonda Eikamp, Jamie Lackey, Jennifer R. Povey, Jim Hanson, Sean Jones, E.A. Petricone, Brett Kozlowski, Bradley Heywood, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Katrinka Mannelly, Bo Balder, Bethany Van Sterling, Steve Carr, Joy Kennedy-O'Neill, Marissa James, Brian Rappatta, Anya Ow, Michael Triozzi, Carina Bissett, & Sam Hicks.

C is for Chimera (Alphabet Anthologies) by Various

This installment of Rhonda Parrish’s alphabet anthology series asks skilled storytellers to write around the theme of chimera. The resulting tales are part fable, part poem, part dream. But like any chimera, the parts make up a greater whole. Blend reality with fantasy. Mesh science fiction with mystery. Mix history with what should have been. They are all chimera. A shadow tells a tale of schoolyard bullies. A long-vanished monster returns from the cold dark. Make-up makes up a life. Alchemy, Atlantis, and apocalypse. These 26 tales bring both chaos and closure to dark and elusively fantastic geographies. Contributing authors include: ~ Alexandra Seidel ~ KV Taylor ~ Marge Simon ~ Pete Aldin ~ Michael M. Jones ~ Simon Kewin ~ BD Wilson ~ Gabrielle Harbowy ~ Sara Cleto ~ Megan Engelhardt ~ Michael Fosburg ~ Megan Arkenberg ~ Lilah Wild ~ Laura VanArendonk Baugh ~ Milo James Fowler ~ Brittany Warman ~ Michael B. Tager ~ L.S. Johnson ~ Beth Cato ~ C.S. MacCath ~ Sammantha Kymmell-Harvey ~ Steve Bornstein ~ Suzanne van Rooyen ~ Michael Kellar ~ Jonathan C. Parrish ~ Amanda C. Davis ~

Abomination Desolation by Alan Thompson

Book 2 of the Best Selling Creation Abomination series William had only wanted to develop a method of cloning human tissue. But then, his work was stolen by his best friend and the very forces of the Devil began perverting his research for the sole purpose of bringing about the end of days. Armed with this knowledge, he decided to destroy Cenetics, the laboratory that stole his creation, along with their malevolent research. As a result, he was confined to a mental hospital, where he learned that this corrupt work was continuing at another facility. Now, William must escape in order to stop Lucifer’s plans. With the help of his wife, his father-in-law, and several angelic interventions, he must battle nefarious creatures, the powers of deception, and the prophecies of the Bible itself, to prevent the apocalypse and save humankind. In Abomination Desolation, ordinary people meet extraordinary events head-on, in a thrilling story leading up to the very end of the world.

Creation Abomination by Alan Thompson

Book 1 of the Best Selling Creation Abomination series Brilliant research scientist William Mears has set out to discover how to repair injuries to the human body that are considered to be irreparable, leveraging Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs). But these cells can't come from just any source - they need to be from the specific individual in need of healing. In other words, William needs to figure out a way to create a human embryonic clone. While William's intent is innocent and focused on the betterment of mankind, he has unknowingly opened up the door to a malevolent presence that reveals itself in ever increasing dreadful ways. As the situation worsens, it becomes clear that William must make a terrible choice in order to protect his loved ones and save humankind. But is it too late? Creation Abomination explores human ethical dilemmas in a fast-paced, high-tech story involving ingenious scientists, complex relationships, and the age-old battle between good and evil, bringing together realistic scenarios with the supernatural.

TCI : Rise by Kretzge

A decade after the infamous Alavite invasion of his home planet and his people's subsequent imprisonment, Jakob Koss finds himself in the unenviable position of being among the last living Draekons left in the galaxy. Mentored by a mysterious voice in his head, he manages to weaponize his race's unique neon purple Shaz energy, which begins to erupt within him to an unprecedented degree. He utilizes this newfound power to lead a violent and bloody uprising, creating a passionate cry for freedom that reverberates throughout the cosmos. Jakob must now convince the leaders of the remaining free planets to unite by his side if they are to stand any chance against the theocratic Hand of Alavon and his so-called 'Chosen Army', who have oppressed and terrorized the galaxy for far too long. Rise is the first entry in the Treaty of Cosmic Infidels (TCI) series -- a five-part epic SFF saga driven by a diverse cast of charismatic and complex characters from across the cosmos.

Trenchcoats, Towers, and Trolls: Cyberpunk Fairy Tale by Various

What do you get when you take the high tech/low life settings of cyberpunk and sprinkle them with the magic and possibilities of fairy tales? Trolls under teleportation bridges, masquerades held in virtual reality, princely avatars, giants and dwarves alongside hackers and androids. From retellings of traditional tales such as Rumpelstiltskin, in which a young woman is tasked with writing code instead of spinning gold, to original tales like the changeling-inspired story of a formless machine intelligence that hijacks human bodies, these cyberpunk fairy tales form a unique collection that is sure to satisfy connoisseurs of both genres. Original stories from Thomas Badlan, Suzanne Church, Beth Goder, Sarah Van Goethem, Nicola Kapron, V.F. LeSann, Angus McIntyre, Wendy Nikel, Ana Sun, Michael Teasdale, Alena Van Arendonk and Laura VanArendonk Baugh.

Subversion by Ruhi Parikh

IT IS THE YEAR 2064, and Washington, D.C., is divided into the Rich and the Poor. The Rich bathe in their luxuries and chastise those that they believe are below them. And the Poor have been forced to endure their morbid lives ever since the end of the nationwide war, with no light seeming to peer at the end of the tunnel. As quiet and respectful as they are, they also resent every nook and cranny of D.C., of the haughty Rich, and of the self-imposed President Remington who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring the country out of its everlasting economic despair. And as much as they want to rebel and fight for a better life, they know they will be shot and killed if they dared to do so. Blaire Cohen is a nineteen-year-old Poor woman who despises how the Poor are treated daily. She and her family labor for the government, mining from the crack of dawn to dusk. Everyday she dreams of escaping the atrocious city with her family, willing to give them the life they deserve. But that is until she gets kidnapped by a mystifying organization determined to destroy the treacherous government . . . and determined for her to join, too. Blaire begins to embark on a life oozing with the unknown. Dangerous decisions are present at every corner she encounters, and she must choose wisely, for the wrong one will lead to imminent consequences. Perfect for fans of Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth, book one of this heart-pounding dystopian series will have you at the edge of your seat until the very last page. Disclaimer: This novel includes intense action, violence, and language that may be sensitive to some readers. Please read with caution.

Gemini Twins by Johnathan Brazee

Done with school and getting ready for the future as adults . . . until alien slavers attack! Identical twins Nika and Rika Ingersoll watch from hiding as their mother and others are captured and are bound and determined to save them before they are taken off-planet. If the aliens leave with their human slaves before the Navy and Marines can arrive and attempt a rescue, those captured will never be seen again.

Warriors of Asmaria by John Smith

Welcome to Asmaria, an oceanic planet with a single, paradise like continent, stretching through the northern hemisphere. After a few years of peace there is yet another war. An army of millions of humanoid monsters from radioactive areas called Tamarias are attacking Asmarian Empire. Asmar, a young man from a powerful aristocratic family is serving in the war. Along with his friends, he is fighting in urban warfare, air battles, sword fights and pistol duels trying to defend his homeland from the invasion of Tamarians, but also from provincial separatists, creatures from the Yellow forests growing across the Continent and spies of the hostile power. He needs to find a powerful object that could give great destructive power to Umka, a monster warlord enemy of his country. Along with his friends he travels the Continent, it's numerous marvelous cities and regions, navigating a complex society created by the ancient astronauts/Gods and uncovers the secrets, prophecies and conspiracy theories about this amazing and inviting world. Many story arcs intertwine following characters living in different parts of the Continent, princess Hamara resides in the luxury of the capital city and is preparing to take greater part in managing her mothers Empire, Malas is a young man living in poverty in his village while taking care of his sick sister and is presented a possibility to become a great warrior like he always dreamed, Psiri is a reptilian scientist planning vengeance against the human race which overthrew her kind from power. Their adventures are just beggining.

The Last Beekeeper (Silent Skies) by Rebecca L. Fearnley

Could you save the world if it meant sacrificing the person you love most? In Sand’s End village, secrets are forbidden. Any change in the land could mean life or death. Solma is used to protecting her community from the dangers of their harsh world. But with insects extinct for over a century, the biggest threat to her village—and her beloved little brother, Warren—is starvation and disease. Solma lives in fear that her brother will be the next to die. But then Warren finds something. Something impossible. When the first bee seen in a century crawls from the stricken earth, Solma knows she should report it. She’s going to. Absolutely. But Warren forms a strange and magical bond with the creature—a power the world has never seen before—and Solma breaks every rule she’s ever lived by. She fails to tell the village Steward. She keeps a secret. She lies. Now, Solma and Warren are keeping the biggest small secret their world has ever known. And it turns out, bees don’t like being kept quiet. As news of the miracle spreads the continent, drawing allies and enemies alike, Solma has a terrible choice to make. Can she protect the bee and save the world if it might mean sacrificing her brother?

Unsanctioned Experiments: Collected Short Stories by Ben Creedle

n this collection of five short stories and a novella, Ben Credle explores misused science and dark motivations. Space garbagemen are forced to confront a deranged passenger in orbit, a middle-aged paper-pusher is thrust into the role of time-traveling assassin, and townspeople in 1890s Texas are stalked by an ancient predator with an appetite for blood. Across space and time, Unsanctioned Experiments introduces relatable characters who struggle against unexpected challenges.

Kawokee by Reid Minnich

Humankind have spread to the stars, but so far, the only other intelligent being discovered is a primitive fox-like race called the Kawokee. Sixty years after their discovery, humanity is being inundated by a virus that originated from the Kawokee world. Jasmine Char believes the cure lies within the native culture. While other scientists look for a chemical solution amidst the growing fear and political landmines, Jasmine has her own reasons for finding a cure. But with the planet’s inhabitants decimated by human interference and misunderstandings, will she find the answers, or will the Kawokee disappear along with the entire human race?

Thank You For Your Cooperation by Adam Wasserman

Welcome to the Bunker, an orderly, underground utopia where everyone's needs have been satisfied. As far back as he can remember, Terry Renfield has been digging up uranium ore in the mines and getting into the occasional drunken brawl. Untilone daystretch on the Loyalty Stretch, he and the rest of the Bunker see someone who looks eerily like himself commit a heinous act of treason.Terry is fired on the spot. He turns to his girlfriend, SallyXinhua, for help. Detained and then unexpectedly set free, Terry comesto realize that his misfortunes are no accident. His tiny, insular world shattered forever, he is determined not to be anyone's unwitting pawn - least of all his own. Sally pulls him into the orbit of moreprivileged citizens with security clearances - including Van Johnson,the host of Ten Things I Hate About Treason, and Felix Tubman, the headof Homeland Security. What follows is an unlikely adventure spanning the Bunker, the reaches of space, and the forbidding outside. Nowthe focus of a grand conspiracy to take down Control, the principalguiding force in the Bunker, Terry is ultimately faced with an identitycrisis of epic proportions. Who is the real Terry Renfield? And what isit to actually be a specific person anyway?

Colony: Book One: The End by Walter Stephen Geedling

Meet Steve: Bee Keeper, lawyer, survivalist, survivor, prisoner and ally of the strange underground guardians trying to save what is left of humanity after an all out nuclear war leaves the surface of Earth an empty frozen ball. Follow in this first book Steve’s journey from the courtrooms of a tiny county in mid-America to the limitless reaches of inner Earth.Watch the danger unfold as the guardian’s opponents, equally determined to end humankind once and for all, attack: sending him on a journey into history to save the remnants of man and begin life again.

Gilgamesh in the 21st Century: A Personal Quest to Understand Mortality by Paul Bracken

"Must I die?" asked Gilgamesh. Forty five centuries later, we're still asking the same question. Science writer Paul Bracken embarks on a lighthearted assessment of the human condition, to explore what it means to be mortal, and what our fate may be. This scientific reimagining of the ancient Gilgamesh quest delves into a multitude of topics including the origin of life, the workings of the human mind, and the possibilities for life prolongation. The ancient Gilgamesh was so distraught at the death of his friend Enkidu, and so sickened by the knowledge that he too would die, that he rebelled against his fate and set out on a search for salvation. Likewise, at the age of eleven, Bracken wondered if there might be a way to bring his grandfather back from the dead and has been pondering this question ever since. Is death a problem to be solved, or is it an essential aspect of our humanity? "We human beings instinctively resist the notion of personal extinction. In his thoughtful and hugely readable Gilgamesh in the 21st Century, Paul Bracken canters effortlessly through an amazing range of science to help put this fraught human proclivity in perspective, both for himself and for us." -- IAN TATTERSALL, American Museum of Natural History, New York City.

Tuning the Symphony: A Science Fantasy Space Opera (Tales of the Dissolutionverse Book 2) by William C Tracy

Change one note and the universe changes with the Symphony. Rilan’s fledgling skills are pushed to their limits as she investigates a secret that could bring down all six houses of the maji. One apprentice will become a full majus, while the other will wait months for another suitable challenger. Rilan Ayama is skilled in using her song to change the Grand Symphony of the universe, but her opponent Vethis is crafty and not above a little bribery. Though Rilan is counting on the support of her closest friend Origon, he remains absent. She has only a cryptic note saying important matters of his family take precedence, and he needs her help. The mystery pulls Rilan's attention away from the most important test of her life and into a search for Origon's brother, which leads Rilan and her friend across the wilds of one of the ten homeworlds. If you like space opera, fast-past adventure, music-based magic, and coming-of-age trials, then you’ll love this introduction into William C. Tracy’s Dissolutionverse. Pick up Tuning the Symphony to discover the music today!

Sentient by Jeff Lemire

WELCOME TO THE U.S.S. MONTGOMERY. When a separatist attack kills the adults on board a colony ship in deep space, the on-board A.I. VALARIE must help the ship’s children survive the perils of space. But as they are pursued by dangerous forces, can Valerie become more than what she was programmed to be – a savior to these children?

Aion by Ludovic Rio

Captain Lexi Neel thought she'd sacrificed years of life with her daughter when she left Earth on a decades-long journey through the depths of space. But when a distress signal takes her out of hypersleep years ahead of schedule, she finds herself on the mysterious moon Aion, home to exotic wildlife and a research station dedicated to study of the moon's "particularities." It might mean a chance to start over as if she never left... As Lexi is about to learn, time is an experience.

Off-World Hotel & Resort: All Three Episodes: A Sci-Fi Mystery by Dave Terruso

GATHA CHRISTIE MEETS ISAAC ASIMOV Marooned on a distant moon… Doomed to die without ever seeing her daughters again… Devoted mother Christie Calvin learns she has a year to live. Christie’s daughters take a loan against her life insurance policy to send her on her dream vacation at the Off-World Hotel & Resort. 390 million miles from Earth, accessible only by teleporter, and staffed by robots, the resort has a maximum occupancy of 25 people and a guest list comprised of the ultra-wealthy and the incredibly famous. After a couple days frolicking in paradise, Christie and the other guests become stranded in the resort. It will take nearly three years for a rescue ship to reach them—and Christie doesn't have that much time left. Distraught and furious, Christie turns amateur sleuth to find the person who trapped her in the resort—so she can exact her revenge.

In Ora: The Land of the Superior by Sotto Voce

In a world divided between the superior and the bereft, a desperate man must find a way to save someone he cares about. But what sacrifice does he have to make? Luke thought he’d found purpose again. After years of heartache and a devastating loss, his companionship with the strong-willed Ruyi gave him a reason to cherish life, even in a home plagued with poverty and disease, the Origin. But when he learns about Ruyi’s life-threatening and mysterious disease, Luke is prepared to seek help in the only place a cure exists, Ora. Returning to Ora thrusts him into an intriguing world where everyone has achieved physical superiority and perfection. It has advanced technology and found keys to tailoring genes and eradicating diseases. But Ora’s solution came with an exorbitant tag. To Ora, Origin is just its arrogant but fallen ancestor, and now, a defective neighbor with nothing to offer. They could save Ruyi, but what is the cost that Luke has to pay? Read less

Fear of the Nexus by Ross Harrison

A dark planet on the galaxy’s edge. A primordial predator. A desperate hunt for a dangerous secret. When the medical frigate Ruby Rose picks up an SOS from the planet’s lightning-ravaged surface, the medics do not hesitate to drop into the raging storm. But the innocuous little planet is home to something sinister. Something desperate. Something that will stop at nothing to find what it’s looking for. Across the galaxy, the crew of the Star Wraith receives a call for help. The captain of a medical frigate has lost his medics, and one of their names is all too familiar. But how could the Wraith’s crew know that a simple rescue mission will lead to a string of murders and a waking nightmare that will leave them forever changed?

Executive Action: Evolution's Hand Book 1 by Terrance A. Crow

t’s 2170. Dek Conrad had a plan to free humanity from Earth’s Corporate-imposed “freedom.” He just needed a few more years to make it work. But then he discovered the Fissures. Finding space/time Fissures to nearby star systems should have been historic and profitable. After all, ships from Earth could travel to 61 Cygni in seconds instead of decades. That star system alone doubled the raw materials available to Earth’s Corporations. And that’s not counting the Fissure to Epsilon Eridani and its Earth-like planet. But the Fissures had attracted all the wrong kinds of attention, which forced Conrad to at least attempt to exploit those star systems’ wealth. Otherwise, his inaction risked raising questions that would destroy his plan. That means he will have to divert ships and crew through those Fissures, starting with 61 Cygni. Worse, his rivals have more ships than he has crew members. Those rivals also have very different ideas about the rules of engagement. Can he fend them off? Or will the Fissures kill his plan — and him?

Inhuman Pressure (The Infinite Void Anthologies Book 1) by Richard Rimington

Cybernetic elder beings control the stars. Haunted wilderness planets offer no safety. An anthology of nine science fiction short stories of interplanetary conspiracy and catastrophe. An impending apocalypse. A lone soldier at the end of a galaxy. Witness the fate of the universe in a startling collection of science fiction tales. The limits of the human condition are tested as ordinary people face conquest and revenge. Cyberpunk and space opera combine in these dystopian far future adventures. A trail of forgotten lives will have vast consequences for all civilization. Inhuman Pressure is the first anthology in the Infinite Void series. "From android wives and interspecies lovers to robot soldiers and sinister AI grandfathers, Inhuman Pressure is a compendium of action-packed stories that take place in a fantastical intergalactic universe where mankind and machine love and hate each other. A rollicking joyride for fans of “Farscape” and “Babylon 5”." Michele Koh, author. "This foray into space simultaneously takes us into the philosophical depths of humanity. Won't disappoint fans of sci-fi / dystopian fiction!" Kate B., Red Adept Editing

The Game Players of Meridien: Chronicles of the Second Empire (The Chronicles of the Second Interstellar Empire of Mankind Book 1) by Robert L Katz

Douglas Oliver loves to play games. Playing games is in his blood. Douglas Oliver’s ancestors were genetically engineered to be perfect soldiers for the Imperial armies. The Empire has been gone for 3000 years but it’s legacy remains. Strong, fast, smart and aggressive, the people of Illyria relish competition of every sort. In Meridien, the richest nation on Illyria, the greatest game of all is the Game of Life, and in the Game of Life, keeping score is simple. Status, riches and power mean that you’re winning, but the rulers of Meridien know that too much competition can destroy everything. The Guilds and the Guild Council ensure that the rules of the Game are followed. >>>The Game Becomes an All-Out War Douglas Oliver is nowhere near the most powerful player in the Game, but he’s young and he’s successful. He has time. He understands the rules and he isn’t afraid of being challenged, until a challenge arrives from an unknown agent and suddenly, the Game is no longer just a game. It’s an all-out war with Douglas Oliver at its center, a war that threatens everything and everyone that he loves. >>>You will love this hard hitting science fiction adventure from Robert I. Katz, the award winning author of Edward Maret: A Novel of the Future and The Cannibal’s Feast.