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Once Upon a Time Machine
Once Upon a Time Machine by Peggy Gerber is a dazzling anthology of short stories that traverse genres, from time travel to alien encounters, with themes ranging from heartbreak to whimsical absurdity. The collection captures human emotions in fantastical scenarios, like a grieving mother rewriting history in “Saving Aaron” or the humorous alien misunderstandings in “Necessary Exclusion.” These tales brim with creative twists that keep you wondering what might come next.
One thing that really stood out to me is how these stories manage to be relatable while being wildly imaginative. In “Saving Aaron,” the protagonist’s grief over her child’s death feels raw and visceral. Her desperate use of a time machine to undo her pain raises haunting questions about morality and consequences. I found myself heartbroken and conflicted, wondering if I’d make the same choice. The story’s bittersweet resolution stuck with me long after I closed the book.
Another favorite was “The Mystical Rock,” which had an almost fairy-tale charm to it. The protagonist’s life changes when she discovers a seemingly enchanted stone that only she can see as special. It was such a lighthearted and feel-good tale, especially after the darker entries. The story’s message about self-belief and hard work resonated with me. It reminded me of how small affirmations can make a world of difference if we let them.
While I enjoyed the book overall, not every story landed perfectly. “Necessary Exclusion,” while funny and satirical, felt a little on the nose with its commentary on human violence and hubris. I liked the aliens’ baffled observations, but some of the humor felt stretched. That said, the cleverness of weaving in cultural references, like the “supreme leader Taylor Swift,” made me chuckle despite myself. Even the less polished tales had moments that sparked a reaction—whether laughter, introspection, or disbelief.
This collection is a fantastic fit for lovers of speculative fiction who enjoy the unpredictability of short stories. Each story brings something unique; humor, suspense, or heart-wrenching emotion. While the tones and styles vary, they reflect a shared curiosity about life, choices, and humanity’s quirks.
Pages: 248 | ASIN : B0DHFB37TS
The Train is Only Speeding Up…
Early Adopter is a captivating collection of eight short stories that take a hard look at the promises and pitfalls of human progress. What was the inspiration for the setup of your collection?
I was raised to follow a simple maxim: “look both ways before you cross the street.” It’s an obvious rule, but also an important one—be sure to assess the dangers before you put yourself at risk. I’m proud to say that I’ve gone my near-30 years of life without being struck by a car, largely thanks to that one rule. But every now and again, I’ll watch someone boldly and carelessly stride into the street without looking. Most end up just fine, but always I feel a drop in my gut when I see folks take such a reckless risk… and right now, thinking of the society we live in, I again feel that same drop in my stomach.
We live in a world where AI models are rolling out that can perform better than PhDs on comprehensive assessments. Just days ago, I was playing with an AI music model where I only had to type in lyrics and a complete song was generated in mere minutes… I played it aloud in front of my family, and they were convinced it was a real song.
They say that technology’s growth is exponential, but only in the past few years have I really felt like the evidence is plain enough to see. Our decisions right now about AI safety, alignment, containment, and implementation will literally shape the following centuries. Many people clamoring for the march (or sprint) of progress don’t quite understand the implications of the changes they’re cheering on… history is filled with no shortage of examples of moments when humankind leapt before we looked.
Most of the stories in the collection orbit that same theme: progress isn’t free, and either we pay now in caution, or later, in misfortune.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think makes for great fiction?
People are compelling mixtures of contradictions. Most people have similar wants, but different priorities. Improve the world, help others, promote the self… most people likely share those goals, but which comes first will certainly vary from person to person. I always think there’s really interesting drama to be found where those priorities clash. Sometimes to prioritize one is to compromise another. A few stories in the collection explore that tension… take a person who wants to help others, but add in a dash of self-interest, and suddenly the drive to help others is twisted into something more convenient… and something often much worse.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
At the risk of sounding like a cliché, AI is transforming our world. The 2030s and beyond will look like nothing we can imagine, and the train is only speeding up… Despite the significance of these changes, discourse surrounding AI makes it clear that most people don’t quite understand the dangers.
Everyone has heard the doomsaying: “AI will destroy our economy!” “GPT5 will take your job.” “Artists will starve!” There might be nuggets of truth in those sorts of claims, but they largely misrepresent the threat. Pop culture does us no favors, either—sci-fi is littered with examples of evil AI who seem to have merely downloaded the “destroy all humans” software update. Oops.
But as someone with a long personal background in computer science (and machine learning specifically), I know that the dangers of AI extend to far more than financial concerns or an accidentally toggled murder-switch. My goal with this collection was to highlight these true, science-grounded risks in an approachable way—by the time they finish, readers won’t even realize they’ve learned about the alignment problem or reward hacking. The stories in the collection establish their rules and follow them faithfully to their thrilling (and sometimes horrifying) ends.
I’m no luddite; I’ve fully embraced AI tools in my professional life and I’d recommend most others do, too. But I’d hope any reader who finished the collection would agree that AI requires tremendous systemic caution. It doesn’t merely endanger our society… it endangers our humanity, too.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on a book that straddles the line between sci-fi and fantasy. Its current working title is The Men of the Mountain, and I’m hoping to have it published some time in 2025—though this may be the first book I really push hard to query to literary agents, meaning its timeline of release is far from certain. Here’s its blurb!
Inscrutable and Ever-Watchful Masters
The Men of the Mountain are fair; they bring the denizens of Fort Hope their food, shelter them from their enemies, and provide them with children to rear.
Cade Clanless is a humble trapper from humble folk. Ever since his sister’s disappearance, he’s suspected the green-robed mystics aren’t quite what they seem. And when a chance encounter in the woods presents him with an unlikely ally, Cade is thrust into a war he never wanted for a world he soon realizes he never truly knew at all.
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“Early Adopter” is a collection of short stories from the edge of human progress. Eight stories hold dark mirrors to our own world… experience thought-provoking sci-fi, technologic tragedy, and pulse-pounding thrillers.
To Run Again: Dr. Laura Brandie is ready to change the world.
She’s the lead researcher behind the KSE, a revolutionary cure for paralysis and neurodegenerative conditions. And now, by good fortune, she’s found the perfect candidate for her first human trial: a man who suffers from locked-in syndrome.
Brett Harmon’s paralysis is total: he can’t move his arms, legs, torso, neck, or face. To the outside world, he’s little more than a statue that breathes… but Dr. Brandie’s KSE might be the miracle that allows Brett to run again.
Homonoia: The world faces an unprecedented alignment of catastrophes and failing systems, far too intricate and interconnected for any human to solve. Frank Burman joins with seven other volunteers for Project Homonoia–a radical, last-ditch effort to postpone the apocalypse. Separate minds link to form one multidisciplinary consciousness, the world’s first human superorganism… a hive mind. But with the world’s health rapidly failing, can Project Homonoia work out its kinks in time to make a difference?
Early Adopter: A loner enters into a relationship with a new type of partner: an AI agent, programmed to be the “perfect companion.”
Sure, it’s all self-deception and a game of pretend, as she’s not actually real… but where simulated consciousness is concerned, maybe the lines between real and real enough can get blurry.
Early Adopter
Early Adopter is a captivating collection of eight short stories that take a hard look at the promises and pitfalls of human progress. Drew Harrison weaves thought-provoking sci-fi narratives, each story holding a dark mirror to our present-day world. The collection blends technologic tragedy, unsettling what-ifs, and pulse-pounding thrillers, all set at the brink of our ever-accelerating future. From a high-stakes medical experiment to the creation of a hive mind and an AI love story that tests reality itself, this book pulls readers into a whirlwind of emotions and ethical dilemmas.
Early Adopter straddles the realms of science fiction and, at times, dips into the unsettling tones of horror, reminiscent of H.G. Wells and Richard Matheson. The stories vary in tone: some carry a hopeful outlook, while others are imbued with a sense of dread. Yet, they all circle back to a central theme, our intricate, often fraught relationship with technology. Among the standout stories is “To Run Again,” where a doctor discovers what she believes to be the ultimate remedy for neurodegenerative diseases. Predictably, the cure spirals into unforeseen territory, shocking both the doctor and her subject. Harrison’s perspective on technological advancement is intriguingly ambivalent. The author expertly builds the tension, and you can’t help but feel dread as you wonder what happens when science overreaches its limits. It’s a sharp commentary on the thin line between medical marvel and nightmare. Harrison captures the confusion and loss of individuality, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the cost of unity versus the value of individual human will. The stakes are sky-high, and the pacing makes you feel the urgency right alongside the characters. Harrison masterfully blurs the lines between human connection and synthetic love. The writing makes you question where reality ends and self-deception begins, and it left me feeling both intrigued and uneasy. It’s a sobering look at how close we might be to choosing simulated comfort over genuine, messy human relationships.
Early Adopter is a great audiobook for fans of sci-fi that digs deep. Harrison’s writing pulls no punches, and each story brings up questions that stick with you long after you’ve finished. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or someone skeptical of where humanity is headed, there’s something in this collection for you. The stories are unsettling, exhilarating, and sometimes devastating, but always thought-provoking. If you like your sci-fi with a dark edge and plenty of heart-pounding moments, this audiobook won’t disappoint.
Pages: 352 | ASIN : B0CP1W4JVB
Winter in the City
Cozy mysteries are a fall favorite, but if you’re looking for something darker to pair with those chilly nights, Winter in the City: A Collection of Dark Speculative Fiction, edited by R.B. Wood and Anna Koon, offers a different kind of intrigue. This anthology takes readers on a tour of 18 cities across the globe, transforming winter into an ominous force that influences each story. From an artist in Paris unraveling a chilling secret on the frozen Seine, to children navigating icy tombs in Jerusalem, and a fighter battling for freedom in Manila’s slums, each tale unfolds against the backdrop of an unforgiving winter season. The result is a thrilling mix of mystery, danger, and survival.
What struck me most about this collection was the vivid imagery woven into each story. Whether you’re in the snow-dusted streets of Brooklyn or the cold, eerie tombs of Jerusalem, the settings are brought to life with meticulous detail. Winter isn’t just a season here; it’s a character in its own right, shaping the mood and tension of every narrative. You can practically feel the biting cold in each scene, and that relentless chill amplifies the sense of isolation and danger throughout the book. This anthology pulls you into each city’s unique atmosphere, making it easy to get lost in these dark, speculative worlds.
Another highlight is how the collection offers a global journey. Each story transports readers to a new city, maintaining a consistent tone of suspense while offering a fresh perspective on urban life under winter’s grip. The variety of locations adds richness and depth to the overall experience, making every tale feel distinct yet part of a cohesive whole. While I feel a few stories might be a tad predictable, the overall quality of writing and the gripping atmosphere more than make up for it.
Winter in the City is perfect for fans of dark speculative fiction who crave both eerie tales and the thrill of exploring new places. If you’re in the mood to travel the world without leaving your cozy spot on the couch, this anthology delivers a suspenseful, chilling adventure through winter’s harsh embrace.
Pages: 340 | ASIN : B0DGQSD55H
Who’s There?: A Collection of Short Horror, Supernatural, and Ghost Stories
Who’s There?: A Collection of Short Horror, Supernatural, and Ghost Stories by Dimas Rio is a dark and immersive anthology of supernatural horror stories, each laced with elements of suspense and psychological tension. The collection delves into the realms of fear, exploring themes of guilt, unresolved trauma, and the macabre unknown. From tales of haunted islands to cursed beings hiding in the shadows, the stories are designed to unnerve and provoke reflection on the horrors that lurk not only in the supernatural but also within the human psyche. Rio uses atmospheric settings and introspective character-driven narratives to create unsettling experiences for the reader.
One thing that stood out to me is Rio’s use of atmosphere and psychological depth in the stories. He doesn’t rely on jump scares or typical horror clichés. Instead, the horror often comes from the characters’ internal struggles and guilt. Take, for example, the story of Adam, whose anxiety and fear of commitment bleed into his nightmarish encounters. The tension between reality and supernatural dread blurs in such a way that you’re never quite sure where one begins and the other ends. The vivid description of the cursed island and Adam’s mental spiral left me both unnerved and intrigued. While the ambiance and psychological themes were compelling, the pacing of some stories felt uneven. The buildup often took a while, and by the time the supernatural element kicked in, I sometimes felt like it arrived too abruptly. This left me wanting just a bit more payoff from the slow-burn atmosphere Rio is so good at building. One notable aspect of the book is how Dimas Rio weaves cultural references into his horror, especially drawing from Indonesian folklore. In “At Dusk,” when the old man mentions Kelinting, the blood-sucking spirit, there’s a distinct sense of place and history. It’s refreshing to see horror that taps into cultural myths that aren’t as widely explored in mainstream horror. This adds a layer of authenticity and makes the horror feel more personal, as if these are tales that could truly haunt someone’s village or neighborhood, rather than just abstract concepts of fear.
Who’s There? is a haunting and thoughtful collection that’s perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn psychological horror with a mix of cultural folklore. It’s not a book for someone looking for quick thrills or gore; instead, it’s for those who appreciate moody, atmospheric horror that leaves you unsettled long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re into horror that’s more about what’s lurking in the shadows of the mind, this collection is well worth the read.
Pages: 193 | ASIN : B0B29PSLSC
Create From the Inside Out
Little Fortified Stories is an entrancing collection of flash fiction that plunges readers into a series of surreal, evocative realms. What was the inspiration for the original and fascinating idea at the center of the collection?
A few years ago I was introduced to what was then called short-short fiction, essentially micro or flash fiction. I won a scholarship to attend the Disquiet International Literary Program in Lisbon, a city steeped in the past but roaring into the future, with an arts culture that fascinated me, whether it was Paula Rego’s startling, fairy-tale inspired artworks, Pessoa’s idiosyncratic, modernist writing, or the gut-wrenching emotion of Portugal’s native fado music. It all poured into me and influenced my first faltering efforts at writing flash fiction, efforts that took place in Lisbon’s Port Institute after my short-short fiction classes. It was here that I sat in the dimly lit room and sampled the national drink (port) and in my own “act of distillation,” produced compact, weird, touching, unsettling stories which would grow to become Little Fortified Stories. I immediately knew this was my genre.
Was it important for you to deliver a moral to readers, or was it circumstantial to delivering entertaining stories?
My interaction with the reader starts with my interaction with the deep material lurking inside my subconscious. Writing, for me, is more about “translating” voices or lived experiences than educating readers. That being said, in my writing I operate in an empathic sphere, trying to illustrate a range of human emotions and situational states that move characters toward some kind of change, however small. Like the great master, Chekhov, whose work I cherish, I don’t operate on a moral basis. Fiction’s purpose, in my take on it, is to share human experience, allowing the reader to reach their own conclusions.
The cover for this book is interesting. How did you create the cover for Little Fortified Stories?
I’ve always been drawn to theatre. My first two years in university were in theatre. I had a knack and maybe even a yearning to inhabit the characters of other people, to “occupy” someone’s physicality and inner world. Little Fortified Stories is an outcome of this desire. Although I didn’t continue pursuing theatre as a career, I turned instead to studying English and writing and my approach to writing is, rather than artificially planning a story structure, to create from the inside out. As Ray Bradbury said, “Your subconscious is smarter than you are.” In the Ancestral Fabrications section of Little Fortified Stories, I reach into both the factual and mythic elements of my ancestry. The story, “The Jaeger Family Theatre,” depicted on the cover is based on my maternal Swedish heritage but steeped in a wildly imagined past when people interacted with pagan gods and occupied their native landscapes as if they were an integral part of it. In this world, the narrator’s mother dies and as a jaeger bird, flies back to her avian origins in Sweden’s north. The narrator, in her mourning, remembers her childhood as a kind of family “theatre” where all members of her family acted out their lives. I thought this story was an ideal illustration of what I’m doing overall in the collection, and so I chose to collage it for the cover, showing the narrator as a young girl performing her role as the fifth born of the Jaeger clan—in both human and bird form. In a way, many of the stories in Little Fortified Stories are fragments of my own inner or remembered life, steeped in a dreamlike other-place. Many other stories, however, are sheer fiction!
Will there be a follow-up book for this collection? If so, what can readers expect in the next book?
Little Fortified Stories is a collection of loosely linked stories, tethered to broad themes. My next work, possibly a novella in flash, will, although told in flash chapters, have an overarching connection, be anchored in a timeframe from the early 1800s to 1980s and set in a partly imagined community on Canada’s west coast. Considering the unusual characters already hanging out in my brain, I predict it won’t be a traditional narrative and it will likely feature my oft-cited “poetic prose.” Of course, the muse might have other ideas.
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Little Fortified Stories
Little Fortified Stories is an entrancing collection of flash fiction that plunges readers into a series of surreal, evocative realms. Each tale, confined to just a few pages, draws you into atmospheres rich with historical references, enigmatic characters, and moments that blur the boundaries of reality. Inspired by an eclectic mix of influences, from spirituous drinks and art to the author’s own heritage. This anthology weaves a complex tapestry where the real and the imagined seamlessly intertwine. Each story offers a brief but potent experience similar to savoring the last drops of a rare, aged wine.
As I delved deeper into the collection, I found Black’s prose both captivating and disquieting. Her mastery of language is evident in every sentence. Stories like “Blood and Oranges” showcase imagery so vivid it verges on cinematic, leaving scenes etched in your memory long after the final word. Her characters, often ensnared in moments of deep introspection or unsettling situations, are hauntingly lifelike despite their surreal contexts. The author’s ability to evoke such powerful emotions within the span of a few pages is nothing short of remarkable. From the subdued horror of “The Bones of Amundsen” to the magical realism in “Where a Dark Heart Burns,” Black effortlessly navigates between genres and tones, keeping the reader perpetually on edge, never knowing what to anticipate next. This variety ensures that while some stories may resonate more strongly with certain readers, others may leave different impressions. Black’s writing often borders on poetic, with sentences that beckon to be reread and savored. In “Stitching,” for instance, the prose is so meticulously crafted that each word seems chosen to evoke a specific emotion or image.
Little Fortified Stories is a remarkable anthology for those who cherish literary fiction that challenges and enchants in equal measure. Barbara Black’s skillful blending of history, surrealism, and profound human emotion makes this collection a must-read for aficionados of flash fiction and for anyone who enjoys stories that linger long after they’re told.
Pages: 197 | ISBN : 1773861409
Curbside Curses: The Yardsale Anthology
Nadine Stewart’s Curbside Curses is a compelling anthology of short horror stories. Each weaves together diverse characters and plots with a common thread: the eerie and unsettling consequences of items purchased from yard sales. This recurring motif serves as a clever vehicle to explore supernatural horror, infusing ordinary objects with malevolent forces and plunging readers into a world where the mundane becomes ominous.
The anthology stands out with its engaging stories, among which “Watered Down,” “Room for Two,” and “Huber” particularly shine. In Watered Down, Elaine grapples with disturbing visions triggered by a new waterbed while simultaneously trying to repair a strained relationship in the wake of infidelity. The narrative masterfully intertwines personal turmoil with supernatural terror, keeping readers on edge.
In Room for Two, Meg stumbles upon a mysterious box her partner Erin brought home from a yard sale, which seemingly possesses supernatural powers. The suspense builds as Meg unravels the dark secrets linked to the box, making for a gripping read. In Huber, at Jimmy’s housewarming party, an ordinary yard sale find, the Huber, reveals its sinister intentions, endangering all the guests. This story adeptly combines suspense and horror, resulting in a chilling and memorable conclusion.
Stewart brings the work of multiple authors together in this supernatural horror anthology that taps into the primal fear of the unknown, challenging the boundaries of reality and the rational mind. Everyday objects, such as a seemingly innocuous game cartridge or a harmless hairbrush, are imbued with a terrifying presence, provoking readers to question the familiar and the safe. The collection excels with its original and creative horror concepts, seamlessly blending supernatural elements, psychological dread, and physical terror. The authors’ finely crafted characters and unexpected plot twists contribute to an atmosphere of tension and unease, ensuring that the stories linger in the mind long after the final page.
Curbside Curses is a sophisticated and unpredictable journey through various facets of horror, making it a must-read for enthusiasts of the genre. While the mature themes and intense scenarios may not be suitable for younger audiences, adult horror fans will find Stewart’s anthology both captivating and deeply unsettling.
Pages: 332 | ASIN : B0D39QYRMV
LITERARY TITAN 