Two Stories Published in Havok’s Seventh Anthology!

I’m doubly thrilled to share that I’ve had two stories published in Animal Kingdom: Havok Season Seven! “Negotiations of an Igneous Nature” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Treasure” join 46 other stories in a collection that celebrates the variety of the animal world. You may have already guessed that both stories again strike a comedic tone.

I wrote “Negotiations of an Igneous Nature” for the symbiotes/parasites theme. In this imagining, dragons don’t breathe fire naturally, but rather have struck a symbiotic relationship with salamanders which do breathe fire. While dragons use their brawn to protect the much smaller salamanders from predators, salamanders grant their elemental powers to breathe fire hot enough to purify gold. However, in this story, that relationship is threatened by an inter-union stalemate, and a human (general Mann) is called in to facilitate talks between the chief dragon (Drake) and head salamander (Sal). Can he help both parties reach a satisfying conclusion? There’s only one way to find out!

My other story published in this anthology is “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Treasure,” written for the swimmers/soarers theme. This piece follows an inexperienced but optimistic pirate and his garrulous parrot partner as they search a tropical island for treasure. However, the parrot may not be the only backseat treasure hunter in this story… Will the duo find the riches they seek? What other obstacles will they face on their quest? What makes a llama different from an alpaca? Once again, there’s only one way to find out!

Of course, that way to find out is to read “Negotiations of an Igenous Nature” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Treasure” in Animal Kingdom: Havok Season Seven today!

“Orf vs. the Peak-Beast” Published in Casting Call: Havok Season Six Anthology!

I have another story published in Havok’s sixth anthology! This collection of stories is built around character archetypes, and “Orf vs. the Peak-Beast” is part of the Hero/Magician section. It begins with a young man and his magical mentor summiting a treacherous mountain where an unnatural monster awaits. It ends with a moderately stunning revelation. What happens between turns our protagonist into a hero.

This is another of my funny flash fiction pieces in the vein of “When Magic Died” and “In Search of the Magma Heart.” But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a good dose of action too! Unlike those, this story is dominated by a battle scene, and I think I balanced the fighting and banter well. But you can be the judge of that yourself by reading it (as well as 43 other stories) exclusively in Casting Call: Havok Season Six!

“The Nocturnal Ambush of Fae Forest” Published in Havok’s Fifth Anthology

I’m thrilled to share that I have a new flash fiction piece published in Prismatic: Havok Season Five! “The Nocturnal Ambush of Fae Forest” follows a ragtag group of magical forest folk leading an assault on the yellow man-made machines that have torn their home asunder. They may be small (tiny, really), but their hearts and courage are anything but. Only time will tell whether their mission proves successful.

As you can probably tell, this is another humorous story, and it’s one of my favorites. Think Fern Gully, except the fairies take themselves far too seriously and don’t actually know how to fight. It was lots of fun to write and I’d say the flash fiction format was the perfect length for the story. So don’t delay—read it and 48 other flash fiction stories in Prismatic: Havok Season Five today!

Two Stories Published in Sensational: Havok Season Four!

I’m thrilled to share that two of my flash fiction stories have been published in Havok’s 4th anthology: Sensational! This season’s was themed around the senses (including the concept of a “sixth sense,” as featured in “The Prophet’s Burden” from my last post). My two included stories are based on the senses of smell and sight. (Apparently I only wanted to write about the ‘S’ senses.)

“The Guardian and the Chandler,” themed around smell, tells the story of a subterranean caretaker of a mushroom field and a young candlemaker who seeks to harvest one to fashion a new candle. It’s one of my more contemplative stories meant to provide a very small glimpse of the world where it takes place.

“The Crisis Before Christmas,” themed around sight, follows two elves who need to recover Santa’s stolen time-manipulation device before Christmas is ruined! Yes, this is set in 2020 and yes, that’s very relevant to the story. Another of my more humorous pieces, this flash fiction piece was written to bring a little levity at the end of a hard year, and I think it did the job admirably.

Both of these stories are now available in Sensational: Havok Season Four along with 47 more great flash fiction stories. Pick up your copy today!