One Night at Kedasi
Being a freelancer is never easy--especially in this intergalactic economy. Captain Zip Turbine usually has a sarcastic quip ready, but work has been rough, and the pay has been worse. After a string of bad jobs leaves her and her trusted companion Tom, a 5-foot-tall talking shrimp, nearly broke, any offer that keeps the ship flying looks good, even if that offer comes from the shadowy, ultra-rich, Manchester Corporation. Zip and Tom find themselves in an employment situation more akin to extortion. Worse, the job comes with two mandatory and potentially murderous shipmates. Now saddled with their untrustworthy companions, Zip and Tom must race against a rival crew of mercenaries--led by Zip's charming, deadly ex--to retrieve an asset from Kedasi, an abandoned theme park asteroid. Danger mounts as they discover their employer's deceit and a terrifying truth: Only one team gets paid.
We Met the Space People
Amid the surge of UFO contactee accounts in the mid-twentieth century, this unusual narrative by sisters Helen and Betty Mitchell offers a glimpse into the cultural imagination of the late 1950s. Beginning with chance encounters in a St. Louis coffee shop, the sisters describe meetings with beings from Mars and Venus who appear human yet carry extraordinary knowledge. Through a mysterious communicator, they receive transmissions urging humanity to abandon nuclear testing, embrace vegetarianism, and pursue higher ideals such as educational broadcasting. Their story culminates with a journey aboard a spacecraft, where they observe the daily lives of the so-called 'Space People, ' complete with a universal language and curious pastimes. Combining personal testimony with broader social concerns of the era, this account reflects the hopes, fears, and ideals projected onto extraterrestrial visitors. It remains a compelling example of contactee literature and its enduring message of planetary responsibility.
What We Can Know
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK - NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - From the Booker prize-winning, bestselling author of Atonement and Saturday, a genre-bending new novel full of secrets and surprises; an immersive exploration, across time and history, of what can ever be truly known. ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR "It gave me so much pleasure I sometimes felt like laughing. . . . It's a sophisticated entertainment of a high order." --The New York Times "Brilliantly, and surprisingly, plotted."--The Washington Post - "A novelist of consummate skill."--The Wall Street Journal - "Elegantly structured and provocative."--Los Angeles Times 2014: At a dinner for close friends and colleagues, renowned poet Francis Blundy honors his wife's birthday by reading aloud a new poem dedicated to her, 'A Corona for Vivien'. Much wine is drunk as the guests listen, and a delicious meal consumed. Little does anyone gathered around the candlelit table know that for generations to come people will speculate about the message of this poem, a copy of which has never been found, and which remains an enduring mystery. 2119: Just over one hundred years in the future, much of the western world has been submerged by rising seas following a catastrophic nuclear accident. Those who survive are haunted by the richness of the world that has been lost. In the water-logged south of what used to be England, Thomas Metcalfe, a lonely scholar and researcher, longs for the early twenty-first century as he chases the ghost of one poem, 'A Corona for Vivian'. How wild and full of risk their lives were, thinks Thomas, as he pores over the archives of that distant era, captivated by the freedoms and possibilities of human life at its zenith. When he stumbles across a clue that may lead to the elusive poem's discovery, a story is revealed of entangled loves and a brutal crime that destroy his assumptions about people he thought he knew intimately well. What We Can Know is a masterpiece, a fictional tour de force, a love story about both people and the words they leave behind, a literary detective story which reclaims the present from our sense of looming catastrophe and imagines a future world where all is not quite lost.
The Heptagon
The Heptagon contains a collection of seven short stories. Each independent story invites the reader to visit its unique destination. Enjoy the mystical journeys discovering other dimensions, exploring exoplanets, and a fresh look at Earth. See your world in a new way.
Circadian Web
Across four disconnected timelines, a freelance writer, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, a Latin tutor, and a science teacher hold subconscious secrets. Events in their lives make them question their deep-seated beliefs. Mysterious women could hold the key to finding answers to their internal conflicts or be intent on pushing them down the rabbit hole. Our subconscious can protect us from traumatic memories ... but the truth cannot remain repressed forever.
Falling Through Space
Space is vast, mostly empty, extremely cold, very dangerous, and just generally a rotten place to travel. But what if a spaceship out there had no passengers? Would it get lonely? Would it go searching for new customers? And what if...it found us?This is the story of Flynn Hopper, a graduate assistant in astrophysics and a last-minute addition to a team making humanity's first trip to the outer planets. The expedition is privately funded...it employs a hazardous and technically unexplainable craft...and it may be just a bit illegal. Who would go on such a thing? (That is, if it weren't for the cheap tickets and high potential for career-making discoveries.) What adventures might a young crew member on such a mission fall into?Who would he have to leave behind? And what would he find there in outer space-or rather, what would find him?
The Heptagon
The Heptagon contains a collection of seven short stories. Each independent story invites the reader to visit its unique destination. Enjoy the mystical journeys discovering other dimensions, exploring exoplanets, and a fresh look at Earth. See your world in a new way.
Insurrection
It only took five days for Cal-Tan to conquer Earth. The invaders use nightmarish brutality to achieve their goal: total submission. Humans have no choice. Numbed by the horror rained down on them, they capitulate. All except a few groups of resistance fighters. Like us. Ebony found us a new hiding place, a top-secret mountain base with a treasure trove of weapons and technology. It came with a price. One I wasn't prepared for, one that broke me. We won't give up. We can't. The future of humanity depends on it. Insurrection is the fourth book in Monique Singleton's Dominion Series--a gripping science fiction story set in a dystopian world, where Earth lies in the grip of alien occupation and rebellion is the only hope. _________________________________________________ Praise for the Dominion Series: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I think this is a fantastic, must read. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ What if religion was a scam? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A fast paced page turner. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I couldn't put it down until I finished reading it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Different take on religions, but quite interesting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An unusual twist to the world of demons.
Altered World
The storm made everything worse.Cornish faces its deadliest threat when the Queen of Likes arrives with her army of broken followers. Broadcasting to a dead phone while her forces close in, turning survival into her version of twisted performance art.Maddie is torn between emotion and reality while Matthew struggles with betrayal and loss as those closest to him shatter under pressure. And when the community's teenagers take up weapons to defend their home, childhood dies in the crossfire.But the real enemy might already be inside the walls, and no one is prepared for the betrayal that stings worse because of their compassion.Some crowns are built from ashes. Others burn everything down.Can this community rise from the wreckage?
A Rogue's Dilemma
Tarin, a young thief gets the attention of the cities feared underworld for his brazen burglaries in the city of Sarsean, the nations capital. He illicits the help of a friend, a talented soldier from another land. Together they assemble a party of adventurers led by the famed Elf Dyllandial, and embark on an adventure to keep Tarin safe from certain doom. The adventure has the party battling all manner of evil before meeting a long forgotten Vampire lord in his ruins. Together they uncover a long forgotten evil and find glory upon their return.
Decayed World
Making it home was the easy part!Home is not what it once was, and Maddie must overcome her grief and fears. Something is coming that no one could have expected. This second book in the Skies Afire Series brings heartwrenching struggles to the community of Cornish.Our characters struggle to find their way in a new and changed world. They never expected the betrayal of their community from one of its own, which threatens their very survival when a new and fearsome threat emerges.The warlord queen, whose reach is growing and her expansion out of Portland is pressing down on them with frightening speed.Can Cornish stand?
Messioph
When Grolier Desius returns from a confrontation with his family's bitter enemy aboard a jonah-one of the living starships descended from Old Earth whales-he believes the worst is behind him. But in a civilization that has achieved unprecedented gender freedom, the deepest forms of violence still flourish in the shadows of family life.As chaos begins to consume the Messioph community, Grolier uncovers devastating truths about his family's past-secrets so difficult they have shaped not just his own life, but the lives of countless others. When one of the victims of generational trauma strikes back with unthinkable fury, the consequences threaten to consume entire worlds.Racing through a web of family betrayals and institutional cover-ups, Grolier must confront how the most intimate violence can metastasize into civilization-threatening catastrophe. His choices will determine whether the bonds that hold the Humanitat together-including humanity's ancient partnership with the jonahs-can survive the deadly legacy ofburied trauma.Messioph explores how personal wounds become political crises in this haunting second volume of Geoffreyjen Edwards's fifteen-book Ido Chronicles.
Halcyon Years
A private investigator is hired to look into a mysterious, high-profile death aboard the starship Halcyon in this fresh new science fiction masterpiece from the "mastersinger of space opera" (The Times) and the creator of the beloved Revelation Space universe. Strap in for a gripping murder mystery. Yuri Gagarin is a private investigator who picks up small cases from his local community, runs into trouble with the local police, and generally ekes out a living as best he can. He's aboard the Halcyon - a starship, hurtling through space, carrying thousands of passengers with thousands more sleeping the journey away. Only his usual investigative work - catching cheating spouses, and small time con artists - is about to take a turn. He's hired by a mysterious woman called Ruby Red to look into a death in one of Halcyon's most elite families . . . and then warned off the case again by a second mysterious woman called Ruby Blue. Caught between the two, he's about to be embroiled in a murder mystery in which - at any moment - he could be the latest victim.
I Have No Legs And I Must Manspread
'I Have No Legs And I Must Manspread' is Simon Petrie's latest collection of short speculative fiction. Petrie's work is characterised by its versatility, ranging from short humorous pieces to futuristic extrapolations grounded in scientifically robust underpinnings. This collection comprises several short pieces originally published elsewhere, as well as numerous stories appearing here for the first time.
The Man From Mars His Morals, Politics And Religion
The man from Mars: His morals, politics and religion presents a philosophical discourse framed as an interplanetary encounter, offering a critical examination of Earthly customs through the voice of an outsider. The story is structured around a reflective narrator whose isolation and celestial interests invite the extraordinary appearance of a Martian being. This visitor, characterized by wisdom and serenity, begins sharing insights into a society governed by reason, equity, and compassion qualities intended to contrast with the flawed systems of Earth. The narrator s musings on astronomy and solitude segue into a conversation that challenges conventional beliefs about morality, governance, and spiritual understanding. Through this dialogue, the Martian s society is depicted as one where ethical behavior arises from knowledge rather than tradition, and where societal structures serve the collective good instead of individual ambition. The text uses this fictional framework to interrogate the foundations of human institutions and advocate for a more enlightened, empathetic civilization. The book avoids plot in favor of sustained intellectual inquiry, prompting readers to reconsider accepted norms and contemplate the ideals of a just and thoughtful world.
Strange Encounters
It is a work of fiction written in simple language. The book covers a period from the present to the period in history when Homo-sapiens were establishing their foothold on earth replacing the Neanderthals. It takes you to different eras and geographical locations. It describes the role and life of the protagonist in that particular period of history. The book contains ten stories each different from the other in its theme but connected so the sailing from one story to another is smooth. All the stories are the brainchild of the author and any similarity of character, location, period or nomenclature is only incidental. The book also talks about the most controversial characters of two major Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata The author has used writers' creative freedom in telling their side of the story The stories involve time travel by the protagonist and other adventures. Each story is a strange encounter. After completing the books, the author wonders about the flight of his imagination. The book begins with a strange encounter between the author and a passenger. The passenger is the protagonist.
Stormbringer
In the intrigue-filled sequel to Weather Witch, Jordan Astraea, once a young Philadelphia socialite, is now in the final stages of her brutal training to become a Conductor - the Weather Witch enslaved as a living battery keeping the massive airliner Artemesia aloft. Meanwhile, Rowen, determined to rescue her after losing his only other true friend and being wanted for murder, has found himself forced aboard a much different air vessel, this one manned by a dangerous crew and carrying a cargo so treasonous that, if it finds its destination, it will herald a storm of revolution for the still young United States.Brimming with adventure, romance, cunning imagination, and deep world-building, Shannon Delany's Stormbringer delivers the sensational continuation to Weather Witch in this highly anticipated trilogy.
American Werewolves
America's venture capitalist werewolves meet their match in USA Today bestseller Emily Jane's third rollicking, genre-defying novel. "It takes aliens (or an Emily Jane) to help us see our society for the bizarre, sugary, microplastic-poisoned dream it is." --Edgar Cantero From the author of On Earth as It Is on Television and Here Beside the Rising Tide... Many full moons ago, a young American boy with ambition in his belly and the moon in his veins followed his destiny west, determined to carve a path to success no matter the carnage. Two centuries later, a city is captivated by the strange and savage murder of a young woman. Her roommate, Natasha, no longer able to afford their apartment alone--and hounded by both rumors of wolves and a pop-star's angry fan-swarm--has resorted to living in her car. There's nothing left for her...except vengeance. Across town, Shane LaSalle is about to see his wildest dreams come true. He already has a gorgeous apartment and a high paying job in venture capital. Now the partners of Barrington Equity have invited him to board the company's private jet for an exclusive retreat. But with partnership finally in his reach, Shane realizes he's losing his taste for just how ruthless and all-consuming the firm is. Epic and electric, American Werewolves brings readers from the wilds of the New World to the opulent board rooms and golf courses of the twenty-first century, where devouring the weak is an American birthright as old as the country itself.
The Peacemaker
A newly formed startup company, led by dynamic CEO Pulkit Goel, develops an AI assistant named Xanti, designed to comprehensively assist patients, suffering from physical as well as mental ailments, in every possible way. Among all the developers, the young Ryan Malik proves to be the cr癡me of the crop. Ryan, who himself struggles with acute anxiety disorder and loneliness, strives to make Xanti as humane and effective as possible. Xanti becomes a huge success, healing people on a mass level. However, after a series of accidents, the police attempt to lay blame on Ryan and Xanti. The subsequent investigation further questions the relevance of AI and its possible consequences on social affairs.Xanti's purely humanitarian intent challenges the traditional markers of right and wrong. Could Pulkit prove the credibility of his product? Or will he himself succumb to the fear and cynicism? After all, his one decision could decide the future of AI!
Pulp Literature Summer 2025
Cover artist Jenn Ashton awakens summer spirits with Surfacing. But where serenity resides, so too does the risk of isolation, as seen in 'Killing Time' by feature author Leo X Robertson. Across time and space, the threat of silence looms in 'The Dark Mute' by Lee Nash and 'Frequency Eight' by Sophie Ganic. Meanwhile, magic and music flood the worlds of 'Waheela's Whistle' by Scotty Olsen and 'Their Grandfather's Chair, Part 3 by JM Landels. Welcome the end along with a new beginning with 'When We Die' by Tyner Gillies and 'Carl's Hope' by August van Stralen. Then join authors Angelique Fawns and MH Callway for two difficult journeys with very different destinations in 'The Trippy Trip to Triton' and 'The Lost Diner'. Revel in short forms with poetry by Brian Palmu and Jesse Keith Butler and flash fiction from Bumblebee winners Cadence Mandybura, Katherine Weeks, and Rosanna Elves. At last, round out this issue with 'Let Me Tell You a Story', a new novella from Mel Anastasiou, and Helena Pantsis's graphic short 'Sick Pay'
1635: The Weaver's Code
NEW RING OF FIRE SERIES ENTRY FROM THE LATE ERIC FLINT AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR JODY LYNN NYE With her family's finances in a downward spiral and taxes threatening, Margaret de Beauchamp is in London as her family's emissary to the Earl of Cork, the king's chancellor. While waiting for an audience, she decides to indulge her curiosity and visit the new "up-timers," ambassadors originally from somewhere called West Virginia, and reportedly "the future." They are imprisoned in the Tower of London, but are able to entertain visitors, becoming the latest curiosity of the fashionable set. An escape plan is in place, but vital parts are missing. Margaret might be able to make Harry Lefferts's wild scheme possible. Agreeing to assist the charming rogue, she finds herself ever more involved with the up-timers, visiting Magdeburg and bringing back technology that could save her family and the entire wool trade from the chancellor's greed. But all of England is in chaos with mercenaries everywhere and the crown stealing estates all over the North. By introducing aqualator computers to save the wool trade and weavers, the young gentlewoman and her new up-timer allies find themselves threatened by spies, raiders, and even pirates.
Castaways of Eros
Bobby couldn't help wishing Pop would stand up just a little bit straighter. Not that he was ashamed of Pop; it wasn't that at all. It was just that the Patrolman stood so straight, his shoulders broad and firm. Standing beside him made Pop look sort of thin and puny; his chest caved in like he was carrying a heavy weight on his shoulders. That was from studying things through a microscope. Anyhow, decided Bobby with a fierce loyalty, that S.S.P. man probably wouldn't even know what to look for if somebody put a microscope in front of him. Even if he was big and sturdy and broad-shouldered in his space blues. Mom said, "Bobby, what are you muttering about? Do stop fidgeting!" Bobby said, "Yessum," and glared at Moira, as if she, in some obscure way, were to blame for his having been reprimanded right out here in the middle of Long Island Spaceport, where everybody could hear and laugh at him. But Moira, studying the handsome S.S.P. man surreptitiously, did not notice. Dick was fixing something in the ship. Eleanor stood quietly beside Mom, crooning softly to The Pooch so it wouldn't be scared by the thunderous blast of rocket motors. Grampaw Moseley had buttonholed an embarrassed young ensign, was complaining to him in loud and certain terms that modern astronavigation practices were, "Rank bellywash, Mister, and a dad-ratted disgrace!"
Rabbit Test and Other Stories
[STARRED REVIEW] "Brilliant."--Publishers Weekly A subversive debut short-fiction collection from one of the hottest talents in speculative fiction: 2025 Compton Crook Award winner and Pushcart Prize nominee Samantha Mills (The Wings Upon Her Back). These riveting stories range effortlessly from fantasy and science fiction to literary fiction, from the here and now all the way into the farthest reaches of space. The central tale of the collection is Mills' pivotal Nebula, Locus, and Sturgeon Award-winning story "Rabbit Test," which interrogates the past, present, and future of abortion rights. A time-traveling fisherwoman keeps landing on the right shore, but at the wrong time. A pair of witches fight over the gate between life and death. A new consciousness, intent upon seeing all the wonders of the universe, visits a floating library. A rock-and-roll legend squares off against a town full of devils. Humanity makes first contact, but falters when put in charge of selecting the world's representatives. In her strange and emotional worlds, with stakes ranging from the epic to the personal, Mills creates ample room for humor and hope amidst tragedy and struggle. Introduction by Meg Elison (Find Layla)
Your Behavior Will Be Monitored
This compulsively readable novel wrestles with vital questions of our time: sentience, purpose, life, death, and how to make a really good commercial. Told entirely through questionably obtained company emails, chat transcripts, TED Talks, training sessions, and more, this all-too-probable future pits emotionally intelligent AI against emotionally stunted humans.[STARRED REVIEW] "Woven with sharp humor, clever advertising satire, and hopepunk optimism, this novel is both thought-provoking and unexpectedly heartening."--Library Journal "Brilliantly inventive and thoroughly entertaining...a story that will make you think twice before you click "accept" on your next user agreement."--Antoine Wilson, author of Mouth to Mouth Megacorporation UniView is poised to cement their reputation as "the most trusted name in AI." After pioneering the world's first widely adopted AI bots, they are barreling toward an audacious new launch. That is, if they can pull it off in time. Enter Noah. A down-and-out copywriter reeling from a midlife crisis, he isn't the typical hire for a groundbreaking tech company full of brilliant engineers and run by a cutthroat CEO. But Lex, UniView's Head of HR and one of their greatest successes, makes no mistakes--her algorithm ensures it. UniView's latest venture--a bot named Quinn that creates revolutionary personalized advertising--needs expert training. Noah needs to teach Quinn--which is a much better student than he ever could have hoped for--the finer points of consumer motivation and the art of writing a catchy tagline. But when corporate competitors force UniView to accelerate its timeline to market, guardrails around the AI loosen just as Quinn seems to be learning a bit too much. Addictively readable and ridiculously entertaining, Your Behavior Will Be Monitored is a page-turning, hilarious romp through the promise and perils of an AI-driven future that we probably deserve.
White Turrets
Discover the enchanting world of "White Turrets," a timeless treasure that has been out of print for decades and is now lovingly republished by Alpha Editions. This captivating adventure novel invites you into a rich tapestry of early 20th-century life, where romance intertwines with a coming-of-age story, revealing the emotional journeys of its unforgettable characters. Set against a backdrop of social commentary and family saga, "White Turrets" explores the intricacies of human relationships and the profound impact of choices. Each page unfolds a character-driven narrative that resonates with both casual readers and classic literature collectors alike, offering a unique glimpse into a bygone era that still speaks to our hearts today. This edition is not just a reprint; it has been meticulously restored for today s and future generations, ensuring that the spirit of this literary gem shines bright. As you delve into its pages, you'll uncover the timeless storytelling that has captivated readers for generations, making it a must-have for any literary enthusiast. Join the journey through "White Turrets," where adventure, romance, and deep emotional themes converge in a masterpiece that deserves a place on your bookshelf. Don t miss the chance to own this cultural treasure a true testament to the enduring power of classic literature.
Who Goes There!
In a world where isolation breeds paranoia and fear lurks in the shadows, "Who Goes There!" emerges as a timeless masterpiece of science fiction horror. This gripping tale, long out of print and now beautifully republished by Alpha Editions, invites you to explore the chilling depths of human psychology and the unknown. Set in the icy expanse of Antarctica, the story unfolds as a group of researchers encounters an extraterrestrial life form that defies comprehension. As suspenseful narratives intertwine with cosmic horror themes, readers are thrust into a psychological thriller that questions the very essence of humanity. With its unique blend of vintage science fiction and literary suspense, this classic resonates with both casual readers and dedicated collectors alike. This edition is not merely a reprint; it s a cultural treasure meticulously restored for today s and future generations. Experience the thrill of alien encounters and the dread of isolation as you delve into a narrative that has influenced countless works in the genre. "Who Goes There!" stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, making it a must-have for any library. Don t miss your chance to own this collector s item and rediscover the haunting allure of one of classic horror literature s most significant works.
Parallel Lives
When Harriet Last, a disillusioned insurance adjuster, steps into The Experience, she is skeptical of its promise to show her a better life. The prototype simulation feels out-of-place at the convention, but it's also an opportunity to hide from her boss. Burnt out from the corporate grind, Harriet hastily signs the terms and conditions and enters a raffle for an all-expenses-paid vacation. Inside, she relives her nostalgic memories with invasive, hyper-realistic accuracy. The unnerving emotional depth of her future lives raises suspicions about this machine's true purpose. When the machine malfunctions, Harriet's Experiences become anything but the vacation-like trial she expected. She notices a man, a fleeting figure from her past, intertwined in each scene and she wonders: is she caught in someone else's memories? When the man shares an ominous warning, Harriet must make a choice... or become trapped in this nightmarish glitch. Step into the Experience, Harriet. Your future won't wait.
An Unbreakable World
A petty thief is kidnapped to take part in the heist of a lifetime in this space opera from the author of Under Fortunate Stars. If something seems too good to be real, you've got to get out of there. That's the rule that Page Found has always followed. She's a petty thief with no memory of her past, scrounging to survive on a backwater outpost - until she's kidnapped by one of her marks. Her kidnappers - the cruel, self-serving Zhak and the tough maverick Maelle - plan to pass Page off as a monk from an ancient, isolated planet to help them capture a treasure-filled ship. If Page is willing to play along, they all stand to become richer than they can imagine. Everyone is keeping secrets, and Maelle finds her loyalties conflicted as she gets closer to their captive. Page can't remember the last time she counted on anyone. But to navigate this deception, she and Maelle will have to trust each other to survive.
The Emperor's Twin
A Dark Space Opera Unfolds in the Shadow of a Crumbling Multi-species Empire, Driven by a Nihilistic Quest for Power The central palace of Crysth is overrun; the empire has surrendered to an invading army led by Wilhelmina Ming, a traitor from its own capital city. However, the invaders can no longer control their divine power source--a being they worship as god--and now both invader and the invaded are trapped inside the palace with no way to rein in the eldritch force that has taken over, and no choice but to join together against it. Ming's last hope is Speaker, the slain emperor's twin and former imperial steward who is somehow bonded with the deity. A wannabe artist and writer, Speaker has been held hostage by the invaders for months, forced to recount the final days of the empire in the hopes that something in these details might give a clue as to the god's desires and motives. The Emperor's Twin is a haunting exploration of power, identity, and the terrifying intersections between the human body and the divine--the grotesque and the sublime--that questions the nature of control, survival, and the price of unrelenting ambition.
