Showing posts with label Short Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Short Stories. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
"Alternate Hilarities: An anthology of 31 humorous short stories in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. CONTEST ALERT TOO!
Welcome to Giovanni Valentino, Editor and one of the authors in Alternate Hilarities!
Alternate Hilarities is a compilation of 31 humorous short stories. Here is a little about the concept (LOVE the book cover, BTW...), followed by some info. on Giovanni, blurbs for some of the stories AND a contest! Don't forget to ENTER TO WIN a $10, $25 or $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD! Contest runs until 5/20/14 - ENTER TODAY!
Alternate Hilarities
Blurb:
Along time ago in a city in central New York ....
Alternate
Hilarities
Episode 1
Back from
the Dead
In the early
nineties, a man had a dream. A dream of funny stories in his favorite genres,
Science fiction, Fantasy and Horror. Not just a joke at the end of the episode
like the original Star Trek or the occasional gem from Douglas Adams, but all
the time.
So
the small press fan-zine, Alternate Hilarities was born. Six issues were
produced against his ex-wife's express wishes.
And they
were terrible!
Just
Terrible!
It looked semiprofessional
but proofing was not his strong suit. He had no funds to hire a proof reader
and let's face it, volunteers suck.
But
the stories were great. Many talented authors sent in great funny stories. With concepts like game shows in the
afterlife, the last man alive and the secret life of a teenaged mad scientist.
But
in the end, the cost of publishing his pet project became too much and the zine
was retired.
Now,
two decades later, the overhead and distribution issues of the small press have
almost disappeared with the advent of eBooks.
With a new partner in crime who can do line edits with a professional
level understanding of spelling, grammar and punctuation, the man decided to
give his old love a second shot.
So,
here it is, The New and Improved Alternate Hilarities. We have Alien invasions
and Abductions, Time Travel, Ghost Ships, Demonic Possessions, Flatulent
Clowns, Body Switching, Talking Monkeys and Feghoots.
That's
right, I said Feghoots.
Google it.
So
off we go. With Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Halitosis for all!
Halitosis?
WTF? I mean Polarity?
Not
Again! I mean H I l a r i t y?
Damn
AutoCorrect!
With Stories by ….
Gavin
Cameron - A.B.
Rinklin - Dan
Doerflein - John H.
Dromey - Christine
Edwards Jaimie M.
Engle - Eric James
Spannerman - Steve
Esling - Laura
Thurston
Giovanni Valentino
About the Editor:
Giovanni Francesco Valentino has struggled at the art of writing for four decades against many demons like self-doubt, chronic depression, OCD and severe dyslexia. He has written a few memoir pieces about his life struggles going undiagnosed for more the half his life. He hopes one day to be a famous published science fiction and fantasy author.
He is a member of the CNY Writers Haven, a critique and writer support group. He is the editor of the upcoming humorous anthology, Alternate Hilarities.
Goodreads Author Page
Here is a list of some of the stories in Alternate Hilarities
Attack of Ye Olde Zombies by Cathy Greco
And, thus, the world ends… not with a bang… not with a whimper… but with the mournful cry of an off-key bagpipe playing an undead reel, and the sad, sad sight of deflated codpieces never to be filled.
1-800-CALL-GOD by Chuck Rothman
Help is just a phone call away...
Adrift by Dan Doerflein
In life, he sailed the high seas with his pirate crew. All he wanted in death was to sail the seas again. Before he can escape his situation and obtain the afterlife he dreamed of, he must first defeat a pirate’s worst enemy: a bureaucrat.
The Princess and the Witch by Isabel Sterling
Marisa only wanted one thing for Halloween: the ancient magic she possessed in a past life. She’d prepared for this ritual for years, and nothing could get in her way. Except, perhaps, her sorority girl roommate.
The Muse and the Psychiatrist by M. Kelly Peach
She was divinely beautiful, a daughter of Zeus with a serious problem. She needed a qualified and caring psychiatrist, with talent and experience, to help her. Little did she know he had his own agenda…
Upgrades by Daniel McPherson
Software updates. Sometimes they install cool new features. Other times they screw up your entire system. Which really sucks when the software is running inside your head.
The Great Abyss Disjunction by Danielle N. Gales
When Gregory Artifex became lighthouse keeper of the multiverse's loneliest dark corner, all he wanted was a little peace and quiet. The triggerfish, however, had different ideas. Gregory is about to have a very bad day.
The Bombastic Adventure of Bob from Planet 9 by Jaimie M. Engle
Bob and Melvin sit at Flo’s Intergalactic Greasy Spoon on the Tuesday the joint is held-up by two symmetrical beings called ‘humans’. Melvin accidentally disintegrates and Bob seeks revenge. But a visit to His Greatness on Planet 9 may change everything.
Do Flatulent Clowns Smell Funny by John H. Dromey
“Emission Possible” at the circus. The gastric suspense is intense. Will there be comic relief?
Dead Right, Dead Wrong By Ronald Friedman
The active Dead are not much different than the rest of us, although they can bore you to tears with stories about how they died. As the number of Dead increased, they emerged from the shadows and became politically active. Their party, Dead Americans Mobilizing for National Integration and Tolerance (DAMNIT), was ready to field a candidate for the office of President of the United States.
Language Barrier by Steve Esling
"Mit-choo "Mitch" Maru is Tenerelli and Associate's first Titanian accountant! But his progress in breaking social barriers and becoming more than just a "token alien" comes to a halt after a sticky situation in the bathroom with a coworker. Will the skills he learned in his college English courses be enough to tell others about this unfortunate close encounter?"
Small Change by Steven Grassie
Miserable and almost broke, as per usual Paul’s in the pub drowning his sorrows. His evening takes a strange turn, however, when he encounters an interesting, if rather implausible, individual… who might just have the answer to his problems.
Cash on Delivery by Laura Thurston
When you absolutely, positively have to have had it already call Einstein Express, where hindsight is the same as foresight.
Overdue by Jay Fuller
When the librarian can flay your mind as easily as she can gut you, very little will stand between her and an overdue library book – even a powerful (and generally disagreeable) wizard. And what if the book wants a say in the matter?
Diary of an Overlord by Clay Sheldon
Villagers are terrified, heroes quake in their boots, and the world fears his very name. Witness the origin of a terrifying(ish) demon lord. But be warned: not everything is as it seems...
Thorkwald and the Cherub by Day Al-Mohamed
The adventures of a misfit demon and his struggle to succeed, or at least not get fired (literally) in Hell’s corporate world. With the help of his trusty minion, an eight-legged llama, and his Ctrl-Alt-Smite button, what could go wrong?
Chicken Soup for the Demonically Possessed Soul by Felicia Lee
In this heartwarming tale of loss, redemption, and best practices for web design, we follow Al, a promising young man in the prime of his life, as he faces down the demons of unethical competitors and, well, actual demons.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Friday, February 1, 2013
A Short Story: "COPIES"
COPIES
by
J. R. Egles
2117 AD
THE COMMONWEALTH OF EARTH
9:15 AM
"Of
course it's illegal! But how can we stop
them? They've got everybody!"
The
Prime Minister sat back. "Sorry,
Inspector. I didn't mean to imply that you
or your people weren't doing your job, but ....”
“I
should hope not, Mr. Prime Minister," the Inspector cut him off. "My department is doing everything
possible to control the situation, but people are starting to panic. There's practically no limit to what they can
do. Everyone is just damn scared."
The
Prime Minister of Trade, the man who held the highest office on Earth, cleared
his throat nervously. He, more than anyone
else on Earth with the possible exception of Transporter technicians, had the
most opportunity and need to make use of Transporters, those marvelous devices
that make possible traveling from one place to another without moving, and he just
knew there would be an incident soon. It
was just a matter of time. He looked
down at the news magazine in his hands whose cover depicted the First Lady of
the Common Market nude (but for appropriate pictorial censorship) attempting to
solicit the entire men's Discus team in the locker room after a recent match. He shuddered and asked, "Is there any
accurate estimate as to the number of Copies, Inspector?"
"No,
Sir," replied the Inspector, "because there is no way of telling how
long they've been copying. And storing”,
he added.
"Yes,
damn it," repeated the Prime Minister a little weakly, "and storing”.
He had a brief vision of a Copy of himself
standing at attention, or perhaps in some more embarrassing pose, in a hidden
storeroom somewhere, just waiting to do ....
what?
The
Inspector continued, "We must assume the worst, Sir. They've only just begun using the Copies but
we must assume that they have been making Copies of everyone who has ever used a
Transporter since they were first put into public use almost seven years ago. So far we've been lucky. Except for that Eiffel Tower
The
Prime Minister knew the Inspector referred to a ceremony at the top of the
Eiffel Tower, after which the President of France and several members of his
personal staff, followed by video cameras and most of the eyes of the world,
walked pleasantly over to the railing, removed their trousers and dove over the
side, singing "I Love a Parade" all the way down . Several people were trampled as the crowd at
the base of the Tower scrambled to avoid the plummeting president and his
entourage, and one elderly cabinet member had a heart attack at the top.
"How
did they manage that?" complained the Prime Minister. "I mean, I know you can't tell a Copy
from the real person even up close, but how did they make the switch? Where was the real President of France?"
"On
his way," replied the Inspector. "That's
how they did it. They simply sent in the
Copies a half-hour before the real President arrived, knowing no one would
question the President of France about being early. The President announced he had a busy schedule
and wished to proceed with the ceremony immediately and they did."
"But
what about his staff, his guards”, persisted the Prime Minister. "Where did they get Copies of them? There were at least a half-dozen other
personnel that accompanied the President."
"Most
of them have Transported with him at one time or another”, reminded the
Inspector, "so they had Copies of them; and for the odd man or two they
just dressed up Copies of Transporter technicians or other non-famous people
that they have made Copies of and kept handy for just such a need."
"What
a mess”, said the Prime Minister, shaking his head slowly and again looking
down at the magazine. He noticed for the
first time that the First Lady had money rolled up, poking up from between her
bosoms.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Guest Author, Dani-Lyn Alexander
 |
| When Jason and Leah both grab the last dollhouse in the city, neither of them is willing to let it go. They go in search of another dollhouse, and both find more than they bargained for. |
I am excited to announce that beginning today, each Wednesday we will have a guest interview! The first few we have lined up will be guest authors from a variety of genres.
We are thrilled to welcome our first guest author today, Dani-Lyn Alexander!
Dani-Lyn, tell us a little about yourself.
I live on eastern Long Island
with my husband, three kids, ages twenty-one, thirteen and two (surprise!!) and
three dogs. I have always loved working with children. I've worked as a dance
teacher and choreographer, directed and choreographed several high school
plays, and written a children’s chapter book that will be released soon. I've always loved to read, and have had a book in my hand since I was about three.
When my youngest son was born and didn't sleep through the night, I figured I’d
try my hand at writing. I loved it!
What genres do you write?
Paranormal and Contemporary Romance.
Tell us about your newest release and what inspired you to
write it.
The Dollhouse is a short story, and was just released by
Still Moments Publishing as part of the For the Love of Christmas Anthology. I
was enjoying the fact that this year I didn't have a ‘hard to find’ gift that
would send me running frantically all over Long Island on a futile search.
What other books have you written?
Trust and Betrayal is my first novel, and was released by
Etopia Press in October. The sequel, Truth and Deceit, will be released in
January. I also have short stories included in several anthologies; Dangerous
Men, Dangerous Places, Haunted Shadows, and For the Love of Christmas.
Dani-Lyn, thank you very much for stopping by and for being our first guest author! It is very inspirational to know that in such a relatively short time you have accomplished so much. I assumed you'd been at this for years! And as if that successful body of work in a span of less than two years were not incredible enough, you did it all while being a busy wife and mom with a new baby...amazing!
Thank you, it's definitely been a hectic two years, but it's been great!
And, thank you for having me, it was a pleasure to be here.
Best of luck with all of your endeavors...including The Dollhouse in the For the Love of Christmas Anthology, released today. We will be sure to check out all of your work!
All of Dani-Lyn's books are grouped together on the amazon.com link, below. I for one will definitely be ordering For the Love of Christmas today!
All of Dani-Lyn's books are grouped together on the amazon.com link, below. I for one will definitely be ordering For the Love of Christmas today!
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