Pepper Pretorious is the smartest child in the whole third grade-human or alien-on the domed colony of Danu. She also plans to win the first-ever school talent contest. Her teacher tells her parents she could steal the show. (Why would she want to steal anything? That makes no sense.) And no group of adolescent, lavender-grey, wafting-tentacled aliens is gonna stand in her way. "Pepper Pretorious Saves the Day" originally appeared in Snot-Nosed Aliens (WMG Publishing, 2019).

Pepper Pretorious Saves the Day

Teen pageant contestant Annabelle Moss sees her life shattered when her parents die in a car accident. A small ray of hope dawns when Gwendolyn Wentworth, the richest lady in town and former pageant queen, offers to take her in and be her coach. Former child pageant contestant Taryn Wentworth hides behind oversized clothes and hair covering her face. At odds with her mother, she gives Annabelle the cold shoulder. But as the world darkens and the real beast reveals itself, Annabelle and Taryn must rely on each other's love to survive. A contemporary lesbian YA inspired by a classic fairy tale, Beautiful Beast explores what it really means to be beautiful.and beloved.

Beautiful Beast

Take stories detailing all the nastiest parts of human behavior, from theft to murder to mayhem, throw in some of the "lesser" darkness that humans can provide during the holidays, and assemble them into one volume-welcome to Bloody Christmas. These stories, dark and vicious, form the perfect antidote to the holiday season's sugary sweetness. So, consider this the savory part of the holidays for those whose reading tastes get darker in the darkest part of the year. As Alfred Hitchcock used to say, read these stories with the lights on-and the doors locked, curtains drawn, and protective gear at hand. One never knows what lurks in the darkness. Includes:"Asking For It" by C. H. Hung"Some Folks Just Need Killin'" by Lauryn Christopher"A Crafty Affair" by Bonnie Elizabeth"A Hidden Gift" by Meyari McFarland"The Perfect Gift" by Robert Cutchin"Why Don't You Make Gingerbread?" by Dayle A. Dermatis"A Killer Party" by Annie Reed"Wild Nights and New Roads" by Lisa Silverthorne"Sister Silence Night" by Michael Warren Lucas"Bobo" by Ron Collins"Christmas Dessert" by Juliet Nordeen

Bloody Christmas - Holiday Anthology Series, #1

Is it better to keep quiet or to tell? Is it better to keep your cards to your chest or open up? Keeping a secret can destroy a marriage. Revealing a secret can destroy a country. When it comes down to it, though, secrets forever alter the people involved. Writer and editor Dayle A. Dermatis assembles a compelling mix of stories that run the gamut from crime to fantasy to romance, from happy to sad to thrilling. They all share one thing: incredible voices of some of today's top fiction writers.

No Secrets Better Kept: An Anthology of Hidden Truths

Cora, a reformed (mostly) thief and code-breaker, takes jobs no one else will take along with her fellow adventurers (sometimes called heroes). When Professor Humphreys accidentally creates a monster, the rag-tag group must search his booby-trapped, riddle-infested house for the antidote. For the first time, Cora may be out of her league. Which could mean bad news for everyone. Gaslamp fantasy mixes with TV's Leverage in this story that originally appeared in Cutter's Final Cuts: Explorers, 2021.

The World is Made of Patterns That Almost None Can See

Tilly's magical abilities got accepted to Miss Rosina Wakenshaw's School for Talented Girls. Unfortunately, her own particular Talent remains stubbornly hidden, and she feels like a fraud. In two days' time, the class and their Talents will be presented before Queen Mary. Tilly wants to stay behind, but her best friend, Gwendolyn, insists. For better or for worse. An unusual gaslamp 1920s short story that readers won't soon forget!

Hidden Talents

Gap Walker Daisy Rowe uses a liminal space to move between Portland, Oregon, and the magical counterpart of OtherPortland. Her goal right now, though? Get home from her work at a brewery, shower, and snuggle up to sleep with her partner. The Lord of UnderPortland has other ideas. Such as sending Daisy on a quest to find something that sounds impossible. But nothing is impossible in UnderPortland.. A striking new urban fantasy series from the author of the popular Nikki Ashburne books! "Gap Quest" is part of Uncollected Anthology, Issue 29, Magical Quests.

Gap Quest - Uncollected Anthology, #29

Thrilling and romantic, That Summer on Blue Heron Island is the perfect summer beach read! Elizabeth Sloan's idyllic annual family summer on private Blue Heron Island gets even better with the arrival of her brother's friend Will Madigan. But handsome, charming, funny Will-who seems as enamored of Elizabeth as Elizabeth is of him-might just be holding on to some secrets. Has he been to Blue Heron Island before? Does he have another, more devious reason to be there now? When sunny days dissolve into a rain-soaked night and a child disappears, Elizabeth must decide whether to trust Will with everything.including her life. Thrilling and romantic, That Summer on Blue Heron Island is the perfect summer beach read!

That Summer on Blue Heron Island: A New Adult Gothic Romance Novella

You'll laugh.nervously.at these deals with the devil, horrific family dynamics, vengeful spirits.and a little girl who just wants to win the darn pumpkin-carving contest-is that too much to ask?Join bestselling writer Dayle A. Dermatis as she weaves the supernatural with strands of humor, as only her twisted mind can. Contains the following spooky stories of bad decisions:. Hell's Belles. Save a Prayer. Some Old Lover's Ghost. The Devil Went Down to the Sunset Strip. Blood Relations. Feline Design. The Pumpkin-Carving Contest

Devilish Deals and Perilous Pacts

The Cutting Edge of Modern Short FictionA three-time Hugo Award nominated magazine, this issue of Pulphouse Fiction Magazine offers up ten fantastic stories by some of the best writers working in modern short fiction. No genre limitations, no topic limitations, just great stories. Attitude, feel, and high-quality fiction equals Pulphouse."This is definitely a strong start. All the stories have a lot of life to them, and are worthwhile reading." -Tangent Online on Pulphouse Fiction Magazine, Issue #1Includes:"Eggs of the Dog That Bit You" by Robert Jeschonek"Time Travel is for the Trees" by Rob Vagle"Trees Perpetual of Sleep" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman"Daily Teds" by Ron Collins"End of the Line" by David H. Hendrickson"A Nice Short Conversation" by Robert J. McCarter"Masked" by Dayle A. Dermatis"The Bobs" by Annie Reed"A Little Tennessee Williams Drama" by O'Neil De Noux"Grief Spam" Kristine Kathryn Rusch"Minions at Work:"Deep Cleaning" by J. Steven York

Pulphouse Fiction Magazine Issue #26 - Pulphouse, #26

Brittani Menchin, decidedly not popular high school student, stumbles across her former BFF, Charlotte, in the girls' bathroom. Cutting herself. Despite Brittani's pain over Char's defection, she can't not help someone in need. It will take all her geeky knowledge and wit to sabotage the idiotic game Char's new popular friends have roped her into. Fans of Veronica Mars will love this first story featuring justice-seeking Brittani Menchin, a not-quite-six-feet-tall math nerd and high school Fixer.

Stupid Games: A Brittani Menchin Justice Short Story

All girls have power. Sometimes magic, sometimes bravery, sometimes sheer determination. In this collection, teenage girls face their fears, trust their instincts, and protect those around them.. And in the process, learn more about themselves and grow closer to the powerful women they will become. Featuring a Tangent Online 2018 Recommended Read and an excerpt of the novel Beautiful Beast, this collection will enchant and empower readers of any age.

Powerful Girls: A YA Short Story Collection

In late-1800s Portland, Oregon, eight-year-old Mae loses her mother. The only thing left: a leather-bound old book filled with indecipherable text. When a mysterious man from her mother's past appears, Mae learns about the fiery power she contains. Now she must learn to control the flames before disaster strikes.. A magical historical story set in the exciting Portland Hedgewitches universe! "Embracing the Flames" is part of Uncollected Anthology, Volume 28: Unexpected Histories.

Embracing the Flames - Uncollected Anthology, #28

The relentless ticking of a clock as time slips away marks the breathless pace of these remarkable stories. In Fiction River's third edition of its Pulse Pounders series, these sixteen authors push the envelope of the thriller form. From a man desperately searching for his missing little girl to a chef racing to finish a cooking competition to an airship captain facing a deadly adversary, these stories will keep your pulse racing until the very end.". fans of the unconventional will be well satisfied."-Publishers Weekly on Fiction River: Pulse PoundersIncluding:"Payback is a Bitch" by Diana Deverell"Death-Blind" by Robert Jeschonek"The Airship Adventures of Captain Jane Fury" by Anthea Sharp"Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest" by Henry Martin"The Tomb of Arisel" by Bonnie Elizabeth"Goodnight, Madison" by Lisa Silverthorne"Romancing the Puffin" by Louisa Swann"Dominant Species" by Dayle A. Dermatis"Three Seconds" by T. Thorn Coyle"Blood Chase" by Leah Cutter"Caterpillar Boot Man" by Valerie Brook"The Case of the Dead Son" by Laura Ware"Breakfast at Luigi's" by Thea Hutcheson"Black Phantom, Gray Op" by Stefon Mears"The Last Ramekin" by Liz Pierce"The Princess, the Huntsman and the Monster" by Erik LyndFiction River is an original fiction anthology series. Modeled on successful anthology series of the past, from Orbit to Universe to Pulphouse: The Hardback Magazine, the goal of Fiction River is to provide a forum for "original ground-breaking fiction of all genres." Each Fiction River volume comes in ebook and trade paperback format, published by WMG Publishing, and features some of the best new and established fiction writers in publishing. Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch are award-winning editors, as well as award-winning writers, and act as series editors for the anthologies.

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