Dark Fantasy Short Stories

* Originally Shortlisted in a 2023 Writing Competition * From the author of Aevalorn Tales comes a fantasy story about loneliness and connection. Delve into a world where sunflowers bloom, plums ripen, and love is forged by two unlikely strangers. Far away, in the Hamlet of Hollowgarde, Harlan Springbrook is a peculiar, curmudgeonly halfling who prefers his own company. Eldewine Kettlebloom, a nurturing gardener, tries to draw him out by building a bridge of neighborly communication. Unfortunately, things go amiss, and she nearly kills him. Will Harlan—if not their relationship—survive?...

Glowing praise for Alice Crowley's writing: "I LOVED THE IMAGINATION OF THIS AUTHOR!" ~ Satisfied Kindle Reader "FIVE STARS!" ~ Multiple Fans "Alice Crowley is one of our best living authors!" ~ G. Taylor In this harrowing, sensual sexual narrative journey, a young woman is introduced to the art and craft of heavy petting as she quests to save her tribe! Lena is a hot and hungry Amazon woman who is chosen by her elders to journey to a faraway kingdom in order to become swollen with the offspring of a royal ruler. On her way, she meets a randy and amorous knight named Sir Long Lance, with ...

Stranded on a desert island, a young man yearns for objects from his past. A local from a small coastal town in England is found dead as the tide goes out. A Norwegian whaling ship is stranded in the Arctic, its crew threatened by mysterious forces. In the nineteenth century, a ship drifts in becalmed waters in the Indian Ocean, those on it haunted by their evil deeds. A surfer turned diver discovers there are things worse than drowning under the sea. Something from the sea is creating monsters on land.

For an imperial assassin, assignment as a courtesan in the Floating World seems like a waste of her talents...until killers target her clan sisters. In the legendary Floating World, wars are waged with wit, the strongest soldier can be bound with threads of silk, and flesh is the currency by which life, death, and freedom can all be purchased. Half-elf Jie bemoans her temporary assignment as a Night Blossom in the most sought-after house, even if it's the perfect cover for her real work as an assassin in the emperor’s service.

This pretty much is what the title says. Many of the stories/novellas here will have only been done in limited print runs, such as in fanzines, magazines, pamphlets, special editions or online magazines. It’s a mixed genre of stories and these are what Brian considers the best of the rest of the stories in his body of work. We’ve got 111,000+ words in this collection so that means lots of enjoyment in what is likely the last collection coming from Brian.

Fortune hunter Billy Newman is not a man of great strength or physical courage. Like a young Johnny Depp, he gets by on his wit, wiles and good looks. And he’s had quite a good run—striking gold in the Philippines and buying his very own island in the South Seas. . . . But there’s trouble in paradise, and Billy’s in the thick of it. The island’s crops are failing. The island’s people are dying. And the island’s owner—Billy—is taking the heat. Why? Because he’s angered the 75-foot-tall big-boss god of the island.

Such a long life of killing has left plenty of dangerous enemies in its wake. An ancient witch coven, a jealous assassin, and even a demon lord all have old scores to settle. With one last contract to fulfill, Yrlissa hopes to be free from her past and her guild forever so she can disappear with her husband and young daughter. But the past doesn't forget so easily, and neither will a betrayed guild of magical assassins. Yrlissa's only concern is to keep her new family safe, but with enemies closing in on all sides, will they become a distraction she cannot afford?

From ensorcelled princesses to a frog that speaks, an enchanting collection of fairy tales from the Newbery Medal-winning author.

Long ago, powerful sorcerers stole the power of a god. Only the courage and sacrifice of great heroes stopped them from conquering the known world. They thought it was over. But the god who was robbed so long ago remained. He swore that long after the heroes were dead, when his power returned, he would have his vengeance on all of humanity. Now, the time of his prophecy is at hand. A band of elite desert warriors crosses the sea, hoping faith and courage will be enough to turn aside the coming apocalypse. Their leader, Prelate Yazid Valerian, seeks the mythical city of sorcerers.

What William Gibson did for science fiction, China Miéville has done for fantasy, shattering old paradigms with fiercely imaginative works of startling, often shocking, intensity. Now from this brilliant writer comes a groundbreaking collection of stories, many of them previously unavailable in the United States, and including four never-before-published tales - one set in Miéville’s signature fantasy world of New Crobuzon.

Longing for the days of savage brutes, buxom wenches, and evil wizards? Look no more! Literary Rebel is proud to bring you a fresh new crop of monthly fantasy fiction by talented new authors. In the second issue: A dangerous shield maiden does battle with creatures from the deep, a barbarian is tasked with stealing a precious gemstone, and a hunter stalks epic prey.

Horror writer Michael Richards is disturbed from his daily grind by blood dripping from the ceiling, which steadily worsens. Soon, the blood becomes Michael's personal metaphor in a battle of denial. When a compulsive gambler is forced to seek out a loan shark rooted in myth, he discovers the dark saviour teaches more to his pupils than deliverance from debt. Trapped within a room of sinister dolls, an average man is forced to confront his very worst fears ... and quickly learns staring into the abyss does not grant you a reprieve from them. Interweaving horror into socially relevant ...

This collection includes all three novels in The Shadow Changeling Series, a Colin McCool Junkyard Druid spin-off series set in M.D. Massey's Druidverse® urban fantasy setting. If you enjoy dark urban fantasy books featuring haunted antiheroes in the tradition of Snape, Walker Boh, and Constantine, you'll love this story about a shadow wizard who's searching for his long lost human family.

The latest thrilling collection of “Vampire for Hire” stories featuring vampire private eye, Samantha Moon, including: Silver Hammer - When a silver hammer appears in the hands of one of Samantha Moon’s closest friends―along with a bloodthirsty need to use it―the vampire detective is about to discover just how clever the Universe can be... When Sam Met Santa - When Santa Claus shows up at Sam Moon's door, it's hardly the strangest thing that's ever happened to her. What happens next, however, is another story... One Swallow - A murdered wife. A desperate husband seeking revenge. ...

Brian Lumley's Cthulhu Mythos writings began in the 1960s when he was included in new collections by August Derleth's Arkham House. While today, the author is probably better-known for his Necroscope and Psychomech series, he has continued with his Mythos stories for over 40 years. This volume spans that career, using Derleth's suggestion that the Mythos monsters could be viewed as "Elementals", and includes a new novella-length story.

Winter's Night features two Christmas stories included in number-one New York Times best-selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon's short story collection, Dark Bites. From demons to cowboys, from werewolves to mistletoe, this two-in-one will keep you warm during cold December nights.

Young Rory and Kipp embark on a fantastical journey with their wise mentor, the wizard Oswald, to uncover the secrets of an ancient magical artifact. Their quest leads them across sprawling landscapes, where they fight mythical creatures, forge unlikely friendships, and discover hidden truths about themselves and the world around them.As they inch closer to their goal, they must confront not only external dangers but also their own deepest fears and doubts. Will they be able to find the source of the ancient magic and restore balance to the land, or will their quest lead them down a ...

An all-new collection of eight "Vampire for Hire" short stories featuring everyone's favorite vampire detective, Samantha Moon! It’s all inside, including: Vampire Requiem - Samantha Moon gets up close and personal with her dead ex-husband’s mistress, Nancy, who might be a woman who knows too much. Moon Love - Sam and Kingsley Fulcrum set their sights on a romantic weekend getaway to Big Bear, California, only to find themselves on the hunt for a runaway boy. Moon Musings - Sam is back and... blogging? Turns out the vampire mama has a lot to say on the subject of life, death, and ...

> Berserker is a stand-alone short story, framed as a missing chapter from Paternus, the urban fantasy, mythic fiction novel, by Dyrk Ashton. It tells of the time when one of the characters finally met his father, many centuries ago.

Far, far away, a very long way from here, in the Halfling hamlet of Pondaroak, you’ll find an Inn named the Swindle & Swine. Elina Hogsbreath, the inn’s proprietor, comes from a long line of hedge witches — she learned the craft from her mother, who had learned it from her mother, tracing back generations. Stay for a spell. Come wolves, worgs, or worms, Elina will serve you right. This anthology contains five previously published stories: A Thyme of Trouble The Keening Cup The Magnificent Marion Maloney Midnight Tea The Song at Harvest’s End And one story totally unique to this ...