Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers – Page 4

Dark Sun: The Dawn of Earth’s Twilight – the real effin prologue – by Martyn

Published by Martyn Winters on September 16, 2024

Prologue: Sede Vacante

When the dust of the universe finally settled, Father Vincente Mariani looked back at this day and realised he was mistaken. What mattered to him at the time would prove trivial, and what seemed trivial would in fact be a harbinger of peractum est. And the events of the day, as devastating as they seemed, were just the beginning of a long trail through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

The day began brightly enough, with sun and fried eggs on the small patio at the rear of his cottage, a bracing walk around the shops; chatting and blessing as he wove through the women in their faded best, laughing with the men and artists in frock coats and football shirts; and penultimately, but gloriously, a celebration of Mass in his small church high in the Italian hills, just fifty kilometres north of Rome.

Siren Scenes Additional v1.3 by Jason

Published by Jason Davies-Redgrave on September 16, 2024

These first two extra scenes will be inserted into the story at the ends of chapters 1: Megan and 5: the Clock Shop. The aim with these scenes is to establish the Sirens a little earlier – I do reference them in other scenes but it feels like they are plonked in out of nowhere with the “Aunty Carol” chapter and I wanted to show them as part of the story sooner. The last bit “Tea and Biscuits” is a new scene that will come much later in the story but I had the idea to write it this week and couldn’t resist it! J x

The Attic by Sandra

Published by Sandra Lloyd Lewis on September 4, 2024

Some of this is previous work and the middle piece is new. This is the rough order, but with other chapters to be added.

Pages 1-3 are previous work some of you will have seen.

Pages 4- 7.5 are New

The part ‘A later chapter’ is also previous work.

The Attic

‘Are you going to be ok?’ Joe put his arm around Mags’s shoulder and squeezed.

Mags nodded, her eyes on the floor, whispering ‘I’m fine’. The sleeves of her jumper were frayed where she’d plucked at them. If she told him what she was thinking, he’d get worried she was unravelling again. Nevertheless, wasn’t there an inevitability about this flat? She felt Death had been close to her, all her life. Not close like a friend, because who was friends with Death? No one living, anyway. Death was nearby, then, like she could put out her hand and touch it and here yet again, death had been present when the previous tenant had killed himself.

‘Well, I’m not sure I am’. Joe turned to Mrs Hardy, the estate agent, ‘Bit of a climb that, wasn’t it?’ he laughed, and Mags felt a rush of affection for him, always stepping in to lighten the mood.

The Cuckoo – Part 3a

Published by Janet Johnson on September 3, 2024

Lucy is haunted by her dreams. They were fleeting images of people and places at first, but as the months pass, images are replaced by increasingly more detailed and graphic scenes. It’s as if she is watching a film playing in her head. None of the things she sees are familiar and they scare her, she’s afraid to fall asleep. The psychiatrist isn’t unduly worried. It’s normal, she reassures. While the brain is building connections with the transplant it is bound to get some things wrong, but with time, things will sort themselves out. You just have to be patient, she says.

As Lucy sleeps, my memories emerge.

My sixth birthday and my small body is fizzing with excitement. There’s an enormous cake with pink frosting, just for me. One big puff and the candles are out. I can’t wait for a taste of its delicious sugariness. The apartment door slams open. Cussing and angry, my father, drunkenly stumbles in, demanding his dinner. Eyeing the cake, he flips and in a blind rage picks it up and throws it at the wall. I scream. My mother yells, then crumples to the floor crying, the red imprint of his hand on her cheek. Warm pee trickles down my legs. The baby’s pissed herself, he jeers. My birthday is forgotten. I hate him.

Sarah wakes with a start. Something has disturbed her sleep, something alien, a noise that shouldn’t be there.

A Nightmare’s Purpose by CJ

Published by CJ Burrow on September 3, 2024

The woodlands of the surface were not dissimilar to their own Forest of Generation, pillars of wood marking the land and parting the sky in a way that was reminiscent of the energy fissures of home.

Where their Forest produced more and more of their kind by the day, this one produced ephemeral bodies of living matter, and though they could not be more different beings, the lands shared a recognisably similar function.

As far as Trilorn was concerned, that was where the similarities stopped. The mortal realm, with its rudimentary emphasis on the tangible, its restrictive need for physical constraints, could never compare to their ever-shifting hollow in the space below reality.

Still, they supposed they could appreciate the rich green leaves and the sharp tang of wet earth on their senses. The simplicity of it all was oddly refreshing, not that they’d ever admit it.

Aunty Carol by Jason

Published by Jason Davies-Redgrave on September 2, 2024

“Like fuck you will!” the tall woman cracked the knuckles on both her hands and looked directly at the being in front of her.

“Aunty Carol, please,” Emyr stepped in front of the Herald. “It’s the only way.”

“Sweetheart,” Aunty Carol’s lips curled into a smile but her gaze retained its cold steeliness. She held Emyr’s shoulders in a firm grip and looked him squarely in the eye. “This twat has been a thorn in my side since before you were born love. As far as I’m concerned, he can do one!”

“If I may explain,” as the Herald started to speak the line of women standing behind Aunty Carol bristled and a chill wind moaned and rattled the warehouse windows. The Herald held up its hands and took a step backward.

Become a dust – by Zin

Published by Zin Shandi on August 27, 2024

Leen shattered the record for drinking among her group of friends, openly acknowledging her defeat in the face of societal customs and traditions.

She declared, “I don’t expect him to even glance in my direction, no blame, no shame. His presence within me rages like an unending storm, and my heart succumbs to this tempest, my fate to perish with thoughts of him by my side. I live each minute as if it were my last.”

AdorA the maid tried to console her, saying, “Calm yourself, my lady. You always find a solution to every challenge. Don’t give up.”

Inspector Ironbell and the mystery of the Frozen Fae by Martyn

Inspector Ironbell and the mystery of the Frozen Fae by Martyn

Published by Martyn Winters on August 26, 2024

Chapter 1 – Part 1

S’tan, the Lord of Darkness, removed his cans and in a voice like lava flowing over a geology professor – smooth but with a shriek in the background – said, “What does ‘Smack my bitch up, like a pimp’ mean?”

Shadows flickered in the light of a thousand fires, as dark, rodent-like figures scurried through labyrinthine passageways to the Books of All Knowledge chained to serried ranks of desks stacked high with ancient tomes in the high galleries above the Hall of Kur. Trails of sulphur billowing in their wake as they ran, their red eyes flashing as they flicked through whispering folios of arcane script, the Librarians of Perdition sought the answer to their master’s query in a flurry of searching, their bladders weakening with every turn of a page.

Journey of Souls by Zin

Published by Zin Shandi on August 21, 2024

Leen crossed the threshold into the portal, her destination a distant planet beyond the realms of Toran control. As she traversed the wormhole, she was enveloped in a mesmerizing blend of vibrant blue hues, radiant light, and the awe-inspiring grandeur of the cosmos, aglow with myriad stars. Suddenly, a deep voice resonated, urging her to halt: “Do not depart, my child. Remain here, for without a solid plan and the guidance of the masters, we cannot ensure your safety.”

Despite initially attributing the beauty of her surroundings to a trick of perception, Leen sensed a powerful presence before her, conjuring a whirlwind that flew her hair and dress to the infinity lights, liberating her from fear and control. Confronted by this force, she reluctantly opened her eyes, drawing a sharp breath as she was drawn into an embrace, resting her head against her master’s reassuring chest. “My master,” she gasped, bringing an end to her harrowing odyssey of fear and longing. Despite knowing that hope could be perilous, she courageously allowed it to venture into her realm, nurturing it to thrive in the garden of her heart and quenching her parched veins with peace. Despair’s final efforts faltered in the presence of hope as Leen surrendered her life’s reins to its mastery to bring life again to her heart.

Help!

Help!

Published by Jason Davies-Redgrave on August 20, 2024

This week I am not presenting a piece of writing but a loose, and I mean loose, collection of research, questions and scenes for “The Circle of Fifths.”

I am really unsure of what direction to take this piece. I am aware that I am probably over thinking stuff and I feel like I’m going round in circles here!

So here is my list of stuff to consider… Some of this is connected in my mind but I am not entirely convinced that it all fits together…

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Posts

Prologue: Sede Vacante