“Death and the Taxman”
Writers of the Future Winner (2nd Quarter 2022)
Published in Writers of the Future Volume 39 – May 2023
Never trust a dying auditor…
The Grim Reaper, trapped in an IRS agent’s dying body, must regain his powers before he dies and faces Judgement for his original sin.
“Fantastic story! Cheeky characters and a rock solid ending!“
-Danny Hankner, Editor of Story Unlikely Magazine
“Writing Resilience”
Published in DreamForge Magazine – September 2023
Okay, this is an article, not a short story, but you should give it a read.
Writing is hard. We hear ‘no’ a LOT. Resilience is key. But can a writer write themselves a hero’s dose of resilience?
Can you?
“Inspires with a few choice words that will change your perspective!“
-Eric Stallsworth – Author
“The United Flamemakers of Ravalli”
Published in Rhapsody of the Spheres by Third Flatiron Anthologies – August 2023
Dragonkind must unionize against their oppressors! Flamemakers of Ravalli, UNITE!
“A humorous fantasy!“
-Tangent Online
“The Grim Reaper’s Game”
Published in Game On! by Zombies Need Brains – July 2023
Nobody likes dying, but when the Grim Reaper calls, you have no choice but to answer. Brenda Agonos refused to answer the call.
“Another Day on the Orbital Ranch”
Published in DreamForge Magazine – March 2023
Filling a dead man’s shoes is hard on the best of days, and today is definitely not Paul’s best day.
“A great deal of humor…from a wisecracking AI to pure slapstick.“
-Tangent Online
“Felix and the Flamingo”
Published in Murderbirds by Wonderbird Press – April 2023
Of all the birds to get quarantined with, why a flamingo? Flamingos were idiots…
“Hell’s Bureaucracy”
Published in Unidentified Funny Objects 9 – November 2022
Surviving the modern workplace can be hell. Having a personally assigned demon doesn’t help.
“A witty twist on the demonic haunting trope.”
-Tangent Online
“A Properly Spiced Gingerbread”
2022 Critters Readers’ Choice Award
Published in DreamForge Magazine – March 2022
Reprinted in Zoetic Press (print and audio) – February 2023
Granny had warned that magic could kill, but Lucy hadn’t expected to die at the hands of a cookie…
“I’ll never look at gingerbread the same way again!“
-J. Moon
“The Last Quest of Corbin the Coward”
Published in Factor Four Magazine – June 2022
Corbin never asked to be the gods’ favored champion…
“What a fun story!“
-D. Hamilton
“Reassessed Value”
Published in After the Gold Rush by Third Flatiron Anthologies – July 2022
Liam wondered if tax assessors qualified as thieves. The law let him shoot thieves…
“Heartwarming” and “A good read.”
-Tangent Online
Coming Soon!
“Where the Lost Things Are”
Coming soon in Lost Atlantis Short Stories by Flame Tree Press – September 26, 2023
Ever wonder where lost things go? Socks? Cell Phones? People? Prepare to find out…
“The Rise and Fall of Frankie’s Patisserie”
Coming soon in Murderbugs by Wonderbird Press via Kickstarter – September 2023
It was time to end the Bakery War. It was time for Danika to take Frankie down!
“The Ghosts of Hart’s Gambit”
Coming Soon to There’s No Place anthology
Human minds were never meant for an AI’s cybernetic life. They always broke.
“The Devil’s Foot Locker”
Coming soon to Amazing Stories Magazine – October 2nd, 2023
Phil could sell anything to anyone…except demons. Demons had little use for vacuums.
“Milo Piper’s Breakout Single That Ended the Rat War”
Coming soon to Troubadours and Space Princesses by Hemelein Press – February 2024
The title says it all. Music, rats, war. Chicago will never be the same.