Category Archives: New Stories

To The Dogs: 31 Very Short Stories About Man’s Best Friend – Altitude Press

Are you a keeper of canines? Are you a poodle person or pitbull enthusiast? Do you carry your pooch around with you everywhere you go? Are you a dog lover at heart? Then you’re definitely going to want to check out the latest fiction anthology from Altitude Press, and Editor Nicole McInnes, entitled, To The Dogs: 31 Very Short Stories About Man’s Best Friend. Featuring thirty-one authors of flash fiction (and slightly longer) about canines. Most of the stories in this book fall in the 1000 to 2000-word range, and they are entirely devoted to everybody’s favorite pet. There’s fantasy, popular, literary, and a brand new scifi story by yours truly about dogs of the future and space travel (and one pesky cat!). Read my story set aboard a spaceship, “Every Cosmos Has A Ruling Class.” Links and details below.

TO THE DOGS: 31 VERY SHORT STORIES ABOUT MAN’S BEST FRIEND

Edited and Compiled by Nicole McInnes – Published by Altitude Press

Featuring Dagstine story: “Every Cosmos has a Ruling Class”

Author Lineup and Details (copy-pasted from Amazon)

Celebrate humanity’s canine companions with To the Dogs, a collection of 31 dog-themed stories written by authors from all over the world. Whether it’s literary fiction, speculative fiction, science fiction, mystery/suspense, spooky/paranormal, or myth/folklore/allegory you love most, you’re sure to find plenty of short tales (tails?) within this anthology to enjoy and share. Woof!


Stories by: Hidayat Adams, Chad Anctil, Marie Anderson, Dominic Andres, Diana Ashman, Phil Barnard, Juliette Beauchamp, Anthony Boulanger, R.C. Capasso, Gemma Church, Michael A. Clark, Lawrence Dagstine, Wendy Eiben, Zary Fekete, E. Florian Gludovacz, Jenna Hanan Moore, Laurie Herlich, Robert D. Hill, Valerie Hunter, Fiona M. Jones, Shashi Kadapa, Richard Lau, Angela M McCann, Harding McFadden, Bob Smith, Victor Sootho, Mariah Southworth, Jake Stein, Lisa Timpf, Sue Walsh, and John Weagly

AVAILABLE ON KINDLE OR PAPERBACK FORMAT

ALTITUDE PRESS SOCIALS/WEBSITE (for further info):

Our Projects

Altitude Press X/Twitter: https://x.com/AltitudePress

Altitude Press Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altitudepressbooks/

Altitude Press Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltitudePress/

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos” & “Digital Credits”

FLASH FICTION: “Flash of the Dead Halloween ’24 Anthology” – Wicked Shadow Press

I have a flash fiction piece in the latest seasonal/Halloween-themed anthology from Wicked Shadow Press. And the book features well over 60-plus authors, with short works ranging from 500 to 1500 words in length; my short is exactly 1000 words. And that’s what flash fiction pretty much is. It’s a very quick snippet of writing, a very short and concise piece of literature, something maybe to consume when in a doctor’s office, or on a daily commute, or when falling asleep in bed. Flash of the Dead Halloween 2024 is actually a sequel of sorts to the original (and successful) Flash of the Dead Anthology from back in 2022. I had a story in that entry as well, called Saving the Dead. This time, however, for Halloweeen 2024, my miniature tale is called, “Angel Hunter.”

FLASH OF THE DEAD Halloween ’24 – Flash Fiction Anthology

Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty & Rasiika Sen

Published by Wicked Shadow Press

Featuring Dagstine flash piece: “Angel Hunter”

Flash of the Dead Halloween ’24 Ordering Links and WSP Socials:

Order the Paperback: https://www.lulu.com/shop/rasiika-sen-and-parth-sarathi-chakraborty/flash-of-the-dead-halloween-24/paperback/product-e7rj6n2.html

Order the Digital Version: https://www.lulu.com/shop/rasiika-sen-and-parth-sarathi-chakraborty/flash-of-the-dead-halloween-24/ebook/product-yvj9k6m.html

Wicked Shadow Press on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wickedshadowpress

Wicked Shadow Press on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wickedshadowpress

Wicked Shadow Press on X: https://twitter.com/wickedshadowpub

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

SCIENCE FICTION ANTHOLOGIES: “Far Futures, Book Three…” – Edited by Robert Mendenhall

Pleased to announce I have a brand new science fiction short story in the latest anthology in the Far Futures Book Series from Blue Planet Press. Edited and compiled by Robert Mendenhall, Far Futures is an on-going series of “space stories” or “interplanetary tales” set on far off worlds, or in faraway universes. The kind of stuff that made science fiction great back in the 1960s and 70s. Only for a modern audience. I highly recommend this book, a lot of thought was put into my tale. It’s one of FOUR new tales within the science fiction genre I have coming out between Fall/Winter 2024-2025. As of October 8th it’ll be available in paperback and ebook formats on places such as Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, even Apple. I’ll put all links, pictures, details below (and off to the right-hand side). And check out my story, “Round Trip.”

FAR FUTURES BOOK THREE – Science Fiction Anthologies

Published by Blue Planet Press – Edited by Robert J. Mendenhall

Featuring brand new Dagstine story: “Round Trip”

Author Line-Up and Details (copy-pasted):

Tales of broken generation ships and malfunctioning holograms. AI enhanced humans fleeing the solar system. Alien abductees taken light-years away. A NASA spacecraft highjacked in a perilous first contact scenario. Pirates and scavengers and more. These stories are all different, yet all answer the same fundamental question “What… or who is out there?”

The latest edition in the Far Futures anthology series is now available for order. Far Futures Book Three is scheduled for an Oct. 8, 2024 release in both eBook and paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and more.

With stories from talented and rising authors in science fiction representing the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, including: Glynn Owen Barrass, Stephanie Bedwell-Grime, Lawrence Dagstine, Caroline Misner, Charles Nadolski, Barend Nieuwstraten III, Robin Pond, and James Pyles.

BLUE PLANET PRESS WEBSITE (click link):

https://blueplanetpress.net/

BARNES & NOBLES/NOOK VERSION (click link):

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/far-futures-book-three-robert-j-mendenhall/1146336393

AMAZON PURCHASE (click below for Kindle):

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos” and “Digital Credits”

MODERN FICTION: “Mono No Aware” – Anthology on the Fleeting Nature of Beauty

Pleased to announce I have a fiction piece in the modern fiction anthology from Culture Cult, Mono No Aware. This is not a genre piece. While I’m mostly known for scifi and horror and a small touch of humor, I don’t always write to the beat of a specific drum or “formulaic forms” in fiction (per se). While Mono No Aware is chock full of fantastic fiction, it is a book of forty-five stories by forty-five very talented authors on the subject of nature and beauty, as depicted from a particular saying in Japanese. The fiction in this book is literary and modern. My story just happens to take place in Japan, where a young boy relocates with his mother. The child suffers from a terrible stutter (a speech impediment), and he’s able to conquer this disability by befriending the seals of the region. Check out Mono No Aware, An Anthology of Fleeting Nature and Beauty. Be sure to read my tale, “The Seal Whisperer.”

Mono No Aware – Anthology of Modern Fiction

Stories on the Fleeting Nature of Beauty

Featuring Dagstine Story: “The Seal Whisperer”

Published by Culture Cult Press of India: http://www.culturecult.co.in

Edited by Dibyasree Nandy

ORDERING LINKS AND CULTURE CULT SOCIALS (click below):

Order the paperback version: https://www.lulu.com/shop/dibyasree-nandy/mono-no-aware/paperback/product-gj8djzr.html

Order the digital version: https://www.lulu.com/shop/dibyasree-nandy/mono-no-aware/ebook/product-95k8549.html

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CultureCultPress

Instagram: https://instagram.com/culturecultpress

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/CultureCultPub

Visit Culture Cult at: https://CultureCult.co.in

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

TIME TRAVEL ANTHOLOGIES: “The Trouble with Time” – Three Cousins Publishing

It is with pleasure to announce that here starts a busy couple of weeks, as I have a lot of new material coming out in the “speculative fiction” genre. Books and anthologies in hardcover, paperback, and either Epub or Kindle formats. In the case of the book below, an upcoming audiobook. All these short stories are brand new, never published. From West Mesa Press, via Three Cousins Publishing, comes an anthology on time travel and the troubles or dilemmas that go with it. The Trouble with Time. Edited by Robert Allen Lupton, and it lands at a whopping 316 pages. The cover art is by Mark McConnell. For this book, think of stories related to The Butterfly Effect or Looper. That theme. And read my new story, “Past and Present Company Excepted!”

The Trouble with Time Anthology – Edited by Robert Lupton

Featuring Dagstine Story: “Past and Present Company Excepted”

Details from Amazon (copy-pasted):

Everyone at one time or another has wished that they could go back in time and change something. Perhaps to prevent a world tragedy, kill a despot, or tell an ancestor not to drive to town on a certain day. Perhaps the journey backward would be to obtain foreknowledge about the lottery, the presidential election, the stock market, or even the World Series. The reasons to wish for time travel are legion, but if the truth be told, if we could go back in time, the first thing most of us would do would be to punch our younger selves square in the face.

Changing time can have unexpected and dire results. Think “The Butterfly Effect,” or “A Sound of Thunder.” The scales have to balance. Good intentions often have unintended consequences and even the most benign attempts to intervene are likely to make things worse, far worse.

Twenty-two stories about time travel by talented writers from around the world, each of whom fearlessly explores the dangers and joys of time travel uniquely. Come along for the ride. There’s plenty of time – or is there?

West Mesa Press Official Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/p/West-Mesa-Press-100054216802897/

I’ll file this under Books and Anthologies.

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

ORION’S BEAU, FALL 2024: “How To Embrace Your Inner Weirdo” – by Lawrence Dagstine

Pleased to announce I have a brand new LGBTQIA+ humor story, with science fiction and drag queen elements to it, in the Fall 2024 edition of Orion’s Beau. Orion’s Beau is an online Web Journal dedicated to speculative fiction and fantastical pieces set in and around LGBTQIA+ culture and themes, and by authors who identify as members of the community themselves. From time to time, I do write satirical or slice of life vignettes involving gay protagonists (and antagonists). Other authors this edition include: M. Lopes da Silva, Emmie Christie, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Angela Acosta, Rachel Unger, and Reggie Kwok.

Read “How To Embrace Your Inner Weirdo: A Drag Queen’s Guide to Universal Eccentricity” by Lawrence Dagstine, in the Fall 2024 issue of Orion’s Beau. I’ll put all links below.

Orion’s Beau – Fall 2024

ORION’S BEAU – MAIN WEBSITE:

https://www.orionsbeau.com/

Fall 2024 Lineup (direct link):

https://www.orionsbeau.com/fantasy-quarterly/fall-2024

Read How to Embrace Your Inner Weirdo (direct link):

https://www.orionsbeau.com/fantasy-quarterly/fall-2024/how-to-embrace-your-inner-weirdo%3A-a-drag-queen’s-guide-to-universal-eccentricity

I’ll file this under Magazines.

Other New Entries: “Magazines/Webzines”

GHOST STORIES: “Dead Girls Walking” – GREEN Volume… Wicked Shadow Press

I am pleased to announce yet another spooky anthology offering, this time a paranormal tale to the latest Wicked Shadow Press series of anthologies (part of a three volume set), called: Dead Girls Walking. My story is in the second book, the GREEN volume! There is also a purple volume and a red volume in the series, which collects about 100 authors in all. This is a series of paranormal books where the central characters, whether ghost or zombie or vampire or whatever, are women. You really will want to collect them all. My ghost story is one part mystery. If you’re into Amelia Earhart, you might be into this yarn of mine. It’s about a 747 pilot who always sees the spirit of a 1920s classic aviator pilot. But she’s always following his jumbo jet. She’s always staring inside his 747 window. What is she trying to tell him? How far will the 747 pilot go to learn the mystery behind her aviation past? Find out in my story, “GHOST PILOT” …In Dead Girls Walking (the Green Volume).

DEAD GIRLS WALKING – THE GREEN VOLUME

From Wicked Shadow Press – Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty

Featuring Lawrence Dagstine story: “Ghost Pilot”

Purchase Links (Worldwide):

Paperback: https://www.lulu.com/shop/rasiika-sen-and-parth-sarathi-chakraborty/dead-girls-walking-the-green-volume/paperback/product-45mgzkm.html

Epub (digital): https://www.lulu.com/shop/rasiika-sen-and-parth-sarathi-chakraborty/dead-girls-walking-the-green-volume/ebook/product-45mgwjj.html

All India Free Delivery! Whatsapp 9830652666 to order your copies now!

Follow Wicked Shadow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wickedshadowpress


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Follow Wicked Shadow on X: https://twitter.com/wickedshadowpub

Be a part of the Facebook group to get author-related info from Wicked Shadow and other publishers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7867933553277077/

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

PIRATE BOOKS: “The Black Beacon Book of Pirates” – Pirate & Horror-Themed Anthology

It’s with great pleasure to announce that I am headlining a very major pirate and horror-themed anthology with a brand new tale which borders on novelette length, and has just the right touch of the Golden Age of Piracy to it (from a historical point of view), and just the right Lovecraftian feel to it (where Cosmic Horror is concerned). But it’s not all about tentacles and eerie and ominous abberations from the deepest corners of the Seven Seas or Hades itself. Presenting, “The Black Beacon Book of Pirates.” Edited by Cameron Trost. Available in the USA, UK, Australia, Amazon, or obtain it from Black Beacon themselves. They have a website, and I will put links, pictures, the table of contents, and any miscellaneous information down below or to the side column. My story, which I first started working on in 2022 and didn’t finish till 2023, is called, “The Mutineer.”

Without giving too much of the story away, The Mutineer is an unsettling tale full of despair, the story of an imprisoned buccanner named Frederick March, who is in service to an evil monarchy and their power-hungry armada. March, who is the Mutineer and witness to everything on this scary voyage, tells his tale of oceanic, cosmic mayhem of how he is sent to the Caribbean to hunt down a Cthulhu-like apparition with great power. This manifestation of ill-omen is known only as The Boatswain. But March soon finds out the merry band of pirates he leads gets a little bit more than they bargained for when they invade the Boatswain’s island habitat and learn he comes from a race of beings and worshippers just like himself. Who will survive? Because you only get one chance. Only one! With the Boatswain… in The Mutineer!

THE BLACK BEACON BOOK OF PIRATES – Edited by Cameron Trost

Published by Black Beacon Books

Featuring BRAND NEW Dagstine story: “The Mutineer”

BLACK BEACON BOOKS WEBSITE (click link):

https://blackbeaconbooks.blogspot.com/

ORDER ON AMAZON (sample below):

Table of Contents:

Personally, I would even go as far as to say The Mutineer is one of my three best horror stories of my life. It’s definitely up there with the likes of Thursday’s Children (which can be found in The Nightmare Cycle), and my tale of vampires and one man’s paralysis, The Paraplegic.

Time will tell.

Oh, the cover art is by the legendary Daniele Serra.

Edited to Add: The Black Beacon Book of Pirates is now available at Books-A-Million.

LINK: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Black-Beacon-Book-Pirates/Lawrence-Dagstine/9780645247183?id=9202635427834

New Entries: “Books & Anthos” and “Digital Credits”

SCIENCE FICTION DIGESTS: “The Triumvirate, Vol. #5” – Journal of Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror

Fellow genre readers. I have a brand new story of despair and hardship set after the troubling events of the War in Iraq in the latest, book-sized edition of David Oliver Kling’s speculative fiction journal, The Triumvirate. Volume Five. The Triumvirate features tales of science fiction, fantasy, horror, even the occasional essay. It is available for your Amazon Kindle (digitally), or as a paperback in the $10.00 range. It is one part anthology-magazine, one part journal (but I consider it more a beefy digest). This is Mr. Kling’s labor of love, which I highly recommend if you are enthusiastic about old school genre. Kling started the magazine back in 1985 at the tender age of fifteen. Links and cover picture below (and in side column). This is my second appearance with The Triumvirate, and the name of my story this time around is: “After the Soldiers go Home.”

THE TRIUMVIRATE Volume #5 – Journal of Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror

Edited and compiled by David Oliver Kling

Featuring Lawrence Dagstine story: “After the Soldiers go Home”

TABLE OF CONTENTS/STORIES & AUTHORS FEATURED:


In “Earth-697,” Mark Mackey introduces us once again to Ambrosial Decarva, the dragon slayer of Dystonia.

Lawrence Dagstine’s “After the Soldiers go Home” takes us to a post-war Iraq plagued by both disease and despair.

Nicholas Hurst’s “You Can Almost See The Shininess” provides a lighter, yet equally enticing, exploration of military life.

In “Back From the War: A 1920’s Vampire Tale,” Mark Mackey transports us to a post-Great War America where Bram Collinwood faces supernatural horrors upon returning home.

Paul O’Neill’s “Mister Sleep” brings terror to the quiet town of Balekerin, where a sleepover turns into a nightmare.

Robert Henry’s “Fall into the Sky” takes us on a mythic journey with Ragnar, a father desperate to save his son.

Larry Johnson’s “The Under People” follows Lew Brown’s unsettling encounters with mysterious workers.

In “Amen” by Ed Perratore, high school senior Walter’s Halloween prank leads to a grim fate.

Finally, in David Oliver Kling’s essay, “What Dreams May Come: A Pastoral Care Perspective,” he provides a thoughtful analysis of the 1998 film “What Dreams May Come.”

Amazon Purchase Link (or sample below):


Also be sure to check out Volume #4. I’m in that edition too!

Other New Entries: “Magazines”

Alien Dimensions #26: Space Fiction Short Stories – “Mars Colonization Edition”

Pleased to announce that I have a Martian-themed short story in the current edition of Alien Dimensions, No. #26. “Mars Colonization, The Red Planet,“ and the 2030s and Beyond is the theme. It is all new, and it is available on Amazon Kindle and in a thick print paperback format (to my knowledge). This would be my third appearance with Alien Dimensions over the years. Last time I showed up was in the super successful No. #24. Alien Dimensions features interplanetary stories and space tales that harken back to an era when scifi was astounding and thought-provoking. My story could best be described as a 28-Days Later like tale about a contagion. But will the Martian doctors come to the rescue of the human race? Read my short story, The Pathogen in Alien Dimensions #26. Alien Dimensions could best be described as an Anthology-Magazine (the best of both worlds).

ALIEN DIMENSIONS No. #26 – Edited by Neil Hogan

Mars Colonization, Martian Theme – featuring Dagstine story The Pathogen

ALIEN DIMENSIONS HOMEPAGE (or click further below for Amazon):

http://www.aliendimensions.com

AUTHOR LINE-UP:

Mars City Space Port by David Castlewtiz

The Trouble with Truffles by Humphrey Price

The Nerine Seven by Zachary Taylor Branch

Birthing the Unborn by Kellee Kranendonk

The Pathogen by Lawrence Dagstine

High Seas by Frank Dumas

The Great Deception by Lawson Ray

Guardian Friendship by Geoffrey Hugh Lindop

Limbo on Elysium Mons by Mary Jo Rabe

It’s a Lot Simpler from Orbit by Siv Art

Sustained Life on Mars by Jon Cox

Mars Orbit 2033 by Neil A. Hogan

Also check out Edition No. #24 (it’s big). I’ll put links and pictures off to the side, or the usual places.

Edited to add: I just wanted to give a big thank you to everybody who read and purchased the current edition of Alien Dimensions. We hit number one in New Releases for science fiction short stories.

New Entries: “Books & Anthos, Magazines, and Digital Credits.”

POST APOCALYPTIC BOOKS: “Apocalyptales, Judgment Day!” – Wicked Shadow Press

NOTE: This anthology was late to press because of the holidays. The book will most likely have debuted January 2024. Hence the tardiness of this website post plugging it.

It’s most likely safe to say this is my last story appearance of 2023. And what a year it has been. A small press book deal, two professional-identifying markets, and a TON of print and ebook anthologies. 2023 marked my return to science fiction, fantasy, and horror. It was also the year I wrote the most fiction in a very long time. What better way, I say, than to end the year with a disaster of epic proportions. I’m talking stories of doomsday, the near future, and what fictitious calamaties just might await us. I have a story in the latest illustrated anthology from Wicked Shadow Press, called: “Apocalyptales – Judgment Day!”

Apocalyptales is a book of stories featuring nothing but post-apocalyptic fiction, and my story is about a peculiar weather phenomenon that threatens to bury all of mankind. I originally wrote The Big Dirt Nap (the name of my tale contained within) in early 2010. It took me almost fourteen years to find a home for it. Here we are, late 2023, and it finally has a home. I like to call tales like The Big Dirt Nap “Attic Stories.” Attic stories are hard to place, you sit on them for more than a decade, dust it off when the correct themed market comes along, send it on in. Any way, Happy New Year.

APOCALYPTALES – JUDGMENT DAY Anthology

In Epub or Illustrated Paperback – published by Wicked Shadow Press

Featuring post-apocalyptic Dagstine tale: “The Big Dirt Nap.”

ORDERING INFO/LINKS TO BUY:

Order the illustrated paperback: https://www.lulu.com/shop/parth-sarathi-chakraborty/apocalyptales-judgment-day/paperback/product-v8829zp.html

Order the epub: https://www.lulu.com/shop/parth-sarathi-chakraborty/apocalyptales-judgment-day/ebook/product-rmmk8g6.html?page=1&pageSize=4

FOLLOW WICKED SHADOW PRESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

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Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER ANTHOLOGIES: “It’s All In My Mind” – Culture Cult Press

I’m pleased to announce I have a brand new flash fiction piece of around 600 words in length in the 230-page Kindle and print “Psychological Thriller” anthology, “It’s All In My Mind.” This is a book featuring a whopping forty-four stories by over forty authors worldwide! It’s a book of “very short fictions” you could say, tales which you could read real quick before bed, when you are stuck waiting at the doctor’s office, or just on your daily commute to work by bus or subway and getting off in a few stops. That is what “flash fiction” or “extremely short stories” are. Very quick reads, which are mentally easy and satisfying to digest.

Or are they, as this is an anthology focused primarily on the psyche! The theme: Psychologically thrilling shorts. All links will be below (as always), and book covers to the sides (also as always).

IT’S ALL IN MY MIND – VERY SHORT PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS

Edited by Jay Chakravarti of Culture Cult/Pulp Cult Press in India

Featuring flash fiction tale “The Approach” by Lawrence Dagstine

BUY ON AMAZON KINDLE OR AS A PRINT PAPERBACK (click box above).

CULTURE CULT/PULP CULT PRESS Socials…

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CultureCultPress
Instagram: https://instagram.com/culturecultpress
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CultureCultPub

Visit them at https://CultureCult.co.in

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos, Digital Credits”

SCIENCE FICTION BOOKS: “Invasion The Dark Side of Technology Vol. 2” – Wicked Shadow Press.

Wicked Shadow Press really outdid themselves this time in a two volume series of science fiction and miscellaneous speculative tales surrounding dark technology, deadly machines, artificial intelligence, and science that can enslave us or kill us. Easily one of my ten favorite anthology covers of all time. Both books in the series are edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty, and some of the proceeds from the sales of these books goes to help animals in Kolkata, India, where it is already getting a warm reception. My story is not about AI (which has been a heated and dystopic subject of late), but more or less a science fantasy which involves the dark tech surrounding “buildings” and “skyscrapers.” This is a tale about architecture of the future, of other worlds, buildings that graze the clouds, and the “dark architects” who control utopias and dystopias behind the scenes. Not everything is always rosy and picturesque, even in large metropolises filled with tall buildings. Read my tale, “Architects of Change” in Volume Two of Invasion. I’m in Volume Two, so don’t forget that; but I recommend both. It’s available on Amazon Kindle for only $2.99, or as a paperback on places like Lulu. All links will be below the cover pics, as usual. Cheers.

INVASION Volume 2 – THE DARK SIDE OF TECHNOLOGY

From Wicked Shadow Press

Now Available on Amazon Kindle for only $2.99

Also available in STUNNING Amazon paperback (for the shelf collector)

Featuring Dagstine story: “Architects of Change”

ALSO AVAILABLE ON LULU (and as a print paperback there as well):

Buy a Paperback copy of INVASION Vol. 01 from Lulu.com: 

https://www.lulu.com/shop/parth-sarathi-chakraborty/invasion-vol-01/paperback/product-wjjpnk.html

Buy a Paperback copy of INVASION Vol. 02 from Lulu.com: 

https://www.lulu.com/shop/parth-sarathi-chakraborty/invasion-vol-02/paperback/product-qrrp9p.html

Buy the ebook of INVASION Vol. 01 from Lulu.com: https://www.lulu.com/shop/parth-sarathi-chakraborty/invasion-vol-01/ebook/product-v66p65.html

Buy the ebook of INVASION Vol. 02 from Lulu.com: https://www.lulu.com/shop/parth-sarathi-chakraborty/invasion-vol-02/ebook/product-dkk9r9.html

WICKED SHADOW PRESS SOCIALS:

Like WSP us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wickedshadowpress

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Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos, Digital Credits”

“The Nightmare Cycle” by Lawrence Dagstine – Dark Owl Publishing

So today is here. Today is the day of my third official story collection: THE NIGHTMARE CYCLE, from Dark Owl Publishing. It is available in print and digital formats (Paperback and on Amazon Kindle). And as the year goes on, straight thru 2024, will be available at book fairs, from various literary vendors, horror and comic-themed conventions, the odd novelty or specialty store, or wherever other fine horror books or goods are sold. I will keep you updated on this website. The spooky fun starts in Arizona first and New York second.

A short story collection is a book of tales by one single author, where an anthology is a book of stories usually centered around a theme from not one but many authors, from many different states or countries or diverse backgrounds. The Nightmare Cycle was an idea for a book that came to me one day in a dream (go figure), but is not about being in a dream. It gets its title from every single story being “A Nightmarish Scenario,” one warped tale leading into the next (the theme of cycling and unending), and then the one thereafter. There is no finality. Just horrific circumstance after circumstance. Undulated terror. Beginning, middle, end. Think Rod Serling’s The Night Gallery, but modern day, my take.

THE NIGHTMARE CYCLE by Lawrence Dagstine

From Dark Owl Publishing – NOW AVAILABLE worldwide

You have mostly new stories between the pages, but you have some obscure offerings as well. Tales from my humble beginnings as a horror author. The 2000s era. There are stories like Thursday’s Children. Imagine pitting zombie youth against each other the same way people hold backroom cockfights for money. The Adopted, where werewolf adoption in Southeast Asia is more complex than you think. Human Transfer, a very dark and dystopic tale of population control, and betrayal by the people you thought you knew and trusted most.

There are Dark Owl exclusives, tales which are theirs and theirs only, such as The Thing about Eden. Imagine Mars in the future where life under one dark leadership only becomes concerning, overbearing, and darker with the next. The Acrylic Man, about a painter of spectral portraits who captures his love interests with not just grace but permanence. The Show Must Go On, a story about a sharpshooting djinn and her western travels, but also her wretched past.

You have new offerings such as Princely Homecoming, a unique take on Snow White, who longs for her long dead prince. There is Pet, a tale set during the backdrop of the Nixon era, which puts a twist on just “who” or “what” constitutes man’s best friend. Genetically speaking, of course. There is Our Family Awaits, a witch’s tale unlike any other, about foster care and deep dark secrets. This is one which will have you clutching the blankets. And there is so much more; there’s even a novelette within The Nightmare Cycle’s pages.

AMAZON KINDLE “EBOOK” VERSION:

(Sample a few pages below, or shoot for the paperback version)

AMAZON LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Nightmare-Cycle-Lawrence-Dagstine-ebook/dp/B0C27TTD24

DARK OWL LINK: https://www.darkowlpublishing.com/the-nightmare-cycle

Here’s the horror convention calendar for Dark Owl Publishing and The Nightmare Cycle. This calendar will obviously grow. I will be away in July (after the 4th), but I will have my netbook with me, keep in touch via social media. Dark Owl will also have some of their horror wares and anthologies available from a talented stable of other authors as well, so be sure to keep tuning in to this link below:

https://www.darkowlpublishing.com/our-schedule

Oh, by the way, the fabulous cover art was done by Fernando JFL (Giotefeli), who is a professional horror illustrator and death metal artist from South America. He takes a rather retro, vintage approach to his work. If you are looking for an artist, might I recommend him: https://www.instagram.com/giotefeli, and https://giotefeli.tumblr.com/

The book is available first on Amazon, then Terror Trader second (Arizona’s Number One Horror Marketplace). Then it will go to the usual vendors and themed cons, and through the usual distribution channels/networks.

http://www.terrortrader.com

And finally, here is some early praise for the collection from horror-themed review sites such as The Sinister Scoop:

https://www.thesinisterscoop.com/post/the-nightmare-cycle-lawrence-dagstine

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos, Digital Credits”

NEW HORROR ANTHOLOGIES: “Quarantine” – Red Polka Books

It is with great pleasure to announce that I’ve nabbed my fifth “Zombie-themed fiction” acceptance in the last year, and it goes to the new publishing outfit Red Polka Books. The name of the anthology this time is called QUARANTINE, and it is a book of short stories featuring many different authors from many diverse backgrounds. I am headlining the book (I’m actually the first short story as soon as you open it up). And it is a book centered around deadly viruses, pathogens, and pandemics. Even worse than Covid-19. It will be available in the States on platforms such as Lulu (Amazon later), should you want a print or digital copy for your daily commute to work, and will eventually creep its way into other countries such as the UK and India. My story is based off a deadly pathogen, and military scientists have to actually shut down a school with kids inside. Undead children who have become victim to HOS (a hostile pathogen with a science behind it, and yeah, some goofiness as well). Read my short story in Quarantine today, entitled, “Classroom of the Dead.”

QUARANTINE – Anthology of Modern Pandemic/Horror Tales

Featuring Lawrence Dagstine’s: “Classroom of the Dead”

QUARANTINE – DARK LOCKDOWN TALES for the 21st Century

Edited by Simon Dubois & Rasiika Sen – for RED POLKA BOOKS

COMING TO AMAZON WORLDWIDE VERY SOON!

DIGITAL VERSION: https://www.lulu.com/shop/rasiika-sen-and-simone-dubois/quarantine/ebook/product-ywjjkm.html

PRINT VERSION: https://www.lulu.com/shop/rasiika-sen-and-simone-dubois/quarantine/paperback/product-pryy5y.html

Red Polka Books on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Redpolkabooks

Red Polka Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/redpolkabooks

Red Polka Book on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedPolkaBooks

In the event you want to try Amazon down the road, here is my Amazon Author Page with all Bestselling Anthologies (those still in print as of 2023). This page will only grow bigger: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lawrence-Dagstine/author/B001K8UG5K

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

SCIENCE FICTION ANTHOLOGIES: “Alien Dimensions #24…” – PREORDER NOW!

Pleased to announce that I have a brand new science fiction short story set in the cold dangerousness of space appearing later this month (comes out on Kindle March 28th to April 1st), in Neil Hogan’s Anthology-Magazine Series, Alien Dimensions. This is the SECOND time, second credit I have with Alien Dimensions. I first appeared many, many years ago in Issue #14. But that sold out quick and is long out-of-print. Not sure if there is going to be a print edition yet. I’ll post links and cover photos below, and as always, to the right-hand side of this website. You have a lot of familiar names from the science fiction scene, especially the 2000s era. Not just myself. You have Allen Ashley, Elana Gomel (and I just shared a TOC recently with Elana), Gustavo Bondoni, Mord McGhee, just to name a few. The name of my scifi tale is: “Close Proximity.”

ALIEN DIMENSIONS No. #24

Edited and produced by Neil A. Hogan

Anthology-Magazines are thick and glossy magazine-like books which feature many different authors with a variety of short stories, some from diverse backgrounds, centered around the same “theme” or “genre.” In this case, Space Stories. Science Fiction.

PRE-ORDER ALIEN DIMENSIONS #24 NOW FOR AMAZON KINDLE:

Previous issues I also appeared in (now out-of-print – check Ebay, I guess):

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos, Digital Credits, Magazines”

NEW CRIME ANTHOLOGY: “Unspeakable…Volumes 1 & 2” – Tales of Unspeakable Crimes!

I’m pleased to announce that I am in yet another genre anthology for 2022. Keep them coming. This time it’s not horror, or even body horror, but hard crime and whodunits. Tales of unspeakable crimes and unforgettable ones, from the eyes of detectives AND murderers. There was such a good reception with this one, it actually garnered TWO thick volumes, rather than one. UNSPEAKABLE: Volumes 1 & 2. From Culture Cult Press. Edited by Jay Chakravarti, and available in the US, UK, and even India. My short story features Detective Harry Folsom, whose character underwent many edits over the years, and was originally called Ted Wolgast. I had written a series of stories on Ted Wolgast, even a novel on this futuristic Kolchak the Night Stalker character in the 2000s, but it never panned out to anything. Now Ted Wolgast has become Detective Harry Folsom in this day and age.

My UNSPEAKABLE story has elements of cyberpunk, but I wouldn’t really call it that. I would call this tale “futuristic noir.” That is the best way to describe it. The name of the tale is: “The Curious Case of the Gene Pool Victim.” It takes place in a rather dark, grim unlikely future. One where a grizzly murder takes place. I am in Volume 1. Remember, there are two books, two volumes. I’m in the first one. Promotional material and pics down below.

Complete lineup of other authors are just above. I’ve put smaller book links on the right-hand side for your convenience.

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

ZOMBIE BOOKS: “RISE Stories of the Undead…” – SECOND PRINTING!

If you are a fan of zombies, then I am pleased to announce that I have a brand new undead tale about parenthood, life after death, belonging, and unrequited love, in Wicked Shadow Press’s debut anthology: “RISE: Stories of the Undead.” Interesting lineup of authors here, and some really interesting and original zombie stories. 250 Pages, Edited by Parth Sarathi Chakraborty, and available in paperback and in digital format (Second Printing is exclusive to Lulu). It’s available worldwide. Wicked Shadow Press is a new small press publisher mostly specializing in horror. Links and pics below with info.

ORDER HERE DIRECT FROM LULU:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/parth-sarathi-chakraborty/rise/paperback/product-45mey9n.html?q

WICKED SHADOW PRESS PUBLISHER HOMEPAGE:

Wicked Shadow Press || Horror, Fantasy, SciFi, Crime publisher

WICKED SHADOW PRESS ON FACEBOOK:

Wicked Shadow Press – Home | Facebook

New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

NEW HORROR ANTHOLOGY: “I Cast You Out! – Stories of Possession”

I am quite pleased to announce that I’ve got a new, exclusive story appearing in the recently-released paperback anthology, “I CAST YOU OUT: Stories of Possession.” Featuring 27 different authors from around the globe (including India), touching down on the psychological and horrifying effects of demonic possession. At this time it is only available on Amazon. I am not sure whether it will see a digital release. So this might be print only. I’ll put all the usual links to the right hand side or pictures in this post, should you be interested. Edited by Jay Chakravarti. 336 Pages.

My tale, which comes in around 5100 words, is called “Trevor’s Nagging.” Location-wise it takes place in a mental hospital with a psychiatrist figure, and a young lad named Trevor…but just what is nagging at him? If you are a fan of movies such as The Exorcist or The Exorcism of Emily Rose, this story and many of the others contained within may be up your alley. Just make sure to read with the lights on.

You can order the anthology DIRECT from Amazon below:

Also, if you would like to follow me on a modern day reader, tablet, or android device, or keep up-to-date whenever a new anthology featuring my works of speculative fiction and horror come out, I have an author page here:

https://www.amazon.com/Lawrence-Dagstine/e/B001K8UG5K/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

You can also find me on Twitter (my social media of choice the past 13 years), where I not only talk about fiction literature, but talk shop on video games, toys, comic books, pop culture, Doctor Who, and art: http://www.twitter.com/ldagstine

New Entries: “Books & Anthos”

New Anthologies: “Classics Remixed” – Left Hand Publishers

I have a science fiction story in Left Hand Publishers speculative fiction anthology, titled: CLASSICS REMIXED. Edited by Karen T. Newman. This is a big beefy book, chock full of imaginative stories of characters we know from past fairy tales, novels, and folklore. What happens when you take famous story characters and put them in different scenarios, speculative situations, or twist around a fairy tale? You get Classics Remixed. An anthology of classic characters REMIXED and REIMAGINED into something new and different. It has beautiful cover art, and as always when I update my website, I will leave pictures of book covers, a lineup of the author talent (Table of Contents), and links to the publisher’s website and places like Amazon, where you can order this book in trade paperback form.

CLASSICS REMIXED

An Anthology: Edited by Karen T. Newman

ClassicReMix_Cover-SMALL-FRONT

Left Hand Publisher’s Online Store (order book):

https://lefthandpublishers.com/shop/

Classics Remixed – Order from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Classics-ReMixed-anthology-classic-tales/dp/1949241114/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=classics+remixed&qid=1560065576&s=gateway&sr=8-2

ClassicReMix_Cover-SMALL-WHOLE

Table of Contents for Classics Remixed:

Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother Tells All by Jill Hand
The inside story behind one of our favorite fables
Sailor’s Saga by Steve Rouse
Old Man and the Sea meets Moby Dick meet 20,000 Leagues
Not a Single Soul by Tom Howard
A good witch, a wicked witch, but which witch is which?
The Maze Under the Clouds by Blake Jessop
A sci-fi spin on the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur
The Upper Hand by A.P. Sessler
In a spin on “The Monkey’s Paw,” be careful what you wish for…
Of House and Home by Eric Andrews-Katz
Were Hansel and Gretel the victims? Not so much.
Solomon’s Moon by Kevin M. Folliard
Not all invisible men are created equal. Some are just bad.
A Taste of Wonderland by Gregory L. Norris
Starvation twists Alice, Wonderland, and all its inhabitants
Gluttony by Henry Herz
What happens below decks, stays below decks in this biblical misadventure.
Moby n’ Queegs by William Ade
This ain’t your daddy’s Moby Dick
Follicles, Fables & Follies by Paul K. Metheney
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down … never mind
Jane, Designed to Love by Brandon L. Summers
Jane Eyre or A.I.? Do androids dream of electric love?
Ding Dong the Pitch is Deadly by Jonathan Shipley
There’s no place like home plate
Catcher in the Crawlspace by Jay Seate
Catcher in the Rye or Stalker in the Crawlspace?
Curse of Avalon by Anthony Regolino
That’s no Lady of the Lake…
Treasure Moon by Robert Allen Lupton
Treasure Island with a sci-fi twisted sense of humor
Noah from Mars by Lawrence Dagstine
Science fictions versus one family’s faith
Strike the Match by Robert Petyo
The Three Musketeers go bowling. Seriously.
Handsome and Greedy by Katherine Brown
Hansel and Gretel like you’ve never seen them before
Copper County Fair by Cheryl Stevens Clark
The story of the Minotaur comes to Copper County
Mermaid by Karen Janowsky
The Little Mermaid in modern day prose
A Novel Gathering by Neil Childs
A band of fictional rogues who attempt to rob the poor to feather their own nests

 

Other New Entries: “Books & Anthos”