Join Intelligence Officer Brendan Sean Murphy as he voyages into space in a struggle for peace and his own sanity. My first novel Fallen is available for $0.99 digital and $19.95 on paperback.
Meanwhile, finish Brendan’s tale by ordering Risen before it comes out on August 15, 2024!
Some of My Favorite Very Short Stories
The vss365 and scififri writing challenges, which I post on X and Substack Notes, are fun little activities that allow me to sprout small tales in unique ways. Below are some of my recent favorites with short explanations.
The Tale of the Fiendish Dig
Long ago I read about the historic legends of the New England consumption vampires in Michael E Bell's Food for the Dead: On the Trail of New England's Vampires. The stories lend themselves to historic horror, and what better than a Civil War setting in the dying Old South?
Jamie swung his shovel over his shoulder as I watched. He may have been exiled over 4,000 miles away from his home in the dry wilds outside Madrid, but here in the moonlit Sea Islands, wearing his Union blues, he was happier than a New England clam.
"You see, Juan," for some reason he refused to use my Anglo name, "while I was living in Exeter, I learned of the folklore of the American vampire. Verdad." He swung out some more dirt. "It lives in the bodies of those who have died of consumption. Then it tries to spread the illness to others."
Words failed me as I tried to rebut the Carlist, but I could see the fire in the man's eyes. No reason would reach him.
He continued. "So, when I heard this plantation hija died of consumption not two weeks ago, I knew then and there she was no hija penquina, pero un vampiro had lodged itself in her corpse. Just you wait and see, in no time I'll have this grave dug out. Then, we'll burn the body, pray to La Virgen, and the whole regiment will be well again by lunch time."
At that time I was out of my element, sir, nothing I could say would stop the act, nor could I not stop myself from trying anything to save my men. As I write this, the deed is done and dawn is rising. I pray to our merciful God that the men will heal, and the uproar of a desecrated grave will not leave the island.
-Major John Hancock
14th Rhode Island Infantry
Occupation duty outside Charleston
Probe
One of the things I love about sci-fi is how the fantastical can meet the mundane. Here, one alien’s bad day is made worse.
It wasn't Xarglong's day, and it was about to get worse. Losing his job was bad enough, but now karma was coming for the biologist. An earthling had found planet Cooba, and the probe in its hand was clear indication it wanted revenge.
The Crush
My attempt at romance in a very short story.
"Pressure reaching intense levels," the computer declared.
No kidding, Bjorn thought.
While Venus' crushing atmosphere was assaulting the lander, his crush Alzbeta sat at the controls.
If only he could build up courage to ask her to turn on the shields
Message from Space
First encounter tales, especially with language being an issue, intrigue me because of the cultural exchange angle. Here, communication and interpretation are key, leaving the reader to decide what the message is and if it is a good or bad thing.
Privates Kahiona and Stone watched as the UFO hovered above. Just then, a light protruded from the craft and displayed the word "Aloha" in the sky.
Stone gulped. "Is that a 'hello' or 'goodbye'?"
"I don't know," Kahiona replied.
Risen is Coming
You can pre-order digital now, with paperback available on August 15!
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Until Next Time
On August 15, we will celebrate the release of Risen! Then, we’ll take a fun look at the Titanic in science fiction.
As always, please leave a comment with any questions, reviews, thoughts, whatever about Fallen, Risen, or whatever else I have discussed. I promise to reply!