James Pyles's Blog, page 12

Leaving

Joel McIlroy looked at his packed boxes through harsh morning sunlight. The folding camera reminded him to take photos of his trip to send to his friends. He said goodbye to them last night. His companions couldn’t help pack the trailer or see him off this morning. He put on his sunglasses and got to […]

The Prattsville Spectral Tavern and Restaurant

Ed held the polished wooden sign declaring “Homestead Bed and Breakfast” in both hands. He looked dubiously back and forth between the derelict building in the middle of nowhere and his wife. Lorraine’s grin radiated absurd confidence. “Put the sign up next to the others. Our dear haunt will be incarcerated with the rest. You’ve […]

Read “Wraiths” Today at SciFanSat

My wee tale “Wraiths” is now available in issue 13 of SciFanSat in viewing (I have trouble getting this one to behave), ePub download. and PDF. Besides me, the other authors featured are Kayleigh Kitt; Alastair Millar; James Moran; Morgan RR Haze; John Love; N.H. Thaung; Mario Kersey; James C. Clar; M.S. Dy-Liacco; nancyd_writes; Peter […]

Book Review of “Half Past Human” by T.J. Bass

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. Half Past Human is a dystopian novel by T.J. Bass (Thomas Joseph Bassler) that I found recommended on social media by science fiction writer Neal Asher. The prolific Asher seems to read as much science fiction as he produces and I’ve […]

Chasing Talent

Toliver hated what Seattle would become, but it’s where she went so he followed. They’d been arguing again over her premature use of “the talent.” She left training, dashing off to October 17, 2024. “Admit it, Daddy.” Constance’s hand was on his shoulder as he examined a peculiar glass object. “It’s quite lovely, isn’t it?” […]

Read My SciFi Flash Fiction “Wraiths” at SciFanSat This Saturday

My short story/flash fiction piece “Wraiths” has been accepted into the 13th issue of SciFanSat. With the theme “betrayal” and 1,000 words to play with, I started out thus: “Did you get the escape pod launcher online yet?” Caitlin was pacing back and forth in front of the hatch to the space station’s only functional […]

My Short Story “The Haunted Detective’s Cat” Has Been Accepted Into the Anthology “Moggie Noir 2”

Raconteur Press has just accepted my short story “The Haunted Detective’s Cat” for their upcoming anthology “Moggie Noir 2” (title and cover image subject to change). The basic requirements are “crime noir” and “a cat.” A moggie or moggy is: …an informal British term for a cat, especially one that does not have a pedigree […]

My Short Story “The Other Place” to be published in the anthology “The Super Generation”

My short story “The Other Place” will be published in the Raconteur Press anthology “The Super Generation.” Imagine there was a one-time cosmic event that gave certain people superpowers. The event was never repeated and the superpowered people couldn’t pass their abilities on to their children. Only these people in their generation would be the […]

Naughty Boys Pie

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. “Sing a Song of Sixpence, A bag full of Rye, Four and twenty Naughty Boys, Baked in a Pye.” Delbert enjoyed working in the kitchen and pies were his specialty. The retired bibliographer took another sip of wine. It was an […]

Book Review of “House of Suns” (2008)

I just finished Alastair Reynolds’ 2008 science fiction novel House of Suns. The book’s scope in time and space is vast, so it’s difficult to summarize let alone absorb. Warning: Spoiler Alert! Hundreds of thousands of years ago, a few individuals including one Abigail, decide the only practical way to explore the galaxy is to […]