James Pyles's Blog, page 13

Coming With The Clouds

“For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. In those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark.” “Another day, another commute,” Cole thought as he cruised down that mind-numbing stretch of Interstate again. […]

The Punch and Judy Holiday

“Swanage Punch and Judy Show.” Donovan read the words as if they were in an unfamiliar language. “Punch and Judy. That doesn’t narrow it down much.” The sign could be early 21st century or late 20th. He had a headache and wasn’t sure how long he had been standing on the beach. “Wait. There’s a […]

Book Review of Isaac Asimov’s “Gold” (1995)

I discovered the existence is the Isaac Asimov collection Gold (named for one of the fictional stories therein) from an online source I have since forgotten. It is advertised as Asimov’s Final collection and I had never heard of it before (the usual Science Fiction fandom gatekeepers can take note and castigate me accordingly). The […]

“The Haunted Detective’s Cat” is now available in the anthology “Moggie Noir: Alley Cat Alibi”

It’s finally here. My short story “The Haunted Detective’s Cat” is now featured in the Raconteur Press anthology Moggie Noir: Alley Cat Alibi. As I mentioned in my previous announcement, a moggie or moggy is: …an informal British term for a cat, especially one that does not have a pedigree or is otherwise unremarkable. For […]

Green Glass

“You’re sure it’s not dangerous.” Linda stood slightly behind her husband Jerry as he looked down at the greenish-glowing pitcher and four glasses. “They’re a collector’s item, Lin. I got them for a great price. They’re pre-World War Two.” The middle-aged accountant beamed with pride at his own self-perceived cleverness. “You’re not actually going to […]

Why It’s Okay To Not Watch “Agatha All Along”

I have no intention of watching the new Marvel/Disney+ mini-series Agatha All Along. There are a lot of reasons for this. The first is that I haven’t seen ANY of the Disney+ Marvel shows, not even the very popular Loki series. I’ve mentioned before somewhere that I don’t particularly enjoy most television produced in the […]

Book Review of Jim Butcher’s “Grave Peril” (2001)

I just finished reading Jim Butcher’s fantasy/horror novel Grave Peril, book number three in the Dresden Files series. Harry Dresden is the only professional wizard listed in the Chicago phone book. He’s like a private detective, but the mysteries he’s called to solve always involve the supernatural and usually something very, very nasty. While he’s […]

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 […]