James Pyles's Blog, page 15

Lending Library

Angelique walked with beauty and silence into the alleyway. It was overgrown and filled with lost, neglected, and leftover items. She loved it. These urban lending libraries were common and had been around so long no one gave them a second thought. Bring a book you want to share, open the door, exchange it for […]

“The Joker and the Thief ” to be published in “Ruth’s and Ann’s Guide to Time Travel, Vol 2”

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. My science fiction short story “The Joker and the Thief” was just accepted for publication into the anthology “Ruth’s and Ann’s Guide to Time Travel, Volume 2.” As I understand it Gemini Wordsmiths is the parent company for Celestial Echo Press. […]

My Flash Fiction Horror Piece “Olivia Comes Home” to be Published by SciFanSat

My flash fiction horror tale “Olivia Comes Home” has been accepted for publication at the SciFanSat monthly e-zine due to be published online on Saturday, June 29th, 2024, in their eleventh issue (the cover for the tenth issue is above). This is a wee story with a word count of 545 and follows a goth […]

Review of “Murderbot Diaries Book 6: Fugitive Telemetry” (2021) by Martha Wells

Last night I just finished book seven in Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries series called Fugitive Telemetry. The story is actually set between books five and six, but that doesn’t take anything away from the adventure. SecUnit, otherwise known as “Murderbot,” is basically a cybernetic being, mostly machine with some organic parts. They (technically SecUnit has […]

Compensation for a Spider

“Please don’t struggle,” She gently crooned. “Don’t you see how we’re honoring you?” “Honor?” Only his face was exposed in the webbing. “You call being eaten an honor? You’re going to kill me, my children, my grandbabies. How is that an honor?” “Dearest offering.” She stroked his hair lovingly. “You are an atonement for what […]

Interviewed by Superversive SF Livestream about “The Last Oasis of Mars”

I mentioned before how I was going to be interviewed by Superversive SF about my short story The Last Oasis of Mars published at High Tower Magazine. That happened a little while ago and here is the YouTube video: We spent about ninety minutes talking not only about my stories, but pirates, the nature of […]

Read “The Last Oasis of Mars” at “High Tower Magazine” NOW!

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. It’s here! More specifically, my short story The Last Oasis of Mars: From the Tales of the Razzle Dazzle is at High Tower Magazine. Join (a fictionalized version of) writer Jack London and the Captain and crew of the pirate ship […]

Book Review of “Timeline” (1999)

If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi. Last night I finished reading Michael Crichton’s 1999 novel Timeline. I’ve always been a sucker for a time travel story, and this one is more unusual than most. First, Crichton, who passed away in 2008, was not only an excellent writer, […]

We’re Not As Alone As You Think

She was alone in the deserted park two blocks from home when she heard his breathing. It was too late to run. Rough hands grabbed her from behind. Instead of screaming, she whirled around in his grip and exposed her vampire’s fangs. “What? You too?” Nigel retracted his fangs and stood back looking disappointed. “Oh […]

Reminder: My short story “The Last Oasis of Mars” Appears in “High Tower Magazine” on Friday!

Just a reminder, my steampunk, pulp fiction short story “The Last Oasis of Mars” will be featured in the premiere issue of High Tower Magazine on Friday, June 14th. If you click the link before then, there’s not much to see. Click Subscribe to subscribe to the new periodical. Clicking No, thanks takes you to […]