Andy Henion's Blog, page 4

"New House" by Peter Stavros in Juked

I’m sad when Sadie’s sad, and I’m stressed when Sadie’s stressed, and I’m particularly stressed because I don’t like change, and I don’t see the point in changing just to change, when everything is fine the way it is. Read story here.

"The Snow Angel" by Doug Allyn in Best American Mystery Stories 2015

I smiled when I saw the dead girl. Just for a moment. Reflex, I suppose.

This story originally appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. A nice piece. 4 stars. Cliched in parts, but not an EQMM snoozer. Call it refined noir.

Buy BAMS 2015, edited by James Patterson, here.

"Hi" by T.E. Cowell in SmokeLong Quarterly

I imagined them all stoned out of their heads, utterly disoriented. It made me sad, knowing that my brother was a part of this group, sadder still that there seemed to be nothing I could do about it. Read story here.

"The writing itself was top notch"

From a new 4* review of The Devil in Snakeskins by sci-fi writer Quentin Wallace

This book was very interesting. It's a western, but it's set in a post apocalyptic time period. The world building was well done. The main complaint I had was that the main character was just not likable. I suppose that's what Henion was going for, an anti-hero type, but The Professor, as he was called, was almost psychotic.
 
Great action and the plot, while a revenge theme common in westerns, was still not overly cliched.

The writing itself was top notch. It will appeal to fans of weird westerns and post apocalyptic fiction. If you like flawed characters, you'll probably like it as well.

It's a really original work with some genre mixing, which I am a big fan of in my own writing. I'd like to see more of this universe from Mr. Henion in the future.

"The Weirdos" by Ottessa Moshfegh in The Paris Review

I can't help but think of Raymond Carver when I read Ottessa Moshfegh. What a talent ...

And he was short. I had never dated a short man before. The thought crossed my mind: Perhaps I am learning humility. Perhaps this man is the answer to my prayers. Perhaps he’s saving my soul. I should be kind. I should be grateful. But I was not kind and I was not grateful. I watched with disgust as he unpacked a box of books he’d found in the trash, squatting down rhythmically to place each one on the shelf. These were his constant calisthenics. His legs were iron, by the way. His hamstrings were so tight he could barely bend at the waist. When he tried, he made a face like someone being penetrated from behind.

Read story here.

"Animals" by Andy Henion in Red Fez

"What the fuck? Who are you?" The brother’s last words. Cleavon turns the jack handle and the vehicle comes down and halves him, clean and quick. Read novella here.

"IF THIS WAS ANY OTHER DAY, ME AND MATT WOULD TURN AND WALK AWAY, BUT TODAY, WE'LL STAY" by Mary Hamilton in Dogzplot

He knows he is surrounded by things of infinite size and weight. The whales, he knows there are whales out here. And sharks. And giant squids. And ugly fish with fangs. And broken ships and crashed airplanes and mountains. He knows there are mountains under water. And he knows he is so small now compared to all of this. ... This story is one of Wigleaf's Top 50 (Very) Short Fictions 2015

"Brozos" by Angel Luis Colón in The Molotov Cocktail

Then a dwarf got a hold of my scrotum, made it his personal speed bag, and my mind got made for me pretty fast. Read story here.

Other Molotov Cocktail entries here.

"If you're looking for a fast, fun read, I highly recommend it."

From the latest review of The Devil in Snakeskins, in SFReader (4.5 stars):

The Devil in Snakeskins is a mashup of Wild West meets a Post-nuclear and Post-Plague Apocalyptic Future, and it's a fun and fast read. It's set in the Western part of what used to be California, many, many years into the future after a nuclear war and virulent plague wiped out most of humanity.  ...

The Devil In Snakeskins is graphic in spots, and not for younger readers. At a mere 103 pages in length, it a quick read, but so stuffed with detail and action that it seems much longer. ...

If you're looking for a fast, fun read, I highly recommend it. 

READ FULL REVIEW HERE.

"Brain-Dead Teen, Only Capable Of Rolling Eyes And Texting, To Be Euthanized" in The Onion

The parents of 13-year old Caitlin Teagart have decided to end her life, saying she can now do nothing but lay on the couch and whine about things being "gay." See it here.