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Heroine Chic
"I am the girl the Lost Boys lost." Queens and Scoundrels. Witches and Rebels. Grifters and Goddesses. These are stories about heroines. From prolific poet and writer James Webster, featuring 52 very short stories, Heroine Chic is a celebration of the heroine's place at the heart of science fiction, fantasy, and reality. Told with humour, daring, and gorgeous lyricism, these are tales of magic, love, adventure, SCIENCE! and much more.
161 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2017
3 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
James William Purcell Webster
2 books7 followersJames William Purcell Webster is also known as James Webster.
James is an inveterate scribbler of poetry and prose who can most reliably be found writing weird little stories online, on a stage somewhere, doing something that can only be described as ‘proclaiming’.
As a poet, he’s won multiple slams, performed up and down the UK (mainly down) and written two full-length spoken word theatre shows (50 Shades of Webster and Poor Life Choices) that he’s performed at various festivals and even one sci-fi convention.
When not performing, he’s had poetry published in a couple of anthologies, but most often publishes microfiction and flash fiction on his tumblr, Strange Little Stories. His first book, Heroine Chic, collects 52 stories about female and non-binary protagonists and is published by Inspired Quill.
James likes his stories the same way he likes his friends/partners: somewhat surprising, perfectly formed and weird as hell.
Oh, and he lives in Oxford. In case any of you were interested.
James is an inveterate scribbler of poetry and prose who can most reliably be found writing weird little stories online, on a stage somewhere, doing something that can only be described as ‘proclaiming’.
As a poet, he’s won multiple slams, performed up and down the UK (mainly down) and written two full-length spoken word theatre shows (50 Shades of Webster and Poor Life Choices) that he’s performed at various festivals and even one sci-fi convention.
When not performing, he’s had poetry published in a couple of anthologies, but most often publishes microfiction and flash fiction on his tumblr, Strange Little Stories. His first book, Heroine Chic, collects 52 stories about female and non-binary protagonists and is published by Inspired Quill.
James likes his stories the same way he likes his friends/partners: somewhat surprising, perfectly formed and weird as hell.
Oh, and he lives in Oxford. In case any of you were interested.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 11, 2019
Subversive, emotional and intriguing book of fantastical short stories that will delight and inspire
This is a short story collection that will capture the imagination of anyone interested in whimsical and emotional storytelling. Webster really manages to capture the voice of so many fantastical characters. How does the phoenix quick to anger deal with moments of sadness in the workplace? Do you dare venture up to the wise oracle that greets you with "alright dickhead"? The characters really feel like they're grounded in the real experience of modern day heroines as opposed to tired charicatures. They're badass, emotional and wonderful.
It took me a while to finish this as I would put it to one side and read a story when I was having a bad day or needed some inspiration or just wanted to immerse myself in the wonderful worlds that Webster created. Each one will fill you with a sense of joy or a series of complicated emotions you can't quite entangle. This was a brilliant read. Looking forward to future books.
This is a short story collection that will capture the imagination of anyone interested in whimsical and emotional storytelling. Webster really manages to capture the voice of so many fantastical characters. How does the phoenix quick to anger deal with moments of sadness in the workplace? Do you dare venture up to the wise oracle that greets you with "alright dickhead"? The characters really feel like they're grounded in the real experience of modern day heroines as opposed to tired charicatures. They're badass, emotional and wonderful.
It took me a while to finish this as I would put it to one side and read a story when I was having a bad day or needed some inspiration or just wanted to immerse myself in the wonderful worlds that Webster created. Each one will fill you with a sense of joy or a series of complicated emotions you can't quite entangle. This was a brilliant read. Looking forward to future books.
December 18, 2017
This was a very fast read but I read it consumingly (half on the bus on the way home from the launch and half as soon as I got home) then wanted more. It is my dreams, my nightmares, or how I wish them and how I wish I wrote. At each page, I feel that tremulous bubbling sense of fitness, of wonder, that I remember having on reading Calvino's Invisible Cities or Carter's Bloody Chamber for the first time. This book is delicious.
[I was at the launch hoping to see mutual friends who had shared the event but don't know the author.]
[I was at the launch hoping to see mutual friends who had shared the event but don't know the author.]
August 28, 2019
This book is one of the best I have ever read. I am aware that this sounds like a huge exaggeration, however, it accompanied me through a really difficult year. I carefullly read it over a year and each story gave me something, like a gift in a book, they popped out and gave me something new. I really love the way that the words melt together, the stories and the tone. These stories help me rewrite my brain. They have shown me a beautiful way in whch I can relearn stories and stop making assumptions about our stories and what they look like especially in terms of gender and sexuality and my socialised assumptiuons. Would highly reccomend this book for everyone anyone - especially if you like stories.
August 27, 2019
this is a wonderful book. It has worlds and wonders within it. It looks surprisingly small for the amount of wonders in it. Every story is powerful and beautiful. Even the ones with sharp teeth and lots of blood. Maybe especially those ones.
August 27, 2019
An amazing collection of stories that rethink heroines and their stories. Not to sound clichéd but it make me laugh, cry and think. Highly recommended.
July 8, 2025
Delightful flash stories for this old sci-fi fan. follow this man on Facebook and Tumbler, there's more delightfulness there.
August 27, 2019
This is an incredible collection of stories. They will seem to be about things we think we know very well already, but they are not. They will challenge the way you think, the way you look at champions and monsters, and they will sit in your hearts forever.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews