Automobilia

by Jason J. Marchi

AUTOMOBILIA41 stories 9 poemsSince the first automobiles rolled down a street, the range of human emotions attached to these machines has run from love to hate, humor to horror, joy to sadness. This book is a sampling of how fiction writers have viewed the automobile, from yesteryear to tomorrow.

Famous writers, experienced story tellers, and new literary voices are mixed together between these covers.

Automobilia is the first in a trilogy of stories and poems featuring that one machine that has changed the face of the earth, for the good and for the bad…the automobile.

443 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2024

About the author

Writer, editor, and publisher. Marchi has worked as an assistant developmental editor for a higher education publisher (which later became part of McGaw-Hill), a newspaper crime and features writer, and a feature story writer for glossy regional magazines. He's also published his own stories and poems in books for young readers. As an editor, Marchi is now publishing fiction anthologies under the SpeKulative Stories Anthology Series trademark, which he founded under his publishing banner, Fahrenheit Books. The publishing company was named in honor of his literary mentor (and later close friend), Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451.

Reviews

[Robbie Sheerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Collection

What a fun ride this was! A great collection of short stories and poems by new and emerging writers, and a must read for sci-fi and car fans. I look forward to the next book on the series.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Automobilia, compiled and edited by Jason J. Marchi and Jeffery L. Buford Jr, is an intriguing anthology that interweaves short stories and poems, using automobiles as a central motif to explore a tapestry of human experiences. This collection skillfully spans multiple genres, including thriller, drama, and horror, providing a varied literary landscape.

In this anthology, vehicles are not merely background elements but pivotal to the narrative structure. For instance, "Duel" is a gripping tale where protagonist Mann faces off against a relentless truck driver in a high-stakes road chase to San Francisco. "Passages" delves into the poignant story of Beth, grappling with the loss of her boyfriend Rick and his Mustang in a tragic accident. Meanwhile, "Homeless" introduces us to Max, whose late-night walk leads to an unexpected encounter at an accident site.

The stories in Automobilia are characterized by their exploration of themes such as loss, grief, resilience, redemption, courage, and the bonds of friendship. Each narrative offers a unique perspective on life's complexities, enhancing the reader's appreciation of the human condition. A standout feature of these stories is their unpredictability, which injects a sense of excitement and keeps the reader engaged. The use of automobiles as a unifying theme is not only original but demonstrates remarkable creativity. The stories are crafted with skill, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and a flair for capturing the reader's imagination. While the anthology presents a rich variety of stories, a broader cultural context in some narratives could have offered an even more diverse and enriching experience. The writing throughout is concise and compelling, making each story a satisfying read.

Automobilia contains mature themes and hence, is more suitable for an adult audience. Readers who appreciate an inventive approach to storytelling and the exploration of human emotions and experiences will find this book particularly engaging.

[Elina Vaysbeyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Automobilia is an ambitious and surprisingly intimate anthology that explores one of humanity’s most transformative inventions: the automobile.

Across forty-one stories and nine poems, editor Jason J. Marchi gathers a wide range of voices established authors, seasoned storytellers, and emerging writers to examine how cars have shaped our emotions, relationships, and futures. The result is a literary road trip through love, obsession, nostalgia, horror, humor, and regret.

What makes Automobilia compelling is its refusal to settle on a single narrative about technology. In some pieces, cars represent freedom and identity; in others, they become instruments of destruction, alienation, or quiet tragedy. The anthology spans eras and tones, from reflections on early automobiles to speculative visions of what lies ahead, capturing how deeply embedded these machines are in our collective psyche.

The variety of styles keeps the collection dynamic, while the unifying theme gives it cohesion. Together, the stories and poems suggest that automobiles are never just objects they’re mirrors of human desire, fear, and consequence.

As the first volume in a planned trilogy, Automobilia sets a strong foundation: thoughtful, wide-ranging, and unafraid to confront both the romance and the cost of the machine that changed the world.

[George King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal collection of short stories & poems. Feels like a real passing of the torch given the fact that it’s got well known authors and emerging authors.

Makes me want to try and write a short story. Some of these emerging authors should look into screenwriting. I know a lot of the popular authors in this anthology has already written screenplays.

Can’t wait for more to come in this anthology series.

[Jacqueline Seewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite an amazing anthology. I have to say anyone purchasing it will get their money's worth. There are forty-one short stories and nine poems included from many different writers--something of interest for all readers. Jason J. Marchi has included one of his own touching poems and a powerful short story. Highly recommended.