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Portals and Doorways: An Anthology
Step into the unknown with five original fantasy short stories by Charlotte-based authors...
At the edge of Black River, young Pip faces the realities of a world consumed by human industrialization. Forced into a journey of survival, he discovers that crossing the river means more than just escaping a crumbling childhood–it demands he confront what happened to his mother.
Shapeshifter Jackie's dark dealings with her boss get interrupted by a yellow-eyed stranger in the speakeasy. Confused and scared in what was once a safe haven, she tries to get to the bottom of some bizarre disappearances.
"Accept no gift. Give no thanks. Your name is yours alone." These are the three rules that can't be broken with the extra dimensional maze known as the Oubliette. Its dim confines hide doors that open randomly into other worlds. Part prison, part experiment, the Forsaken Labyrinth promises adventure at the cost of one's freedom.
A librarian stumbles into the hidden realm of ghosts, finding three lingering among the stacks where she may discover a story of her own when they nudge her toward a handsome patron who just might be there for more than the books.
College student Sophie stumbles upon a shadowy pocket dimension after touching the campus library's haunted bathroom mirror. Now trapped inside the ruins of a sprawling gothic castle, she searches for an exit while contending with the castle's only other resident, a boy who has been there for a century.
At the edge of Black River, young Pip faces the realities of a world consumed by human industrialization. Forced into a journey of survival, he discovers that crossing the river means more than just escaping a crumbling childhood–it demands he confront what happened to his mother.
Shapeshifter Jackie's dark dealings with her boss get interrupted by a yellow-eyed stranger in the speakeasy. Confused and scared in what was once a safe haven, she tries to get to the bottom of some bizarre disappearances.
"Accept no gift. Give no thanks. Your name is yours alone." These are the three rules that can't be broken with the extra dimensional maze known as the Oubliette. Its dim confines hide doors that open randomly into other worlds. Part prison, part experiment, the Forsaken Labyrinth promises adventure at the cost of one's freedom.
A librarian stumbles into the hidden realm of ghosts, finding three lingering among the stacks where she may discover a story of her own when they nudge her toward a handsome patron who just might be there for more than the books.
College student Sophie stumbles upon a shadowy pocket dimension after touching the campus library's haunted bathroom mirror. Now trapped inside the ruins of a sprawling gothic castle, she searches for an exit while contending with the castle's only other resident, a boy who has been there for a century.
172 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2025
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
C.T. Emerson
4 books6 followersC. T. Emerson lives in North Carolina with his wife, cat, and dog. He’s the creator of the NOVA series and the World of Egasium. In his spare time he enjoys eating ice cream.
After growing up in México from 1994 through 2010, he graduated from Davidson College in 2016, earning degrees in political science and Spanish literature.
After growing up in México from 1994 through 2010, he graduated from Davidson College in 2016, earning degrees in political science and Spanish literature.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 15, 2025
Biases aside, I didn't just contribute to this; I read this entire thing front to back twice and therefore can confidently say that I am proud to stand alongside these four authors and these four stories. Each one is fantastic and engrossing in its own unique way and showcases each author's style wonderfully. They are each their own entity and yet, miraculously, manage to mesh very well together as one cohesive collection. Read it! That's all I have left to say!
March 14, 2025
From Stephen King vibes to a RomCom this anthology really is packed with intriguing stories that will have you reading from cover to cover. I'm excited I got to be a part of it and that I got to work with such awesome fellow local authors!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews