ShortStories

"True Reflections"
Magic mirrors that reflect the future help a swordswoman overcome a handicap, and a Princess gain a crown.

Following are pictures of magazines where my short stories have been published, and the last (largest) picture is the cover of a book anthology. By each photo is the name of the short story, and a few sentences telling you what the story was about, and maybe a comment or two. By the way, this is a great way for a new writer to hone his/her skill. My experience with the editors of SF/F publications was one of wonder. They not only wrote personal notes back to me, but sometimes even gave me a detailed critique. The editors in this genre are really dedicated to encouraging new talent.

"Queen's Pawn"
Where one girl fights to free humankind from the mind-control slavery of dragons.

"Last Encounter"
One of my favorites, this story takes place on a world so dangerous, that to have any kind of strong feelings is taboo. A man fights those dangers and discovers the truth too late.

"Roommates"
Can you tell this is an October issue? This story helped me deal with the concept of death; about an ornery old woman, and a race of aliens who give birth only when they die, so they pass on their memories to their children by using a 'collector'.

"The Mother Tree"
About a tree nymph in search of her home, and how she finds it with the magical means of unselfish love.

"Jorn's Mountain"
A magazine for teens, this story challenges a young man to think for himself... with the help of an old dragon.

"The Elf Critic"
One of my favorite illustrations (my elf on a keyboard) is in here. It's a story about a writer's personal critic--in the form of an elf--and the unusual way one woman overcomes it.

"The Music Box"
A dying princess's love for the mannikin atop a music box breaks the spell that binds him. But do they live happily-ever-after?

"Going Home"
A (rare for me) dark story, about a warrior woman who fights the demon that inhabits her sister.

"Spirit Quest"
My first professional sale, this disqualified me from entering in the WOTF contest again (for more about the contest, visit the Awards page). I'll never forget the thrill of this sale though, took me weeks to come down off the ceiling. An anthology of short stories, it includes stories written by Jo Clayton, Deborah Wheeler & Diana Paxson...I couldn't believe one of my stories was in the same book as theirs! It was my first experience with royalties, and when it went into a German edition, I was stunned.
The first few stories I sent Ms. Bradley had probably the most hard-core (form) rejection letters I ever received. But I'm ornery and stubborn and swore one day I'd sell something to her. The next few rejection letters were more encouraging, and eventually I did. (If you're an aspiring writer, it really helps to be stubborn).
Like most of my stories, "Spirit Quest" is a fantasy romance, set in an icy world of monsters and magic, reminiscent of the Inuit's. It's the story of two people who find in each other their kindred spirits; how a soul can entwine with another's and how people can bring out the worst...or the best in each other.

"Alienphobia"
Ever wonder what it might be like to shop in the corner drugstore of the future? With aliens?

RECENTLY RELEASED...
"The Music Box", a romantic fairy-tale short story is appearing in the May and September issues of "The Writers Post Journal". Click on the link below to order the September issue shown on the left. The May issue sold out. For a brief description, see the "Pandora" magazine photo above.
TWPJ is a very professionally-run publication. I highly recommend writers to submit.

SHORT

STORIES

ISBN 0-88677-703-8

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