Twenty-four very short stories, twelve science fiction and twelve fantasy. From the future to now, from fairies to androids, from outer space to right next door, each of these short tales can be read in minutes. Explore worlds defined in small spaces, easy to pick up and read when you only have a moment to spare. Crossed Wires and Other Very Short Stories proves that sometimes, less really is more.
The Fantasy Stories:
Cat and Mouse: When a demon crosses into our world, the battle to defeat it also crosses the borders of realities in a deadly game of Cat and Mouse.
Christmas Spirit: Once a year, a retired cop is murdered, a cryptic note left behind. Will a little Christmas Spirit ever solve the crimes?
Learning to Fly: Long before the events of “Circle Unbroken”, Kaili was a typical girl child. Because what little girl can resist using her magic abilities even if it is pushing the limits of what is acceptable? It’s all part of growing up and Learning to Fly. A prequel story in the world of “Circle Unbroken” by the author.
A Life in the Year: Some insects live only a short time. Some are more than they seem. And some are both and can teach you a lot about A Life in the Year.
A Girl and Her Imp: Invisible friends. The stuff of childhood imagination. Or are they? A Girl and Her Imp might have something to say about that. Set in the world of the “Yo-Yo Files” series by the author.
Run: When you’re the different one in school, you learn to do what you can to avoid the popular girls. But when you have finally had enough of their teasing, one day it becomes their turn to Run.
Academy in the Night: As the principal of a haunted school, you do what you can for the children. Even on Halloween, when the ghosthunters come to your Academy in the Night.
Catch a Falling Star: All Hallow’s Eve. The day when spirits can walk this earth again. Unfortunately, not all of them are harmless, and someone needs to be there to Catch a Falling Star.
Seeing the Wizard: Wizards can be annoying with their riddles and half-answers. All Paul wanted was a straight answer and to know if he was really Seeing the Wizard.
Things that Go Bump in the Night: The monster isn’t always under the bed. Sometimes, the monster is upstairs, even if Mom says there’s nothing to be afraid of. And sometimes, the monster is in both places, for different reasons. And the only way to find out is to look for Things that Go Bump in the Night.
He Followed Me Home: There are some things money can’t buy, and friendship is one of those things. Even then, we don’t always choose our friends. Sometimes, they choose us, as one traveler finds out when He Followed Me Home.
Something in the Water: There’s Something in the Water this year. The weird old guy on the shore told Pete the lake is “working”. Pete doesn’t know what that means until his sister dives into the working magic of the lake.
The Sci-Fi Stories:
Cargo: Pirates are a constant threat to the crews of cargo transports. Even empty ones because some pirates are interested in a different sort of Cargo.
Fast Forward: Traveling forward in time is real, but coming back? That’s a different problem. Would you volunteer to Fast Forward to the future if you couldn’t come back?
A New Man: Biological nanotech has multiple possibilities, from simple diagnostics to curing disease. It can even turn a president into A New Man.
One is the Loneliest Number: Being the first human to live on another planet is not for everyone. Especially when you the only human there. And when the second inhabitant arrives, you just might decide that One is the Loneliest Number isn’t such a bad thing.
Red is the Color of one starship captain’s face when a first contact diplomatic dinner takes a wrong turn over a salad.
Crossed Wires: Maintenance robots are great. They take the burden of routine jobs off human workers so they can devote their talent to the trickier jobs. But Crossed Wires can make a useful tool into a deadly opponent.
Invaders: The last living things on Earth are going to be the bugs, right? Maybe that’s because they are really the Invaders.
Bone Song: In the battle between mankind and the robots determined to exterminate them, one craftsman finds a way to create his own Bone Song.
Life Support: When virtual reality becomes everyone’s daily reality, someone has to turn the tables and provide the Life Support and bring back the real world.
Transcribed: When a loved one is beyond hope of revival, it’s the job of a Leech like Martin to make sure they are Transcribed before they are lost forever.
No Way Out: SAL survived the rough landing on the unexplored planet, but now, he faces the news that there will be no rescue mission. There’s No Way Out for SAL except to lose everything.
The Butler Did It: Can a human and an android fall in love? And if they do, what will happen in a society that forbids such a relationship? For the android maid Elizabeth and human Diane, surviving together will depend on no one, especially Diane’s father, finding out that The Butler Did It.
Available now at:
Why not check out the rest of my books and stories? You can find the details
And So On... 