Inklet Series

Abbi the Labrador loves her people—but she loves her bunny friend Zac even more. So when he pleads with her to let him out of his cage one night, she does. Even though it's the wrong thing to do.  Even though the consequences will be worse than she ever imagined.   A tragic short tale about the true meaning of friendship—and guilt. 1300 words. Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Blue lightning, red clouds, searing heat and a dwindling water supply: just a typical day on Spiral.  Jessa watches the monitors daily, waiting for the return of the ice ship. Her family died in the last water rationing crisis—and she longs for good news to share with the colony this time.  The ice ship's mission lasts six more months. But of course, Jessa looks anyway—just in case.  The stand-alone sequel to Brooks' short story Seventy, for everyone who wants to believe in hope.  1400 words / science fiction

Andrea plays the Game—a massive, interstellar, virtual reality experience—as often as she can. And she plays well. Really well.  …Well, she cheats, actually, which she feels ambivalent about to be honest.  Except on Level Nine. Because no matter how hard she tries, Level Ten remains out of reach… until a wholesome newcomer arrives.  A light-hearted, feel-good story about the power of online gaming to bring people together.  1230 words / virtual reality science fiction

Ellie looks forward to her regular spa visits. Running into that jerk Brandr again? Not so much.  Too pretty for anyone's good, Brandr arouses lust in everyone he meets--and Ellie hates the way he inspires her body to burn. She knows what she wants out of love, and she'll do whatever it takes to maintain her control. If you love enemies-to-lovers with a touch of magic, you'll love Answer The Question. Grab your copy now! 3800 words.  Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Usually, Scott gets home to one of his mother's crazy rants.  Today? Silence.  Which makes a nice change—except that today, evil shadows lurk in the pantry where the food should be.  Can Scott track down his mother, banish the shadows, and find something to eat in peace?  A dark fantasy tale featuring one of the characters from Laurens' popular Sanctuary series.  2200 words / Young Adult Portal Fantasy Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Her ears buzz, day and night, like a wasp has taken up residence in her brain.  The solution? Call whoever it takes to get rid of it. No matter what the cost.  If you love stories that leave you glancing over your shoulder with a chill down your spine, don't miss The Wasporcist. 1600 words.  Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Springtime promises hang in the air. And Red wants her happy ending—no matter what her mother might have said. No matter what the cost.  A darkly optimistic sequel to the Little Red Riding Hood tale, for people who want to believe in hope. 900 words.  Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

When Adelaide falls from her horse in the paddock near home, her mother freaks out. But not without cause: Adelaide's terminal illness grows worse by the day, eating away at her energy, her body—and her independence.  But that's nothing compared to the tragedy that happens next in the paddock, a tragedy that threatens everything Adelaide holds dear. Inspired by Greek mythology, Sea Foam and Blood reminds readers of the importance of self-determination in crafting a better future for ourselves.  3200 words / contemporary fantasy

Certified to bring tagged people back from the dead, Anna knows responsibility. So when Millicent, local school bully, approaches Anna to raise Millicent's boyfriend Victor, Anna does the right thing: she refuses. Victor has no tag.  But now? Millicent's steaming mad, and willing to risk anything—and everything—to get her revenge.  Anna better watch out. This probably won't end well.  A sassy little story about the consequences of overstretching our limits—and a warning against thinking we always know best. Young Adult Dark Fantasy / 1300 words

The stinking, rotting Maliche devour the world, one city at a time, taking death away from humanity and replacing it with a shambling, eternal half-life.  Imber holds the box, a magic box, that may be the key to the Maliche's destruction. If only she knew how to use it.  A post-apocalyptic zombie story about the real value of death—and life.  4100 words / post-apocalyptic fantasy

The absolute last thing Adela wants? Rather, um, heated dreams about Jiri, her school archnemesis now on the opposite side of a violent, magical culture war.  Unfortunately, her subconscious disagrees.  Or the magical fate potion Anamata disagrees. Either way, Adela needs to sort out her feelings fast, before the annoying night-time distraction becomes a possibly fatal distraction in the middle of a battle…  The second Changing Tides story, perfect for fans of slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance—and Dramione. 

The night gives her strength. Under the moonlight, her bruises disappear. The servants resent her; she should be grateful for her mother's attentions. But she knows the truth. She knows why her sisters died. And now, her mother calls. A short, chilling retelling of the Snow White myth. 1300 words. Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Ravaged by war, the solar system has one hope left: the Dauphin terraforming project and its leader, Dr. Jeff Koenig. Jeff might have been saddled with Dr. Bella Lawson, whose tantrums would make anyone want to vent their oxygen, but failure? Not even an option.  No matter what the cost.  A space exploration story about the true spirit of humanity, and what it takes to survive against the odds.  4600 words. Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

The light of the city proper never reaches the under-city, past the jackal-headed guardians who keep the riffraff out.  No one goes to the under-city willingly. No one except Rion, scion of the Tahtali house.  If found, it might cost him his life.  But if he stays away, it may cost him a whole lot more.  A sweet romantic tale about the truest power in the world—love.  1200 words / romantic fantasy Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Unable to visit the psychologist in person, the kitten resorts to email. Which our psychologist can manage just fine. Except the kitten thinks this makes payment unnecessary.  That… that's problematic.  The psychologist could break off the relationship, of course. But how exactly do you tell a cat 'no'?  Our favourite kitten returns, causing more mayhem than ever in this new instalment of The Kitten Psychologist.  900 words.  Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

She plays in the meadow, the only place safe to cry about her mother's death. He finds her there, the wide-eyed boy, thrown by his horse, lost in the woods.  She guides him home, in the process finding the road out of her grief—and a friend.  But then she discovers his true identity. And everything changes.  A hopeful fairy tale retelling for people who still believe in the transformative power of love. 1100 words / fairy tale retelling 

Grandmother has a garden—cool, leafy, green, lush… and probably about to take over the world, at this rate. Jenny watches in awe, year after year, as Grandmother keeps nature at bay, taming it with her touch—and her machete.  This year, though, something changes. If you love stories of courage and discovery that remind us of the wild frontiers of nature, don't miss My Grandmother Carries A Machete. 900 words / coming of age

On a hot and stuffy afternoon, Chay and Sham want ice cream—and to spot the strange dragon that appears on the streets every Tuesday first this time.  But when a metallic, boxy beast appears blowing smoke and vomiting people, what Chay gets costs her a lot more than she bargained for.  A cautionary tale about getting what you thought you wanted, and the weighty impact of over-active curiosity glands.  1940 words / YA fantasy 

Ambrose sits alone in utter darkness, in a house nobody wanted, on a rug nobody loved, about to reach the pinnacle of all his dreams and hopes and plans.  What a pity it requires his death first. Let's just hope the prize makes the price worthwhile.  A wistful, melancholic reminder of the importance of love.   3100 words / dark fantasy

The medical assembly has finally arrested the last existing Power, one of the super-powered, nearly-immortal beings tasked with preserving the balance of the world. All too often, though, their battles have ravaged cities, so the capture of the last one delights everyone.  Everyone—except Rordan. He stands in the cold, snowy street, capturing the story for his local paper—sinking further and further into despair. A world robbed of magic? It hardly bears imagining.  Then a woman in the street catches his eye, a woman with hair of flame and eyes of fire. And Rordan realises: no one ever provedhow many Powers existed. Maybe—just maybe—a bigger story waits to be told, one that might just save humanity, if he can expose it in time… For anyone who values a sense of wonder, and believes that everyone is worth of love. 6400 words / superhero romance 

Tonight: the formal dance. Everything she ever dreamed of.  But the face looking back in the mirror? About three shades too orange.  She needs to exchange this foundation pronto, before her plans—and dreams—for the night burn down.  Because tonight will be perfect. No matter what the price.  A wicked little story about the lengths that people go to for that one perfect evening.  1600 words over 2 stories / dark fantasy

A free groom and a half-price ring bearer with every wedding gown purchase: the perfect solution to Lisa's relationship problem.  Now she just has to choose the right groom. Ah, what the heck: why not spring for a custom-made?  Because this time, Lisa's getting the best her money can buy.  A light-hearted contemporary science fiction for everyone who's ever loved revenge stories.  2500 words / Designer Human Science Fiction Welcome to Inklets, a series of short (and sometimes short-short) stories ranging from sci-fi to fantasy to lingering just on the edge of normal. One thing's for sure: you won't look at the world the same way again.

Kitty's husband returns from the magical war distant and reserved. To help him recover, she plans the perfect—albeit belated—Christmas. Red and gold ornaments. Boxes with bows. She hopes her husband loves everything, even the present under the tree that, well, wriggles. But Doug can smell it from all the way across the room. And he doesn't like what he smells. Does this spell the end of their relationship after all? A richly-imagined, private moment in a world where people can choose to be transformed for the sake of their country—for everyone who wants to believe that soldiers deserve a happy ending.

Rose got her happily ever after, complete with castle, prince and ornate banquets every night. But after four centuries, Rose can state definitively: happy endings suck.  No concerts, no plays, no children or visits with friends… Not one single change in four hundred years.  That ends, now. Before Rose destroys her castle in a fit of pique.  A fractured fairytale about the dangers of wishing for Happily Ever After.  Fractured Fairytale / 1500 words

Soulbonds mean a slow, lingering death for those who carry them—and Guiro's soulbond is nearly at an end. But if he dies near other people, the soulbond will jump to them.  And so, at the end of a long, cobbled alleyway, Guiro lingers over his very last approach to the door of the place he used to call home. Just for a few more minutes, he needs to pretend he belongs.  A touching story about the power of found families, and why real love means never having to keep secrets.  1500 words / fantasy

A plain, ugly scrap lives in a quilt-maker's basket, surrounded by brighter and more beautiful scraps.  The ugly scrap longs for a purpose, a quilt to call home... but it might as well dream of flying. Until one day, its life changes forever—well beyond even its wildest dreams. A hopeful Christmas parable about waiting for our purpose in life.  950 words / Christian allegory 

In a world where only priests make art, she listens as strange noises range outside her cell. She assumed the authorities wanted to question her about her little brother. But the truth? Much more sinister than that. The price for her transgressions? Everything she ever held dear. A cautionary tale about crossing boundaries, and the power of art to affect reality.

Tired, war-weary and worn, he longs for peace—and home. But the smell of blood reaches him as he travels: a giant, half-dead dragon—and a gang of bandits guarding it.  He swore to never kill again.  But once again, he faces a choice. Because today, someone must die.  A wistful story about promises and peace, and the precarious nature of both.  Swords & Dragons Fantasy / 1100 words

Tommy, aged five, pens his Christmas letter. His request? More brains for his family; they just don't understand him.  He begs his mum to post the letter. With only one day left, it may not get there in time—he might end up with no presents. Or, he might end up with exactly what he requested.  Santa Claus is coming. Be careful what you wish for. 800 words / horror

Parent-teacher interviews: a teacher's worse nightmare. Especially with a parent like Alison Young. Can this teacher find a way to solve this problem without getting everyone off side? A slipstream sci-fi story that reminds us all that we control our own fate.