Anthologies & Short Stories

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Book SynopsisThe three novellas ofFarewell, Aylis take place over decades of transition in a country that rather resembles modern-day Azerbaijan. In Yemen, a Soviet traveler takes an afternoon stroll and finds himself suspected of defecting to America. In Stone Dreams, an actor explores the limits of one man's ability to live a moral life amid conditions of sociopolitical upheaval, ethnic cleansing, and petty professional intrigue. In A Fantastical Traffic Jam, those who serve the aging leader of a corrupt, oil-rich country scheme to stay alive. Farewell, Aylis, a new essay by the author that reflects on the political firestorm surrounding these novellas and his current situation as a prisoner of conscience in Azerbaijan, was commissioned especially for this Academic Studies Press edition.Trade Review“Reading Farewell, Aylis is like sitting by the fire at night with the older men of the village and listening to their stories, which in truth are the oral history of a people and a region, which in truth could turn out to be prophecies of our own lives. … In [the essay Farewell, Aylis, Aylisli] writes, ‘And I want to serve my motherland not as a patriot but as a writer.’ And that is what he has done with these stories, making him perhaps the true patriot who does what is truly needed for his country and not what pleases and flatters. One, however, needs to read him first and foremost as a writer and be enamored of the allure of his storytelling.” —Poupeh Missaghi, Asymptote -- Poupeh Missaghi * Asymptote *“Working from Russian translations of the original Azeri (two by the author himself), Young has given great attention to Aylisli’s unique style that combines elements of socialist realism, Middle Eastern and Persian tales, and social satire. Each piece is set in a different time and place and is populated by different protagonists, yet a continuity exists across the whole. What unites these four works is their engagement with historic trauma and the way hushed-up violence and wrongdoing are transmitted through generations, destroying not only individual lives but also the character of the village, region, and country that guilty people inhabit. … A writer, Aylisli teaches us, has no allegiances to a country, an ethnicity, a religion, not even to his own birthplace. ‘But he’s always responsible for the moral appearance of his own people, for the spiritual state of his own fellow citizens.’ And this writer has found the spiritual state of his fellow citizens to be in a dire condition. … As Farewell, Aylis concludes, it leaves a reader with a sense that an individual voice trying to resist the culture of violence is powerless against the status quo; nonetheless, Aylisli’s voice feels necessary and urgent.” —Olga Zilberbourg, The Common -- Olga Zilberbourg * The Common *

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Book SynopsisAfter moving from Peru north of the Arctic circle to begin graduate school, Claudia Ulloa Donoso began blogging about insomnia. Not hers, necessarily – the blog was never defined as fact or fiction. Her blog posts became the bones of Little Bird, short stories with a nod to fervent self-declaration of diary entries and the hallucinatory haze of sleeplessness. Blending narration and personal experience, the stories in Little Bird stretch reality, a sharp-shooting combination of George Saunders and Samanta Schweblin. Characters real and unreal, seductive, shape-changing, and baffling come together in smooth prose that, ultimately, defies fact and fiction.Trade Review"Blending narration and deep personal experience, the stories in Little Bird stretch reality, a sharp-shooting combination of George Saunders and Samanta Schweblin. Characters real and unreal, seductive, shape-changing, and baffling come together in smooth prose that leaves readers questioning their own truth." —Rachel Cordasco, Speculative Fiction in Translation "The stories of Little Bird by Claudia Ulloa Donoso feel like lucid dreams... Each story is threaded with a subtle, quiet eeriness that is simultaneously unsettling, but that also keeps you turning the pages." —Lesley Rains, City of Asylum Bookstore "Sometimes funny, sometimes unsettling, and often surreal, Donoso’s words will creep into your mind and make a nest. They will follow you through your day flying circles around your head at work, pecking the plate next to you at dinner, and perching beside you in bed at night. These witty, weird stories will stay with you. And after reading them, you won’t want to pick up anything else. Other books just won’t be the same." —Politics and Prose Bookstore

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Book SynopsisA collection of contemplative, lyrical stories examining the visible and invisible consequences of atomic power on Japanese society Sunrise is a collection of interconnected stories continuing Erika Kobayashi's examination of the effects of nuclear power on generations of women. Connecting changes to everyday life to the development of the atomic bomb, Sunrise shows us how the discovery of radioactive power has shaped our history and continues to shape our future. In the opening, eponymous story "Sunrise," Yoko, born exactly two years and one day after Nagasaki was decimated, mirrors her life to the development of nuclear power in Japan. In "Precious Stones," four daughters take their elderly mother to the restorative waters of a radium spring, exchanging tales of immortality. In "Hello My Baby, Hello My Honey," a woman goes into labor during the final days of WWII. And finally, "The Forest of Wild Birds" shows Erika visiting the site of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster, touring grounds that were once covered in green. Translator Brian Bergstrom returns in this collection, bringing to life Kobayashi's unsettling, lasting, and striking prose. The stories in Sunrise force a reckoning with the lasting effects of known and unknown histories and asks how much of modern life is influenced by forces outside of our control.Trade Review"Like a brilliant and rare gem, Erika Kobayashi's Sunrise: Radiant Stories stuns with layered intelligence and powerful prose. Each story offers a type of familial intimacy charged with profound historical clarity. How thankful I am to Brian Bergstrom for this indelible translation from one of Japan's brightest stars. This book feels like it's made of magic; that it's made of light." -Kali Fajardo-Anstine, bestselling author of Woman of Light "Reading Erika Kobayashi's stories is almost like getting to know modern Japan through a poetry-science lab experiment. Kobayashi mixes her fascination with the aftermaths and consequences of WWII and the social issues of contemporary Japan with a kind of child-like curiosity that make her story both complex and accessible. Nearly every story gives the impression of a mysterious chemical reaction that is happening before the reader's eyes. A mesmerizing collection." -Prabda Yoon, author of The Sad Part Was "Kobayashi's uncanny stories probe for the contacts between our most intimate lived experience and the awesome yet subtle cosmic forces that permeate it, from atomic radiation to the ruthless arrow of time. Bergstrom's rich, graceful translation offers us the chance to peer over Kobayashi's shoulder as she works these experiments, holding our breath for the next fraught and wonderful discovery." -Theodore McCombs, author of Uranians "Combining a sense of daring with a sense of wonder, Erika Kobayashi's Sunrise: Radiant Stories presents boldly speculative visions side by side with intense and finely wrought everyday moments. Throughout this striking collection, Kobayashi creates surprising space for her reader to eavesdrop on intergenerational conversations between the past, the present, and imagined futures that seem to glow just over the horizon." -Lee Conell, author of The Party Upstairs "Erika Kobayashi's stories are told with so little artifice that one might think them fairy tales, did they not float like islands adrift on a dark sea of history." -John Whittier Treat, author of First Consonants "I loved Erika Kobayashi's Trinity Trinity Trinity, so I am lining up for her collection of strange and reflective connected stories about nuclear power and its effect on Japanese people and society, especially its women." -Karla J. Strand, Ms. Magazine

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Book SynopsisWriters talk about literature on the Singapore River. Distinct and displaced pasts meet. Individual encounters with a revolutionary ballet carry a generation’s lost youth and unspoken tragedy. Laureate of innumerable literary prizes, Jiang Yun leaves no reader indifferent. Annelise Finegan teaches at the NYU. Her translations have been nominated for the International Booker Prize and won the Best Translated Book Award. Mingyuan Hu is an historian; she translates French, English and Chinese literatures.

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Book SynopsisEmergence brings us thirty of the best short stories chosen from the thousands of entries in the SBS Emerging Writers’ Competition. Now in its third year, the anthology features stories by thirty emerging writers, each speaking to the theme of ‘Emergence’ and each offering a unique snapshot of contemporary Australia. Judged by Alice Pung and Christos Tsiolkas, the stories explore themes such as sense of place, family, loss, culture, sexual awakening and the abiding connections to people and place that make us who we are. Told with utterly fresh perspectives and a rich vein of literary talent, these stories are an invitation into the unique worlds of everyday Australians. Hardie Grant and SBS champion the voices of a diverse Australia, and support the discovery and development of emerging talent to contribute to Australian storytelling.

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Book SynopsisThe Obituary Tango, is an anthology of short stories from around Africa, which were submitted to the 2005 Caine Prize for African Writing. The winner of the 2005 Caine Prize, Monday Morning was written by Nigerian S.A. Afolabi. The four others shortlisted for the award, which has become known as Africa's Booker Prize, include Tropical Fish by Doreen Baingana of Uganda; Tindi in the Land of the Dead by Ike Okonto of Nigeria; The Obituary Tango by Jamal Mahjoub of Sudan and Jail Birds by South African Mutual Naidoo. This anthology collects the winner and the shortlisted stories, together with stories written at the Celtel Caine Prize Writers' Workshop held near Naivasha in Kenya earlier this year.

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Book SynopsisIn this literary and accomplished collection of stories, Ahmed Essop presents entire worlds, and, at the same time, microcosmic glimpses into the complexities and ironies of life and human relationships.

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1989 and reprinted numerous times, Six by Six remains the definitive introduction to the classic New Zealand short story. Six by Six is a big, generous book. It shows the full range and vitality of New Zealand fiction published in the twentieth century. These are stories of pace and invention, mischief and melancholy, darkness and joy. From a two-page sketch by Patricia Grace to Maurice Duggan's short novel 'O'Leary's Orchard'. From classics like Katherine Mansfield's 'The Garden Party' and Frank Sargeson's 'Conversation with My Uncle' to the contemporary brilliance of Owen Marshall and Janet Frame. Edited by Bill Manhire.

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Book SynopsisCurated by award-winning editor Stephen Jones and illustrated by bestselling writer and artist Clive Barker, author of THE BOOKS OF BLOOD, welcome to HORROROLOGY: 'a dozen bone-chilling tales by modern masters' (Barry Forshaw, Independent).'Stephen Jones knows horror . . . he's become one of the best guides to its shifting landscape' says Kirkus, and in HORROROLOGY, a follow-up to the bestselling A BOOK OF HORRORS, he has enticed terrifying storytellers including Clive Barker (THE SCARLET GOSPELS), Joanne Harris (A POCKETFUL OF CROWS), Kim Newman (ANNO DRACULA), Muriel Gray (THE TRICKSTER) and Michael Marshall Smith (HANNAH GREEN AND HER UNFEASIBLY MUNDANE EXISTENCE), amongst many others. A dozen all-new stories from some of the best talents in the field, they present 'a gamut of fear and sombre wonders demonstrating how horror writing can be both entertaining and challenging' (Maxim Jakubowski, Lovereading). Be warned: you are about to discover the true meanings of fear!Trade ReviewStephen Jones safeguards and protects our fictions * NEIL GAIMAN, bestselling author of AMERICAN GODS *I probably wouldn't have any kind of career at all without Stephen Jones * JOE HILL, bestselling author of THE FIREMAN *One of the finest horror editors in the world. What makes this selection of stories particularly enticing is that, while all are unique and engaging, they still manage to offer that coalescence that one looks for when reading an anthology -- Andy Burns * Rue Morgue *Collection of superior horror stories . . . and the best stories are among the finest of those I have read recently -- Peter Tennant * Black Static *For those who enjoy the more eerie, thoughtful and developed horror stories over usual gory, messy and shocking style . . . some remarkable stories . . . I was both impressed and overwhelmed by the depth of content here * Always Trust In Books *Twelve words. Twelve stories. One grimoire of horror that's well worth cracking open * Andy Burns, RUE MORGUE *A dozen bone-chilling tales by modern masters * Barry Forshaw, Independent *Brings together some of the more diverse voice from the horror writing community . . .a highly readable and accessible collection of spooky stories that will stay with the reader for days . . . Horrorology is the book to give the horror fan in your life . . . it's simply that good. 9/10 * Starburst *All-new stories from some of the best talents in the field . . . all demonstrating how horror writing can be both entertaining and challenging * Maxim Jakubowski, Lovereading *Stephen Jones knows horror . . . he's become one of the best guides to its shifting landscape * Kirkus *A thing of beauty . . . a celebration of all things horror . . . a cohesive view into contemporary horror literature * Upcoming4.me *A whole heap of talent within . . . you'll enjoy this fearful experience * Falcata Times *Stephen Jones is one of the most reliable figures in horror literature today. Jones' involvement in a project is almost a guarantee that the project is going to be worth your time. * Starburst on Stephen Jones *

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Book SynopsisAlongside his work with the Camphill movement, Karl König was a prolific writer of stories, poems and meditative verses. This book contains: -- A selection of his creative work -- Verses for specific occasions -- Twenty-four poems -- Four stories for children-- Ten other short stories, including ‘Also a Christmas Story’An extensive introductory essay explores the cultural environments in which König was writing -- including Vienna in the early twentieth century, and the challenging times leading up to the Second World War -- and discusses the creative development of his literary work.Trade Review'There is much beauty in these meditative verses, and the profound sense for esoteric Christianity and the penetration of Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophy sounds through these especially, sometimes in pure intimacy, sometimes loud and clear. I would warmly like to recommended this book for all readers, not just for those familiar with the subject. '-- PerspectivesTable of ContentsI Want the Meaning of Life The Lyrical Work of Karl Konig (Introduction by Alfons Limbrunner) Editor's Note (Richard Steel) Meditative Verses Christmas 1944 Guardians of the Services For the Goetheanum Windows For the Children of Lake Farm For the Friends in America Poems For Alfred Bergel Untitled [1920] Untitled [1921] Whitsun To You, Brother Proletarian! For Albert Steffen's Pilgrimage to the Tree of Life Calling Up Untitled [for Tilla 1938] For You For Me For Turner, the Great Painter To Germany Untitled [probably 1940] For the Camphill Community Prater Pound and Dollar Verse for the Human Being Easter Morning St John'’s Day Whit Sunday Eye and Ear Calendar Verse [1961] Calendar Verse [1962] The Tourmaline Secret One Last Poem? (Richard Steel) Karl Konig's Last Poem Stories for Children Two Addresses for Children Michaelmas Advent Two Parables Arranged for Eurythmy The Treasure in the Field The Pearl in the Shell Short Stories The Bohemian-Moravian Brotherhood The Monk's Dream The Idle Tongue Brother and Sister Athena Parthenos The Three Days Christmas Past, Present and Future A Highland Story One Morning 1352 bc Also a Christmas Story Karl Konig'’s Christmas Story (a postscript by Richard Steel) Appendix Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFor generations of Oxfords residents, students and visitors, Boswells has been part of the city’s charm. It was therefore an obvious subject for Oxford Inc, a group of writers who compile stories around a common theme. All sorts of people pass through the department store; they may look just like the rest of us but, underneath the surface, the authors reveal private lives with twists, joy and despair, all of which make for an entertaining read. There are stores here to make you laugh, some will make you cry, and others will make you think; together they present a collection which is a varied and delightful as Boswells, the famous old store which links them all. Boswells are donating a percentage of the profit from every copy they sell to their Charity of the Year.

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Book SynopsisAn eclectic collection of poems and short stories based on themes from Greek mythology to Black Holes: they deal with injustice, transience, loss and death. Drawing on inspiration from the work of Shakespeare, Browning, Jung and Euripides, Peter Gordon Williams takes us on a fascinating journey of discovery.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the East Midland’s Book Award 2014The Pre-War House and Other Stories is the debut collection from Alison Moore, whose first novel, The Lighthouse, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and Specsavers National Book Awards 2012.The stories collected here range from her first prize-winning short story (which appeared in a small journal in 2000) to new and recently published work. In between, Moore’s stories have been shortlisted for more than a dozen different awards including the Bridport Prize, the Fish Prize, the Lightship Flash Fiction Prize, the Manchester Fiction Prize and the Nottingham Short Story Competition. The title story won first prize in the novella category of The New Writer Prose and Poetry Prizes.Trade ReviewThere is an insistent, rhythmic quality to Moore’s writing, and a dark imagination at work. -- Genevieve Fox * Daily Mail *Many of the themes centre around family, relationships, loss, and uncertainty. Some of the stories create a sense of claustrophobia as the characters become trapped in situations beyond their control. Each piece has its own unique style but the thread weaving through the collection is an intangible sense of anticipation. It is a delicious read and, having read some of the stories a few times, it is something I will keep going back to. A remarkable debut collection which comes highly recommended. -- F.C. MalbyThe level of accomplishment on display in this bleak narrative is remarkable. Moore is not, however, a beginner. She has been publishing short stories since 2000, and that apprenticeship shaped her first novel. Now she has published a collection of her stories, and it turns out to be just as uncompromising and unsettling as The Lighthouse ... Moore's distinctive voice commands exceptional power. -- Dinah Birch * The Guardian *[A]lmost every story works beautifully and Moore is clearly a master of the short form writing. They are atmospheric, often sad and dark, and weighed down my memory. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the final story with gives the collection its title. This is a longer piece than most of the others, as a daughter sells the family home which stirs memories of a surprising life within the four, pre-war walls of the house. * The Bookbag *Evocative and sinister, it builds relentlessly to its inevitable unwanted climax. Impressive and memorable. -- Merric Davidson * The New Writer *It should come as no surprise that The Pre-War House is a controlled and powerful piece of prose fiction, coming as it does from an author whose debut novel features on the recently released Man Booker 2012 [shortlist]. -- Dan PowellAn understated series of stories by Moore—whose first novel, The Lighthouse, was shortlisted for the 2012 Man Booker Prize—captures facets of loss and obligation. Set in empty homes, isolated fortresses, and seaside cottages, these stories use physical spaces as echo chambers of memory—of what once was or what might have been. In and out of them, women and girls (plus two male protagonists) skirt life's darkest forces, particularly the weight of birth, death, and infidelity. In "Seclusion," Maureen, once a desired young woman, contends with onslaughts of forgetfulness and fearful isolation—until she attempts to seize control by stealing a reminder of her past in her daughter's old bedroom. "Late" finds a middle-aged woman queasily rushing to work after a cocktail-fueled evening with her deadbeat husband, taking stock of her marriage before returning that evening to a house that has been irrevocably changed. "Humming and Pinging" poignantly explores the sadness of infidelity from a child's perspective, while the meditative title story, which features a woman packing up her family home, shows that beneath the well-manicured lawns and tar soap-scented judgments of her childhood, more complicated secrets lurk. There's a sense of unmet expectations inherent in these stories—a version of the imagined past or present that juts up against reality, creating a quiet sense of sadness that dogs these characters. As they navigate their lives, Moore slowly unearths their essential fears, regrets, and unmet desires, producing a subdued and beautiful feeling of yearning that leaves the reader ruminating long after the final page. A masterful collection. * Kirkus Reviews *Table of Contents Acknowledgements When the Door Closed, It Was Dark Humming and Pinging The Egg Overnight Stop Glory Hole Nurture Seclusion Sleeping Under the Stars Jetsam Monsoon Puddles It Has Happened Before The Yacht Man The Machines Wink Wink If There’s Anything Left Static Sometimes You Think You Are Alone A Small Window The Smell of the Slaughterhouse Helicopter Jean Small Animals Trees in the Tarmac Late The Pre-War House

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Book SynopsisThe countryside – what is it for? A paradise on earth where you can relax and get creative? Or an outdoor wool factory where every other house is an Airbnb and there are fewer trees than Camden. In his new collection of short stories David Gaffney explores the theme of town versus country through a number of different lenses, including his own experience of being brought up in west Cumbria then moving to Manchester. A creative residency on the coast of Scotland becomes weirder and weirder in “The Retreat”; ‘I’ve always had the feeling that the countryside has something against me and that one day it will take its revenge.’ In “The Table”, a recluse in Penrith uses mid-century furniture to lure city dwellers into a world of ‘depressed farmers with shotguns and bottomless pits of slurry that will swallow you so hard you'll never be seen again. And in “The Garages” the pressure of city living forces a man to become oddly obsessed with empty spaces. Often funny, often haunting, often profound, Gaffney uses dark humour and surreal characters to demonstrate a deep understanding of how places, urban or rural, can shape, influence and sometimes distort our lives. ‘People who like the countryside tend to believe in things that aren’t really there,’ says a character in “The Country Pub”. These are indeed stories about things that aren’t really there, and this is why they resonate with you long after you have stopped reading.

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Book SynopsisA brand-new anthology of crime stories written by masters of the genre, including Jeffrey Deaver, Val McDermid and Lee Child. A brand-new anthology of crime stories written by masters of the genre. Featuring both original in-universe stories and rarely-seen reprints, this collection of masterful short stories brings together some of the genre's greatest living authors.

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Book Synopsis'Remarkable and full of grace. It broke my heart' Sarah Perry'Guglani is the real deal' Michel Faber'Profound . . . Poetic . . . Humane' Gabriel Weston'Shows rare skill . . . Power and fear and morality' Sarah Moss, author of The Tidal ZoneHistories is a hypnotic portrait of life in one hospital, over one week. In the corridors and consulting rooms, by the bedside, through the open curtain, we witness charged encounters within the emotional and physical world of medicine. Old insecurities surface as junior doctors try to save a man from dying; an enraged chaplain picks a fight with a consultant; a porter waxes lyrical on his invisibility. These are only some of the stories that so seamlessly connect, collide and create an unforgettable panorama of being. Sam Guglani's vivid prose has the raw intensity of poetry that pulls the reader in on every page.Trade ReviewRemarkable and full of grace. It broke my heart. * Sarah Perry *"Many times man lives and dies / Between his two eternities:" says Yeats, but for the physician, the cycle becomes infinitely more complicated: for if, as Donne declares, "every man's death diminishes me" then, as Sam Guglani points out, with elegance, compassion, sadness and, occasionally, justifiable anger, the cost of taking, recording, interpreting and bearing witness to so many 'histories' - of life, of diminishment, of death - should compel, not only the medical profession, but also the world at large, to ask the most basic questions about the rift between the duty of care and the accepted norms of medical practice. * John Burnside *Guglani's compassion for the souls and bodies inhabiting his hospital makes this book much bigger than it appears. But Histories is not just heart - Guglani is the real deal. Some will describe him as a doctor-turned-writer. On the evidence of this remarkable debut, I would say he's a writer who also happens to be a doctor. * Michel Faber *Economical, emotionally involving, insightful and rather beautiful . . . A luminous argument for truly seeing and listening to others and to ourselves; it is a serious tilt at working out what matters, honed in places where people are tested by such questions every day. -- Aide Edemariam * Guardian *Guglani's novel is profound. His writing is poetic, his observations about the current state of medicine searing. But most importantly, this book is humane * Gabriel Weston, surgeon and author of Direct Red *This kaleidoscopic novella shows rare skill in its structure and balance. There are no heroes in Sam Guglani's hospital, only human beings from porters to consultants negotiating their own power and fear and morality * Sarah Moss, author of The Tidal Zone *Histories is clear-eyed, unflinching, and tender, written in hypnotic, flowing prose designed to break your heart, mend it, then break it all over again. A huge accomplishment by Guglani, whose timely, hopeful debut feels like it's always been here. A deep-rooted, sky-reaching oak of a book. * Rory Gleeson, author of Rockadoon Shore *This book lingered with me, I couldn't shake it. Quiet, breathless, beautiful, important. Read it, tell everyone else to read it, read it again. * Daisy Johnson, author of Fen *It's the first book I've read that seems to capture the real feel of a hospital, with all its human chaos among both patients and doctors, the sense of ideals lost and painfully recovered, the search for meaning in illness and a constant striving to be brave. Only a practising doctor could have written so boldly and authentically. * Ann Wroe, author of Six Facets of Light *Told with such subtlety that the reader is often ambushed by realisation as to the stories being told. Sam Guglani combines the insights and empathy of a doctor, a poetic vision, and an extraordinary capacity to ventriloquise the consciousness of others. An important voice has arrived, telling new and sometimes difficult truths about love and conflict, caring and not caring, sickness and health. * Raymond Tallis, author of The Mystery of Being Human *This is a slender book but it has colossal emotional weight. It does nothing less than reveal the complex human ecology of an NHS hospital. And it does it with devastating and searching compassion. * Richard Holloway, author of A Memoir of Faith and Doubt *With gentle acuity, Histories traces the connections that make up the life of a hospital, revealing it not as organisation but organism, with a shifting borderline between the sick and the well, those helping and those needing help. Sam Guglani has a poet's ability to halt you with a phrase, and a sharp eye for those moments when professional distance can't save us from our raw and tender shared humanity. * Philip Gross, T. S. Eliot Prize Winning author of The Water Table *Sam Guglani anatomises the inner workings of a teaching hospital with surgical precision and literary brio. This deeply humane depiction of life in the consulting rooms and on the wards marks an auspicious debut. * Michael Arditti, author of Easter *For and in the prose, and for and in the people, care is the thing here. There's a tenuity to Sam's writing that makes us face that, and it's the book's strength. * Cynan Jones *Histories is a gloriously written, spare and truthful work that is as generous as it is tough. For those of us with too much experience of being patients it offers great comfort - yes, our medical teams are exactly as human as we have long suspected. Guglani's book suggests they know this of us too. This is where connection begins. * Stella Duffy, author of London Lies Beneath *This original, thoughtful and insightful novel by oncologist Sam Guglani gives us a first-hand account of life at the heart of the NHS -- Sharmaine Lovegrove * Elle *Histories offers a rare and poetic insight into the medical world from an unusual doctor/writer talent * Salley Vickers *Histories focuses on the humanity, or sometimes the awful lack of it, at the heart of a hospital . . . his characters feel authentic and multifaceted as they chart the chaos. Their narratives offer stunning descriptions of the human condition and our fear in the face of mortality . . . Vibrant and captivating -- Sarah Gilmartin * Irish Times *It's the wisest book I've read in a long time and the writing is so beautiful - there were many times I had to stop reading, just to catch my breath. Reading Histories was not only a total joy, but a complete privilege. * Joanna Cannon, author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep *There is something meditative about Guglani's spare, poetic prose. And unsettling too. It stays with you long after the book is finished . . . It's the poeticism of his prose that renders this novel so poignant and evocative . . . As moving as it is illuminating -- Clare Black * Scotsman *Scalpel-sharp . . . A highly compulsive panorama of hospital life as a cauldron of guilt and suppressed desire -- Anthony Cummins * Metro *He focuses on the humanity of his characters, portrayed without judgment or criticism, which leaves the reader sympathising with even the most pompous individuals. Told in sparse, poetic prose, Histories is thought-provoking, unsettling and deeply affecting. -- Hannah Beckerman * Observer *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE EDGE HILL PRIZEAlmost-true stories for a post-truth worldWrong! Not Nice! Sad!A Manhattan party on election night. Liberal media types gather with big grins and high-end canapés to watch the Trump-Clinton results come in, expecting a smooth victory for Hillary. As the outcome shifts and they descend into panic, the host stands abruptly before her guests, confessing a shocking crime of years before. What follows is a series of witty, cutting, addictive tales of Trump times, portraying Democrats and Republicans in a divided America, from powerful to powerless, angry to thwarted, from a Starbucks barista who dreams of making it on the stage, to a couple whose online date goes bitterly awry, to a charmingly wicked U.S. businessman living undercover in rural Italy. Basket of Deplorables is a timely take on the craziness of today: almost-true fiction for a post-truth world.Trade ReviewInventive and amusing . . . Irresistible, like a blend of Roald Dahl's short fiction, Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror series and David Foster Wallace's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men . . . Once today's news has become tomorrow's online archive, this will be the one still worth reading -- Claire Lowdon * Times Literary Supplement *These five linked stories share the same deft characterisation, buoyant wit and imaginative richness of Rachman's lauded novels . . . Prescient and clever and it is a quick and delightful read. -- Nick Curtis * Evening Standard *Rachman's masterful collection provides an early literary look at Trump-era America . . . Slick, entertaining hot takes from a former journalist sacrifice nothing in sophistication despite their speedy turnaround . . . Superbly choreographed . . . These bang-up-to-the-minute stories feel like essential reading as we get to grips with a bizarre new era -- Peter Beech * Guardian *Rachman has delivered a survey of contemporary America with a dash of sci-fi that disses liberal snowflakes and triumphalist Trumpsters alike . . . addressing the post-truth world. Rachman is also astute about how dependent we have become on the technology that now feeds us fake news and distraction -- Nick Curtis * i Paper *Diverting and satisfying tales, laced with just the right amount of caustic wit -- Alastair Mabbott * Sunday Herald *Tom Rachman paints the post-truth world in broad brushstrokes . . . Spry observations of (mostly) larger-than-life characters who represent the angry, bewildered citizens of a divided America -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail *Rachman is a clever and compelling writer with a terrific turn of phrase and his finger on the pulse of our fast-changing world. These stories are a pleasure to read from start to finish -- David Herman * Jewish Chronicle *A neat web of morality tales about dating, faking and going online in post-truth America . . . Brilliantly savage and satirical . . . Rather than a basket of deplorables, he gives us a gallery of grotesques, whose comedy rests on the corruption of their communication. Talk is Rachman's medium, and his talkers maintain perfect pitch throughout. -- Frances Wilson * Oldie *Clever wit, sharp observation, and a thread linking them all . . . You'll love this . . . and you'll have a good laugh -- Jon Wise * Sunday Sport *Terrifically good. Just read them in one swoop. * India Knight *The premise is a terrific one . . . Rachman's deft cultural references and his acute skewering of American culture make for uncomfortably precise satire -- Sophie Gilbert * Atlantic *Rachman's fictional short stories somehow provide much comfort and understanding in a bonkers era . . . This might well be the first literary example of "When life gives you lemons..." * Emerald Street *

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Book Synopsis'There is no need of prophesying that Mr. Kelley will one day be among the best American short story writers. Dancers on the Shore proves that he already is' New York Herald TribuneIn 1964, two years after the critically lauded release of his debut novel A Different Drummer, William Melvin Kelley published his first collection of short stories, Dancers on the Shore. Reissued in a new edition by riverrun, these seventeen stories expand Kelley's literary world, showcase his limitless imagination and spotlight his inimitable talent.Trade Review'Decades later Kelley's satire continues to marvel readers' Mateo Askaripour author of Black BuckThere is no need of prophesying that Mr. Kelley will one day be among the best American short story writers. Dancers on the Shore proves that he already is. * New York Herald Tribune *Kelley shows himself to be a master of the short story as well as of the novel. * Chicago Tribune *

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Book SynopsisA priest receives an unexpected visitor from his past.A triumphant celebration ends in murder.A doctor tells of an unrequited love that only ended with death.Maupassant's direct treatment of sex and sexuality, and his insistence that the artist's primary duty was faithfulness to his own perceptions, made his work a challenge to many of his nineteenth-century English readers, but in Henry James's view, his vision was, 'altogether of this life'. His stories may have mystified contemporary moralists, but he was championed by writers who admired his resistance to self-censorship and applauded the economy of his style. In this new selection of his best stories, the sensitive and faithful translations of Ada Galsworthy and Elsie Martindale Hueffer show why writers like Conrad (whose preface is included) and Ford Madox Ford revered Maupassant's work.

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Book SynopsisSeven stories, seven whispers into the ears of life: A Yi’s unexpected twists of crime burst from the everyday, with glimpses of romance distorted by the weaknesses of human motive. A Yi employs his forensic skills to offer a series of portraits of modern life, both uniquely Chinese, and universal in their themes. His years as a police officer serve him well as he teases the truth from simple observation, now brought into the English language in a masterful translation by Alex Woodend. The stories include Two Lives, Attic, Spring, Bach, Predator. The first in the new Flame Tree Press series, Stories from China. FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launching in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.Trade Review"His years as a police officer serve him well as he teases the truth from simple observation, now brought into the English language in a masterful translation by Alex Woodend."

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Book Synopsis"A book that should provide hours of entertainment and discovery for fans of mysteries and especially those with British roots and overtones." — Criminal Element Vintage Crime is a CWA anthology with a difference, celebrating members’ work over the years. The book will gather stories from the mid-1950s until the twenty-first century by great names of the past, great names of the present together with a few hidden treasures by less familiar writers. The first CWA anthology, Butcher’s Dozen, appeared in 1956, and was co-edited by Julian Symons, Michael Gilbert, and Josephine Bell. The anthology has been edited by Martin Edwards since 1996, and has yielded many award-winning and nominated stories in the UK and overseas. This new edition includes an array of incredible and award-winning authors: Robert Barnard, Simon Brett, Liza Cody, Mat Coward, John Dickson Carr, Marjorie Eccles, Martin Edwards, Kate Ellis, Anthea Fraser, Celia Fremlin, Frances Fyfield, Michael Gilbert, Paula Gosling, Lesley Grant-Adamson, HRF Keating, Bill Knox, Peter Lovesey, Mick Herron, Michael Z. Lewin, Susan Moody, Julian Symons and Andrew Taylor.Trade Review'For more than sixty years, the CWA has done more for British crime writing than any other organisation.' -- Andrew Taylor, award-winning author of The American Boy and recipient of the 2009 CWA Diamond Dagger"A book that should provide hours of entertainment and discovery for fans of mysteries and especially those with British roots and overtones.""There is something for everyone within this anthology with the stories spanning a variety of time periods and types of crime." -- The Nerdy Girl Express“Excellently put together, and overall an enjoyable reader that shows many different styles which keeps the genre well and truly alive.”“[...] if you like “golden age” mysteries, with puzzles to figure out, you’ll enjoy this book. I certainly did!” -- Wine and Proses

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Book SynopsisFrom the lauded author of The Queen of the Cicadas (which picked up starred reviews from PW, Kirkus and Booklist who called her "a dynamic and innovative voice") comes a short story collection of nightmares, dreams, desire and visions focused on the Chicana experience. V.Castro weaves urban legend, folklore, life experience and heartache in this personal journey beginning in south Texas: a bar where a devil dances the night away; a street fight in a neighborhood that may not have been a fight after all; a vengeful chola at the beginning of the apocalypse; mind swapping in the not so far future; satan who falls and finds herself in a brothel in Amsterdam; the keys to Mictlan given to a woman after she dies during a pandemic. The collection finishes with two longer tales: The Final Porn Star is a twist on the final girl trope and slasher, with a creature from Mexican folklore; and Truck Stop is an erotic horror romance with two hearts: a video store and a truck stop. FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Trade ReviewPraise for QUEEN OF THE CICADAS "In the age of phony fiction, V. Castro is the voice of authenticity; una voz que lucha por la igualdad. Dark, atmospheric, sexy, and dangerous, her fiction brings readers her unfiltered Latinx essence and a unique pulpy flavor. Her work matters. Read it." - Gabino Iglesias, author of Coyote Songs "In The Queen of the Cicadas, there's a thin, bloody veil between worlds, the past isn't past at all, and you can feel your heart beating in the pages, the words pulsing with life. Touch them if you dare, and don't be surprised if they quiver into flight all around you." - Stephen Graham Jones, NYT bestselling author of The Only Good Indians “V. Castro writes like her blood is in the ink. Queen of the Cicadas is the best urban legend story since Candyman, layered and dark and hideously beautiful. It will get way under your skin. If Castro’s not already on your radar, she should be.” - Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Ararat and Red Hands "Writing in breathtaking, atmospheric prose, Castro (Hairspray and Switchblades) merges brutal realism and supernatural terror to create a fierce, memorable tale of Mexican folklore and horror." - Publishers Weekly Starred Review "Castro's novel shifts seamlessly from deliciously gory horror narrative to family saga to a tale of righteous vengeance, all while maintaining its unflinching condemnation of colonialism on both sides of the Mexican-American border. A tightly paced story of anti-colonial resistance and shared history that begs to be read in one sitting." - Kirkus Starred Review "A riveting #ownvoices novel exploring Mexican folk tales and legends mingled with the history of Texas [...] Castro does not pull any punches. Readers seeking originality and a fresh take on well-worn horror tropes should pick up this novel by a dynamic and innovative voice in horror. - Booklist Starred Review "V. Castro’s MESTIZA BLOOD is horror close to the bone. These are stories about desperate people who finally fall off the edge. Castro shows them hanging on by their fingernails and then somehow, clawing their way back. Her sharp eye for visceral violence and honest depictions of sexuality, aging, and class is astounding. Every story has impact. Every one feels all too real." - Glen Mazzara, TV writer/showrunner (THE WALKING DEAD, DAMIEN) "Castro delivers an unflinching, honest, raw, and thought-provoking horror tale that is both serious in its social commentary and fun to read. For fans of gruesome, vengeance-themed horror that is deeply tied to its place and the marginalized identities of its protagonists" - Becky Spratford, Literary Journal"[...] there’s plenty to recommend this female-centric collection on. Readers interested in speculative explorations of Mexican American culture and mythology—or those just looking for action-packed, cathartic narratives—should snap this up." -- Publishers Weekly"This collection will rip readers apart in the best way possible." -- Booklist Starred Review"V. Castro’s MESTIZA BLOOD is horror close to the bone. These are stories about desperate people who finally fall off the edge. Castro shows them hanging on by their fingernails and then somehow, clawing their way back. Her sharp eye for visceral violence and honest depictions of sexuality, aging, and class is astounding. Every story has impact. Every one feels all too real." -- Glen Mazzara, TV writer/showrunner (THE WALKING DEAD, DAMIEN)"In the age of phony fiction, V. Castro is the voice of authenticity; una voz que lucha por la igualdad. Dark, atmospheric, sexy, and dangerous, her fiction brings readers her unfiltered Latinx essence and a unique pulpy flavor. Her work matters. Read it." -- Gabino Iglesias, author of Coyote Songs"In The Queen of the Cicadas, there's a thin, bloody veil between worlds, the past isn't past at all, and you can feel your heart beating in the pages, the words pulsing with life. Touch them if you dare, and don't be surprised if they quiver into flight all around you." -- Stephen Graham Jones, NYT bestselling author of The Only Good Indians“V. Castro writes like her blood is in the ink. Queen of the Cicadas is the best urban legend story since Candyman, layered and dark and hideously beautiful. It will get way under your skin. If Castro’s not already on your radar, she should be.” -- Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Ararat and Red Hands"Castro's novel shifts seamlessly from deliciously gory horror narrative to family saga to a tale of righteous vengeance, all while maintaining its unflinching condemnation of colonialism on both sides of the Mexican-American border. A tightly paced story of anti-colonial resistance and shared history that begs to be read in one sitting." -- Kirkus Starred Review

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Book SynopsisClose to Midnight is the third volume in an annual, non-themed horror series of entirely original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in the genre, and 4 of which have been selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a 2-week open submissions window. Contents List: WOLVES by Rio Youers BEST SAFE LIFE FOR YOU by Muriel Gray SOUVENIRS by Sharon Gosling THE OPERATED by Ramsey Campbell IN THE WABE by Alison Littlewood I PROMISE by Conrad Williams FLAT 19 by Jenn Ashworth THE FORBIDDEN SANDWICH by Carl Tait AUTUMN SUGAR by Philip Fracassi COLLAGEN by Seanan McGuire REMAINS by Charlie Hughes THE FLOOR IS LAVA by Brian Keene THE TRUE COLOUR OF BLOOD by Stephen Laws THE NINE OF DIAMONDS by Carole Johnstone ROOM FOR THE NIGHT by Jonathan Janz WELCOME TO THE LODGE by Alison Moore GOING HOME by Evelyn Teng THE SPACEMAN’S MEMORY BOX by Laura Mauro BAGS by Steve Rasnic Tem RISE UP TOGETHER by Adam L.G. Nevill FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress.Trade ReviewPraise for the first two books in the series: "This rich and masterful collection of horror highlights both up-and-coming and established authors in an interesting twist on the standard anthology [...] Highly recommended for longstanding horror fans and those readers who may not think horror is for them. There is something for everyone in this one." — Booklist "This is a short story collection that does exactly what it sets out to, delight and scare. With stories from well-known authors in the genre as well as a few from emerging voices, After Sundown has something for everyone. Highly recommended." — The British Fantasy Society "An entertaining, slickly written, mainstream, fun, something-for-every-horror-fan anthology.” — HorrorTree “Beautifully written pieces that lean into the intuitive and fantastic.” — Publishers Weekly “There’s a refreshing lack of pretentiousness about these stories. The authors span several continents so there’s a decent array of themes and styles. Each tale had a very distinct voice, with a superb variety that perfectly illustrates what a broad church the genre covers. I had a blast reading this book. It really has reinvigorated my interest in the horror genre.” — Stephen Bacon, author & critic "There is no end to the talent Mark Morris has brought together here. Fans of the genre will be pleased to see new work from such favorites as Nathan Ballingrud and Gemma Files, among others. So if you’re ready for a long fall night, pick up a copy of this massive anthology and fall into the mysterious worlds Beyond the Veil." — Phantastiqa “I'm impressed with the imagination and variety coming from the writers. Beyond the Veil, from Flame Tree Press, is another happy clump of ickiness...and I mean that in a good way.” — The Happy Horror Writer

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Book SynopsisMusic of the Night is a new anthology of original short stories contributed by Crime Writers' Association (CWA) members and edited by Martin Edwards, with music as the connecting theme. The aim, as always, is to produce a book which is representative both of the genre and the membership of the world’s premier crime writing association. The CWA has published anthologies of members’ stories in most years since 1956, with Martin Edwards as editor for over 25 years, during which time the anthologies have yielded many award-winning and nominated stories by writers such as Ian Rankin, Reginald Hill, Lawrence Block, and Edward D. Hoch. Stories by long-standing authors and stellar names sit alongside contributions from relative newcomers, authors from overseas, and members whose work haven’t appeared in a CWA anthology before. Contents List: Abi Silver – Be Prepared Alison Joseph – A Sharp Thorn Andrew Taylor – Wrong Notes Antony M. Brown – The Melody of Murder Art Taylor – Love Me or Leave Me Brian Price – The Scent of an Ending Cath Staincliffe – Mix Tape C. Aird – The Last Green Bottle Chris Simms – Taxi Christine Poulson – Some Other Dracula David Stuart Davies – Violin – CE Dea Parkin – The Sound and the Fury Jason Monaghan – A Vulture Sang in Berkeley Square Kate Ellis – Not a Note L.C. Tyler – His Greatest Hit Leo McNeir – Requiem Martin Edwards – The Crazy Cries of Love Maxim Jakubowski – Waiting for Cornelia Neil Daws – The Watch Room Paul Charles – The Ghosts of Peace Paul Gitsham – No More ‘I Love You’s’ Peter Lovesey – And the Band Played On Ragnar Jónasson – 4x3 Shawn Reilly Simmons – A Death in Four Parts Vaseem Khan – Bombay Blues FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress Trade Review'For more than sixty years, the CWA has done more for British crime writing than any other organisation.' -- Andrew Taylor, award-winning author of The American Boy and recipient of the 2009 CWA Diamond Dagger"A superb collection in a variety of styles which just shows how many different stories some of crime writing’s finest can produce from the simple theme of music and murder. Highly recommended." -- - PromotingCrime

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Book SynopsisAt a weekend house-party at ancient Canonbury Manor, Alli is caught between fantasy and reality, past and present, in the life of Caroline Rand, a famous singer from the late Sixties, who reportedly killed herself in that house. Alli soon learns that evil infests the once-holy building. A sinister cabal controls it, as it has for centuries. Before long, her fate will be sealed, and she will learn about her role in the after-death of Caroline Rand. It begins with a chilling greeting: "Welcome to The Columbine, Miss Sinclair. You are expected."Trade ReviewAbout In Darkness, Shadows Breathe. “Cavendish breathes new life into familiar horror tropes in this spine-tingling tale of past and present colliding” -- Publishers WeeklyAbout In Darkness, Shadows Breathe. "A compelling, immersive, and intense time-slip horror novel with sympathetic characters that readers actively root for. The tale reads like The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle if it were written by Sarah Pinborough." -- Library Journal

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