Connecting readers with the best emerging fiction.

Tethered

By Crystal Brinkerhoff

The bodies wouldn’t sink. His muscles ached and his back screamed at him. Dragging the corpses into the ocean had been much harder than he’d expected. Heavy with salt water, his crew uniform clung to his body and trapped in granules of sand that chaf ...

#horror #thriller

24

5

900

0

Close to the Bone

By Michele Freeman

Lettie Wilson holds the hands of the dying. Her gift of comforting those passing from this world was born from childhood tragedy. When a famous serial killer requests she attend his execution, she's forced to face a painful truth about her past.

#mystery #thriller

9

12

301

4

Mistress Mary

By Caren Hahn

It's bad enough helping her aging mother-in-law sort through fifty years of clutter. But when she finds an antique doll that takes the nightmare to a new level, Mona is ready to call it quits. The doll, however, has other ideas.

#horror #humor

8

16

476

0

Headless

By Cass Weldon

Indigo dismounted her motorcycle with carefully unhurried speed. The moon overhead was bright and silvery, and the noise coming from the house was happy—chattering voices and scattered laughter pouring out from golden glowing windows. The autumn nigh ...

#horror #thriller

7

13

340

0

The Purse

By Dan Hahn

The smell of coffee lingered lightly from lunch as warm afternoon light streamed through the windows onto the linoleum topped table. Lorine sat with her purse open, engaged in the light conversation of old lovers. Yet Stanley hadn’t been in her life ...

#fantasy

7

13

245

0

Black Dragon: Chapter One

By Genevieve Ann Atwater

Erica has lived an ordinary life despite her odd, golden eyes, but her world is turned upside down when she is suddenly sent away without explanation, to a secluded island, where magical guardians called "Dragons" protect their people from outsiders.

#fantasy

6

25

240

0

Black Dragon

By Genevieve Ann Atwater

It was in the air. The islanders stared in amazement, their mouths hanging open, as the great ship cut through the clouds above them, gleaming gold in the noontime sun. Its sails were all scarlet, and rising above them waved a crimson flag marked wit ...

#fantasy

6

5

306

0

Fat Man Blues

By Richard Wall

"Hobo John" is an English blues enthusiast on a pilgrimage to present-day Mississippi. One night in Clarksdale he meets the mysterious Fat Man, who offers him the chance to see the real blues of the 1930s.

#adventure #historical #thriller

6

4

720

0

The Gentleman Physician

By Sally Britton

Nathaniel Hastings bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing while his patient, Lady Huntington, continued to spout nonsense about the reasons behind her various ailments. He knew very well nothing troubled her that a good conversation could not cure. ...

#historical #romance #clean romance

6

26

334

0

Incognolio

By Michael Sussman

Ever since the concussion, I can’t get the damn word out of my head. I haven’t a clue what it means. But I love the sound of it. So, I’ll make it the title of my novel and allow the entire story to spring forth from this mysterious word. My neuro ...

#humor #thriller

6

12

277

0

The Little Mermaid (Original Fairytale)

By Genevieve Ann Atwater

The Little Mermaid's life draws to an end as the prince she followed so faithfully weds another woman. But when her sisters arrive with a cruel solution, she sees another possible future for herself...

#fantasy

5

186

0

Avril's Phoenix

By Michelle Harris-Genge

Avril Bale has it all, which makes her ill-prepared for a tragedy that rocks the foundation of her security and sense of fairness. Avril’s Phoenix probes why bad things happen to good people in an emotional, uplifting journey following heartbreak.

#literary #realistic fiction

5

386

0

Red Marks the Child

By Amira Awaad

This desert land was exceptionally dear to me. Its warm sands resound in the drumming beats of my eye-lashes. The sultry wasteland engulfed fresh oases with water that was pure — it pulsed and it pulsated. It throbbed like the beating of a living hea ...

#adventure #mythology

5

11

216

0

What Alice Did

By Caren Hahn

Taking frenemies to a whole new level.

#contemporary #psychological

4

8

39

0

Addy's Fault

By Genevieve Ann Atwater

It wasn’t Addy’s fault. She kicked the rocks as she sulked down the dirt-paved road, her hands in her skirt pockets. She was an odd sight, a girl of fewer than twelve years, dressed like a doll in frills and pink, her short, black hair sticking out a ...

#fantasy

4

15

100

0

Goddess of the Anthropocene

By Tonya Moore

Cassandra Baron is a god. She’s got the awesome powers to prove it. Too bad they can’t keep her out of trouble.

#fantasy #science fiction

4

3

55

1

A Poor Man's Boots

By Caren Hahn

With his inheritance at risk, Elliott decides to sneak into the royal ball to escape a future of servitude. Little does he know that he'll meet someone who will change his life forever.

#fantasy #romance

4

33

124

0

Bind Them On As a Bride

By Christopher Jones

You thought you knew this story. Well, think again.

4

57

93

0

A Spider's Journey

By Natalie Nielson

A treat was here somewhere, and Grogle was going to find it. Standing on his back four legs, the front two prodding around, trying to sense disturbances, with the other two poking into buildings. The first few days had been easy, Grogle only had to ...

#adventure #fantasy #horror

4

78

0

The Emerald City

By Cassiopeia Fletcher

Nine-year-old Jonas is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime: crossing the main street to the corner store all by himself.

#adventure #literary

4

27

230

0

Semper Romanus

By Christopher Jones

At the edge of Roman power, a yearlong struggle with the invading Carthaginian horde leads to division within the halls of Saguntum, Rome's farthest outpost.

#historical

4

21

229

0

Frost Under A Bright Moon

By Caren Hahn

Winston Kingsley's hollow life of luxury drives him to find purpose in rescuing struggling nonprofits. But when he visits an old Victorian home-turned-sanctuary for troubled teens, he learns that not all of his beneficiaries want his help.

#holiday #humor #romance

4

16

163

0

Spooky

By Rae Sterling

It was the day before Halloween that I found her on my doorstep. She was just too adorable, a tiny black kitten with huge green eyes just sitting on top of the Jack-o-lantern on my porch like some sort of Halloween postcard. I was supposed to be leav ...

#horror

4

10

451

0

Blog Entries of the Brokenhearted

By Stephanie Van Orman

The wind blew the grass in waves that rippled like the waves of the sea. The tombstones didn't bend to the wind. She couldn't see him, but in her mind, he was there.

#contemporary #paranormal #young adult

4

29

457

0

The Librarynth of the Lost

By Taya Okerlund

An evil assassin is plotting the death of Fairy's crown prince. The princess will have to get her hands dirty, making some sketchy bargains, just to protect them, but the traitor is closer than you think.

#adventure #fantasy #middle grade

4

11

544

0

Red Wrath

By Gerhard Gehrke

I was sitting in a bar, brooding and thinking about superheroes. There was a special on the news all about them. The large flat-screen televisions mounted on the wall should have been showing the Mets game. Instead we got a fawning comedian whose fil ...

#fantasy #science fiction

4

9

294

0

Supervillain High

By Gerhard Gehrke

“See that guy there in the purple mask robbing the bank? That’s my dad.”Brendan stopped the video on his phone and waited for a reaction. Mr. Childes, his school counselor, nodded as if this was something he had heard before. The older man took his ...

#science fiction #young adult

4

6

362

0

The Follower

By M. K. Martin

I watch her sleep, her short bristle of hair twisted into sweaty knots. I can’t help her and it’s killing me. I lay down next to her, the heat baking off her in waves. I sigh and the dust puffs out, a few small dry leaves flap at me as if annoyed by ...

#science fiction

4

5

529

0

Dragonsphere

By Richard Fierce

It was dark and cold. The distant sound of dripping water echoed throughout the narrow tunnel, part of a large system of interconnected passageways and caves deep in the Viss Mountains.A hooded figure navigated his way through them hesitantly, pausin ...

#fantasy

4

3

250

0

The Shark Waves Back

By Christopher Jones

A special-needs boy visits the aquarium. Does he know something no one else does?

#realistic fiction

3

18

38

0

The Takeaway

By Crystal Brinkerhoff

The tree stump seemed to call to him. Come, Boy. Come and sit.He did so with a heavy sigh, though he could hardly be called a boy anymore. He must be about the oldest person he knew. How lonely that sometimes felt. The only people who knew him now, k ...

#literary #contemporary

3

100

0

DRIVEN

By The Behrg

They will call her Monster. Child killer. A seething psychopath. Though right now she is just another hapless driver fighting traffic on her daily commute, unaware of the destination to which she will arrive. For her next stop is not a location, but ...

#horror #literary

3

10

300

0

The Descent, Chapter One

By Apryl K.B. Lopez

This short novella is a prequel to The Cavern and will entertain readers of new adult and young adult fiction, complete with action and confronting personal regret.

#adventure #dystopian #new adult

3

12

227

0

The Net Conspiracy: Meijuan's Plight

By DM Coffman

Meijuan, a female leader from the Li-ren tribe on Hainan, whose son (the mayor) has allowed in an evil presence, tries to warn authorities of their pending attacks.

#mystery #thriller

3

16

175

0

The Color of Magpies

By Nikki Lower

She was fine. She didn’t need any help. She just needed to try harder.Kneeling on the grated metal floor of the conservatory, Magatha could feel the faint, ever-present whirrings and rumblings that kept the giant spheres of House in illogical motion ...

#fantasy #new adult

3

15

87

0

The Billionaire Mentor

By Deb Goodman

A billionaire explorer and a suspense novelist at a dating retreat? Too bad their relationship is fake.

#romance #clean romance

3

8

316

0

Dollie

By Miranda Renaé

Nora had a love-hate relationship with her job, the smells of a campfire, and fresh dirt being the love. She sat down on a log at the edge of the fire, watching her clients, the bright lights of their phones, and orange spikes of the flames highlight ...

#humor #thriller

3

4

394

0

Dragon's Fury: Chapter One

By Brian Meeks

From out of the mist it flew... ...a dragon bent on revenge and hungry for power. Who will stop him?

#adventure #fantasy

3

5

256

0

The Speed of Sound

By Steppen Sawicki

Jay had never been much of a talker. He had won Carrie’s heart with gentle touches on the hand and shoulder, neck and waist. He had made her dizzy with rare utterances of her beauty and his love, precious because they were so rare. When they married ...

#science fiction

3

5

210

0

Eagle in the fridge

By Zenta Brice

I need to pee!’ ‘Great!’ I definitely can’t let Karl back in the house by himself. He has a quite serious predilection for destruction. I can’t leave my spot here either, not right now. ‘Well, do it, then.’ I bend down and unzip his trousers. ‘Nobody ...

#historical

3

42

454

0

Ultimas Drake

By MIchael Young

Meckule fidgeted in his ceremonial attire, wondering whose name he needed to curse for coming up with such fickle clothing. Not for the first time, he wished he had been born in the Dorian Clan instead of the Scarlatti. Then, he would have been broug ...

#fantasy

3

9

149

0

Magic Dick

By Matt Vella

Thin rain fell from a purple sky. Dismal rivulets crawled down the dirty building-fronts, spreading a film of grime. Above the narrow alley, concrete towers cowered together against the clouds. The few shops that weren’t abandoned had been closed for ...

#fantasy #mystery #thriller

2

10

20

0

Encounter

By Gerrit Stainer

An orienteering exercise for a trio of Boy Scouts turns into something they had never expected.

#horror #contemporary #paranormal

2

16

57

0

My Charmed Life: Pandemic Edition

By Caren Hahn

Superpowers are cool, but they won’t get you more toilet paper when a worldwide pandemic causes a shortage. Or will they…?

#humor #satire #contemporary

2

14

37

0

Spring Cleaning

By Natalie Nielson

Flora forced her window open, past the lingering frost. She breathed in the crisp breeze filtering down from the enchanted tree above her little home. It was still a little too early, but Flora had already decided; she was starting spring cleaning. ...

#fantasy

2

3

54

0

Ghost Music

By Antoinette McCormick

An unexpected inheritance unleashes an unimaginable horror.

#horror #contemporary

2

174

0

Deus Ex Mechina

By Zach McClellan

A dark figure crashed through the window of the saloon into the dusty street, releasing a grunt of pain. Jeers called out after him as he scrambled away. “Teach that slimeball a lesson, Sloan!” “He’ll think twice about cheating!” “Wow, he had to have ...

#fantasy #western

2

16

206

0

My Beauty For Your Ashes

By Traci Wooden-Carlisle

It all started with one lone tear. It escaped unguarded, quickly falling from her high cheek bone, wetting the concrete below. It was closely followed by another. Soon there was a rain of tears splashing against the once warm, dry stone underneath he ...

#romance #clean romance #spiritual

2

9

143

0

Rebel Mage: Awakening

By Ben Swallow

Is still in the middle of the night as I wake up. I frown as I look around. It is still dark and there is no one in my room. What woke me up, then? I was already falling back asleep when I heard a sound from outside the room. It sounded like clatte ...

#fantasy #romance #clean romance

2

8

250

0

Christmas Eve Frenzy

By Adelaide Walsh

“2040. That is a year that will live in infamy in our history. That year, Dr. Zack Temba and Biolance unleashed a scourge, a lethal virus, on all of us that eliminated millions of the Journeymen around the world, reducing the rest of us to mere subje ...

#dystopian #romance #clean romance

2

11

172

0

REN

By Amira Awaad

The ancients used to say that a spirit resides in everything. That all matter, living and inanimate, are gravitational channels of energy. They believed that some individuals were selected to encompass magnificent fragments of older souls. But unles ...

#adventure #mythology

2

6

186

0

As a Sword in My Bones

By Jessica Joiner

"If the Royal Council does nothing to curb my mother's cruelty, the oppressed people of Boldaria will revolt and this nation will be engulfed in a civil war," Prince Tristan Leander warned as he finished speaking before the gathered members of the tw ...

#adventure #spiritual

2

14

159

0

Black Dragon: Chapter Two

By Genevieve Ann Atwater

In chapter 2, Erica finds herself on the isle of storms, surrounded by strangers and stranger stories. Luckily, not all those around her intend to remain strangers for long-- strange, yes, but not strangers.

#fantasy

1

21

73

0

Excerpt 1 from The Hainan Conflict

By DM Coffman

Yi realizes the feelings he has for the judge Sarah are stronger than he thought, or even wanted. Such a relationship would only complicate things. Especially since he had to keep his true identity from her. When she finds out, the conflict begins.

#adventure #romance #thriller

1

18

28

0

Excerpt 2 from The Hainan Conflict

By DM Coffman

The crew of the Dolly Mae (US Reconnaissance) are given the dangerous mission of transporting Navy SEALs for a surprise attack on the Net's center on Hainan Island. The success hinges on a strategic mid-air collision, but things go wrong.

#adventure #romance #clean romance

1

24

34

0

The Last Page

By Richard Fierce

Not every story begins in light.

#fantasy

1

2

76

0

The Net Conspiracy: Yi's Story

By DM Coffman

A Chinese American attorney is sent to China as an undercover spy to ferret out corruption. But graft is a common mainstay and the Net organization will stop at nothing, including murder, to prevent him from succeeding.

#mystery #thriller

1

16

274

0

A Quest

By Gerrit Stainer

An old story: a young man on a journey. Even a small errand can take on the meaning of a myth.

#fantasy #romance #clean romance

1

16

98

0

Lightness

By Gerrit Stainer

Thirteen is too old to be talking to a toy - but what if the toy is your only friend?

#fantasy #science fiction

1

28

182

0

Shall We Dance

By Sandra Walls

The tenement flat was on the first floor. It was a room and kitchen with a separate toilet. Not one in the middle stairwell of the close like some tenements in Glasgow.Me and my three older cousins were in the bed recess, they were sleeping already, ...

#realistic fiction

1

7

106

0

How I Saved a Planet!

By Stephen Quatro

The next town we encountered was Maryville. I suggested that Qarl and I split up for a bit to try to find the others more quickly. Qarl agreed, ducking down a side street while I continued up the main thoroughfare into the center of town. Something s ...

#fantasy #humor #satire

1

17

199

0

Destruct

By Sheridan Anne

My best friends’ scream jolts me out of my daydream. I whip my head in her direction, trying to figure out what’s going on. Jacinta dashes across our small room, fumbling and cringing as she tramples every piece of our belongings on the way. I try my ...

#fantasy #young adult

1

17

211

0

Kora

By Marina Epley

A thrown stone misses my head by inches. I shudder but continue walking, eyes focused on the muddy ground under my feet.“Filthy pig!” I hear voices behind me. “Don’t you ever wash your ugly face?” Tears well up in my eyes. I guess I do resemble a pig ...

#dystopian #young adult

1

17

228

0

Pharaoh's servant

By Rebecca Lee Varady

The old cook’s day started several hours before the sun rose and ended several hours after it set. His position at the Palace was of great importance, and he was responsible for the Palace’s entire food preparation - from the Pharaoh’s banquets to th ...

#mystery

1

6

135

0

Weather's Store

By Thelma Giomi

It is that hour before darkness when everything on earth is a black paper-cut silhouette against a near colorless backdrop. It is the hollow hour when I feel like I’m the only sentient being left. In this absolute void I want to reach in and hold ont ...

#literary

1

19

127

0

Earthcore: Initiation

By Grace Bridges

Ko ahau te taniwha. I am the taniwha, that legendary beast called dragon by the ignorant. Some call me kaitiaki—the guardian—others call me mythical. Ha! As if their beliefs on the matter make any difference to the fact. I am here. My siblings are ma ...

#fantasy #young adult

1

22

136

0

Don't Believe Them

By Steve Stroble

Hearing bad news from your boss is uncomfortable enough. But when the unexpected changes involve what will raise your stress levels maybe a hundredfold, the situation quickly escalates from critical mass to nuclear. “Are…are you certain you are doi ...

#realistic fiction

0

34

171

0

A Child's Cry

By Bill Joyce

Somehow the Good Lord had found a way to blend tomboy playfulness, crusader dedication to mission, and fairytale princess beauty into one human being. Her somewhat husky voice always echoed with laughter, hinting that something more intimate was poss ...

#thriller

0

6

134

0

Traveler

By Bill Joyce

The situation had come to a horrible climax and I was too far from the women to be able to help. I called for Emily and Megs, via ear buds but they were still five minutes from the warehouse. I was about to leave my lookout position when two of the m ...

#thriller

0

5

135

0

Green Eyes

By Tijana Popov-Trnovac

When a shy and anxious Dean meets 'larger than life' Damien Jones and the sparks fly, none of their lives will ever be the same.

#contemporary

0

1

132

0

The Thirst

By Daniel Newwyn

"No, Kyousuke. You don’t want to go home.”Anywhere but home — that thought had been haunting Kyousuke ever since he walked out of his office. He had been given a forced vacation by the higher-ups, something that wasn’t not par for the course and cert ...

#literary

0

4

40

0

Fateful Italian Passion

By Olga GOA

A suspense-filled, dark romance set within the beautifully eternal backdrop of Rome, Italy is where two broken souls, Milano and Veronica, find one another. A journey of love and darkness entwined as they attempt to fill the void in their hearts.

#new adult #realistic fiction #romance

0

25

121

0

The Demise

By Jess Peters

I woke up in a cold sweat with panic surging through my body. It felt like the walls were closing in around me and endangering me making me feel as if I was afraid of my own shadow, but I knew I was better than that. It wouldn’t happen. I will not fa ...

#dystopian #young adult

0

21

182

0

Tarnished Guardians

By Bill Joyce

Megs, Naval Lieutenant Commander Katharine Marie Callaghan of JSOC, carefully marked off the basement of the upscale residential home in the suburbs of Toms River, New Jersey. This was not her type of case but there was no questioning the orders rece ...

#thriller

0

5

124

0

Lost Soul

By Bill Joyce

To whoever finds this…This is my final testament to a life lived as I chose. I leave it to others to judge the value of my purpose and actions. I make no excuse or have any misgivings for the path I took in this lifetime. I believe that I was born to ...

#thriller

0

4

115

0

A Mercy Strained

By Bill Joyce

I checked my surroundings carefully. It is second nature and gives me a calm sense of control. With the full 360-degree surveillance completed, I tensed my calf muscles beginning another round of exercises. I had been in hiding for eighteen hours, an ...

#thriller

0

5

132

0

Excerpt from Payday Blues

By Bill Joyce

Stuffed chairs, full bellies, and deep rich coffee made for easy conversation. Alan was a close friend and I allowed his southern charm to guide the evening’s agenda. I knew that I would get a head full of NOLA history, providing details of what ever ...

#thriller

0

8

135

0

The Finding

By Bill Joyce

The valley spread for many miles, protected by three mountain ranges and the Great Sea to the west. The mountains to the north, known as The Blackened Heights, stood like dark, cold shadows seemingly without life. They had always been so, yet in the ...

#fantasy

0

18

137

0

Excerpt from Enough

By Bill Joyce

Chapter 1 - Tears The slow procession from the hearses to the small painted church under the pecan trees held all in silence. The shuffle of feet on the worn tile floors and the creaking of pews beat out the rhythm of last march of the Benning family ...

#thriller

0

4

138

0

Shadows Within Dark Places

By Bill Joyce

The two chastised children held the covers tight to their chins as their father continued the story. “Then the dark evil, Jadarr, ate the child in front of the townspeople, leering at them as they watched in terror. ‘The night belongs to me and your ...

#fantasy

0

17

186

0

Seven Stars of Midnight

By Bill Joyce

Joabh moved effortlessly through the intricate dance of the Tonla. Her long black hair braided and tied down with a black silk strap. Her blouse, jacket, and leggings made of soft deerskin died black, absorbed the moonlight and helped her blend into ...

#fantasy

0

15

130

0

Excerpt - The Cat's out of the Bag

By Cynthia Terelst

One van. Two hearts. Thousands of kilometres. Meeting someone as real as Evie is something Jesse never expected. But Evie doesn’t want a relationship. Will she be able to open her tortured heart to him?

#romance

0

21

26

0

Passion's Pathway

By Bill Joyce

My daily routine has become a natural progression of peaceful days. It is an enjoyment I never expected but I daily rejoice in its happenstance.What the world sees each morning is a man shutting the main door to a three story mansion and, with walkin ...

#thriller

0

2

118

0

Phoenix

By Daccari Buchelli

Darius, can you feel that?' A tingling sensation seeped into her bones. It pulsed through her, prickling the hairs on the back of her neck. 'Darius, something feels wrong.' Violetta turned and was surprised to find Darius facing away. His tall fram ...

#fantasy #mythology

0

5

147

0

Eagle in the red

By Zenta Brice

Time to walk home,’ Ilse brushed down her apron. ‘My water jug is empty, child, and bread all handed out. We can do no more here today.’ Millie nodded and sighed. Offering water and food to the passing refugees was exciting enough, and an honourable ...

#historical

0

2

217

0

Guardians

By Sandra Golden

Ten ships had been built for this journey to their new home. The journey would be a long one, and even if they could, they would never return. So the ships were loaded with everything they would need to survive the journey, all that they needed to bu ...

#adventure #science fiction

0

6

145

0

Goblin

By Gerhard Gehrke

Spicy’s dreams of becoming an apprentice sage are shattered when humans attack his village and kidnap his sister. Forced to leave the ashes of his home behind, he must uncover what the raiders are after.

#adventure #fantasy #young adult

0

41

25

0

Shatter My Heart

By Thelma Giomi

Ian hit Schenley Park at a full-out run. He kept running until he reached a deeply wooded area. The coolness shimmered over his damp skin. He drew in several breaths of the musky air hoping to cleanse his lungs of the antiseptic smells of the operati ...

0

16

106

0

Excerpt from Domestic Guard

By Bill Joyce

Angel stood at parade rest at the foot of the new grave with a tin marker for its headstone. It would be replaced with a small flat stone that would have a gravesite number and the words Jane Doe.No one but the cemetery staff attended the funeral. Sh ...

#thriller

0

10

112

0