Transient Tales Volume 1

The first in the Transient Tales series collects 11 short stories of science fiction, fantasy and horror, totalling 20,000 words and ranging from light to dark and all shades in-between.Volume 1 features dysfunctional families-some demons, some that don't have that excuse-monstrous assassins, pragmatic cannibals, time-travelling reality TV shows, zombies, witches, phobias made real, law-breaking love and lessons in post-apocalyptic survival.The Fine Art of Fortune-TellingJane's going to meet the love of her life. Again. And again. And again.Precious ThingsIf you find something in the woods... maybe it's best to leave it there.Meredith SaidZach's preparing for his first trip through his father's teleportation gateway. He's supposed to be going home, but maybe that depends on the definition of the word.Toil and TroubleA witchy grandmother, a book of spells, a recipe for a love potion. It's the perfect way to find a date, right?The God of Blood and BoneThey always look at the husband first. So when Vince wants his wife dead, he's very discerning about the choice of assassin.What We Leave BehindThere are some things you need to survive after the breakdown of civilisation. And some you don't.The Author of Your Own MisfortuneAlways read the small print of your insurance policy. Especially the one covering trips back in time.Behind GlassTom's sick. He's feverish, aching and having blackouts. And he's hungry. So very hungry.Nameless, Unreasoning, UnjustifiedHumans reach the stars, and find they're not alone. Neither are they welcome.A Cat May Look at a QueenIf you make the rules, you have to live by them.What Doesn't Kill YouEveryone knows you can't live in the rotting devastation of the Blight. But Olivia's going to try. Michelle Ann King is a short story writer from Essex, England. Her stories of fantasy, science fiction, crime, and horror have appeared in over a hundred different venues, including Strange Horizons, Interzone, Black Static, and Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. Her collections are available in ebook and paperback from Amazon and other online retailers, and links to her published stories can be found at her website: www.transientcactus.co.uk 20,000-word collections of science fiction, fantasy and horror, with stories ranging from light to dark and all shades in-between.