Transient Tales

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.

The second in the Transient Tales series collects 12 short stories of science fiction, fantasy and horror, totalling 20,000 words and ranging from light to dark and all shades in-between.Volume 2 features a Halloween game with a chilling price, a call-centre at the end of the world, an unconventional quest for a portal to fairyland, a mother dealing with the loss-and the return-of a child, a desperate woman's letter to her future self, a repentant scientist's lament, an envious boy who gets more than he bargained for, and a misguided attempt to gain closure on a very dead love affair.One Free GoDarren and Kate threw a huge kids' party on Halloween, but now they're not quite sure why.Not With a BangAnswer the calls, read the script, enter the data. And when certain words or phrases come up, type out the alarm codes.No Regard for Narrative ConventionSome people thought it was a great opportunity, when the dimensional portals opened up. Others, like Michael, weren't quite so sure.Sale or ReturnIn the future, money can buy you anything. Or can it?Nor Any Drop to DrinkLynsey might look like a little girl, but she's got a big thirst.You WishYou've always got to be very careful about what you-or other people-wish for.Dear IngridIs it still a bad deal if the one who makes it isn't the one who pays for it?BabysittingLooking after Jilly-who really, really, really wants a puppy-is an exercise in tolerance. Who's going to crack first?On Blackened WingsDionne doesn't believe that Rachel's built a psychic hotline to the monsters out of wires and roadkill. But that doesn't mean she wants to try it.No Apples for MotherArtificial Intelligence and Old Testament religion. Not a good mix.GiftedWhat makes the new girl so special? What's she got that Francie and Everett haven't? They're about to find out.ClosureCarmel's relationship didn't end well. She'd like another go. 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.

The third in the Transient Tales series collects 12 short stories of science fiction, fantasy and horror, totalling 20,000 words and ranging from light to dark and all shades in-between.Volume 3 features demonic spiders, robot wolves, witches, doppelgangers, carnivorous plants, reclusive psychics, immortal gang bosses, apocalyptic survivors, alien voyeurs, flesh-eating criminals, clairvoyants, and God.SweetieSweetie's changed, since the days of the travelling carnival. But she still knows how to teach an audience respect.Wolf, or Faith in the FutureLanguage evolves just like everything else. There are different words, in the future. And a different definition of horror.Never Leave MeKatrine knows her story is supposed to end with happily ever after. But what happens after that?The Portal to a Lost WorldThe phone call comes every year. 'Where are you?' Tollie asks, but she never gets an answer. She hopes she never will.Seeing RedEven though they're not living on Earth any more, Halden's family are still human - still the same people they ever were. Unfortunately for him.An Object Lesson in MisanthropyZoe's never been able to work out what nice guy Bill sees in her bitter, reclusive mother. Today, she's going to find out.Getting Shot in the Face Still StingsA lot of problems can be solved with a gun. But not all.No Past, No Future, Just NowThe world might have suddenly become a strange and confusing place for everyone else, but Louisa's used to it. She knows what to do.Game OverAdrian's sick of providing free entertainment for the passengers in his head. He's not going to carry on performing unless he gets something in return.You Don't Want What I GetRichie suspects he's being cut out of a sweet deal, and he's not happy about that. He wants his fair share, and he's going to get it.There You Are, My LoveIf Marcus sees enough clairvoyants, will one of them eventually channel his father's spirit? And is that what he really wants?For Your Safety and Comfort, Please Keep Arms, Legs and Tentacles Inside the Car At All TimesKatie gets worried when her best friend says she's found God - especially when she realises Lia means that literally. 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.

The fourth 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 4 features a life coach to the Gods, a ghost-disposal expert, a time gambler, a singing slug, a cunningly-disguised space teleport device, a girl who can eat anything, an inter-dimensional auction, a suburban demon infestation, a Garden of Eden where everyone can be God, a long-suffering Memory Transfer Manager, and a life-saving zombie.Congratulations on Your Apotheosis: Being an all-powerful superbeing might be better than working retail, but Sharon's still bored. All she wants is an arch-enemy, so that they can fight an epic, eternal battle across space and time. Is that so much to ask?The Visiphorical Art: All of life is art and no one wants to die. Not even the ghosts.You Pay Your Money and You Take Your Chance: Some people (and insurance companies) think going into the Time Pocket is reckless, but maybe it's worth the risk.Black Thumb: Debra thinks there's nothing for a slug to feed on, in her blighted garden. She's wrong.Out Shopping in Hyperspace: It seems like Mia's the only one who recognises her father's genius. But she's not giving up.Jeanette's Feast: Gavin's heard that cockroaches can survive anything. Maybe even his family.Free to Loving Home (Donation Required): Interdimensional travel can be time-consuming, physically debilitating and sometimes illegal, but the auctions at the Hugh Everett Rehoming Centre always make it worthwhile.Not the Pizza Girl: In the battle of man's stomach versus his immortal soul, the stomach wins every time.Garden of Fog and Monsters: They pitch it to the volunteers as a contest that can be won, but there's no such thing as a free paradise.Re: Corrections to Consciousness Module 14 (Memories: Age 41-60): Upgrade Ltd, and its Memory Transfer Managers, are very committed to making sure customer complaints are resolved, whatever it takes.The World Doesn't End, Even When it Should: Since the government won't make zombies available on the NHS, Lucy will have to make her own arrangements. 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.