Archive for the ‘Announcements’ Category

Tendrils in “Hard Choices” anthology

October 1, 2018

Fiction River "Hard Choices" coverI never know what to expect when an opportunity to write for Fiction River crosses my desk, and this one was no different.

At the time, I was immersed in research for another project that centered on the largely unexplored world of our own oceans and the creatures that make their home in the depths – themes that carried over into Tendrils, the story in this great collection. The alien character of Oma owes her heritage to a combination of this research, multiple YouTube videos of cuttlefish, octopuses, and squid, and the tanks of jellyfish in our local aquarium. All I had to do was envision these amazing creatures floating in space instead of salt water, and ask myself, “what if…”

Victoria Silverwolf, one of the reviewers at Tangent Online, had this to say about Tendrils:

“…The protagonist of Tendrils by Leigh Saunders is an alien who sneaks aboard human starships out of a hunger for new experiences. She is a squid-like being who is able to flatten her body and change colors in order to remain undetected. [When] a disaster on the ship threatens the lives of its crew, the alien tries to save them, while running the risk of exposing herself to those who might see her as a dangerous invader.

The author creates a sympathetic character who is completely different from a human being. The way in which the alien perceives her environment is colorful and imaginative. Her self-sacrificing struggle to help the crew of the starship is inspiring…”

In addition, Tendrils was included in Tangent Online’s 2018 Recommended Reading List, which I consider a great honor!

You can pick up your copy of Fiction River: Hard Choices from your favorite online retailer.

 — Leigh

Stone Soup – Wins Award & in “A Year of the Monkeys”

August 25, 2018

Stone Soup - LUW Short Story contest award

Two bits of news here – first off, I am very proud to announce that last summer my short story, Stone Soup, was awarded 1st Place in the 2017 League of Utah Writers Short Fiction contest.

There were many times, as my children were growing up, when I wished for even the simplest of magics that might make our lives easier—particularly during those difficult times between jobs, when the pantry routinely resembled Mother Hubbard’s cupboard. And while all magic comes with a price, I don’t know of many mothers who wouldn’t gladly pay it if it meant their children were better off.

Stone Soup is a lovely little story (if I do say so myself), and I’m glad the judges agreed!

A Year of the Monkeys anthology

And now you can read Stone Soup and judge for yourself.

The story has been included in A Year of the Monkeys, an anthology of short fiction by the “Infinite Monkeys” chapter of the League of Utah Writers. How cool is that!

A Year of the Monkeys is available in print and ebook formats.
Visit www.Books2Read.com/AYearOfTheMonkeys and order a copy from your favorite online retailer.

 

Marriage of Convenience in “Beauty and Wickedness” anthology

March 16, 2018

Beauty and Wickedness

Dangerous spirits lurk in the woods. A bargain can bind a soul. Enchanted sleep can only be broken by true love’s kiss… You know these things are true… even in this modern world. Your heart still recognizes the power and mystery you can only find in a fairy tale. In Beauty and Wickedness, sixteen authors retell and reimagine some of the most enchanting fairy tales ever told. Within these pages, you’ll find beauty and treachery, magic and courage, innocence and wickedness… and at least some happy endings.

Marriage of Convenience

Included in this collection, is my own novelette, Marriage of Convenience.

An unexpected demand by the powerful Rhysa throws fragile treaty negotiations into a turmoil. Tasked with brokering an interspecies marriage of alliance between humans and Rhysians, Earth’s negotiation team finds themselves caught in an interstellar re-enactment of Beauty and the Beast – one demanding personal sacrifices to ensure peace, and where no one will be magically transformed in the end.

Pick up your own copy of Beauty and Wickedness from your favorite online retailer.

*This novelette was previously a Finalist in the Writer’s of the Future contest.

“Mirages and Speculations” wins prize!

January 17, 2018

Mirages and Speculations anthology

Drum Roll, please…!

Mirages & Speculations finished in TOP TEN ANTHOLOGIES list of the 2017 Preditors & Editors Reader’s Poll – landing solidly in FOURTH Place!

2017 Preditors & Editors Readers Poll Top 10

I am so very proud to have my own story – Spaceman Sid & the Tentacles of Peace – in this great collection!

Spaceman Sid in “Mirages and Speculations”

August 20, 2017

Mirages and Speculations coverI’m delighted to announce my latest release – a fun, pulp-fiction style short which is included in Mirages and Speculations, a collection of desert-themed fantasy and science fiction.

Over-the-top heroes and improbable adventures are at the core of the pulp fiction novels, action comics, and Saturday afternoon creature-features I grew up with. So when a red-rock, alien landscape on the cover of a favorite comic book caught my eye, I let my imagination wander, and my own inner fiveyear-old out to play.

Spaceman Sid and the Tentacles of Peace is an homage to the ‘Spaceman Spiff’ cartoon character from Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes comics. I hope you have fun with it!

 

Mirages and Speculations is distributed through BundleRabbit, and is available in print and ebook formats from your favorite online retailers: www.Books2Read.com/Mirages

“The Last First Time” wins prize!

July 1, 2017

The Last First Time cover

I am delighted to announce that my short story, The Last First Time, is the Second Place winner in the 2017 Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story competition!

I wrote this charming story during a Short Story Intensive workshop led by my good friend, Mary Robinette Kowal (who you may also know as one of the hosts of the Writing Excuses podcast), and am pleased to share it with you now. You can read it free of charge on the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable website.

Enjoy!

2017 Bethlehem Writers Roundtable award

Mother of the Waters in “Beneath the Waves” collection

June 15, 2017

Mother of the Waters coverWhen I was invited to write a story for the Beneath the Waves collection, I knew that I didn’t want to write about the same sea-creatures everyone else would be writing about. Instead, I let my mind drift back to a vacation in the Caribbean a few years ago, and let my search through myths and legends lead me to the warm waters – with results I hope you’ll enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing!

In the spring of 1810, the death of his father – and discovery of an unknown uncle – sends fifteen year-old Samuel Harlowe from his simple life in England across the sea on a journey filled with dangers and wonders he never imagined.

And when a kraken attacks his ship, Samuel must choose to whether to let his crewmates perish in the watery depths, or to pay the price demanded by the Caribbean goddess, Mami Wata, the Mother of the Waters.

Available as part of the Beneath the Waves bundle, on BundleRabbit, or from your favorite ebook distributor (Kobo, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iBooks).

One Magical Christmas in “The Very Merry Christmas” collection

November 15, 2016

One Magical ChristmasAround my house, we usually hold off on the holiday decorations until (much too late in) December, but since I just *happen* to have a story in this great holiday collection, I thought I’d break with tradition and share it with you now!

The short story, One Magical Christmas, is part of The Very Merry Christmas Bundle, a collection of twenty holiday-themed short stories.

Nick wants to plan a festive Christmas surprise for his girlfriend, Emily. Easy enough, right?

Wrong!

Finding a street vendor in Manhattan with a nice tree on the last Friday before Christmas – a huge challenge. And the tree he does find comes with some surprises of its own.

Available as part of the Very Merry Christmas bundle, on BundleRabbit, or from your favorite ebook distributor (Kobo, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iBooks).

The Very Merry Christmas Bundle

The Night of Brahma in “Visions of the Apocalypse” anthology

July 29, 2016

Fiction River - Visions of the ApocalypseI’m not a huge fans of apocalypse stories – but when the opportunity presented itself to write a story for the Fiction River anthology, Visions of the Apocalypse, edited by John Helfers, I accepted the challenge,  and The Night of Brahma was the result.

People have been predicting the end of the world almost since the beginning, with speculations about the actual nature of mankind’s demise varying widely across the board. This led me to ask, ‘what if they’re all right?’– and as soon as the question formed in my mind, the structure for the story appeared, as if the universe itself had struggled with the same question, and we’d both suddenly discovered the answer.

Working with John was an amazing, educational experience. I am very proud of The Night of Brahma, and hope you like it, too!

 — Leigh

Paper Craft is back!

February 24, 2016

Digital Fiction - Horror collectionIf you missed my short story, Paper Craft, when it came out in the Ragnarok anthology, That Hoodoo, Voodoo That You Do, I’m happy to announce that it’s making a second appearance as a “QuickFic” selection on DigitalFictionPub.com

I also have to brag a little, and post this review quote:

“…Paper Craft by Leigh Saunders, was a perfect way to round up the anthology. I loved the way the story was structured, alternating between the past and present, and thought the ritualistic element was fascinating.

I also couldn’t help but instantly like the main heroine, Tracy. She’s not a witch, or a sorceress, or a Voodoo Queen. No, she’s a woman using her extraordinary gift to help those around her. The final image of the story was beautiful and magnificently described, and will no doubt stay with you for a long, long time…” 

S. R. Manev, Amazon reviewer

Browse on over to Digital Fiction Pub – and you can read Paper Craft and a whole lot of other great, short fiction – absolutely free!

Can’t beat that!

And if you’re looking for a collection of short reads to curl up with by the fire, be sure to check out Quickfic Anthology 1 – a collection of 44 short-short science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories, which also includes Paper Craft.

Happy reading!