Where All Memories are One in “Alien Days” anthology

Alien Days coverThere is a scene fairly early in Memoirs of a Synth: Gold Record where Brianna uses the sticky label from a beer bottle to preserve the memory molecules given to her by Y’reui, an aged Callibrini Queen. The story in those molecules is never revealed in the novel – it has no bearing on the events of Brianna and Jerrold’s first adventure – but the Alien Days anthology gave me a perfect opportunity to share the tale.

Told entirely from Y’reui’s chemical-memory point(s) of view, Where All Memories are One recalls the events of Brianna’s first encounter with the insectoid Callibrini – and the disastrous results of that meeting.

This was a difficult story to write, not only because the events themselves were so very painful, but also because of the sheer challenge of trying to present the thoughts and multiple points of view of the insectoid characters in a way that we mere humans could wrap our heads around.

I hope you enjoy it.

Memoirs of a Synth: Gold Record in the 2019 StoryBundle “Space Opera” collection!

Storybundle 2019 Space Opera bundle

“…Covering vast areas of space with flashing spaceships and nifty alien races, space opera in the hands of great authors helped me time after time to get off this planet and live among the stars where life was a lot more fun than my real life. So for me, great, classic space opera is always my favorite kind of reading still to this day…”

– Dean Wesley Smith

I am delighted to announce that my novel, Memoirs of a Synth: Gold Record, is included in the 2019 Space Opera StoryBundle! It’s truly an honor to see my book on the shelf with this amazing collection.

If you don’t know how StoryBundle works, they assemble a themed collection of great novels, and then make the whole set available, DRM-free and in both .epub and .mobi formats (for your Kindle or other ereading apps/devices). Best of all, you not only get to set your own price, but you can choose to donate part of your purchase price to AbleGamers, to help them provide custom video gaming setups to people with disabilities so they can have fun with their friends and family.

UPDATE: The Space Opera Storybundle is over, but you can still find many of these great books at your favorite online retailers:

  • Sticks and Stones: A Trek Novel by Robert Jeschonek
  • Dreams of a Fool by Michael D. Britton
  • Naero’s Run by Mason Elliott
  • Gold Record – Memoirs of a Synth by Leigh Saunders
  • The Runabout by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
  • Fiction River Presents: Among the Stars by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
  • Star Rain by Dean Wesley Smith
  • The Drath Series: Books 1-3 by Meyari McFarland
  • The Jani Kilian Chroncles: Books 1-3 by Kristine Smith
  • Queen Anne’s Revenge by Blaze Ward

And thanks to all our readers for supporting us!

Tendrils in “Hard Choices” anthology

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”

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

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.

Mother of the Waters in “Spring Surprise” collection

Mother of the Waters coverThe season of spring ushers in a time of rebirth; new life comes forth, trees emerge from their winter slumber and the cycle of nature begins again. Plans unfold, new adventures commence and the past is washed clean. At least . . . that’s the theory behind the Spring Surprise collection.

In this mixed-genre bundle, tales of hope, fresh beginnings and emerging dreams, dangerous new lives and daring schemes awaken the springtime in us all – and includes my story, Mother of the Waters.

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.

Spring Surprise cover fan

“Mirages and Speculations” wins prize!

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!

One Magical Christmas in “Christmas Tales” collection

One Magical ChristmasLike a delightful gift that keeps on giving, One Magical Christmas is back again, this time part of the Christmas Tales collection.

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.

Have a happy holiday, and pick up a copy of Christmas Tales from your favorite online retailer.

Christmas Tales cover fan

Spaceman Sid in “Mirages and Speculations”

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!

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