Alternative War

 

I don't know why, but Amazon has a recurring problem with including my name in lists of contributing authors.  

So, despite the fact that I'm once again not listed, I have indeed got a story in Alternative War, the new release from B Cubed Press.

'AWOL' is the story of a marine sergeant who has the misfortune to be elsewhere, sleeping off a bender, when her base is suddenly evacuated as the enemy advance gets too close.  

So what's new, you say?  Common enough difficulty; could happen to anyone.  

True, but not everyone was already particularly unpopular on all sides for smuggling in bootleg whisky within the president's personal supplies.  

Hardly anyone managed to combine that little misdemeanour with being a member of the presidential bodyguard.

And absolutely no-one else packaged both of these mistakes with being part of the Earth garrison on the planet Kyron.

This is the story of Jackie Carnegie, the only Earth soldier left on a planet being invaded by a cruel and relentless race of aliens when the planetary defence forces surrender. She can't get off the planet. Should she run away and hide? Should she embark on a foolhardy one woman war? Does she have any choice?

Well, you'll need to read the book to find out, won't you?

Iron Hail

I'm very pleased to report that my short story Iron Hail is included in the Zombies Need Brains anthology All Hail Our Robot Conquerors. This is available now for pre-order on Amazon and due for release on Friday 1st September.

 RRRAWRRR!!! ZZZZZZTTTTT!!! ZZZZAAAAPPPPP!!!

The robots of the 50s and 60s science fiction movies and novels captured our hearts and our imaginations. Their clunky, bulbous bodies with their clear domed heads, whirling antennae, and randomly flashing lights staggered ponderously across the screen and page and into our souls—whether as a constant companion or as the invading army threatening to exterminate our world. We can never return to that innocent time, where the robots could be identified by their burning red eyes or our trusty robot sidekick would warn us instantly of danger— Or can we?

With a touch of nostalgia and a little tongue-in-cheek humor, here are fifteen stories from today’s leading science fiction and fantasy authors that take us back to the time of evil robot overlords, invading armies, and not-quite-trustworthy mechanical companions. Join Julie E. Czerneda, Brandon Daubs, Tanya Huff, Brian Trent, L.E. Modesitt, Jr., Jason Palmatier, Jez Patterson, Gini Koch, Lauren Fox, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, Philip Brian Hall, Rosemary Edghill, R. Overwater, Helen French, and Seanan McGuire as we step into the future with a nod to the past. Hold on to those stun guns. You may need them!

Awards Eligible Original Short Stories 2016

I can't honestly say that my 2015 list produced remarkable results, though the three stories did feature in 'Up and Coming' the anthology of Campbell Award eligible work.  This year I'm too much of a veteran for the Campbell, so it has to be the big leagues. Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained. Here's this year's list.

Philip Brian Hall
Awards-Eligible Original Short Stories 2016

TIME'S WINGED CHARIOT

February 20^th in It's Come to Our Attention (Third Flatiron)

LAST OF THE SPICE SCHOONERS

27 April 2016 on Gallery of Curiosities (podcast)

THE WILD HUNT OF SLIABH MANNAN

June 14^th in Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores

THE TRIAL OF MONSIEUR LAZARE

June 28^th in AE The Canadian Science Fiction Review*

(*website temporarily unavailable)

THE ULTIMATE TEMPORAL PARADOX

July 11^th in Sci Phi Journal

ALL OF THE PEOPLE, ALL OF THE TIME

September 9^th in Stupefying Stories Showcase

A BRAW SONG FOR BURNS NIGHT

September 15^th in Ritualistic Pompadour (Recompose)

THE HARD STUFF

due out before Christmas in Unbound II, Changed Worlds

The Trial of Monsieur Lazare

This is my month for failing to notice I've been published.  It does seem rather remarkable that an author would encounter two of his own stories on line on consecutive days, but there you are.

Just like Temporal Paradox I was aware of the impending publication of The Trial of Monsieur Lazare but I did not realise it had already happened.

One beneficial effect of taking a lot of interest in all things French is a reasonable familiarity with the structure of the French judicial system, which has significant differences from that of the UK.

In this story a businessman is taken in for questioning by an examining magistrate.  His problem is that he hasn't committed any crime and he has no idea what it's all about.

You can read the story free on line in AE The Canadian Science Fiction Review. I hope you enjoy it.