Short story in Aphelion: That Damned Toothbrush...

Exactly eight years and four days ago, I was celebrating my debut as a writer when my first short story was published in a magazine. It's been a long road since; I've learned a few things and, hopefully, preserved my humor and positive view over the world intact.

Today, I'm happy to announce that my short story That Damned Toothbrush... was published in July issue of Aphelion webzine. This should please my English-speaking readers, especially those who have expressed their interest in reading my Romanian stories. The Romanian version of this story was included in my short story collection Efectul de nautil (Millennium Books, 2013).

Go here to read about an atypical guest and have a few laughs. While you're at it, check out the rest of the issue, too. There's some good stuff in there.

New Story: Suprafete de contact

Never in a million years did I imagine my stories would be featured in a magazine with Iron Man and Captain America on the cover. I mean how cool is that? 

When you're invited to write for a magazine as prestigious as Stiinta & Tehnica, you drop everything and write it. I had three weeks to get the story done, one to come up with an idea (it fully crystallized during the last two days before actually writing it, but this is how it usually happens), one to write it, and one to polish it. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out.

"Suprafete de contact" (Contact Surfaces) is included in issue no. 55 of Stiinta & Tehnica from April, 2016. The story deals with parallel universes, something I haven't played with before. The issue already made it to Iasi so you can check the local stores and get it.


Oh, and check out the illustrations that accompany the story. They were specially drawn for it.

Here is a video presentation of the April issue. My story is mentioned at 48:21.

New Story, Review, and Interview in Revista de Suspans

The April issue, no. 25, of Revista de Suspans is out, and it includes several goodies among which:

- a short story - "Înlănţuiţi" (this is the Romanian version of Breaking the Chains, initially included in "Efectul de nautil" short story collection, Millennium Books, 2013.)

- a review of "Secvenţă de zbor" short story collection (Millennium Books, 2016); this is the first review of the book as far as I know since it was just released earlier this month.

- an interview with yours truly in which I'm talking about the new book and also about self-publishing.

Thank you, Cezarina, for inviting me to be part of this great issue!

P.S. If you want to read more about angels and demons, the second installment in The Devil You Know series, The Night between Heaven and Hell, is out on Amazon.

Short Story: Pasarea de Foc (The Firebird)

Issue no. 14, winter 2015-2016, of Argos Magazine is available online.

It includes my short story "Pasarea de Foc", the Romanian version of The Firebird, a story from The Nightingale Circus collection.

The link isn't active yet and I don't know when it will become available, but I will let you know.

I'm so pleased this baby found a home.

Edited to add: The story is live now. You can read it here.

Short Story: Fata racheta (Rocket Girl)

At the end of 2014, "Fata racheta" (the Romanian version of Rocket Girl, a short story from The Nightingale Circus short story collection, set in the Broken People universe) was published in the printed edition of Paradox magazine, issue no. 25-26.

Browsing the magazine's site the other day in search of clues on when the next issue will appear (guess why :) ), I discovered that "Fata racheta" is also available in the Paradox online edition. So go ahead and read it if you haven't yet. 

If you like the characters, there are more stories in The Nightingale Circus, and of course they also appear in the two novels in the series, Broken People and Broken Hearts.

Note: Only "Fata racheta" is in Romanian. The rest are all in English, I'm afraid.

Story: Fata Racheta

Well, well, well, Rocket Girl made it into print. The Romanian version of Rocket Girl is included in Romanian magazine Paradox, issue 25-26.

How did it happen? Simple. Mrs. Genescu asked me if I wanted to submit a story for the magazine, and I thought Rocket Girl would be a perfect fit. The English version is included in The Nightingale Circus short story collection.

You can check out this issue's table of contents on the Paradox magazine website. I assume a pdf file will be added at some point, like there is for the previous issues, but I don't know when.

I'm very proud of my not-so-little girl. You can read more about Fei Lin in Broken People novel, and she will also make an appearance in the second book in the series that I'm writing right now.

Story: The Blade Masters

We couldn't end the year without having at least one short story published in a magazine. So...

The Blade Masters (one of the short stories included in The Nightingale Circus collection, the prequel to Broken People) can be read in issue no. 20 of Suspense Magazine.

It features our favorite prosthetic-designer knife throwers, Rake and Spinner, and it reveals the events that led to joining the circus.

Happy reading!

Short Stories on ReadWave

I've been on ReadWave before, but since the last time I checked in the summer the rules have changed. It turns out only short stories under 800 words get featured on the main page so this week I posted three shorts that were just lying around on my pc. So far the feedback is good, though not as many reads as expected. You can find them here:

Chocolate

Blogger Extraordinaire

For the Love of a Man

Story: "Nu-mi călca pe Umbră, doar..." and "Ferestrele timpului" News

Some of you might wonder if I still write Romanian short stories now that I seem to be so busy with publishing English ebooks. The short answer is yes. The long answer is a little more complicated.

Almost a year ago, I wrote a short story and submitted it to "Revista de povestiri" (Short Story Magazine - it's a printed magazine or it used to be until recently). The story was accepted for publication, but there was a waiting line since they received many submissions so... I waited. Until last month when they announced the magazine was forced to discontinue its publication because of lack of funds. O-kay. This left me with a cute little story I didn't quite know what to do with. You might be tempted to think that's not a problem since stories don't ask to be fed, but the thing is stories are written to be read.

About the same time, a new on-line fiction magazine was created, Fictiuni.ro run by Eugen Lengel. The first issue looked good, and I was already considering writing something for it when my little story became homeless. Well, it's not homeless anymore. You can read it in issue no. 2, November, 2013, of Fictiuni.ro:

Nu-mi călca pe Umbră, doar…

The issue also includes an article by Stefan Ghidoveanu in which he talks about "Ferestrele timpului" (Windows of Time) and what it takes to make an anthology.

From Mr. Ghidoveanu's blog we find out that "Ferestrele timpului" will be launched at 15:00 on Sunday, November 24, at Gaudeamus book fair in Bucharest.

Short Story and "Efectul de nautil" Review in SRSFF

June seems to be the month when I tend to go astray as in I publish stories in unusual (for me) places. Looking at my published story log, I realized that over the past few years the stories submitted to SFera Online, EgoPhobia, and Gazeta SF appeared online in the month of June. This year it's SRSFF Magazine's turn to host one of my stories. Please read "Rivalitate" and enjoy.

In the same issue of SRSFF Magazine (no. 5, June, 2013), Antuza Genescu writes a fabulous review of my sci fi and fantasy short story collection "Efectul de nautil". All I can say is I also hope I won't run out of ideas or steam any time soon. As for style, I think I'm pretty close to finding mine, but you know I get bored writing the same thing all the time and now and then I feel the need to write something different. And Science rulez! :)

P.S. I'm happy Mrs. Genescu mentioned "Cine a incurcat borcanele?". I was curious to see the readers' reaction to this story in particular since I had such a laugh writing it.

Later edit: Taking a look on H.G. Wells - Science Fiction Society website, I noticed they had a reading of "Efectul de nautil" on June 15. That's nice. I wonder what the audience thought about it.

Two stories and one interview in Revista de Suspans

I've been wanting to write a story for Revista de Suspans (Suspense Magazine) ever since its launch last fall. With other magazines, unless they pay, I'm usually like "okay, let's give it a couple of months and see how it fares, and then maybe I'll write something for it." It wasn't the case here as I was already familiar with Mircea Pricajan's work from Suspans.ro, so it was only a matter of time for finding the time to write the story and, of course, finding the right idea for it. It looks like the waiting paid off because in the April issue of Revista de Suspans you'll find not just one story but two plus an interview featuring... me.

1. "Iluminare" (Illumination) - Romanian short story written especially for Revista de Suspense. Initially, the story was supposed to include more fantasy elements, but sometimes what you write on the paper (or in this case type) comes out a little differently than what you have planned. After the first draft was done, I considered re-writing the story to get it back on the right track, but then it risked turning out too much like Howgarts, and I kind of liked it the way it was. Besides, I don't write only sci fi and fantasy, I write suspense and adventure too, and oh, you should read my spicy romance, tee-hee!

2. "The Chase" - English short story, included in "Blue Moon Cafe Series: Where Shifters Meet for Drinks". If you like it and want to read more stories set in the same universe, you can get the short story collection here or check out the various links at the right.

3. Interview - It's about "Zombii: Cartea mortilor vii" (Zombies: The Book of the Living Dead), and it features most of the authors included in the anthology (you can order the book here). While reading it, I noticed that my answers are the shortest so if you really want to know how this writer's mind works I guess you'll have to read my stories. *grins* Oh, and check out Roxana's Brinceanu's answer no. 6. It gave me quite a giggle!

Story: "O familie de sclipicioşi"

My story "O familie de sclipicioşi" (A Sparkling Family) can be read in the 30th issue of  Helion Online (March-April 2013). This story won the 2nd place at the Helion 2012 writing contest, and considering that the first place was not awarded and who the competition was, I'm quite happy with the result.

It's also included in my short story collection "Efectul de nautil" (The Nautilus Effect). If you like printed books, you can order it here.

Update: I just noticed now on the front page of Helion Online that the story was scheduled for the March 22 session of Helion Club. I'm not sure exactly what this mean. Did they read it, discussed it or what? Can someone who was there enlighten me?

Argos, no. 1, April 2013

The first issue of Argos magazine is available as an ebook on elefant.ro.

It includes my story "Un zambet de milioane" (A Smile Worth Millions) that won the AtelierKult contest last year, so don't miss it.

It only costs 4.99 RON.

And it's already in top 3 of best sold digital books, yay!

Story: Invazia

Staring the year on a good note... After being hosted on Moshul SF's blog almost a year ago, Invazia (The Invasion) is now published in Nautilus, January 2013 issue (no. 60). Sixty is a nice, round number, and the story is cute if I may say so, so enjoy!

Update: Here's a nice review written by Mihai on Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews blog.

And another review on Scifientland.

And one in Gazeta SF.

Story: For the Love of a Man

Sender: Gliese 777 b, Cygnus

Physical address: Encrypted

Decoding: Valid

Receiver: Gliese 777 b, Cygnus

Physical address: Encrypted

Decoding: Valid

Protocol: Shortest Relay Path

Handshake: OK

Begin transmission.

=====

Dear Mom,

I have some news for you. We’re moving! Greg was offered a position as first ecologist administrator in the Ohm system. Yes, I know it’s two galaxies away, but with the recently discovered faster-than-light traveling technology you can visit us any time you want, so don’t worry about it.

Why are we moving into a system with zero population, no entertainment and basically nothing of interest outside the personnel’s base? Because once all the FTL terminals are installed, Greg will arrive home from work 2.5 hours earlier than usual. The regular delivery service can only move our orders up one hour, which is not enough time for me to take care of everything before he arrives home, and we won’t be able to afford extra FTL travel for a while. Not mentioning the fact that Greg will see it in our joint account transfer records. And then, he’ll figure out I cannot cook. I will not lose my marriage over this FTL business.

So we’re moving. The pay is smaller and there might not be much for me to do there, but the beauty of it is that Ohm has been declared a natural reservation and no FTL travels are allowed in the area. We’ll be safe there. Please, be happy for me, Mom. Greg means the world to me, and I will do anything for him, even subject myself to a life full of boredom. Hey, maybe I’ll learn to cook!

Until then, you can still send in the casseroles as usual, just remember to add a type two preservation additive after we leave.  It’s especially made for long distance travel and it will keep the food good for years. And you won’t have to cook every day anymore. I did some research and I can easily blame the foreign flavor on the local flora. See, I have it all figured out! Greg will believe me since he can’t cook either. He loves your lasagna so don’t forget to make at least one portion per week. Thanks!

Your loving daughter, lost in the middle of packing,

Ann

=====

End of transmission.

Story: That Damn Toothbrush

The last story for this summer is available in June issue of Gazeta SF:

Periuţa, bat-o vina…

I have way too many on going projects to focus on writing for the web at the moment, but maybe in the fall there'll be more stuff for you to read.

Until then, enjoy your summer. God, I need a vacation!

Story: Deal of the Century

This one is from 2009 so I don't quite remember where the inspiration came from.

It proves that a critique group can be a big help because it saved the ending from being a total snooze.

Read it here:
Afacerea secolului

Story: Wisdom Seeds

Still keeping close to this month's theme and partially inspired by a TVD promo set of pics, I present you:

Wisdom Seeds

Story: An Hour of Love

Some of you might still remember this one, it's a story fitting this month's theme:

An Hour of Love

Story: The Invasion

My contribution to "The 1001 Fabrications of the Sci Fi Old Man" short prose section from Moshul SF's blog is called "The Invasion".

I've got the idea one evening, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a shadow move on the ceiling.

Luckily, it was not an alien!