Tag: short story

Free Fiction Fifteenth – Let’s Go Find Karl – Coming May 15th

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

Each month I put up one of my stories here to read for free. Last month it was the Captain Arlon Stoddard story, “Sea Skimmers”, and coming in May I’ll put out an oldie, but goodie, “Let’s Go Find Karl”. A fun little heist tale.

Descend into the depths of a diabolical world of deception and double-cross.

Melinda has a snippet of Karl’s brain and she needs to join it up with the rest of him.

If only she knew where he was.

A brain-bending surreal story of love, loss and little litigation.

 

If you missed “Sea Skimmers”, you can pick up for free at the website by using the code Skimming26 at checkout. Use this link. Valid through until May 15th (when the “Let’s Go Find Karl” goes free here.).

My Captain Arlon Stoddard Adventures series now has twelve novels. It was fun to write them all, and I’ll admit that I do have some favorites among them.

Along the way I’ve written a few short stories and a couple of novellas. Both the novella “Ortanide Steppers” and the story “Sea Skimmers” have been out for some time now, but I’ve been tardy getting the further short adventures out.

The plan is to fix that this year.

You can check out the whole series at the Captain Arlon Stoddard page on the website. And keep an eye out for a new story “Arkevarka Chasers” available to purchase from April 26th.

Thanks for reading.

Sea Skimmers – blurb

Experienced Captain Ulliana Alvis loves skimming above the forty-five hundred kilometer stretch of the Tegh Sea. Her vessel the Mourave carries fifty passengers in safety and comfort. The calm of the water always reassures and moves her at once.

But safety can be an illusion.

A Captain Arlon Stoddard short story that pits the crew against cascading events and into a desperate attempt to save lives.

A great place to jump in if you’re new to the series, and a wonderful addition for fans.

 

“Meeting Susanna” – featured story in Pulphouse Magazine issue 40

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

Often my fiction is pretty straight down the line – hard science fiction, or gritty thrillers. But then, sometimes I write something a little more offbeat – like my last story in Pulphouse issue #37, “Artie Beeline Meets Someone”, which I myself have difficulty classifying (kind of science fiction, kind of fantasy, kind of comic-book… without the illustrations).

Pulphouse Issue #40 is out now, with my story “Meeting Susanna” as the featured cover story. You know, it’s an honor to be among some great writers there, but to be the featured story is a double honor.

An immortality story with a heart.

Pulphouse runs the gamut of slightly off-beat stories, from detectives, to science fiction to simply unclassifiable. What you can count on, though, is (ahem) some really amazing writing. Editor Dean Wesley Smith does a great job of not only selecting stories, but encouraging and developing writers.

Pick up a copy today – just $6.99 for the ebook – Pulphouse Issue #40

Caprock – a new thriller short story from Sean Monaghan

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

I have a new bite-sized thriller story out in all the usual places, including the website. $1.99 for the ebook, $9.99 for the paperback.

Neil Rhodes loves hiking out into the desert. Exploring the barren reaches of Caprock State Park, he finds a kind of peace.

But that peace might just shatter when he comes across two other hikers. Apparently in trouble.

And maybe not hikers at all.

Maybe with other things on their minds.

A thriller short story from Sean Monaghan, author of Hard Ground and Brickworks.

 

 

 

 

Daisy and Maisie, External Hull Maintenance Experts

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

I mentioned before here and here, my short story “Daisy and Maisie, External Hull Maintenance Specialists”, originally published in the March/April issue of Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, is on the Sir Julius Vogel Award ballot for best novella or novelette, and also is on the ballot for Analog’s Analytical Laboratory (voted for by readers). The Analog final results come out in mid-June, I think, but the SJVs voting is on now, with the award ceremony happening at Concatenation con in Wellington over Easter (Kudos too for the organisers of the con, pulling together something out of almost nothing – great work).

If you’re a member of Concatenation, or SFFANZ, you have voting rights, so you can access the stories through the finalists page.

They’re also available to read for free on the Analog (Daisy and Maisie) and Asimov’s (Wildest Skies) websites, through until those respective awards are announced.

But, to add to that, “Daisy and Maisie…” is available from the website now as an ebook for $2.99. Just for reading here, you can use the code DandM50 to get it for fifty percent off. Not enough. Okay. Use the code DandM100 to get it 100% off (that is, free). I can’t go any higher than that, otherwise I’m giving you money 😁. I’ll leave these codes valid through until June 15th.

The print book version will be available soon. It looks grand. Link coming when all the details are in place.

 

Daisy and Maisie, External Hull Maintenance Experts

Chuck Grimshaw works hard in the gruelling environment orbiting Mars. Long days fixing broken equipment, on a worn out ship, in a stinky spacesuit.

His two robot helpers, Daisy and Maisie, make things bearable. Never short of a wry observation or a correction to Grimshaw’s work habits.

When disaster strikes, Grimshaw finds they have more talents than just quips and repairs.

But do they have the skills to help him survive?

 

Grab it now! Use the discount! Do a little dance!

Thank you.

Daisy and Maisie, External Hull Maintenance Experts – Award Ballots

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

My short story “Daisy and Maisie, External Hull Maintenance Experts”, originally published in the March/April issue of Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, is on the Sir Julius Vogel Award ballot for best novella or novelette. Now, I call it a short story, but there are technical lengths for awards and the cutoff for short stories is 7,500 words… “Daisy and Maisie…” is 7,600 words. That pushes it to novelette length.

That’s all well and fine, I’m thrilled to be nominated and to make it onto the finalist ballot.

Interesting side note, my 22,000 word novella “Wildest Skies” is also on the same ballot, so I’m kind of competing with myself, with stories of very different lengths.

Again, no complaints. Not at all. I’ve been on the ballots before, and even won once, but it’s been a while. All you nice people who’ve been reading the stories have been kind enough to consider them award-worthy and to nominate them.

Thank you, thank you. It’s very appreciated.

I have friends in other categories too – Lee Murray for Best Collected work, and Best Cover for her wonderful Fox Spirit on a Distant Cloud and Mel Harding-Shaw for her novel Echoes of Earthshine and also (as Melanie Harding-Shaw) for her article “Your Guide to New Zealand Fantasy Romance Novels Coming in 2024”

A full list of the finalists can be found here on the Sir Julius Vogel Awards Finalists 2025 page.

The competition will be tight, and because of other commitments I will miss the awards ceremony in April. Wish me luck, but also best of luck to the other nominees Just not in my category 😉

“Daisy and Maisie…” will be out as a standalone story in ebook and print very soon. What do you think of the cover? This is the blurb.

Daisy and Maisie, External Hull Maintenance Experts, blurb

Chuck Grimshaw works hard in the gruelling environment orbiting Mars. Long days fixing broken equipment, on a worn out ship, in a stinky spacesuit.

His two robot helpers, Daisy and Maisie, make things bearable. Never short of a wry observation or a correction to Grimshaw’s work habits.

When disaster strikes, Grimshaw finds they have more talents than just quips and repairs.

But do they have the skills to help him survive?

Sigrid’s Eagle – Fantasy short story out now

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

Well, technically it’s been out for a little while now, but I’m finally backtracking through my publications and getting the details loaded here.

While I mostly tend to write science fiction and contemporary stories, I do also dabble in fantasy from time to time. For the most part, that’s in my Morgenfeld series, which will see a slew of new releases this year with a new completed trilogy, and a collection of short stories with those characters and some new characters.

Morgenfeld is a fantasy world without magic, but sometimes I do write fantasies with a little magic. And dragons. And demons.

Sigrid’s Eagle was a fun story to write, and I was very happy with the result. I think stepping outside my usual genres helped to give me a different focus, and in turn brought back different approaches when I wrote my next sci fi tale.

Sigrid’s Eagle – Blurb

Calinda’s sister Sigrid vanished in the jagged reaches of the Spikehill Mountains. Jutting, thready, dangerous peaks.

Calinda needs to know why. Needs to know what drew Sigrid into such danger.

Their father would disapprove. But then, Calinda knows a couple of spells. She has her bow. And her good moccasins.

She will find Sigrid. No matter what trials she might face.

A fantasy tale that asks how far we will go for family. From the author of the Morgenfeld series.

This story pairs well with my fantasy novella “Crossing Bonestrike Gorge“. Both fantastical, with strong, young lead out of their depths.

Sigrid’s Eagle is available from the usual places as both and ebook for $2.99 and a paperback for $7.99. The best place to grab it is the main website – you can download it in your choice of formats.

Thanks for reading. As a thanks for making it this far, here are a couple of discount codes on the website. Both valid until the end of July 2025.

Get Sigrid’s Eagle for 50% cover price by using the code sigrids2025 at checkout.

Get both Sigrid’s Eagle and Crossing Bonestrike Gorge as a combo for 50% total cover price by using the code sigridscombo2025 at checkout (make sure to add both to your cart).

Artie Beeline Meets Someone – New story out in Pulphouse Magazine #37

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

 

Pulphouse Magazine is well-known for its quirky and off-beat stories and I hope mine is no exception. It’s available now in the current issue.
I’ve been having fun writing stories that are out there at the limits, and it’s cool that one has found a home right here among some great company.

 

 

 

“Artie Beeline Meets Someone”

Artie Beeline’s home needs some work. A lot of work.
Kind of like his life.
If he can just find the right person for the job.
When a new neighbor moves into the street, the arrival might just throw Artie’s plans into disarray.
Or solve all his problems.
No matter what, this will change Artie’s life.

 

Available now directly from the Pulphouse Store, or through Amazon and other retailers.
As it happens, I’ve got another story coming out in a future issue too – ‘Meeting Susanna’. I’ll let you know when that one comes out.

A reminder too, my flash fiction story “Heading for Boise” is available as a free download from my store here. Through until the end of the year. Maybe that was a mistake, I mean, where’s the urgency for anyone? Shouldn’t I be doing this all a time-limited thing?

“Heading for Boise” is a promo, of course, for another recent magazine publication of mine – “Miatellan Bay” in Midnight Echo #19.

Wildest Skies Survival Kit

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

cumberland patch 24824 thumb babyIt’s been quiet here for a while now. My great intentions to post more frequently vanished into the world of just writing more and tinkering with the business side of writing as I work on learning. Mostly the business side. More coming on that at some point, but it’s been figuring out things like Shopify, a mailing list, Bookfunnel, Kickstarter and others.

One thing was moving the main website seanmonaghan.com over to Shopify, and grabbing the new url seanmonaghan.blog for this site. With Shopify I can sell my books directly to readers without Amazon or the others stores in between, though of course my books are still available on all of those. Got to make it as easy as possible to find the books, right?

Now, a little more immediate news. To do with the mission patch right there.

My novella “Wildest Skies” will appear in the November/ December issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction – “Our November/December 2024 issue ends the year under Sean Monaghan’s “Wildest Skies.” This thrilling novella is filled with adventures on a dangerous and deadly alien planet.”

“Wildest Skies” was a fun story to write, and it was great to stretch my legs a bit. I’ve had other stories in Asimov’s, but this is the longest yet. Longer even than my well-received “Goldie” from the January/February 2022 issue. I’m always a little stunned to appear in those esteemed pages.

When I was working on the novella, I realized there were other stories to tell in that universe. Ed Linklater was an intriguing character and, well, I’d tossed him into one adventure so why not see how he did with other adventures. Right now, there’s one story available – “Spindle Shatters” – set in the lead up to the main mission. A prequel, I suppose.

All of this will appear on the Wildest Skies Survival Kit Page – www.wildestskies.com

Spindle Shatters cover 9924 thumb

Spindle Shatters

A Wildest Skies story.

Preparing for the deep space mission on the interstellar ship Cumberland Ed Linklater and the crew run through batteries of trials and drills.

A grueling schedule.

When trouble with the training centrifuge proves almost catastrophic, Ed must face alterations to the mission profile that test him in whole new ways.

Alterations that shake him to his emotional core.

With the future in the balance of not only his career but the mission itself, Ed faces whole new challenges.

More stories coming. There will be at least five. At least, that’s how many I’ve written so far (well, I’m well into writing the fifth one now, so not far away). So far they’re all prequels. I think this my subconscious’s way of avoiding letting out spoilers about the novella. Have I ever ranted here about spoilers? Not a fan. Maybe after “Wildest Skies” is out in the world there will be some sequels.

What’s up, you ask, with the heading here? Well, “Wildest Skies” is a survival story (is that a spoiler?), and I figure survival takes a little gear. Coming soon on the page will be handy things from the Deep Space Vessel Cumberland’s inventory. Plans are afoot for a satchel, a water bottle, a towel, a cap, a windbreaker. Maybe more. Right now I’m waiting on samples. from Printful to check the quality of the items themselves and how my designs look.

Here’s one, for the windbreaker, on one of the Printful models. Still just a draft, though. More news soon.

jacket on model

 

shard of tempered thumbAnother story, Shards of Tempered Glass will be out soon too.

Ed Linklater discovers cracked glass on one of the deep space vessel Cumberland’s tender craft. The  damage jeopardizes the entire mission.

Light years from Earth, Ed and crew must figure out a solution. With limited resources and no way to contact home, it takes everything they have.

And then some.

A prequel story to the novella “Wildest Skies”.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading. Stay in touch!

 

New Short Story – Everyday Moon Landings

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

I have a new short story up and available finally. “Everyday Moon Landings” which was fun to write, and perhaps the closest I have come to straddling my literary side with my science fiction side. Some of my SF stories, I like to think, have some literary bent, but I think fewer of my literary stories have any SF bent, if that makes sense.

A story of family and relationships and fatherhood.

Everyday Moon Landings

everyday moon landings 21724 ebook thumbTobias’s room smells of him.

But Tobias is gone. What can a father do when he loses his child?

Finding the courage to finally enter Tobias’s room, Peter Treuer faces things he might rather not know.

In the process, though, he might find some truths are better not hidden away.

A contemporary story with a heart, from the author of “Single Branch With Blossom.”

$2.99 for the ebook, available directly from the website, and also through the regular channels.

$6.99 for the little print book, available from Amazon

Daisy and Maisie, External Hull Maintenance Experts

~ Sean Monaghan ~ Leave a comment

It’s cool when I have a new story come out, especially when it’s in Analog Science Fiction and Fact. There is always the little glitch of living halfway across the world and finally receiving my subscription and contributor’s copies after some time has passed, but still, here it is. The March/April 2024 issue, just in my. letterbox this week, with my story “Daisy and Maisie, External Hull Maintenance Experts” inside.

Accompanied by a cute image of Daisy and Maisie, and astronaut Chuck Grimshaw by K.A. Teryna. Chuck’s in a bad spot, but maybe Daisy and Maisie can help out.

Another cool fact about this issue, you’ll find a story, “Enough” by Nebula Award Winner William Ledbetter. I was fortunate enough to enjoy Bill’s company over a few days some years back in L.A. at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference. Bill administers the Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award contest, and the award is given at the conference. After all these years. I think this is the first time we’ve actually shared a table of contents.

While I’m mentioning Analog, I’ll highlight that I have another story, “Float Where We Will” coming in the next issue, May/June, which I think is probably already on the magazine racks in the U.S.

It’s fun being in Analog, but amazing to be in back to back issues. I imagine my copy will arrive in six weeks or so. Expect another post then.