Location: United States
Member Since: May 24, 2011
13 users have added this author as a favorite.


James Pratt


Biography

James Pratt likes to create realistically flawed but basically decent characters and have them cross paths with serial killer angels, redneck vampires, slithering horrors from other dimensions, and the end of the world. He also likes to write stories that demonstrate how the ever-present darkness threatening to wash over the world like a wave of endless night can be held back with a little courage and a big shotgun (assuming one hasn't already used both barrels, of course). Some take place in the distant past, others in the far future, and still others somewhere between eight minutes ago and twelve minutes from now. Whether sci-fi, adventure, or straight-out horror, the running theme is that the universe is very, very big and we are very, very small.

Where to find James Pratt online

Website: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5006272.James_Pratt
Twitter: JamesPratt4
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5006272.James_Pratt

Books

Cthelvis and Others    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 75250 words. Published on April 22, 2013. Fiction.
This collection of fifteen Lovecraft-inspired tales spans time and genres. Ranging from high fantasy to the far future, they are all linked by a common theme of the alien unknown. Among the stories' inhabitants, you will find a play so bizarre merely reading it may drive one mad, the dark secret of the forgotten patients locked away in the bowels of a seaside asylum, and the King of Rock n' Roll.
The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Death    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 6150 words. Published on April 15, 2012. Fiction.
(4.00 from 1 review)
Imagine the movie "The Sound of Music". Now imagine it with sexy spies, zombies, clones, and ancient books of magic. (Note: This little tale isn't the best example of how a short story should be written, but it's free so you get what you pay for.)
We Stand at the Gate    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 4140 words. Published on March 24, 2012. Fiction.
0.5 star(4.60 from 5 reviews)
Beyond a mythical kingdom's southermost borders sits the supernatural wasteland known as the Blight. Two soldiers, members of a garrison charged with protecting the kingdom's borders against the horrors of the Blight, are on sentry duty one dark night when one regales the other with a very strange tale. His tale hints at what lurks at the very heart of the Blight.
Buford Hollis and the Crowbar of Destiny    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 5910 words. Published on November 1, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 1 review)
Buford's day started with Bigfoot informing him he was having an "exits-tent-shell" crisis. Thinks get weird from there. When Beelzebubba, demon-god of all things dark and wicked in southern culture, declares war on all things good and proper, Buford discovers his true purpose with a little help from some very special friends.
Imagine That - Tales of Places Strange and Fantastic    by James Pratt
Price: $3.00 USD. 32180 words. Published on October 27, 2011. Fiction.
This collection of strange tales ranges from high magic to monster romance to weird western. Stories includes "The Devil's Outhouse", "The Awkward and Ill-Conceived Death of Baron Kritzler", "The Haggard Brothers Go to Town", "Emissary of Decay (A Tale of the Devil's Outhouse)", and "Tolkien World".
Better Late Than Never    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 1470 words. Published on October 24, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 1 review)
A quick, two-page weird tale inspired by an article written by Neil Gaiman. In the age of mass communication, it's easy to drown in a sea of information and forget about the importance of human contact. Then again, maybe technology will open doorways we never imagined.
Singularity    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3150 words. Published on October 22, 2011. Fiction.
Scientists race to perfect a technology that will allow the human race to survive as the universe is laid waste by an unknown force. But is it already too late?
Tolkien World    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 5590 words. Published on October 20, 2011. Fiction.
Led by the orc Borgalash One-Tusk, the Reavers are legendary among the fighting bands engaged in a losing war against the Invaders from the skies. When a cache of the Invaders' own lightning weapons falls into the allies' hands, the Reavers are ordered to use them to destroy an Invader outpost. It's swords and magic against the alien unknown on Tolkien World.
Emissary of Decay (A Tale of the Devil's Outhouse)    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 6010 words. Published on October 15, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review)
Ex-Confederate solider turned gunslinger Jacob Burden's adventures continue in that strange realm some call the Devil's Outhouse. Still searching for a way back to the town of Purgatory, Jacob makes a bargain with a sorcerer that leads to a confrontation with a dangerous new enemy. Startling revelations await in the Devil's Outhouse.
Did You Ever See A Shadow Move?    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 1470 words. Published on September 11, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 1 review)
"Did you ever see a shadow move? On its own, I mean. A shadow is really just a puppet after all…" In this two-page tale of weird paranoia, the narrator reveals the bizarre reasons he or she is compelled to question the nature of reality.
The Displeasure of the Inanimate    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3720 words. Published on September 5, 2011. Fiction.
What form will ghosts take in the plastic age of disposability and instant gratification? And will they really be ghosts at all?
The End Is Nigh - Tales from the End of Days    by James Pratt
Price: $2.50 USD. 13320 words. Published on July 22, 2011. Fiction.
This collection consists of five short stories dealing with the end of the world, whether by biblical armageddon, a zombie plague, or something alien and unknowable. The means are irrevlevant. All that matters is the End of Days has come. Stories include "One of Granny's Tales", "I Eat the Living", "You'll Know When You Meet Them", "Halo of Flies", and "The Statement of Tom Carter".
5 Stories That Bite - A Collection of Vampire Tales    by James Pratt
Price: $2.50 USD. 19020 words. Published on July 21, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 1 review)
This collection of vampire-themed short stories includes "Horton Hits a Ho", "What's New, Rudy Rue?", "Incident at the 24-7", "He Never Liked Mirrors", and "When Horton Met Dracula". Caution: This collection DOES NOT include any stories about angst-ridden vampires that sparkle in sunlight and pretend to be high school students so they can woo teen-age girls.
The Face in the Crowd    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 5560 words. Published on July 21, 2011. Fiction.
Learn the bloody history of the mysterious serial killer known as Mr. Nobody from the man himself. How is he able to commit murders in broad daylight and never get caught? What is the dark secret he's been keeping that he's finally ready to reveal?
When Horton Met Dracula    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 5590 words. Published on July 20, 2011. Fiction.
As revealed in "What's New, Rudy Rue?", Dracula walks the world once more. Horton (the rockabilly vampire from "Horton Hits a Ho") regales two poker buddies with the story of how he met the Prince of Darkness (Vlad to his friends) not once, not twice, but three times.
The Statement of Tom Carter    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 2210 words. Published on July 9, 2011. Fiction.
Some believe that the stars can show the future. Detective Rodriguez hopes that's not the case when he interviews a man who turned himself in after killing his entire family. The man wanted to spare them from what the stars told him was coming. But that's the sort of thing only a crazy person would say, right?
Daughters of the Black Lotus    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 2870 words. Published on July 5, 2011. Fiction.
It was the swinging 60s and everybody who was anybody thought the search for enlightenment was a groovy way to make the scene. When college student and would-be lothario Dominic joins the formerly all-female Black Lotus Society after they open their ranks to males, he's looking for more than just an altered state of consciousness. What he finds is beyond his wildest dreams. Make that nightmares.
The Awkward and Ill-Conceived Death of Baron Kritzler    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 6090 words. Published on July 5, 2011. Fiction.
In this fantasy short-story, Yorick the vampire and his glum companion Horatio the ghoul are ordered to assassinate an influential baron set to unite the baronies of the Affiliation against the undead-controlled Shadow Kingdoms ruled by their master, the lich-king Nazgoth. Unfortunately when Yorick and Horatio are involved, things rarely go according to plan.
Addicts Anonymous    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 5540 words. Published on July 2, 2011. Fiction.
A support group for recovering addicts gains a new member who's strange addiction doesn't seem quite so strange once his true nature is revealed. Disclaimer: This is NOT a vampire story.
Magic Lantern Show of the Gods    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3700 words. Published on June 29, 2011. Fiction.
(3.00 from 1 review)
Featuring characters introduced in the weird western tale "Restless On Boot Hill", gunfighter William Whateley returns to the Old West town of Purgatory at the request of Sheriff Lucas McMasters. When the pair suspect a connection between a spate of violence and the mysterious owner of a traveling magic lantern show, a showdown is inevitable.
The Devil's Outhouse    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 10260 words. Published on June 28, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
After a bank robbery goes terribly wrong, ex-Confederate soldier turned gunfighter Jacob Burden flees into the desert where he might hope to escape the posse but certainly not his conscience. Somehow, Jacob winds up in a place far stranger than any tall tale and more dangerous than a hanging judge. If he keeps his wits sharp and his pistol loaded he might not only survive but find redemption.
The Angel Of Death Has No Wings    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 4370 words. Published on June 26, 2011. Fiction.
In a strange future where humans and demons live and work side-by-side, a police detective and his infernal partner are tasked with investigating the improbable murders of corporate and industrial leaders who happened to be powerful demons. When the detective's theory regarding the nature of a very unusual serial killer proves true he must make a difficult choice.
The Haggard Brothers Go To Town    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 5170 words. Published on June 25, 2011. Fiction.
Even before they were remade by their Pa into something not quite human, the Haggard brothers were the terror of the strange place they called home. When Pug Haggard decides to woo Lenore, the beloved daughter of the infamous necromancer Emo Mulcifer, his brothers tag along to run interference against Mulcifer's undead hordes. The question is, what could Pug Haggard possibly say to impress Lenore?
He Never Liked Mirrors    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3630 words. Published on June 24, 2011. Fiction.
An uninvited guest shows up at a vampire party being held in an old mansion on the outskirts of New Orleans. He's been out of circulation for some time and is curious to see what has become of the children of the night. What will happen when he decides he doesn't like what he sees?
What's New, Rudy Rue?    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3220 words. Published on June 23, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review)
This short tale speculates on the grim future awaiting an unusual vampire hunter who bears a passing resemblance to a certain mystery-solving canine.
Incident At The 24-7    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 2750 words. Published on June 22, 2011. Fiction.
For brothers Sanjay and Umesh, life revolves around the 24-7 convenience store where Umesh contentedly mans the cash register while Sanjay studies for the college degree he hopes will be his ticket to freedom. The monotony of a typical night at the 24-7 is interrupted by two very strange visitors, neither of whom seem quite human.
3 Conversations About God(s)    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 4130 words. Published on June 21, 2011. Fiction.
0.5 star(3.50 from 2 reviews)
Over a period of history stretching from the far future to Nazi, Germany to the beginning of time itself, three very different pairs of people discussing three very different topics somehow manage to have very similar conversations.
Incursion From An Alternate Frame Of Reference    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 3790 words. Published on June 20, 2011. Fiction.
An attempt to create a virtual universe composed of spatial dimensions beyond the three we know proves all too successful.
Shadows Rise Up!!!    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3310 words. Published on June 19, 2011. Fiction.
In the time of the Blessed Twilight, humans were the mindless slaves of shadow-kind. But then came the parting of the Darkness from the Light and the power of the shadows was broken. Now a clever and ambitious shadow seeks to restore the old ways and tries to convince his fellow shadows to join him in revolution. Will he succeed?
Halo Of Flies    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 2680 words. Published on June 18, 2011. Fiction.
The end of the world plays out early one morning when the patrons of a roadside diner are startled by the sudden appearance of a naked, bloody, terrified man. The question is, are the man's pursuers really the ones from whom the diner patrons have the most to fear?
"A clown with an axe walks into a church..."    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 4960 words. Published on June 16, 2011. Fiction.
"A clown with an axe walks into a church..." It sounds like the start of a bad joke but in a dark future overrun by unspeakable horror, an evil clown with an axe that tells him to kill things might be just what the doctor ordered.
Newton    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 2760 words. Published on June 15, 2011. Fiction.
0.75 star(4.75 from 4 reviews)
Christy is a young girl in serious trouble and only her friend Newton can help. Unfortunately, Newton only exists in Christy's imagination. Or does he?
Restless On Boot Hill    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 7470 words. Published on June 14, 2011. Fiction.
0.75 star(4.67 from 3 reviews)
A zombie tale with Lovecraftian overtones set in the Old West. After the dead start to rise in the town of Purgatory, Sheriff Lucas McMasters recruits William Whateley, a gunfighter alleged to have dealings with the forces of darkness, to help him get to the bottom of things.
Convergence    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 1780 words. Published on June 13, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 1 review)
The lives of two strangers collide on the eve of the full moon. One is desperate to finish making preparations before the moon rises, the other to acquire the funds necessary to start a new life. Not the recipe for a happy ending.
I Eat the Living    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 5210 words. Published on June 13, 2011. Fiction.
In this zombie story with a twist, a man learns the bizarre secret behind a series of brutal murders and discovers his life's true purpose in the process.
You'll Know When You Meet Them    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 1410 words. Published on June 12, 2011. Fiction.
(5.00 from 1 review)
What if the end of the world didn't come all at once? What if those living in the farthest corners of the earth had time to contemplate what had happened and what was to come? Scientists at a remote Arctic research station discuss the implications of the disturbing news stories they'd observed prior to losing all contact with the outside world.
The City Is A Vampire    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3220 words. Published on June 12, 2011. Fiction.
"Civilization has spoiled humanity in a big way. Take people who live in the city. Its canyons of brick and glass protect them from the red chaos of the natural world, the primeval reality of tooth and claw that preyed on our ancestors but taught them to be swift and sly. In the city, the only predators people really have to worry about are each other. But there is a price to pay..."
Ghosts For A Sensible Age    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 4510 words. Published on June 11, 2011. Fiction.
As science supplants superstition, vampires, werewolves, and other Old World nightmares are relegated to the status of myth and cliché. What new horrors will arise to fill the void and threaten the modern Age of Reason? Two men sitting in a cafeteria at the corporate headquarters of the third largest corporation in the world come to a disturbing conclusion as they discuss just that.
The Lake Story    by James Pratt
Price: Free! 910 words. Published on June 10, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 3 reviews)
This is a short story about a man who got what he wished for. Growing up poor, Bob dreamed of having a mansion by the lake. He spent the summers of his youth fishing, swimming, and keeping an eye out for the giant catfish said to lurk in the lake's murky depths. After years of slaving in the city, Bob returned a wealthy man and bought the mansion of his dreams. What could go wrong?
Corridor    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3500 words. Published on June 10, 2011. Fiction.
Engineers attempting to determine the nature of a mysterious alien artifact make a horrifying discovery.
There's A Light On At The Old Sutter Place    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3280 words. Published on June 9, 2011. Fiction.
0.5 star(4.50 from 2 reviews)
An old farmer and his trusty shotgun are all that stand between the world and the return of an evil both hideously alien and heartbreakingly familiar.
The Black Scarab in "The Sad, Strange Fate of Evil Eye"    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 2180 words. Published on June 9, 2011. Fiction.
Written in the style of a pulp superhero tale, this short story describes the final encounter between an aging superhero trying to take care of unfinished business and his arch-nemesis who is dealing with some issues of his own.
Hyacinth and Orchid in "The Cajun Country Cookin' Caper"    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3610 words. Published on June 9, 2011. Fiction.
Written in the vein of the campy 1960s Batman television show, this superhero short story features the crime-fighting duo Hyacinth and Orchid facing the condiment-themed villainy of fast food icon turned costumed criminal Commander Catsup.
One of Granny's Tales    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 2410 words. Published on June 9, 2011. Fiction.
The Old Woman had spent her entire life among the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the mountains. One by one, her loved ones had been taken from her and now she was all alone. When the monotony of her existence is disrupted by a series of strange events, the Old Woman recalls a story told to her by the old Indian Woman called Granny regarding the way Granny's tribe believes the world will end.
Horton Hits A Ho    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 4610 words. Published on June 9, 2011. Fiction.
This unusual vampire tale features Horton, a hard-traveling rockabilly who believes he will remain invincible so long as he abides by the three cardinal rules handed down by his father, Big Daddy Horton. After a long night of riding, Horton stops off at a truck stop in the dead of night and ends up having the best strawberry shake of his life. Things go downhill from there.
Death Comes For The Anglerfish    by James Pratt
Price: $0.99 USD. 3830 words. Published on June 8, 2011. Fiction.
(4.00 from 1 review)
In a bleak future where the Earth is slowly laid waste as aliens harvest its most precious resources, the AnglerFish is a water-breathing mutant who rules the town of Purgatory with an iron fist. When the last uninfected survivors of an alien-manufactured mutagen virus send the gunslinging cyborg known as Edward T. to Purgatory in search of much-needed medical supplies, a showdown in inevitable.

James Pratt’s tag cloud

abuse    addiction    adventure    alien    alternate dimension    alternate plane    alternate reality    alternate world    angel    ankh    antichrist    apocalypse    arctic    armageddon    artifact    artificial intellgence    artificial intelligence    automaton    axe    bigfoot    black    black magic    campy    cannibalism    carcosa    city    clones    clown    comic book    corridor    country    cowboy    crawling chaos    cthulhu    cult    cyborg    dark    death    deathtrap    demon    despair    destiny    detective    devil    dimension    dracula    drown    dying    eddie    egypt    elf    elvis    end of days    end of the world    enslave    entanglement    entropy    evil    evil twin    experiment    eye    fallen angel    fangs    fantasy    farmer    freak    future    gangsta    gateway    gestalt    ghost    ghoul    goblin    god    goth    granny    gravity    gunfighter    gunslinger    gypsy    harley    haunt    haunted    hell    henchgirl    hero    heroine    hillbilly    holocaust    horror    hyacinth    imaginary friend    invasion    iron maiden    irony    justice    ka    kali    king in yellow    lake    lestat    lovecraft    lovecraftian    lucifer    magic    meaning of life    milkshake    minotaur    mirrors    monster    motorcycle    mountains    mutant    nazi    necromancy    necronomicon    nyarlathotep    orc    orchid    outpost    outside    overthrow    parallel universe    paranoia    patchwork    phantom    plague    plane travel    prison    psychic    pulp    quantum    rapture    redneck    religion    revelations    revenge    revolution    rockabilly    sacrifice    scarab    science    sebek    serial killer    shadow    shadows    short stories    short story    shotgun    sidekick    simulacrum    singularity    sixties    snowstorm    sorcery    space marine    spirit    squid    stars are right    steampunk    strawberry    super    superhero    support group    suspense    sword    sword sorcery    tale    talking animals    talking dog    the south    theoretical physics    threshold    tights    time travel    tolkien    tragedy    travel    truck stop    twilight    vampire    violence    virus    wasteland    water    weird    weird tale    weird west    weird western    werewolf    whateley    wizard    world war ii    worm hole    wormhole    yellow sign    yogsothoth    zombie    zombies   

James Pratt's favorite authors on Smashwords


Smashwords book reviews by James Pratt

  • Half A Man on June 17, 2011
    star star star
    A funny little story. Interesting concept and a nice, quick read. It could be even better with a little editing but is enjoyable as is.
  • Edible Art and Other Flash Fiction on June 17, 2011
    star star star star
    These were fun and interesting and have inspired me to give flash fiction a try. Thanks!
  • The Sleeping Gods on June 17, 2011
    star star star star
    Not what I expected based on the title but a clever idea, nicely executed and well-written. Great job.
  • Prelude One: Death as a Boy (A "Keeping Up With the Deadlanders" Prequel) on June 17, 2011
    star star star
    Interesting concept executed in a way that makes me want to learn more.
  • Footprints in the Butter on June 24, 2011
    star star star star
    I expected weird but not this weird. At one point I actually said "Whoa" outloud. This was an eerie and disturbing story filled with eerie and disturbing creatures. The phrase "twist ending" gets thrown around a lot but THAT was a twist ending. I got my money's worth with this one.
  • Malky's Bottle of Christmas on June 24, 2011
    star star star star star
    This story contained no ninjas, aliens, or evil robots. I liked it anyway. That's the highest compliment I can give.
  • Mirror on June 26, 2011
    star star star star
    A very creepy story told in less than a hundred words complete with appropriately eerie imagery. Very cool.
  • 03:08 on June 26, 2011
    star star star star
    Very stream of conscious with interesting visuals. "Mirror" is even better.
  • Ultima Thule on Dec. 21, 2011
    star star star star
    Interesting take on the Apocalypse from the Beast of Revelation's point of view.
  • The Curious Case of A. Fly, Esquire on Dec. 21, 2011
    star star star star
    Funny and creative.
  • Improving Slay Times in the Common Dragon on Dec. 21, 2011
    star star star star
    Well-paced and interesting.
  • Trial by Fire on Dec. 23, 2011
    star star star star star
    Very interesting "from the monster's point of view" story
  • The Shadow Killer on Dec. 23, 2011
    star star star star star
    Weird and spooky. I like urban fairy tales and this one fits the bill.
  • Attic Clowns: Volume One on Feb. 02, 2012
    star star star star star
    I hated these stories, not because they're bad (just the opposite actually) but because I wish I could write like this. Dark and weird, just the way I like them.
  • The Day We Joked About The Dead on Feb. 02, 2012
    star star star star
    Funny yet depressing. Or maybe depressing yet funny. Nice, quick story and a good setting for future stories.
  • Outside the Wire on Feb. 02, 2012
    star star star star
    I read "B.E.K.s" in the Abominations anthology and was glad to come across this collection from the same author. Good, solid stories with a nice touch of weirdness to satisfy fans of the dark and bizarre.
  • Body Parts For Hire on April 10, 2012
    star star star star
    A grim, bloody, and weird ghost story where the ghost is the good guy. Very interesting.
  • Aenima on April 15, 2012
    star star star star
    I haven't read much steampunk (by which I mean any), but this was definitely an interesting and well written little story. Neat idea and nice imagery.
  • Snow Witch on April 19, 2012
    star star star star
    Interesting little story, very descriptive language.
  • Eye Check on Nov. 12, 2012
    star star star star
    I'm a little disappointed it didn't turn out to be a shoggoth but this was a quick, enjoyable little read. I'll definitely be checking out more of the author's work.
  • The Curiosity on Dec. 03, 2012
    star star star star
    Quick but entertaining. It reads like a Lovecraft pastiche, which I assume is the intention, but is done with enough skill that it's a cut above most self-described Lovecraftian stories. Nothing pretentious here; just a weird but brief encounter with the unknown.