Fantasy short story. Sometimes, when a scullery maid decides she wants to go to the ball, it's not about the prince--it's about the dancing. A Cinderella retelling with a twist.
Fantasy short story. A medieval woman's duty is to be obedient, long-suffering, and patient. But sometimes, she's patient because she's waiting for something.
Children's fiction. Larry and Tyler were best friends and did everything together, until Tyler's family moved away. Now a new lady lives in Tyler's old house, and the garden that Larry and Tyler planted together is dying. Doesn't Miss Black care what happens to the garden?
Humorous contemporary fantasy short story. It's hard enough to find a literary agent and get a publishing contract these days. But does supernatural help make it easier--or harder?
Humorous contemporary fantasy short story. Travel can be arduous and exhausting enough. But it becomes much, much worse when your luggage tries to take over your trip. When that happens, your dream trip to England can become a nightmare . . . of Shopping.
Fantasy short story. The villagers of Lexby have barely survived a magic-induced plague. Sarah lost her husband to the flesh rot that nearly killed her and her daughter. She's not about to let the Pantaj do more damage to the village. But what can a handful of women and children do against an invading army?
Science fiction novelette. Winin is a wayfinder: he uses ancient Micronesian navigator's art to navigate starships through overspace in a virtual reality outrigger canoe. Winin is chosen for a rescue mission seeking a starliner adrift in overspace. When the virtual reality in his ship goes down, are his knowledge and reflexes enough to guide a starship through the Maelstrom?
Young Adult Science Fiction Short Story. The underwater domes of Chai complex are breaking down, and Modlene and her family will have to leave if Mod can't fix the water purifier. But as she and her brother Simon search for the parts they need in an abandoned dome, someone tries to destroy it.
Science fantasy novelette. Hallelujah Tuckett came to Midway to escape her home world's slums, only to discover that Midway was probably the most boring planet in the galaxy. Augmenting her salary as a forklift driver by moonlighting in a beauty salon, she's saving every penny so she can get off the planet. Then she discovers that the alien taleweaver she has been visiting can really do magic.
Science fantasy short story. Lasai's sole purpose in life was to bring peace to the ghosts of the alien Ebchians, who had died a thousand years before. He did not foresee what would happen when archaeologists began excavating the ancient Ebchian cities.
Contemporary fantasy short story. Members of a college botany field trip start disappearing, and strange things are happening in the forest. Angela is the teacher's aide, responsible for the students' well-being. Angela and her husband must discover what's happening without becoming victims themselves.
Fantasy short story. Nan Kuwo has already sacrificed her former life to await her forbidden Deity's test in the silence of a hidden Temple. Will she survive to live out her heart's desire?
Fantasy short story set in medieval Japan. Noriaki is a ronin--a masterless samurai--and his flute-playing days are behind him. But when he and his companions wander into a cursed village, his forgotten skills may be the only thing that can save them.
Set in near-future Japan, this novelette tells of Tadashi's quest to finish a virtual reality device to make his elderly mother happier living in the city when she misses life on her farm. Then Tadashi meets the woman of his dreams . . . who might not be quite what she seems.
Fantasy short story. Wedded to their God, the Nameless One, as a human sacrifice on Zenith Sun Day, Srathi willingly bears the hopes and destinies of her people. But fulfilling her awesome duty has unexpected consequences.
Fantasy novelette. Tiva was apprenticed to Yongosona, who painted soul walls for the village. But she was never allowed to paint--just gather materials and prepare them. Would she ever learn what she needed to know to become a painter?
Science fiction short story. Life on the new colony world is good now, and Camille is surrounded by her loving family. So why isn't Camille happy this Christmas? Why do memories of death and deprivation haunt her?