Short Fiction

Raven is accused of stealing the Moon and the Sun. No one believes the trickster, of course, so the only solution is that he is going to have to find the culprit himself!

An Aser story. A legal question besets the company: is conjuring an object the same as theft? And just to keep things interesting, is "demanding"a tip for delivering a message the same as theft? Do chickens really count as "theft"?

The Unknown is out there, waiting, mostly empty, but holding mysteries that may be no more than just memories. Agnes Stephenson wonders if there is more out there than memories, and if she'll ever be more than a rear guard ...

Unexpectedly, McBride is the next best hope for the injured Kaine and Iai. McBride knows that Iai has the power to heal himself, but what about Kaine, who was never expected to survive his own birth? But it is an odd fact that power comes when you're willing to take it ...

Staying mad at each other is easy until you realize how silly you look doing so. Cloudraft the Wizard and his hot former apprentice let two angry empaths trade insults for them.

Which is more attractive, the dreamer or the realist? Roy became an explanation in and of himself...

Unexpectedly, McBride is the next best hope for the injured Kaine and Iai. McBride knows that Iai has the power to heal himself, but what about Kaine, who was never expected to survive his own birth? But it is an odd fact that power comes when you're willing to take it ...

Aser, Danner, and Margot the Troll find a really excellent tavern -- but it has a nasty secret, and not just that a certain bartender has a thing for trolls...

Originally appeared 2007-10-22.

The Piker Press recently caught up with the noted ornithologist Bernie Pilarski at his home in Ripon California where he graciously consented to an interview. Seated in a lawn chair next to a fish pond in which a dozen or so good sized gold fish swam lazily about, Bernie answered our questions.Originally appeared 2007-08-20

Forgotten and dusty, alone and unwanted. Even the cast out can long for freedom, fulfillment, and the joy of seeing a different life ... Originally appeared 2007-05-14.

"This isn't me writing about love, it's me writing about writing about something that looks like love," the author tells me, and adds, "Her name was not Alice. Originally appeared 2007-02-12.

Everyone knew there was something different about Jack Runner. He had too many 'imaginary playmates' that he talked to, and he knew too much about things that he shouldn't. And he did things no boy his age ought to do -- like befriending a monster ...Originally appeared 2007-02-12.

The time has come for the prophesy to be fulfilled. From the mysterious realms of a twisted universe, a figure appears ...Originally appeared 2006-12-18.

While leaves drift from the trees, a pilgrimage must be made, a pilgrimage that will draw old memories to a close, and set feet on a path into the future. Originally appeared 2006-10-23.

He looked like Lee Marvin, but was the size of a pick-up truck, and he had a heart as cruel as a set of brass knuckles coming at you at 60 miles an hour -- and one day I just had to push my luck ...Originally appeared 2006-05-15.

They're cute, they scatter beautiful clouds of "pixie dust," and they can tell you what the sky is going to do for the next few days. Who wouldn't leap at the chance to capture one and keep it in a jar? ... And maybe make it a business partner? Originally appeared 2006-04-17.

The two best days of Alice's week are Saturday and Sunday. Yard sale days. Her house is littered with trophies collected from her bargain hunting, but the clutter and the yard sale obsession aren't the problem, they're just symptoms. Originally appeared 2004-10-23.

Ever wondered exactly who holds that job? Be careful what you say. It might be you. Originally appeared 2002-11-25

If you look in your mirror, do you actually see yourself? Or do you see something that you think you have to see?

No piña coladas for this werewolf. When you've been sold down the river, you're bound to want to take a few with you.

Poor Jack Runner. He's a serious cop, but his author can't resist tormenting him -- even in his dreams.

Andrew Taylor-Troutman is a Masters of Divinity Student at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School for Christian Education. He has written religious reflection articles for The Presbyterian Outlook, as well as satire for The Happy Woman Magazine and The Wittenburg Door. He currently lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife, Ginny, and his dog, Nikki Giovanni.

An Aser story. Drinking extra beer and crying outrage, Aser and Danner show Margot the troll what being a hedge shaman with a mission is all about.

The Seraphim Twins, Kaine and Jynx, have been joined by Iai, who has professed his mission to protect Kaine. But the danger is growing, and Kaine is less worried about himself than about his twin and the girl Kumiko ...

Cloudraft the Wizard gets on Aser's last nerve and everyone runs right out of sympathy for his plight.

Office politics in action on the trail with an eight-foot troll, a talking dog, and two educated baboons.

Pavelle Wesser's writing has appeared in various webzines and paper magazines, including: "AlienSkin," "DemonMinds," "the Short Humour Site," "Flashshot," "MicroHorror," and "Twisted Tongue." She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.

A golfer gives up his favorite game, Lady Seaguard no longer gossips and complains, and deception is daily routine. What the heck is that all about?

Jack Runner hates Valentine's Day with a passion. Even more so this year, when he finds someone who has a passion for him.