This anthology collects 26 original stories that will run in the fifth year of Diabolical Plots, an online magazine of science fiction and fantasy. A metrics-driven approach for utopia, a fantastical YouTube challenge, a Lovecraftian Millennial thinkpiece, correspondence with a professor at a magical school, time trains, magical idols in a magicless place, millenni. The stories vary from humorous to tragic to thoughtful, from contemporary authors both new and established.
Half of the stories in this anthology you can read here for the very first time!
The stories in this anthology are:
"This is What the Boogeyman Looks Like" by T.J. Berg
"Empathy Bee" by Forrest Brazeal
"Consider the Monsters" by Beth Cato
"The Ceiling of the World" by Nicole Crucial
"The Inspiration Machine" by K.S. Dearsley
"Consequences of a Statistical Approach Towards a Utilitarian Utopia: A Selection of Potential Outcomes" by Matt Dovey
"Why Aren't Millennials Continuing Traditional Worship of the Elder Dark?" by Matt Dovey
"The Train to Wednesday" by Steven Fischer
"Beldame" by Nickolas Furr
"Dear Parents, Your Child is Not the Chosen One" by P.G. Galalis
"Colonized Bodies, Dessicated Souls" by Nin Harris
"Tracing an Original Thought" by Holly Heisey
"The Eat Me Drink Me Challenge" by Chris Kuriata
"Dogwood Stories" by Nicole Givens Kurtz
"Invasion of the Water Towers" by R.D. Landau
"Save the God Damn Pandas" by Anaea Lay
"Bootleg Jesus" by Tonya Liburd
"One Part Per Billion" by Samantha Mills
"Lies of the Desert Fathers" by Stewart Moore
"The Old Ones, Great and Small" by Rajiv Moté
"Gorilla in the Streets" by Mari Ness
"The Cliff of Hands" by Joanne Rixon
"Fresh Dates" by D.A. Xiaolin Spires
"Little Empire of Lakelore" by D.A. Xiaolin Spires
"The Problem From Jamaica Plain" by Marie L. Vibbert
"What the Sea Reaps, We Must Provide" by Eleanor R. Wood