Happy Friday, shipmates! It’s Alex, and I have a couple more new releases for you and part two of recent indie SFF for your perusal. This time, it’s themed for those who love short stories. I know I tend to focus mostly on novels, honestly because I like novels best. But there’s so much good short fiction going on out there! We truly are in a new golden age of short SFF, so we should enjoy it. I hope y’all have a great weekend. Stay safe out there, space pirates, and I’ll see you on Tuesday!
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Let’s make the world a better place, together. Here’s two places to start: Maui Aloha: The People’s Response, which sends support to those affected by the wildfires on Maui, particularly first responders. Entertainment Community Fund, which supports entertainment workers who are striking for living wages and a future where humans can continue to create art for each other.
Bookish Goods
Abhorsen Bandolier of Bells Brooch by HannahHitchman
This is a very cool pin that represents the bells from Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom books! I love the little jingly bells hanging from it, just in case you find some dead that need to be sent packing. $43
New Releases
The Water Outlaws by S. L. Huang
Lin Chong has always believed in keeping her head down. She’s satisfied with her lot as an expert arms instructor for the Emperor’s soldiers. But when a powerful man with a vendetta strikes, she finds herself on the run from those she once trained and tattooed as a criminal. She’s recruited by the Liangshan Bandits, who are criminals and cutthroats but also profess a belief in justice for the downtrodden. And together, they might just bring down an empire.
Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz by Garth Nix
This is a collection of stories (one of which is brand new) about Sire Hereward, the only male child to be produced by an ancient society of witches, and Mister Fitz, sorcerer and loremaster. Together, they have been godslayers; it’s a hard job, but someone has to do it.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
As promised on Tuesday, here’s part two of recent indie SFF releases. Today I’ve got something for the short story-lovers out there!
A Practical Guide to Levitation by José Eduardo Agualusa, translated by Daniel Hahn
This is a collection of short stories, translated into English for the first time, that tend toward the dryly humorous, surreal, and fantastic. Translator Daniel Hahn has been a longtime collaborator with José Agualusa, equal to translating his lyrical yet deeply weird prose.
Luminescent Machinations: Queer Tales of Monumental Invention edited by Rhiannon Rasmussen and dave ring
This anthology features 26 stories and poems — and a story game — all themed around queer mecha. Authors include Phoebe Barton, Violet Allen, Iori Kusano, Sam Yoo, Charles Payseur, and more!
See you, space pirates. If you’d like to know more about my secret plans to dominate the seas and skies, you can catch me over at my personal site.