Well things have quietened down a little on the reviews in the short stories category. Just six over the past two months. Â
On the Lost in a Good Book blog, Amy reviews ‘Beginnings: An Australian Speculative Fiction Anthology’ by various authors. Sixteen stories by sixteen different stories. There is often some confusion surrounding the definition of Speculative Fiction so I was interested to read Amy’s take on the guidelines which are ‘so broad they can cover almost anything strange, unknown, magical, and mystical.’Â
Amy also reviews Karly Lane’s ‘December’s Wish’, a romance novella with ‘a small town charm’. Â
Jennifer Down’s ‘Pulse Points’ attracted another review, on the interestingly named blog ‘A Strong Belief in Wicker’. Louise confesses to being not much of a short story reader in the past but, since discovering a Ryan O’Neill collection, has taken a little more interest and is going to endeavour to have a shorty story collection on the go at all times. Bravo, Louise! I look forward to reading your continued thoughts on short stories in the months ahead. Incidentally, Ryan O’Neill is one of my favourite contemporary short story writers (and a very entertaining speaker to boot) and I’m pleased you enjoyed ‘The Weight of a Human Heart.’Â
You’ll find a considered and detailed review by Cass Moriaty on Goodreads of ‘My Name is Revenge’ by Ashley Kalagian Blunt. This collection of one novella and three essays was a finalist in the 2018 Carmel Bird Digital Literary Award. Cass tells us that Kalagian Blunt provides ‘a fine example of what can be achieved by combining history with fiction.’ Â
Also on Goodreads: ‘The Permanent Resident by Roanna Gonsalves on Calzean’s Reviews (this collection sounds quite interesting so I would have liked to read a more in-depth review).  Hint, hint!Â
I’ll be back for another round up in July and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an increase in short story reviews.
About Me.
I write fiction, non-fiction and poetry. ‘Flame Tip’ (Hybrid Publishers) is my fire themed collection of shorts. I’m currently working on a water themed contemporary historical novel and I sometimes blog at www.karenleethompson.wordpress.com. You can find me on Facebook @karenleethompsonauthor.
I saw this post come into my in-box, and was shocked to realise that I’ve read very few short stories this year. I do have a collection coming up very soon on my reading schedule, but by an Australian man. I must see what I can do about the women. It’s strange how reading patterns can change so much from year to year – at least, the way mine seems to!
Yes Sue, I know what you mean. I seem to get into the groove reading particular styles/genres/authors for a while. I must do a bit of a search and see how many short story collections are being published in Australia. It seems – in my head – as if it might have slowed down a little. But I could be wrong . . . just might not have my ear attuned.
Yes, it feels like that to me too – but I’m only basing that on very anecdotal evidence!