From Scout Media comes A Bond of Words—the sixth volume in an ongoing short story anthology series featuring authors from all over the world. In this installment, the authors delved into multi-genre tales about the importance of, and sometimes the danger of creating bonds with one another. From comedy, to drama, fantasy, romance, and sci-fi, these stories explore the strength or frailty of the bonds we find may define who we are. Tackling racism, death row, a first kiss, marriages, and our unavoidable bond with technology in everyday life, plus a multitude of other topics and unique spins, these stories will warm your heart, send shivers down your spine, and tickle your funny bone. Whether to be enlightened, entertained, or momentarily immersed in another world, these selections convey the true spirit of the short story and the complexity of the bonds we make with the people and places of the world around us.

15 Stories. 15 Australian authors. One theme: Journeys. What games do the dead play? Can the ambassador negotiate peace with a hostile alien race? Why is Rae so terrified of a letter from the 'Next Chapter' Department of Lebensqualitat? Read about living mannequins, prison ships, pandemics and more in the second anthology from Aussie Speculative Fiction.

A gruesome goat-fish carcass washes up on a beach. A colony mission to the Gamma Capricorni system goes horribly wrong. Friends compete in a race to survive the first Zodiac trial. CAPRICORN is a collection of twisted poems and dark stories inspired by this enigmatic Zodiac sign, as well as retellings of the myths behind the sign. The tales span multiple genres, including science fiction, horror, fantasy, dystopian and urban fantasy, told by some award-winning authors and new stars of the Australian and New Zealand speculative fiction scene.

Pisces is a collection of twisted poems and dark stories inspired by the zodiac sign.

Mary's world is changed forever when all she wanted was the ingredients for a simple pad thai. The Astrea is preparing to leave Earth, but will the crew survive the launch? Danny is stuck with his grandparents over summer, but things are not as they appear in their safe gated community.VIRGO is a collection of twisted poems and dark stories inspired by this fascinating Zodiac sign, as well as retellings of the myths behind the sign. The tales span multiple genres, including science fiction, horror, and fantasy, and are told by award-winning authors and new stars of the Australian and New Zealand speculative fiction scene.

Decades after a matador's final fight, an unexpected rival returns. Two thieves steal ancient Egyptian treasure, setting off an unexpected chain of events. What must a hunter do after killing a god's sacred bull? TAURUS is a collection of twisted poems and dark stories inspired by this fascinating Zodiac sign, as well as retellings of the myths behind the sign. The tales span multiple genres, including science fiction, horror, and fantasy, and are told by award-winning authors and new stars of the Australian and New Zealand speculative fiction scene.

A vendetta between a teenager and her dad's stubborn ram continues into the afterlife. The crew of the Persephone find trouble in the Arietis sector. Audrey finds herself the guest of a coven of goat-worshipping witches. ARIES is a collection of twisted poems and dark stories inspired by this fascinating Zodiac sign, as well as retellings of the myths behind the sign. The tales span multiple genres, including science fiction, horror, and fantasy, and are told by award-winning authors and new stars of the Australian and New Zealand speculative fiction scene.

All Abbanell wants for her birthday is to find a magical unicorn, but who will help her? The Unicorn Kingdom is very far away, how will she get back home in time for her party? Help Abbanell find the unicorns by colouring them in!

Six months ago... A tsunami devastated Melbourne, submerging the central business district and dividing the city in two. The mainland is now under martial law, controlled by General Messinger who believes the rise was God's retribution against a sinful world. David escaped Messinger's persecution and the violence of the mainland by fleeing to the remains of the city skyscrapers. Life in the flooded city is tough, resources are scarce, and the raids by the Defence Force keep everyone on edge. But David is determined to survive, protecting the one thing the Rise hasn't taken from him--his adopted son, Salim. When Salim goes missing, taken during one of Messinger's raids, David is desperate to get him back--even if that means facing the wrath of Messinger and the Australian Defence Force. But he won't be fighting alone.

Where the Weird Things Are is an Australian Speculative Fiction travel guide to the freaky and fantastic of Australia and Aotearoa. Let our fourteen authors take you to their hometowns, to places they know like the back of their hand, and listen to their tales of ghosts, local legends and monsters. The tour will take you from Mandurah to Mount Buffalo, from Cairns to The Bay of Plenty, and we hope that you survive unscathed. This anthology features original stories by Clare Rhoden, Madeleine D'Este, Casey Campbell, Austin P. Sheehan, Faran Silverton, E. H. Alger, Emily Wrayburn, Eva Leppard, Chris Mason, Sarah Jane Justice, M. R. Mortimer, Lucy Fox, Geraldine Borella and Emma Louise Gill.