What does it mean to be "temporally deactivated?" Experience a historical moment through the intervention of a time travel agency. Be trapped inside a time bubble—willingly—so that you can save the universe from Darkness over and over again. Step outside of time at the order of your queen in order to stop a traitor...or to keep an assassin from destroying the future. Or travel forward into the future in order to kill off timelines to save your son...or backwards to halt an accident to save your relationship. Join fantasy and science fiction authors Ken Altabef, Alex Gideon, Stephen Leigh, D.B. Jackson, Faith Hunter, C.S. Friedman, Emily Randall, Gini Koch, Misty Massey, Rhondi Salsitz, Edmund R. Schubert, R.K. Nickel, Marie DesJardin, and Christine Lucas as they defy time and warp space in order to define what it means to be "temporally deactivated." So get ready and hold on tight. It's time to step outside of time.

We don't know what the future might hold. Until now. Offering a collection of terrifying stories of science fiction and speculative fiction horrors, Ominous Realities is a dark thrill ride to explore what might be in store for mankind. This wicked journey isn't limited by time or gravity. It takes you on an exploration of futuristic and post-Apocalyptic worlds, to experience societies where dark corporations rule, where humanity must consider terrifying alternatives, and to the dangerous realities that may be in store, dragging you through horrifying speculative scenarios that pose dire consequences for the existence of mankind. FEATURING: "How to Make a Human" by Martin Rose A race of robots with the ability to resurrect humanity after the apocalypse has dire consequences. "Angie" by John F.D. Taff A divorced couple fights for survival after society collapses and realize the horror of true devotion. "On the Threshold" by William Meikle Two scientists aiming to prove we are not alone find the danger that exists beyond the threshold. "Doyoshota" by Ken Altabef Residents of a Nevada town are suffering the debilitating effects of a strange hum and believe it's a black ops program, others are convinced of far darker origins. "Third Offense" by Gregory L. Norris In an oppressive society where advertising is all-pervasive, a factory worker attempts to escape enslavement with horrifying results. "Matamorphosis" by J. Daniel Stone Siblings discover the unique bond has the ability to affect humanity in the darkest of ways. "We are Hale, We are Whole" by Eric Del Carlo Global climate change has reshaped the world, and multi-national corporations control every aspect of life. To what horrifying lengths will they go in the struggle to maintain profit? "Pure Blood and Evergreen" by Bracken MacLeod Victims of ethnic cleansing, two boys struggle for survival only to put the lives of everyone they know in danger. "John, Paul, Xavier, Ironside and George (But not Vincent)" by Hugh A.D. Spencer Under attack by mysterious biomechanical entities, one man spends his last days with an enigmatic client who may holds the fate of Earth in his hands. "And the Hunter, Home From the Hill" by Edward Morris Are superheroes real? It could be that the old man living down the street is hiding his own dark secrets. "Born Bad" by Jonathan Balog Raised by the church, Lucien harbors a frightening secret that may have dire circumstances for mankind. "The Last Bastion of Space" by Ewan C. Forbes Privatization has run amok and simple pleasures come at a premium. For one young couple the only option is to turn their minds over to insidious corporate control. "Every Soul is a Grimoire" by Allen Griffin A shadowy government official is responsible for a man with dangerous skill that blurs reality and opens the door to terrifying evil. "From the East" by Alice Goldfuss Driven by conviction, a scientist struggles to determine the cause of a global cataclysm and finds herself in a struggle for the existence of humanity. "Deciding Identity" by Paul Williams Faced with the collision of two worlds, the citizens of each are offered the choice to decide who will live or die. "The Last Elf" by T. Fox Dunham Having spent a lifetime chasing the enemies of Nazi Germany, a sociopathic concentration camp commanderfinds himself on the verge of his crowning achievement: ultimate extermination. Proudly presented by Grey Matter Press, the multiple Bram Stoker Award-nominated independent publisher. Grey Matter Press: Where Dark Thoughts Thrive

How do you fight monsters that aren't monsters? With magic that isn't magic. In CHRYSALIS, the island kingdom of Angkara has been overrun by mysterious beings whose mere presence causes paralyzing terror. Defeated and desperate, the ninety-five year old witch-queen conceives an heir to pass on her dark magic. Now, ten-year-old Astra must learn of her legacy and embrace the power only she can summon to fight the 'ogres'. Simple, right? Well, not really... As it turns out the 'ogres' are not ogres but alien scientists and her magical power is somewhat less than magical. Nothing is as it seems in this novel of many twists and turns. A diverse array of main characters includes ten-year-old Astra, her troglodyte protector, the ghost of the ninety-five year old witch who gave birth to her, and a beleaguered alien scientist struggling with an existential dilemma. CHRYSALIS straddles both fantasy and science fiction, blending the tropes of both genres in new and unexpected ways.

Take a journey into the unknown with this collection of thirteen fantasy stories by Ken Altabef. Includes fiction culled from the pages of top magazines including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Interzone and Buzzy Mag. In a fantastical competition, a wizard and a physicist build castles in the air. A herd of ghostly elephants cause havoc on the plains of Africa. An arctic shaman brings a dead tribesman back to life. A chessmaster plays a deadly game with a KGB psychic assassin. A young boy learns that playing at war is not at all what he thought it would be, especially after the lights go out. Praise for "Il Teatro Oscuro": "A heartbreaking work of fantasy that addresses the call of the lost, golden past in the human heart." -- Lois Tilton for LOCUS online Praise for "The Woman Who Married the Snow": "This is a rich, atmospheric tale of the interaction of spirits amongst both living and dead. I appreciated the writer's impeccable voice." -- Colleen Chen for TANGENT online "A well-told tale with great details about Inuit culture." -- Sam Tomaino for SFRevu Praise for "The Lost Elephants of Kenyisha": "This well executed story deserves a 'thumbs up,' for its well-crafted writing." --KJ Hannah Greenberg, TANGENT online "The herd of ghost elephants is a neat idea and a great premise for a story." --Lois Tilton, LOCUS online "This was another well-told story that I enjoyed immensely." --Sam Tomaino, SF REVU

Vithrok, an ancient sorcerer, embarks on a plan to blot out the sun and reshape the world. As the conflict broadens, even the great guardian spirits themselves must choose sides, fight, and die. In the end only one woman stands a chance of thwarting the cataclysm - Alaana, the Antatook shaman. This novel is the fourth in an epic 5-part fantasy series that takes a grand tour of Inuit mythology and sees Alaana fulfilling a destiny that ultimately involves the fate of the entire world beyond the Arctic Circle.

An insatiable fever demon... A restless Wind spirit... A treacherous shaman... A golden walrus... And one courageous young girl. . In the frozen north, a land of deadly weather and unforgiving spirits, the shaman is all that stands in the way of disaster. When Alaana is called upon to become shaman for the Anatatook people she discovers a kaleidoscopic world where everything is alive, where the tent skins whisper at night and even the soapstone pot has tales to tell. She faces vengeful ghosts and hungry demons as she travels the dangerous path to becoming a shaman. And there's just one other problem. Girls aren't allowed to be shamans. This is Book One in an epic fantasy series with a unique arctic setting. All fans of fantasy will enjoy these five novels.

Speculative North is a Canadian magazine dedicated to the celebration, promotion, and enjoyment of speculative literature in its various forms. Our mission is to foster a community of diverse voices in speculative literature, to create an enduring virtual space for readers and writers, and to promote the growth and flourishing of the speculative literature community. Issue #5 includes cover art by J.P. Targete, "When Sci-fi meets Fantasy"; science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories by Ken Altabef, D.K. Latta, Connor Mellegers, Eric Choi, Thomas J. Griffin, Amy Lynwander, S.K. Brownell, Melissa Yuan-Innes, Michelle Ann King, and Michelle Tang; poetry by Jackie Craven; and an interview with Brian Kuokol.

Who should rule? In this imaginative conclusion to the Lady Changeling trilogy, the faeries of Barrow Downes have achieved their long-sought goal - emancipation from British oppression and a magical capital city of their own at Everbright. But their troubles are only just beginning... King George maintains a heavy hand over the new faery commonwealth and a military presence within Everbright itself. When Dresdemona and the Winter Court arrive, Moonshadow must face an inevitable challenge for leadership which begs the question - Who should rule? And Theodora's romantic problems continue. Estranged from her husband, an unexpected suitor enters her life. Will she find love with someone new or simply more heartbreak? Through all of this only one thing is certain - Ken Altabef's faeries will entertain and surprise you.

Alaana, an inexperienced young shaman of the Anatatook people, must face arctic werewolves, bloodthirsty raiders, soul-stealing demons, and the vengeful ghost of a massive polar bear as she uncovers dark secrets left behind by her teacher Old Manatook. As she struggles to win the respect of the village headman she journeys among the polar bears of the Ice Mountain, to the terrifying Underworld, the bottom of the sea, and even to the Moon itself. Seeking answers to the riddle of her mysterious power, she must choose between the love of two very different men. This is Book Two in an epic fantasy series with a unique arctic setting. All fans of fantasy will enjoy these five novels.

A fresh selection of short SF/Fantasy/Horror/Humor stories with a mathematical twist.