Escape Velocity: The Worlds of Nick Marone includes all 17 of my short stories written up to December 2023, along with brief commentaries about their development and publication history.
This short story collection is available for purchase via my store as a direct ebook download, or via several online retailers in ebook and paperback. Readers are also sent a free copy of the ebook when they subscribe to my newsletter.
Stories in Chronological Order of Writing
Two miners search for a mineral that will set them up for life. But what will it cost to finally achieve their dreams?
The people are oppressed by the System. What will it take to make them fight back?
A young boy makes it his mission to discover what has befallen the town hermit.
A girl on the cusp of adulthood has a transformative moment when she visits the homeworld of her ancestors.
“Pilgrimage to Earth” was first published in Journeys: Aussie Speculative Fiction: Volume 2 (Deadset Press) in December 2019.
A writer pays an unexpected price for gaining first-hand inspiration for his fantasy novels.
“The Price of Inspiration was first published in Issue #2 of Etherea Magazine in September 2021.
A smart home AI develops its own understanding of time, purpose, and longevity.
“The House of Time” was first published in Issue #133 of Aurealis in August 2020.
A priest in far-future Tasmania harbours a grave secret.
This story was the first exploration into the world that is now Nahla: Warrior of the North.
A hardened detective takes matters into his own hands to apprehend the mastermind behind the supply of a new addictive drug.
An alien actor repeatedly auditions for a role with the greatest director of the era.
“Director’s Cut” was first published in Issue #140 of Space and Time Magazine in March 2021.
This story received a Silver Honourable Mention for the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, 3rd Quarter, 2020.
The local butcher on a fledgling colony has an arrangement to supply special local meat to the colonists. All he needs is a hunter to help him …
A psychology student grapples with the issues of cyberbullying in a reputation-based justice system.
This story was a semi-finalist for the L. Ron Hubbard Writer’s of the Future Contest, 2nd Quarter, 2020
A crippled roboticist makes plans for the survival of humanity. But what will he sacrifice to make it work?
How do you plan for something that has never happened before? Well, it’s a good thing someone wrote some guidelines for when you meet your very first alien!
An alien researcher develops the perfect formula for jokes so his empire can take over Earth without bloodshed.
“The Funny Formula” was first published in Edition #7 of Science Write Now in August 2022.
What would the world’s greatest tech entrepreneur do to be with his one true love again? This is a retelling of “The Lonely Old Man” (see story number 3).
This story received an Honorable Mention for the L. Ron Hubbard Writer’s of the Future Contest, 3rd Quarter, 2022.
A composer is “privileged” to experience a momentous orchestral event that promises to change the future of classical music.
This story received a Silver Honorable Mention for the L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest, 4th Quarter 2022.
Four mobsters on their way to Detroit have an out-of-this-world experience … with mixed blessings.