An idea from Dinosaur Comics bleeds into the real world:
It's a anthology of stories based on a machine that tells people exactly how they will die.
More info here
The stories included are:
• “FLAMING MARSHMALLOW,” by Camille Alexa. This story of high school cliques was funny and genuine, with a great, punchy ending.
• “WHILE TRYING TO SAVE ANOTHER,” by Daliso Chaponda. Daliso’s unique take on the Machine informed this story of lost souls making the most of the time they have left.
• “ALMOND,” by John Chernega. Told as a series of journal entries, John’s story of a worker at a Machine laboratory was tense and compelling.
• “VEGETABLES,” by Chris Cox. This tale of a disgruntled co-worker won us over with its distinctive, sneering wit.
• “ANEURYSM,” by Alexander Danner. A pitch-perfect story about a magician who hates insipid party games.
• “HEAT DEATH OF THE UNIVERSE,” by James Foreman. High school romance is hard to get right, but the frantic, teenage urgency of James’ characters leapt off the page.
• “EXPLODED,” by Tom Francis. This story about the accidental inventors of the machine felt brutal, desperate, and real.
• “PIANO,” by Rafa Franco. Rafa’s charismatic style brightly seasoned this account of a soldier running from his fate.
• “PRISON KNIFE FIGHT,” by Shaenon K. Garrity. The worst fate for a child born into privilege? Perhaps, but a delightful story for the rest of us.
• “AFTER MANY YEARS, STOPS BREATHING, WHILE ASLEEP, WITH SMILE ON FACE,” by William Grallo. William’s tale of a wallflower at a death-themed party was full of great details and wistful melancholy.
• “DROWNING,” by C. E. Guimont. This piece about psychics put out of work by the Machine took a little wrapping our minds around — and we liked that.
• “LOVE AD NAUSEUM,” by Sherri Jacobsen. A quirky window into a woman’s life through a series of personal ads.
• “FRIENDLY FIRE,” by Douglas J. Lane. We could feel the sweat in this powerful account of an idealist caught up with anti-Machine revolutionaries.
• “DESPAIR,” by K. M. Lawrence. This gripping story about doctors faced with impossible choices captivated us with its thoughtfulness.
• “NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING,” by Erin McKean. With a straightforward style, Erin brought charm and sincerity to this story of a girl’s coming of age.
• “CANCER,” by Camron Miller. Camron’s lyrical descriptions enliven this tale of temptation and class.
• “MURDER,” by Randall Munroe, asks a dangerous question: what happens when physical science rejects the idea of precognition?
• “NOTHING,” by Pelotard. A colorful, magical sensibility added a unique spark to this story of a girl seeking out her grandfather.
• “HIV INFECTION FROM MACHINE OF DEATH NEEDLE,” by Brian Quinlan. So many people latched onto this self-reflexive concept that we knew we had to have at least one.
• “CASSANDRA,” by T. J. Radcliffe. A darkly chilling tale of a woman desperately trying to prevent an unknown war.
• “IMPROPERLY PREPARED BLOWFISH,” by Gord Sellar. This story of yakuza hitmen had a distinctive voice and a great, pulpy flavor.
• “LOSS OF BLOOD,” by Jeff Stautz. Of the many sci-fi stories we read, Jeff’s dystopian story of future paramedics had the best kick-in-the-gut ending.
• “MISCARRIAGE,” by James L. Sutter. Though it was less narrative-driven, we found plenty to grab onto emotionally in this quiet story about hope and second chances.
• “FIRING SQUAD,” by J. Jack Unrau. The engrossing detail of its Third World setting set this story way apart from the pack.
• “SHOT BY SNIPER,” by Bartholomew von Klick. Sharp and intense, this story of soldiers in combat thrust us headlong into the action.
• “KILLED BY DANIEL,” by Julia Wainwright. The complex family dynamics in this story struck us as compassionate, genuine, and heartbreaking.
• “TORN APART AND DEVOURED BY LIONS,” by J. Channing Wells. Hands down the funniest story we read, this one also had a great take on the insurance implications of the Machine.
• “SUICIDE,” by David Michael Wharton. In dark, snappy fashion, David’s story handily examined the repercussions of trying to prove the Machine wrong.
• “LOVE,” by Kit Yona. Kit brought an earnest simplicity to this story of a young couple forever(?) in love.
• “STARVATION,” by M. Bennardo. Two soldiers stranded in the jungle turn against each other in this visceral story of survival.
• “CANCER,” by David Malki ! A son struggles to complete his relationship with his father before his father’s prediction comes to pass.
• “MURDER AND SUICIDE, RESPECTIVELY,” by Ryan North. Two scientists realize that the Machine may allow them to send messages backwards through time.
Also, “EXHAUSTION FROM HAVING SEX WITH A MINOR,” by Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw, and “COCAINE AND PAINKILLERS,” by David Malki
It's a anthology of stories based on a machine that tells people exactly how they will die.
More info here
The stories included are:
• “FLAMING MARSHMALLOW,” by Camille Alexa. This story of high school cliques was funny and genuine, with a great, punchy ending.
• “WHILE TRYING TO SAVE ANOTHER,” by Daliso Chaponda. Daliso’s unique take on the Machine informed this story of lost souls making the most of the time they have left.
• “ALMOND,” by John Chernega. Told as a series of journal entries, John’s story of a worker at a Machine laboratory was tense and compelling.
• “VEGETABLES,” by Chris Cox. This tale of a disgruntled co-worker won us over with its distinctive, sneering wit.
• “ANEURYSM,” by Alexander Danner. A pitch-perfect story about a magician who hates insipid party games.
• “HEAT DEATH OF THE UNIVERSE,” by James Foreman. High school romance is hard to get right, but the frantic, teenage urgency of James’ characters leapt off the page.
• “EXPLODED,” by Tom Francis. This story about the accidental inventors of the machine felt brutal, desperate, and real.
• “PIANO,” by Rafa Franco. Rafa’s charismatic style brightly seasoned this account of a soldier running from his fate.
• “PRISON KNIFE FIGHT,” by Shaenon K. Garrity. The worst fate for a child born into privilege? Perhaps, but a delightful story for the rest of us.
• “AFTER MANY YEARS, STOPS BREATHING, WHILE ASLEEP, WITH SMILE ON FACE,” by William Grallo. William’s tale of a wallflower at a death-themed party was full of great details and wistful melancholy.
• “DROWNING,” by C. E. Guimont. This piece about psychics put out of work by the Machine took a little wrapping our minds around — and we liked that.
• “LOVE AD NAUSEUM,” by Sherri Jacobsen. A quirky window into a woman’s life through a series of personal ads.
• “FRIENDLY FIRE,” by Douglas J. Lane. We could feel the sweat in this powerful account of an idealist caught up with anti-Machine revolutionaries.
• “DESPAIR,” by K. M. Lawrence. This gripping story about doctors faced with impossible choices captivated us with its thoughtfulness.
• “NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING,” by Erin McKean. With a straightforward style, Erin brought charm and sincerity to this story of a girl’s coming of age.
• “CANCER,” by Camron Miller. Camron’s lyrical descriptions enliven this tale of temptation and class.
• “MURDER,” by Randall Munroe, asks a dangerous question: what happens when physical science rejects the idea of precognition?
• “NOTHING,” by Pelotard. A colorful, magical sensibility added a unique spark to this story of a girl seeking out her grandfather.
• “HIV INFECTION FROM MACHINE OF DEATH NEEDLE,” by Brian Quinlan. So many people latched onto this self-reflexive concept that we knew we had to have at least one.
• “CASSANDRA,” by T. J. Radcliffe. A darkly chilling tale of a woman desperately trying to prevent an unknown war.
• “IMPROPERLY PREPARED BLOWFISH,” by Gord Sellar. This story of yakuza hitmen had a distinctive voice and a great, pulpy flavor.
• “LOSS OF BLOOD,” by Jeff Stautz. Of the many sci-fi stories we read, Jeff’s dystopian story of future paramedics had the best kick-in-the-gut ending.
• “MISCARRIAGE,” by James L. Sutter. Though it was less narrative-driven, we found plenty to grab onto emotionally in this quiet story about hope and second chances.
• “FIRING SQUAD,” by J. Jack Unrau. The engrossing detail of its Third World setting set this story way apart from the pack.
• “SHOT BY SNIPER,” by Bartholomew von Klick. Sharp and intense, this story of soldiers in combat thrust us headlong into the action.
• “KILLED BY DANIEL,” by Julia Wainwright. The complex family dynamics in this story struck us as compassionate, genuine, and heartbreaking.
• “TORN APART AND DEVOURED BY LIONS,” by J. Channing Wells. Hands down the funniest story we read, this one also had a great take on the insurance implications of the Machine.
• “SUICIDE,” by David Michael Wharton. In dark, snappy fashion, David’s story handily examined the repercussions of trying to prove the Machine wrong.
• “LOVE,” by Kit Yona. Kit brought an earnest simplicity to this story of a young couple forever(?) in love.
• “STARVATION,” by M. Bennardo. Two soldiers stranded in the jungle turn against each other in this visceral story of survival.
• “CANCER,” by David Malki ! A son struggles to complete his relationship with his father before his father’s prediction comes to pass.
• “MURDER AND SUICIDE, RESPECTIVELY,” by Ryan North. Two scientists realize that the Machine may allow them to send messages backwards through time.
Also, “EXHAUSTION FROM HAVING SEX WITH A MINOR,” by Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw, and “COCAINE AND PAINKILLERS,” by David Malki
I can only hope it hits Canadian bookstores sometime.
