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Machine of Death
#1
evilmike
evilmike
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
#2
MindDetective
MindDetective
#3
Fun Size
Fun Size
#4
Dave
Dave
#5
evilmike
evilmike
#6
evilmike
evilmike
#7
Fun Size
Fun Size
#8
Fun Size
Fun Size
#9
Philosopher B.
Philosopher B.
#10
SpecialKO
SpecialKO
#11
Shegokigo
Shegokigo
#12
PatrThom
PatrThom
#13
Gusto
Gusto
#14
Ravenpoe
Ravenpoe
#15
Gusto
Gusto
I pay more for shipping on Amazon than I do for most products. 
I can only hope it hits Canadian bookstores sometime.
I can only hope it hits Canadian bookstores sometime.
#16
Fun Size
Fun Size
#17
Ravenpoe
Ravenpoe
#18
strawman
strawman
#19
Fun Size
Fun Size
#20
evilmike
evilmike
#21
Chad Sexington
Chad Sexington
#22
LittleSin
LittleSin
#23
ThatNickGuy
ThatNickGuy
#24
strawman
My idea is that the machine is very expensive - on the order of $100k per test. Further, it drove people crazy when they found out their death, so the inventor knew it wouldn't be easily commercialized.
So he sold it to the gov't, who now uses it secretly to figure out whether their assassination missions will succeed.
They started out trying to get blood samples for terrorists, but that's pretty hard to do.
However, most states already collect blood samples from newborns for future research and testing. So they have a blood sample for nearly every American.
Dun dun DUN!
I dunno if I'll get around to writing it, but it's an interesting plot - if I wrapped compelling characters around it and made the ending interesting (or intriguing) then it might have some traction.
strawman
I do!
My idea is that the machine is very expensive - on the order of $100k per test. Further, it drove people crazy when they found out their death, so the inventor knew it wouldn't be easily commercialized.
So he sold it to the gov't, who now uses it secretly to figure out whether their assassination missions will succeed.
They started out trying to get blood samples for terrorists, but that's pretty hard to do.
However, most states already collect blood samples from newborns for future research and testing. So they have a blood sample for nearly every American.
Dun dun DUN!
I dunno if I'll get around to writing it, but it's an interesting plot - if I wrapped compelling characters around it and made the ending interesting (or intriguing) then it might have some traction.
#25
LittleSin
LittleSin
#26
evilmike
evilmike