Short Story Collections

(Unsigned, Jacketed Hardcover Collection) James Lovegroves second collection of short fiction is a swirling kaleidoscope of ideas, language and wordplay. In this book you will meet robots living in a flesh world, travellers who vie to explore the most exotic alternate dimensions, and viruses that spread by speech. Theres a serial killer who preys on serial killers, a doctor who takes the concept of downsizing to hideous extremes, a hangman coming to terms with his guilt over the executions he performed, and a jogaholic forever trying to atone for the biggest mistake of his life. From the red plains of Mars to a back-garden party, from modern London as Jules Verne might have imagined it to a futuristic society out of Mary Shelleys worst nightmares, Lovegrove demonstrates yet again the extraordinary diversity and depth of his talent. Here, from a writer described by the Bookseller as having become to the 21st century what J.G. Ballard was to the 20th and by SFX as one of the UK SF scenes most interesting, challenging and adventurous authors, are sixteen unforgettable tales filled with powerful characterisation, vivid storytelling, and dazzling verbal dexterity.

Days Nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award Days is a gigastore the size of a small city, whose security are licensed to kill and whose seven owners brood in the penthouse, far removed from the desperate scramble of consumerism. But at what price commerce? Security man Frank has lost his reflection, Books are entering a localised war with Computers, and there is a riot in Third World Instruments. Time for another flash sale... UNTIED KINGDOM Nominated for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award When the village of Downbourne is raided and schoolmaster Fen Morris’s wife Moira is snatched, there are no authorities to turn to. In the absence of its government – in exile in the Caribbean following the ‘Unlucky Gamble’ – and subject to random bombings and leaflet drops, the UK is lawless and falling apart. Their marriage was a disaster, but Fen sets out to recover her anyway; but does she even want rescuing?

Solaris proudly presents two of James Lovegroves classic fictions in their first North American edition. Provender Gleed The Families. Insanely rich and richly insane. With world-spanning business interests, glamour and power, they are monarchs, Mafia and movie stars rolled into one. Since the Borgias and Medicis united in the 17th century the Families have transfixed, transformed and ruled the world. Top British Family the Gleeds are hosting the social event of the year, their annual ball. Venice has been reconstructed in the grounds of their estate and should provide the perfect romantic backdrop for Provender - their disaffected heir upon whom the Family line depends - to finally find a wife. But Provender shows no sign of settling down with any of the social beauties his mother parades before him... and in the moment when love does begin to blossom, Provender is kidnapped by an anti-Familial revolutionary. The future of the Gleeds, and of Europe, depends on the skills of two Anagrammatic Detectives - while Provender's own future depends on the dark eyes and equally dark wit of a girl called Is. Worldstorm 'When the Worldstorm first stirred in the distant reaches of the earth, the people of the earth were torn asunder and thrown into disarray. For a time, all was panic and terror. But out of this panic and terror and division a new order coalesced, and the four Inclinations were known, and named.' Or so at least one of the old stories has it. Elder Ayn doesn't really know why the Worldstorm comes to wreak devastation on the world any more than the next man. But, being a previsionary, he does know the exact time and nature of his death. He will be murdered, and he will do nothing to prevent the killing blow. He also knows why he has left the splendid academic isolation of Stonehaven and gone out into the world, which his scribe Khollo. The world's order is breaking down. War is brewing between the Earth and the Fire Inclined. People who can shake the ground with a fist or pull fire out of the air with a simple thought. A storm is coming. And a girl who fears she is Extraordinary is about to learn the truth...