Alien Plot
A Short Story Collection
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A collection of sixteen science fiction and fantasy short stories from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Xanth series.
Here for the pleasure of his millions of fans is a collection of short fiction by bestselling writer Piers Anthony. This collection of sixteen stories includes four that have been published only overseas or in small magazines. Each story is introduced by Piers Anthony. "Alien Plot," the title story, is a brand-new long story that tells of an alien plot of ground that becomes home to a man from our world; "Nonent" is about another kind of alien plot, this one a plot to conquer Earth. "20 Years," another brand-new story, is a fable of life and death in the future.
Other stories included are "December Dates;" "Ship of Mustard," a spicy SF adventure tale; "Imp to Nymph," which was originally published in the World Fantasy Convention program book in 1987; "E Van S," a story that reveals the truth about who, or what, controls television programming; "Vignettes," three short-shorts written for a fan publication; "Hearts," a lovely story written for the Christmas edition of Books and Bookmen, a British magazine; "Revise and Invent," a very funny satire on the business of being a writer; and "Love 40," also published only in Britain, which gives new meaning to a traditional tennis term.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Known primarily for his novels, Anthony ( Macroscope ) here collects short stories written over a span of 35 years; many are previously unpublished, and original to this volume. For the most part, they are top-notch efforts. ``December Dates'' is a touching love story; ``Imp to Nymph'' and ``E Van S'' demonstrate Anthony's predilection for puns. While both ``Soft Like a Woman'' and ``Ship of Mustard'' feature female protagonists, they will not dispel Anthony's reputation for male chauvinism. He introduces each of the 20 stories with a commentary in which he recalls how he wrote the story and, frequently it how it was rejected by hostile or indifferent editors. Indeed, the collection's title refers to a plot on the part of editors to alien ate writers. Going a step further, both ``Revise and Invent'' and ``Nonent'' concern a writer whose stories are rejected. Overall this is an entertaining assemblage that Anthony's many fans will surely welcome.
