China Kat

China Kat is a bold and eclectic collection of eight stories published in a variety of literary journals and anthologies over the years that blend gritty realism with sharp wit, dark humor, and imaginative twists. From raw social commentaries to spine-tingling horror-comedies, each story invites readers into a world that's both disturbingly familiar and hauntingly surreal.

In "Harold's Zombie", chaos unfolds at the office when the undead return—not to haunt, but to clock in and work. "A Dirty Dozen" follows a desperate contractor who, unable to find laborers after a hurricane, resorts to raising the dead to clear debris—because who needs OSHA when you've got skeleton crews?

The title story "China Kat" plunges readers into the tortured psyche of George the Junky, who's been reincarnated as a cat after dying of an overdose. He's determined to warn other drug abusers about the torments that await them in the afterlife if they don't kick their habits. This twisted, unforgettable tale of addiction and nine lives' worth of existential reckoning is told in First-Cat Point-of-View, so hang on.

"Débrouillard" captures the tension and uncertainty of Kendall, a sailor from the USA stranded in Venezuela, trying to navigate a way home after his captain abandons the sailboat—literally. It's a travel tale with stakes and soul.

Rounding out the collection are four powerful narratives ("Hunters and Gatherers," "Burn Cream 'Cause It Burns," "Protocols," and "It Works When You Work It") from the forthcoming La Rue House, a series focused on the raw, real lives of street kids and the dedicated staff trying to keep them afloat.

Whether you're into gritty realism, satirical horror, or heart-wrenching human stories, China Kat delivers an unflinching and unforgettable literary ride.