The second book in the Trials of Ivan series continues with LIFELESS. Coming out in time for the third year anniversary of DEATHLESS!

The webcomics world looks something like this:

GAMING GUARDIANS: Uhm, yeah. Totally not my fault, which means it’s probably my fault.

CARPE DIEM: Don’t ask. I might just do a Kickstarter so I can raise the funds and pay for an artist in advance.

DUNGEONS & DENIZENS: The fourth trade paperback is coming soon. Aw, yeah.

SUDDENLY FISTING: Might have to skip this week because of a certain convention approaching, or it might just be a little late. I hope it’s the former.

PROFILES: Krahnos graduates in May. He has not lost his love for this comic, so expect it to return sometime.

Alright, that’s what is happening in my little webcomics world. Now for some fiction news:

RELATIONSHIPS: The short story is written, so now I’m going to get it edited extensively. I’m pleased with how this looks, and it provides you gentle readers with some behind the scenes into a few characters from the DEATHLESS universe.

THE GRYPHON’S GOAL: Major writer’s block there. I’m working on other stuff until I hit an epiphany. Fear not!

UNTITLED SHORT STORY ANTHOLOGY: I’m going to gather up a lot of short stories I’ve written over the years and put it into a big ol’ book.

SECRET PROJECT: I’ll be announcing this one in May, but if you go to the Biggest Little FurCon in Reno, Nevada, you might just see a sneak peek. I think a LOT of you will enjoy this one, or at least I hope you do.

That’s about it for now. See you soon!

Side Jobs by Jim Butcher

Blood Rites by Jim Butcher

Cold Days by Jim Butcher

Dead Beat by Jim Butcher

Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher

The Bride Wore Black Leather by Simon R. Green

Short Stories

Bad Matter by Alexandra Duncan

Sapien Strife by Jordon Ross

The Economy of Vacuum by Sarah Thomas

Iris by Nancy Springer

Pirate Cinema by Cory Doctorow

October Country by Ray Bradbury

Novelete

Hell of a Fix by Matthew Hughes

Short Stories

Poor Guy by Michael Kandrel

Perfect Stranger by Amy Sterling Casil

If You’ve Ever Been a Lady by Michael Libling

Farewell Atlantis by Terry Bison

Illusions of Tranquility by Brendan DuBois

The Blight Family Singers by Kit Reed

The Song of Kido by Matthew Corradi

Sky Emblem by Christopher Hwang

No Small Bills by Aaron Rosenberg

ReDeus by various authors

Voyage of the Dead by David Forsyth

Short Stories

Señora Suerte by Tananarive Due

The Return of O’Farrisey by John Morressy

No Hero by Jonathan Wood

Yesterday’s Hero by Jonathan Wood

Bait Dog by Chuck Wendig

Brave New World: Revelation by Matt Forbeck

Brave New World: Resolution by Matt Forbeck

Hard Times in Dragon City by Matt Forbeck

“You kids are going to empty out my bank account with all these wins,” said Larry’s father. “Now who’s hungry for some pizza?”

The answer which roared out from the team was unanimous, and soon Larry was riding with Sampson to the pizza place.

“It’s pretty cool that you’d rather ride with me than fly,” Sampson said as he kept his eyes on the road, a miracle to beat all miracles.

“You’re more fun to talk to. It gets kind of dull talking to myself.” It was the truth, but it still felt misleading somehow.

“It’s funny, though. I’ve never seen you fly. I’ve seen Freddy fly a gazillion times!”

“I’ve seen him fly too, especially when he’s divebombing me.”

“Sometimes I think you just don’t like to fly.”

How could Larry respond to that? “I…just think it’s better to do as everyone else does. I feel like…I’m showing off if I fly.” It surprised him how easily the lie slipped out of his beak. If only he could tell Sampson the truth, but pride and a bit of uncertainity kept him from doing so.

“You got wings,” Sampson said. “Most of us don’t.” He reached over and squeezed Larry’s knee. “But it’s really thoughtful of you to think that.”

Larry felt the weight of guilt on his shoulders, but before he could say anything else, Sampson drove up to the parking lot. Freddy was already there, as usual, climbing out of the bed of their father’s truck.

“Hey, Larry,” Freddy said. “Hey, Samps.”

Sampson raised an eyebrow at Freddy. “Samps?”

“Yeah, it’s short for Sampson. You know, the name your ‘rents gave you?”

“I know what my name is, Freddy,” Sampson folded his arms. “But I dunno why I’m being saddled with that nickname.”

“Just felt like giving you one.” Freddy preened a wing. “I can’t pick on Larry all the time. It gets boring after a while.”

Sampson looked over at Larry, who had been quiet this whole time. Partly to avoid being a target for Freddy, and partly because he wanted to see how this would all play out.

“Well?” Sampson said. “Do you have anything to add to this, Larry?”

“We should get inside before someone else orders pizza for us,” Larry said. You know they’re going to screw it up.”

Freddy opened his beak in a grin. “My little brother is making sense for once. Let’s go inside!”

“I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world, even if they won’t let me have a new car.”

Dinner was then announced, and after a slightly damp Max joined them at the dining table, they all dug into the chicken with sweet corn and green peas as a side dish, though Larry dined on more of the former and less on the latter.

Dessert was vanilla ice cream, which caused Max to raise an eyebrow at Jordan. “You do know there are other flavors of ice cream than vanilla?”

Jordan stuck his tongue out at the large minotaur. “I like vanilla.”

“So I noticed.”

“And since I had to prepare dinner, I say you eat vanilla ice cream for dessert or go without.”

“They like to tease each other,” Plato said as he and Larry got into the station wagon after finishing off the ice cream. “I guess that’s why they’ve been together for so long.”

“I hope I can be so lucky,” Larry said.

“Me too.”

When they arrived at Larry’s house, Plato patted Larry on the knee. “Thanks for tutoring me. Same time next week?”

“Sure thing. See you at school tomorrow.”

As Plato drove away, Larry realized his heart was thumping just as hard as when Sampson had patted his knee.

I hate my hormones, Larry thought, not without a touch a bitterness and a lot of confusion.

The Unnatural Inquirer by Simon R Green

Godheads and Other Stories by Patrick O’Duffy

Hotel Flamingo by Patrick O’Duffy

Just Another Judgement Day by Simon R Green

The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny by Simon R Green

A Hard Day’s Knight by Simon R Green

Story Collections

The Crimson Collection by Stephen D Sullivan