Bruce McAllister

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About Bruce McAllister

Bruce McAllister is a writer of literary fiction and of fantasy, science fiction and thriller fiction, which he's been publishing professionally since he was sixteen. He was born in 1946 in Baltimore, MD, to a peripatetic Navy family with an Annapolis-graduate father who served with NATO during the Cold War and an underdog-championing anthropologist/archaeologist mother whose specialties were Early Man and Native American studies. As children, he and his brother Jack lived in Florida, Washington D.C., California and Italy. From l974 to l997 he taught at the University of Redlands in southern California, where he helped establish and direct writing programs. Since l998 he has worked as a writing coach and book and screenplay consultant. His short fiction has appeared in literary quarterlies, national magazines, original anthologies, "year's best" anthologies and college readers; won awards from Glimmer Train magazine and the National Endowment for the Arts; and been a finalist for Hugo, Nebula, Shirley Jackson, New Letters, and Narrative magazine awards. His non-fiction articles on sports, popular science and writing have appeared in a variety of magazines and newspapers. A number of his short stories have been optioned for film, and his fans over the years have included Stephen King, Theodore Sturgeon, Robert Bloch (PSYCHO) and Philip K. Dick. He has three wonderful grown children--Annie, Ben and Elizabeth--and lives in Orange, California, with his wife, choreographer Amelie Hunter.

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Fearful Symmetries Jul 21, 2020

by Ellen Datlow, Caitlìn R. Kiernan, Garth Nix, Laird Barron, Nathan Ballingrud, Michael Marshall Smith, Gemma Files, Bruce McAllister, Gary McMahon, Pat Cadigan, Helen Marshall, Terry Dowling, Stephen Graham Jones, Brian Evenson, Jeffrey Ford, Robert Shearman, Kaaron Warren, Catherine MacLeod, Siobhan Carroll, John Langan, Carole Johnstone

( 177 )

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Winner of the Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Awards: “Twenty insanely inventive, hauntingly atmospheric and flat out coo coo for Cocoa Puffs stories” (Hellnotes).

A World Fantasy Award nominee, “this anthology . . . is a collection of some of the most talented horror and speculative fiction authors writing today” (BuzzFeed). It includes all-new stories by Laird Barron, Pat Cadigan, Brian Evenson, Jeffrey Ford, Caítlin R. Kiernan, Garth Nix, Michael Marshall Smith, Kaaron Warren, and other masters of all things spooky and suspenseful.

In tales that crisscross the boundaries of fear and imagination—from a haunted courtyard in New Orleans to a remote Arctic research station—swamp monsters, pool-cleaning robots, and cannibalistic spirits wreak chaos and terror across the pages. You’ll be invited to a prom where a psycho hides inside a sparkly dress or rented tux; on a trip aboard a train to a destination that teems with ghosts; and into the darkest recesses of a human mind, the most fertile ground for the blossoming of true evil.

“Datlow’s ‘experimental’ crowdfunded horror anthology is nicely unthemed. . . . This is an excellent anthology for horror fans, with a nice range of tones and styles and some intriguing new voices.” —Publishers Weekly

“[Fearful Symmetries] not only goes beyond expectations, it raises the bar high above into the horror heavens. . . . A melting pot of distinct voices and styles that leave you wanting more.” —Hellnotes

“One of the best horror anthologies I’ve ever read.” —Thirteen O’Clock

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback , MP3 CD

Off Limits: Tales of Alien Sex Sep 11, 2012

by Chris Moore, Ellen Datlow, Robert Silverberg, Samuel R. Delany, Neil Gaiman, Joe Haldeman, Elizabeth Hand, Brian M. Stableford, Jane Yolen, Joyce Carol Oates, John Kaiine, Richard Christian Matheson, Roberta Lannes, Lisa Tuttle, Bruce McAllister, Scott Bradfield, Simon Ings, Susan Wade, Sherry Coldsmith, Kathe Koja, Martha Soukup, Gwyneth Jones, Mike O'Driscoll, Barry N. Malzberg

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The companion volume to the provocative Alien Sex anthology, Off Limits pushes boundaries with twenty stimulating tales of otherworldly encounters
This second volume of the Alien Sex anthology series brings together authors Neil Gaiman, Robert Silverberg, Samuel R. Delany, Joyce Carol Oates, Elizabeth Hand, and many others to explore the mysteries of sex, alien and human alike. From an alien spy who falls in love with one of the earthlings he’s monitoring, to a woman whose souvenir dream-catcher calls to her bedroom more than she bargained for, to a genetically engineered sex object aboard a space station, these thought-provoking tales of alien sex open up new worlds for fantastical exploration. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Ellen Datlow, including rare photos from the editor’s personal collection.

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The Best Horror of the Year Volume 5 Aug 27, 2013

by Lucy Taylor, Ramsey Campbell, Margo Lanagan, Laird Barron, Dan Chaon, Ellen Datlow

( 74 )

$11.99

Darkness, both literal and psychological, holds its own unique fascination. Despite our fears, or perhaps because of them, readers have always been drawn to tales of death, terror, madness, and the supernatural, and no more so than today when a wildly imaginative new generation of dark dreamers is carrying on in the tradition of Poe and Lovecraft and King, crafting exquisitely disturbing literary nightmares that gaze without flinching into the abyss—and linger in the mind long after.

Multiple award-winning editor Ellen Datlow knows the darkest corners of fiction and poetry better than most. Once again, she has braved the haunted landscape of modern horror to seek out the most chilling new works by both legendary masters of the genre and fresh young talents. Here are twisted hungers and obsessions, human and otherwise, along with an unsettling variety of spine-tingling fears and fantasies. The cutting edge of horror has never cut deeper than in this comprehensive showcase of the very best the field has to offer. Enter at your own risk.

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The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Fifth Annual Collection Jul 3, 2018

by Gardner Dozois

( 164 )

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The multiple Locus Award-winning annual collection of the year's best science fiction stories.

In the new millennium, what secrets lay beyond the far reaches of the universe? What mysteries belie the truths we once held to be self-evident? The world of science fiction has long been a porthole into the realities of tomorrow, blurring the line between life and art. Now, in The Year’s Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Fifth Annual Collection, the very best SF authors explore ideas of a new world. This venerable collection brings together award-winning authors and masters of the field.

Featuring short stories from acclaimed authors such as Indrapramit Das, Nancy Kress, Alastair Reynolds, Eleanor Arnason, James S.A. Corey & Lavie Tidhar, an extensive recommended reading guide and a summation of the year in science fiction, this annual compilation has become the definitive must-read anthology for all science fiction fans and readers interested in breaking into the genre.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Now Write! Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror: Speculative Genre Exercises from Today's Best Writers and Teachers (Now Write! Series Book 5) Feb 20, 2014

by Laurie Lamson

( 72 )

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Featuring speculative fiction-writing exercises from Harlan Ellison (R), Piers Anthony, Ramsey Campbell, Jack Ketchum, screenwriters of The Twilight Zone and Star Trek: The Next Generation, and many more.

The fifth volume in the acclaimed Now Write! writing-guide series offers a full toolbox of advice and exercises for speculative fiction writers hoping to craft an engaging alternate reality, flesh out an enthralling fantasy quest, or dream up a bloodcurdling plot twist, including:

-Harlan Ellison (R), on crafting the perfect story title

-Jack Ketchum, on how economy of language helps create a truly frightening tale

-Piers Anthony, on making fantastical characters feel genuine and relatable

Among the other writers incluided are: Steven Barnes, Peter Briggs, David Brin, Sara B. Cooper, Brian James Freeman, Joe R. Lansdale, Bruce McAllister, Vonda N. McIntyre, William F. Nolan, Michael Reaves, Melissa Scott, Michael Dillon Scott, Vanessa Vaughn and others.

This collection of storytelling secrets from top genre writers—including winners of Nebula, Hugo, Edgar, and Bram Stoker awards—is essential for any writer looking to take a leap beyond the ordinary.

Other Formats: Paperback

Cemetery Dance: Issue 61 Feb 1, 2013

by Stewart O'Nan, Peter Straub, Bruce McAllister, Mathias Clasen, Hank Wagner, Bev Vincent, Richard Chizmar

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Cover Artist:
Alan M. Clark (painting his vision of a critical scene in Peter Straub's next novel, A Dark Matter)

Interior Artists:
Glenn Chadbourne
Russell Dickerson
Keith Minnion
Erin S. Wells
Hugh Voght

Fiction:
"Monsters" a novelette by Stewart O'Nan
"Variations on a Theme From Seinfeld" by Peter Straub
"A Long Excerpt From A Dark Matter" by Peter Straub
"Johnny" by Bruce McAllister

Features:
"A Long Interview with Peter Straub" by Mathias Clasen
"The Peter Principles, Or Nearly Two Dozen Things You Need To Know About Peter Straub" by Hank Wagner
"A Dark Matter by Peter Straub Feature Review" by Bev Vincent

The Usual Suspects:
"Words from the Editor" by Richard Chizmar
"The Mothers and Fathers Italian Association" by Thomas F. Monteleone
"Stephen King News: From The Dead Zone" by Bev Vincent
"MediaDrome" by Michael Marano
"Editorial Perspectives" by Don D'Auria
"The Last Ten Things I've Read" by Ellen Datlow
"Spotlight on Publishing" by Robert Morrish
"Fine Points" by Ed Gorman
"Horror Drive-In" by Mark Sieber
"Cemetery Dance Reviews" edited by Nanci Kalanta
"The Final Question" by Brian Freeman (featuring Kealan Patrick Burke, Simon Clark, Ray Garton, Ed Gorman, Rick Hautala, Brian Keene, Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, Elizabeth Massie, Norman Partridge, and Peter Straub)

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Fourth Annual Collection Jul 10, 2007

by Gardner Dozois

( 34 )

$11.99

The twenty-eight stories in this collection imaginatively take us far across the universe, into the very core of our beings, to the realm of the gods, and the moment just after now. Included here are the works of masters of the form and of bright new talents, including:
* Cory Doctorow * Robert Charles Wilson * Michael Swanwick * Ian McDonald * Benjamin Rosenbaum * Kage Baker * Bruce McAllister * Alastair Reynolds * Jay Lake * Ruth Nestvold * Gregory Benford * Justin Stanchfield * Walter Jon Williams * Greg Van Eekhout * Robert Reed * David D. Levine * Paul J. McAuley * Mary Rosenblum * Daryl Gregory * Jack Skillingstead * Paolo Bacigalupi * Greg Egan * Elizabeth Bear * Sarah Monette * Ken MacLeod * Stephen Baxter * Carolyn Ives Gilman * John Barnes * A.M. Dellamonica
Supplementing the stories are the editor's insightful summation of the year's events and a list of honorable mentions, making this book a valuable resource in addition to serving as the single best place in the universe to find stories that stir the imagination and the heart.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

The Urban Fantasy Anthology Aug 15, 2011

by Peter S. Beagle, Joe R Lansdale

( 19 )

$9.49

Whether featuring tattooed demon hunters, angst-y vampires, supernatural gumshoes, or pixelated pixies, Urban Fantasy mashes up old-school tales with pop culture, creating iconic characters, diverging moralities, and complex settings. Urban fantasy is finally showcased in this star-studded collection, representing all three of its distinct styles, including the playful new mythologies of Charles de Lint, the sexy paranormal romances of Patricia Briggs, and the gritty urban noir of Neil Gaiman.

Other Formats: Paperback , Digital

Field of Fantasies: Baseball Stories of the Strange and Supernatural Oct 14, 2014

by Rick Wilber

( 13 )

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Of all the sports played across the globe, none has more curses, superstitions, or supernatural events like baseball, America’s national pastime. While some of these can easily be explained, there are just as many that cannot.

Field of Fantasies delves right into that superstition with short stories written by several key authors about baseball and the supernatural. Whether it’s a frozen curveball, a robot pitcher, or fantasy outcomes (the Cubs winning the World Series!), these terrific stories are ones that fans of science fiction will enjoy, while fans of baseball will find strangely believable.

Included in this wonderful anthology are stories from such prolific authors as:

Stephen King
Jack Kerouac
Karen Joy Fowler
Rod Serling
W. P. Kinsella
And many more!

Never has a book combined the incredible events of baseball and science fiction like Field of Fantasies does. Whether you’re a sport or science fiction fan, these stories will appeal not only to your fandom, but also to your appreciation and acceptance of the unknown taking place on the baseball diamond. If you’ve ever held a bat or glove in your hand (or just watched the game on TV), you’ll be enthralled by these terrific tales that range from the sandlot to the sold-out stadium.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback , Mass Market Paperback

Dream Baby - The Original Novelette Mar 6, 2015

by Bruce McAllister

( 2 )

$0.99

Young Army nurse Mary Damico dreams the deaths of soldiers before they happen, but cannot save them. Only when she is recruited for a secret unit of other ESP “talents”—one run by a rogue CIA psychiatrist who may be a “talent” himself—can she become the psychic warrior she needs to be to stop the insanity and save those she loves.

“Dream Baby” is based on fifteen years of research, interviews with two hundred veterans of three American wars who reported paranormal experiences that kept them alive, and actual classified contingency plans to end the war in Vietnam that have still not been made public.

“Bruce McAllister is one of the least known and greatest talents working in the science fiction field today.”
—Isaac Asimov Presents the Great SF Stories

“Among top short story talents in the field, McAllister is a leader. Polished, moving, thought-provoking — this collection is without parallel.”
— Harry Harrison, Science Fiction Grand Master

“Bruce McAllister is that rarity, a writer who can do anything. His stories range from the sweet to the terrifying, idea-dense to atmospheric, character-rich to event-packed. And sometimes all of this in the same story. Writers read other writers to learn tricks, but I often cannot see how he does it. He’s a magician.”
— Gregory Benford

Kin Jan 1, 2018

by Bruce McAllister

( 9 )

$0.99

In a future Los Angeles, a boy hires one of the deadliest alien assassins in the galaxy to protect his sister.

A dark tale of family, honor and the choices we make by award-winning science fiction author Bruce McAllister.

“Kin” is the story chosen by actor LeVar Burton to launch his new podcast, LeVar Barton Reads.

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-First Annual Collection Apr 1, 2007

by Gardner Dozois

( 39 )

$11.99

The 21st edition of the award-winning annual compilation of the year's best science fiction stories--winner of the 2003 Locus Award for Best Anthology.

The stories in this collection imaginatively take readers far across the universe, into the very core of their beings, to the realm of the Gods, and to the moment just after now. Included are the works of masters of the form and the bright new talents of tomorrow. This book is a valuable resource in addition to serving as the single best place in the universe to find stories that stir the imagination and the heart.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

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