Tag Archives: anthology

PUBLICATION DAY

The day has arrived. It’s the release of my long-awaited second collection of short stories. Lots of you have asked when they will be available to buy and the wait is over. I’m thrilled to announce the release of a new collection of stories, many of which have been placed in competitions and published in international literary journals. Two of the stories can be found in anthologies – You Fold Yourself into Tiny Spaces was Longlisted in the Reflex Press Quarterly International Flash Fiction Competition and published in In Defence of Pseudoscience: Reflex Fiction Volume Five. Prolific was published in Pens of the Earth and is forthcoming in a Pens of the Earth Anthology in October 2024. Some of my favourite stories are new to this collection.

“Intense, beautifully realised and ice-sharp”

BUY

ABOUT THE COLLECTION:

The sentences we leave unfinished, questions surrounding sudden loss, a decision on a train. This second collection covers themes of relationships and memory, exploring what happens when memory fails. It looks at beginnings and endings, weaving through themes of generations, family, uncertainty, and what happens when experiences change us.

“F C Malby’s stories capture characters teetering on the edge of precipices in their lives, sometimes literal, sometimes metaphorical, as they decide whether or not to take a leap of faith into the unknown. These intense, beautifully realised and ice-sharp stories momentarily suspend us over an Everestian abyss.” Jonathan P Taylor, author and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Leicester

“In this impressive collection of 65 short and very short stories, F C Malby gives us sharply honed glimpses into the profundity of the ordinary and the impact of the extraordinary. Malby’s characters deal with choices and their consequences, with themes of life passages, nature and the sea. Her prose is strong with much implied and left to the interpretation of the reader. Highly recommend.” Barbara Byar, novelist, short story author and Fiction Editor, Variant Literature

You can purchase my second collection of short stories, A Place of Unfinished Sentences, in paperback and as an eBook https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFW6BPMW

Review copies have arrived!

Opening a hard copy of your work is always a thrill. This is my fourth book (or seventh, nearly eighth, if you count the anthologies which include my work) and my second anthology of short stories; and it’s no less exciting. These are review pre-publication copies to go out to reviewers. I can’t wait to share my stories with you. Many have been placed in competitions and published in international journals, and many are new to this collection.

This collection covers themes of relationships and memory, exploring what happens when memory fails. It looks at beginnings and endings, weaving through themes of generations, family, uncertainty, and what happens when experiences change us. I’m looking forward to hearing what might resonate with you and to discovering how these stories land.

I have dedicated two stories to those who are no longer with us: one to my dear friend, Meriel, gone too soon, and the other is in memory of Sarah Everard. These stories are important to me because their memories must live on. If you’d like to read more about what inspired these stories and much of my writing, you can read more in this recent post.

While you’re here, don’t forget to find out about these two wonderful bookshops in Italy. Also, you can sign up to my mailing list for pre-publication news and subscriber bonuses, and follow me on social media and subscribe to my blog at the bottom of this post. Thanks for journeying with me. Drop a comment below and tell me a little about yourself. Are you a book lover? What do you enjoy reading?

Two forthcoming Book Releases in 2024

I have some exciting news! There are two new books being released this year, both include my short stories. As an author, it’s such an amazing feeling when your work is about to be released into the hands of readers around the world. I love hearing reader feedback and discovering what resonates with individuals.

Since the release of my first novel in 2012, I have had a second novel published, a short story anthology (soon-to-be two) and work published in three anthologies (soon-to-be four) I have also had many stories and poems published in literary journals worldwide and some competition winners. I was asked to read for a writing competition for a journal and have given readings and led writing workshops. It never gets odd. I still love writing and engaging with readers.

The first book is my second collection of short stories, A Place of Unfinished Sentences.

The sentences we leave unfinished, questions surrounding sudden loss, a decision on a train. This second collection covers themes of relationships and memory, exploring what happens when memory fails. It looks at beginnings and endings, weaving through themes of generations, family, uncertainty, and what happens when experiences change us.

“F C Malby’s stories capture characters teetering on the edge of precipices in their lives, sometimes literal, sometimes metaphorical, as they decide whether or not to take a leap of faith into the unknown. These intense, beautifully realised and ice-sharp stories momentarily suspend us over an Everestian abyss.” Jonathan P Taylor, author and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Leicester

The second book that I want to share with you will be published by Pens of the Earth, who are launching a collection of stories, poems and environmental articles on 21st October 2024. My short story, Prolific, will be in with many others with all profits from book sales going to the Solent Seagrass Restoration Project.

Writing News….

LINEN PRESS

Linen Press will be releasing news about my next book, a psychological thriller about the art underworld, this week! Follow @linenpress on Twitter and Instagram for updates…

REFLEX PRESS

My story, You Fold Yourself into Tiny Spaces, was longlisted in the Reflex Press International Flash Fiction Competition in 2021. It has just been released in their anthology, In Defence of Pseudoscience: Volume Five, Reflex Press, July 2022. My contributor copy arrived this morning, along with a copy of the London Review of Books. I’m very much looking forward to reading stories from fellow contributors.

You can purchase a copy directly from Reflex Press. Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting book information to be released this week from Linen Press. I can’t wait to share news about my latest psychological thriller with you! Pop back soon…

New Reflex Press Anthology

In Defence of Pseudoscience: Reflex Fiction Volume Five, Reflex Press, 28 July 2022

I have a short story in this anthology from Reflex Press. You Fold Yourself into Tiny Spaces was longlisted in the Reflex Press Quarterly International Flash Fiction Competition in 2021. I’m honoured to be published alongside so many wonderful authors. It will be released on 28 July, but can be preordered from Reflex Press.

In Defence of Pseudoscience contains 176 flash fictions from 152 writers from across the world. These short short stories, each no longer than 360 words, were longlisted for the four rounds of the Reflex flash fiction competition held in 2021.

Within these pages, the traditional narrative shares space with the experimental. Humour sits alongside tragedy. Each of these page-long stories packs a punch greater than its word count suggests.

In Defence of Pseudoscience is the perfect introduction to readers new to flash fiction and essential reading for those already familiar with the form.

Includes prize-winning flash fiction from Annette Edwards-Hill, Jeanine Skowronski, Thomas Malloch, Joshua Jones, Kirsteen Ure, Simon Linter, Morgan Quinn, Matt Kendrick, Evelyn Forest, Becca Yenser, Karen Jones, Rosaleen Lynch, Nora Nadjarian, Jo Withers, and Katja Sass.