The sunshine of a fair Spring morning fell graciously on London town. Out in Piccadilly its heartening warmth seemed to infuse into traffic and pedestrians alike a novel jauntiness, so that bus drivers jested and even the lips of chauffeurs uncurled into not unkindly smiles. Policemen whistled at their posts—clerks, on their way to work; beggars approached the task of trying to persuade perfect strangers to bear the burden of their maintenance with that optimistic vim which makes all the difference. It was one of those happy mornings. At nine o'clock precisely the door of Number Seven Arundell Street, Leicester Square, opened and a young man stepped out.

Her King of Coney Island is about to lose his throne/ To Princess Smart, whose royal art/ Is causing Prince to moan./ A bird addict cannot predict who might fall from the sky,/ A rich princess or feathered mess might coo-coo by. And bye.// Free for now, not for long, save a dollar, sing a song.A fictional speech given some 50 years in the future to an audience born in the last 10-15 years of the 20th century, this short piece reflects a vision of a better tomorrow created by the hard work and dedication of my generation. It characterizes the successes of the men and women of this Generation 2K as unrivaled and unfathomable in the years we were born, recognizing our generation, and indeed every new generation, as the most important and valuable assets to the world of the now. It portrays a world where it is fundamentally understood that our primary duty is to safeguard the future security of our children, that they may grow up in a world more prosperous than our own. More over, this speech attests to the inexorable capacity for the unity of mankind and the underlying desire within the human heart to work toward a state of unprecedented universal well-being on every continent.

Acerbus hates his job. While he is content to watch and study the mortal races, the other gods constantly look for reasons to destroy their newly-created world. When they finally find an excuse, they command Acerbus to become the Smiter, destroyer of all creation.Acerbus decides that there is only one way to ensure his own failure and save the world: by becoming an Evil Overlord.Acerbus hates his job. While he is content to watch and study the mortal races, the other gods constantly look for reasons to destroy their newly-created world. When they finally find an excuse, they command Acerbus to become the Smiter, destroyer of all creation.Armed with nothing but spite and goblins, Acerbus decides that there is only one way to ensure his own failure and save the world: by becoming an Evil Overlord.“Smite Me, Oh Dark One” is a comedic fantasy short story.Cover by John Comegno

'Dinner Date At Mt Isa' is the final volume in Ken Blowers' series of delightful short stories. The first story takes us to the quintessential Aussie town of Mt Isa to chase mysterious shadows. The last is a surprise prelude to Ken's new volume of stories starring B. Urglar, These short stories have something to offer everyone.'Dinner Date At Mt Isa' is the sixth and final volume in Ken Blowers' series of delightful short stories. The first story takes us to the quintessential Aussie town of Mt Isa to chase mysterious shadows. As we move through, we meet Aunt Edna, James the author, Matt Paint and many other new characters. The last story is a surprise prelude to Ken's new volume of stories starring B. Urglar, - stories.All stories, as always, are short and punchy, and just the right length to read in your dinner break. The stories have something to offer everyone. Full of new characters and locations, the reader is drawn into the every day lives of regular people they can identify with.You too can be immediately transported to a time and era that possibly no longer exists, so you can either reminisce, or choose your own adventure - in any event, your reading needs are more than catered for, with this smorgasbord of saga's.

In this brief collection of humorous essays about the people who buy products, Jonathan Land turns one's daily purchases into skewed sociological observations. You'll never look at kid's toothpaste the same again.Nevada 1882. The daughter of gubernatorial candidate Trent Slaughter vanishes, stolen the evidence suggests... by demons! Now it is left to soul hunter Jim Mercantile to track the girl down. But as Jim begins his investigation, he quickly discovers that more is at stake than the fate of one missing girl. This conspiracy stretches from the doorsteps of the capitol building in Carson City clear to the gates of Hell. And if Jim doesn’t rescue the girl by the time the polls open on election day, those gates will swing open and Hell will be unleashed upon the Earth.

Mulla Nasrudin is the starring character in a vast number of amusing tales told in regions all over the world, particularly in countries in or near the Middle East. Each tale depicts Nasrudin in a different situation, and through his viewpoint they humorously reveal commentary and lessons on various life themes.Chauvinistic Adam Hodson, has the experience to remember when his new rented house catches fire and he is moved into a house of liberal, female nudists. As he struggles fully adapt, it is not just Adam who has to learn, as the girls have to adjust to his own foibles, weaknesses, and those of his violent, racist friend.Join Sarah, the sharp-witted primary school teacher, Tabitha, the pregnant girl and Natalie, the assertive Operations Manager as they get a conservative Adam to embrace their lifestyle while hiding secrets from others. The book is divided into around 75 small scenes to make it ideal for short journeys or where the reader is likely to be interrupted. This is a romantic story although it does contain some mature language and discretion is advised.

Intrigue . . . hijinks . . . laughter . . . they're all immersed in the story of Mullumbimby Madness. This inventive narrative invites students into the world of Neil Dobbs, adolescent school student, who has the knack of being on the spot to witness the oddest events.Intrigue . . . hijinks . . . laughter . . . they're all immersed in the story of Mullumbimby Madness. This inventive narrative invites students into the world of Neil Dobbs, adolescent school student, who has the knack of being on the spot to witness the oddest events. His zany adventures and Simpsons-like humour will have strong appeal to both boys and girls. With it comes a Teacher's Guide, the perfect tool for integrating it into the high school classroom. It is not linked to any specific syllabus, allowing for easy national and international applications. Suggested activities focus on written and oral communication, as well as visual literacy. The accompanying proposal outlines the features of both Mullumbimby Madness and the Teacher's Guide, including samples from the first five chapters of the books.The book has a large target audience because high school students can easily relate to the characters' exploits. Mullumbimby Madness in manuscript form has generated great enthusiasm from otherwise low interest readers. The Teacher’s Guide provides varied and diverse classroom activities.

Bobby had never felt so good, no aches or twinges at all. Then he looked down and saw a body, his own body, with a very bloody head. Nothing was making any sense, and he had no idea what was supposed to happen next. He just knew he needed to get out of this predicament.This short story takes a wry look at the life and untimely death of a popular dance teacher in a local community center. When he realizes that he's dead he begrudgingly has to acknowledge his own giant ego – something that had insulated him from the truth surrounding him. He had always thought of it as a wonderful part of himself, but now it demands his attention before he can escape from his strange predicament. He knows for sure he doesn't want to be trapped in a community center run by the terrible trio. He needs help, which is not easy to find when no-one can see or hear you! Or can they?

The magic of Christmas is at stake and drastic measures are called for. The cause and solution so obvious, dear reader, but will the interested parties sort out their mess in time? Disclaimer: no Father Christmases were harmed during the weaving of this festive tale.If Father Christmas fails to deliver, the magic of Christmas could be lost forever, so drastic measures are called for. There is heartache, confusion and pain, everything looks lost. The cause and solution so obvious, dear reader, but will the interested parties sort out the mess of their own making in time? Disclaimer: no Father Christmases were harmed during the weaving of this festive tale.

Wally Lamb, the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hour I First Believed, I Know This Much Is True, and She’s Come Undone, delivers a holiday treat with Wishin’ and Hopin’—an unforgettable novella that captures the warmth and joy of the holiday season. Poignant and hilarious, in a vein similar to Jean Shepherd’s A Christmas Story and David Sedaris’s The Santaland Diaries, Lamb’s Christmas tale focuses on a feisty parochial school fifth grader named Felix Funicello—a distant cousin of the iconic Annette!

A madcap new novel from the #1 internationally bestselling author of The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and *The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden* Hitman Anders, recently out of prison, is doing small jobs for the big gangsters. Then his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets a female Protestant vicar (who also happens to be an atheist), and a homeless receptionist at a former brothel which is now a one-star hotel. The three join forces and concoct an unusual business plan based on Hitman Anders’ skills and his fearsome reputation. The vicar and receptionist will organize jobs for a group of gangsters, and will attract customers using the tabloids’ love of lurid headlines. The perfect plan—if it weren’t for Hitman Anders’ curiosity about the meaning of it all. In conversations with the vicar, he turns to Jesus and, against all odds, Jesus answers him! The vicar can’t believe what’s happening. When Hitman Anders turns to religion, the lucrative business is in danger, and the vicar and the receptionist have to find a new plan, quick. Fast-paced and sparky, the novel follows these bizarre but loveable characters on their quest to create a New Church, with all of Sweden’s gangsters hunting them. Along the way, it explores the consequences of fanaticism, the sensationalist press, the entrepreneurial spirit and straightforward human stupidity—and underlying all of it, the tenuous hope that it’s never too late to start again.

Nothing Serious is Wodehouse's famous collection of ten stories in which many old friends reappear in deliciously absurd situations. Two lovers are united by their hatred of cricket. Bingo Little, editor of Wee Tots and husband of romantic novelist Rosie M. Banks, finds new solutions to his financial problems. Lord Emsworth becomes an encyclopedia salesman for a day. Rodney Spelvin, bad poet turned enthusiastic golfer, shows signs of reverting to type. And Ukridge for once emerges triumphant from the struggle with his fearsome Aunt Julia.

so having weighed the pros and cons you've decided to approach your boss to ask for that well-earned raise in salary but before you schedule the all-important meeting you decide to dip into this handy volume in the hope of finding some valuable tips but instead find a hilarious, mind-bending farcical account of all the many different things that may or may not happen on the journey to see your boss which uses no punctuation or capitalisation and certainly no full stops. Georges Perec famously wrote a whole novel without using the letter 'e'. Now, in this playful short novel, brilliantly translated by David Bellos, Perec once again dispenses with the normal rules for literary compostion, with similarly pyrotechnic results.

Dan spends his days: working with the most miserable people in the world, trying to appease his estranged wife, fighting to spend time with his seven-year-old son, working on an invention that no one believes he is working on, stalking people at Walmart, not taking his pills, ignoring the pleading advice of his friends and parents … determined not to fit in.Dan spends his days: working with the most miserable people in the world, trying to appease his estranged wife, fighting to spend time with his seven-year-old son, working on an invention that no one believes he is working on, stalking people at Walmart, not taking his pills, ignoring the pleading advice of his friends and parents … determined not to fit in. And Dan swears that the problem isn’t him ... it’s them.

One woman's journal of single life on the margins.A brilliant collection of Lynne Truss’ journalism – recording the life of a metropolitan refugee from coupledom. The alternative ‘Bridget Jones’.For seven long years, starting in ‘The Listener’ in 1988 and continuing in ‘The Times’ and ‘Woman's Journal’, Lynne Truss has been trying to make her cat laugh. It has been an uphill task, which is why she deserves this book, a recognition of outstanding courage in the face of futility. Along the way, 'Margins', 'Single of Life' and 'One Woman's Journal' have collected a band of devoted fans, yet still the cat remains unimpressed.Never have so many jokes about Kitbits been found in such concentration as in ‘Making the Cat Laugh’. But under the headings such as 'The Single Woman Considers Going Out but Doesn't Fancy the Hassle' and 'The Single Woman Stays at Home and Goes Quietly Mad', we discover a writer not only obsessed with cats, but prone to over-reacting generally - to news stories, shopping, passive smoking, Christmas, coupledom, boyfriends, snails, sheds, Andre Agassi, cooking instructions, requests of 'How's the novel going?' and personal remarks of any kind.