A Question of Dominion by H. M. Snow Standing at the top of the steps that led downward into the gate, Ciar held perfectly still for as long as it took for him to draw several long breaths. Then he raised his hands high, clenched them into fists and brought them swiftly down to... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 19
Under Earth Hunt by H. M. Snow Des rolled onto her side, facing away from Ciar, as she choked on the mouthful of water. Several seconds passed with much coughing and spitting before she could speak. “Lord?” The king under earth patted her between the shoulder blades. “Are you all right? You lost consciousness.”... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 18
Under Earth Emissary by H. M. Snow In the luminous fountain chamber, Des stooped to splash water on her face. “So refreshing,” she declared. Then she took the bowl she had brought, swirled water in it, and filled it almost to the brim. Her tread was necessarily measured on her return to the gate... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 17
Dominion Under Earth by H. M. Snow Swordbearer and death hound eyed one another, both panting, both worn out by the chase. From up in the tree, the swordbearer addressed the hound: “Good evening to you. I’m Des-- not that you’re interested, I guess.” The hound threw its lean weight against the base of... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 15
Puppet Play By H. M. Snow The small army of puppets carried Dasarre into a long workshop. Their progress rattled like dry bones until they dropped him on the floor. Then they stood at attention around him. “What are these?” Dasarre prodded one with his fingertip. “Have you never seen a puppet before?” The... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 14
The Festival Incident by H. M. Snow To say that Eila allowed her son to walk ahead would not be too great a stretch of the truth. Though Dasarre towered over her in height, no one who knew them ever had any doubt which one was in charge. In much the same way, her husband... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 13
Devourer by H. M. Snow After turning the key and pushing the penthouse door open, Bryndis first noticed the subtle resonance of hot tub jets. The hum drifted into the living room from doors leading off to her right. She followed it, only to find a man in his early twenties relaxing in a huge... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge, Week 12
Supervised Visitation by H. M. Snow Sheltered from the crackling gunfire by a bank of file cabinets, two figures sat side-by-side on the floor. The elder, a woman in her mid-forties, said with a sudden hushed laugh, “What do you get when you cross a pitched battle with a pair of adolescent saurian mages?”... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 11
Scapegoat by H. M. Snow So many human bodies enclosed together should have made the meeting house noisy, but the only break in the hush was a shuddering breath here or there. No one dared make a noise louder than breath on this darkest and most sacred of occasions. Even the smallest ones, who should... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 10
Author's Note: This one took me a long time. It's the first part of a planned series of short stories, but as it isn't in my usual area of speculative fiction, I find myself rather uneasy about it. Oh, well. That's the point of the challenge: to push myself. It's rather lengthier than the rest... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge, Week 8
This week's experiment in flash fiction was brought to you by PSYCHOLOGY! Everybody's got it (according to Miss Adelaide). ** The Personified Subconscious Department By H. M. Snow The lights dimmed to practically nothing. At the same time, a giant screen lit with footage of a small apartment bedroom. “That did it.” Twenty-four grasped the... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 7 (part 2)
As promised, the sequel to "Help Wanted." ** “Workplace Romances Never End Well” by H. M. Snow “Steve!” Once the thunder of Esau’s bellow faded from the room, Steve said, “What’s up?” The gigantic man of hair pushed a stack of paper scraps into Steve’s hand. “We need you to go shopping. Now.” “I went... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge, Week 7 (part 1)
Okay, I admit it: I sort of cheated this week. The story this week was partially written already, but I had put it back into storage for reasons I no longer remember. That, and it's a sequel to a previously written short story, so I have to include both of them for it to make... Continue Reading →
Writing Challenge: Week 6
Author's Note: I told you they'd be back. * Mirror Bright by H. M. Snow “Eirian,” began Peter in a subdued voice. “Bertie wants you to come to town with us.” Eirian finished polishing the mirror he held before he bothered to look up at his old friend. Even when he finally looked, he said... Continue Reading →
Slowly I Turned: The Challenge, Week 5
Before the story, a confession: I am mildly obsessed with flashlights. They qualify as one of the things of which one can never have too many, in my world. It's light in a tube. What's not to love? Anyway, on with this week's short story. * Moonlight Creatures by H. M. Snow Julius Singleton hung... Continue Reading →
H. M. Snow, Fantasy Novelist 