My short story Created Image has been honored with a Sunday Rerun. Huge thanks to the wonderfully odd editors at Literally Stories! Created Image, first published in 2022, is a story about a green-eyed AI robot who falls in love with its creator. Together they ride into the sunset on a Unicorn. Added bonus: the section breaks contain a secret message hidden in the binary code. But why write this? Well…
The Challenge
Once upon a time, several years ago, the esteemed Editors at Literally Stories threw down the editorial gauntlet. The short version was: Stop sending us stories about artificial intelligence. Fine, I understood. Too many cuddly or not-cuddly robot stories. But then, it got personal. Editor Emeritus Hugh Cron went further. He added this little clarification to the editorial fiat: And if it is an AI story about a green-eyed robot falling in love with its chiseled torso creator who is tuned into its feelings and they ride into the sunset on a Unicorn, that will be a definite no from me!!! (I dare you, Marco!!!!)
Hold My Cigar…
Of course, I was honor-bound to accept the challenge! After every trope was turned on its cute little head, Created Image was submitted. A month later, the story was accepted, and humble pie shared out all around. It was, Good Readers, a matter of honor vindicated.
And Now…
My story Created Image has been tapped for a Literally Stories Sunday Rerun. W00T! Good news indeed, Friends and Neighbors! Literally Stories is a FREE read. Mash the big button! Once you’re there, you’ll find a rerun of my short story Created Image, and a host of other great literary treats as well. What are you waiting for?
For you button-phobic folks, here is the direct link to Literally Stories. Mess about there as long as you like. Tell the editors I sent you over. Just abuse the link and away we go! If you enjoy my story, please leave likes, comments, or both.
As the world descends into madness, stories become more important than ever. Someone must remember who we are and who we wish to be. More stories are coming your way. How will you know when a new story breaks? Glad you asked, Friends. Read On! Drum roll and… Meanwhile, don’t miss any upcoming stories. You can stay tuned for all the latest by following the MEF blog:
And finally, with your indulgence, allow me a blatant book plug. A lovely concept: Artists being paid for their work. And, yes, even writers need to eat. So please, buy a damn book. Thank you!
The Best Dark Rain: A Post Apocalyptic Struggle for Life and Love
Seattle is dead. Almost dead. Liz and Pat are the last couple standing. Survival is only half the battle. Living is hard, trusting is harder.
There is precious little room for love in a dead city, a dead world. For not quite everyone died. Better if they had. Armed bands stalk the streets. In the shadows worse enemies prowl, horrible enemies. At the center of this bleak urban waste lies a makeshift fort. It is the refuge of Liz Walker and Pat O’Shea. They are the last living couple in the shell of what was once Seattle.
There is precious little room for love in a dead city, a dead world. For not quite everyone died. Better if they had. Armed bands stalk the streets. In the shadows worse enemies prowl, horrible enemies. At the center of this bleak urban waste lies a makeshift fort. It is the refuge of Liz Walker and Pat O’Shea. They are the last living couple in the shell of what was once Seattle. Here on these dead streets a woman and a man must learn to love and fight. They bear weapons scavenged from the dead. Each of them carries the shadow of a past that could threaten their future. Amid murderous survivors and unlikely allies, the threat of hunters and the danger of trusting, Liz and Pat must battle for their lives. The stakes are high. For they must protect their newfound love as well as their lives. To lose either means to face alone this horrific world. Follow the adventure of Liz and Pat in The Best Dark Rain: A Post-Apocalyptic Strugglefor Life and Love. Buy your copy today!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the page above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Marco Etheridge is a writer of prose, an occasional playwright, and a part-time poet. He lives and writes in Vienna, Austria. His work has been featured in over one hundred reviews and journals across Canada, Australia, the UK, and the USA. His story “Power Tools” has been nominated for Best of the Web for 2023. “Power Tools” is Marco’s latest collection of short fiction. When he isn’t crafting stories, Marco is a contributing editor for a new ‘Zine called Hotch Potch. In his other life, Marco travels the world with his lovely wife Sabine. Website: https://www.marcoetheridgefiction.com/