Bio: Marcia Hanson lives in Saint Clair, Michigan, observing Canada out her front window. Her roommate, a cockatiel named Chee Chee, helps her with all her writing, sitting on her shoulder and critiquing. She's webmaster of Stories and More web site and Editor of Stories Short and Long Email Ezine. She wrote technical manuals and designed and wrote class materials for the robotics and machine communications specialties for fourteen years; now she's turning her keyboard toward fiction.

How many hours of your life are spent asleep? What could you accomplish in those hours, if they were available to you? With those added accomplishments, education, and an innate intelligence, how would the general, normal, non-sleepless population react to your advantages? Even though your abilities advance technology, science, and life in general -- will they be grateful -- envious -- frightened? Nancy Kress looks at these questions and the field of genetic engineering in this magnificent award winning novella. A very rich man, Roger Camden, effects the lives of many people with his wealth, not the least of which his daughter, Leisha -- his genetically engineered sleepless daughter. Follow her life with it's advantages and difficulties in "Beggars in Spain" by Nancy Kress. This is one of my favorite stories and I recommend it to everyone. If you've never read science fiction, here's a great place to start.

ARM has three functions: they hunt organleggers, they monitor world technology, and they enforce the Fertility Laws. With a population of eighteen billion, enforcing the Fertility Laws is important -- but no one wants to join a mother hunt. When the press and authorities start screaming for more action, anyone not involved in a case will be pounding the streets hunting for illegal parents, but when LAPD calls Gil to help with an unfamiliar machine at the scene of a murder, he remains involved in the investigation even after the machine is turned over to one of his comrades -- even though it's no longer his concern -- even though it leaves him open to be assigned to the mother hunts. This mystery tantalizes Gil and entertains the reader as we follow the baffling case of Dr. Sinclair's murder and the machine, his latest invention. And there are the complications of contradictory clues and suspects too appealing to seriously suspect. Larry Niven gives us an effective blend of science fiction and mystery in this futuristic whodunit. If you like either mystery or science fiction, I highly recommend this story.

While plying her trade as a cat-burglar, the Mouse finds a child manacled to a heavy chair in a rented room. Of course, she can't leave her there, and that starts serious problems that follow them from planet to planet through the galactic frontier. The most notorious bounty hunters in the galaxy are in pursuit of the child, Penelope Bailey -- sent by governments and private citizens in the hopes of being the first to capture her. Why would anyone spend such wealth and effort to capture this little girl? And why doesn't the Iceman trust the child? Fascinating characters aid or hinder their progress as they attempt to remain free, and the plot twists will keep you reading long into the night. This ebook ranks in my top ten favorites for numerous reasons, not the least of which is the storytelling quality we've come to expect from Mike Resnick. As both the reader and the characters gradually understand what makes this child different and valuable, the premise for a trilogy unfolds. I highly recommend "The Soothsayer" and feel sure you'll want to read the entire Oracle Trilogy once you're introduced to this future frontier era and these memorable characters.

The cliche, "poor little rich kid," will have a whole new meaning if our present tendency to idealize "life in the fast lane" continues to increase at its present exponential rate. In "Freezeframe," Gregory Benford uses humor to soften the horror as he shows us a typical young couple?s solution to the problem of career versus family, as well as our growing tendency to accept as natural anything conveniently called natural. You?ll laugh at the outrageous, but I hope it?ll also make you think. I recommend this story to everyone, even those who normally don?t read futuristic fiction.

If you're looking for a novel but can't figure out if you want a mystery, science fiction, or action adventure--then Second Contact is the novel you're looking for. It has a mystery with plot twists, alien contact, and the pace builds until it's fast and exciting. When Max Becker is handed the least desirable case a lawyer could wish for, he expects only to have his vacation postponed, but the case involves him in far more complicated problems than a delayed holiday. With Mike Resnick's consistently high quality of storytelling, he takes us into a near future tale unlike many of his best known stories, but equally as intriguing in it's unique complications and surprises. This is the kind of story that you start and suddenly realize it's morning and you've gotten no sleep. I highly recommend it to everyone, even those not accustomed to science fiction.

"The 43 Antarean Dynasties" resonates with the inner conflicts of the narrator, Hermes, and the disparity between his culture's current situation and it's proud history. Mike Resnick's consistently high standards are notably prevalent -- while the narrator's ironic thoughts and attitudes lend an air of humor, the story structure leads you smoothly, ever deeper into an understanding of the Antareans. You might recognize in the Antareans, human cultures that have historical similarities, conquered and colonized. Will human's learn before they reach the stars, or is "The 43 Antarean Dynasties" a premonition of the future? And which culture will Earth play in the scenario, and when? This is one of my favorite ebooks and I highly recommend it to everyone.

__"The creatures came again last night."__ That's how "Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge" begins and it's a fitting intro to the tale. While giving us a well paced story with a subtle threat, Mike Resnick paints a picture of Mankind's evolution--from Olduvai Gorge to the stars. At the gorge that is claimed to be Man's evolutionary birthplace, nine aliens of different species' search for the evolutionary secrets that made "Man" unique. While introducing us to his created aliens, Resnick takes us through a discovery of our own species. Each time I read this story I find new connections and appreciate it even more. If you enjoy stories about aliens or mankind, archeology or sociology, or just good storytelling, I recommend this tale. And remember, the creatures visit their camp by night...

This is a mystery/dark fantasy story -- or is it mystery/horror? You'll have to decide that, but I can tell you it's a fascinating mystery with both fantastic and horrific elements. The characters are vivid and dimensional, the plot tight and exciting, and the mystery complex. Dan Retsler, Chief of Police in Whale Rock, must wade through superstition, ancient local events, and bizarre occurrences to get to the solution of the dead bodies washing up on the beach -- who they are and how they died. Charles Bishop has problems of his own and when the two story lines merge it's a conclusion both anticipated and surprising. I love this story and recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries, dark fantasy, or horror.

Do you like cute stories? How about cute horror stories? Susan Caspers "Under Her Skin" is just such a tale. I snickered through most of it and was ready for another Susan Casper story the minute I finished this one. Combine an honest portrayal of the self image of a lonely obese woman with a touch of Mr. Goodbar and you have a situation rife with complications--not to mention surprises. For those who like a short story to fit into those stolen moments, I recommend this delightful short story.

It's fun to see a great story develop through the craftsmanship of a consummate professional. "Putting it Together:" gives a reader that fun (with the bonus of five great Mike Resnick stories.) Following the transformation from first draft to finished story is like watching a plain woman transform at a professional make-over. It seems impossible to believe "That" turned into "This" with the addition no more than skill and expertise, but in this ebook it happens before your eyes with descriptions of why specific choices were made. For two stories, "The Elephants On Neptune" and "The Land of Nod," you get to read the first draft followed by a discussion of Resnick's logic involving the changes, then you read the final draft. For the other three stories you read the final draft with an accompanying discussion. One of them is a favorite of mine, "The 43 Antarean Dynasties," (for which I especially enjoyed the comments) and the other two are classic Resnick -- which means great storytelling. You don't have to be a writer to enjoy this book. It's just plain fun for anyone who enjoys reading fiction. I recommend it to hopeful fiction writers and fiction readers equally.

If you enjoy examining philosophical issues and prose of a quality seen only rarely in any genre, then "Understanding Entropy" is a prize for your collection. This story addresses profound issues that each of us have or may someday be forced to deal with--but from Barry N. Malzberg's unique style you find yourself examining the issues as though they were being presented for the first time. It's a short story that will keep you thinking--how would you answer the question?

If it's called evil, is it necessarily malevolent and that called sacred necessarily benevolent? Doesn't it depend on who's designating evil and sacred? "Gather, Darkness!" addresses these and other issues including loyalty, duty, fear, and other human foibles. In a planetary struggle for freedom from oppression, the rebels use the strategy of the establishment -- they use science to make what appears to be religious phenomena. The plot is complex and well paced and the characters dimensional -- I felt sympathy even for the worst villain, and frustration with a few heroes of the cause. I highly recommend this novel. It's good literature and good science fiction.

Do you like Horror stories? I enjoy a good shiver down my spine, but shy away from nausea producing gore. If that's how you feel, try The Well by Mike Sirota. It takes you from the early settlers of Fire Valley to the present, and from American society to the mystical world of the Modoc Indians. The Modocs called the valley *Sayka loluk*. They knew about *monadalkni*, so they watched and hoped to be prepared when they were needed. This is the story of a family caught in a seemingly irreversible nightmare. The Lowells, Greg and Janet, and their children, Mark and Allison, are going on a vacation to Greg's birth place. Greg was taken from the valley when he was an infant, so he has no acquaintances to visit or childhood memories to share. So why did he feel compelled to visit here -- and why wouldn't his parents ever speak of what occurred when they lived in the valley? You see, Gred Lowell's mother was a Padgett. His great-grandparents were Wallace and Rebecca Padgett, the Padgett family that was among the first settlers in Fire Valley -- during the time of the Fire Valley Massacre. I recommend this ebook to anyone who enjoys Horror stories. I'll read it again and again.

The main character in "Shore Leave Black?s Balloon" is struggling with emotions felt in varying degrees by most people at one time or another, especially parents; guilt over past decisions ?- the road not taken. Her situation is complicated by the age-altering effects of travel at near light speed. She?s returning home after one year, but her family and friends have experienced 47 years. How will they accept her? In fact, will they accept her? Are they alive? Is the family farm even still there? And most important, what of her son -- only a baby when she left, now 22 years older than her? I recommend this story as well as "The River Temple" by Nancy Etchemendy.

B. J. Thrower?s main character in "Original Child" is complex enough to keep us guessing about his conflicting emotions and his motives. We share his sights and insights in post-atomic Hiroshima, walk beside him through the streets and horrors, and we follow his transformation. I highly recommend this story to everyone, even if you don?t normally read horror or dark fantasy.

Did you enjoy the main character, Sam McCain; his elusive unrequited love, the beautiful Pamela Forest; and the indomitable Judge who shot rubber bands at Sam in ?The Christmas Kitten? by Ed Gorman? Well, now you can visit them again in a full length novel with a complex multiple murder mystery. Sam, the diminutive part time lawyer, part time private investigator, is an appealing hero with an abundance of personal foibles. While Sam works to solve murders in his normally quiet little town, you will come to know not only this complex character, but rich details of life in the 1950s. The plot ?twists and turns? until you reach an unexpected finale?to the mystery and the delightful sub-plots littering Sam?s life. I recommend this ebook to anyone who likes mysteries, especially of the ?cozy? sub-genre so filled with well rounded characters.

Geoffrey Landis did it again. He's created a story that keeps you guessing until the end. Since I like stories with extraterrestrial aliens, which Landis doesn't usually include in his stories, this one has an added treat for me. There are two species' besides humans and before the story ends we know their thoughts and intimate details concerning their contact with humans. Their thoughts and memories are fascinating, but their reactions to the result of contact with us is full of surprises and intriguing possibilities. You'll meet two species who handled the contact with humans in two very different ways, and you'll share their feelings about the consequences. Actually, there are two more species you'll meet briefly who add more questions than answers to this fascinating tale. I highly enjoyed it and will read it again and again. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Science Fiction or Psychology.

"Elemental" is a tale with a dimensional plot and characters with everyday goals and concerns. On this realistic foundation Landis presents the technology, Thaumaturgy, more often called magic. This winning combination makes it easy for us to suspend disbelief, even to the point of magic in a science fiction story. It doesn't require a degree in physics, or any hard science, to understand the functioning of magic in this far distance era. The pace of the story builds as you learn the intriguing applications and research surrounding Thaumaturgy--until the fast paced conclusion of a true action adventure tale. I've reread it a number of times and will again. If you like science fiction, I suggest you try this story.

There isn't enough humorous science fiction for my taste, but "Fruitcake Theory" by James Patrick Kelly is one exception. It's a giggle and snicker producing story while introducing us to a fascinating and totally non-humanoid species. When the Kuvat visit earth, our scientists hope to learn great things from this species that traveled a hundred and thirty light years to get here--so the Kavat are granted every wish possible, turning into havoc for the characters and a frolic of fun for the reader. If you enjoy meeting unique alien species' and humor separately, try the combination in this intriguing short story and you'll meet characters you'll think about long after the story's done.

Have you ever wondered where your docile, domestic housecat goes on those rare occasions when they don't return home until morning, even missing dinner? Have you ever wondered how your pet views the world -- how they interpret your actions when you have only the best intentions? Gardner Dozois paints a vivid alien culture in our midst -- living in our homes, judging our actions and intentions, interpreting the world from their feline perspective. Through Gardner Dozois' beautiful prose you'll experience intimate moments with the cats as they meet under the full moon to share both fears and hopes, stories of their world and plans for their future. This is one story I reread often, enjoying the personalities and flowing prose as much now as when I read it the first time. Don't miss these lucid creatures in this unique story.

Retired police detective, Charlie, and his wife Constance, a retired psychologist, agree to do one last job. It'll be an easy case with the bonus of a week vacation at a swank resort afterward. But the complications follow them into their vacation. This mystery within a mystery will keep you guessing and unique characters -- some playful, some enigmatic -- will keep you enthralled. Like June Oliveira. Who is she and why is she always appearing unexpectedly? And what is the control she has over people? Kate Wilhelm has once again given us an entertaining tale with unexpected complications. I recommend it to anyone who likes mystery or science fiction/fantasy -- yes, it has science fiction/fantasy elements too, but we won't talk about that and spoil the story for you.

We usually mean well when we reach out to help another human being--but can we know what's best for anyone, even ourselves? Echea was in need of a home, a stable home. But what else did she need? Could an affluent family foresee the commitment involved when they adopted a child from a war torn culture more foreign than any on Earth--from the low gravity, rebellious, nearly lawless Moon? No, they couldn't, but they brought Echea to her new home where she saw green grass, tall trees, a lake, and blue skies for the first time in her seven years of life. And they tried--they really tried to help her fit into both their family and Earth culture. This process makes for a poignant tale of one small child's assimilation and one family's accommodations. This is one of my favorite stories and I recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction, or just a great tale.