Dear World

Please Kill Me,

It occurred to me a while ago that I don’t really have a place on here for you to see my latest work… Yeah, yeah, I’ve got that little “short stories” section and a habit of shouting things out at the bottom of posts—but most of you probably check out after the sign-off. No shade. I have the same habit with some blogs I read. It isn’t that I DON’T WANT to read the author’s work, but rather that it wasn’t what I clicked for, so it isn’t exactly at the top of my mind while skimming and scrolling.

That being said, I’ve decided to do the responsible thing and lay out some of my more recent work for casuals who would otherwise click away. That’s right! This is a spite post! THEY DID THIS!!! BLAME THEM!!!

*cough*

Basically, I’m going to throw up some links along with an Amazon sample preview and an off-the-cuff descriptor. I’ll arrange these in the order that I think you should read them, rather than their chronological release order (…because CHAOS FUELS ME!!!).

However, feel free to pick, read, peruse, and/or fondle them as you please. They’re standalones.

Anyway! First up!

1. Butterflies

Overview: This little chestnut was written shortly after I finished the novel (Apostate). I won’t spoil the details, but it’s essentially an “end-of-days,” beginning-of, and post-apocalypse tale in which humanity is stricken by a lethal virus known as the BUG—a novel radioactive disease with a high mortality rate that either kills you or turns you into…well. Ya’ know. 

Anyway, if you’ve fallen behind, this is the best place to start (… particularly if you’re into menace, suspense, and body horror). It’s a longer work (12k words), probably closer to a novella than a short story. But it’s a breezy two-part read that I’ve probably returned to more than anything else I’ve written—literally just to enjoy it (…because I’m a borderline narcissist and reading something I’m proud of soothes my withered heart and bitter ego). It’s also JUST FUCKING GOOD!!! I know that’s cringy to say, but damn it, it’s true…

Amazon – B&N – KOBO – Google Play Books

2. The Suicide Pod

Overview: This is probably my personal favorite of the recent short stories I’ve released—not necessarily on the scale of better or worse, but because it’s the first thing I wrote after finishing the novel (…I promise, we’re getting there!). Anyway, the story revolves around a character named Robert Price, who operates as an Anpu (i.e., suicide salesman) in a near-future, late-stage capitalist world where just about everything has been corporatized, dehumanized, and commodified (sound familiar?). 

I’ll warn you right now, he’s a dickhead, and you’ve probably met someone just like him at some point. This story is also a great entry point into my accidental shared world (…it’s not “Crumpverse”…don’t call it the “Crumpverse”…I’d prefer “TwanTown” or something, but I’m heavily considering just calling it “Utopia”). (7k words)

Amazon – B&N – KOBO – Google Play Books

3. The Orb

I’ll be honest with you, after the first two, you may need a little relief. Anyone who’s followed me for a while knows that I tend to go for bleak, dark, or grey as a matter of course (…and because I have a sickening addiction to verisimilitude…). Anyway, this one’s a fair bit lighter than the other two—both tonally and lengthwise (4k words). 

The story revolves around a twenty-something college grad, struggling in the same world that the Suicide Pod takes place in. His family is financially unstable. Job prospects are grim. And he feels like he’s meant for SOMETHING MORE but can’t quite put a finger on what that higher purpose is. That feeling might have something to do with the basketball-sized orb that’s been following him around since birth. Did I bury the lede? Yes. Yes, I did!

Amazon Exclusive (…sorry)

4. Veal

This is my most recent short story and the one that I’ve been shouting the most about. For those who tend not to scroll past “Until Next Time,” the story is an urban fantasy that takes place in modern-day New York (…and yes, is also a part of the aforementioned shared world… DON’T CALL IT CRUMPVERSE!!!). 

Anyway, the tale revolves around a shaman-in-training who struggles to balance his ancient duties (succeeding his mentor Uncle as a spiritual guide) with the modern metropolitan lifestyle (freedom, cars, money, sex, and normalcy). It’s a little different, VERY weird, and also holds a special place in my heart—due to the experimental “kishotenketsu” narrative structure. There’s a bit of a horror element here as well, so don’t say that I didn’t warn you! (8k words)

Amazon – B&N – KOBO – Google Play Books

And lastly,

5. Apostate

This is the NUKE, the BIG kahuna, the CUBAN CIGAR, insert FOURTH THING. My debut novel came out a little while ago and has performed, well, like a debut novel from an indie author. Despite this, it remains my proudest and best-reviewed work to date–and continues to steadily find its audience (…a fact that’s actually a relief considering that it’s quite likely my best work). I won’t give you too much detail about the story (because honestly, IT’S A LOT). 

But…

It’s a sci-fi/spec-fic narrative that revolves around a special little girl named AVA, in a familiar(ish) cyberpunk future that subverts the genre while paying homage to it. Imagine if Blade Runner and House of Cards had a baby with Octavia Butler, and it was raised by the bastard child of Cormac McCarthy and Stephen King (quite the image, very PALE, VERY MOIST). Anyway, that’s what it aims for, and for my money, it mostly nails the tone. Robots. Bombs. Terrorist sects. Shifting perspectives. And more heart than you’d expect. You could probably start here, too!

Another Amazon Exclusive (…which, frankly, explains some things)

*upside down frown*

That about does it… I hope that a few or all of these shorts, chunks, and the BIG BITE interest you and that you consider adding them to your reading list. If you’re still unsure, you can click over to the “Short Stories” section and get a sample of them all right here on the blog (…a fair bit more than Amazon’s “Free Sample” feature allows).

Don’t worry about scrolling past the sign-off today (for obvious reasons), and please feel free to leave your likes, comments, shares, reviews, love letters, and sensual unicorn fan-fiction wherever you can. Blah. Blah. Blah. It helps me out. Blah. Blah. Blah. Support indie authors… sorry, but self-promotion literally gives me anal warts.

You know what I mean…

Until Next Time,

—Antwan Crump

---

I SAID DON’T SCROLL DOWN!!!!!

…but since you’re here, BUY MY BOOKS, OR I’LL STARVE!!!

–okayye byee!!!

*blows kisses*
*smells coffee breath*
*faints*