Most of these works may have previously appeared in short-story anthologies and collections shared with other authors. These are all Douglas Van Dyke’s creations. The ones appearing here may be bought individually in one form or another, whether by a thin paperback or ebooks online. Feel free to enjoy these smaller creative adventures, some of which link to larger worlds.
The Pale Gunner
When Hirthak rescues a gnomish inventor from slave-takers in the marshes near Karakto, he is given a strange gift: a magic set of pistols. Unlike the kind used by the lava elves in their wars against the other races, these require neither ball shot nor powder. After stumbling upon a village being savaged by raiders, Hirthak brings his guns to bear upon his fellow goblins. Can the gunslinger rescue the sea-side town, or will he take the deal offered by the notorious Warchief Melglut and finally be accepted amongst his own kind? This plotline involves fantasy interwoven with a Clint Eastwood western or “Magnificient Seven” feel.
This exciting, new 12-story event in the Esfah Sagas begins the Godmaker story arc and is also known as Time of the Champions. Start this epic journey today!
Douglas’ note: My friend and writing mentor, Christopher Schmitz, has license to write in the Dragon Dice World of Esfah, formerly a TSR/Wizards of the Coast product. (Bought by SFR Inc in 2000).This book is part of a hero saga in that world. It is actually book 2, but is fine as a stand-alone origin story. I was honored to get a chance to write a story in Esfah.
For Purchase…
Multiple Sites Link (Multiple stores/options for ebook from this link.
Or start the series with Book 1: “Black Dragons and Blue Elves”
These 12 stories build into a single work called “Time of Champions”. Available on Amazon.
Last Hope
A Short Story first appearing in the anthology collection Otherworldly #1.
Decades of government gene-seeding and manipulation have resulted in all modern-day humans possessing a special ability or trait. Though scientists had unlocked some incredible potential, the individual mutations could not be predicted. Some side-effects produced monsters. Trevor, a teenager, is an Unregistered Talent experimenting with a rare power. Due to his situation, hiding out in the wilderness, he is operating illegally and unaware of the risks faced by the general population. His activities have not gone unnoticed, and now a nearly unstoppable government agent is assigned to apprehend him. Not only does this feel similar to X-Men, it has the same depth of social and government overreach in its impact.
For Purchase…
Amazon Paperback and ebook
My Online Store I can personalize it
Dragon’s Haven
A Short Story first appearing in the anthology collection Streets of Fire and Shadow. The paperback version has been modified with expanded scenes.
“Arcanum Investigations explores the lingering presence of magic, the occult, and other supernatural phenomenon even as they slowly disappear from our world. How long will the magic hold out? Are these events legitimate or hoaxes? This week: would you prefer a ghost story or face a modern dragon? We can do both at the same time! Hear about a little village called Haven, and a nightmare that coincides with the Harvest Moon…”
In this alternate, modern Earth, the elves died two hundred years ago and with them magic began to fade. Pegasi, unicorns and dragons once existed, but are now corpses preserved and displayed in museums. The journalists of Arcanum Investigations are out to find places where magic still exists. They will attempt to record a creature that has never been filmed, risking a close encounter in order to succeed. However, the town is divided in how to handle this phenomenon, and undead monsters have their own desires.
For Purchase…
Amazon Paperback and ebook
My Online Store I can personalize it
The Colonial Guards
A Short Story first appearing in the anthology collection Laser Cannons & First Contact. The paperback version has expanded scenes.
Mankind has expanded to new solar systems and is now capable of jumping to new stars. However, the lawless risks of new frontiers never change, and our own kind remains our worst enemy. Enter the Colonial Guards. They have all the muscle to engage enemies. Whether they need ship-to-ship boarding encounters, dropships with armored marine ground assault vehicles, or a fleet of ships to pacify the orbital trade paths, these hardened men and women are ready to get the job done.
Sometimes, all of those tactics are needed when fanatical revolutionaries are raiding the space lanes from a secret base.
For Purchase…
Amazon Paperback and ebook
My Online Store I can personalize it
Paradisus Stella
A Short Story first appearing in the anthology collection Otherworldly #2. The paperback version has been modified with expanded scenes.
A space trucker is making a lonely, four-month cargo run in the outer orbits when the unexpected occurs. He runs across an uncharted and unknown space station. Paradisus Stella promises to be the gem of the outer system. Casinos, posh hotels, upscale shops, exotic foods, and luxury accommodations, tempt him to make an unscheduled stop an explore whatever relief he might find from his tedious run. To top off his experience, he runs into the most alluring girl, and her flirtations promise him a good time. As he is caught up in the glitz and beauty of the moment, is she distracting him from realizing the reality of his situation? Paradisus Stella has one terrible secret waiting to be discovered.
For Purchase…
Amazon Paperback and ebook
My Online Store I can personalize it