Science Fiction short stories for 99¢

[RobertLCollins]

Hello, I'm Robert Collins, and I'm putting up my previously published short stories for sale as ebooks. I have three out so far, both at the Kindle Store and at Smashwords.

A Stop At Stanford (short story, 4200 words): Doug Nyren makes videos. He wants to move to a place where the other artists aren’t snobs and his neighbors won’t try to push him to be a sell-out. He visits the tiny town of Stanford on the planet Gypsum. He meets some interesting people there, but will Stanford be the new home he’s looking for?

First published in “Parageography” Number 1, July 2003.

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051GQMY6

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/60469


What To Change (short story, 3400 words): Doug Patterson is nearing 30 and feels his life has been one mistake after the other. A mysterious professor sends him a letter, offering him the chance to go back in time to change his life. Will Doug take that chance? If he does, what will he change?

First published in “Aphelion,” Volume 7, Issue 73, August 2003.

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051GQMVO

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/60472


Stories (short story, 6700 words): Daniel and Tamara were supposed to be part of humanity’s effort to settle distant planets. Instead they spend their lives going forward in time, passing along news and entertaining colonists. They wonder if they’re making a difference. Then they come to a colony that’s taking a dark turn. Will their skills help or hurt their effort at change?

First published in “Hadrosaur Tales,” Volume 6, 1999.

Kindle: not yet live

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/71622


Stay tuned as new stories go live in the coming weeks and months!

[Art Epstein]

Nice work.
Is there any way I can sell my kindle stories for free?
Or is 99 cents the minimum?

[Holgater]

I have a very futuristic erotic sci fi e-book only recently released at $0.99. It examines a possible change into the way male and female evolve; tongue in cheek, I hope it will be proved to be an enjoyable read.  

[RobertLCollins]

Amazon's minimum price is 99 cents. Smashwords will let you offer ebooks for free.

[Ann in Arlington]

Welcome to KindleBoards, Robert, and congratulations on your book! 

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[RobertLCollins]

Two new stories for this week:

Two Frigate Victory short stories, 5700 words total

Dramatic Solution: The Terran Federal Republic frigate Victory is escorting colonists to their new home world. Upon arrival they find a pirate ship orbiting the planet. Dealing the the pirates is easy. How can the crew prevent the pirates’ leader from finding his missing ship?
First published in “Just Because,” September 1998.

The Allergy Factor: There’s trouble on the colony world Vliets between settlers and a mining company. Captain Jason Ayers and the Victory are sent to resolve the dispute. One of his crew falls ill from a sip of beer. Could the explanation point to a solution?
First published in “Hadrosaur Tales,” Volume 17, 2003.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CI7LES

[RobertLCollins]

FYI: I'll have more stories up for sale later this month. I'll let you more then...

[RobertLCollins]

A new story is now available:

The Camlan Gift (short story, 5500 words): Young Queen Mary has been ousted from her throne by an usurper. While fleeing to safety she meets up with a strange man named Trent Wade. Wade is armed with guns the like no one has ever seen. He offers to teach her allies how to make more such guns. But will there be a price for such advances?

First published in “Hadrosaur Tales,” Volume 2, 1997.

Kindle Store: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GLFCHY

[Ben Langhinrichs]

Amazon's minimum price is 99 cents. Smashwords will let you offer ebooks for free.

A fairly standard trick if you want to make your ebook/story on Amazon free is to price it at $0.99 cents on Amazon and $0.00 on Smashwords and then either wait a while or have somebody click on the "tell us about a lower price" link at the bottom of the Amazon page. Within a few days, Amazon usually drops their price to $0.00 as well, because their guidelines say the Amazon price must be as lower or lower than any others.

[RobertLCollins]

Thanks, Ben! I'll keep my stories at 99¢, but authors should keep all their options open. I have two free at Smashwords myself.

And now, a new story is live, another about the frigate Victory:

Who You Trust (short story, 4700 words): A prototype dreadnaught belonging to the Ertegai has been stolen. Captain Jason Ayers of the Terran Federal Republic frigate Victory has been dispatched to intercept the warship. Ayers’ first officer, Commander Nina Reggio, knows the officer who has commandeered the warship and believes he means no harm. Is she right, and if so, why was the ship stolen?

First published in “The Fifth Di...,” Edition 3, Number 6, December 2001.

Kindle Store: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HINVME

[RobertLCollins]

A new group of four stories is now available:

"The Last Medal Winner" collection:
Four short stories, 6900 words total

The Last Medal Winner: Reporter Vivian Ferris speaks to a war widow, who tells him that her late husband never received the medal he was awarded. Can Ferris find justice for the deceased in a time of peace?
First published in “The Tale Spinner,” Number 3, Summer, 1996.

American Neutrality: Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan are on the brink of war. The President of the United States gets a letter from a past President with advice on the situation. Will that advice save America?
First published in “Of Unicorns & Space Stations,” Volume 3, Number 3, Summer, 1997.

The Damned Spot: A veteran decides to tell a little truth to a journalist who opined that war was becoming more mechanized and less bloody.
First published in “Ultimate Unknown,” Number 12, Summer, 1998.

A Strong Reply: The dictatorial Terran Federation tells colony world Gracia Three to surrender or face the consequences. One young officer has a way for the planet to defend itself. Will his unusual technology save the liberty his people have embraced?
First published in “Today’s Fantasy Future Technology,” Volume 1, Number 3, December, 1991.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OAHELO

Thanks!

[RobertLCollins]

A new pair of stories is now available-

Dark Futures - Two short stories, 5800 words total:

Always Have, Always Will: Two groups come into conflict on a vacation planet, and people die; why?
First published in “Golden Visions,” Issue Number 4, Oct./Nov./Dec. 2008.

Frozen Rock: A group is heading west after an economic collapse has brought down civilization. They encounter a band of Native Americans and a mysterious white man, Frozen Rock. Why is he with them? Does he have something to hide?
First published in “Conzine,” December, 1993.

Kindle Store: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SGY59S

Thanks for your time!

[RobertLCollins]

More stories for sale; these two are Frigate Victory stories:

Two short stories, 7000 words total-

Legal Escalation: The Terran Federal Republic frigate Victory finds a civilian ship where it shouldn’t be. The resulting investigation uncovers drug traffickers. Is Captain Ayers and his crew facing a new danger?
First published in “Star Anthology,” Volume 1, Number 2, December 1997.

Frontier Justice: “Sounds like something out of an ancient movie.” That’s what Captain Ayers says when he learns that ranchers are fighting settlers on the colony planet of Cimarron.  Can he keep the conflict from turning violent?
First published in “The Fifth Di...,” Edition 4, Number 4, August 2002.

Kindle Store: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UOI0KS

Happy reading!

[RobertLCollins]

I have a new group of short stories for sale. These three are a little more upbeat than the last non-Victory offerings...

Hope For The Future (Three short stories, 5700 words total):

The Black Flowers: The leader of a colony on an icy world asks his Marshal to plant some black flowers on the surface of the planet. Why would he make such a request? Why is it so hard for the Marshal to comply?
First published in “Outward,” Winter, 1993.

The Choice: A young officer is dispatched to an outdated generation spaceship in deep space. While on board a father asks him to search for his missing daughter. What secrets will be revealed when the officer finds the girl?
First published in “The Fifth Di,” Edition 4, Number 2, April, 2002.

A Good Reason To Drink: The new automated bartender on a space station encounters a man drinking himself into oblivion. Why is the man doing so on a day of celebration? Is there a way for the machine to save this man?
First published in “Musing,” Volume 2, Number 1, Winter, 1997.


Kindle Store: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062A3OWS

Enjoy!

[Steverino]

A fairly standard trick if you want to make your ebook/story on Amazon free is to price it at $0.99 cents on Amazon and $0.00 on Smashwords and then either wait a while or have somebody click on the "tell us about a lower price" link at the bottom of the Amazon page. Within a few days, Amazon usually drops their price to $0.00 as well...

I knew about $0 on Smashwords, but not that link at the bottom of the Amazon page.  Thanks, Ben!

[RobertLCollins]

A new Frigate Victory story is now available:

The Best Reason (4000 words): A prison ship eludes the frigate Victory and a prisoner escapes. While trying to find her, Captain Jason Ayers investigates the crime she was convicted of committing. Will the evidence lead him to her?

First published in “The Maritan Wave,” Edition 4, Number 6, November 2001.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064OXUEY

[RobertLCollins]

A new science fiction story is available:

Quincy Darby’s Discovery (4600 words): Quincy Darby has learned that history can be altered, which might put an end to the time travel that society relies on. After announcing his discovery he’s accused of murder. Can he prove his innocence?

First published in “Hadrosaur Tales,” Volume 12, 2001.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ISI6HM

[RobertLCollins]

A new pair of Frigate Victory stories are available:

The Test: Here’s the first adventure of the Terran Federal Republic frigate Victory. The crew is facing off against another ship in a war game. Can the conventional first officer Nina Reggio work with Captain Ayers?
First published in “The Writers Post Journal,” August 2006.

Different Risks: A Felith crusier enters Republic space. An officer tells Captain Ayers that his commander has gone insane.  Is this why the treaty between them has been violated? Or are things not quite as they seem? How can Captain Ayers keep the peace while keeping the Republic safe?
First published in “The Fifth Di...,” Edition 3, Number 5, October 2001.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006LO37CC

[Art Epstein]

Hi

How many short stories do you have on amazon now?

[RobertLCollins]

Hi

How many short stories do you have on amazon now?

Looks like 14 stories or groups of stories; 22 overall stories, with more to come in the new year (including fantasy stories as well as SF). Thanks for asking!

[RobertLCollins]

Welcome to the New Year. To start off, I now have my first fantasy short-story ebook for you to consider.


Use Your Head (6700 words): Lydia Clinton is the new Federal Marshal in Thayersville. A local minister opposes her posting, which complicates her efforts to find a band of outlaws who used magic to rob a train. Can she get the job done?

First published in “Weird Stories,” Number 16, January 1998.


Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/119515

Look for more fantasy & science fiction stories from me in 2012. Thanks for taking a look!

[RobertLCollins]

Here's another pair of Frigate Victory stories:


Captain Ayers and the Waconda “War”: There’s trouble on the colony world Waconda as the time grows near to vote on the seat of government. Captain Jason Ayers and the Victory have to keep the peace. Is there more that Ayers can do or say to make the mission a success?
First published in “Space Westerns,” March 16, 2008.

The Best Candidate: A former commander asks Captain Ayers for advice.  He’s running for colonial governor, and several local power brokers are asking him for favors. Ayers does a little research; will his unusual approach help his friend solve his problems?
First published in “Golden Visions,” October/November/December 2010.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006VWJBQU


Happy reading!

[RobertLCollins]

I have a new fantasy story for sale; it features Lydia Clinton, the heroine of "Use Your Head."

First Things First (short story, 3800 words): Lydia Clinton has settled into her post as Federal Marshal of Thayersville. Just as she gets a marriage proposal, slavers from a distant land capture some new residents. How will her effort to stop the slavers affect her future?

First published in “Weird Stories,” Number 10, July 1997.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076LKVAU

I hope you like it!

[Betsy the Quilter]

Folkks, this is Robert's thread for his own science fiction shorts, not a genre thread; there's a separate "General" short story thread that you can post to, thanks!

Betsy
KB Moderator

[RobertLCollins]

Another Frigate Victory "two-fer" is available; I hope you'll check them out!

An Unconventional Little War: A group of terrorists has stolen the Terran Federal Republic frigate Victory. Can anyone stop them?
First published in “The Fifth Di,” Edition 1, Number 1, August 1999.

Positive Spin: Captain Ayers has evidence that an official high the Republic government is responsible for the assassination of a local politician. He confronts his superiors, but they have a surprise for him.
First published in “Calliope,” Issue 67, July-August 1997.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00793OL8S

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/132566