Only one power in the cosmos can
rewrite the laws of Death....
As you might guess from the title, this is a very strange
anthology -- but it was also a lot of fun. [This despite the
fact that somehow, I never did see the signature sheets for the
limited hardcover edition....]
Read an Excerpt....
Death
strode through the cobbled streets of Descenium with purposeful
steps and a full list of clients.
Then
the telephone rang.
#
"We've just signed the contract with Ace," came Coster's voice.
"We're going to do another four Descenium books."
Cameron Stuart narrowly avoided spilling coffee on the final
manuscript of Tales of Descenium 4, sitting next to the
keyboard on his desk.
"But--but you said they'd never go for it!"
"So I
was wrong. Apparently returns were much lower than we thought," said
the packager. "Unfortunately, I still need book four on my desk by
Friday -- condition of the deal.
You did say you'd finished editing the stories?"
"Y--yes," Cameron said, fighting panic.
"But, well, most of the writers killed their
characters off this time, since it was going to be the last book."
Coster's tone was impatient.
"You're the editor, resurrect them.
That's what red pencils are for.
If anyone objects, we'll fix it in galleys.
Manuscript by Friday, then."
The line clicked off.
Cameron put down the phone, stared down at the manuscript, and
sighed. Red pencil, he thought, switching the computer on.
#
Death strode through the cobbled streets of
Descenium with purposeful steps, a full list of clients -- and
behind him, a shadowy figure wielding a red wand.