Each issue of The Society of Misfit Stories Presents… is a celebration of long-form fiction. These novelettes and novellas will entertain and surprise fans of the form. In this issue: William Suboski, Sarina Dorie, Daniel Foy, Anne Sherman, Gary Battershell, and David Gilman Frederick.A sampling of the stories in this issue:A ghost seeks to convince a scientist to believe in the existence of ghosts in Psychology for the Living Impaired.

COVER ARTSteve HickmanNOVELSThe Purple Sickle Murders, by Freeman Wills CroftsInspector French investigates a deadly scheme—and a girl too scared to stay silent.The Daughter of the Dawn, by William Reginald HodderA lost race. A cursed secret. Who dares awaken the mysteries of Hinauri?SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTER...

When Megan decided to go on a camping trip with her two college roommates, she had no idea that she would find herself involved in an alien plot to conquer Earth.And she certainly had no idea that a handsome extraterrestrial would find her "enchanting."Can a girl with low self-esteem and no experience with romance save her world and navigate the pitfalls of love with a dashing, but enigmatic alien whose true motivations are impossible to know?

When it rains, it pours. And right now, it’s a freaking monsoon.Bjorn:After my parents' deaths, I devoted myself to raising my younger siblings. It meant growing up fast, but I had to keep the family together. Romantic relationships weren’t a priority. My siblings had to come first.It takes my near-death experience for me to reprioritize yet again. I need to stop meddling in my siblings’ lives and focus on me. Only, I’m not...

We’ve assembled an amazing selection of stories for readers who love variety. First up, five mystery stories: an original set in the glamorous world of film by Elizabeth Elwood (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), a gripping pulp thriller by Richard Deming, a moonshine-drenched tale from David Heska Wanbli Weiden (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and a dark crime story by Donald A. Ranard. And, of course, no issue would be complete without a new solve-it-yourself puzzler ...

…⁣:⁣⁣What do you do when your boss’s pushy nephew repeatedly asks you out and won’t take no for an answer? You create a fake boyfriend. One who works a lot, so he never comes to office functions or meets you for lunch. It works well until le salaud calls my bluff.⁣⁣So that’s how I find myself at a client event, practically begging...

- , , .⁣⁣No romantic relationship could ever compete with my dream job. Sure, it gets lonely, but that’s what occasional hookups are for. Work-life balance? Who cares? I certainly don’t. Until chest pains bring me to my knees and land me in the emergency room.⁣⁣It’s a wake-up call I can’t afford to ignore.⁣⁣When m...

Sometimes, the best way to overcome differences — is to embrace them.QuinnNothing is more important than family. Someday I’ll have my own, if I can ever find the right guy. For now, I'm concentrating on my career and a promotion. That is until my company hires a hot-shot with the right credentials to snag the position.I should resent him, but Tadhg Byrne is talented. And gorgeous. And though my ASL is pitiful, it means I’m ...

A cinnamon roll Viking, a socially anxious sweetheart, and a decades-long secret crush.Jules:I’ve been in love with my brother’s best friend since I was twelve, and twenty years later, Erik Osouf is still so far out of my league, we aren’t even playing the same sport. Not that I play sports. That means talking to people, and my social anxiety makes that all but impossible.It also makes my brother incredibly overprotective, ...

Danger brought them together. Safety tore them apart. Can one act of recklessness reunite them forever?JamieAgainst protocol and my best intentions, I fell in love with the key witness I was assigned to protect. I know. Rookie move, Jamie.I guess I’m just a soft touch for beautiful, scared men who hide behind prickly sass and razor-sharp snark. With a little kindness and a lot of patience, I got to know the generou...

Isaiah Cole escapes his everyday life as a schoolteacher by debating—and trash talking—online under a fake name. For the past four years, his internet persona has been getting closer and closer to another user. They’re friends, and there’s even a little flirtation now and then… but the guy doesn’t know Isaiah’s real name, and they’ve never seen each other’s faces.Until now.Of all the men who could be behind his friend’s avatar, Isaiah is stunned to learn he’s been chatting ...

For Sean Wright, driving a cab in the tiny Navy town of Anchor Point isn’t an exciting job... until he picks up just-dumped Paul Richards. A drive turns into a walk on the pier, which turns into the hottest hookup Sean’s had in ages.After a long overdue breakup, Paul can’t believe his luck. Of all the drivers, he’s picked up by the gorgeous, gay, and very willing Sean. Younger guys aren’t usually his thing, but Paul can’t resist.One taste and neither man can get enough... r...