Welcome again to the online story collection, as announced here. The ninth story is MORE TOMORROW. Links to download are below, along with basic instructions.
This is a pretty early story, in which I had a look at what seemed the evident risks of a then fairly newfangled thing called “the Internet”, and which led to some interesting conversations with my father about the duty of care we owe to distant others.
All I’ll add is… remember I was at the time (and still sometimes am) a horror writer. You have been warned.
As noted, this story and subsequent ones in an initial bi-weekly run of a dozen are available as a benefit to paid subscribers only. That’s $5/month for two stories — or even less on an annual sub — for the next six months.
Remember also that if you refer friends to this Substack and they subscribe (including on the free version) you can earn paid benefits for yourself…
And further recall that you can upgrade to monthly paid membership at any time, and unsubscribe again with a single click... and that discounted rates are available for people who refer this site to friends.
I hope you enjoy the story!
Links
Apple Books-tailored ePub:
Generic ePub for other readers and Kindle:
PDF:
Instructions
If you click on the links above, you will be offered the opportunity to download the file to your phone, tablet or desktop. You then need to find where your device has saved the file (on an iPhone or iPad, go to the Files app — where it should be the last file created) and either click or double-click on it.
That’s how it works in the iOS and MacOS universe, anyway. I assume it’s similar under other OS but if someone has concise instructions on how it might work on an Android phone, please let me know and I’ll put it up for future reference. Failing that we’ll figure it out in the comments section.
❗Please also remember that these stories are a benefit for subscribers, and should not be shared around — especially not uploaded to copyright-thieving Web sites.
If you decide you need a ton more stories, right now, then the table-breaking The Best of Michael Marshall Smith collection is available from Subterranean Press.
If you encounter any problems either downloading or reading, please let me know.
You're showing something of a talent for this writing malarkey!
I remember the first time I read this story. I knew/know nothing about technospeak so used my imagination to power through. Imagine that!
The way you write the ordinary, the everyday and subvert it to something supranatural is astonishing.
I can feel goosebumps rising as I read and end up with the same sense of helplessness as the narrator.
Spoilers!
I will pick out particularly Jack talking about the death of his wife and child in Spares and I'm afraid I can't remember the name of the short story but it's the one with the ordinary young fella playing pool with a friend who feels a connection with a girl across the bar, and sets out to pursue her. Absolutely fu£$ing terrifying.
You, sir, rock!
This one stayed with me for years.