Sometimes magic shows up in the unlikeliest creatures. These stories of magical animal creatures follow the ones who don’t quite fit—and the people who stumble across them. One of many creature-filled tales in the Wee Beasties StoryBundle, curated by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
About Unexpected Critters
From a mouse with a compulsion to paint the monster who lives in his house to a very special cat ready to battle to the death to protect her person.
From a grieving young woman who discovers magic thanks to the rabbits who hide beneath the bushes in a suburban backyard to an artist whose animal friends help her answer the most important question of all.
These are some of the unexpected critters you’ll meet in the seven contemporary fantasy stories in this collection by multi-genre writer Annie Reed, a master of short fiction that packs an emotional punch.
Stories include:
“Queen of the Mouse Riders”
“Chance of Bunnies, with Occasional Toad”
“The Night Mischief Became a Real Cat”
“After”
“Creatures of Shade and Shadow”
“First Steps”
“Paintings of Cats by Mice”
About StoryBundle
Unexpected Critters appears in the Wee Beasties StoryBundle, a curated collection of indie fantasy tales featuring magical beasts, critters, and creatures of small kinds. StoryBundle is a pay-what-you-want platform supporting both authors and readers, with bonus books unlocked at higher tiers. This bundle was curated by award-winning author Kristine Kathryn Rusch. Part of the bundle proceeds go to World Central Kitchen.
Curator's Note
Annie Reed writes stories in all genres. Unexpected Critters happens to include some of her most acclaimed fantasy stories. Of course, they feature creatures—rabbits, mice, and the required cat. Annie’s perspective is slightly skewed, and always filled with heart. – Kristine Kathryn Rusch
About Annie Reed
Annie Reed has been called “one of the best writers of her generation” and for good reason. She writes in multiple genres, including mystery and suspense, science fiction, thrillers, romance, and urban and contemporary fantasy, along with the occasional story that doesn’t fall into any one specific category.
She’s a founding member and frequent contributor to the innovative UNCOLLECTED ANTHOLOGY, now in its eleventh year of publishing themed urban and contemporary anthologies three times a year. Her short fiction appears regularly in PULPHOUSE FICTION MAGAZINE; MYSTERY, CRIME & MAYHEM; and THRILL RIDE MAGAZINE. She’s even written official STAR TREK fiction and admits that she’s an unabashed MCU fangirl. She currently writes and edits fulltime. You can find her here.
You can find Unexpected Critters in the Wee Beasties StoryBundle, a limited-time collection of animal-themed fantasy from indie pros and award-winners.
