Expiration Date

This new anthology focuses on the what-ifs of the -end-dates- that surround us, and how they impact our lives and our world, and ourselves.-Modern lives seem littered with expiration dates- says anthology editor Nancy Kilpatrick. -Packaging tells us when our food will go bad; when we can expect appliances to cease functioning; when contracts for the internet finish! But as annoying as these small expiration dates are, they fade to nothing compared to the larger events: when a species goes extinct; when a body of water evaporates, or dies because the PH balance alters; when giant icebergs break apart and glaciers melt forever, threatening the ecosystem of this planet.-Kilpatrick reminds us -From the micro to the macro in terms of expirations, we are faced with the one termination with which we are all too familiar -- the up-close-and-personal end of life for each of us and for the ones we love. It's the personal that terrifies us most because it feels the most real.-Expiration Date features 25 original pieces of short fiction by some of the world's top Dark Fiction writers. Arranged in three sections, the table of contents include: Negotiating OblivionSorry Seems to be the Hardest Word -- Kelley ArmstrongBanshee -- Daniel Sernine (translation by Sheryl Curtis)Riding Shotgun -- Elaine PascaleThe Twenty Seven Club -- J. M. FreyTrinity Death -- Steve VernonWhat I Said to Richie was? -- Ken GoldmanTo Dance, Perchance to Die -- David McDonaldDeath Doll -- Lois H. GreshResisting ExtinctionThe Long Wait -- R. B. PayneThat Brightness -- Mary E. ChooNight Market -- Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie TemSooner -- Morgan DambergsThe Great Inevitable -- Patricia FlewwellingIn a Moment -- Christine SteendamDeath Drives a Cordoba -- Ryan McFaddenPrison Break -- Tobin ElliottThis Strange Way of Dying -- Silvia Moreno-GarciaThe Deaths of Jeremiah Colverson -- George Wilhite Best Before/Best AfterThe Shadow of Death -- Paul KaneAn Inspector Calls -- Rebecca BradleyWhat Would Lizzie Do? -- Sephera GironAshes to Ashes -- Amy GrechThe Greyness -- Kathryn Ptacekthings in jars -- Judith & Garfield Reeves-StevensRight of Survivorship -- Nancy Holder and Erin UnderwoodThe stories span a range of emotions. Some will make you laugh, other will make you cry. They are grim and hopeful, sad and joyous, horrifying and comforting. Each has its own personality and will touch you in its own way.-Every one of us comes with an alpha and an omega stamp, an inception and an expiration date.- says Kilpatrick, -Knowing this is what allows us to focus on what is truly important: paying attention to our best-before date and treating ourselves, each other and life in general with kindness, understanding, respect, and experiencing the awe of the miracle that we are, at this very moment, alive!-Available as an E-Book ISBN: 978-1-77053-063-8$5.99 US/CDN - Available now