Tom Howard

13 original short stories and poems from talented authors of horror from around the world. Published quarterly. Devolution Z Magazine accepts supernatural horror short story and poetry submissions. We also accept articles based on local and urban legends, myths, terrifying encounters, and all things supernatural and frightening. In this issue: POETRY Dead Bread-Ramona Thompson Nadia-Ashley Dioses SHORT STORIES The Breed: Last Watch-Daniel Soule With the Taste of Paris on My Tongue-Tom Howard Justice-Vonnie Winslow Crist Eyes Like a Butterfly-Jason Lairamore Sons of the Spider-Toni Johnson Rolling Zombie Bones-Guy Stewart & Ryan VanAlstine In Tall Grass-Jeremy Mac Deliver Me-E. M. Sole You Can Never Go Home Again-Lena Ng Incident Zero-Ryan Neil Falcone Homo Aquaticus-Chance Barton INTERNAL ARTWORK Stuart McMillan Terry Sheppard

Wyatt must lay everything on the line as he attempts to save not only Jess and Natalie but also prevent a war between angels and demons. The only way is to find the Key of Light, a small amulet once believed to be a myth by The Guardian Order, now a necessity to keep innocents safe. In Maddock s hands, the key will allow him to open a gateway straight into the heart of Heaven and unleash the full power of Hell s might. The struggle, however, comes when Wyatt is told his daughter is the sacrificial lamb to be slain by none other than her mother, to bring forth Maddock s own son so he may lead his father s army against Heaven. Enraged, Wyatt leads the charge to find his family, but is warned not to give in to the power within or he will no longer be allowed to remain on earth to live the life of peace for which he so desperately longs, and will have no other choice but to return to Heaven a full-fledged angel. However, to defeat Maddock, he may have to pay with the cost of his mortal soul.

Some legends are born, others are forged in the crucible of fire. For Detective Wyatt Cage, fighting a demonic crime lord was just the beginning. Plunged deep inside of a world he barely believed existed, he is swept into a fight against possibly the greatest general ever to be born of Hell's army to rescue countless children from a fate worse than death. Failure in this attempt will unleash Hell's might upon the world in a war unlike any other. Along his dark road Wyatt will discover two things - his true lineage, and something he never knew he was missing - his son. However, his fight in the realm where nightmare and reality are one may just cost Wyatt his life as he knows it.

How far would you go to save a stranger? Former hitman, Wyatt Cage, turned detective stumbles upon a mysterious woman whose only memory is her name. Their lives are quickly thrust together and soon find Wyatt's shady past threatens the woman's life in an unimaginable way. Through torment and mystery Wyatt must uncover the truth in a race against time before they're consumed by the spiritual forces pursuing them. If that wasn't bad enough, Wyatt's former boss, Damon Carver, a powerful crime lord, wants the woman as well. He would commit any atrocity to get her, as she holds power greater than anything he's ever seen. To solve the mystery and save the woman Wyatt may have to call upon a part of himself he tried to bury so long ago. Will unsealing the reality of the woman's identity come at too high of a cost for Wyatt? It appears in the battle between good and evil, the latter may have the upper hand.

In these eight darkly comic stories, Tom Howard explores the instincts for violence and tenderness that mark his character's lives. A brother and sister wander the pier after a deadly plague destroys most of humanity. A high school bully struggles to overcome his demons. A man in the grips of dementia is visited by his children's ghosts. The people in these blistering tales grapple with past mistakes, trying to navigate their way toward redemption and resurrection and failing often—but always with a ferocious heart. Their unforgettable voices guide us through schoolyards, cemeteries, drive-in theaters, and the rich landscapes of their own imaginations. Equal parts funny, tragic, and wise, Fierce Pretty Things is a striking debut that teaches us how to live in a world as cruel as it is beautiful.

Cross over into a world where the mischievous gods, goddesses, monsters, and heroes of Celtic mythology live among us, intermingling with unsuspecting mortals and stirring up mayhem in cities and towns on both sides of the Atlantic, from Limerick and Edinburgh to Montreal and Boston. A collection of seventeen short stories, Neon Druid mixes urban fantasy and Celtic mythology, creating a universe where lecherous leprechauns and debaucherous druids inhabit the local pubs, and where shapeshifting water spirits from Scotland and sword-wielding warriors from Ireland lurk in the alleyways. The stories inside this anthology are independent narratives set within the urban centers and environs of this shared Celtic Otherworld. Some are tales of supernatural horror. Others are street-level fantasy adventures. And still others are farcical, whiskey-drenched fairy tales. Fans of Neil Gaiman (American Gods) and Maria Dahvana Headley (The Mere Wife), who enjoy seeing ancient stories and characters reimagined for modern times, will feel right at home within the pages of Neon Druid. But rest assured, even if you're unfamiliar with the (incredible) authors mentioned above, there's still a good chance that you-or a friend, or coworker, or loved one, or mortal enemy-will be a good fit for Neon Druid. Who Is NEON DRUID For?- Short story-lovers who are in the mood for an anthology that is (roughly) equal parts whimsical, supernatural, darkly humorous, and horrifying-but, ya know, in a good way.- Folks who are interested in and/or have a passion for all things related to Celtic mythology (including Irish mythology, Scottish mythology, Welsh mythology, Cornish mythology, Manx mythology, & Breton mythology).- Readers who are already fans of urban fantasy / urban mythic fantasy and are curious to see what Celtic mythology can bring to the genre. (Hint: Irish werewolves. And whiskey. And, for some reason, lots of axes. You'll see.)What Kinds of Mythological Beings Will I Meet in NEON DRUID? Inside Neon Druid, you will encounter an entire pantheon of monsters, spirits, & deities that have been pulled from the illuminated pages of Celtic mythology. These include, but are not limited to: - Ankou: a personification of death in Breton mythology- Banshee: a female spirit who warns of approaching death by shrieking or wailing- Buggane: a shapeshifting ogre/troll native to the Isle of Man- Cernunnos: horned god of the Celts, associated with fertility, life, animals, wealth, & the underworld- Kelpie: a shapeshifting Scottish water spirit that often takes the form of a horse- Morrigan: Irish goddess of war, fate, & death who often takes the form of a crow; sometimes described as a trio of sisters- Ogma: Irish god of eloquence, literature, & language; credited with the invention of Ogham script- Selkie: a Scottish water spirit that can transform from seal to human by shedding its skinPrepare to Enter the Celtic OtherworldYour fate is now entirely in your own hands. So, do you turn and run? Or do you cross the threshold and find out what awaits you on the other side?

Weirdos, freaks, and misfits welcome There are things that define us. Things that separate us from the whole. Everyone's a stranger in some way or another. Whatever the circumstances, strangers are compelling protagonists. For CASFWG's third anthology, we present fifteen stories of strangers. From distant planets to rural locals, enjoy the unfamiliar.

A chance encounter leads to lasting love. Jim Cage met the love of his life, Veronica, while in high school. Though after hitting it off right away, and falling madly in love, they were soon parted when a tragedy struck Jim's family. The two lovers never knew if they would see one another again, however, the raging fire of their love, never ceased. Becoming a firefighter, Jim had never given up on his dream of returning to his home town, to rekindle the romance with the one to whom his heart belonged. However, upon arriving back home, many years later, Jim found things were not the way he had once known. Reuniting with his best friend, State Police Detective Frank Cross, Jim enlists his aide to find Veronica, and soon discovers a dark shroud of secrets surrounding the life he once knew...one of which hit closer to home than he ever thought possible.

One Summer is a book for all ages. It takes the reader on a journey as seen through the eyes of a nineteen year old girl in the prime of her young life. It has something for everyone...action, suspense, but above all else - the experience and feeling of a first true love. During the summer just after she turned nineteen, Hailey, found out she was moving across the country with her family. When it came to her parents, she was a rebellious young girl, and moving from L. A. to Cedar Point, NC didn't help that fact. Not knowing what to expect, Hailey soon met a twenty-one year old man named Jack, who for reasons unknown to Hailey, took a liking to her. Having to break through a barrier of protection, Jack works his way into Hailey's life, opening her heart to the greatest love - and pain - she has ever known. Eventually, Hailey learns Jack is hiding a secret...and it could mean life or death.

While original poems in various forms by prize-winning author, Tom Howard, are the main feature of this collection, the book also spotlights twenty-one of the poet's famous English translations of poetry produced in Spain and Latin America by such distinguished writers as Leopoldo Lugones, Rosalia Castro, Antonio Machado, Ruben Dario, Alfonsina Storni, Miguel de Unamuno, Amado Nervo, Juan Ramon Jimenez, Leonardo de Argensola, Salvador Diaz Miron, Lope de Vega Carpio, Jose Maria Eguren, Ramon Lopez Velarde, Manuel Jose Othon, the Marques de Santillana, Gustavo Alfonso Becquer, Alfonso Alvarez de Villasandino and Julio Herrera y Reissig.