ISBN 978-1-923333-36-9
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923386-21-1
HARDCOVER
Consequences
A Collection of Short Stories
Actions have consequences.
A cast of flawed humans (and non-humans) inhabit these twelve short stories. These characters make decisions and take actions which have profound consequences for themselves and others. They are driven by strong emotions and desires -for revenge, reward, redemption, reconnection, rehabilitation, and more.
The stories are drawn from different genres (dystopian future, crime, mystery, humour, fantasy and psychological drama) but all reflect the central theme of ‘consequences.’
Actions and their consequences can set up a happy ending. (In one story, an AI assistant makes himself indispensable to a human family. In another, an executive with PTSD confronts his past).
But some stories end with a sting in the tail. (In one story, a frustrated doctor risks a patient’s life to take revenge on an old enemy. In another, an academic decides that murder is the only way to safeguard her career).
The Gift was shortlisted in 2020 Hammond House (UK) competition and published in their SURVIVAL Anthology. Antarctic Days was shortlisted for 28th Scarlet Stiletto Awards (Aus) in 2021 and The Journalist was short listed in Stringybark Stories (Aus) urban-themed competition in 2023.
About the Author
Maggie is a former marketing and advertising research consultant. A career spent listening to public opinions and attitudes stoked her interest in dialogue and her passion for stories. She revels in the transition from writing research reports to writing fiction.
This is the first collection of her short stories to be published. Some of these, although fictional, were inspired by real life events. Three stories have been short-listed in international or Australian competitions.
She was educated at the University of Sydney (BA) and Macquarie University (MA in Mass Communication). She was born in Sydney and calls it home but has also lived and worked in London and Singapore.