Second Star From The Right (and other Small Bite Stories)

The anthology of the 2024 Small Bites Short Story Contest Winners

Dive into a literary feast where the finest storytellers converge. The 2024 Small Bites Short Story Winners have woven their magic where each story unfolds in a unique blend of suspense and revelation, and the mundane meets the extraordinary. Where each turn of the page takes you deeper into the lives of characters who exist on the fringes of society, in the shadows of the ordinary, and at the crossroads of life-changing decisions. This collection of gripping narratives invites you to explore the human condition through a series of stories that range from the dark and brooding atmosphere of a seedy bar to the hopeful journey of medical students on the cusp of their careers. Each story is a thread in the larger narrative fabric, woven together to create a compelling portrait of humanity in all its flawed beauty. Prepare to be moved, challenged, and ultimately changed by the powerful storytelling within these pages.

These stories are more than mere bites—they’re literary morsels that leave an indelible mark. Prepare to be transported, thrilled, and utterly captivated by this anthology of award-winning brilliance. Rich with references to literature, history, and the complexities of human psychology, this anthology offers a multi-layered reading experience that will leave you pondering long after the last page is turned.

Contents

1. Second Star to the Right (Grand Prize Winner – Urban Fantasy) by D. Krauss.
2. The Manikin (Second Place Winner – Science Fiction) by Donald Firesmith. Medical students being tested on a medical manikin discover it might be conscious.
3. he Restoration of Mary Robinson (Third Place Winner – Paranormal) by Lisa Reifsnider.
4. Little Black Book (Finalist – Narrative Fiction) by Michael Deeze.
5. The Convict Code (Finalist – Mystery) by David Hagerty.
6. What Waited Under the Stairs (Finalist – Paranormal) by T. E. MacArthur.
7. What Burns Inside the Sunrise (Finalist – Historical Fiction) by Michael J Cooper.
8. The Voice (Finalist – Paranormal) by J.W. Bell.

January 2024 BooksShelf Short Story Winner

2024 Indies United Small Bites Contest – 2nd Place

2024 Next Generation Short Story Award Finalist