Deep Sky Anchor

Some things seem too good to be true. A science-fiction story originally published in Queer Sci Fi's Innovation.

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Queer Sci Fi’s Innovation, August 2020 “What’s the catch?” I ask, watching her pet the silky soft fuzzball cupped in one palm.  It’s green like the inside of a kiwi fruit, and about the same size. “What do you mean?”  She lowers her head, touches her brow to … Continue reading "No Catch"

A badger-like alien wrestles with a larger universe than he'd imagined. A Deep Sky Anchor original story.

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in New Myths, December 2019 I am a cracked crystal vase holding a rainbow cloud.  The colors leak out through the cracks. The crystal is too rigid; it can’t contain them. The colors are too strong, too big. Too bold. And the crystal is precise. It desperately wants — … Continue reading "Crystal and Rainbow"

Musings on the power of an accurate metaphor. A science-fantasy story originally published in New Myths.

A sentient swarm finds a new home and way of life. A science-fiction story originally published in All Worlds Wayfarer.

World after world is built, but who will live in them? A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Daily Science Fiction, December 2016 It took a hundred years to design and build the first planet.  Multi-dimensional bulldozers and hyper-spatial cranes arranged the mountains, the icy spires, the cozy sea-green valleys in-between.  Everything was perfect; ready for a feathered avian species to take roost in the frozen … Continue reading "The Empty Empire"

Buying a spaceship is harder when it has a mind of its own. A science-fiction story originally published in Analog.

What happens when a screen saver comes to life...? A science-fantasy story originally published in Bards & Sages Quarterly.

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Analog Science Fiction and Fact, November/December 2020 Addie stepped onto the fanciest spaceship she’d ever seen and thrilled at the idea that she might soon own it.  The twinkling lights, the shining displays, the dashboards of brightly colored buttons — all hers!  She’d been saving credits for years … Continue reading "Courtship FTL"

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in All Worlds Wayfarer, March 2020 One of my scouts flies through the space station’s ductwork.  Another flies out among the aliens who are crowding through the dock and maneuvers above them, looking down, seeing where I am, what this space station is like.  Most of me clusters in … Continue reading "I Am Mazillion"

by Mary E. Lowd A Deep Sky Anchor Original, December 2020 The short, stout, furry alien stared out the starship’s curving bridge window at the star-studded black sky.  His black fur blended into the sky like a shadow, but the blaze of white over his forehead stood out like a brand.  His rounded ears splayed, … Continue reading "Treasure in the Sky"

A roboticist helps a butterfly-alien become her true self. A science-fiction story originally published in Empyreome.

A letter written as the world ends. A science-fiction story originally published in Theme of Absence.

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Theme of Absence, March 2017 Dear Patriarchal Genetic Progenitor, In spite of my requests that you leave me alone, I find notifications and messages from you, little traces of your electronic existence, in every aspect of the virtual world whenever I dare to tread in it.  Generally, I … Continue reading "On the Eve of the Apocalypse"

Never leave your 3D printer running unattended. A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

When a demon rides a unicorn, all hell breaks loose on an alien world. A science-fantasy story originally published in Fantasia Divinity Magazine.

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Daily Science Fiction, September 2014 Marla realized that she’d left the 3-D printer running.  She’d been up late synthesizing a chef-bot she’d found the pattern for online.  Sure, she could have just baked the damn cake for Leia’s tenth birthday party herself, but the chef-bot would do a … Continue reading "Pegacornus Rex"

What do you do when your friendly feline ghost goes missing? A fantasy story originally published in Fantasia Divinity Magazine.

Ariadella spins galaxies with her silk. A science-fiction story originally published by Furvana.

Moira struggles to complete her greatest work of art before the source of her own talent consumes her. A science-fiction story originally published in Abyss & Apex.

When a cat can control the minds of mice, she can make them sing for her. A fantasy story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

A little girl and her robo-nanny must find her missing robo-dog during the chaos of battle between the president of Earth and the queen of the moon. A science-fiction story originally published in Galactic Goddesses.

The magical and the mundane meet when a mythical creature becomes a daily responsibility. A fantasy story originally published in Theme of Absence.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a cat in sight of an empty box, must sit in it. A Deep Sky Anchor Original Story.

Fear the love of a mega-dimensional nebula beast. A science-fiction story originally published in Spaceports & Spidersilk.

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Daily Science Fiction, April 2020 Catacomb laid her paw across the tiny heaving belly of the almost drowned mouse.  The poor thing was frightened out of its mind; she could feel its fright through her paw, prickly and tingly.  Mouse emotions were so funny. “I saved you from … Continue reading "Catacomb’s Orchestra"

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Them of Absence, January 2020 Amalioona prances into the stables, her tufted hooves gleaming. They are the same sparkling shade of white as a hillside of snow in the sun. They are dainty, perfect unicorn hooves. How is it, then, that she always seems to clumsily knock over … Continue reading "The Unicorn Keeper"

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Abyss & Apex, October 2019 Moira felt a tickle in her throat. She pulled the handkerchief from her pocket and covered her mouth before coughing. It was a hacking cough that wracked her body, deep into her lungs.  She felt the slime of silk on her tongue and … Continue reading "The Spider In Her Lungs"

No one will take this cat's claws. A fantasy story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Daily Science Fiction, April 2020 Apricot dozed in her cat-carrier, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight pouring through the car window and down through the grated metal top of her carrier.  She had an old, rough towel to sleep on, and she was extremely comfortable.  The occasional bump … Continue reading "The Fire In Her Claws"

A metamorphosis. A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

by Mary E. Lowd Originally published in Daily Science Fiction, September 2018 Am-lei had been growing stiffer by the day. Her long, green, tubular body was usually lithe and flexible. She could twist her way through the grav-bubble obstacle courses on the Crossroads Space Station playground better than any Heffen children in her class. Their … Continue reading "Veins of Black, Dust of Gold"

An elephantine alien spends her recess playing board games alone, until a couple other students come back to the classroom early. A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Phyllis takes her sister on a camping trip full of memories. A fantasy story originally published in Fantasia Divinity.

Wendy's ready for a day of atmo-surfing with her friend Flooffle, but first, she's in for a big surprise. A science-fiction story originally published in Renewal: Queer Sci-Fi's Fourth Annual Flash Fiction Contest.

A patron at the All Alien Cafe tells a tall tale of the pitfalls in looking for true love by constructing it. A science-fiction story originally published in Luna Station Quarterly.

A simple doctor appointment goes terribly wrong. A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

A tired mother considers an impossible choice. A science-fiction story originally published in Theme of Absence.

Jeko is the only elephantine sentient in a classroom full of canine and robotic students. A science-fiction story originally published in Fantasia Divinity.

The squirrel-like Rikkita chases down the clues to the final phase of her heist. A science-fiction story originally published in Fantasia Divinity.

Jordan is a Labrador Retriever with a dream. A science-fiction story originally published in Allasso.

A reptilian alien with a hot temper keeps her cool around annoying humans. A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Today, the ice rings melt. A science-fiction story originally published in Theme of Absence.

Chirri's robot is malfunctioning. A science-fiction story originally published in Analog Science Fiction & Fact.

Lee-a-lei hosts an unusual party and rite of passage for her daughter. A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

A Collie pup can never comprehend the depth and mystery behind a Siamese cat's eyes. A furry story originally published in Dancing in the Moonlight.

If your spaceship is powered by a panda, you'd better keep the panda happy. A science-fiction story originally published in Neo-Opsis.

Arellnor dives into the heart of a gas giant, hoping the rumors are true. A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

A mouse-like alien gets lost in the clouds of New Jupiter. A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.