Paperbacks Now Available

Want to read my books, but don't like electronics? Most of my books are now available in paperback. So far it's just on Amazon, but I should have them up on more retailers soon.

Xine Fury on Amazon

Links

Where to buy my books:

Books2Read Author Page

Amazon Author Page

Bloodhunters is a series of sci-fi stories about a team of space bounty hunters. It includes several LGBTQ+ characters, and is written as a collection of novellas and short stories.

Volume 1: Bad Blood - Amazon Other Booksellers

Volume 2: Blue Blood - Amazon Other Booksellers

Volume 3: New Blood - Amazon Other Booksellers

Blood Samples (Free Prequel) - Amazon Other Booksellers

Geek Cutes is a collection of short romance stories featuring lesbians (both cisgender and transgender).

Amazon Other Booksellers

Rainbow Nightmares is a collection of short sci-fi & horror stories featuring LGBTQ+ characters.

Amazon Other Booksellers

In the works:

Gender Rolls - A collection of (mostly sci-fi) stories featuring transgender characters.

Itropa - A Bloodhunters spinoff about a fantasy world in a sci-fi universe.

Other links:

Bloodhunters FAQ
LinkTree
Wattpad
Bloodhunters RPG
Various Freebies
DeviantArt
Twitter
BlueSky
Facebook
Goodreads
My Tumblr
Discord
Storygraph

books2read.com/ap/8N19Lr/Xine-Fury

Title Reveal: Gender Rolls

My third collection of short stories will be titled "Gender Rolls," and it should be out in about six months. Expect somewhere between eight and twelve short stories that relate to gender in some way.

Bloodhunters FAQ

If you have any questions which you think should be on this FAQ, please leave a comment or use the contact form. I will either add your question to this FAQ or address it in a future blog.

What are these books about?
Five hundred years in the future, a space station is destroyed, killing thousands of police officers. A huge reward is offered for the capture of the terrorist responsible, and bounty hunters come out of the woodwork to claim the prize. The series focuses on a specific group of bounty hunters who come together and form a team. Over the course of the series, they take other bounty hunting jobs, but all the while they continue to search for the fugitive who destroyed the station.


Who are the main characters?
Bloodstone: Highly-skilled and very mysterious, Bloodstone is the galaxy’s most notorious bounty hunter.
Whisper: A master of stealth and martial arts, with the ability to manipulate shadow and sound.
Raven: A scientist/doctor. Having lost her limbs, she uses a cybernetic body to move around.
Trenyn: From a telepathic species with only one sex, they can only speak telepathically, and have mild telekinetic abilities.
Dervish: A shapeshifter, bred to be a slave. Now she struggles to assert her own identity.
Vik: A police officer on a mission of personal revenge. He has experimental implants that give him gravity powers.
Yna: A former pirate who can turn into an energy form. She is often accompanied by a giant cat named Panther.


When and where do the books take place?
The first book starts at the end of the year 2499. The story starts near Earth, but the characters visit planets all over the galaxy.


Is it a novel or a collection of short stories?
A little of both. Volume 1 (Bad Blood) is a novella, followed by a collection of short stories. Volume 2 (Blue Blood) is similar, but it starts with a collection of short stories, then ends by resolving the overarching plot started in Volume 1. Volume 3 (New Blood) features a new team, but several of the original characters do play a large role in the story.

Why did you collect the stories in this format?
I debated on releasing them in smaller or larger collections, but I finally decided “novel size” was a good way to go. There have been some complaints that I didn’t wrap up the initial plot in the first novella, but I see it as being more like a TV series. The first half of Volume 1 is the two-hour season premiere, and the short stories are episodes. The episodes have their own plots, independent of the overarching plot of the series. The end of Volume 2 is like the double-length season finale of the series.


How many books are in the series?
As of this writing, four. They are:
Blood Samples

Bloodhunters v1: Bad Blood
Bloodhunters v2: Blue Blood
Bloodhunters v3: New Blood
I’m currently writing a book called Itropa, which is set in the same universe but doesn’t have much to do with the rest of the series.


What does the V stand for?

Volume. Most of the books are half novel, half collections of short stories. While many of the short stories do further the overall plot, I still like to think of them as collections rather than full novels.

Are the books LGBT+ friendly?
Yes, at least I hope so. The series features two prominent transgender characters, and some of the other characters are gay, bi, ace, or questioning.


Are the books child-friendly?
That’s for you to decide. The stories contain violence and death, and a small amount of strong language. There is frank talk of transgender issues, including some depictions of transphobia. The books contain some sexual situations, but they aren’t very explicit, in my opinion. Personally I don’t think they’re any more offensive than some of the books I read for high school, but you may feel differently.


Is it hard or soft sci-fi?
I consider it pretty soft, bordering on cheesy. I’d put it on the level of Star Wars but without the mysticism. But it does have some hard sci-fi elements. For example, rather than ships having FTL drives, they use warp gates to get from one solar system to another. Planet-to-planet trips within a solar system take hours rather than minutes.


What’s the deal with the “ED” numbers at the beginning of each chapter?
ED stands for EarthDate, and the format is ED.YYYYY.MM.DD. Therefore, ED.02499.12.31 means that chapter takes place on December 24, 2499 (UTC). It’s hard to keep a proper timeline when so many of the stories take place on different planets, each of which presumably has their own calendar. However, EarthDate is recognized across the galaxy as a secondary way of tracking time.


What are comm units?
Basically smartphones. Note that I started writing these stories in the late 90s, almost a decade before the first iPhone. At the time, I pictured comms as small walkie-talkie devices, with a bunch of built-in special features, like Star Trek tricorders. But once smartphones became ubiquitous, I gradually started thinking of comm units as smartphones. So why don’t the people in my books just call them smartphones? It just didn’t sound sci-fi enough.


What are AON weapons?
AON weapons are knives or other edged weapons with superheated blades. While the blade is activated, it can cut through materials that would normally be impossible. The blades come in a variety of colors.


What is Levatech?
Levatech is the technology that allows for artificial gravity and hovercars. It can be used to pull or repel other objects.


Will there be a Bloodhunters Volume 4?
As I write this, I’m currently working on a book called “Itropa.” It’s set in the same universe as Bloodhunters, but it isn’t necessary to read the Bloodhunters books to understand it. I haven’t decided what my next project will be after that.


Do I read Bloodhunters Volume 1 first, or Blood Samples?
Do you prefer reading things in release order, or chronological order? Blood Samples is a prequel, with six short stories, all taking place in the months leading up to Bloodhunters v1: Bad Blood. Blood Samples gives a little bit of extra background to some of the characters, but it isn’t required reading to understand the story.


Are these books just a bunch of woke, SJW, politically-correct nonsense?
If you’re the kind of person who uses “woke” as an insult, then you probably won’t like these books.


Do you have a (Facebook/Twitter/Etc) page?
You can see my list of links here, or you can check out my Linktree page.


Can I read a sample of your writing style before I spend money on your books?
Yes, several ways. I’ve posted a few of the chapters on this blog, which you can see by clicking the “Excerpts” tag. The first two chapters of Volume 1 are here. You can also read the preview on its Amazon page. Or you might check out Blood Samples, a free collection of six prequel stories.

Who does your book covers?
The covers for Volumes 1-3 were done by Cyanimations. He is usually open for commissions, if you need some art done. You can view his DeviantArt page here.


How do I become a self-published author?
I’m not the best one to ask. My suggestion would be to join the “Self Published Authors” subreddit and read their wiki. You also might check out Draft2Digital.


What word processor do you use?
I use Scrivener, and I love it. It has a bunch of really powerful features, though it can be confusing at times.


Will you read my book and tell me if it’s any good?
Probably not. I just don’t have a lot of free time. However, whenever one of my books nears completion, I do seek out beta readers. I might be convinced to do a read-for-read trade.


I found a typo in one of your books. Should I pass it along?
Please do!


I found a plot hole in one of your books. Should I pass it along?
Bite me!


What’s the deal with your pseudonym?
As a child, I really liked the name Christine. When I realized I was trans, I started using the screen name “1958 Fury” on online forums, a reference to the Stephen King novel, Christine. Later I realized I was an atheist, and suddenly having "Christ" in my name wasn’t as appealing. So I replaced those letters with X, making my name “Xine” (pronounced Zeen).

Have you written any other books?

Yes. Geek Cutes and Rainbow Nightmares are collections of short stories with LGBTQIA+ protagonists. I'm currently working on a third collection called Gender Rolls. And of course I'm still working on Itropa, a spin-off of Bloodhunters.

Where can I buy your books?
I have an all-in-one link here:
https://books2read.com/ap/8N19Lr/Xine-Fury

Or scan this QR code:

Q&A: Rainbow Nightmares

What is Rainbow Nightmares?

Rainbow Nightmares is a collection of 13 short stories, featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists. The stories span genres such as horror, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, and superhero.

What stories does this collection contain?

(Key: TW=Trans Woman, G=Gay Man, NB=Non-Binary, P=Polyamorous, L=Lesbian)

Escapism (P, G): Four college students get trapped in an escape room.

Survivors (L): After a mysterious apocalypse, a woman searches for other survivors.

Third Shift (NB): An employee encounters strange beings in their office after work.

Forever Home (G): A kitten faces off against an evil specter.

Dixieland (L): A swarm of tiny creatures devastate the Earth.

Telethon (G): A supervillain requests donations to decide a hero’s fate.

Social Cues (TW): A socially-awkward college student is abducted by aliens.

Ray’s Personal Blog (G): A horror enthusiast is puzzled by a box of old comic books.

Traveler (NB): A body-swapping dimension-hopper must get through the day without arousing suspicion.

Justice (L): A superhero catches a villain in the middle of a crime… and they discuss politics.

Mutiny (NB/TW): A prison break occurs on a spaceship.

The Preservers (L): The last survivors of Earth are wary of their saviors.

Salvage (L): A salvage team must explore a derelict science vessel.

Are there any content warnings I should be aware of before reading the book?

Some of the stories contain violence, gore, and sexual assault.

What inspired you to write this collection?

When I was working on Geek Cutes, I kept getting ideas for stories that didn’t quite fit the romance theme of that collection.

What is your favorite story in Rainbow Nightmares?

Forever Home, because I’m a big cat lover.

What is your least favorite story in Rainbow Nightmares?

Mutiny. No real reason. It’s a solid story, it just doesn’t stand up against the others in this volume.

What’s your favorite line from the book?

“Why are you making glow-in-the-dark ferrets?” (Salvage)

What challenges did you face when writing the book?

I always have trouble writing characters who use they/them pronouns. It sends my spellchecker haywire, and I always mess up at least once. That said, some of my favorite characters I’ve written have been nb, so I have no regrets.

Who designed your cover?

I designed and photographed it myself. My wife is a resin crafter, and she made the dice.

Is this a standalone collection, or part of a series?

I consider this a spiritual successor to Geek Cutes, but most of the stories exist in their own universes. One story in Rainbow Nightmares is a sequel to a story from Geek Cutes. Still, you don’t need to read the one to understand the other.

Where can I buy this book?

It’s available on Amazon and several other e-retailers.

I have more questions.

Great! Check out my FAQ and see if I answer it there. If not, feel free to contact me on social media.

Now Available: Rainbow Nightmares

My latest book is now available on the Kindle Store. Only 99 cents!

Rainbow Nightmares is a collection of 13 short stories featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists. The stories span genres such as horror, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, and superhero.

Short stories included in the anthology:
Escapism – Four people get trapped in a never-ending escape room.
Survivors – After a mysterious apocalypse, a woman searches for other survivors.
Third Shift – An office worker discovers that their workplace is still occupied after hours.
Forever Home – A kitten must defend her new home from a fearsome spirit.
Dixieland – Tiny flying creatures swarm across the globe, leaving few alive.
Telethon – A supervillain tortures his arch enemy on live TV.
Social Cues – A woman’s inability to relate to others may be the key to saving the world.
Ray’s Personal Blog – Odd things begin happening after a man starts rereading his childhood comic books.
Traveler – A dimension-hopping, body-swapping traveler has to stay inconspicuous in their new surroundings.
Justice – A superhero and a villain face off in a museum.
Mutiny – After a breakout aboard a prison ship, a former prisoner attempts to keep control of the vessel.
The Preservers – As the Earth burns in fire, a race of aliens rescue a portion of the human population.
Salvage – A cleanup crew must explore an abandoned spacecraft. But is it as empty as it seems?

Q&A: Geek Cutes

What is Geek Cutes?

Geek Cutes is a collection of 8 short love stories. Most of the protagonists are lesbians, some of whom are cisgender, while others are transgender. The stories span a variety of genres, including sci-fi, horror, superhero, and fantasy. The stories aren’t very deep, and mostly cover the early stages of the relationship. Therefore, they’re “Meet Cutes,” but for geeks, hence “Geek Cutes.” While the stories do contain some sexual situations, they are not explicit.

What stories does this collection contain?

(Key: TW=Trans Woman, CW=Cis Woman, TM=Trans Man)

Dungeon Therapy (CW/CW): A couple meets while playing an online RPG.

Gilded Cage (CW/TW): A teenage girl is locked in her room by bigoted parents.

Mother’s Day (CW/CW): A cop and an occultist must solve a murder together.

Fairy Dust (CW/TM): A fey kingdom is attacked by dragons.

Hero Worship (CW/CW): A woman falls in love with a superhero.

Think Tank (CW/TW): A deity gives the world an ultimatum.

Strangers in the Void (CW/CW): Two women meet during a power outage in a space station.

Vigilante (TW/TW): A masked woman fights crime in the streets.

 

Are there any content warnings I should be aware of before reading the book?

The story “Mother’s Day” contains a scene of horror that might be scary for some. “Hero Worship” has a scene involving a mass shooting. Some religious people might find “Think Tank” to be blasphemous. “Vigilante” contains a bit of violence, as well as mentions of suicide.

What inspired you to write this collection?

When I wrote the Bloodhunters series, I went to great lengths to use up any and all old notes I had, finishing incomplete stories and expanding on old ideas. However, some of those ideas just didn’t fit in the Bloodhunters universe. Some only worked in modern day, or involved magic and other supernatural concepts. I didn’t know where else to put these short stories, so I decided to release them in their own collection. Of course, while polishing off those stories, I kept coming up with ideas for new ones, so I had to write those as well.

What is your favorite story from Geek Cutes?

Probably Fairy Dust. I loved putting the mythology together. I wouldn’t mind writing more stories in this universe.

What is your least favorite story from Geek Cutes?

Vigilante. I don’t think it’s a bad story, but next to the other stories in this volume, it feels a little dull. As I explain in the author’s notes, it was originally going to go in a more “comic bookish” direction, but I decided to give it a more down-to-earth ending instead. Did I make the right call? You read it and let me know.

What’s your favorite line in the book?

“That implies the existence of a sour Jesus.” (Think Tank)

What challenges did you face when writing the book?

“Fairy Dust,” “Think Tank,” and “Vigilante” expanded on short stories I’d written years before, and it’s always difficult to recapture a story’s vibe after such a long break. Sometimes it’s pretty obvious where the break occurs, as the rest of the story almost feels like it was written by a different author. A challenge to you: When you read these three stories, see if you can guess where the break was.

Who designed your cover?

I designed and photographed it myself. My wife is a resin crafter, and she made the dice.

 

Is this a standalone collection, or part of a series?

It’s a bug hunt. Oh, sorry, I misread the question. This is a standalone collection. You do not need to read anything else first. One of the stories takes place in the same universe as Bloodhunters, but it doesn’t connect to those stories in any way. One of the stories has a sequel in Rainbow Nightmares, so if you’re going to read both, read Geek Cutes first.

Where can I buy this book?

It’s available on Amazon and several other e-retailers.

I have more questions.

Great! Check out my FAQ and see if I answer it there. If not, feel free to contact me on social media.