Speculative Fiction and Poetry
Manticore: Man-Eating Hybrid Beast of Legend and Art by Richard H. Fay
Manticore: Man-Eating Hybrid Beast of Legend and Art Richard H. Fay A legendary monster that bore many names (Manticore, Manticora, Mantichora, Manticory, Manticoras, Martikhora, Mantiserra, Memecoleous, Mancomorion, and the Satyral), the fearsome Manticore featured in the lore, bestiaries, and creative works of various lands… 
Merfolk: Sea People of Folklore and Legend by Richard H. Fay
Merfolk: Sea People of Folklore and Legend Richard H. Fay Featured in the lore of many human cultures, merfolk were said to be people of the sea, although some resided in freshwater. In their most usual form, these beings appeared humanoid from the waist…
A Variety of Draconic Creatures by Richard H. Fay
A Variety of Draconic Creatures Richard H. Fay Most folks, when you say the word “dragon”, envision a four-legged, winged, fire-breathing, reptilian monster. In actuality, although many dragons of both modern popular culture and traditional lore fit snugly into this description, draconic creatures of…
Selected Scifaiku by Richard H. Fay
wander the ether drift past strange and frightful beasts bodiless journey ray gun destruction end of civilization alien conquest clash of tempered steel armoured gladiators meet robotic war games gothic armour mainspring powers pulleys clockwork knight green chitinous domes buzzing atop purple trees insectoid…
The Good and the Bad of Critiques by Richard H. Fay
The Good and the Bad of Critiques by Richard H. Fay While critiques and literary criticisms often contain useful advice for the aspiring author and poet, there is a dark side to this sector of the literary realm. What I hate most about the…
The Darker Side of Fairy Lore By Richard H. Fay
The Darker Side of Fairy Lore By Richard H. Fay Many people today think of fairies as rainbow-winged pixies prancing about in a sylvan wonderland. However, traditional tales about the denizens of the fairy realm spoke of beings and practices that were far from…
The Alp and the Schrattl by Richard H. Fay
The Alp and the Schrattl By Richard H. Fay According to traditional Germanic lore, strange creatures haunted the craggy peaks and shadowed vales of the European Alps. Some of these beings delighted in troubling humankind, using supernatural powers to harass and even prey upon…
Some Arms and Armour Terms and Facts by Richard H. Fay
Some Arms and Armour Terms and Facts by Richard H. Fay Even in this supposed Age of Information, some people still seem a bit misinformed when it comes to proper terminology used for and certain actual facts about historic arms and armour. This may…
Some Arms and Armour Terms and Facts by Richard H. Fay Even in this supposed Age of Information, some people still seem a bit misinformed when it comes to proper terminology used for and certain actual facts about historic arms and armour. This may…
Robert the Bruce by Richard H. Fay
Robert the Bruce by Richard H. Fay Alexander III’s fatal fall down a seaside cliff during a stormy night in 1286 plunged the kingdom of Scotland into a cascade of events that eventually led to a series of wars with England. After the untimely…
Edward IV by Richard H. Fay
Edward IV by Richard H. Fay The fifteenth century English civil war that became known as the “Wars of the Roses” arose out of tension between the rival houses of Lancaster and York. Both dynasties could trace their ancestry back to Edward III. Both…
Speculative Poetry: Past, Present, and Future by Richard H. Fay
Speculative Poetry: Past, Present, and Future Richard H. Fay Occasionally shoved into a dark, stuffy corner of the literary attic by its critics, speculative poetry actually possesses a heritage and current potential at least as rich and exciting as that claimed by its mainstream…
The Trouble with Unsolicited Messages By Richard H. Fay
The Trouble with Unsolicited Messages Richard H. Fay “We have a genuine extraterrestrial signal,” a SETI technician announced excitedly as he adjusted the knob on the receiver. Every scientist in the crowded dark room gathered closer as a series of strange cosmic messages came…
Father Ryan’s Fright by Richard H. Fay
Father Ryan’s Fright Richard H. Fay Originally published in Anotherealm, November 2013 One Sunday morn many years ago, in a small church well outside of Dublin town, Father Ryan stood in the pulpit and railed against belief in the Little People. The priest scolded…
Woodwose by Richard H. Fay
Woodwose Richard H. Fay Saplings quiver then bow, bent by a hirsute brute possessed of gleaming eyes far too human. Originally published in Aphelion, December/January Issue, December 2011
Wondrous Gobbledygook by Richard H. Fay
Wondrous Gobbledygook Richard H. Fay On a wonderful Nagoogoo morn, While the bumox skip across the fwa, I strum the strings of my zidipip And slowly sip a gurgle burgle Beside the pink waters of Baffbee. On the puboo of a keckleschmeck, I spy…
Tipsy Rambler by Richard H. Fay
Tipsy Rambler Richard H. Fay Tipsy rambler roams Darkened moorland. Tricksy goblins shift Moonlit landmarks. Befuddled soul trips D o w n Rocky brae. Invisible imps Laugh. Originally published in Aphelion, Issue 182, Volume 18, March 2014
The Brownie by Richard H. Fay
The Brownie Richard H. Fay Sweep, sweep, sweep, Clean the farmhouse floor in secret While tired mortal family sleeps. Wipe the table, dust the cupboard, Keep this farmer’s home looking neat. Churn, churn, churn, Perform certain household magic By making butter out of cream….
Silicon Searchers by Richard H. Fay
Silicon Searchers Richard H. Fay Crystals pulsing with life pulverize rocky worlds, probing planetary scraps for lost kin. Originally published in Tales of the Talisman, Volume 8, Issue 1, August 2012
Pixies in the Porridge by Richard H. Fay
Pixies in the Porridge Richard H. Fay cold winter morn hearth flames crackle breakfast simmers impish twitters soft tug draws attention fire left untended vaporous sprites reel across steaming pot porridge burned
Last Thoughts of a Cosmic Fighter Pilot by Richard H. Fay
Last Thoughts of a Cosmic Fighter Pilot Richard H. Fay Shields and thrusters spent; Photon cannon dead. Adrift on the line As saucers break through. Warning sirens blare While fried circuits blow. Smoke blurs reddened sight As I think of you. Recall soft green…
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Book Plates available through Richard H. Fay’s Azure Lion Productions Zazzle Store
Anieth features online fantasy graphic novels for YA and up. A.R. Stone has also created cards and prints highlighting European mythology. This site is a must for lovers of ancient Europe, Wiccan, Celtic and Viking lore.
Metastable Systems – speculative poetry from David Kopaska-Merkel. Available in all standard E-book formats
