Julia H West: 11 books

Is the glimmer on the horizon a lake, shimmering under the hot desert sun – or a flying saucer visiting from a distant planet? Are those swirling clouds dust devils or djinn? In Mirages and Speculations seventeen authors of science fiction and fantasy take you on journeys to high mountain deserts,...

Exciting Space Opera and Hard Science Fiction Tales from Award-Winning and Up-and-Coming Writers A consultant discovers how to communicate effectively with ancient, alien beings who have an entirely different perspective on the universe. A human becomes a hero for his actions after he dies....

Young Adult Science Fiction Short Story. The underwater domes of Chai complex are breaking down, and Modlene and her family will have to leave if Mod can't fix the water purifier. But as she and her brother Simon search for the parts they need in an abandoned dome, someone tries to destroy it. Originally published in Oceans of the Mind, issue XI (Colonies), Spring 2004.

Fantasy novelette. Tiva was apprenticed to Yongosona, who painted soul walls for the village. But she was never allowed to paint--just gather materials and prepare them. Would she ever learn what she needed to know to become a painter? Originally published in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and...

Science fiction novelette. Winin is a wayfinder: he uses ancient Micronesian navigator's art to navigate starships through overspace in a virtual reality outrigger canoe. Winin is chosen for a rescue mission seeking a starliner adrift in overspace. When the virtual reality in his ship goes down, are...

Science fantasy novelette. Hallelujah Tuckett came to Midway to escape her home world's slums, only to discover that Midway was probably the most boring planet in the galaxy. Augmenting her salary as a forklift driver by moonlighting in a beauty salon, she's saving every penny so she can get off the...

Science fiction short story. Lasai's sole purpose in life was to bring peace to the ghosts of the alien Ebchians, who had died a thousand years before. He did not foresee what would happen when archaeologists began excavating the ancient Ebchian cities. Originally published in Oceans of the Mind, Issue XII, Summer 2004.

Science fiction short story. Life on the new colony world is good now, and Camille is surrounded by her loving family. So why isn't Camille happy this Christmas? Why do memories of death and deprivation haunt her?

Children's fiction. Larry and Tyler were best friends and did everything together, until Tyler's family moved away. Now a new lady lives in Tyler's old house, and the garden that Larry and Tyler planted together is dying. Doesn't Miss Black care what happens to the garden?

Fantasy short story. The villagers of Lexby have barely survived a magic-induced plague. Sarah lost her husband to the flesh rot that nearly killed her and her daughter. She's not about to let the Pantaj do more damage to the village. But what can a handful of women and children do against an invading army?

Women who came of age in the late twentieth century were raised in the era of choice; they grew up believing that reproductive decision-making is a political right, a responsibility of women living the successes of second wave feminism, and under their control. Contemplating Maternity in an Era of...