Okay, so you’ve read The Demon’s Lexicon trilogy and adored it (there is no other permissible response!) Now what? Sarah’s next book isn’t out yet. Are you going to go through withdrawal?!? Never fear! Sarah has written a number of short stories and essays (in anthologies and online) that will help the wait for more. If you’ve never read anything by Sarah my heart breaks for you. Also, you should check out these stories to get an idea of what you’ve been missing!
The first place you should look is the “Extras” section of Sarah’s website. There are links to about FIVE short stories that are set in The Demon’s Lexicon universe as well as links to two other free stories. You should also check out her blog where she often posts “cookies” from her upcoming books. Oh what a tease that Sarah is!
First lines of stories linked on Sarah’s Website:
Nick’s First Word: Light was caught and held for a gleaming moment, reflecting the whole room in a small bright oval. Then the drop of water slid down to the end of the mirror, and Nick started watching another drop.
Sorcerer and the Stone: He wondered about it for a long time, and asked his mother once.
The Arundel Tomb: She was trapped, and she was starting to think she was never going to get out.
Quiet in the House: It had been Emily’s idea for them to move in together. Left to herself, Karen would not have thought of it.
Nick and Jamie go to the Movies: Being terrorised by one demon was bad luck: it could’ve happened to anyone.
Queen of Atlantis: The poison tides came in one burnt evening in late summer, and everybody knew it was time for the princess to be sacrificed.
An Old-Fashioned Unicorn’s Guide to Courtship: Ethel wore an extremely large pince-nez kept attached by a chain wrapped round her horn. The first thing she ever said to Alicia was: “Tell me, my dear, have you ever let a prince try to fit his glass slipper on you?”
Once you’ve read what Sarah has to offer online (and began following her blog… trust me, it’s worth it!) you should move on the the stories and essays she has published in short story collections. I’m particulary fond of The Spy who Never Grew Up from the Kiss Me Deadly anthology!
First lines of stories in anthologies:
Women Who Love Vampires Who Eat Women (A Visitor’s Guide to Mystic Falls): Buffy Summers and Bella Swan. What do they have in common? I know, they have the same initials. Isn’t that weird?
Let’s Get This Undead Show on the Road (Enthralled): A vampire craze has taken the world by storm.
Undead is Very Hot Right Now (The Eternal Kiss): “So did you come all the way from Transylvania to join this totally awesome band, Chris?” “Er,” said Christian. “I’m from Birmingham.”
The Spy who Never Grew Up (Kiss Me Deadly): There is a magic shore where children used to beach their coracles every night.
The Young Stalker’s Handbook (Truth & Dare): “Just because he’s wearing skin-tight gold trousers doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a homosexual.”
Why so Hungry for the Hunger Games (The Girl who was on Fire): As you can tell from all the atrocious puns in the title, this essay will be studying the elements in the Hunger Games trilogy that inspire it’s tremendous popularity.
And that’s all I’ve got. There may be more but start there and you won’t be disappointed. I’ve never read anything she has written that I haven’t enjoyed. She is one of my “can’t go wrong” authors!
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