Fact and Myth

by Mary E. Lowd

Originally published in Tri-Galactic Trek, December 2019

“You’re relying on a blob of glowing space energy to be smarter than our ship’s computers?” the captain asked, aghast. Fact had no further answer than a simple, “Yes, Captain.”

Fact was not a fox, but it was easiest for the canine and feline crew of the starship Initiative to think of zir as one.  With snowy white silicon fur and yellow eyes flecked by actual gold flakes, zhe looked uncanny enough without worrying about whether zir creator had meant zir to be a cat or a dog.

Fact’s ears were too perfectly triangular to be a dog’s; zir muzzle was too long and narrow to be a cat’s.  Zhe was an android, and zhe didn’t mind being thought of as a fox. Continue reading “Fact and Myth”

Rapscallions

by Mary E. Lowd

Originally published in What the Fox?!, March 2018

“The chicken-alien was easily four times Lt. Vonn’s current size, and even if the puppy could knock away its blaster, those talons and beak looked fierce.”

Lieutenant Libby Unari, a black cat and science officer with a focus on botany, had a tray of biology samples in her lap — cuttings and sprouts, planted in soil samples — taken from a forest moon.  The moon itself hung like a green star in the rear window of the shuttle craft, receding into the distance as they flew away.

“That was a very peaceful away mission,” Captain Jacques meowed.  The pink-skinned Sphynx cat didn’t usually accompany away teams down to previously unexplored planets — at least, that’s what he claimed — but he’d made an exception for this forest moon.  He made a lot of exceptions.  “Why, I don’t think I’ve felt that relaxed since I was a kitten!”  Although, part of his improved mood may have had to do with all of the time he’d been spending in the lumo-bay lately.  “I should get off the bridge of the Initiative more often.” Continue reading “Rapscallions”

Katelynn the Mythic Mouser

by Mary E. Lowd

Originally published in The Necromouser and Other Magical Cats, September 2015

“…Katelynn pounced on the yellowed pages. She nosed and pawed, flipping through the pages, until the book lay open to the illusion for Hydra.”

Jenna was almost asleep when she felt the weight of a cat plop onto the end of her bed.  She turned on the lamp on the bedside table and saw Katelynn, her aunt’s dirt-brown tabby, sitting on the bed’s patchwork comforter.

A tiny mouse hung by its tail from Katelynn’s mouth, twisting and squirming, desperate to get away.

“Oh!  Katelynn, thank you!” Continue reading “Katelynn the Mythic Mouser”

Encounter at Hoppalong

by Mary E. lowd

Originally published in Lost In Time, October 2019

“Usually, LeGuin was a shy cat. He didn’t let romance or sudden impulses overcome him. He felt more comfortable with computers and machines than with other cats and dogs.”

The starship Initiative glided through space, the technological culmination of centuries of work done by uplifted cats and dogs from Earth.  The graceful, swooping lines of the ship’s exterior twinkled with light from within, where the ship’s crew lived their lives.  Dogs and cats worked side by side, exploring the universe, searching out other species, and seeking the humans who had left them behind. Continue reading “Encounter at Hoppalong”

Treats while Writing and Jets Flying

The nine-year-old: “I want to fly a jet.”

A few moments later: “As long as none of the landing is for me to do. I want to fly around and spin.”

Eating fudge for breakfast after noon and working on a story about video game characters coming to life outside their game, all while a very nice cat sits on my lap. This is a more than okay way to spend time. Continue reading “Treats while Writing and Jets Flying”

Jumping Jellyfish and Singing Salmon

by Mary E. Lowd

A Deep Sky Anchor Original, April 2023

“…if Trugger could summon fish and birds with his words and Jenny could control the movement of water with her mind… what could Kipper do? Did she have any magical powers in this strange, impossible land?”

Kipper placed her gray tabby paws on the metal orb.  It felt smooth and cool against her paw pads.  Jenny was explaining everything that she and the other otter scientists had learned about this particular, mysterious relic that they’d found in one of the deepest, most thoroughly locked and booby-trapped rooms in the ancient octopus base on Europa.  Trugger sounded fascinated.  But all Kipper wanted to do was touch it.  She felt compelled, perhaps by feline curiosity.  Perhaps by something intrinsic, something sinister about the orb.

“What are you doing?” Jenny asked, grabbing Kipper’s arm with a webbed paw.  “We don’t know if it’s safe!” Continue reading “Jumping Jellyfish and Singing Salmon”

FIRST BOOK RELEASE!

This summer, Deep Sky Anchor Press will release its first book — You’re Cordially Invited to Crossroads Station by Mary E. Lowd!

This cozy space opera novel is an indirect prequel to Lowd’s Entangled Universe trilogy, and it’s a story not to be missed!

You're Cordially Invited to Crossroads Station

When an unexpected wedding invitation arrives, Anno packs her family up for a trip across the stars. Continue reading “FIRST BOOK RELEASE!”

Skin of Reflection

by Mary E. Lowd

Originally published in Tri-Galactic Trek, November 2021

“At home on Ursa Minuet, Grawf had been a commander, but in the Tri-Galactic Navy exchange program, she was an ensign.”

Grawf awoke from her long sleep, yawned widely, and lumbered out of her cot and over to the window.  Her Ursine reflection hovered ghost-like over the black field of space, a bulky, brown-furred bear in plaid pajamas, dotted by pinpricks of starlight.  She wondered where the starship Initiative had flown to, what wondrous places had been explored without her, during her hibernation. Continue reading “Skin of Reflection”

Nomination Sweep for The Otter’s Wings

My book, “The Otter’s Wings: A Labyrinth of Souls Novel,” has now been nominated for all three of the furry literary awards — Cóyotl, Leo Literary, and Ursa Major Award!!!

Thanks so much to ShadowSpinners Press for taking a chance on my adventure story about a squirrel and then letting me turn it into a whole trilogy! Also, especially to Christina Lay for her wonderful editing and Matthew Lowes for creating the delightful game that inspired these books. These stories wouldn’t exist without you. ❤️