Matthew Cushing
Speculative Fiction Author | Editor | Beta Reader
NOVELS
The Osect Indiscretion
Book one of The Sulstoirme Accounts, The Osect Indiscretion introduces intrepid customer service agent, Deaglan 'Deg' Sulstorm. Employed by the Galactic Immersion Tours Company, Deg resolves routine travel issues for incognito aliens visiting Earth.
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When a client is burgled during their stay, Deg investigates to find more than just family jewelry has been stolen. In a race with a ghastly alien hitman to find the treasure, Deg and Mads, his trusty A.I. dog, enlist the help of several unsuspecting humans to recover the prize and save the galaxy.
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Just another day at the office.
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The Osect Indiscretion won the 2022 Gold Rush Literary Award for speculative fiction.
COMING SOON
PODCASTS
Body, Blood, and Bone on CreepyPod's Patreon
Nelson Blankman is a normal guy living a regular albeit uninspiring life. On his 40th birthday, a vow to take more chances and pursue adventure leads to a strangely coincidental offer for an all expense-paid trip to Las Vegas. In Sin City, Nelson finds himself the center of attention of three intoxicating women who promise his vacation to be unforgettable. Be careful what you wish for.
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Body, Blood, and Bone is available as the 8/11/2025 entry on Creepy's Patreon site, so at least a one-month membership (for $5) is needed to listen to the full story presentation.
ANTHOLOGIES
America's Slide Towards Authoritarianism
The International Human Rights Art Movement has created a Rapid Response anthology of international writers and artists speaking about America's current political moment.
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Includes my story The Rite to Vote which looks at a possible approach to voting in a not too distant future. This same story was a Finalist for the 2021 Roswell Award, and this is the first time finding it in print.
COMING SOON
Madam, Don't Forget Your Sword
From the editors at Deadfish Books, Madam, Don't Forget Your Sword offers creative tales of companions, sidekicks, and minions.
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Do we ever think of them, the little people who make the villain or hero great? The ones tasked with the little jobs: Picking up the laundry, making the meals, testing the supervillain death machine, demonstrating how the monster works? Those orcs who work for Sauron--what do their wives think of the jobs? The person responsible for keeping the heroine's sword sharp--does she ever notice?
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Includes Mr. Cushing's D.U.P.E.S. which follows along the proceedings of a local union meeting of the Diabolical Underlings, Property, Equipment, and Supply.
Joy to the Worlds
Take your pick of maniacal Christmas bots, unexpected visitors from other worlds, omnipotent in-laws over for dinner, or a time travel mission gone terribly wrong. Or perhaps you prefer festive androids, an unusual champion of might, genetic breakthroughs, or a celebration of a traditional nativity on a future colony.
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Will you suffer holiday misery or enjoy the seasonal festivities? Do the spirits of Christmas bring loneliness and heartache, or cheer and laughter? Whether you simply endure December or fully celebrate the holidays, this anthology of thirteen yuletide tales is sure to satisfy your speculative fiction craving and make your winter a little brighter.
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Includes Mr. Cushing's Guiding Flight, a tale of time travel gone horribly wrong yet affecting history in an unexpected way, and The Champion of Arctica which envisions some of the festive trials it takes to become Santa.
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The Joy to the Worlds speculative fiction holiday anthology of flash fiction from the Speculative Fiction Writers.
Out of Print
Second Law
Should you follow or break the Second Law?
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And do you have a choice? Does the Second Law oppress the masses, govern the unruly, control behavior, or explain the workings of the universe?
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This compilation of original short stories explores the mysteries of a myriad of Second Laws, including robots fighting for their rights, teenagers rebelling against on oppressive overlord, an immortal relinquishing his power to save a kingdom, the universe interfering with a romantic break-up, alien mutations engulfing a neighborhood, soldiers fighting psycho faeries, a necromancer struggling between duty to work and family, androids engaging in corporate espionage, greed and lust governing future humans, and a pilot finding himself among gods.
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Includes Mr. Cushing's The Beacon, a tale of space pirates attempting to enforce their version of frontier justice - much to their surprise and peril.
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Second Law is the second anthology from the Speculative Fiction Writers .
Out of Print
Out of Print
First Encounters
We wait for, dread, or stumble upon them.
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First encounters with the unknown call forth exciting stories full of magic, horror, humor, and suspense. What happens when aliens, fantastical creatures, or strange objects interrupt ordinary life?
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This collection offers ten original stories full of mysterious happenings, including an alien attempts to save earth, time travelers collect human sperm, a love-obsessed physicist creates his own reality, the ghost of Jimmy Hoffa offers sage advice, an alien visits the supermarket, a cruel merchant faces the feral undead, an aspiring writer fights an invading triangle, fire-breathing lizards save humanity, and a colony ark crashes on a hostile planet.
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Includes Mr. Cushing's Blue Note G where an heirloom clarinet calls upon voodoo spirits to grant wishes, though not always as expected.
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First Encounters is the inaugural anthology from the Speculative Fiction Writers.
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