Books & Stories
Inspirational, Speculative (Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror), & Other Stories
Meet Cricket the Artificially Intelligent Avatar
Categories: Science Fiction, Humor, Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, Time Travel
Backlash \ Frontlash / Whiplash
by Bria Burton
A short humor story starring Cricket in The Light Fantastic anthology
Software developer Dora has created the world's most advanced artificial intelligence hologram called Aya. Intended to be an avatar who elevates the user in social media spheres, the testing phase proves that the proverbial off switch doesn't apply to genuine AI.
Novellas
The Running Girls
Two girls with nothing in common except the 500-Mile Summer of '89 Challenge
Clara is an average student and below-average athlete. With some inspiration from her cross country coach, Clara decides to take on a summer running challenge: complete 500 miles in three months. The problem? Her parents don't want her jogging all those miles alone, but Clara doesn't want to run with the girl they suggest. Joan is weird, and something seems to be mentally wrong with her. Except none of Clara's other friends run. Will she complete the challenge, or does being stuck with Joan mean she's destined to fail?
2017 RPLA Finalist
Categories: Inspirational, Cross Country, Running, Traumatic Brain Injury, 1980's, Female Friendship
Little Angel Helper
Royal Palm Literary Award Winner
Bradley Hunter lost his job, his rent's due, and he's up to here in gambling debt. His sister, Marie, shows up at the worst time, before he has a chance to call Paulina, the lady from her adult special needs program, and stop her from bringing Marie to New York. Now he has to tell her in person that he can't become Marie's legal guardian after all. Paulina, a "guide" at TACA (Topeka Action Center for Adults), loves her job as a helper for those with special needs. She cannot accept that Bradley would back out on his sister when she needs him most. With little time left, she'll do whatever it takes to convince Bradley to sign the guardianship papers.
2016 RPLA Bronze Winner
Categories: Inspirational, Special Needs, Miracles, Family, Siblings
Story Collections
Lance & Ringo Tails
The wild adventures of a dog and a cat as told by their human
Lance & Ringo Tails is a collection of ten short stories (“tails”) about the wild adventures of a dog and a cat as told by their human. Lance and Ringo also share their perspectives, granting a glimpse into what these two really think of each other and their humans.
The humorous short stories are based on my real pets and their real life wild adventures. Each fictionalized story follows Lance, an English springer spaniel, and Ringo, a long-haired domestic cat, as they learn to live together as brothers with their humans. Recommended for ages 10+, but animal lovers of all ages will enjoy the "tails."
Categories: Pet Stories, Humor, Dogs and Cats, Family, Animal Lovers, Young Readers, Brothers From Another Mother
Now a Podcast!
Visit the Lance & Ringo Tails Blog where new episodes will be posted. All episodes are free to listen, and you can share them, too.
Listen on your smartphone or tablet!
Available on APPLE PODCASTS, AMAZON MUSIC, SPOTIFY, GOOGLE PODCASTS, POCKET CASTS, & SOUNDCLOUD.
Alvarium Experiment Anthologies
SCIENCE FICTION
Bria Burton is a member of the Alvarium Experiment, a consortium of authors working “independently together” on short story anthologies while reinventing the short fiction experience. The Prometheus Saga is the first anthology, and the AE has released a sequel, The Prometheus Saga Vol. 2. Other collaborations include Return to Earth and The Masters Reimagined Vol. 1 & 2. 'Alvarium' is Latin for beehive, and can be taken as a colony working towards a common goal for the benefit of all involved.
Bria's Stories featured in Alvarium Experiment Anthologies
Short Stories
Science Fiction
"Backlash / Frontlash \ Whiplash"
Software developer Dora has created the world's most advanced artificial intelligence hologram called Aya. Intended to be an avatar who elevates the user in social media spheres, the testing phase proves that the proverbial off switch doesn't apply to genuine AI.
"Journey Into the Dying Light of Stars"
Valla Hale is trapped aboard Earth S-1 Station where an unexplained mass casualty event has left her devastated and alone. But everything is on lock-down and she's running out of time to escape.
Winner of the Journey Into Writing Contest on the Journey Into podcast.
"Ligeia"
Kraykor committed a crime when he asked, "What if there is a God?" Now he must decide whether to face execution or enter the void in space called Ligeia where none have ever returned.
The story was selected as one of the winners for the Edgar Allan Poe Writing Contest at the Journey Into podcast.
"On Both Sides"
When a mysterious woman vanishes during the American Revolution, young Robby Freeman searches for answers from a cryptic sharpshooter who deserted Washington's Continental Army.
"Her Midnight Ride"
Awed by an extraordinary patriot spy, sixteen-year-old Sybil Ludington longs for a chance to prove her worth to the cause of American Independence. When the British attack the city of Danbury, she volunteers for a dangerous mission, one she may not survive.
"AOB"
Aona, an Alien-Operated Bot (AOB), suffers a malfunction that could jeopardize her mission on Earth and could lead to the extinction of an entire species from another planet.
"The Wheels Must Turn"
Featured as a reprint in the Broken Worlds anthology.
A young narrator comes to grips with the death of her father aboard a spaceship.
"In Line at the DMYV"
Katelin has to decide whether or not to kill someone during her mandatory visit to the DMYV.
Either way, she might not make it out alive.
"The Darkness Below"
Captain Erin Waite and her team descend into the depths of a cave in search of an alien, but what they discover is beyond anything they could've imagined.
"On Both Sides"
Featured as a reprint in the Writers of Pinellas anthology
When a mysterious woman vanishes during the American Revolution, young Robby Freeman searches for answers from a cryptic sharpshooter who deserted Washington's Continental Army.
Fantasy
"The Eyes of Mona Lisa"
If the entries in her great-great-great-grandmother's diary are true, twenty-year-old Lanea will see the future if she gazes into the eyes of da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. When a special exhibit of the famed painting arrives at the National Gallery of Art in D.C., Lanea brings her best friend along on her quest to see if the visions are true, and what they may foretell.
"The Bloodiest Sword is King"
A stranger approaches the gate to the Catastrapha's kingdom, and Xildar must decide whether he is a friend or foe.
"The Mute Girl"
When a dead man's body is found near her home, Rayme, a mute, is determined to prove someone other than her absent father ordered their family trolls to club the trespasser to death.
"The Count of the Alician Apocalypse"
Featured in The Masters Reimagined anthology
On a visit to Stonehenge, a handsome stranger offers Alice an escape from the man who has been following her by way of a magical portal in one of the monoliths.
"Switching"
She wakes up in Vanessa's body, and it's not her first time "switching." Several morbidly obese girls needed her help. She could lose the weight when they couldn't, and that helped them get the guy of their dreams. But Crystal is tired of "switching." She just doesn't know how to make it stop.
The short story was selected as one of the winners for the Triple Word Score Contest at the Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine.
Horror
"A Dream Within A Dream"
This macabre tale inspired by the Edgar Allan Poe poem of the same name could all just be a dream. For a young narrator who has trouble discerning reality, it's more like a nightmare.
"This is Hollywood"
A cautionary tale about Mick, an actor trying to make it big in Hollywood, but a recurring nightmare delivers an unclear warning. Eventually, the dream blends with reality, causing Mick's life to unravel.
Inspirational
"Maribel's Day of Death"
Featured as a reprint in the About Time anthology
An elderly woman thinks she knows the day she is going to die and plans accordingly.
"Tight Pants"
A quick read about a young man held at gunpoint and the thoughts he has during what might be his last moments on Earth.
"Ticket to Heaven"
A college-aged drug addict encounters an old man handing out tickets to heaven. When something miraculous happens, she begins a path toward redemption.
FWA Collections
Available at the FWA Online Store
"Empty Girl"
Years after Nami is kidnapped from her family, she's losing hope that there will ever be a chance to escape.
"The Price of Integrity"
A sixteen year old realizes his birthday present, a new Audi, may have costs he never counted on.
"The Wheels Must Turn"
A young narrator comes to grips with the death of her father aboard a spaceship.
"Ma Says"
A teen wants vengeance against the man who raped and murdered his girlfriend, and confides in his pastor.
"Maribel's Day of Death"
Featured as the #4 Top Story in the collection.
An elderly woman thinks she knows the day she is going to die and plans accordingly.