Michael David Bailey Books

The collection explores the author's tumultuous experiences, including a debilitating health condition and various catastrophic events such as wildfires, school violence, and a global pandemic. Through speculative fiction and poetry, Bailey reflects on the fragility of life and the precarious balance between existence and oblivion. This deeply personal work challenges conventional boundaries of writing, offering a poignant commentary on resilience amidst chaos and the search for meaning in an unpredictable world.

Explores the western European idea of the witches' sabbath, based on translations of five texts dating from the 1430s, and examines how these texts went on to influence conceptions of diabolical witchcraft for centuries to come.

They died heart to heart, chest to chest. Detective Kovelant, haunted by the fiery death of two women, investigates why Chloe Bisset, mother and wife, swerved last-second into oncoming traffic. What drove her to this impulse? L'appel du vide, he soon discovers, is both an explanation and a non-explanation. The phrase translates to "the call of the void," which doesn't surprise him. The French often have ways of expressing the unexplainable. Most never answer the call, but only briefly contemplate what could happen. Kovelant tracks Chloe's acts through her final days-a series of experiments in spontaneity that end with her crossing one final line on the asphalt to end two lives. Clues scribed with fridge magnets, etched into silver rings, scribbled on sticky notes, and painted on the smoke-stained walls of a derelict building, reveal a woman tormented by a growing need. Each revelation drives him closer to the grief that pins him to his own dark truth. Parents should never outlive their children.

Exploring themes of perception and memory, this collection features three dark science fiction tales. In "Darkroom," Grace, who has lived blindfolded, embarks on a time-bending project to document her father's aging, accompanied by her sister to shield them from painful memories. "SAD Face" follows Yuliya, who uses a prosthetic mask to mask her social anxiety, confronting her fears while navigating the world behind her facade. The bonus short story, "Fade to Black," delves into optophobia, the fear of opening one's eyes, adding depth to the collection's exploration of fear and identity.

Michael Bailey delves into the chaotic world of writing, editing, and publishing, drawing on his experience as an acclaimed author and editor. This work examines the psychological challenges and complexities faced by creators in the literary field, offering insights into the often tumultuous creative process. Bailey's unique perspective, shaped by his accolades and contributions to the literary community, provides a compelling look at the intersection of art and madness in the world of literature.

The narrative unfolds as the protagonist returns to his hometown, delving into its sinister history. Drawing inspiration from the works of Charles Portis and Cormac McCarthy, the story intertwines themes of grit and darkness, revealing the complexities of the town's past. Michael Bailey, an acclaimed writer and editor, crafts a compelling homage that explores the interplay between memory and place, offering readers a haunting glimpse into a world shaped by its hidden truths.

Dark themes permeate this collection of thirteen poems and tales that delve into the macabre, showcasing Michael Bailey's unsettling imagination. The stories feature vivid, eerie imagery, such as a woman nervously chewing her nails and a bear named Thatch that bleeds. Alongside reprinted works from literary magazines, this edition offers original pieces and includes a bonus script and graphic adaptation of "Plasty," as well as three unpublished flash fictions. Prepare for a haunting experience that lingers long after reading.

The narrative unfolds in the eerie town of Brenden, Washington, where a family's tragedy during a horse foaling sets off a chain of bizarre events. A sick man shares his harrowing dog attack, an undead priest rises after a century, and two brothers flee through a desolate wheat field. Central to the chaos is young Todd, whose fate hinges on the delicate line between life and death, alongside a disturbed patient marked by a burnt rose tattoo. This tale challenges perceptions of reality and existence, building on the themes from Palindrome Hannah.

A magical world -- The meanings of magic -- Magical acts -- Magic contested and condemned -- Magical identities -- The reality of magic -- Magic in the modern world.

Part short novel, part novella, part novelette, with a few short stories and fables in between, Psychotropic Dragon is a mind-bending composite narrative about Julie Stipes and her experience with the street drug Drakein-5. The psychotropic eye drops blur reality, sending her through a horrific journey of self-discovery and recovery. Each act in this ensemble is further brought to life with illustrations by Daniele Serra, Glenn Chadbourne, L.A. Spooner, and Ty Scheuerman. An addictive, scary, and mind-bending experience. From the mind of Michael Bailey, author of Palindrome Hannah, Phoenix Rose, and various short fiction and poetry collections, Psychotropic Dragon brings all his work together