Dreams of the Storyteller, Volume II

Dreams of the Storyteller by Richard Paolinelli gathers the imaginative short stories of his Dreams of the Storyteller series into a definitive two-volume collection.

From the far reaches of space—where desperate missions to Mars go awry, polar shifts strand survivors on the Moon, and humanity faces extinction-level threats or alien invitations that may doom Earth—to haunted lodges where the living confront the departed, post-apocalyptic landscapes stalked by the undead, tense hunts for serial killers, and even a hilarious barnyard parody of interstellar epics, these tales span classic science fiction, supernatural mystery, thriller, and unexpected humor.

Paolinelli, an award-winning author and former sportswriter whose works include Dragon Award finalist Escaping Infinity, delivers tightly crafted stories that draw readers in with vivid characters, high-stakes dilemmas, and the classic storytelling flair of mid-century speculative fiction, while adding modern twists of sacrifice, survival, friendship, and the thin line between life and what lies beyond.

Whether exploring the last human on a dying world, a War of the Worlds-style invasion in the American West, ghostly “fixers,” or time-traveling pirate crews, this two-volume set offers a rich tapestry of dreams that linger long after the final page—perfect for fans of imaginative short fiction who crave wonder, chills, and the occasional laugh.