The December, 2014 issue edited by Christopher T Garry features 160 pages of never before seen stories from ten new authors, creating narratives that are variously dark, cynical, inspiring, violent and longing. Black Denim Lit is a monthly journal of fiction available on the web and eReaders.

“Cataclysm” by Madeline Popelka (The death of a cat brings about the end of the world); “The Things We Hide” by Clarissa N G (Yuen deals with a haunting while mourning); “Return To Waypoint 5” by Josh Roseman (Kage seeks dangerous answers about family and connections at an old space port); “Bit by Bit” by Cheryl McAlister (An unlikely pairing highlights the need for connection); “The Patchwork Girl” by Zack Miller (A post-pandemic world doesn't change needs of a girl missing a family); “Searching” by Lisa Shapter (Three men decide the fate of a lost corpsman); “Establishment” by Ken Poyner (The local watering hole isn't just for the bone and protein crowd); “The Degenerate” by Joe Christopher (A young working man finds an unlikely reason to change direction); “Maybe This’ll Be the One That Finally Gets Me” by Ben Spies (A veteran recounts his experience in the gulf coast disaster); “Gathering Gold” by Julie Reeser (Mae deals with loss of her mother and transition to a new life)

This draws from fantasy, crime, science fiction and straight drama for our selections. Such genre variety is brought together under the common thread of rich characterization. In all the stories this month, these are human beings at odds. Whether facing a gun, an alien, the choice to live or to die or the vastness of space, each of these players respond from a very deep place of truth. And regardless of which genre can be applied, the authors have surprises in store.