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Finding a soulmate is challenging. Darius Rathmore has brought a solution to Earth - the interdimensional dating service known as Star-Crossed. Lonely beings from across the multiverse are seeking companionship too, and Star-Crossed lets lonely beings find true companionship regardless of species or origin. In this collection, humans encounter aliens, mythological beings, and horrors from beyond, all looking for true love. Will the strange relationship work out? Will their differences force them apart? Or will something even weirder happen? |
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Darius RathmoreCharismatic Founder of Star-Crossed, a consummate businessman and savvy being. He dresses with impeccable fashion, matching whatever world he's visiting. Though he appears mostly human (at least on Earth), he has an air of otherness about him - perhaps demon, angel, alien, or something else. Handsome and charismatic, Darius guides Star-Crossed with an intensity that suggests he has ulterior motives. Despite his otherworldly origins, Darius doesn't exhibit any untrustworthy behavior. His employees speculate on his origin, but he remains a mystery. |
 | KylarisApparently a succubus scientist, she helped invent the dimensional transfer technology used by the company. She does not discuss which world or dimension she comes from - whether she's a demon from hell or simply a seductive woman... She appears to be a knowledgable yet seductive woman with demonic features, a high intellect, and a hint of mystery. |
 | ThrukuAn alien doctor from an Earth-like world, Thruku serves as a consultant for clients when necessary. He handles any medical issues that might arise, from compatibility issues, diseases and viruses (sexual and otherwise) to pregnancy complications. Familiar with human physiology as well as most other humanoids. Weirder creatures... maybe not. To his coworkers, Thruku is a busybody, worried about dangers of cross-contamination, physical compatibility, or anything else. To suffering patients, he's very empathetic. |
 | Brian and Nicole PerryHumans who were hired to handle customer service and outreach. Brother and sister, Brian is about 26, Nicole 22. They accepted the job of serving as Earth's primary contacts for clients without knowing too much about how far the dating service extends, or the unusual nature of their clients. Now they travel around the world to the company offices (which can pop up anywhere). A bit overwhelmed by the myriad creatures they've dealt with, but they maintain a positive attitude despite the occasional problem that develops. To potential clients, they're eager to help. |
The editor and creator of Star-Crossed, Edward Swing is a writer of stories, software developer, avid gamer, and otaku. He has been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, learned taekwondo, traveled both within the United States and internationally, and studied diverse topics including astronomy, mythology, and mathematics. The father of three young adults, he lives with several pampered cats.
Jason Abofsky is an author of Science Fiction and Fantasy stories, including his novel Celoven, Stormchaser. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science. His hobbies include reading, video games, and board games, and he participates in different conventions and festivals each year. Software Engineer by day, writer by night, Jason has blended his technical experiences and love of Science Fiction and Fantasy to craft a unique and imaginative universe influenced by some of his favorite authors and the lessons they've imparted.
Jennifer Abrahamsen is an educator with a degree in mathematics and post-graduate degrees in Computer Science, and Literacy. Abrahamsen's dream is to live in a realm where all of her students find wonder when seeing the intricate mathematical patterns around them. Until that realm is discovered, she lives in Port Jervis, New York with her husband, Phil.
Benjamin Adams was a 2002 Bram Stoker Award nominee for co-editing the anthology The Children of Cthulhu. He has also written professionally for Doctor Who, in the Big Finish anthologies Short Trips: Snapshots and Short Trips: The Centenarian. His stories generally deal with grief, love, pain, and trauma, although sometimes they're just about monsters.
Briana Bass writes romance stories for modern Christian women and creates resources to encourage and empower women on their faith journeys. She writes a weekly Christian lifestyle blog and is a certified professional coach. Briana has served fifteen years as a youth volunteer with multiple denominations, worked in higher education for eleven years, and holds a Bachelors in English from Manchester College.
Melissa Constantine is the author of two Fantasy Romance novels, Curtsies & Consequences and Magic & Manners. When not saving the world with whimsical, fairytale-inspired stories, she's drinking far too much coffee.
Ana Cordoba is a a Rhetoric/Writing, UAFS graduate with a 3.32 GPA. She has a poem titled "To Himself," published in the 2020 edition of Persephone, edited by Hayleigh Worgan. She also has a short story, "The Work-oriented Mage, The Lovesick Werewolf, and The Obsessive Dragon," published in Dragon Legends, a Dragon Soul Press Anthology.
Hannah Gietzen is the cliché cat lady. She is often found writing, and she specifically enjoys Science Fiction and Fantasy. She generally focuses on young adult literature, but will sometimes branch off into other genres. When she is not writing she can be found hiding from the cold winters with a good book and a hot cup of tea.
Alex Huffman has been a staff writer for CBR since 2023, covering all things film, TV, and even anime. He recently co-wrote the award-winning short film "Club 25" and is currently developing his first novel. When not typing away at a keyboard, he can usually be found browsing for books or out at the cinemas, all across the Northern Virginia area.
Keith A. Kline is a lifelong lover of speculative fiction. His zombie novel was workshopped as part of the UCLA Master Class in Novel Writing. His first professional sale was to Monstrous Books in 2022. Keith lives in Maryland with his wife and dogs.
Indie author Beth Martin has published several books, including sci-fi thrillers and escape room-style puzzle adventures. She has her degree in mathematics, enjoys all things numbers, and is always up for a board game. When not writing, her hobbies include playing the piano, dabbling in crafts, and relaxing with cozy video games. She lives with her husband, two kids, and two fluffy cats.
Sylvie Soul is an American expat living in Toronto, Canada. When not smoothing out plot holes, she can be found enjoying time with her husband and daughter, indulging in cheap pho, and waxing poetic about the 16-bit era of video games. Sylvie has been published in Midnight & Indigo, Gwyllion, Brink, and the anthology Gothic Fantasy: Black Sci-Fi Stories.
F. J. Talley writes both mystery and science fiction novels in addition to short fiction. He has published two novels in the Flight of the Raven science fiction series, and two in the Stephanie Hart police procedural series. His short fiction appears in several anthologies in a variety of genres including "Cui Bono," published in 2024 as part of the Three Strikes, You're Dead Anthology.
was born and raised in Oklahoma. Her debut novella, The Witch's Detective, was published by World Castle Publishing in 2024, and her first fantasy novel The Last Heir of Re'Vall was published in March, 2025. You can find her current and upcoming works on her World Castle Publishing author page and her Amazon Author page.
Fendy S. Tulodo writes sharp stories about abandoned people. He is a writer from Malang, Indonesia. His characters fight in dark places. Some are rebels looking for forgiveness. Others are powerful people who do bad things. His writing shows hard choices when no one is perfect. Follow him on Instagram at @fendysatria_
Scott H. Urban has been a voice in dark fantasy for several decades, with prose, poetry, and reviews appearing in numerous print and electronic outlets. Recent work has appeared in Black Cat Tales (Black Cat Publishing), Dolls in the Attic (TerrorCore Publishing), Cemetery Songs, Volume 1 (Eldritch Cat Press), Exquisite Death, The Horror Zine, and Midnight Tales. A former public school teacher and administrator, he now writes full-time in southeastern Ohio.
Lori Wilkey was an elementary and middle school teacher in her former life but became a stay-at-home mom with the birth of her daughter. Now she crochets whimsical creatures and writes quirky stories. She has two poems published in college magazines and a short story, "Self Serve Party," in the anthology Sentient Space 2. Ideas for her stories arise from observing the world around her, her family and three neurotic dogs.
Star-Crossed © 2026
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