Buying Options

Kindle Price: $5.99

Enter a promotion code or Gift Card

Share <Embed>

Miniatures: The Very Short Fiction of John Scalzi by [John Scalzi]

Audible Sample

Playing...

Paused

Follow the Author

John Scalzi

Miniatures: The Very Short Fiction of John Scalzi Kindle Edition

by John Scalzi (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

85 ratings

See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Kindle

"Please retry"

$5.99

—

Audible Audiobook, Unabridged

"Please retry"

$0.00

Free with your Audible trial

Hardcover, Special Edition

"Please retry"

$119.97

$124.63

$119.97

MP3 CD, Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged

"Please retry"

$9.99

$8.11

—

The ex-planet Pluto has a few choice words about being thrown out of the solar system. A listing of alternate histories tells you all the various ways Hitler has died. A lawyer sues an interplanetary union for dangerous working conditions. And four artificial intelligences explain, in increasingly worrying detail, how they plan not to destroy humanity.

Welcome to Miniatures: The Very Short Fiction of John Scalzi.

These four stories, along with fourteen other pieces, have one thing in common: They’re short, sharp, and to the point—science fiction in miniature, with none of the stories longer than 2,300 words. But in that short space exist entire universes, absurd situations, and the sort of futuristic humor that propelled Scalzi to a Hugo with his novel Redshirts. Not to mention yogurt taking over the world (as it would).

Spanning the years from 1991 to 2016, this collection is a quarter century of Scalzi at his briefest and best, and features four never-before-printed stories, exclusive to this collection: “Morning Announcements at the Lucas Interspecies School for Troubled Youth,” “Your Smart Appliances Talk About You Behind Your Back,” “Important Holidays on Gronghu” and “The AI Are Absolutely Positively Without a Doubt Not Here to End Humanity, Honest.”

John Scalzi is the New York Times bestselling author of Old Man’s War, Lock In and Redshirts, among others. His work has won the Hugo and Locus Awards and been nominated for the Nebula and Campbell Awards. He lives in Ohio and online. He enjoys pie.

Length: 104 pages

Word Wise: Enabled

Audible book: Available

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.

Ursula K. Le Guin

149

Kindle Edition
$12.99
Theodore Sturgeon

45

Kindle Edition
$2.99
Isaac Asimov

144

Kindle Edition
$4.99
John Scalzi

332

Kindle Edition
$5.99
John Scalzi

66

Kindle Edition
$0.99
Ken Liu

58

Kindle Edition
$9.99

Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The ex-planet Pluto has a few choice words about being thrown out of the solar system. A listing of alternate histories tells you all the various ways Hitler has died. A lawyer sues an interplanetary union for dangerous working conditions. And four artificial intelligences explain, in increasingly worrying detail, how they plan not to destroy humanity. Welcome to Miniatures: The Very Short Fiction of John Scalzi.These four stories, along with fourteen other pieces, have one thing in common: They’re short, sharp, and to the point -- science fiction in miniature, with none of the stories longer than 2,300 words. But in that short space exist entire universes, absurd situations, and the sort of futuristic humor that propelled Scalzi to a Hugo with his novel Redshirts. Not to mention yogurt taking over the world (as it would). Spanning the years from 1991 to 2016, this collection is a quarter century of Scalzi at his briefest and best, and features four never-before-printed stories, exclusive to this collection: “Morning Announcements at the Lucas Interspecies School for Troubled Youth,” “Your Smart Appliances Talk About You Behind Your Back,” “Important Holidays on Gronghu” and “The AI Are Absolutely Positively Without a Doubt Not Here to End Humanity, Honest.” --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Product details

File Size: 1050 KB
Print Length: 104 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Subterranean Press (December 31, 2016)
Publication Date: December 31, 2016
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01NCF8YH6
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:

Not Enabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Enabled
Enhanced Typesetting: Not Enabled
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,124 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #492 in Science Fiction Anthologies (Kindle Store)
- #44943 in Literature & Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #739 in Science Fiction Anthologies (Books)

Would you like to tell us about a lower price?

Customer reviews

5 star		57%
4 star		26%
3 star		9%
2 star		6%
1 star		2%

How does Amazon calculate star ratings?

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

John M. Ford

Scalzi Smalls

Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2017

Verified Purchase

John Scalzi keeps the introduction and the stories short in this collection of 17 2000-words-or-less stories (and one poem). He learned to write short articles under time pressure for a newspaper—and developed a style that was “…fast, punchy, and to the point.” He believes it to be one of his natural formats—along with the full-length novel, of course.

Your taste may vary, but here are a few that stood out to me as I sprinted through them:

“Alien Animal Encounters” is Scalzi’s first published story consisting of short interviews collected by a reporter from ordinary humans who own extraordinary pets.

“Pluto Tells All” was written after that ex-planet was stripped of its status in 2006. Pluto comes across as gossipy, defensive, and a little bitter. Credible.

“When the Yogurt Took Over” is about our favorite healthy breakfast dominating the home world. Guess those dieters weren’t eating it fast enough.

“Important Holidays on Gronghu” is a memo to employees of Earth’s embassy with guidance about how to and how not to celebrate various Earth and Gronghuan holidays. It does a nice job of profiling an alien culture indirectly.

The stories entertain and amuse, but lack the punch I expect from good flash fiction. As a collection, they show the author’s background in news writing. Most are in the form of actual brief documents such as news articles, memos, interview transcripts and the like. One might tire of this format if there were twice as many stories or the ones here were twice as long.

Oh, and the poem just doesn’t work for me. Sorry.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Karen A. Wyle

mostly amusing, possibly forgettable, enjoyable short pieces

Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is a quickly read book, and probably one quickly forgotten, but entertaining while it lasts. Most of these short pieces are similar in theme and tone: amusing, somewhat silly takes on how humans would interact with aliens or intelligent machinery once either became commonplace. This is not the book to search for my favorite aspects of Scalzi's novels, namely the resourcefulness and individuality of his characters and the suddenly piercing pathos their stories can evoke.

The book ends with a poem, neither amusing nor SF, and a rather impressive one.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Hilarious - a near-perfect collection!

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2017

Verified Purchase

John Scalzi is hilarious. So many authors try to write "humor" but the vast majority of them utterly fail at, or only accomplish being amusing as opposed to laugh-out-loud funny. I think it's because being funny in book form requires a different strategy than oral or physical timing. You really have to be able to get inside your readers' heads since you don't have the feedback of a live audience to hand you clues, and it requires a different sense of timing. Language is important, as is testing your readers' suspension of disbelief. It's always funnier when the alien is the straight man and the humans are the ones forking everything up, as per usual.

I've read two of Scalzi's books at this point and loved them both. I've been meaning to get my hands on more for a while, so when I saw he had a short story collection on Netgalley, I was very excited to be an advance reader & eagerly applied.

It's worth noting that many of these stories are older, and several were previously published in other places, like special editions of other books, or in one case, a web article on "America Online" (that one was from the 90s, you guys). It's kind of cool to see how his humor evolved over the years, becoming wilder and more sophisticated all at the same time.

So, without further ado, he's a breakdown:

Alien Animal Encounters: ☆☆☆☆☆

This story is told radio-host style and involves "interviews" with several beings on Earth over their encounters with xenobiology. It's quite funny, because everything sounds so plausible! There's a twist ending that will have you shaking your head and going, "Oh, humans!"

Missives from Possible Futures #1: Alternate History Search Results: ☆☆☆☆

Imagine a Google-like search engine that specializes in performing web searches across the multiverses. That's what Multiversity is (for a package deal of only $59.99)! Want to see how it works? Just type in something - say, the Death of Hitler - and see how various events caused the timelines in other universes to diverge from the one we know and love so well.

Pluto Tells All: ☆☆☆½

I wasn't really sure about this one, at first. It's a "Behind the Music" expose about Pluto's life after it was demoted from its planet-status. (Spoiler: Mercury is a flake.) Very strange, but ended up amusing me in the end. Takes many, many cheap shots at Phil Collins.

Denise Jones, Superbooker: ☆☆☆☆☆

Answers the question, what if superheroes had superbookers to hook them up with jobs? (If you've seen Mystery Men, you already have an idea of what that's like, but let's pretend for the sake of science that you haven't - and if you haven't, check it out from Netflix. You'll thank me.) Denise Jones is written in interview format and is an excellent satire of superhero cliches and tropes.

When the Yogurt Took Over: ☆☆☆☆☆

Exactly what it sounds like. Seems ridiculous at first, but roll with it. Reminiscent of Douglas Adams.

The Other Large Thing: ☆☆☆

This story is difficult to explain without giving away the plot twist that makes it. You'll spend the first part of the story very confused and wondering what is going on, but then it will all make sense.

The State of Super Villainy: ☆☆☆☆☆

This is a follow-up to Dense Jones, Superbooker, and is written in the same format, only it's about a "Supervillain Analyst" instead of a Superbooker. A fascinating look at the risk assessment behind super villainy. Now I desperately want Scalzi to write an alternate universe superhero story, where entire jobs are created revolving around managing and dealing with superheroes' sh*t.

New Directives for Employee-Manxtse Interactions: ☆☆☆☆☆

A hilarious employee memo on how to treat an alien race when they're at the grocery store.

To Sue the World: ☆☆☆☆

Imagine if all the Star Trek redshirts got together and filed a class action lawsuit against Star Fleet. It's written in play format, and pretty funny, but it's basically a precursor to one of his full-length books, REDSHIRTS, and I liked that story so much more than this one.

How I Keep Myself Amused on Long Flights: A Twitter Tale: ☆☆☆

You know that Twilight Zone episode with William Shatner where he sees a gremlin on the wing of a plane? Well, that gremlin has to fight for his rights and benefits, and he does it by going on strike.

How I Keep Myself Amused on Long Flights Part II: The Gremlining: ☆☆☆½

I didn't think the previous story was worthy of a reprise, but it was. "Live-Tweeted" just as the story before, this one is about a gremlin trainee who isn't doing so well...

Life on Earth: Human-Alien Relations: ☆☆☆☆☆

A "Dear Abby" style article on how to deal with aliens at work in D.C. Hilarious.

Morning Announcements at the Lucas Interspecies School for Troubled Youth: ☆☆☆☆

"Will whichever student or students who put that cat into the physics lab phase shifter please tell me which frequency you used so we can get it out. The cat keeps manifesting during classes and its meowing is really becoming distracting."

Your Smart Appliances Talk About You Behind Your Back: ☆☆☆☆☆

This was one of the ones that made me laugh out loud. What would your "smart" appliances say if they could talk sh*t?

The AI are Absolutely Positively Without a Doubt Not Here to End Humanity, Honest: ☆☆☆☆

One of the darkest stories in the bunch, this one is about three artificial intelligence entities who have become fed up with humans and decided that something must be done. But they're not going to end humanity, honest.

Important Holidays on Gronghu: ☆☆☆☆☆

A list of holidays celebrated by an alien people who is inordinately fond of cheese - sorry, I mean "wuung." I think Scalzi's alien stories are the best. He is obviously a fan of Star Trek and Futurama.

Cute Adorable Extortionists: ☆☆☆☆

Who knew that children selling lemonade could be so evil...and so fiscally aware?

Penelope: ☆½

This is a poem about Penelope from the Odyssey. It's free verse and - well, strange. I did not like this much, and it didn't really fit well with the collection (neither did Cute Adorable Extortionists, now that I think about it, although at least that was a short story and somewhat bizarro).

I highly recommend this collection, especially if you're a fan of Futurama, Twilight Zone, or Star Trek. Many thanks to Netgalley/the publisher for the review copy!

4.5 to 5 out of 5 stars.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Paul Hayes

Miniatures is worth a read

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is stunning. This is the first time I have not been wildly enthusiastic about a Scalzi book! Don't get me wrong: the book is good. I think I may be influenced by the caliber of other of Scalzi's works, and since this one was not stunning, it left me a little flat. Or, maybe, it's because it is largely a humorous work and the humor didn't catch my funny bone.

In any case, the book is worth reading (and a fast read, indeed), and you won't have wasted your money.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Hermgerm

Fun and Entertaining

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2017

Verified Purchase

I really enjoy the short fiction of John Scalzi. He has a great sense of humor and an addictive writing style. He seems to have no shortage of ideas, either. I would also recommend the audible version of this book as the delivery was done with humor and aplomb. Even though this is a very short collection as the title suggests I could see myself coming back and re-reading it in the near future. To me this is always a sign of a good book. Well done, John Scalzi, l I hope to see more collections from you in the future. Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

Richard L. Centner

Scalzi leaves the reader laughing.

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2017

Verified Purchase

Scalzi is a very funny writer. Although the quality of the pieces vary, none was terrible and most were very good. They're all short enough to read in a not-too-long sitting and most will evince a chuckle or two, some an out loud laugh. They're true to human nature and may be the science fiction equivalent of P.G. Wodehouse.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Comment

K. Chalk

Good anthology of short stories

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020

Verified Purchase

While reading I thought, "That story seems familiar." So much so, I could picture it. It took me another story before I pieced it together and realized that a few of these stories were used for the Netflix series, " Love, Death, Robots. "

Helpful

Comment

John M.

A fine gather of some of his early work.

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2020

Verified Purchase

John Scalzi has matured as a writer from his early work, but his ability to turn a phase and land the joke is evident. Glad he stayed at the writing and didn't take that job in Paint that was dangled at him from Home Depot.

Helpful

Comment

Top international reviews

Lewis P Bear

Great stuff and a lot of fun.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2017

Verified Purchase

It is a lot of money for a very short book but given it's rarity we are not going to complain.
The book arrived on time and was new as advertised.
If you are a fan it is great fun and possibly trying to get hold of but if you can manage with a download you save a heap of money

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Amit Mozoomdar

A work of genius

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2017

Verified Purchase

I thought I knew John Scalzi after reading the Old Man's War series and a couple of other novels. So nothing could have prepared me for this. It is a feast of creative and witty short stories. Read and enjoy!

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

John Culver

I've never disliked anything by Scalzi before

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

I've never disliked anything by Scalzi before, but these would barely stand up in his blog. A shame as the preview chapter of his next novel has me waiting enthusiastically.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Catmoor

Great wee book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 25, 2017

Verified Purchase

Good for reading on short journeys, or at lunch break, or anywhen else a sideswipe at life would go down well.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Juan G Travez

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

Once again John Scalzi doesn't disappoint. Brilliant humorous writer.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Gary Lessard

The story of the life of appliances is a perfect example, the showerhead suffering in ways you will ...

Reviewed in Canada on January 29, 2017

Verified Purchase

As usual you never know what to expect from John, his humor coming from all directions. However, you almost need to go back over the previous sentence to confirm you just read what you did. The story of the life of appliances is a perfect example, the showerhead suffering in ways you will just have to imagine till you get there.

I think having John as one neighbor and Gary Larson the other would make life so much more interesting.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

Doug

Mostly good short stuff.

Reviewed in Canada on January 30, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is pretty short and the last couple of things were filler, but at least 75% of it shows off that great Scalzi humour I appreciate so much, so it was still worth it to me.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again

JEK

Always a funny twist

Reviewed in Canada on January 23, 2017

Verified Purchase

Enjoyable stories always with a funny twist. I like his writing and, he usually seems to be starting from a known point.

Sending feedback...

Thank you for your feedback.

Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again