Premeditated or heat-of-the-moment, accidental or under orders, a matter of pure survival, or pure evil... Your first kill changes you, defines you. Your reaction reveals who you are, and sets the path for who you become. Casanova is a rising star in his shady Organization, ""Matt"" is fighting to keep his sanity... will both become the monsters others believe them to be? In wars of the future and past, will Urzzt and Junior, two reluctant soldiers, go against their natures in the heat of battle? Can Swan, trained to just observe, take action to turn the tables on her hunter? Can training prepare Ship's Officer Danny Garrett for the trauma of his first kill, and allow him to continue on when lives are at stake? What will become of Whisper and Daniel after the ""accidental"" deaths of those they love most? What happens to Dave and his killer now? Join Authors Rising as we share in nine very different characters' stories, and explore how they and their lives are affected by their FIRST KILLS.

Texts, chat, and tweets are making up an increasing amount of our communication these days -- even email has become blase. But how much meaning can get through in only 160 characters? Join in the exploration with eight stories from our collaborative authors, where we see how much trouble lies in a single poorly understood text message: "Remember 3/31? Need help desperately, not much time left. Please, you're the only one 2713311869101001 You know what to do. - Alex" Can Alex be helped? Will they arrive in time? Does anyone even know what this is about? From spaceships to spies, and comic books to crime bosses, find out in the latest volume from Authors Rising: The Message.

Take a seat at the table, ante up, and get ready to "read" your fellow players... In four stories about poker and the sometimes unusual players that make it so interesting, Authors Rising takes us on a tour of the game, from Mars to Milwaukee. Will Earth's first contact with an alien intelligence still leave time to finish a crucial Hold 'Em hand? Will a mid-level enforcer be able to stay in the game, or be forced out of the syndicate by a jealous Madam? Will a Captain's winnings be enough to save her ship once the shooting starts? Will Lady Luck unravel the bonds of a merc unit's brotherhood? Read these exciting new stories by our up-and-coming authors to find out!