Genrenauts

WesternScience Fiction
Cover image for Genrenauts series
WesternScience Fiction

Summary

A character-centered teaser that places a courier of narrative crises in a speeding moment of decision: which story to save, which to let fall away, and how to live with the consequences when every door leads to a different version of the same trouble.

The Genrenauts series sits within Michael R. Underwood’s broader explorations of genre-fiction mechanics, expanding the idea of a team that manipulates narrative worlds to resolve crises in ours. Though this entry is a standalone teaser for the world, it sits alongside stories that balance zippy plot machinations with character chemistry and genre-savvy humor. The reception has been warmly mixed to positive, with readers appreciating the clever premise and ensemble setup even if some installments emphasize concept over long arcs. Overall, the series is recognized for its inventive premise, brisk pacing, and affectionate send-ups of tropes across pulp traditions.

Main Titles

In 'The Shootout Solution,' the team is thrust into a high-stakes scenario where the fabric of a fractured universe hinges on solving a complex conflict. Main characters, caught between rival...
In 'The Shootout Solution,' the team is thrust into a high-stakes scenario where the fabric of a fractured universe hinges on solving a complex conflict. Main characters, caught between rival factions, must navigate treacherous alliances and moral dilemmas, all while uncovering secrets that could destabilize entire realities. The tension escalates as they race against the clock, confronting their own fears and doubts to prevent catastrophic chaos.
'The Absconded Ambassador' finds the team embroiled in diplomatic intrigue when a key envoy vanishes amidst escalating tensions. Leadership, especially the resourceful protagonist, must decipher...
'The Absconded Ambassador' finds the team embroiled in diplomatic intrigue when a key envoy vanishes amidst escalating tensions. Leadership, especially the resourceful protagonist, must decipher covert messages and unmask hidden enemies to avert war. Personal loyalties are tested as they delve deeper into a web of deception, where every move could tip the delicate balance of interdimensional peace and threaten their very lives.
In 'The Cupid Reconciliation,' romance and politics collide as the team tackles a mission rooted in love gone awry. The protagonist faces a personal dilemma, balancing heart and duty, as they...
In 'The Cupid Reconciliation,' romance and politics collide as the team tackles a mission rooted in love gone awry. The protagonist faces a personal dilemma, balancing heart and duty, as they unravel a conspiracy designed to divide allies and ignite conflicts. Through cunning and courage, they aim to forge unlikely alliances, all while confronting their own vulnerabilities in a universe on the brink of breakdown.
'The Substitute Sleuth' introduces a mysterious new ally who temporarily replaces a key team member, throwing the dynamics into disarray. As an intricate puzzle unfolds, the team must adapt to new...
'The Substitute Sleuth' introduces a mysterious new ally who temporarily replaces a key team member, throwing the dynamics into disarray. As an intricate puzzle unfolds, the team must adapt to new methods and perspectives to track a cunning adversary across shifting worlds. The protagonist’s ingenuity and resilience become paramount, guiding them through deception and danger to uncover truths vital for their survival.
'The Failed Fellowship (Part One)' sets the stage with fractured friendships and untrustworthy allies as the team faces their greatest challenge yet. A mission gone awry exposes deep-seated...
'The Failed Fellowship (Part One)' sets the stage with fractured friendships and untrustworthy allies as the team faces their greatest challenge yet. A mission gone awry exposes deep-seated tensions, and the protagonist must rally those who remain loyal to them. As peril looms, they realize that unity might be their only chance of survival against the emerging threat that seeks to annihilate their entire universe.
'The Failed Fellowship (Part Two)' continues the dramatic saga with a desperate race against time. Old wounds reopen, and enemies close in, forcing the characters to confront their past mistakes...
'The Failed Fellowship (Part Two)' continues the dramatic saga with a desperate race against time. Old wounds reopen, and enemies close in, forcing the characters to confront their past mistakes and forge unexpected alliances. The protagonist's resolve is tested as they navigate treacherous landscapes of betrayal and deception, hoping that collaboration and sacrifice will be enough to thwart the impending doom.
'The Wasteland War' culminates in a harrowing conflict that ravages the remnants of a once-thriving civilization. The team, now hardened and scarred, confronts a formidable enemy whose ambitions...
'The Wasteland War' culminates in a harrowing conflict that ravages the remnants of a once-thriving civilization. The team, now hardened and scarred, confronts a formidable enemy whose ambitions threaten all existence. Personal sacrifices are made as heroes rally together to fight for a future amid destruction, where hope is scarce but determination prevails. This final confrontation tests everything they've learned and fought for, sealing their legacy in the annals of interdimensional history.

Additional Titles

Short Fiction