These twenty stories and twelve sonnets by award-winning author Ted Morrissey are collected here for the first time. Arranged chronologically, they trace his literary development over four decades, beginning in the early 1990s and including work produced within the last few years. Among the earliest stories are “Fische Stories” (published in Glimmer Train Stories) and “Mix” (Paris Transcontinental); transitional stories include “Communion with the Dead” (The Chariton Review) and “Melvill in the Marquesas” (the opening section of his novella Weeping with an Ancient God, named a Best Book of 2015 by Chicago Book Review); and there are three previously uncollected Crowsong stories, extensions of his multi-award-winning 2017 novel Crowsong for the Stricken (which Kirkus Reviews called “strange and beautiful” in a starred review and named a Best Indie Book of 2017). The sonnets are his Laertes Sonnet Sequence (appearing in such journals as Bellevue Literary Review, Grand Little Things and Prime Number Magazine), written in apostrophe to his father Vince, who passed away suddenly in 2012. The collection begins with the author’s newly written introduction “Delta of Cassiopeia” in which he shares lessons learned from a lifetime of writing and teaching writing as well as anecdotes about some of the collected material. The introduction also discusses the state of the publishing industry and the reasons why most writers have difficulty establishing a devoted readership. The paperback edition includes an updated and expanded introduction.

The book won the Maincrest Media Award in the story collections category. It is also a finalist for the Big Other Book Award in Fiction. It was a finalist for an American Fiction Award and a Global Book Award.

Available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions. See the book’s sell sheet.

Reviews

“Provocative, powerful and intense . . . Morrissey’s storytelling is immersive as he digs deeper into the inner world of his multifaceted characters, delving into their fears, insecurities, doubts, traumas, longing, and desires. Deeply absorbing, thought-provoking, and bittersweet.” — The Prairies Book Review

“With subjects variously quotidian and mythological, Ted Morrissey’s satisfying literary collection Delta of Cassiopeia gathers poetry and prose selections from across forty years of writing into a single, accomplished volume. . . Delta of Cassiopeia is a bright literary collection whose poetry and prose pieces function like stars in a career-spanning constellation.” — Michele Sharpe, Foreword Reviews, Clarion rating 5/5

“The stories themselves are delightful. Mr. Morrissey’s love of language is obvious. They read to me like something I’d hear at a reading. Engaging and with the right amount of detail to keep my interest. Given what (or who) some of these stories are based on, they served as a lovely reminder of some of my favorite stories that I read growing up. And if I were to be so bold, there are a few mid-20th century authors I’d compare these stories to, one of whom is Harper Lee and another, is Truman Capote.” — Leslie Obrien, The Book Revue, 5/5 stars

“[A] captivating collection of diverse and intriguing stories … It is a testament to the author’s talent and creativity, making it a must-read for all lovers of literature. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a well-crafted and engaging story.” — Nathaniel Sarah, Online Book Club, 5/5 stars

“[D]eeply descriptive, imaginative, and sometimes haunting tales; the author excels in setting an atmospheric and natural scene … in vivid, descriptive prose … Morrissey does an excellent job of blending vastly different stories and sonnets together to create one cohesive color … A thoughtful and evocative collection of tales and poems.” — Kirkus Reviews

“The book’s undeniable highlight . . . is Morrissey’s prose: engrossing and nearly flawless, with polished and occasionally startling images. . . . The dozen sonnets of the Laertes sequence that close the volume, elegies to the author’s father, are fine and robust. . . . [T]he rich language is its own reward.” — BlueInk Review