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Stories from the Verse
Versers Versus Versers

We have successfully presented Verse Three, Chapter One:  The First Multiverser Novel in its entirety, chapter by chapter, followed by the second, Old Verses New, third, For Better or Verse, fourth, Spy Verses, and fifth, Garden of Versers.  If you haven't read the first five books, they're not essential; as we bring you the sixth novel, Versers Versus Versers, it is in a sense a complete story in itself, and while continuing the stories of those characters it is also a discrete book despite being part of a longer story.  It also introduces a few new characters along the way who will continue to be part of the ongoing saga.  On the other hand, the first five books are free and easily accessed by anyone who can get here, so you can't complain that you wish you'd read them first if you don't.  They have now been joined by

For the reasons discussed on the indexing page of that first novel, we've chosen this format.  Below are two columns, the one on the left listing all the chapters published so far in sequence--the sequence in which they are published as well as the sequence in which they appear in the book.  The right hand column reverses the order, such that the first chapter listed there is the most recently published one, the last chapter currently available.  That way if you've just discovered the book you can begin with chapter one and work your way down the left hand side, but if you've been reading regularly you can immediately go to the latest installment by hitting the top of the right column.  Again each chapter is on its own web page, with a link near the top to the previous chapter and, once it is published, a link at the bottom to the next one, plus links back to this page to help you navigate.  You'll have to keep track of your place, but that shouldn't be too difficult--I'm including a blurb with each chapter that should help you remember what you've read.  To be first to hear of new publications, support my Patreon campaign, or follow me in social media.

Again I have collected some "behind the writings" materials, which will be published on the mark Joseph "young" web log and listed and linked here.  These are quite replete with spoilers, so you might want to delay reading them until you're well past the chapters they discuss, but quite a few readers have found them interesting.  One has told me he is not much of a book reader but loves reading about creative process, and thus the posts on how it was created are to him more interesting than the story itself.  I do hope you find the story interesting, but I admit that the behind-the-writings posts interest me as well.

Credit should be given.  The above image was based again on the cover of the first novel, which was created by Valdron art director Dimitrios "Jim" Denaxas, with reference to previous covers I devised by modifying that original image and with Kyler C. B. Young's help on the fifth.  The images on the individual pages were done by me usually by compositing images gleaned from the Internet which were said to be free for commercial use (I'm not sure this is commercial use, but I'm not sure it is not, so I'm not taking a risk there) with elements of some previous images some done by Eric York for the first novel; I again added the lettering in all cases.  Although we did not have an outside editor on this, I went through a rather intensive collaborative editing process with Kyler over a few months to hone the text.  Kyler is also responsible in significant part for the creation of the major characters in the James Beam story and some of the planned adventures for them.

A section was added for Multiverser Novel Support Pages, including Multiverser game-style character sheets for major characters in the novels, to be expanded gradually over time.

Chapter 1:  Hastings 173, in which Lauren is surrounded.
Chapter 2:  Beam 42, in which James and his companions are met by the local people.
Chapter 3:  Takano 1, in which "Tommy" Takano is introduced to the multiverse.
Chapter 4:  Slade 155, in which Bob is again asked to tell one of his tales of glory.
Chapter 5:  Kondor 155, in which Joe recognizes his own cognitive dissonance.
Chapter 6:  Brown 179, in which Derek muses on being married.
Chapter 7:  Beam 43, in which James and his team are settled into the Amir's palace.
Chapter 8:  Hastings 174, in which Lauren assesses advantages and opportunities in the Arabian Nights world.
Chapter 9:  Slade 156, in which Bob considers how Lauren's presence impacts their interactions with each other.
Chapter 10:  Takano 2, in which Tommy meets a strange person.
Chapter 11:  Kondor 156, in which Joe realizes the danger that his friend Zeke might start to believe in magic.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #319:  Quiet Worlds, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel begins, covering the chapters 1 through 11.
Chapter 12:  Beam 44, in which James struggles through an honorary dinner.
Chapter 13:  Brown 180, in which Derek rides a riverboat.
Chapter 14:  Slade 157, in which Bob worries about not having Derek closely available.
Chapter 15:  Beam 45, in which James learns what Laban wants.
Chapter 16:  Hastings 175, in which Lauren gets a casual call from Derek.
Chapter 17:  Takano 3, in which Tommy dines in the home of a satyr.
Chapter 18:  Kondor 157, in which Joe and the others get Lauren to start teaching classes in psionics.
Chapter 19:  Brown 181, in which Derek senses another verser in the wrong direction.
Chapter 20:  Beam 46, in which James is informed by Dawn of something above them watching them.
Chapter 21:  Hastings 176, in which Lauren receives an urgent call from Derek.
Chapter 22:  Takano 4, in which Tommy meets the horse people.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #323:  Verser Crises, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 12 through 22.
Chapter 23:  Kondor 158, in which Joe, Zeke, and Lauren travel to Vashti's home in search of Derek.
Chapter 24:  Beam 47, in which James' team regroups and retreats.
Chapter 25:  Slade 158, in which Bob informs the Caliph of the situation at the Southern River Bend Amirate.
Chapter 26:  Kondor 159, in which Joe and the others attend a memorial service for Derek and Vashti.
Chapter 27:  Beam 48, in which James suggests a possible alliance with Scheherazade.
Chapter 28:  Brown 182, in which Derek is interrupted on his way to find Vashti.
Chapter 29:  Takano 5, in which Tommy visits with the horse people and meets an eagle.
Chapter 30:  Hastings 177, in which Lauren tries to occupy her time while at the Amir's residence.
Chapter 31:  Slade 159, in which Bob feels naked without his team.
Chapter 32:  Brown 183, in which Derek finds Vashti and takes an elevator to find their luggage.
Chapter 33:  Beam 49, in which James fumes about not being believed.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #327:  Verser Separations, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 23 through 33.
Chapter 34:  Kondor 160, in which Joe learns some psionics while Zeke also learns some magic.
Chapter 35:  Brown 184, in which Derek describes some of the oddities about their captors.
Chapter 36:  Hastings 178, in which Lauren writes a spell list.
Chapter 37:  Slade 160, in which Bob outlines a plan to meet the other versers.
Chapter 38:  Takano 6, in which Tomiko travels miles through the woods to meet a witch.
Chapter 39:  Brown 185, in which Derek and Vashti discuss things over lunch.
Chapter 40:  Beam 50, in which James receives intel from the spy who questioned Amira Scheherazade.
Chapter 41:  Kondor 161, in which Joe experiments with his new clairsentient skills.
Chapter 42:  Brown 186, in which Derek, aided by his computer, finally figures out where he is.
Chapter 43:  Takano 7, in which Tommy has her brief meeting with a witch.
Chapter 44:  Beam 51, in which James worries about Lauren and suggests a way to learn more.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #333:  Uncertain Worlds, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 34 through 44.
Chapter 45:  Slade 161, in which Bob worries about worrying, and about the visitor to the southern amirate.
Chapter 46:  Brown 187, in which Derek explains to Vashti how he is taking over the ship.
Chapter 47:  Hastings 179, in which Lauren is asked to spy on a suspected spy.
Chapter 48:  Kondor 162, in which Joe has trouble with mindreading.
Chapter 49:  Takano 8, in which Tommy finds herself in an old world.
Chapter 50:  Brown 188, in which Derek teaches a computer some new languages.
Chapter 51:  Slade 162, in which Bob explains his worries to the Caliph.
Chapter 52:  Hastings 180, in which Lauren questions the emissary about the other versers.
Chapter 53:  Brown 189, in which Derek plays a game with his door.
Chapter 54:  Kondor 163, in which Joe messes with the emissary's head.
Chapter 55:  Takano 9, in which Tommy lands in jail.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #338:  Verser Missteps, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 45 through 55.
Chapter 56:  Slade 163, in which Bob wonders whether he's paranoid.
Chapter 57:  Brown 190, in which Derek wonders what to do in this world.
Chapter 58:  Beam 52, in which James concludes that the report of the spy has been fabricated.
Chapter 59:  Hastings 181, in which Lauren worries about the emissary.
Chapter 60:  Brown 191, in which Derek and Vashti stroll down to the kitchen.
Chapter 61:  Kondor 164, in which it's Joe's turn to wonder whether his new skills are dangerous.
Chapter 62:  Slade 164, in which Bob sends an invitation to the other versers.
Chapter 63:  Takano 10, in which Tommy learns that she is in a very ironic time and place.
Chapter 64:  Beam 53, in which James receives and reads an invitation.
Chapter 65:  Hastings 182, in which Lauren is summoned back to the caliphate.
Chapter 66:  Brown 192, in which Derek explains to Vashti how the alien spaceship kitchen stove works.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #339:  Verser Tensions, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 56 through 66.
Chapter 67:  Kondor 165, in which Joe and the others are briefed concerning Bob's plan.
Chapter 68:  Slade 165, in which Bob and company meet Beam and company.
Chapter 69:  Beam 54, in which James recognizes Slade.
Chapter 70:  Hastings 183, in which Lauren sees the battle begin and responds in kind.
Chapter 71:  Brown 193, in which Derek officially joins the crew.
Chapter 72:  Slade 166, in which Bob fights the toughest little opponent he has ever faced.
Chapter 73:  Takano 11, in which Tommy experiences an explosive change.
Chapter 74:  Kondor 166, in which Joe watches as the battle comes to an abrupt end.
Chapter 75:  Brown 194, in which Derek applies for a promotion.
Chapter 76:  Kondor 167, in which Joe gets Zeke's explanation, and they try to figure out what happens next.
Chapter 77:  Hastings 184, in which Lauren gets a very brief respite before trouble finds her again.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #343:  Worlds Explode, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 67 through 77.
Chapter 78:  Kondor 168, in which Joe and Zeke try to figure out how to warn the Amir of the approaching danger.
Chapter 79:  Slade 167, in which Bob surveys a park and talks with a bird.
Chapter 80:  Kondor 169, in which Joe and Zeke deliver their report to the Amir.
Chapter 81:  Beam 55, in which James feels the impact of the rifle.
Chapter 82:  Hastings 185, in which Lauren kisses a bulldog to save a child.
Chapter 83:  Kondor 170, in which Joe assesses the enemy attack strategy.
Chapter 84:  Takano 12, in which Tommy gets a strange girl from a stranger woman.
Chapter 85:  Kondor 171, in which Joe and Zeke prepare to repel a river crossing attempt.
Chapter 86:  Brown 195, in which Derek and Vashti find a surprise awaiting them on the bridge.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #347:  Versers Scrambled, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 78 through 86, the end of the book.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #347:  Versers Scrambled, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 78 through 86, the end of the book.
Chapter 86:  Brown 195, in which Derek and Vashti find a surprise awaiting them on the bridge.
Chapter 85:  Kondor 171, in which Joe and Zeke prepare to repel a river crossing attempt.
Chapter 84:  Takano 12, in which Tommy gets a strange girl from a stranger woman.
Chapter 83:  Kondor 170, in which Joe assesses the enemy attack strategy.
Chapter 82:  Hastings 185, in which Lauren kisses a bulldog to save a child.
Chapter 81:  Beam 55, in which James feels the impact of the rifle.
Chapter 80:  Kondor 169, in which Joe and Zeke deliver their report to the Amir.
Chapter 79:  Slade 167, in which Bob surveys a park and talks with a bird.
Chapter 78:  Kondor 168, in which Joe and Zeke try to figure out how to warn the Amir of the approaching danger.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #343:  Worlds Explode, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 67 through 77.
Chapter 77:  Hastings 184, in which Lauren gets a very brief respite before trouble finds her again.
Chapter 76:  Kondor 167, in which Joe gets Zeke's explanation, and they try to figure out what happens next.
Chapter 75:  Brown 194, in which Derek applies for a promotion.
Chapter 74:  Kondor 166, in which Joe watches as the battle comes to an abrupt end.
Chapter 73:  Takano 11, in which Tommy experiences an explosive change.
Chapter 72:  Slade 166, in which Bob fights the toughest little opponent he has ever faced.
Chapter 71:  Brown 193, in which Derek officially joins the crew.
Chapter 70:  Hastings 183, in which Lauren sees the battle begin and responds in kind.
Chapter 69:  Beam 54, in which James recognizes Slade.
Chapter 68:  Slade 165, in which Bob and company meet Beam and company.
Chapter 67:  Kondor 165, in which Joe and the others are briefed concerning Bob's plan.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #339:  Verser Tensions, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 56 through 66.
Chapter 66:  Brown 192, in which Derek explains to Vashti how the alien spaceship kitchen stove works.
Chapter 65:  Hastings 182, in which Lauren is summoned back to the caliphate.
Chapter 64:  Beam 53, in which James receives and reads an invitation.
Chapter 63:  Takano 10, in which Tommy learns that she is in a very ironic time and place.
Chapter 62:  Slade 164, in which Bob sends an invitation to the other versers.
Chapter 61:  Kondor 164, in which it's Joe's turn to wonder whether his new skills are dangerous.
Chapter 60:  Brown 191, in which Derek and Vashti stroll down to the kitchen.
Chapter 59:  Hastings 181, in which Lauren worries about the emissary.
Chapter 58:  Beam 52, in which James concludes that the report of the spy has been fabricated.
Chapter 57:  Brown 190, in which Derek wonders what to do in this world.
Chapter 56:  Slade 163, in which Bob wonders whether he's paranoid.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #338:  Verser Missteps, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 45 through 55.
Chapter 55:  Takano 9, in which Tommy lands in jail.
Chapter 54:  Kondor 163, in which Joe messes with the emissary's head.
Chapter 53:  Brown 189, in which Derek plays a game with his door.
Chapter 52:  Hastings 180, in which Lauren questions the emissary about the other versers.
Chapter 51:  Slade 162, in which Bob explains his worries to the Caliph.
Chapter 50:  Brown 188, in which Derek teaches a computer some new languages.
Chapter 49:  Takano 8, in which Tommy finds herself in an old world.
Chapter 48:  Kondor 162, in which Joe has trouble with mindreading.
Chapter 47:  Hastings 179, in which Lauren is asked to spy on a suspected spy.
Chapter 46:  Brown 187, in which Derek explains to Vashti how he is taking over the ship.
Chapter 45:  Slade 161, in which Bob worries about worrying, and about the visitor to the southern amirate.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #333:  Uncertain Worlds, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 34 through 44.
Chapter 44:  Beam 51, in which James worries about Lauren and suggests a way to learn more.
Chapter 43:  Takano 7, in which Tommy has her brief meeting with a witch.
Chapter 42:  Brown 186, in which Derek, aided by his computer, finally figures out where he is.
Chapter 41:  Kondor 161, in which Joe experiments with his new clairsentient skills.
Chapter 40:  Beam 50, in which James receives intel from the spy who questioned Amira Scheherazade.
Chapter 39:  Brown 185, in which Derek and Vashti discuss things over lunch.
Chapter 38:  Takano 6, in which Tomiko travels miles through the woods to meet a witch.
Chapter 37:  Slade 160, in which Bob outlines a plan to meet the other versers.
Chapter 36:  Hastings 178, in which Lauren writes a spell list.
Chapter 35:  Brown 184, in which Derek describes some of the oddities about their captors.
Chapter 34:  Kondor 160, in which Joe learns some psionics while Zeke also learns some magic.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #327:  Verser Separations, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 23 through 33.
Chapter 33:  Beam 49, in which James fumes about not being believed.
Chapter 32:  Brown 183, in which Derek finds Vashti and takes an elevator to find their luggage.
Chapter 31:  Slade 159, in which Bob feels naked without his team.
Chapter 30:  Hastings 177, in which Lauren tries to occupy her time while at the Amir's residence.
Chapter 29:  Takano 5, in which Tommy visits with the horse people and meets an eagle.
Chapter 28:  Brown 182, in which Derek is interrupted on his way to find Vashti.
Chapter 27:  Beam 48, in which James suggests a possible alliance with Scheherazade.
Chapter 26:  Kondor 159, in which Joe and the others attend a memorial service for Derek and Vashti.
Chapter 25:  Slade 158, in which Bob informs the Caliph of the situation at the Southern River Bend Amirate.
Chapter 24:  Beam 47, in which James' team regroups and retreats.
Chapter 23:  Kondor 158, in which Joe, Zeke, and Lauren travel to Vashti's home in search of Derek.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #323:  Verser Crises, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions, covering chapters 12 through 22.
Chapter 22:  Takano 4, in which Tommy meets the horse people.
Chapter 21:  Hastings 176, in which Lauren receives an urgent call from Derek.
Chapter 20:  Beam 46, in which James is informed by Dawn of something above them watching them.
Chapter 19:  Brown 181, in which Derek senses another verser in the wrong direction.
Chapter 18:  Kondor 157, in which Joe and the others get Lauren to start teaching classes in psionics.
Chapter 17:  Takano 3, in which Tommy dines in the home of a satyr.
Chapter 16:  Hastings 175, in which Lauren gets a casual call from Derek.
Chapter 15:  Beam 45, in which James learns what Laban wants.
Chapter 14:  Slade 157, in which Bob worries about not having Derek closely available.
Chapter 13:  Brown 180, in which Derek rides a riverboat.
Chapter 12:  Beam 44, in which James struggles through an honorary dinner.
Behind the writing:  mark Joseph "Young" blog entry #319:  Quiet Worlds, looks at some of what was behind the writing decisions as the novel begins, covering the chapters 1 through 11.
Chapter 11:  Kondor 156, in which Joe realizes the danger that his friend Zeke might start to believe in magic.
Chapter 10:  Takano 2, in which Tommy meets a strange person.
Chapter 9:  Slade 156, in which Bob considers how Lauren's presence impacts their interactions with each other.
Chapter 8:  Hastings 174, in which Lauren assesses advantages and opportunities in the Arabian Nights world.
Chapter 7:  Beam 43, in which James and his team are settled into the Amir's palace.
Chapter 6:  Brown 179, in which Derek muses on being married.
Chapter 5:  Kondor 155, in which Joe recognizes his own cognitive dissonance.
Chapter 4:  Slade 155, in which Bob is again asked to tell one of his tales of glory.
Chapter 3:  Takano 1, in which "Tommy" Takano is introduced to the multiverse.
Chapter 2:  Beam 42, in which James and his companions are met by the local people.
Chapter 1:  Hastings 173, in which Lauren is surrounded.

As to the old stories that have long been here:

Verse Three, Chapter One:  The First Multiverser Novel

Old Verses New

For Better or Verse

Spy Verses

Garden of Versers
Stories from the Verse Main Page
The Original Introduction to Stories from the Verse
Read the Stories
The Online Games
Books by the Author
Go to Other Links

M. J. Young Net

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