'Matchless prose to fire your imagination! Offering 13 wonderous works of fiction from Joanne Anderton, Adam Browne, Sue Bursztynski, Brenda Cooper, Katherine Cummings, Thoraiya Dyer, Kathleen Jennings, Dave Luckett, Ian McHugh, Sean McMullen, Ripley Patton, Rob Porteous and Anna Tambour' (publisher's blurb).
Light Touch Paper, Stand Clear was shortlisted for a 2013 Ditmar award in the Best Collected Work category. Also shortlisted at the same awards were Joanne Anderton’s ‘The Bone Chime Song’ (Best Short Story) and the anthology’s cover art by Les Petersen (Best Artwork).
Sue Bursztynski’s ‘Five Ways to Start a War’ and Adam Browne’s ‘The D____d’ were each shortlisted for a Chronos award in the Best Short Fiction category.
'Zvonimir creates wind chimes that can summon the shadowy spirit of whatever they are made of. His old friend, war hero, and city Watchman, Casimir arrives at his door with the body of a murder victim, and asks him to build a wind chime from their bones. The city Necromancers have been unable to raise the victim’s spirit, and plagued by his own demons and doubts, Casimir turns again to his oldest friend — as he always does in his times of need. But Zvonimir can not foresee the song the bone chime will sing, or the impact it will have on both of them' (Joanne Anderton: Blog, Publications, Miscellany).
'A humorous take on the origins of the Trojan War, Five Ways to Start a War tells the story from the differing perspectives of five key figures. The stories interweave to paint a colourful picture of meddling deities, confused mortals, conniving kings, and a bed-hopping prince terrified of losing his royal member to divine vengeance. Helen attempts to avoid the inevitable catastrophe, yet finds that vain goddesses don’t often accept no for an answer' (Michael Goldsmith, Vilutheril).
An amusing story set in the Dark Ages. The protagonist is more than meets the eye.
Tells the tale of Victorian colonialists attempting to terraform hell.
'A story 'about the horrors that could ensue were the irritating machines in our lives sentient and granted personhood' (Tsana Dolichva, Tansa's Reads and Reviews).
A story of power struggles between fantasy creatures and mountain gods.
A story about a group of people taking a hard stand against the kind of people who refuse to believe in global warming.
A story about paths crossing and diverging. A barmaid at Ye Olde Owle cafe and bar has a knack for bringing people together.
