Hi friends! I’ve been very excited to tell you about this project. As you may recall, several of my short stories have been published in Indie Bites, which is a quarterly fantasy anthology. They feature work from indie and small-press authors, and all of the issues are free to read online (links to my specific stories are on my books page here).
The team behind Indie Bites wanted to do something special to commemorate five years of the magazine, so they put together a fancy edition with 20 of their favorite stories…and they asked if they could include my short story “Deathwriter” (to which my answer was, of course, heck yes)!
The Quintessential Indie Bites: Five Years of Fantasy will have the editors’ 20 favorite stories as well as exclusive art on the endpapers, a ribbon bookmark, and gold foiling on the cover, which you can see below (illustrated by Arden Powell).
Having a special edition of my work has always been a vaguely-sparkly dream of mine, so to say I’m stoked would be an understatement. “Deathwriter” is one of the pieces I’m most proud of, and I’m honored that it was chosen to be part of this beautiful anthology. In the editors’ own words, “Our contributors’ stories are truly incredible. The standard of writing we see from indie authors in our submissions inbox is just mind-blowing, and we have picked the very cream of the crop for this special edition.” (preening)
Here’s where I’m going to ask for your help! The Quintessential Indie Bites is a Kickstarter project, meaning that it won’t be produced unless it gets fully funded. It’s already over 80% of the way there! A £25 pledge (about $33 USD) will get you a copy of this very fancy book. I’ve already backed it myself. And don’t worry if you haven’t got any more book funds this month (trust me, I understand)–sharing this post or telling your friends about the anthology is also very helpful. Here’s the link to the Kickstarter.
Your support means so much to me and the Indie Bites team, who are a truly wonderful and talented group of people.
What’s “Deathwriter” about? I’m glad you asked! When 12-year-old Ami dies in a car crash, she persuades grumpy, overworked Death to grant her an “Unfinished Business” extension. All she wants is to read the last book in her favoite fantasy series when it releases next month. But when they discover the series is written by a ghostwriter, they realize Ami has been granted immortality and neither are prepared for the consequences. I had a blast writing it, and it’s been a hit with readers, although I can’t say the characters have a great time. I do think they would be pleased to appear in such a fancy book, though. Priorities, you know.
I’M SORRY I COULDN’T RESIST.