Jean Marie Ward
Fiction, nonfiction & all points in between
A Future for Ferals
Life is tough on the streets…
Whether born there, abandoned, or on the run, cats-feral or otherwise-living on the fringes don’t have it easy. Predators, territorial battles, and lack of basic necessities like food, shelter, and medical care take their toll and shorten lives. But there are those out there that envision a better future for ferals, and we aim to help them the best we can.
This charity anthology of speculative fiction stories and real-life accounts has been organized and contributed to by those with a heart for these hard-luck cases. All profits from sales will 100% be donated to cat rescue organizations dedicated to finding home for these kitties, where possible, or giving them the care that they can-medical or Trap, Neuter, and Release-before returning them back into the wild.
Can you help us, help them?
Featuring stories donated by Carol Gyzander, Grace Bridges, Lisa Kruse, Jean Marie Ward, Mike McPhail, Lawrence M. Schoen, Rigel Ailur, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Marc L. Abbott, Aaron Rosenberg, Nancy Jane Moore, Christopher J. Burke, Amber Davis, Bernie Mojzes, Keith R.A. DeCandido, and Jeff Young.
Part one of the cat rescue charity duology which continues in More Futures for Ferals. Buying from the publisher means more money for cat rescues.
Intergalactic Rejects
For readers: a collection of exciting, powerful science fiction and fantasy stories. For writers: a reminder that rejection isn’t the end and to never give up on stories you believe in.
A man who lost his son finds family again piloting a lab-grown dolphin and helping it navigate loss while, hopefully, preventing more; an Irish goddess must contend with the magic of a saint to save her people; and a bullied boy finds common cause with the ghosts of dead horses in the basement of the Hermitage Museum.
These stories and many more await in this anthology of stories. Each one powerfully demonstrates the point of this anthology: that great stories are rejected every day. From Science Fiction Grand Masters and New York Times bestsellers to writers just starting their career, this anthology is packed full of strong stories that waited a long time to find a home. Every story is accompanied by a rejection history from the author themselves, each with different lessons on the nature and meaning of rejection as well as words of encouragement for their fellow authors on those days when the rejections roll in too many at a time.
Along with the seven stories from our anchor authors Samuel R. Delany, Robert J. Sawyer, Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta, Gregory Norman Bossert, Jean Marie Ward, William Joseph Roberts, and David Boop, we also have an original essay from Robert Silverberg, and a foreword by Neil Clarke, the editor and publisher of Clarkesworld Magazine.
Finally, there are also thirteen original stories slushed from our open call by Christopher Blake, Laurence Raphael Brothers, Marie Croke, Sam Harris, Andrew Jackson, Stephen Kotowych, Rich Larson, Sam Loiaconi, Amelia Dee Mueller, Sam W. Pisciotta, Erica Ruppert, Paul Dale Smith, and Catherine Wells.
Burning Down the House
Edward T. Woodhouse – Eddie to his friends, such as they are – is a sorcerer with a problem. He wants to get more power, and thinks he’s done it. Only…he hasn’t.
Duck “Duke d’ Or” Orr – Ducky to his friends, which he can prove that he has – is a sorcerer with a swanky nightclub that’s doing great…for now.
Eddie and Ducky are, due to a variety of circumstances, the bitterest of enemies. They do their best to keep apart…until they don’t.
Jvala is forced unwillingly into this volatile mix. She didn’t start this particular fight – but she’s going to do her best to end it.
You’ll root for someone…we’re just not sure who.
Firmly fitting into the genre of urban fantasy, this tongue-in-cheek tale will best appeal to those who enjoy fast-paced magical hijinks.
Victoria Silverwolf, Tangent Online