We conjure a lot of fantastical scenarios within The Story Hunters.
Fairy rings, zombie holocausts, killer nanobots, possessed washing machines, intergalactic world-conquering mothers-in-law.
None of them, however, measure up to the real-life events of 2020.
Way, way back in February of this year, our little writers' group officially launched its first anthology; a few weeks later...the world came to a grinding halt.
There was panic.
Hysteria.
A mad scramble-not just for toilet paper but to try and make sense of it all.
Daily lives were upended overnight. People were cut off from loved ones and workmates and social circles.
As writers, we accept isolation as a necessary (often welcome) part of our toolkit. But during a time when entire countries were shutting down, it was important for The Story Hunters to carry on.
So, like a lot of organisations, we adapted.
The wheels were kept turning until they found traction once more. Our meetings shifted from a physical space to the digital realm. Despite the surrounding turmoil-or perhaps because of it-the ideas churned. The words flowed.
And out of all the chaos and uncertainty, our second anthology was forged.
This book right here.
The seventeen stories within run the gamut of speculative fiction.
There be witches, bothersome spirits, vampiric mutations, as well as werewolves of a different breed.
You'll be transported to alien jungles, distant planets, haunted hotspots, one or two apocalyptic worlds, and perhaps the most terrifying scenario imaginable (for me, anyway): an Earth without coffee.
On a final note, contributing to this anthology has been a joy and privilege. I can't speak for the rest of the group but having this project to focus on-being able to share my passion for spec-fic writing with a bunch of like-minded individuals-has been one of the bright lights in an otherwise murky year.
Here's to the power of stories. The magical glue of words. And to the tales that await beyond this page.
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed the writing.
Michael
