...sixteen fresh voices selected from over two hundred entries representing new and original science fiction, fantasy and horror from eleven countries. From a dark twist on "Sleeping Beauty" to new-job hell, from waning gods to an enchanted glass eye and menacing pet cats, these stories span a range of tones from funny to bizarre to terrifying to epic. Curled Up With a Good Book
Frustrated superheroes, a dragon-slayer, futuristic suicide games and even a cat lady make this book a must read for those loving horror, fantasy and/or science fiction. Compulsivereader.com
Bardic Tales and Sage Advice has something here for every fan of speculative fiction. Myshelf.com
...wholesomely intriguing in sharp writing, cultural fascination and a competitive edge sharp enough to sit well or worrisomely well if one is literary enough to acknowledge talent. TCM Reviews
Bardic Tales and Sage Advice is an easy reading book, bringing together some fresh, new ideas in fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Readerviews.com
Each story has a unique voice, and the collection as a whole is an excellent resource to sample what can be accomplished in the genre. Dark Animus
Winter of the Gods: As the gods prepare for their long sleep, a young woman bears the burden of keeping their memory alive for the sake of the future. (Elena Clark, Charlotte, NC)
Reflexions: In the spirit of the great bards, an epic poem of fantastical magic and mystery (Deanna Marie Emmerson, Ontario, Canada)
The Cat Lady: Pets aren't always just members of the family. Sometimes, they're the masters. (Melissa Herman, Colorado Springs, CO)
The Face She Remembers: A dark twist on the "Sleeping Beauty" tale (Swapna Kishore, Bangalore, India)
The New Guy: A new purchasing agent discovers the first day on the job can be hell... (Ashley Tamerline, Philadelphia, PA)
Through the Data Storm: Love, and freedom, know no boundaries (David Lawrence, Ontario, CA)
The Lucky Card: Good luck isn't always a good thing to have. (Jenue Brosinski, Hamburg, Germany)
Netherlands Roulette: A police officer discovers you can ban the weapons of destruction, but not humanity's self-destructive nature. (Ross Raffin, Los Altos Hills, CA)
The Glass Eye: A young man develops a new perspective thanks to an antique glass eye (David Stephenson, Annapolis, MD)
It is...: Madman? Genius? Savior? The decision is left to us. (Anthony Cooke, San Francisco, CA)
Pirates: A lively tribute to the legacy of pirates in fantasy (Bob Quinn, Crimora, VA)
In the Beginning: The cost of forbidden love is paid for by all (Jerry Kline, Pittsburg, PA)
Again--Les Fleurs du Mal: A tale of commerce, corruption, and sacrifice (Lynn Veach Sadler, Sanford, NC)
Them: "Alien" is a matter of perspective (Mark Torrender, Watford, UK)
Heroes: Two superheroes contemplate alternative career options (Anthony Cooke, San Francisco, CA)
Dragon's Ire, Phoenix Flame: A dragon, a dragon slayer, lost love, and a mystical bird...all the trappings of a classic fantasy tale with a triumphant twist (Meghan McVey, Laplace, LA)
Jenue Brosinski: Brosinski was born in Jamaica, raised in the U.S., and now lives in Germany. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University. She is a full-time mother and housewife whose hobbies include writing and baking.
Elena Clark: Elena Clark's whirlwind life started quietly in Kentucky, where she was homeschooled by her parents and competed in equestrian competitions. As a teen she moved to Russia with her family, and has spent most of her adult life travelling the world. She has a B.A. in International Studies from UNC-Charlotte and an M.A. in Russian Translation from Columbia University. Along the way, she has held jobs as a freelance translator, riding instructor, office assistant, food service employee, and gardener.
Anthony Cooke: A sixteen year native of California, Anthony came to the West Coast in 1989. He settled in the Bay Area in 1992 to begin work on his first novel, Symmetry, a black humor horror novel which was completed in early 2005. Along the way, he has written poetry and short fiction while working as a cashier, librarian, barback, and other jobs.. His work is inspired by dreams, the undercurrents in the hidden recesses of urban life, and the idea of how modern situations create constantly shifting (and conflicting) identities. His work will appear in the upcoming anthology In Their Own Words: A Generation Defining Themselves, vol. 6. Currently he is juggling working toward a degree in English and working on his second novel, a historical dark fantasy.
Deanna Marie Emmerson: This Ontario resident started writing at the age of three and hopes to someday publish a collection of poetry and short stories.
Melissa Herman: Melissa Herman is a freelance writing living in Colorado Springs with her husband and their four-legged children.
Swapna Kishore: Swapna Kishore's previous writing credits include technical books, and she has a Bachelor of Technology degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.. Recently she has started writing fiction and essays. Her work can also be found at Flashquake.org.
Jerry Kline: Originally from Western Maryland, recently moved to Pittsburgh, PA. He is currently a full time student.
David Lawrence: A sometimes reluctant subject of this experiment called "life," David Lawrence seeks to understand and share universal truths through the looking glass of creative fiction. A resident of Southern California, he is currently working on Tav: Future Perfect, the sequel to his first metaphysical science fiction novel, 22 Stories: Falling Upward through the Tarot (see our review of the book here)
Meghann McVey: Currently a junior studying Creative Writing at Louisiana State University. She hopes to write fantasy novels and teach college level creative writing after graduation.
Bob Quinn: Poetry may seem an odd coice for a 56 year old construction worker and ex-Marine, but for Bob Quinn, his "Rough Verse" is the perfect medium for storytelling. Quinn started writing after suffering from a heart attack, and now seeks to share his unique vision and style.
Ross Raffin: Ross began writing at the age of 13. At age 14 his writing was legible enough so that everyone realized that he was writing and not drawing. His first publication credit was in The Doors, a religious satire magazine. He is currently working on a screenplay. He lives in Los Altos Hills with his two dogs, a 24" television, and a pile of paper and pencils. Most recently, his work can be found at The Cynic.
Lynn Veach Sadler: Formerly a college president in Vermont, Dr. Sadler distinguished herself in academia by earning the Extraordinary Undergraduate Teaching Award and the Distinguished Women of North Carolina Award for Education. Her academic publications include five books and over sixty articles. She has since turned her attention to creative writing and is widely published in poetry and fiction.. Her full-length poetry collection, Like a Dragon's Mouth, is forthcoming from Rockway Press. One of her stories was published in Del Sol Press's Best of 2004: The Robert Olen Butler Prize Anthology. Not Your Average Poet was a 2005 Silver Medalist in the University of Tampa's Pinter Review Prize for Drama. Dr. Sadler recently published her novella, Foot Ways, with us.
David Stephenson: A professor at St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, he currently teaches both philosophy and music. He is currently working on the sequel to his novel The Winds of Aeolus.
Ashley Tamerline: A first year communications student who lives in Philadelphia, PA. She inherited the writing bug from her mother, who helped her learn how to read as a child by reading poetry to her.
Mark Torrender: Torrender is a writer, cartoonist, and artist who has worked on such diverse projects as British children's television and horror screenplays for indie production companies. He published a children's novel, Buzz-The Battle of Bumbleton Woods, in 2001.
