I am very happy to announce this one.
I was first approached to write a short story for Vigilance Press‘s wuxia-fantasy setting, Tianxia, back in 2010 or so. I immediately agreed and got to work getting familiar with the world they were putting together. I eventually handed in an okay piece of writing and, aside from maybe a few correspondences, that was it.
For fifteen years.
Then James Lowder, a lauded editor and anthologist (especially in the tie-in space), pinged me out of nowhere to tell me the book was back on—and he had notes on my story. I was shocked. Pleasantly so but still. I had totally written off the book, knowing very well the trials of being a small publisher and figuring any one of a hundred scenarios played out to sabotage the outfit’s plans. Hearing now that the collection was back on and someone like Jim was at the helm made me smile.
I went beyond the notes—which were good as of course they were—and rewrote large portions of the story. Rebuilding an old work isn’t something you get to do often—unless you choose to do so on your own time. I handed in a fresh copy that I was much happier with, had a little editorial back and forth, and eventually wrapped it up.
As did many others. And our efforts were put together into this short story collection right here:
My work sits alongside some pretty esteemed company: Jaym Gates, Eloy Lasanta, Robin D. Laws, T. S. Luikart, Jack Norris, Aaron Rosenberg, Gareth-Michael Skarka, Allen Turner, and Michael R. Underwood. (List copied directly from the website.)
You can get a copy in PDF or POD through DriveThruFiction. If you get a chance to read it, I’d like to hear your thoughts. Also reach out to anyone whose work you enjoy. I promise a kind email can save an entire week for any creative.
