Since this is the first week of Lent, I'm going to be getting several of my ducks in a row very shortly. This means easing up the gas on the blog for a bit. It's not going to be forever, and Thursday posts will continue as usual, but for now this will be the last entry of Story Sheets. Something needs to give for now, and it just has to be that.
I also need to write more to continue with this series, so it is something that I need to get on doing. One of many things. I apologize to readers, but it must be done.
However, for this final (for now) entry, I'm going to do something a bit different. This time I'm going to talk about a story that just came out today that you haven't read yet!
I'd like to share with you the release of the third volume in Tuscany Bay's Planetary Anthology series. Each volume continues different set of genre fiction stories written by many authors based on the planet (whether using known science, or mythological legends) over the course of 11 volumes. Uranus is the planet subject of volume 3, and the one I'm in.
I am also in another volume, but I will wait until we get closer to launch to talk about that one. It will be a long time from now. For now, let us talk about the Planetary Anthology series, including Uranus, as well as my story The Cold Heart of Ouranos.
Find it Here!
First, some background on the series itself.
A couple of years ago, Superversive Press announced a series of 12 volumes each containing short stories based on the classic planetary system. 9 were based on the planets, and two were based on the sides of the moon. Each volume would contain stories science fiction, fantasy, horror, and weird fiction, with everything in between. No genre style was off limits. All that mattered was matching tone and theme. As a themed series of short story anthologies, it was quite ambitious. Many writers submitted and had a lot of hopes for this series. How couldn't they?
Unfortunately, it was not to be. 5 volumes were released before Superversive Press shut down. It looked like the series was finished. I had submitted some stories myself, but nothing of what I wrote was released in said volumes. Not only me, but many authors had tales that wouldn't see the light of day and were lost in the void. It just didn't look very hopeful for it to continue.
But then something happened. Author Richard Paolinelli got in contact with the good folks at Superversive and rescued the series from its fate. He gathered together a crew of new and returning editors to finally polish off the project everyone had worked so hard on. The Planetary Series was back, and it would be completed this time!
He first started with finishing off the three nearly-completed volumes Superversive Press didn't get to, including the one for the planet Uranus: the one I had a story accepted in. So what you're looking at is an older story that's been waiting to see publication through a lot of weird publishing trip ups. But now it's finally here!
Tuscany Bay first put out the three volumes that were near completion. Next they'll be going back to re-release the five already put out by Superversive Press (some have new stories!), before finishing it off with the final three volumes, the ones that were the furthest from completion. It is now an 11 volume series (down from 12) due to the moon being whittled down to one fat tome, but it is otherwise the same Planetary Anthology series as before. In fact, two volumes are still open for submission. I have a second story coming, but as I said, today let us focus on the here and now. More on the second story at another date.
For now, here is the description of the long awaited third volume of Uranus:
These are the stories of Uranus. Stories of new beginnings and creation. Stories of the mysterious seventh planet in our solar system and of the God of the sky that it was named after:
The Rising of Michael Reid, by Constantine Nakos – Michael Reid wasted his life. Now he has been given the chance to make amends. Every day he wakes up in the grave where he was buried and sets off for wherever Providence guides him.
Serendi-bunny, by Julie Frost – Alex Jarrett may be a mad scientist, but he's a mad scientist on a mission to cure cancer. When he buys a pair of robot bunnies from the internet to help him accelerate his research, he gets more than he bargained for when they turn out to be assassin-bots sent from the future.
Forty-Two Years of Summer, by Karina Fabian – Forty-Two years of summer is a love story, an old woman’s reminiscing, and a peek at what the future could be. It reminds us that whatever the challenges, even the coming 42 years of Uranus winter, there is love and joy and the 42 years of summer.
Weather Witch of the West, by Ben Wheeler – Uranus is controlled by the Weather Witches. From their floating sky-palaces, they manipulate the weather, change the seasons and hold the lives and deaths of the countless inhabitants of the gas giants in their calculations.
Muddification, by Clint Hale – When human-like creatures are produced by advanced technology, they have no soul. They are a mere shell. What happens when mankind attempts to fuse the human soul and intellect with one of these uninhabited bodies? Is the body only a vessel, or does it also have some impact on who and what a person is?
The Last Human, by Richard Paolinelli – Anne Fontana needed a getaway, a vacation all to herself. But some vacations are just too short. The world has changed, and when she returns, she discovers that she alone holds the power to save humanity, or change it irrevocably.
Blue Ring Beginning, by Bokerah Brumley – Archibald wants a new start. A former detective, he lands on the Uranus station, desperate for work. Will a last-second offer from the station's commanding officer give him the fresh start he needs, or dredge up the past he wants to forget?
Two Households, None Alike, by A.M. Freeman – Two worlds collide with an inharmonious clash at a ceremony meant to unite. The Princess of Uranus, full of pride for her society's progress, must marry the Prince of Mars – and become queen of a rough and foreign land.
Creativity, by Arlan Andrews Sr. – Arlan was once criticized by a supervisor for being “too creative.” This is a wish fulfillment revenge story. “Sometimes management should not try to screw over a truly creative person.” (And never, never irritate a science-fiction writer)
Kashika's Empty Nest, by Sarah Byrne – As the newly widowed dowager queen of an ancient kingdom, Kashika is looking forward to a life of retirement and freedom from her royal duties when she finds herself arrested for the murder of the late king. Only her young and inexperienced son, now king in his own right, believes in her innocence.
The Long Dream, by Caroline Furlong – The U.S.S. Andrew Jackson discovers an abandoned cryo-pod in orbit over Uranus, prompting questions about the first manned mission to the seventh planet in the Solar System – questions someone does not want answered.
The Morrigan, by Christopher Wilson – Civilization is dying, society falling apart, anarchic reavers and hungry gangs taking control now that no one is left to stop them. But an aging scout pilot, driving an old relic from a bygone era, may finally have an answer.
Cold Heart of Ouranos, by J.D. Cowan – Underneath Ouranos lies a hidden evil forgotten by those who live in the frozen wastes and the heated city. Mysteries from the past have revealed themselves once more.
Room to Breathe, by Marina Fontaine - Home. Family. Friends. Daniel knows those words used to mean something special. But not anymore. Not for him.
That is quite the line-up of authors! It's been a long time coming so enjoy the stories. They are all worth your time, just like every volume of the series.
So how about my story? This is Story Sheets, after all. I suppose it is time to get to the meat of this post and tell you what The Cold Heart of Ouranos is all about.
I've long since been a fan of the mysterious wanderer archetype. Most sword and sorcery falls into this camp, as do many westerns, and some of my personal favorite anime such as Trigun and Armored Trooper Votoms do it as well. I still believe it remains one of the best formula for writing short stories in the action vein, and it seems to be one that modern entertainment isn't all that good at doing. It's a style that requires plenty of mystery to get going, and in this age of endless reboots and origin stories it is impossible to have that. This is where PulpRev and Superversive come into play. We can lean on wonder to tell stories.
I wanted to create a character with a vague past who has somehow ended up going on adventures in order to help people, but I wanted it to be slightly different than the usual gunslinger type. I wanted it to be intergalactic. Here we have a mysterious warrior who travels planet to planet in some distant system in a pod, wears a suit that adjusts to the temperature and climate of the world in question, and carries a sword of flames. He has one quest, and he will complete it against all odds.
The idea is that he is a Dead World Drifter, who arrives on planets that are just about out of time. They are either about to destroy themselves or are about to be destroyed. Our protagonist then goes on missions in order to right this crucial wrong before it is too late.
However, the idea for this particular story--one of a planet of snow and ice with an ancient hidden secret under it and a defensive satellite above is one I've had since I first started writing years ago. When the Planetary Anthology was announced I saw my excuse to finally write it, and write it I did. This was a blast to finally put to paper.
What you get in The Cold Heart of Ouranos is sword and planet action with covert adventure and a touch of mystery waiting in the depths of the dead world. It's a good old fashioned adventure not seen since the days of the pulps: fast-paced, sharp, and fun. This is the sort of story I intend to bring back into focus again.
Will our hero discover the secret at the center of the planet, or is he destined to fail like so many others? Read Planetary Uranus to find out! It's a good time.
And that's all there is for this entry.
Thank you for keeping up with this small series of posts. Story Sheets isn't done, but will be taking a hiatus as I work on more stories for you to read. A writer's work is never really done: there's always the next tale to be told.
But it has been fun, so once again--thank you for reading! I will see you on Thursday.
Find it Here!
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