Today I have the pleasure of welcoming the
remaining authors who participated in the recent Insecure Writer’s Support
Group Anthology, VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST.
If you missed the first part of this feature with
the other five authors, you can read about them HERE.
The authors are here to talk about their
individual stories that are included in the anthology. Please check back again early
next as the anthology publisher will be visiting. First, a brief synopsis of
the anthology, IWSG, and then the authors.
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
* Paperback: 168 pages
* Publisher: Freedom Fox Press (May 5, 2020)
* Language: English
* Print: 9781939844729 $13.95
* eBook: 9781939844736 $4.99
* Juvenile fiction – historical/action &
adventure/fantasy & magic
Journey into the past…
Will the third ghost be found before fires take
more lives? Can everyone be warned before Pompeii is buried again? What happens
if a blizzard traps a family in East Germany? Will the Firebird help Soviet
sisters outwit evil during WWII? And sneaking off to see the first aeroplane –
what could go wrong?
Ten authors explore the past, sending their young
protagonists on harrowing adventures. Featuring the talents of Yvonne
Ventresca, Katharina Gerlach, Roland Clarke, Sherry Ellis, Rebecca M. Douglass,
Bish Denham, Charles Kowalski, Louise MacBeath Barbour, Beth Anderson Schuck,
and L.T. Ward.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and
editors, these ten tales will take readers on a voyage of wonder into history.
Get ready for an exciting ride!
VOYAGERS: THE THIRD GHOST is available at the following
sites:
Insecure Writer’s Support Group:
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure
Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) offers support for writers and authors alike. It
provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter,
& Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. To find out more, visit https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/
 |
| Author Rebecca M. Douglass |
Meet Rebecca M. Douglass, author of A world of Trouble
The Voyagers anthology
was one I knew I had to submit to because middle-grade fiction is one of my
favorite genres to read or write. I thought writing my story would be a piece
of cake, but in fact, I had a bit of a struggle, partly because I didn’t read the
requirements carefully at first! Once I got my mind thinking about historical
fiction, I knew where I wanted to go, and eventually got there with a story I’d
long wanted to write, but that turned out to be rather a different tale than
I’d expected. That’s one of the good things about writing for an anthology (and
one of the bad ones): you have pre-determined constraints on the type of story,
and sometimes that can help you to see where it ought to go. Truly, I can’t
think of any negatives to participating in the Voyagers anthology. The
opportunity for editorial feedback, exposure, and the change to have my story
share space with some other truly fantastic stories makes it a win-win in my
book.
 |
| Author Beth A. Schuck |
Meet Beth Anderson
Schuck, author of The Orchard
The Orchard started out
as a concept for a full manuscript. To develop my idea, I flipped the narrator
to a different character and perspective. The contest gave me an opportunity
(and deadline) to test out the concept and see if others were intrigued. Love
being part of an anthology as I’ve connected with other authors in my genre.
 |
| Author Katharina Gerlach |
Meet Katharina Gerlach,
author of Winter Days
When I started out,
sending stories out was a daunting task. I never knew whether they were good
enough, especially since no one ever gave feedback. I still did it though. The
longer I sent out stories, the less hard it became. I still never know if my
stories are any good, but I no longer ponder it. I just do.
 |
| Author Charles Kowalski |
Meet
Charles Kowalski, author of Simon Grey and the Yamamba
“Simon Grey and the
Yamamba” is a spin-off from my novel, SIMON GREY AND THE MARCH OF A HUNDRED
GHOSTS. The book is a historical fantasy where the main character signs up as a
cabin boy on a long sea voyage to escape from his “gift” of seeing ghosts, but
when shipwrecked in Tokugawa Japan, needs the help of yokai spirits to find his
way home. When I saw that the “Voyagers” anthology was collecting stories that
(a) involved journeys into the unknown (b) in the past (c) with some kind of
supernatural or fantastical element, I thought Simon Grey was a perfect fit!
Contributing to this
anthology has itself been a delightful voyage. It’s been a joy to meet my
“shipmates” and hear the stories behind their stories, and I can’t wait to see
the finished product when this ghost ship finally sails into port!
 |
| Author Louise MacBeath Barbour |
Meet Louise MacBeath
Barbour, author of Dare, Double Dare
I was a last-minute
entrant in the 2019 anthology contest, beating the deadline with two hours to
spare. I broke almost every guideline
for what to do when submitting a story.
I had struggled for months looking for an idea because I had never written
a story for young readers and my previous attempts at writing adventure or
fantasy were embarrassing to remember.
Early last August I happened to walk past my great-grandmother's house
on a visit to Nova Scotia. I suddenly
thought of her forbidden room and its locked door in her upstairs hallway. My brother, sisters, and I had never dared to
enter that room. The thought of
disobeying our formidable great-grandmother and triggering her wrath and
disappointment outweighed any curiosity on our part. I began to wonder what would happen if two
kids had dared to enter that room. My
story of Sara and Kelsey and their unexpected adventure grew out of their
sneaking into such a forbidden room. I
had no expectation that my story would be selected for the anthology, but I
made myself enter it. I had challenged
myself to write "Dare Double Dare."
I had done it. All I had to do
was work up the courage to press "Send." I'm so glad I did! I took an intimidating chance and shocked
myself with the result: seeing my story
in print!
Thanks so much for
stopping by today. Have you had a chance to meet the other authors involved in
the anthology? What do you find is the best thing about reading an anthology?
Hi Mason - what a delight to read through five more authors' details - enjoyable. Good luck to one and all and the Anthology as a whole - stay safe - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, thanks and stay safe yourself.
DeleteGlad all of you pressed send!
ReplyDeleteAlex, thanks for all the encouragement you give writers to keep on their path.
DeleteSuch a fascinating way to explore both history and speculative fiction! The stories really do sound interesting, too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMargot, always happy to share. Anthologies are a lot of fun.
DeleteThanks for introducing all the anthology authors here, Mason. I always love meeting new writers. I like reading anthologies because of all the different takes on the same subject.
ReplyDeleteCarol, always happy to introduce new writers. Anthologies do make great reads like you said because of the different views on one topic.
DeleteThank you so much for featuring the authors today!
ReplyDeleteDiane, you're welcome. Happy to help.
DeleteThanks for all your help, Mason!
ReplyDeleteBish, happy to help.
DeleteHi, Mason! Thank you for featuring "Voyagers" on your blog! It's exciting for a new author like me! 😁
ReplyDeleteFundy, happy to help and let readers know about new authors like yourself. Congratulations!!
DeleteHaving finished reading and enjoying the anthology, I was interested to learn yet more about five of the talented writers. Inspiration comes in so many wonderful - and sneaky/unexpected - ways.
ReplyDeleteI am currently reading the anthology and am delighted with the variety of stories, their settings, timelines, and the characters. We did great!! So happy to included.
ReplyDeleteMason, thanks for your support in featuring Voyagers.
ReplyDelete