It was a dark and stormy night at the Balticon science fiction convention in May of 2016. Most everyone had gone to bed, but a number of writers, editors and publishers were doing what writers, editors and publishers do at conventions in the early hours: hanging out at the bar.
During the conversation, the phrase “Release the virgins” was heard.
“That would be a great theme for an anthology,” I said. “Every story would have to contain that phrase.”
“I’ll write a story for it!” said Gail Z. Martin and Hildy Silverman.
“I’ll publish it!” said Ian Randal Strock.
“I’ll edit it!” I said.
We gathered some of the top science fiction and fantasy writers, organized a kickstarter, and now, a year and a half later, it’s here!
Look at this great lineup!:
Foreword by Ian Randal Strock
Introduction by Michael A. Ventrella
“Valedictory” by Lawrence Watt-Evans
“Sidekicked” by Hildy Silverman
“Command Decision” by Steve Miller
“Are You There, Cthulhu? It’s Me, Judy” by Beth W. Patterson
“Innocence Lost” by Gail Z. Martin
“How Mose Saved the Virgins of Old New York” by Allen M. Steele
“The Fires of Rome” by Jody Lynn Nye
“Salvage” by Shariann Lewitt
“The Midwinter of Our Discontent” by Keith R.A. DeCandido
“Coming Attractions” by Daniel M. Kimmel
“Cracking the Vault” by Matt Bechtel
“The Coffee Corps” by Alex Shvartsman
“The Vestals of Midnight” by Sharon Lee
“Paradisiacal Protocols” by Gordon Linzner
“Brass Tacks” by Cecilia Tan
“Old Spirits” by Brian Trent
“The Running of the Drones” by Patrick Thomas
“Dangerous Virgins” by David Gerrold
Afterword by Thomas Nackid
It’s available in hard cover, paperback, kindle or nook versions! As I write this, it’s already in the top 20 for “science fiction anthologies” on Amazon.
So grab a copy yourself and release the virgins!
Filed under: writing | Tagged: Release the Virgins! |
Michael A. Ventrella 
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