For Issue 08 of DreamForge Anvil, we have a story from Scott Edelman where the imperatives of the future challenge the hopelessness of the moment. Wendy Nikel challenges our perception of art, friendship, and social success. Mara Buck delivers a paranormal experience in which we feel the ghostly touch of the past and its call to rejoin the life of the present. Karl Dandenell shows the power of determination to overcome old prejudices. Fantasy, humor, and SF adventure await!

When I hear grumbling about billionaires in orbit, I understand the social justice argument and the distaste for ostentatious space cowboy competitions. But that misses the bigger point. Once the sole realm of super powerful nations (engaged in a more sinister kind of competition), space is opening up to private exploitation, and soon public use as well. Cost to orbit is reaching the point where soon— the real human adventure will begin.

Once you have your scene set, your reader oriented, and a narrative hook to draw it all forward, what is that middle part where the story actually takes place? In this article we examine the mounting tensions that lead from the protagonist’s attempt to deal with their first obstacle until the climax shatters their world. It’s a three step move that we’ll call the Story Middle.

Too often in modern storytelling, the opening narrative is a confusing mess of action and backstory, of worldbuilding and exposition. Before you take the reader on a rollercoaster of head-spinning proportions, orient them to the scene. What is the place and time you’ve asked the reader to live in? Who is your protagonist? And why are they there? It’s simple. Take a breath and a moment to SET. YOUR. STAGE.

In The Witch’s Oath, Karl conjures for us a moment in time where an inviolable oath meets a new reality. As the witch explains to her young, would-be apprentice. “Boys can’t be witches. Simple as that.”

The enemy is in the eye of the beholder. No matter what the facts may be, it’s perception that drives our response to them. We all know that the “enemy” is wildly different from us, has many terrible attributes, and is responsible for much evil done against our kind. Or is that just us?

Art and anxiety often go hand in hand. The pessimistic what-ifs mount to overwhelm the artist. But while acclaim and success may be illusions, there are grounding realities which give opportunities to love, laugh, and enjoy the aromatic realities of a new field of art.

Predicting a lottery or the results of a hundred coin tosses is one thing, but no one wants a prediction to reveal uncomfortable truths which must be faced, or choices of destiny which must be made.

“Keep Calm and Carry On” first appeared as a motivational poster produced by the British government during World War II. It spoke to a unique British stoicism, a patient self-control that might well be useful as the end of the world unfolds.

A tale of teenage angst and idealism in the face of a mathematical and multiverse reality that we are the sum of the decisions we have made over time. Indeed, it could be said that we are the integral of all of our choices. So, should we try to make good ones?

A vandalized property and a discarded wedding gown inspired this feminist ghost story where Mara Buck makes us feel the ghostly touch of the past and its call to rejoin the life of the present. Mara's evocative prose is not soon to be forgotten.

Tomorrow is not a wasteland. The anguish of the present is no more than a storm to be weathered. The hopelessness of today is not the seed of eternal darkness. If you listen, the future is calling. Even at your moment of despair, tomorrow has something to say.

It’s all out there. Sunlight, minerals, perchlorates for fuel, nutrients for low gravity farming. But water is the key. Those who supply the precious stuff will be the heroes of legend.

The Writers of the Future, the international contest for new writers and illustrators, recently announced the winners for this year's anthology and will launch the latest book at the end of June.

We’d like to give a special thank you to a few of the individuals that provided sponsorships through Kickstarter or Patreon. Their generous gifts have helped us buy great stories all year long. We thank you.

We have so many people to thank! Founders, Kickstarter Heroes, Contributors, Friends, Family, and First Line Readers.