An optimistic outlook does not guarantee success. Hope, like courage, is the ability to strive for positive outcomes in an uncertain world. While perseverance and capability provide the muscle, in the absence of hope we have no motivation to advance, to prosper, and to thrive against all odds.

With the launch of the James Webb space telescope, we’re soon to find evidence of extraterrestrial life. Whether it is tomorrow or a hundred years from now, contact with alien civilizations will follow. But aliens are not angels. We are not likely to have our social and ethical beliefs confirmed, but even so, we’ll see that we can survive and thrive among the stars.

Theory and explanations only go so far. Everyone needs a way to exercise their brain in some basic story patterns, so we created “The Plotting Game.” It can be done as a solo exercise, but is designed to be played against an opponent or (most fun of all) in team play where players can argue for the points they feel their side deserves. And what do you win? A well-crafted story plot!

Stephen King said it best. "Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings." We need to be ruthless with our work— every word we write is not sacred. Note: The fact that we have a story titled "Kill Your Darlings" and a piece on writing with the same title is pure serendipity. Of course, they both complement one another by stressing the idea that everything you write and every character you create does not necessarily make it into the final draft!

“It’s a sign,” the raven called back. “Like an augury, or a harbinie.” Parker considered that for a moment. “You mean a harbinger?” “Oh, yes!” The raven had circled back… “That’s the one, a harbinger, thanks!” “Okay.” Parker stuffed his hands in his pockets and watched the raven a moment longer. “Why are you riding a bicycle?”

I was unsettled by the sight of a toy-sized mermaid dangling from the heron’s beak, her wild, piping cries lost to the wind as the bird winged toward the nearby shore. The other five mermaids leapt from the water to perch on the pond’s island rock, tiny arms yearning toward their lost sister. Their wordless song was the most heartbreaking sound I’ve ever heard, and the most beautiful.

It all started with a strange feeling of fading away, an eerie sense of dissociation from the world I’d inhabited, taken for granted and never questioned. The terrifying realization I existed only on Her whim, punctuated by the gunfire sound of a delete key, ruthlessly followed. I was gone before I could react, and I woke up here. Note: The fact that we have a story titled "Kill Your Darlings" and a piece on writing with the same title is pure serendipity. Of course, they both complement one another by stressing the idea that everything you write and every character you create does not necessarily make it into the final draft!

I wrote about the inevitable downfall of humanity in the face of automation. My work had spurred a small revolution of workers, desperate not to lose their positions to machines. The implants changed everything; a carefully crafted tech-Renaissance, designed so that humans could escape the drudgery of mindless work and focus on creating things.

Visions are rare, even among the Morrig fae bloodline, though Mom says my great-grandmother Tila had them, too. I get scenes in my head like a skipping DVD, always with parts missing. I know Margaret will be in the road, that the car tries to stop, that despite being life-flighted she lives only seconds beyond arriving at the hospital. "Our Kind" was selected by Kickstarter story sponsor Candice Lisle as the story she wishes support! Thanks Candice!

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