In DreamForge Anvil Issue 19, the boundaries of reality, identity, and survival blur across worlds both familiar and fantastical. From the icy resilience of emperor penguins on Mars to the enigmatic depths of a ghostly pirate ship, these stories explore adaptation, belonging, and the mysteries that shape us. Whether through art, science, or ancient myth, each tale invites you to step beyond the ordinary—so dive in and discover what lies beyond the known!

In "Other Wise," C. J. Peterson explores the intersection of neurodiversity, human consciousness, and our need to understand the "other." Touching on psychology, philosophy, and pop culture, Peterson examines how humans categorize and perceive difference— from Star Trek's Vulcans to the complexities of our own divided minds. Merging insight and curiosity, this essay challenges our assumptions about consciousness, free will, and what it truly means to be human.

Do you use story beats? In this article we explore these building blocks of compelling fiction. Through examples spanning science fiction and fantasy, we’ll attempt to show how these molecular moments of change can strengthen pacing, deepen character development, and sharpen narrative focus.

In today’s publishing world, writing the book is only half the battle. Readers crave connection, and even traditional publishers expect authors to handle their own marketing, from social media to building a following. Inspired by moments like Mr. Universe’s iconic line in the movie Serenity, this article starts where Part 1 left off, helping you continue to craft your brand, connect with readers, and build a platform that ensures your voice is heard.

In "The Emperor Penguins of Mars," Mary Soon Lee delivers a vision of survival and adaptation on the red planet. Through the lens of the largest penguin species, she explores themes of sacrifice, community, and the price of human ambition. Lee's lovely verse weaves together environmental loss, interplanetary migration, and the timeless struggle of life surviving in the most hostile of environments.

In "The Fine Art of Faking It," Miranda Jubb crafts a clever tale of deception and unexpected discovery. When a professional cryptid photographer meets a monster-hunter seeking proof of a mysterious lake creature, they find themselves mediating between two worlds— and questioning their own place in both. Through wry observations and tender moments, Jubb explores the human desire for wonder and the complex nature of belonging.

Bruce McAllister crafts an elegant post-apocalyptic tale seen through the eyes of a young woman drawn to witness one of humanity's mysterious protectors. When a group of teens seeks out an elderly woman who helps defend Earth from aliens, they discover the unexpected. Through lyrical prose and haunting imagery, the story explores the inheritance of power and the deep connection between mind, heart, and the fabric of the universe.

In this tale, Ash Vale weaves a poignant story of displacement and belonging through the eyes of a skogstroll, a mythical creature uprooted from its Scandinavian forest home by a young boy whose family moves to Canada. As the troll navigates an unfamiliar landscape, it grapples with loneliness and the ache of separation, mirroring the young boy's own struggles with adapting to a new country. This story is a tender meditation on what it means to be left behind and the unexpected ways we might find connection across generations.

In Beth Goder’s tale readers are plunged into the quirky, mystical world of Lone Island University, where a ghost pirate ship awaits and piranhas leap in the surrounding waters. Cassie, a number theory student who works at Piranha Sandwiches, seeks solace in the ship’s eerie glow—only to find herself ensnared when its ghost captain, a radiant doppelgänger, swaps places with her. Trapped onboard, Cassie meets a philosophically nosy mermaid, whose probing questions nudge her toward revelations about identity and purpose.

“The Language of Immersion” by Matt McHugh explores the transformative power of art, technology, and cultural identity. Ndebe Iti, a Nigerian student struggling with multimedia techniques, forms an unexpected bond with her professor and together they forge a path between tradition and innovation. McHugh’s story explores a landscape of empathy, vulnerability, and the creative spark that elevates art beyond mere expression.

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