Flame Tree Fiction

If you’re searching for reading and writing inspiration during these strange times, then look no further. Authors from our new anthology, A Dying Planet, took part in a Q&A which last week revealed some of the inspirations behind their stories in the book. In this second part of the Q&A you’ll now find some fantastic reading recommendations, as well as an insight into the writing process for any budding authors out there. A Dying Planet – out now in the UK and released this month in the US – contains an exciting mix of modern and classic fiction on a thought-provoking and relevant theme.

What better way to process these uncertain times than with an escape into science fiction? Out now in the UK, and available later this month in the US, A Dying Planet gathers the very best of apocalyptic – and post-apocalyptic – fiction. Tales from classic authors are complemented by fascinating new and recent stories, probing the concerns and problems of a modern world at risk. With themes like climate change, pandemics, extensive wastelands, alien destruction, overpopulation and dwindling resources, these stories explore, not always without optimism, how these issues could affect worlds and their inhabitants, and what might happen when it’s too late. A fitting anthology for a time of global crisis, authors from the book offer insight below about the inspiration behind their stories:

We’re very excited to announce the author lists for two new anthologies in our Gothic Fantasy series: Footsteps in the Dark, and Bodies in the Library. Combining contemporary takes on the theme with a range of compelling tales from classic authors, these books are due for publication in June 2020. Yet again, our call for submissions was met with a great response, so we have been kept very busy forming a final selection of excellent stories that best suit these intriguing themes: many thanks to all who submitted and congratulations to the below!

Our new anthology, Epic Fantasy Short Stories, is due out in this week! Paired with Detective Mysteries, the two collections gather together the work of modern authors with classic fiction from the genres. Epic Fantasy promises to be a bewitching mix of adventure, fearsome beasts, and enchantment, and you can read more about the featured tales in Part 1 of this Author Q&A. Now, the book's contemporary authors tell us a bit more about their favourite fantasy stories, as well as the different ways they bring their own stories to life:

We are now open for submissions for two exciting new anthologies: Detective Thrillers and A Dying Planet. Due to be published in early 2020, these add to our Gothic Fantasy series, which includes existing titles like Supernatural Horror, Robots & Artificial Intelligence, Dystopia Utopia, American Gothic and more. Again, we are looking for around twenty to thirty short stories by contemporary writers to complement a selection of classic tales in these anthologies. We are keen to encourage new writers, without prejudice to age, background or previous publication history. It’s the story that matters, and the quality of writing.

Alien Invasion, the next book in our Gothic Fantasy anthology series, brings together a mix of adventure, horror, humour and sadness in short stories that explore what we imagine outside of ourselves and our world. Whether it’s an attempt to colonise new territory, an impulse to reach out and welcome, or a response to perceived threat, the complex dynamics at play are brought to the fore in these striking tales. Below, contemporary authors featured in the anthology shed light on the inspirations behind their story…  

March sees our Gothic Fantasy anthology range extended to include two new titles: Endless Apocalypse and Alien Invasion. A tome of haunting apocalyptic visions, the former of these collects fascinating tales of survival, desolation, and the undead: apocalypses personal and global, that scar landscape and character alike. To sate our appetite until the book's release, some of the anthology's authors have stepped in to shed light on how their story ideas came to fruition...

Due for release next March, Endless Apocalypse and Alien Invasion are the newest additions to our series of short story anthologies, and we’re excited to already share the list of authors chosen for inclusion in each book. In keeping with the format of the rest of the series, the two new anthologies consist of a selection of contemporary tales as well as classic authors, and the last few weeks have been busy with the careful process of selecting this new fiction, reading through the 800 stories received in response to our call for submissions. Endless Apocalypse is shaping up to be a thrilling exploration of the struggle for survival in the aftermath of destruction, presenting imaginative visions of the end of life as we know it. Alien Invasion, too, brings to the mix otherworldly horrors and the threat of the unknown, and introduces our first translated story from China as part of a long-term co-operation with Science Fiction World: a magazine dedicated to the genre with around 100,000 monthly readers. 

October brings the release of two fresh books in our Gothic Fantasy anthology series: Agents & Spies, and Pirates & Ghosts. Following the tradition of the last 4 books in the series, we decided to ask the authors about the inspiration behind their story, as well as quizzing them about their own writing methods, and their favourite tales from the genre. The Agents & Spies anthology promises a stealthy mix of espionage, duplicitous dealings and secret liaisons: below, the authors divulge details about their contributions.

 Our 2 newest short story anthologies, Agents & Spies and Pirates & Ghosts, are due for release in October, and we’re delighted to now announce the list of names that will be featured in each book. As with the previous titles in the series, contemporary short stories sit alongside a selection of classic tales from the genre, and once again, the good response to our submissions call ensured we were kept busy with the careful process of reading and selecting the new fiction. With its variety of intriguing cases and daring assignments, the Agents & Spies tome promises a feast of thrilling tales, and, not for the faint-hearted, our nautical themed anthology Pirates & Ghosts drags deep sea horrors out into the open with a smattering of singing mermaids and sinister apparitions to boot.