Perception
Published on 2022-06-07
Issue Details
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!
Featured Stories
Welcome to Issue 8 of DreamForge Anvil
Our conceit is that we engage the world through reason and a realistic assessment of the challenges before us. In reality, perception is all. We see the world as we want to see it, or as we are predis...
Hope Notes: Rockets That Land on Their Tails, by Scot Noel
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...
Writing Story Middles, by Scot Noel
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 ...
Wulf Moon's SUPER SECRETS: Set. Your. Stage. - by Wulf Moon
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 pro...
Fantasy, Diverse
The Witch's Oath, by Karl Dandenell
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 a...
Science Fiction, Aliens
Don't Trust Molters, by R.J.K. Lee
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 ter...
Don't Trust Molters | Line Edits
When I first saw “Don’t Trust Molters” in early 2021, I liked the energy of the story, but I felt it had some structural and pacing problems. The story made it into our final round of selections...
Fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy
Cities of Grand Illusion, by Wendy Nikel
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...
Fantasy, Magical Realism
Your Future, Should You Choose to Accept It, by Kurt Pankau
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.
Fantasy, Humorous
Light Winds with a Chance of Velociraptors, by Michelle Ann King
“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 we...
Science Fiction, Time Travel
The Integral of My Life Over All My Choices, by Peter S. Drang
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...
Paranormal, Contemporary Fantasy
Threshold, by Mara Buck
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...
Fantasy, Magical Realism
What Tomorrow Has to Say, by Scott Edelman
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. Ev...
Science Fiction
The Ice Miners, by Bruce Boston
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.
International Writing Contest Debuts 25 New Authors & Illustrators
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.
Thank you to our Sponsors
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 t...
Thank You Anvil Issue 8
We have so many people to thank! Founders, Kickstarter Heroes, Contributors, Friends, Family, and First Line Readers.
Sci-Fi Saturday Night
Join The Dome, Commander Cam, Kriana, and Zombrarian as they discuss scienciction, science fact, fantasy and whatever they think is cool, in between celebrity interviews.
Super Secrets
Get it now. How to Write a Howling Good Story by Wulf Moon. From NYT best selling author David Farland: "Wulf Moon is showing you exactly how it's done."
If This Goes On
A podcast featuring Cat Rambo, Alan Bailey, Graeme, and Diane Morrison interviewing writers, artists, activists, and gamers.
Chatting With Sherri
Join Sherri as she chats with writers, actors and other artists about their work. A fun relaxing chat with all kinds of amazing exciting creative people.
Writers of the Future, Volume 40
Congratulations on 40 Years of success! Has it really been four decades? Along the way, the Contest has grown in stature, reputation, and success, adding the Illustrators of the Future Contest in 198...
