Monica Valentinelli

Jaym Gates

An anthology of short stories, poetry, and essays with over two dozen authors, ranging from NYT - bestsellers and award winners to debut writers, choosing a tired trope or cliche to challenge and surprise readers through their work. Read stories inspired by tropes such as the Chainmaille Bikini, Love at First Sight, Damsels in Distress and many more.... then discover what these tropes mean to each author to find out what inspired them.

Inverted Tropes in Storytelling

Upside Down

Elizabeth Massie

James Lowder

Ari Marmell

Janet Morris

Chris Morris

Natania Barron

Brandon Hodge

Mercedes M. Yardley

Erin Evans

Jess Hartley

Kealan Patrick Burke

The city is called Redoubt, and as far as anyone knows, it is the last. Seven decades ago, there were cities upon cities; kingdoms and nations, the remains of ancient empire. Cultures at war, cultures at trade. Humans, dwarves, elves, and others. Magic and monsters, rare but real. Regions of desolation, but also regions of plenty. So it was for millennia, until the world ended. Most call it the Fall, but whatever term a given people choose to use, it marked the point where everything changed. Nations crumbled. Races died. Magic sputtered. Nature sickened. The Dead woke. Tales of the Lost Citadel is a shared-world anthology of fifteen horror-fantasy stories by noted authors such as Brian Hodge, Mercedes M. Yardley, Jess Hartley, Damien Angelica Walters, and many more.

Tales of the Lost Citadel Anthology

Max Brooks

John Amble

ML Cavanaugh

The most successful film franchise of all time, Star Wars thrillingly depicts an epic multigenerational conflict fought a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But the Star Wars saga has as much to say about successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Strategy Strikes Back brings together over thirty of today’s top military and strategic experts, including generals, policy advisors, seasoned diplomats, counterinsurgency strategists, science fiction writers, war journalists, and ground‐level military officers, to explain the strategy and the art of war by way of the Star Wars films. Each chapter of Strategy Strikes Back provides a relatable, outside‐the‐box way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. A chapter on the case for planet building on the forest moon of Endor by World War Z author Max Brooks offers a unique way to understand our own sustained engagement in war-ravaged societies such as Afghanistan. Another chapter on the counterinsurgency waged by Darth Vader against the Rebellion sheds light on the logic behind past military incursions in Iraq. Whether using the destruction of Alderaan as a means to explore the political implications of targeting civilians, examining the pivotal decisions made by Yoda and the Jedi Council to differentiate strategic leadership in theory and in practice, or considering the ruthlessness of Imperial leaders to explain the toxicity of top-down leadership in times of war and battle, Strategy Strikes Back gives fans of Star Wars and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding many facets of modern warfare. It is a book as captivating and enthralling as Star Wars itself.

How Star Wars Explains Modern Military Conflict

Strategy Strikes Back

A team of xenoarcheologists on exoplanet Vishnu unearths a spectacular find. But the expedition's backer and lead archeologist is more interested in making reality XP recordings than good science. Incautious inquiries lead to an infection risk. If they don't react quickly, the team will need all of their wits to make it back to the Pandora gate amidst a major infection event.Xenovore is a stand-alone adventure designed for Gatecrashing Ops team.? PCs accompany a troubled xeno-archeological expedition that uncovers a terrible secret? Details the cloud forests of the exoplanet Vishnu and it's slug-like faunaXenovore is a 40-page adventure that can be run as an introductory scenario or as an one-off adventure in a campaign, with further ideas for plot hooks and complications.

After the Fall

Eclipse Phase

In a world of transhuman survival and horror, technology allows the re-shaping of bodies and minds, but also creates opportunities for oppression and puts the capability for mass destruction in the hands of everyone. Other threats lurk in the devastated habitats of the Fall, dangers both familiar and alien. These fantastic stories explore the vastness and intricacies of the Eclipse Phase RPG universe and are a great read for science fiction fans, especially those leaning towards transhuman sci-fi. The complete list of authors includes: Madeline Ashby, Rob Boyle, Davidson Cole, Nathaniel Dean, Jack Graham, Georgina Kamsika, Ken Liu, Karin Lowachee, Kim May, Steven Mohan, Jr., Andrew Penn Romine, F. Wesley Schneider, Tiffany Trent, and Fran Wilde.

M. L. Cavanaugh

Explores how strategies in the television series Game of Thrones can be applied to real-world war and politics.

How Game of Thrones Explains Modern Military Conflict

Winning Westeros

Malcolm Sheppard

Alejandro Melchor

Jones Steven

Kira Magrann

Wise Rebecca

Six of Swords is an adventure anthology for Blue Rose: The AGE RPG of Romantic Fantasy. Set in the fantastic world of Aldea, these six adventures provide Narrators with ready to go scenarios for characters of various levels. They include ruined mansions, masquerade balls, vampiric curses, mysterious masks, sorcerous secrets, ghostly hauntings, lost loves, looming threats, and tragic quests where heroes are called upon to make the right choices. Six of Swords has hours of adventure, excitement, and entertainment for your Blue Rose game. The Kingdom of the Blue Rose needs heroes, will you answer the call?

Blue Rose: RPG Six of Swords

Tales of guardian spirits and divine powers by Seanan McGuire, Ken Liu, Alethea Kontis, Laura Anne Gilman, Scott Edelman and more. Guardian spirits. Divine presences. Demonic powers. Ghosts. The concept of "genius loci" is indeed an ancient one, found in nearly every human mythology. Genius Loci is a huge anthology of 31 all-new fantasy and science fiction stories drawing on the rich tradition of place-as-person. Within its pages, the authors present stories of sentient deserts, beneficent forests, lonely shrubs, and protective planetary spirits, highlighted by the fantastic art of Lisa A. Grabenstetter and Evan M. Jensen., and edited by Jaym Gates.

Animus Mundi

"This book addresses real-life applications of the "Star Wars" saga, from the political fallout of targeting civilians, to toxic top-down leadership, to the long-term consequences of abandoning postwar allies" --

Andrew Liptak

In War Stories: New Military Science Fiction, editors Andrew Liptak and Jaym Gates collects short stories by science fiction and fantasy authors dealing with the effects of war prior, during, and after battle to soldiers and their families.

New Military Science Fiction

War Stories

Come along on a fantastical journey through worlds of shattered dreams and devastated civilizations. This weird literary fantasy collection will take you on an amazing journey.

A Broken Cities Miscellany

The Shattered Queen & Other New Mythologies

Erika Holt

These short tales of undead Romance, Revenge, Risk, and Raunch will leave readers shambling, moaning, and clawing for more. Features works by Pete Alberti, Damon B, Renee Bennett, Xander Briggs, Jennifer Brozek, J.R. Campbell, Johann Carlisle, Nathan Crowder, and Carrie Cuinn.

Rigor Amortis

Tales of the Spirit of Place

Genius Loci

The most successful film franchise of all time, Star Wars thrillingly depicts an epic multigenerational conflict fought a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But the Star Wars saga has as much to say about successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Strategy Strikes Back brings together over thirty of today's top military and strategic experts, including generals, policy advisors, seasoned diplomats, counterinsurgency strategists, science fiction writers, war journalists, and ground‑level military officers, to explain the strategy and the art of war by way of the Star Wars films. Each chapter of Strategy Strikes Back provides a relatable, outside‑the‑box way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. A chapter on the case for planet building on the forest moon of Endor by World War Z author Max Brooks offers a unique way to understand our own sustained engagement in war-ravaged societies such as Afghanistan. Another chapter on the counterinsurgency waged by Darth Vader against the Rebellion sheds light on the logic behind past military incursions in Iraq. Whether using the destruction of Alderaan as a means to explore the political implications of targeting civilians, examining the pivotal decisions made by Yoda and the Jedi Council to differentiate strategic leadership in theory and in practice, or considering the ruthlessness of Imperial leaders to explain the toxicity of top-down leadership in times of war and battle, Strategy Strikes Back gives fans of Star Wars and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding many facets of modern warfare. It is a book as captivating and enthralling as Star Wars itself.

Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling

In War Stories: New Military Science Fiction, editors Andrew Liptak and Jaym Gates collects short stories by science fiction and fantasy authors dealing with the effects of war prior, during, and after battle to soldiers and their families. War is everywhere. Not only among the firefights, in the sweat dripping from heavy armor and the clenching grip on your weapon, but also wedging itself deep into families, infiltrating our love letters, hovering in the air above our heads. It's in our dreams and our text messages. At times it roars with adrenaline, while at others it slips in silently so it can sit beside you until you forget it's there. Join Joe Haldeman, Linda Nagata, Karin Lowachee, Ken Liu, Jay Posey, and more as they take you on a tour of the battlefields, from those hurtling through space in spaceships and winding along trails deep in the jungle with bullets whizzing overhead, to the ones hiding behind calm smiles, waiting patiently to reveal itself in those quiet moments when we feel safest. War Stories brings us 23 stories of the impacts of war, showcasing the systems, combat, armor, and aftermath without condemnation or glorification. Instead, War Stories reveals the truth. War is what we are. Table of Contents: Foreword -- Gregory Drobny Graves -- Joe Haldeman Part 1: Wartime Systems In the Loop -- Ken Liu Ghost Girl -- Rich Larson The Radio -- Susan Jane Bigelow Contractual Obligation -- James L. Cambias The Wasp Keepers -- Mark Jacobsen Non-Standard Deviation -- Richard Dansky Part 2: Combat All You Need -- Mike Sizemore The Valkyrie -- Maurice Broaddus One Million Lira -- Thoraiya Dyer Invincible -- Jay Posey Light and Shadow -- Linda Nagata Part 3: Armored Force Warhosts -- Yoon Ha Lee Suits -- James Sutter Mission. Suit. Self. -- Jake Kerr In Loco -- Carlos Orsi Part 4: Aftermath War Dog -- Mike Barretta Coming Home -- Janine Spendlove Where We Would End a War -- F. Brett Cox Black Butterfly -- T.C. McCarthy Always the Stars and the Void Between -- Nerine Dorman Enemy States -- Karin Lowachee War 3.01 -- Keith Brooke Cover art by Galen Dara.

Set in the fictitious world of Westeros, the hit television series Game of Thrones chronicles the bitter and violent struggle between the realm’s noble dynasties for control of the Seven Kingdoms. But this beloved fantasy drama has just as much to say about the successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Winning Westeros brings together more than thirty of today’s top military and strategic experts, including generals and admirals, policy advisors, counterinsurgency tacticians, science fiction and fantasy writers, and ground‐level military officers, to explain the strategy and art of war by way of the Game of Thrones saga. Each chapter of Winning Westeros provides a relatable, outside‐the‐box way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. A chapter on the doomed butcher’s boy whom Arya Stark befriends by World War Z author Max Brooks poignantly reminds us of the cruel fate that civilians face during times of war. Another chapter on Jaqen H’ghar and the faceless men of Bravos explores the pivotal roles that stealth and intelligence play in battle. Whether considering the diplomatic prowess of Tyrion Lannister, the defiant leadership style of Daenerys Targaryen, the Battle of the Bastards and the importance of reserves, Brienne of Tarth and the increased role of women in combat, or dragons as weapons of mass destruction, Winning Westeros gives fans of Game of Thrones and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding the many facets of modern warfare. It is a book as captivating and enthralling as Game of Thrones itself.

Explores how strategies in the television series Game of Thrones can be applied to real world war and politics.

J. Daniel Batt

"An anthology exploring the complex mythologies of the Golden State"--Cover.

Strange California

Set in the fictitious world of Westeros, the hit television series Game of Thrones chronicles the bitter and violent struggle between the realm's noble dynasties for control of the Seven Kingdoms. But this beloved fantasy drama has just as much to say about the successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Winning Westeros brings together more than thirty of today's top military and strategic experts, including generals and admirals, policy advisors, counterinsurgency tacticians, science fiction and fantasy writers, and ground‑level military officers, to explain the strategy and art of war by way of the Game of Thrones saga. Each chapter of Winning Westeros provides a relatable, outside‑the‑box way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. A chapter on the doomed butcher's boy whom Arya Stark befriends by World War Z author Max Brooks poignantly reminds us of the cruel fate that civilians face during times of war. Another chapter on Jaqen H'ghar and the faceless men of Bravos explores the pivotal roles that stealth and intelligence play in battle. Whether considering the diplomatic prowess of Tyrion Lannister, the defiant leadership style of Daenerys Targaryen, the Battle of the Bastards and the importance of reserves, Brienne of Tarth and the increased role of women in combat, or dragons as weapons of mass destruction, Winning Westeros gives fans of Game of Thrones and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding the many facets of modern warfare. It is a book as captivating and enthralling as Game of Thrones itself.

Jaym Gates

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