From the Indie Side: A New Anthology

From the Indie Side is an fascinating milestone for the independent publishing movement. Why do I say that? Because if you want proof that Indie authors can write concise, beautifully turned out prose, then look no further than this collection of stories.

With some of the most talented new voices on the Indie scene, this anthology has the raw, electric energy of an underground movement. The stories span a multitude of genres; science fiction, fantasy, dystopian and paranormal. Many of the stories have a dark slant, many take place in dying or post apocalyptic worlds.

There’s excitement here. Meet the new paradigm; hard working craftspeople honing their writing and taking on the jobs traditionally left to publishers. Some of the stories in this collection are more polished than others, but all are well written, inventive and at times, even captivating. These writers are passionate about story as evidenced by the short commentary each author provides. It’s clear that obstacles, the paradigm shift in publishing or even a zombie apocalypse couldn’t stop these writers from their chosen rounds.

And I hope publishers and agents take notice, because allowing dedicated writers like these to slip through the net seems like a crime.

The editor, David Gatewood has a nose for talent and the anthology includes a range of material, nicely juxtaposed and often surprising. It’s a nice book, with clean prose and a modern bite.

Some of the writers stand out; Hugh Howey has a meticulous ear for dialogue and the ability to create an instant rapport with the plight of his characters. He’s a world builder who effortlessly draws you into a fully realized alternate reality. Michael Bunker has a gift for gritty realism and often surprises with his character’s quirky internal dialogue and his way of framing stories with a sense of encroaching dread. Anne Frasier creates a delicate, dreamlike, layering of experiences to weave a lyrical spell.

Sexism is notably absent and I was impressed by the fearlessness and range of the stories. Susan May takes a turn exploring the gruesome psychological effects of War while Kev Heritage takes on High Fantasy and tech magic. There’s a Twilight Zone-esque turn by Jason Gurley and Brian Spangler offers well-paced, unrelenting horror.  Sara Foster offers a tricky surprise and Kate Danley, a malignant fairy tale. Ernie Lindsey imagines a society with a devastating ritual, Mel Hearse adds a dark twist and Peter Cawdron takes on a futuristic terrorism.

You will be catching some of these writers at an early stage in their journey. A few of them get caught up in the blow by blow action rather than the deeper currents of tension between the characters that drive a story forward. I would recommend a couple of these writers read Raymond Chandler’s thumbnail descriptions when establishing characters. But these are trivial points. What is important about the writers in From the Indie Side, is their sense of experimentation and absolute passion for writing. Highly recommended.