Short Works


CAST OF CHARACTERS

TWENTY-EIGHT LEADING VOICES IN FICTION – INCLUDING ELEVEN NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHORS – JOIN TOGETHER IN A CELEBRATION OF GREAT STORYTELLING

We love fiction. It’s in our blood and it’s in our souls. Great stories thrill us and inspire us in a way that nothing else can. If you’re like us, then we invite you to revel in this anthology of all-original stories we’ve created for you.

In CAST OF CHARACTERS, you’ll meet a collection of unforgettable personalities. The devoted wife who discovers her husband’s devastating secret. The Black Death survivor who reinvents herself. The woman who finds love in the arms of a dark, dangerous artist. The devoted scientist faced with a daunting ethical dilemma. The woman who hears ghosts. The gorgeous but fated young man. The small-town beauty queen with a world-class mean streak. The inventor who fears his invention. The man seeking a reunion decades later with his first love. The stalker who understands too late who he is stalking. The dreadful athlete who gets one opportunity to win. The man who loves a woman society will not allow him to love. These are only a few of the figures who will leap from the page and take residence in your heart.

In addition, CAST OF CHARACTERS is highlighted by several “events” you won’t want to miss:

• #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander delivers her first short story with a contemporary setting – as does New York Times bestselling author Tanya Anne Crosby.
• New York Times bestselling author Jo Beverley brings back the hero of her novel Forbidden Magic.
• New York Times bestselling author Angie Fox creates a new Biker Witches story.
• New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham writes her first story with her son Jason.
• New York Times bestselling author Katie MacAlister tells the story of one of her most beloved teen characters as an adult.
• National bestselling author Julie Ortolon tells the beloved Pearl Island story her fans have been clamoring for.
• National bestselling author Diana Peterfreund offers the origin story for one of the most important magical items in her “killer unicorn” series.

A huge volume of twenty-eight stories ranging from romance to suspense to fantasy to comedy to poignant character pieces, CAST OF CHARACTERS is a must-have book for everyone who loves fiction. All stories are by members of Novelists, Inc., the only writers organization devoted exclusively to the needs of multi-published novelists. This is our first anthology.

A note on Diana’s contribution: “Hammer of Artemis”: Epistolary. Renaissance Rome. Killer Unicorns. Need I say more? Okay, fine: this one’s about a guy.

» Pre-Order Now (Available April 3)

 


Zombies vs. Unicorns

It’s a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths–for good and evil–of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

A Note from Diana on her Contribution, “The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn”:
I am so excited to be a part of this fantastic anthology, especially because it was my book, Rampant, which set off the original debate between Justine and Holly that inspired this collection. My story, “The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn” is a stand-alone story set in my killer unicorn universe, and takes place in the modern-day United States. It features carnies, Sunday School, illicit kissing, and a whole lotta blood.

Margaret K. McElderry Books


» Praise for “The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn”
  • A 2010 Locus Recommended Read
  • Highlights include Diana Peterfreund’s Rampant tie-in, “The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn” – Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
  • “Diana Peterfreund wows readers by delving again into the dark world of Rampant (HarperTeen, 2009) with “The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn,” proving Astrid is not the only strong female hunter out there.” – School Library Journal, starred review
  • “Standouts for Team Unicorn include an inspirational tale of the reluctant heroine born to slay monsters and the baby maneater she loves…” – Kirkus
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The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Vol. 5

Edited by Jonathan Strahan

Publisher’s Weekly: Strahan’s fifth anthology contains 29 wide-ranging tales. Neil Gaiman’s “The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains” is a deceptively simple folktale-styled story of the price one may pay for gold. “The Sultan of the Clouds” by Geoffrey Landis untangles a complex knot of childish power. Sarah Rees Brennan’s “The Spy Who Never Grew Up” gives a beloved childhood icon a sinister update; Diana Peterfreund’s “The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn” turns unicorn lore on its head; and Rachel Swirsky’s “The Lady Who Plucked Red Flowers Beneath the Queen’s Window” puts a fantasy spin on the temporal culture shock of immortality. This year the fantasy tales outdo the SF in depth of storytelling and characterization, though all the inclusions are strong, with few ideas left by the wayside.

Tor. Com Review: “The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn” by Diana Peterfreund, a YA story about unicorns (on the surface), blew me away. It deals with issues of religion, womanhood, sexuality, media, fear—you name it. While I understand from the introductory paragraph that it’s set in a pre-existing universe, the reader will have no problem with this story is they’re unfamiliar with Peterfreund’s books, as I was. (Though, I might go find them now. It was that good.)

Night Shade (www.nightshadebooks.com), $19.99 trade paper (546p) ISBN 978-1-59780-172-0

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“Errant” the E-Book

In 18th century France, a noble family prepares to celebrate their daughter’s arranged marriage by holding a traditional unicorn hunt. But when an unusual nun arrives at the chateau with her beloved pet to help the rich girl train, nothing goes as expected. Starring hunters, fine ladies, fancy frocks, and killer unicorns. A 2010 Locus Recommended Read, “Errant” the e-book is the reprint edition of the story that first appeared in 2010’s Kiss Me Deadly collection.

» Praise for “Errant”:
  • A 2010 Locus Recommended Read
  • “a harsh and poignant take on the unicorn myth” – Publisher’s Weekly
  • “[A] deliciously dark tale of unlikely nuns and even more unlikely unicorns.” — Booklist
  • “fine and engrossing.” – School Library Journal
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Kiss Me Deadly

If you can possibly thirst for more mysterious metaphysical accounts of love, Trisha Telep has organized some of the greatest and most thrilling tales of paranormal paramours since The Eternal Kiss. She presents the acclaimed literary talent of thirteen unique authors, creating a collection of stories that will undoubtedly capture the imagination of every soul who dares to read them. Werewolves, ghosts, zombies, vampires, and fallen angels drive the plot of these riveting romances.

A Note from Diana on her contribution, “Errant”:
This stand-alone short story set in my killer unicorn universe is my first historical-set work of fiction. “Errant” takes place in the 18th century French countryside, and not only does it star killer unicorns, it also features nuns, fine ladies, and fancy frocks.

» Praise for “Errant”:
  • A 2010 Locus Recommended Read
  • “a harsh and poignant take on the unicorn myth” – Publisher’s Weekly
  • “[A] deliciously dark tale of unlikely nuns and even more unlikely unicorns.” — Booklist
  • “This eclectic yet cohesive mix of stories will be one short story collection that teens might actually pick up and read…Diana Peterfreund continues her expose on the true nature of unicorns in her story about a timid bride who finds courage from the mythical beast.” – VOYA
  • “…there are some fine and engrossing entries by popular authors, including Diana Peterfreund’s “Errant,” which is set in medieval Europe. It features a sassy nun who is charged with training unicorns that are becoming endangered.” – School Library Journal
  • “Surely an anthology is the perfect opportunity to attract new readers? Diana Peterfreund’s Errant is a stunning example of how to do this – it lasts just over 30 pages but packs in as much character development as some novels do, and is the perfect introduction to Peterfreund’s world of unicorn hunters.” The Book Bag
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