by Wiley Cash
First published 2020
This collection brings together fifteen original tales created by writers who donated their work to sustain community theaters during their forced closure. The stories range across diverse characters and situations. Melissa Randall explores repetition in "Very, Very" while Joel Perry examines entertainment industry dreams in "Stars of Stage and Screen." K. Robert Campbell weaves deception into "A Ring of Truth" and Josh Bailey captures a precise moment in "8 Minutes, 20 Seconds." Skip Maloney resurrects historical figure John Willis Hostler while Charlotte Hackman finds humor in public restroom disasters. The collection spans from Kenneth Vest's "Sarpy County Incident" to Shawn C. Sproatt's "Emma's Mission," Kim Henry's storm-weathered community in "Smiles in Stormsville," and Gwenyfar's "Coppy." Eduard Schmidt-Zorner offers "Discovery," Anne Russell provides "A Quiet, Decent Place," and Wiley Cash contributes "Grenadine, the Kudzu Queen." Philip Gerard presents "Ace" while Clyde Edgerton closes with "Arrival and Departure." Each story illuminates unexpected corners of human experience while readers know their purchase directly supports local performing arts venues and the artists who bring stages to life.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, drama, literary-fiction, anthologies
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
198 pages · Paperback · Independently published