Voices of the Future; Stories of Whimsy & Warriors
Discover the next generation of storytellers …
The sixth edition of Voices of the Future weaves together short stories of whimsy and warriors in a memorable and heartwarming collection. Experience the next generation’s creativity and vision through these brief tales from rising young creatives.
The Author Conservatory is a college-alternative program for gifted writers focused on raising up the next C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. 100% of your purchase goes to help students attend writing conferences where they can pitch their work to agents and publishers.
about my story in the anthology
Till the Mountain Burns ~ Historical Fiction
To provide for her crippled father, Eirene works in the cavalry stables of the ancient Greek island
of Kerkyra. But one night when an enemy unit kills the watchman on the mountain’s beacon and invades the city outskirts, everything changes.
Because the watchman is dead and the beacon unlit, the rest of the island is unaware of the conflict
—and Eirene is the only one who sees, when hiding on the stable roof, that the attack is just
a distraction. The entire enemy navy is sailing on the horizon, coming to invade the vulnerable, unsuspecting island.
In order to save her home, Eirene must ride up the mountain to light the beacon. If she fails to light the warning flame and alert her people, the island will be destroyed with no chance to defend themselves.
There’s just one problem. The only horse she can take is Aethon, the stallion that crippled her father.
And he is terrified of fire.
What was the inspiration behind Till the Mountain Burns?
They said, “Write what you know.”
So I wrote from the time my horse almost blinded me… and instead left me with crippling fear.
A couple years ago I was working with my colt Ranger when he spooked, reared up, and his hoof sliced me just below my eye. If it landed a quarter inch higher, I would have lost sight in that eye.
That day terrified me. I was lucky to walk away with no eye damage, but I walked away with fear.
That year was rough, and most days I was scared to even try to work with him. Ranger was young, unpredictable, had already hurt me once, and I was sure I’d mess things up if I kept trying.
So when I was creating ideas for a short story I would write with The Author Conservatory, an idea formed about a girl, a horse, and a whole lot of fear.
As I started working with my writing coach Joanne Bischof DeWitt, we talked about what my main character would learn through her adventure. And I realized that I honestly didn’t know how she was supposed to grow, because I didn’t know how I was supposed to grow.
Long story short, it happened. We figured it out. I learned how my character needed to grow… and in turn I grew.
I have more courage now than I did two years ago when Ranger kicked me. I not only have the confidence to work with him, but I look forward to spending time with him each day… and this summer I’m preparing to ride him for the first time!
And this story is what healed me.
I am so excited for you to read the little tale that healed my heart. Who knows? It might heal yours, too. ❤️🩹
What other genres and stories are in Voices of the Future; Stories of Whimsy & Warriors?
There are twelve stories altogether, with a variety of genres from contemporary to historical fiction to fantasy! They all have warrior themes and a bit of whimsy in the settings, but there is something here for everyone.
How can I help make this a successful book launch for you and the other young writers?
{answer}