A bold revival of the short story format, punctuated with classic and modern poetry forms, Spark: A Creative Anthology features the freshest work from a range of talented writers, from established professionals to newly-emerging authors and poets. Contributors Introduction by Traci L. Gourdine Cover Art by Aaron John Gregory Illustrations by Paul Pederson Todd Walton, Going After Nathan Margaret Dilloway, Ever Since I ve Seen Your Face Hunter Liguore, Momentary Forgiveness Darrell Lindsey, tanka George Wells, Last Rites j.lewis, surgical mass Linda G Hatton, Becoming Katie Stephens, Faceless Melana Plains, Not a Worry, My Lord Alexis A. Hunter, By the Gun D. Laserbeam, Five Hundred Svetlana Kortchik, Forget Me Not Hannah Weverka, Gingerbread Towns Matt Lancaster, Old Age Brian Reeves , Her Fruitful Shore Valentina Cano, Image of a Treasure, as a Negative Stone Showers, His Smile Fixed in Time Kari Castor, Jael Stands Trial for Murder Diana Fu, Confession Scott Warrender, The Littleness of Susan Brauer John Stocks, Vows Peter Wood, The Fig Tree Kaitlin Branch, One Cog Short of Paradise

Spark: A Creative Anthology

Literature & Fiction

Hunter Liguore

Brian Reeves

Alexis A. Hunter

George Wells

Todd Walton

Margaret Dilloway

Darrell Lindsey

j.lewis

Linda G Hatton

Katie Stephens

Melana Plains

D. Laserbeam

Svetlana Kortchik

Hannah Weverka

Matt Lancaster

Valentina Cano

Stone Showers

Kari Castor

Diana Fu

Scott Warrender

John Stocks

Peter Woo

Kaitlin Branch

Contemporary

Empire & Great Jones Little Press

A bold revival of the short story format, punctuated with classic and modern poetry forms, Spark: A Creative Anthology features the freshest work from a range of talented writers, from established professionals to newly-emerging authors and poets. Volume II continues the ambitious approach to contemporary English writing and solidifies Spark: A Creative Anthology as a noteworthy collection of great work. ContributorsCover Art by Charles KingIllustrations by Paul PedersonMichelle Soudier, PerspectiveKate Raynes, Oh, How We Lived and Died There Brandon Tietz, Ultimate Grand Supreme Super Sexy Baby Scott Skrabal, the horse race for existence Daniel Pearlman, Caught in Vagrante James Burgin, Alzheimer’s George Wells, Patron Saint of the Lowlands Sarah Kravitz, El Camino Cielo Melissa Ziegler, Spring Awakening Lisa Reeves, Google Earth: Madison County Hunter Liguore, Me Simon Bradley, Semi-Detached Robert J. Sawyer, Wiping Out Ashley Capes, Somnus and the March Hare Cynthia Guenther Richardson, Getting on the Liver Transplant List Cynthia Guenther Richardson, Amulets Andrew Blackman, Inferno Alexis A. Hunter, The Shadow Attached to His Name Sandy Hiortdahl, Monday, Erasure of Christine Edwards, The Barfly from Apartment Twenty-One Ellen Denton, The Confession Beatriz Fernandez, The Point of No Return Jennifer Racek, The Library at the Center of the World Richard King Perkins II, Translucent Paramours

Spark: A Creative Anthology, Volume II

Robert J., Sawyer

Daniel Pearlman

Brandon Tietz

Andrew Blackman

Sandy Hiortdahl

Melissa Ziegler

Christine Edwards

Ashley Capes

Sarah Kravitz

Spark: A Creative Anthology, Volume III, picks up where Volume II left off, at times slowing the pace to allow for thoughtful introspection, but never forgetting the importance of wonder and adventure.The foreword by Lidia Yuknavitch reminds us to celebrate lives dedicated to words as a kind of devotion.Regular contributor George Wells takes readers on a walk across the field between how things are and how they're remembered in To the River.The Story of a Mother by Mika Hillery is an honest and painful journey through the grief of losing a child. The story here ends on a hopeful note, but as this is Spark's first Creative Nonfiction inclusion, the Hilleries' real-life story goes on and can be followed on their blog.Christopher Michel wrote Night Class in Syracuse to record the scene he encountered while attending lectures by Brooks Haxton. Through the story he tells and his writing itself, Fatman Butter paints a portrait of man s ability to find a silver lining in the most testing circumstances of adversity in Silver Linings.Leafing by Elizabeth Sachs is a love story, exploring a relationship's evolution as necessitated by Alzheimer's disease.Cathy Bryant wrote Yellow Roses on Snow after visiting Sylvia Plath's grave on the fiftieth anniversary of her death.As the train moves forward in Letters to Mary, the tension provided by Megan Turner lies as much in what is unsaid as in what is said.Traditional Southern imagery is freshly woven by D.A. Gray in the sophisticated and evocative poem Sleepless on Medicine Creek.Alexis A. Hunter's third installment of By The Gun raises the stakes for Della and adds a paranormal twist as she finds herself on the Wrong Side of God. Through the dreamlike language of Sister Eugénie's Wonderful Glass Eye, Barbara Black invites the reader to explore the aquatic depths of the imagination.In a delightful injection of levity, Ben Thompson brings an unlikable narrator to All-You-Can-Eat. As he makes his way through the local buffet, will you find yourself rooting against him or for him?When an anomalous baby is born to young parents, Janet E. Irvin explores the couple's difficulties of raising a daughter who is "different" in A Brief Theory of Triangular Scale.Temporal Shift by Tom Pescatore paints the very same location at very different times.John W. Buckley deftly provides the soundtrack to an evening of acquaintances lost and acquaintances regained in Jukebox Lament.Despair against nature leads to unexpected salvation in Christian Fennell's Angel of the Equinox.Before Ararat introduces fresh perspectives on a familiar story a recurring approach in Kari Castor's poetry. Her work also appeared in Volume I.In Call, Talk, Lock, Deborah Miller-Collins takes an unusual occurrence and develops it into an event that brings together two strangers who need each other.Beatriz F. Fernandez pens a response from the woman to Sherlock Holmes, signed Very Truly Yours, Irene Norton, née Adler.  Escape seems impossible for Cassie in the fiery suspense Gold Stars and Forget-Me-Nots by Francesca Linton.In Inner Night by Michael Campagnoli, a woman waits for an unknown lover.Caroline Zarlengo Sposto asks, "How far would you go to stand up for and even protect a stranger?" in Chivalry.To conclude Volume III, a mother savors a moment with her infant son and contemplates the day he will inevitably leave in Rebekah Orton's Future Wife.

Spark: A Creative Anthology, Volume III

Ben Thompson

John W. Buckley

Mika Hillery

Christopher Michel

Fatman Butter

Barbara Black

Janet E. Irvin

From the foreword by Kevin J. Anderson: Words. Yes. No. I want. How much? Do this. Please. Thank you. Words are the gears that make civilization function, the tools that move almost every action in our daily lives. Through words we create instructions, blueprints, cooperation, organization. But some people use words as more than just gears and tools. They elevate language to an art, an evocative level beyond mere instructions. They use words as a brush to create and paint sweeping imaginary landscapes that they can make other people see in their own minds. They use words to sculpt characters with history, personalities, scars of tragedy or a sense of humor. 
Writers see words as wondrous things, ordinary beans that can spawn a magical beanstalk, simple keys that can unlock Pandora s Box. Readers feast on the fantastic concoctions that wordsmiths create from these sophisticated, sorcerous tools. Any bookstore offers shelves of published novels from well-known and well-loved masters of the craft, storytellers who have entertained us for years, thereby creating a special place in our hearts and our imaginations. But how many other word wizards live among us, secretly practicing their magic, developing their skills, hoping to one day become masters themselves? Many try to take up the special mantle, hoping that their magic is good enough to be noticed. Spark: A Creative Anthology is one way for those emerging apprentice storytellers to take one step closer to becoming a master. Spark is a quarterly anthology and accompanying writing contest dedicated to fostering emerging talent with participation from industry professionals. Established writers and editors serve as guest judges for each contest, and the new stars who shine the brightest are featured here. In all likelihood, you don t recognize many of the names featured in the table of contents at least not yet. But judging by the quality of what I ve read, you will know them. You will. Kevin J. Anderson ___________________________ Here's just a sampling of the great content you can expect: Cover art and illustrations by Paul Pederson Amazing new stories from: Brad R. Torgersen Alex Kane Annie Bellet Su J. Sokol Erica L. Satifka George Wells Alexis A. Hunter Natalia Theodoridou Hannah Lackoff Florence Major Anna Yeatts Mary Hedengren JC Hemphill Kaitlyn M. M. Caul Terri Wallace Chip Houser Samantha Kymmell-Harvey Brianne Kohl Will Mayer Terry Sanville Alex Shvartsman Stewart C Baker Michael Hodges Melinda Brasher Julia Patt Tom Howard Sadie Bruce Hannah Streett Joe Baumann Peter Medeiros ... and more!

Spark: A Creative Anthology, Volume IV

ALEX KANE

Alex Shvartsman

Brad R. Torgersen

Annie Bellet

Kaitlyn M. M. Caul

Will Mayer

Julia Patt

Chip Houser

Su J. Sokol

Sadie Bruce

Joe Baumann

Brianne Kohl

Hannah Streett

Natalia Theodoridou

Kevin J.Anderson

Short Stories & Anthologies

From the foreword by Richard Thomas:
 Life is a series of transitions, as we are constantly in a state of flux flowing from one relationship to another, one emotion to another, like a river running downhill, spilling into the ocean free. It has been said that the only constant in life is change and maybe that is true. We hope, we dream, we make plans and yet they are often crushed in a moment, forever damaged or destroyed sometimes leaving behind a new direction, sometimes leaving nothing but a void. 
 In this issue of Spark: A Creative Anthology we are confronted with cancer and loss, the art of disappearance, heartbreak, entropy, the wanderlust of gypsies, contradiction and chaos, death and decay, fear and anticipation, sacrifice, and the notion that people are the only monsters. 
 What Brian Lewis has done with this particular anthology, as well as past issues, is tap into the universal experiences that we all share these humanizing moments of sympathy and empathy while still finding a way to do something unique, to charter unseen waters, to share the secrets that have been hidden for so long. It s easy to fall into these narratives, to get lost in the lives of others, while burying deep our own moments of pain and suffering only to have them rise to the surface as these talented authors cull them from our memories, our hauntings, our dark echoes and dried-up tears. 
 Slow down for a moment and let these stories change you, let them remind you what you are working for, why you continue to scrimp and save, to sacrifice and struggle remember your dreams, no matter how distant or elusive. We cannot all be astronauts or scientists, we cannot all be heroes or champions or gods. We can only be mortal, human after all, and in that we show both our weaknesses and our strengths. 
Richard Thomas February 25, 2014 Chicago, IL 
___________________________
Cover art by Casey Robin
Illustrations by Paul Pederson
Nonfiction: Crystal Bevers, White Space 
 Poetry: Carolyn Martin, Storm Advisory Beatriz Fernandez, Letter from Lara, Yuriatin, 1920 Beth Cato, Barstow Moneta Goldsmith, Chicago Without Any Shoes On Christopher Woods, Gypsies Rowyn Cotter, Listen Stephen Pera, The Fall Rachel Bryson, Northland Ae Hee Lee, Otters Chris Fradkin, Stairs 
 Fiction: Richard Claycomb, Kraken s Pond George Wells, Where Never Snows Jaimie M. Engle, Moonshine on the Mississip P. Jo Anne Burgh, Disappearing Meredith Foster, Needles Melissa Lee Shaw, The Astronaut Siobhan Gallagher, Spirit Flare Jeff Bowles, Paper Thin Siarhey Bulyha, The Ferryman (translated from Russian by Alex Shvartsman) Sylvia Anna Hiven, The Growing Renée Christine Ehle, Menudo Bay Amy Locke, The Burial Lauren Harsma, Onchocerciasis Alexis A. Hunter, The Clock has Ceased its Ticking J.H. Mae, Distraction in the Afternoon

Spark: A Creative Anthology, Volume V

Richard Thomas

Carolyn Martin

Siarhey Bulyha

Jaimie M. Engle

Beatriz Fernandez

Richard Claycomb

Sylvia Anna Hiven

Chris Fradkin

Rachel Bryson

Crystal Bevers

Siobhan Gallagher

Christopher Woods

Lauren Harsma

Melissa Lee Shaw

Ask any successful author how they got their start, and they'll tell you that when they were young they loved reading. One of the foundational goals of Ember is to foster the next generation of great writers by providing them with excellent reading material now. We believe that people who learn to love reading at an early age are more likely to seek knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and math. Those who then learn to love writing often go on to apply creativity and problem solving to those same critical disciplines—underscoring the importance of solid reading and writing skills. But we're not just looking at writers who may have talent someday. Many adolescents and teens already show genuine imagination and talent not just potential, but real mastery of language and storytelling. While we love great writing from contributors of all ages and experience levels, we're especially eager to purchase and publish stories and poems from younger writers in order to provide a professional experience and a platform from which to launch their careers. Our inaugural issue is beautiful inside and out, with amazing contributions like: Cover art by James R. EadsIllustrations by Sean GreenbergStone Showers The PrecipiceTodd Walton HoneyJC Hemphill Dead DogBC Flinton MimeographJeff Suwak The Familiar and his AlchemistKacey Vanderkarr DistractionAndrew Kaye Roots and BranchesMelissa Shaw The Astronaut* Sho Sho Leigh Ho Splitting the Seams of My PantsB L Draper The Great Garden HeistBert Lowe Cat TailLaura M Kaminski Dim* Sylvia Hicks Fleeing from FireJeffrey Beck  OutlawEdward Ahern Puzwuk the Orphan Boy and the Starving TimeGerri Leen They Just Don't MixDavid Neilsen The SéanceCathleen Cohen Stealing ColorsBo Balder She Waxes While We Wane* Young contributors (age 14 and under)

Ember: A Journal of Luminous Things (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Jeffrey Beck

Gerri Leen

Sylvia S. Hicks

Sho Sho Leigh Ho

Laura M Kaminski

Bo Balder

JC Hemphill

Melissa Shaw

B L Draper

Edward Ahern

Bert Lowe

BC Flinton

Jeff Suwak

Kacey Vanderkarr

Andrew Kaye

David Neilsen

Cathleen Cohen

Young Readers Make Great Writers.
 Ask any successful author how they got their start, and they'll tell you that when they were young they loved reading. One of the foundational goals of Ember is to foster the next generation of great writers by providing them with excellent reading material now. We believe that people who learn to love reading at an early age are more likely to seek knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and math. 
Those who then learn to love writing often go on to apply creativity and problem solving to those same critical disciplines—underscoring the importance of solid reading and writing skills.
Each issue of Ember is divided into two sections: “For Younger Readers” and “For Older Readers.” The stories and poems in the Younger section may be most appropriate for middle-grade readers, and those in the Older section best for young adults, but all selections can be enjoyed by everyone!
This Spring issue of our inaugural volume builds on the beauty of Issue 1 with illustrations by Casey Robin and cover art by Keliana Tayler. The cover was inspired by Renee Carter Hall's “The Frog Who Swallowed the Moon,” which leads off the collection:
In the earliest days, Frog had a beautiful voice. All through the long summer twilights, he sang sweetly among the reeds while fireflies blinked lazily and the earth settled itself into evening. Around that first pond, the other creatures always gathered to listen. “Such a lovely voice,” Salamander said. “Just marvelous,” Turtle added. “So sweet and clear,” Mallard said with a sigh. “How do you do it?” One night, having sung a particularly lovely tune about how beautiful the moon was, Frog drew a bucket of water from the pond to soothe his dry throat. The full moon shone like a silver coin on the surface of the water, and Frog gulped the whole bucketful down. The night went black around him, like a candle blown out.
— From “The Frog Who Swallowed the Moon” by Renee Carter Hall“Ember is a perfect place for the young to find another great tale.” — Chad Morris
<ul>
<li>Cover art by Keliana Tayler
</li>
<li>Illustrations by Casey Robin
</li>
<li>
Renee Carter HallThe Frog Who Swallowed the Moon
</li>
<li>
Layla CarrEligible Maidens
</li>
<li>* Sophia Diggs-Galligan7
</li>
<li>
Emily B. Cataneo — Abena and the Bride-mad Sorcerer
</li>
<li>
Aidan Doyle — The Last Khan's Elephant
</li>
<li>
P. J. Burgh — The Protectors
</li>
<li>
George Wells — Spitting Image
</li>
<li>* Mariva DeBorde — Intertwining
</li>
<li>
Stone Showers — Anywhere But Here
</li>
<li>
Bethany Powell — An Herbwife Lives by the Dragons’ Eyrie
</li>
<li>
Danny Barbare — A TV Tube
</li>
<li>
Atar Hadari — Do Not Blow Raspberries at Monsters
</li>
<li>
John Biggs — Fallen Angels
</li>
<li>
Elise Liu — Emily Dickinson takes Helen Keller on a walk in the country
</li>
<li>* Abby Hall — Erosion
</li>
<li>* Kayce Guthmiller — Ancestors
</li>
<li>* Kirt Chris Morris — Off the Grid
</li>
<li>
Rory Donahoe — Messages
</li>
<li>
Kelsey Dean — Starfishing
</li>
<li>
Amanda Pauley — The Anniversary
</li>
<li>* Michelle Chen — The Sun God Dreams of Night
</li>
</ul>
* Young contributors (age 18 and under)Today’s Readers. Tomorrow’s Leaders.

Ember: A Journal of Luminous Things (Volume 1, Issue 2)

Renee Carter Hall

Layla Carr

Sophia Diggs-Galligan

Emily B. Cataneo

Aidan Doyle

P. Jo Anne Burgh

Bethany Powell

Kayce Guthmiller

Atar Hadari

John Biggs

Elise Liu

Kelsey Dean

Kirt Chris Morris

Rory Donahoe

Amanda Pauley

Michelle Chen

Jim Lewis is an internationally-published poet described by his friends as a Renaissance Man, multi-talented, remarkable, or sometimes as "odd, but in a good way." By profession, he is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, with a parallel career in technology. By hobby, he is a musician, writer, photographer, and kayaker.
Jim s interest in writing goes back to his early youth, but he only started to send out his poetry to editors and publishers when he reached his sixties. To his surprise and delight, several pieces were quickly accepted for publication, and so for the first time he envisioned a collection of his favorite poems.
These hand-picked favorites have been paired with his own photography to share with you as a clear day in october.
From the foreword by Laura M Kaminski:[...] Dust off your own memories of childhood desires and disappointments. Open the quiet closet of your experiences as a parent. Find the twins reverence and irreverence bring them both. Bring along the bridges you have crossed, bring the ashes of the ones that you have burned.
Clean the surface of whatever device on which you receive the news of grief in other places, other cultures, other nations. You are cleared through security to travel, enter hospitals and prisons. Tuck a handkerchief discretely in your pocket just in case.
Are you ready to walk past empty rooms, sit in a café, read a recipe for sacrifice and faith? Are you ready for rain, for grief? Are you willing to slop pigs? Are you willing to be torn and mended, blessed?
Then come, and welcome. You re invited to make your own contrails across this sky, across this clear day in October.

a clear day in october

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