Thursday, July 31, 2025

42 Stories Anthology Presents: Tom Prentice Interview

 




Tom Prentice Also writes as Martin Swallow, Drake Mandarin, Robin Swift

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Writing Space: “Café works quite well for me, but usually on my work desk at home because my dog hates being alone.”


Stories in the 42 Stories Anthology:

  • HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS (Alt Realty)

  • ORDER AND SAFETY IS THE ENEMY OF CREATION (War)

  • TECHNOLOGY REALLY BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER (Mythopeia)

  • WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR HERO IS OFF SICK? (Satire)

About Tom

Tom writes short horror and science fiction. His work has been featured by Scare Street, Sci-Fi Shorts, and Transmundane Press, among others. From Worcestershire, UK, Tom now hangs his hat in Dublin, Ireland, where he works in the tech industry. He is happily married with one unruly dog.

Do you drink coffee or tea or something else to get you in the mood to write?

I drink coffee to get in the mood to exist. Alcohol sometimes works to break the seal. It’s difficult lately to find long stretches of time to write, which is why crafting 42-word stories had such appeal—I don’t have to find the mood.

What’s your greatest achievement in writing?

The first time I published something it was a good validation. That was a story called Bouncer with Transmundane Press. You need to face a lot of rejection when submitting stories which can be tough unless you have at least one win in the bag.

What got you into writing?

I was between jobs with one idea so I thought I’d give it a try. Now I have a hundred ideas and I can’t stop.

Who is the best writer on earth?

Stephen King.

Bob Dylan. You can listen to stuff of his from any era and it’s all good. Lyrics are really evocative even if you don’t know what he’s on about. And he doesn’t give a fuck.

How do you handle publisher/editor rejection, and celebrate acceptance?

It’s important not to feel in a rush to get it out there. The process of shaping the story is the fun part. The validation of acceptance is just the icing on the cake, not the thing in itself. If that’s what you’re craving, that’s a lot of hungry nights.

Writing goals:

I’m going to write a novel one day. As long as I can remember I’ve seen that as the ultimate achievement. I’ve given it a shot a couple of times but I get lost in the weeds, so getting better at outlining is my current objective.

Artists you like:

Francisco Goya, William Blake, HR Giger, & Arnold Bocklin.

Movies/shows/actors:

I’m a bit of an Alien fanatic.

Mountains:

Mountains I’ve been at the top of include Snowdon in Wales and Seoraksan in Korea, both pretty amazing.

Books/authors:

I’m partial to Kurt Vonnegut, Stephen King, and my spooky homeboy HP Lovecraft and all of his descendants.

Books you read recently:

Finally got around to finishing the Three-Body trilogy. Amazing stuff.

Where to find Tom’s work:

Tom appears in 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42²

A collection of 1,764 stories written by 1,281 authors across 42 themed chapters—each story just 42 words long. Explore the full anthology at:

🌐 www.42storiesanthology.com

Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Jill Bronfman's 42 Stories Anthology Interview

 


Meet San Francisco-based author Jill Bronfman—an MFA candidate, speculative fiction writer, and someone who knows how to turn a legal outline into a compelling narrative. 

Her story AWAKENING THE WEREWOLF ON MY CHESTERFIELD appears in the 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42², a global collection of 42-word flash across 42 genres, where Jill’s knack for tight, impactful fiction shines.

Whether writing from home or from her co-writing space on Page Street, Jill grounds her work in both wit and conviction. Her fiction doesn’t shy away from themes she’s passionate about—civil rights, climate change, reproductive justice, and the growing tension between technological progress and personal freedom. These aren’t just causes—they’re currents running under her prose.

When asked about her outline process, Jill says, “I outline like I’m writing a contract.” And she means it. The structure of I, 1.1, 1.2 isn’t just legalese. It’s her scaffolding for building flash fiction that can scale up into novels. She’s currently finishing one of those novels as she nears the end of her MFA, supported by edits from notable writers and her own college-age daughter, whom she calls a great reader and editor.

Organization? She’s got it. Jill uses platforms like Submittable not just for submitting, but for generating writing prompts. She even writes entire pieces specifically for quirky contests she stumbles across. 

Her work: poetry, speculative fiction, and more, lives in a carefully managed set of Google files, with plenty of backups just in case the digital universe misbehaves.

Jill’s voice is clear and self-aware. She’s sarcastic when she wants to be, serious when the story calls for it, and never afraid to let real-world issues filter through her fiction.

“A reader who likes sarcasm will enjoy my poetry,” she says. “A reader who likes speculative fiction and near-future world building will like my novel.”

And as for literary heroes? She admits to being obsessed with Margaret Atwood, so much so she once published a fake book review of Atwood’s future work set 100 years from now. That’s the kind of clever layering Jill brings to her own writing.

Explore more of Jill Bronfman’s work at www.jillbronfman.com, and be sure to check out her microfiction in 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42²—because sometimes, all it takes is 42 words to wake a werewolf on a chesterfield.

For more authors in the anthology go to www.42storiesanthology.com

Posted by at No comments:

42 Stories Anthology Presents: Daniel Getzoff

 




Daniel Getzoff


Award-Winning Story:

THEY TOOK MY UNICORNS AWAY FROM ME FOREVER (Fight Chapter winner)


Location: Los Angeles, California, USA (most of the time)

Writing Space: “My desk is at the threshold of a closet in my living room that used to be a Murphy bed. But the desk faces out, sorta floating. I love this arrangement, yet I’m annoyed when someone tells me on Zoom, ‘Hey, you’re in a closet!’ I also write in cafés. But I’m used to multiple screens (laptop + external monitor). I need real estate but in a café, that doesn’t happen.”

🚴 Meet Daniel Getzoff

Daniel Getzoff has biked across the continental U.S.—three times. That alone earns some kind of literary street cred, but he’s also a playwright, essayist, and novelist-in-the-final-stretch. You can read about his cycling adventures and reflections on writing at handlebarconfessional.com, and you’ll find the raw voice of a writer who doesn’t shy from confession, structure-shattering experiments, or humor.

His prize-winning story in 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42², THEY TOOK MY UNICORNS AWAY FROM ME FOREVER, appears in the Zombie chapter—an absurd, poignant punch of 42 words that judges couldn’t ignore.

🧠 On Writing and Art

What’s the best way to write?

“I have discovered that I need to trust what comes out of me, that I have my own distinct voice, my own ‘thing’ that I need to remain true to. I try to focus on being authentic to that voice—speaking in it, asking what it wants and listening to it, not overly judging it but definitely making an effort to interpret it. Feeding it treats if it retreats and hides under the bed, letting it know I’m here when it has something to confess, begging it for forgiveness when I have to edit it, and it’s pissed and threatens to shut up for good and needs reassurance all over again when we both realize that it can’t have everything we think it needs.”

How do you relax?

“Well, for my mental health I run and ride my bicycle a lot. Being productive relaxes me: making a list and checking off tasks as completed. Probably should be the opposite but there you have it.”

Are you part of a writing group?

“Yes! I am part of 3 groups at the moment. One is a twosome—someone I’ve been meeting with pretty much weekly for over 10 years (used to be 3 of us but shit happens).”

What was the first story/art you created?

“My first full-length play—wait, shit, it’s my only full-length play…to date—At Least Until You Die, wasn’t published but it was fully realized: produced, mounted, performed for 6 weeks to pretty damn favorable reviews. I wrote it inspired by dreams and Jungian creative dream work. It was a two-person show, a mother and son. I wrote the roles for myself and the late, brilliant Maureen Byrnes. The experience spanned the very landmine-laden landscape of ego-boosting and -busting.

That was almost 20 years ago. I wish I’d done more with the piece—rewrites, other productions. Edinburgh Fringe. But it’s fucking hard to make yourself make shit happen.

Earlier than that? When I was a little kid, I used to write plays—reimaginings of stuff that already existed—and make the class perform them. I was fearless before junior high broke me. I admire that version of myself.”

🎧 Favorite Things...

Books/Authors

Toni Morrison’s Paradise meant a lot. Finishing it was an achievement. I even dug into her interviews. She once said she trusts her readers—she can challenge them. That stuck with me. It gave me permission to write my novel how I needed to write it. Not traditionally. Not easily. But honestly.

Foods/Drinks

“I fucking love farmers markets. Boughs of produce make my soul sing.”

Music

“I started making a list, but got caught in the trap. These questions are moment-bound. I listen to music for so many reasons: creative inspiration, workouts, curiosity, holiday mood-setting, even sex…

One of the best experiences I’ve had with music was listening to NPR’s list of the 150 Greatest Albums Made by Women. Every single one. It took a month. Some albums I loved, some I hated. But I learned a ton about myself and my ‘true’ preferences. It cracked something open.”


Best Animal on Earth

“The fox.

They have a mixed reputation.

They are clever. But are they cunning?

They are playful and resilient.

They are cute as fuck.”

✏️ Outline Process: Backwards, Mostly

“I don’t outline before I write—I just start writing. My novel’s outline came after 100,000+ words. I needed to figure out what the hell was in there. So I made a board: chapter summaries, character tracking, stylistic insertions (poems, texts, dreams, imagined movie scenes, etc.).

But now, I’m converting my cycling blog into a memoir. I’ll have to plan more this time. Do I organize it by ride? By theme? By essays? I haven’t decided. Or I’m not ready to.”

🔗 Follow Daniel

Stay tuned for more author features from 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42²—the project where voice, genre, absurdity, and brilliance converge in exactly 42 words. www.42storiesanthology.com

Posted by at No comments:

42 Stories Anthology Presents: Kyle Shepherd

 


42 Stories Anthology Presents: Kyle Shepherd (a.k.a. K. J. Shepherd / Jorsin Alkestes)


This week, we’re featuring Kyle Shepherd, a writer who doesn’t just bend genres—he bends universes. Appearing in 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42² under the names K. J. Shepherd and Jorsin Alkestes (more on that in a minute), Kyle brings readers not one but two reality-warping tales:

  • LAST NIGHT I TRAVELED TO ANOTHER UNIVERSE

  • I DESTROYED ALL OF SPACE-TIME LAST THURSDAY


🪐 Jorsin Alkestes...

“is a character from Brent Weeks’ trilogy The Night Angel. I didn’t steal it, please don’t sue me lol. I just love that trilogy so much, I read it twice back to back and it was so inspirational to me as a writer and fan of all fantasy.”


🏡 Location: San Marcos, TX

✍️ Writing Space: “I write a bit of everywhere. Bars. Cafés. Coffee shops. Parks. Sometimes even in my own office. Lately, I’ve been writing by hand on my eNotebook, and it’s been great to have that kind of mobility to write where I please, or where the mood strikes. It might not be the best for discipline; it’s something I’m working on.”

📚 Favorites...

“My favorite authors are Steven Erikson, Brandon Sanderson, Christopher Wooding, GRRM, Michael Swanwick, Tolkien, and Brent Weeks. I think my favorite book of all time is Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson, there’s just something about this world he’s created that resonates with me. The magic, the places, and especially his characters. It’s just a fantastic book and a great introduction to an entire universe.”


Also:

  • Mountains > beaches

  • Death metal all day (but also Celtic music and video game soundtracks)

  • Recently obsessed with Electric Callboy and Spirit Box

  • Grew up on Iron Maiden (shout-out to his older brother for that)

  • Favorite films and shows? Hereditary, Dr. Sleep, V for Vendetta, RRR, LotR, Dark, The Boys, Invincible, Breaking Bad, and “a healthy plethora of anime”

🌶️ On Why He Writes...

“I love creating things in general. Food; I love cooking. I’ve made my own beer, jam, bread, and now I’m working on my own mustards. I also garden and have grown watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, habaneros, and various other peppers. Stories are kind of the same way for me. I love to see the characters in my head, give them wants and dreams and desires, and then put them through unholy terror that will surely crush them.”

Oh, and:

“I also noticed a theme of amputation in a lot of my stories and I’m not sure why.”
“My friend Zach Chapman got me to finally realize that I could also be a writer; it just seemed oddly out of reach for me growing up, even though I started writing stories at twelve years old, I only started submitting my work in 2017, at the age of 31. I keep going because he’s dumb and if he can make cool shit then I certainly can. It’s ok, he’ll never read this!”

🌘 On His First Story and more...

“The first story I conceived of was an epic fantasy, that would span several books, and be reminiscent of Final Fantasy in terms of epic scope. I loved Final Fantasy IX and Xenogears, and wanted to emulate that feeling of discovery and wonder.”

The concept?

“An Earth in the far future, in which the moon had smashed into and shattered into dozens of shards, but which was held together by some unseen force. And a magical essence issued forth from the Earth, and it permeated everything and changed the course of evolution, each shard developing humanity into vastly different, sometimes corrupted, creatures…”

It also featured:

  • Guardians of the Earth

  • Guardians of the Moon

  • And a collective of planet-bound guardians tasked with protecting sapient life

“I have thousands of receipts with various scenes, concepts, plot points, and characters written on the back, but I haven’t really pieced it all together yet. It became too daunting a task and I have put it off in favor of working on new pieces and short stories, and horror novels.”

In the Anthology

Kyle’s two 42-word stories in 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42² feel like tiny neutron stars—explosively compact, heavy with implication, and weirdly hilarious in their existential panic. He plays with tropes of time, space, regret, and paradox while anchoring it all with voice and tone. A little doom. A little absurdism. A lot of fun.

📘 Want more of Kyle’s work?

Check out his Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kyledoeswords

📖 Read his micro-stories in 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42², available now in print, ebook, and audiobook via 42storiesanthology.com

Posted by at No comments:

 

This week’s spotlight shines on Michael Jai Grant, contributor to 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42², where his story ZIPPERS AND CHEESE ARE THE OBSTACLES TO LOVE appears in the collection’s more whimsical (yet truthful) corners. With a style that moves fluidly between razor wit and spiritual depth, Michael’s work captures contradictions with clarity—and heart.


📍 Location: North Stamford, Connecticut, USA

🖋️ Writing Spaces: Libraries and his home office

📚 Website & Socials:

✍️ Author Bio


Michael Jai Grant writes until his fingers go numb, his ulna aches, his butt falls asleep, and his husband growls. Then he picks up the camera. He lives for travel, theater, dogs, the chewiness of language, and appreciation. Read his novels. They’re worthy.

☕ Quickfire Round with Michael Jai Grant


Q: Do you drink coffee or tea or something else to get you in the mood to write?

A: That depends on what the muse is doing. Sometimes it’s coffee. Sometimes it’s just inner combustion.


Q: Is there something you passionately wish the human race would stop doing?

A: I wish the human race would stop seeing God as a creator or judge or parent or mythic being—external, in any form. That idea divides us. God is internal. The light we all share is pure, but we prism it through religion, culture, and ideology until it splits and breaks us. That light should illuminate, not separate.


Q: What’s your greatest achievement in writing/art?

A: Writing my first novel—and having a publisher believe in it. Even more powerful: people read it, love it, and tell me how it’s affected them. That’s magic.


Q: A reader who likes…

Humor, adventure, drama, and a unique voice will enjoy The Limited Edition Bicentennial Cadillac Convertible Joy Ride, available on Amazon, B&N, or MichaelJaiGrant.com.

🎤 Longform Reflections


💡 What inspires you to write/make art, and who, or what keeps you going?


Oddly, I don’t know. The urge to write, take a photo, make a film—it just is. Even if no one sees it, I have to do it. My husband is supportive, but this drive doesn’t come from him. It’s internal. I might hear something, see light fall a certain way, or rethink a familiar idea—and suddenly I’m in motion: jotting a note, grabbing the camera, recording a voice memo.


It might be the intersection of OCD and autism in my wiring. But more than that, it’s a calling. The muse is always there; I just need to clear the space. That’s the hardest part—because life is noisy. Mortgages, errands, food, relationships. But when I make room? It flows. And I don’t stop because there’s no “off.” I just keep going. I have to.

📖 What was the first story or art piece you created—and was it published?


Mrs. Silverman. Fifth and sixth grade. She made us write weekly journal entries from Friday prompts. Most groaned. I thrived. I rewrote them obsessively before transferring the final version into the journal.


Each week, three “Happy Grams” were awarded for the best entries. For two years, I received one every single week—undefeated. I was bullied badly back then, but something strange happened: when I stood up to read, those same kids listened. No fists. No mocking. Just attention. Applause, even.


That early validation didn’t erase the bullying, but it made the weekends lighter—and gave me a way to connect, to matter. That journal became my first body of work. Childish? Sure. But it was art. It was mine. And it changed the way I saw the world—and myself.

📖 Want more of Michael’s work?

Visit www.MichaelJaiGrant.com or read his story ZIPPERS AND CHEESE ARE THE OBSTACLES TO LOVE in 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42² — available now in print, ebook, and audiobook. More details here: 42storiesanthology.com


Stay tuned for more author interviews in the 42² series.

Posted by at No comments:

42 Stories Anthology Presents: Linda Rae Apolzon Interview

 

We’re excited to feature children’s author Linda Rae Apolzon, one of the many talented contributors to 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42². Her story, “I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED CREATURES OF THE WOODS,” appears in the Werewolf category and reflects her knack for voice-driven storytelling and emotional honesty—even in just 42 words.

🏠 Based in: Chicago, Illinois

🖊️ Published Works:

Linda writes primarily for children and has been featured in beloved magazines such as SPIDER and RANGER RICK. Some of her titles include:

  • Max Helps Out

  • I’ll Share With You

  • The Day David Wasn’t There (currently out of print)

  • “How Winston Lost His Math Homework” – SPIDER PRESENTS: SHORT STORIES, BIG LAUGHS

  • “To the Rescue” – RANGER RICK’S STORYBOOK

💡 Fun Facts from the Interview:

  • Former Aspirations: Linda originally wrote adult stories for The New Yorker, but her passion quickly shifted to writing for children.

  • Writing Setup: She prefers writing at the dining room table, finding it more comfortable than a traditional desk.

  • Family of Writers: All of her siblings write, and her father was a gifted storyteller.

  • Pets: She has a deep love for rescue dogs, citing their loyalty and ability to love unconditionally.

🎶 Favorites:

  • Books: Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman), The Beatryce Prophecy, The Magician’s Elephant (Kate DiCamillo)

  • Music: ABBA, James Taylor, and “The Rainbow Connection”

  • Movies: It’s a Wonderful Life, Now, Voyager, Blazing Saddles, The Producers

  • Sweets: White cake with buttercream frosting, Snickers, and bridge mix

✍️ Writing Process:

Linda starts each session with a comforting cup of coffee or hot chocolate. She’s a big believer in writing freely—especially bad first drafts—and stops mid-scene to make it easier to return later. Her plotting method involves a detailed chapter grid to track arcs, tension, and subplots.

🧠 Advice for Writers:

  • Allow yourself to write terribly at first.

  • Outline strategically—but flexibly.

  • Accept rejection with grace: one day of misery, then back to the page.

  • Celebrate every win—even small ones.

💬 “I want readers to feel something when they read my work.”

And yes, her last name is pronounced “apples on”—as in, apples on a tree.

📚 Visit Linda’s website: www.LindaRaeApolzon.com

📖 Read her story in 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42² – now available in print, audiobook, and ebook. www.42storiesanthology.com



Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Interview with Arushi Singh – 42 Stories Anthology



Name: Arushi 

Location: India 

Profession: Registered Nurse 

Writing Space: No fixed space – writes wherever and whenever inspiration strikes 

Story Title(s) in the Anthology: TILL DEATH DO US APART – A TRICKY PROMISE (award-winning) 

Website: https://unfilteredarushi.wordpress.com

🎤

Q: Who do you picture as your reader or target audience?

Not any particular audience. I just wish that anyone who reads my work may feel a little joy and peace.


Q: What inspires you to write, and who or what keeps you going?

There are many factors. First and foremost is my sister—she is a major driving force behind all of this. Then, there is this feeling of contentment and peace whenever I write something. For me, it is like coming up for air when life weighs you down. And finally, in today’s times, when people are more involved in creating videos and reels, I want to keep alive the world of imagination within our minds, which is incomparable with any of the visual aids.


Q: What are your writing goals?

I want to be a full-time writer/poet. I know there is a long way to go and I have to polish my skills a lot before even thinking to go there. So yeah, just hoping in time I will get there.


Q: What are some of your favorites…

  • Books/Authors: Dan Brown, Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami, Sapiens by Yuval Harari, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, and many English classics

  • Food & Drink: Indian cuisine and tea

  • Movies/Shows: The Big Bang Theory

  • Actor: Shahrukh Khan


Q: What got you into writing?

My sister. She is the one who pushed me into writing. She is a great storyteller. All credit goes to her.


Q: What’s your greatest achievement in writing?

This book :-D


Q: What do you want the human race to stop doing?

Stop discriminating between people on any grounds and give love a chance to grow in that space.


📘 About the 42 Stories Anthology

42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42² is a globally curated collection featuring 1,764 micro-stories written by 1,281 unique authors across 42 genres. Each story is exactly 42 words long, forming a mosaic of voices, styles, and perspectives.

The anthology’s goal was to spotlight both emerging and seasoned writers through one constraint: say something unforgettable in 42 words.

🔗 Learn more: 42storiesanthology.com

📖 Available in print, audiobooks, and ebook formats


Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)