I wrote a story... and so did the husband

I do that from time to time. Generally, I do it because I’ve been asked to, or because the husband has passed an invitation on to me.

I like writing short stories. I feel I should do more of it. It’s very satisfying.

I wrote a short story for Jonathan Maberry… Yes… New York Times bestseller and Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry!

Jonathan invited the husband, and then me, to write a short story each for his second anthology of stories based on folk songs. It’s called Out of Tune Book 2.

Widely available now

I like folk, especially the old stuff, so it was fun to trawl through my memory and my record collection, and then it was fun to take my findings further by checking out various lyrics. 

I chose a song, and I wrote a story, so did the husband, and so did fourteen other writers.

When I saw the list of writers contributing to the anthology, I was thrilled. I love to be in good company, and these writers a good!

I was pleased when Jonathan seemed to like the story, and more pleased that he liked it enough not to want much editing.

Some of the stories relate pretty closely to the subject matter of the songs that inspired them, some, like mine, drive in at an angle, dealing more with the themes of the songs than with their narratives. That’s one of the joys of a job like this… seeing what people have chosen to make of the remit. Every approach is valid, but each is unique to the writer.

This was a fun job, and a rewarding one. If he ever asks me, I’ll be more than happy to work with Jonathan again.

John's illustration for The Twa Corbies
Read about his experience working on the bookand see more pics

Unusually, this book of stories comes with pictures. John Coulthart made an illustration for each story, and they’re very atmospheric. I love the piece he made for my story, The Twa Corbies.

I don’t want to bang on about my story, or the anthology too hard or for too long. Self-publicity is an uncomfortable thing. Smiles. I will say, though, that if you enjoy my writing, or the husband's, or if you’re a big fan of anyone in the line-up (and you should be), then do pick up this collection. I think you’ll enjoy it.