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The Fiction Desk #1
Various Authors
These twelve stories will take you from the shores of Lake Garda in Italy to ahospital room in Utah, from a retirement home overlooking the Solentto an unusual school in the wilds of Scotland. Meet people like Daniel,a government employee looking for an escape; and William, a mostremarkable dog by anyone’s standards.Various Authors is the first volume in a new series of anthologiesdedicated to discovering and publishing the best new short fiction.
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
188 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 11, 2011
at first this seemed a probable three star book – the first couple (I don’t read in order) I read were OK, but not my kind of thing: ‘How to fall in Love with an Air Hostess’ was particularly not my thing, being too arch for me and presented in the second person singular (I always thought stories using ‘you’ a bit presumptuous, unless done very very well, eg The Sound of My Voice; some of Lorrie Moore’s stuff). But then most of the stories after those two caught me in ways I didn’t expect – eg Rex, about a dog. I hate dogs, and stories about them, but this one was very funny and strange and like no dog I – or you, second person singular - have ever come across. Another one was about the anxieties of impending fatherhood (‘Nativity’) and again my heart sank, but it was a strong, wide ranging piece going back to the father-to-be’s own fairly traumatic childhood and his reaction to it. Charles Lambert’s story was a perfect little piece on friends visiting a family and their disappointment with them: I expected a villa overlooking the lake.. a lawn rolling down to the water’s edge, a boathouse maybe. But we park outside a four storey stuccoed residential block. The prose has an accomplished ease. (I do have to declare an interest here as Charles is a GR friend and I have met him once). Two beautifully realised but weird stories were ‘A Covering of Leaves’ about a Nissan left in a station car park after a train crash kills its owner that starts to move of its own volition, and ‘Celia and Harold’ in which a stranded passenger finds the village pub creepily filed with similar looking men. ‘Sometimes the Only Way Out is In’ has a ten year old (ish) running away from his mother who has died to find Wales, where his dad might be:He knew the city didn't go on forver, though. He knew that somewhere out there was a place where all around you, all you could see were fields, trees and hills. And he knew that place was called Wales. All he has is a photo. His adventures are both funny and dangerous (Oliver Twist like) and make you catch your breath a few times.
These ‘Fiction Desk’ anthologies look like a good series (four a year). A nice mix of new and established writers, and I’ll be glad if I can join them one day.
These ‘Fiction Desk’ anthologies look like a good series (four a year). A nice mix of new and established writers, and I’ll be glad if I can join them one day.
July 10, 2017
3.5*
Having subscribed to “The Fiction Desk” anthologies some months back and been favourably impressed by the volume received so far (Long Grey Beard and Glittering Eye– my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ), I found it interesting to read (in ebook version) the first issue in the series – “Various Authors”. What struck me was that from its very first outing, some of the defining characteristic of the series were already firmly established.
First of all, Fiction Desk anthologies showcase upcoming authors who have yet to make it big on the contemporary literary scene. This does not imply that there is any dearth of talent and experience here. Indeed, one of the featured authors already had two novels under his belt; others, although new to the short story genre, had worked as screen and scriptwriters. All of them deserve to be better known.
Another element is that the emphasis is on narrative, avoiding experimentation for the mere sake of it. Again, this requirement does not seem to hamper the imaginations of the featured authors. Whilst several of the offerings are rooted in reality (slices of gritty urban life in “Two Buses Away” by Lynsey May and, up to a point, “Crannock Place” by Ben Lyle), there are also more offbeat contributions. Jon Wallace’s “Rex”, for instance, is a surreal tale redolent of Bulgakov, where a professional actor is hired to impersonate a dog with increasingly dark but hilarious consequences. Ben Cheetham’s “Sometimes the Only Way is Out” is an episodic, almost Dickensian story about a boy who escapes from his troubled home to seek his father. “Celia and Harrod” by Patrick Whittaker is a weird piece of, well, weird fiction whilst “A Covering of Leaves” by Danny Rhodes, like the best of supernatural tales, leaves us in doubt whether the otherwordly elements are all in the mind of the protagonist. (Incidentally, ghost stories would eventually become a major part of the “Fiction Desk” series, with anthologies specifically dedicated to the genre).
Of the rest of the stories featured, I would single out “All I want” by Charles Lambert. Two young men teaching English to adults in Italy are invited to spend a few days at a seaside resort with the family of one of their students. Nothing much happens in the story, but the tensions between the characters are exquisitely conveyed. The prose is suggestive, leaving a lot to the reader’s imagination, and the sense of ennui bothering the young Italian family reminded me of the atmosphere which permeates the movies of Sorrentino or Ozpetek.
Do give this anthology a try! It’s still available to download for free here: http://www.thefictiondesk.com/antholo...
Having subscribed to “The Fiction Desk” anthologies some months back and been favourably impressed by the volume received so far (Long Grey Beard and Glittering Eye– my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ), I found it interesting to read (in ebook version) the first issue in the series – “Various Authors”. What struck me was that from its very first outing, some of the defining characteristic of the series were already firmly established.
First of all, Fiction Desk anthologies showcase upcoming authors who have yet to make it big on the contemporary literary scene. This does not imply that there is any dearth of talent and experience here. Indeed, one of the featured authors already had two novels under his belt; others, although new to the short story genre, had worked as screen and scriptwriters. All of them deserve to be better known.
Another element is that the emphasis is on narrative, avoiding experimentation for the mere sake of it. Again, this requirement does not seem to hamper the imaginations of the featured authors. Whilst several of the offerings are rooted in reality (slices of gritty urban life in “Two Buses Away” by Lynsey May and, up to a point, “Crannock Place” by Ben Lyle), there are also more offbeat contributions. Jon Wallace’s “Rex”, for instance, is a surreal tale redolent of Bulgakov, where a professional actor is hired to impersonate a dog with increasingly dark but hilarious consequences. Ben Cheetham’s “Sometimes the Only Way is Out” is an episodic, almost Dickensian story about a boy who escapes from his troubled home to seek his father. “Celia and Harrod” by Patrick Whittaker is a weird piece of, well, weird fiction whilst “A Covering of Leaves” by Danny Rhodes, like the best of supernatural tales, leaves us in doubt whether the otherwordly elements are all in the mind of the protagonist. (Incidentally, ghost stories would eventually become a major part of the “Fiction Desk” series, with anthologies specifically dedicated to the genre).
Of the rest of the stories featured, I would single out “All I want” by Charles Lambert. Two young men teaching English to adults in Italy are invited to spend a few days at a seaside resort with the family of one of their students. Nothing much happens in the story, but the tensions between the characters are exquisitely conveyed. The prose is suggestive, leaving a lot to the reader’s imagination, and the sense of ennui bothering the young Italian family reminded me of the atmosphere which permeates the movies of Sorrentino or Ozpetek.
Do give this anthology a try! It’s still available to download for free here: http://www.thefictiondesk.com/antholo...
April 11, 2011
The fact that this exceptionally fine anthology of short fiction contains a story of mine has nothing to do with my giving it five stars. Obviously.
June 7, 2017
Because I live in a small town, it is very difficult to get a hold of literary journals without buying them online (that is, if they aren't already strictly online only, what can I say, I like holding books). But that is the very same reason I don't like buying them online, because I hardly buy any books online, I like supporting my small, local, indie bookstores.
The difficulty in getting them in my hands makes me sad, because I would very much like to read and support young and up-and-coming-authors by purchasing their work. Supporting the continued art of the short-story in the time of the novel is also something I like to do.
So sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet and go online.
This collection of twelve stories was a mixed bag for me. As all collections are destined to be, I suppose, when it's an anthology and not all by a single author you know you enjoy. This is also the first edition from 'The Fiction Desk' and I'm sure they've only gone uphill from here.
Without naming names, of the twelve stories, I genuinely loved two of them. Two of them made me want to continue seeking out their respective author's work on my own. About six I was either indifferent or mostly positive toward, if their work cropped up in another anthology I wouldn't hesitate. The remaining four were not to my taste, for whatever myriad reason. Not that I would avoid the names of the folks that wrote them, but I would be a little cautious.
All in all, I would buy another volume from 'The Fiction Desk' as I hear their regular ghost story collections are quite wonderful, and there were some gems here. And sometimes gems can lead to real treasure.
The difficulty in getting them in my hands makes me sad, because I would very much like to read and support young and up-and-coming-authors by purchasing their work. Supporting the continued art of the short-story in the time of the novel is also something I like to do.
So sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet and go online.
This collection of twelve stories was a mixed bag for me. As all collections are destined to be, I suppose, when it's an anthology and not all by a single author you know you enjoy. This is also the first edition from 'The Fiction Desk' and I'm sure they've only gone uphill from here.
Without naming names, of the twelve stories, I genuinely loved two of them. Two of them made me want to continue seeking out their respective author's work on my own. About six I was either indifferent or mostly positive toward, if their work cropped up in another anthology I wouldn't hesitate. The remaining four were not to my taste, for whatever myriad reason. Not that I would avoid the names of the folks that wrote them, but I would be a little cautious.
All in all, I would buy another volume from 'The Fiction Desk' as I hear their regular ghost story collections are quite wonderful, and there were some gems here. And sometimes gems can lead to real treasure.
November 6, 2025
Some good stories that I enjoyed.
November 27, 2015
Rob did a great job of bringing these debut writers of short stories together.It's reassuring to have an advocate of the short story champion them so generously.With some adult learners help, I'm offering this feedback on the thought-provoking anthology of established authors.
Avoiding spoilers,'Two buses Away' by Lynsey May started the anthology off showing authentic language from the protagonist, Ger. It carefully contrasted his interaction on a journey and at home in dialogue.
Next with 'How to Fall in Love with an Air Hostess' by Harvey Marcus we find a young man in a train compartment, spies a beautiful girl, cannot find confidence to speak to her where an aged ticket collector can. Many readers may connect with that lost opportunity theme seen again later in the anthology.
Then, I enjoyed the style of Ben Lyle with his 'Crannock Place' as it offered a strong sense of place and revealed an intriguing desire to please the teacher.The interaction between the boy/Mervyn/school made for an entertaining read if not a little sad.
The tone went softer with the interesting concept of 'Rex' by Jon Wallace, where imaginations were stretched by this amusing change-around.A marital relationship and that of man's best friend were unusually explored.
In 'the Puzzle' by Alex Cameron, a seriously ill elderly man in a nursing home has a light shone on his touching tale by Bertha, a caring nurse.The reader empathises with symbolic loss through old age for the main character and is heartened by the intervention of the carer.
Particularly, 'Puzzle' and 'Dave's Tough Luck' by Matthew Licht fitted well side by side. In the latter, Dave, the protagonist took the boy for drumming lessons where the boy's gift as a drummer flourished. Only,the boy sadly ended up working in a supermarket. Missed opportunity for both came through, once again.
A wealth of script writing experience shone through much of the scenes allowing us us see and hear them clearly, especially in Assassination Scene, by Jason Atkinson.The tables turn with a boss/employee relationship and chances for the protagonist to spread his wings into drama, when he's taken on as an extra for a scene and then had a test for the lead role. His unexpected realisation of a dream proved a positive read.
There came a contrast in the hands-of-fate nightmare tale that followed of 'Celia and Harold' by Patrick Whittaker.This very good horror fantasy followed a man on a train journey experiencing a stop off at a place full of identical people who he joined.There's a scary lesson there.
'All I Want' by Charles Lambert is a promising story that derives from another lesson, in English this time.We get up close to a couple of guys being included on a family trip to Italy. This is where the physical controlling character of their host ripples through.
'A Covering of Leaves' by Danny Rhodes moves into the somewhat surreal.This creepy tale shows his fantastic imagination that reels us in with vivid scenes.The novel writing acclaim extends naturally into this shorter form.
'Sometimes the Only Way is Out' by Ben Cheetham continues to grip the reader. We have drip fed anxiety about the boy, Finn who has a convincing imaginary friend. The pace races as the boy left home to find his dad who he thought was in Wales, this heightened tension is for a reason. It works to make the reader aware of inevitable. There's an insightful use of the name, Mr. Fox.
'Nativity' by Adrian Stumpp informatively leaves the reader thinking, reflecting birth from an unusual angle. There are inheritance issues to be overcome and promised new beginnings. A great hopeful place to finish.
I'm excited that there's more Various Author collections available.
Avoiding spoilers,'Two buses Away' by Lynsey May started the anthology off showing authentic language from the protagonist, Ger. It carefully contrasted his interaction on a journey and at home in dialogue.
Next with 'How to Fall in Love with an Air Hostess' by Harvey Marcus we find a young man in a train compartment, spies a beautiful girl, cannot find confidence to speak to her where an aged ticket collector can. Many readers may connect with that lost opportunity theme seen again later in the anthology.
Then, I enjoyed the style of Ben Lyle with his 'Crannock Place' as it offered a strong sense of place and revealed an intriguing desire to please the teacher.The interaction between the boy/Mervyn/school made for an entertaining read if not a little sad.
The tone went softer with the interesting concept of 'Rex' by Jon Wallace, where imaginations were stretched by this amusing change-around.A marital relationship and that of man's best friend were unusually explored.
In 'the Puzzle' by Alex Cameron, a seriously ill elderly man in a nursing home has a light shone on his touching tale by Bertha, a caring nurse.The reader empathises with symbolic loss through old age for the main character and is heartened by the intervention of the carer.
Particularly, 'Puzzle' and 'Dave's Tough Luck' by Matthew Licht fitted well side by side. In the latter, Dave, the protagonist took the boy for drumming lessons where the boy's gift as a drummer flourished. Only,the boy sadly ended up working in a supermarket. Missed opportunity for both came through, once again.
A wealth of script writing experience shone through much of the scenes allowing us us see and hear them clearly, especially in Assassination Scene, by Jason Atkinson.The tables turn with a boss/employee relationship and chances for the protagonist to spread his wings into drama, when he's taken on as an extra for a scene and then had a test for the lead role. His unexpected realisation of a dream proved a positive read.
There came a contrast in the hands-of-fate nightmare tale that followed of 'Celia and Harold' by Patrick Whittaker.This very good horror fantasy followed a man on a train journey experiencing a stop off at a place full of identical people who he joined.There's a scary lesson there.
'All I Want' by Charles Lambert is a promising story that derives from another lesson, in English this time.We get up close to a couple of guys being included on a family trip to Italy. This is where the physical controlling character of their host ripples through.
'A Covering of Leaves' by Danny Rhodes moves into the somewhat surreal.This creepy tale shows his fantastic imagination that reels us in with vivid scenes.The novel writing acclaim extends naturally into this shorter form.
'Sometimes the Only Way is Out' by Ben Cheetham continues to grip the reader. We have drip fed anxiety about the boy, Finn who has a convincing imaginary friend. The pace races as the boy left home to find his dad who he thought was in Wales, this heightened tension is for a reason. It works to make the reader aware of inevitable. There's an insightful use of the name, Mr. Fox.
'Nativity' by Adrian Stumpp informatively leaves the reader thinking, reflecting birth from an unusual angle. There are inheritance issues to be overcome and promised new beginnings. A great hopeful place to finish.
I'm excited that there's more Various Author collections available.
August 29, 2012
I was very much looking forward to getting stuck into the Fiction Desk anthologies and I was expecting them to be good quality, but this first volume still managed to pleasantly surprise me.
It starts with a sincere and charming 'mission statement' from editor Rob Redman, comparing his desire to showcase really good, new fiction to a desire to play amazing new music to people in little underground clubs. That really struck a chord with me (pardon the pun). There's a sort of underground (underdog even, in the nicest possible sense) feeling to The Fiction Desk that is refreshingly honest and really enjoyable.
All the stories are very different and whilst I naturally enjoyed some much more than others, the quality is maintained throughout. I'd not heard of any of the authors before, but some I'll go on to seek out more of their work.
Stories that particularly stuck with me from 'Various Authors' were 'Crannock House' by Ben Lyle (beautifully characterised, believable and tragic), 'Dave Tough's Luck' by Matthew Licht (really vivid, wonderful style of writing), 'Rex' by Jon Wallace (made the bizarre seem everyday and was tongue-in-cheek clever) and finally 'Sometimes the only way out is in' by Ben Cheetham because it was utterly depressing and nearly brought me to tears, to the point that I almost want to contact the author for reassurance about the protagonist!
It's not often that I read a lot of material that I'd term 'general fiction' (ie not exclusively speculative fiction genre stuff) and for that reason I do find the frequency of what I'd term 'literary' subject matter - divorce, infidelity, childbirth, drug addiction - a bit cloying sometimes, but that's really just my personal preference and with this anthology the writing was consistently captivating enough to carry any subject matter.
I enjoyed this enough that I've started chain-reading the second anthology straight away!
It starts with a sincere and charming 'mission statement' from editor Rob Redman, comparing his desire to showcase really good, new fiction to a desire to play amazing new music to people in little underground clubs. That really struck a chord with me (pardon the pun). There's a sort of underground (underdog even, in the nicest possible sense) feeling to The Fiction Desk that is refreshingly honest and really enjoyable.
All the stories are very different and whilst I naturally enjoyed some much more than others, the quality is maintained throughout. I'd not heard of any of the authors before, but some I'll go on to seek out more of their work.
Stories that particularly stuck with me from 'Various Authors' were 'Crannock House' by Ben Lyle (beautifully characterised, believable and tragic), 'Dave Tough's Luck' by Matthew Licht (really vivid, wonderful style of writing), 'Rex' by Jon Wallace (made the bizarre seem everyday and was tongue-in-cheek clever) and finally 'Sometimes the only way out is in' by Ben Cheetham because it was utterly depressing and nearly brought me to tears, to the point that I almost want to contact the author for reassurance about the protagonist!
It's not often that I read a lot of material that I'd term 'general fiction' (ie not exclusively speculative fiction genre stuff) and for that reason I do find the frequency of what I'd term 'literary' subject matter - divorce, infidelity, childbirth, drug addiction - a bit cloying sometimes, but that's really just my personal preference and with this anthology the writing was consistently captivating enough to carry any subject matter.
I enjoyed this enough that I've started chain-reading the second anthology straight away!
June 18, 2011
There seems to have been a number of new journals appearing over the last little while, and many others promising to appear soon. The quality of these journals tend to be a little all over the place, especially when first starting out, attempting to recruit talented writers, uncover good slush, and hopefully pick up a few readers along the way. I like to support new publications and urge the reading and (especially) writing public to do so as well, since a healthy subscription allows for better long-term quality, and, if nothing else, at least survival.
And if it weren't for these new journals, we wouldn't have such excellent books as Various Authors. I have read a number of new and established fiction journals over the past two years, and Various Authors is without hesitation the strongest, most compelling of the group.
To read my full review, please visit Casual Debris.
And if it weren't for these new journals, we wouldn't have such excellent books as Various Authors. I have read a number of new and established fiction journals over the past two years, and Various Authors is without hesitation the strongest, most compelling of the group.
To read my full review, please visit Casual Debris.
April 12, 2012
Rob Redman has clearly spent a lot of time reading and selecting stories for this anthology. Before each one he sets out the writers background and why he chose the story for the book. I really like this as you rarely get this kind of insight into an editors choices.
A total of twelve stories, some of them are darker than others and each one deals with another aspect of life. Coming of age, love, death, finding your inner self. In some respects you need to be fairly emotionally robust to read these tales as the authors take you right there.
A brilliant set of stories from new authors, there's a new discovery waiting on each page.
A total of twelve stories, some of them are darker than others and each one deals with another aspect of life. Coming of age, love, death, finding your inner self. In some respects you need to be fairly emotionally robust to read these tales as the authors take you right there.
A brilliant set of stories from new authors, there's a new discovery waiting on each page.
March 1, 2013
A well-written and engaging collection of short stories - refreshingly devoid of literary pretentiousness. I particularly enjoyed 'Rex' by Jon Wallace - a story of an unusual pet dog, and Patrick Whittaker's 'Celia and Harold' about a sinister village plagued by the consequences of a relationship gone wrong.
December 12, 2014
Rob Redman is he editor of The Fiction Desk. He does such a fine job of compiling these collections of short stories that if you are a reader and writer of shorts, you can't afford to ignore them. This collection has 12 stories, each better than the other, and so beautifully written that they are bound to stay with you even after you've finished the collection.
October 27, 2016
Some of the stories worth revisited!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews