Level Up: An All-teen Short Story Anthology

by Hannah Smith, Shelly X. Leonn (Editor), Dustin Hansen (Foreword)

“Video games teach us about failure, and about trying again after you fall. They show us that improvements are earned through hard work and experience. Much like writing, games require us to be creators, not just consumers, as they put us in charge of the destiny of the many characters we inhabit. I mean, what’s NOT to love here? Game rule, dang it. Flat out.

There are so many lessons to learn from gaming. So many ways to ‘level up’. And, dear writer, you’re already putting those patterns into practice…” —Dustin Hansen, Game On!: Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, and More

Even if you don’t play video games, anything worth doing in life always requires “leveling up.” Want your blackbelt in karate? You’ve got to level up. Want to be at the top of your class in school? Level up. Want to be a better human being who changes the world? Take one step at a time, and always be leveling up.

From video games to adventures to science fiction and fantasy, join us for the different interpretations of Leveling Up in this exciting, all-teen short story collection!

293 pages, Paperback

Published March 20, 2022