On the Train
Is travelling on The Train a means to an end…a way to complete one’s journey... or is The Train the destination itself, rolling endlessly through realms both magical and mechanical?
And what of Javan, the lad from Pingaspor, whose third-class ticket entitles him to a spot on a hard bench? He has given up everything he had for that cherished spot. But where, exactly, is he headed?
Javan’s story is followed by the tale of nanny Eli, hired by Baroness Vasri to take care of her son and daughter as they travel on The Train in first class. But the Baroness’ agenda may run contrary to that of those running The Train... and what will become of the children?
The series
Giving Back to the Future
Excerpted from the June 2012
Issue of Sci Fi Magazine
Read full series description
Ever thought about contacting an in-demand author such as Kevin J. Anderson, or a genre legend such as Robert Silverberg and commissioning a story? Most of us don’t have that kind of industry pull, or the sheer chutzpah to even make the call or send an e-mail inquiry. Fortunately, writer Mike Resnick possesses both traits, which has led to the launch of the Stellar Guild Series, a new book line from Arc Manor/Phoenix Pick (www.PhoenixPick.com) pairing comparatively unknown wordsmiths with renowned genre names.
“Every one of these stars is busy as hell and most are contracted two and three years ahead,” explains Resnick, adding that, along with reaching out to each sci-fi celebrity he’s also serving as editor for the ongoing venture. “So when I first approached them, I got as far as saying I wanted a novella and we're paying an above-average-but-not-Wall-Street rate, and each of them began to regretfully say ‘No.’ Then I came to the part about how they would get to choose and work with a protégé and every last one of them immediately said ‘Yes.’”
Collaborating is nothing new for most of these eminent authors, almost all of whom at some time in their careers have teamed up with one or more of their peers to craft a worlds-spanning tale. What’s unique about this project is that, unlike conventional partnerships, here the established pro is responsible for a novella, while the up-and-comer pens a separate novelette set in the same universe.
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