Four
Star Stories is an online publishing venture for Science
Fiction and Fantasy short stories.
Since
2008, or so, paid venues for publishing Science Fiction
and Fantasy short stories have been becoming fewer. This
trend bothered the creators of the Four Star Stories web
site for two reasons. Fewer publishing opportunities
made it difficult for talented writers to find paying
venues where their stories could appear. Also, fewer
publishing venues made it hard for readers who enjoy
Science Fiction and Fantasy stories to find stories to
read.
As
long-time fans of Science Fiction and Fantasy, We felt
that we had been lucky. We grew up when there were lots
of opportunities to enjoy well-written and exciting
Science Fiction and Fantasy stories. Stories that gave
us hope for our futures and for the future of our world
and humankind. Sure the protagonists in the stories
dealt with all sorts of problems, but with skill,
courage, the right knowledge, and a little luck they
managed to win through in the end.
So
we started talking about what we could do to solve the
problems of both writers and readers while making the
kind of stories that inspired us available for today’s
readers.
We
didn’t have the time, money, or expertise to do
something big, like starting a new magazine. Also,
creating a new print publishing empire was way beyond
our means.
Still,
we wanted to do something.
We
looked at what we did have. We had some knowledge of
building web sites, some skill as editors, more courage
than was reasonable, and some luck because we already
knew some writers and artists. So, we came up with the
idea of creating a website where we would publish four
stories, four times a year.
TA-DA!
The idea for 4 Star Stories was born.
Four
Star Stories is a website created for people who write,
edit, and read Science Fiction and Fantasy stories. And,
in addition, it is a website for artists who create
Science Fiction and Fantasy art. Originally we planned
for four stories per issue and four issues a year, thus
the name "Four Star Stories". Along the way we picked up
a Guest Artist page and a Bonus story, the Bonus story
when we had a story that didn't make the cut, but was
still worth publishing. Over time we dropped the Guest
Artist, although we still feature art-oriented content
on the Guest Artist page, mostly from in-house artists.
We
will still publish four stories and a Bonus story per
issue and scifi-related essays and art-related material
when we have it, but we will only publish an issue when
we are able.
Come
by and enjoy the stories and the art. And don’t forget
to tell your friends!
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