Red alert! An upcoming fiction anthology, edited by Lou Tambone and Ali McDowell for Lou’s publishing imprint 2 Jokers Publishing & Entertainment, will contain some writing by yours truly. You have been warned!
Shakespeare Adjacent is a book I’d originally conceived of years ago–an exploration of the works of William Shakespeare, told in multiple genres from multiple perspectives, in the tradition of West Side Story, Ran, The Lion King, Forbidden Planet, and other popular retellings of the Bard’s works. But after discussing it with other authors interested in taking part, I found I no longer had the time to pursue it.
Thankfully, Lou picked up the ball and ran with it, and Ali then joined him as co-editor snice I had other commitments, and I’m honored to have remained aboard as a contributor. I wrote two pieces: an afterword explaining the genesis of the project and why Shakespeare remains relevant today, and a story adapting King Lear as a tale about phone scammers. If you’ve been following me on social media, you might recognize parts of the story, as I adapted not only King Lear, but also my past “messing with scammers” calls.
Lou and Ali have lined up a fantastic authorship, and I am positive this book is going to turn out amazing. I mean, look at that brilliant cover, from Jeffrey Hayes of Plasmafiregraphics.com (no AI art theft in this book, I’m happy to report!). So if you’re interested in Shakespeare, please contribute to their Kickstarter campaign and support independent publishing. This may have been my baby at first, but its adopted parents have been been nurturing and supportive providers, and I must say I’m very happy with the adult it has become.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION – Lou Tambone
- WHY SHOULD THIS A DESERT BE – Kelli Fitzpatrick (As You Like It – Eco-Apocalypse)
- NON NOBIS SOLUM – Alan J. Porter (Henry V – Space Opera)
- RECLAMATION – Dacia Blackwood (Titus Andronicus – Apocalyptic/Gothic Horror)
- FIRE IN THE BLOOD – Tony Simmons (The Tempest – Steampunk)
- WILT & AMANDA – Brad Cook (Troilus and Cressida – Modern Day Silicon Valley)
- THE SCOTTISH PLAY – Sam Steele AKA Sam Agro – (Macbeth – Noir)
- SUEÑO DE UNA NOCHE DE VERANO EN AZTLÁN: CHASING THE ELUSIVE AND TRASHY MASTERPIECE – Valentina Rossi (A 1970s adventure about a Shakespeare story, kinda…)
- THE KING’S LEER – Rich Handley (King Lear – with Phone Scammers)
- THE DARK LADY – Corinna Bechko (The Dark Lady Sonnets – Horror/Sci-Fi)
- AS AGENTS ANDRONICUS – Aaron Rosenberg (Titus Andronicus meets As You Like It – Spy Thriller with a Touch of Rom-com)
- LOVE IN IDLENESS – Jo Duffy (A Midsummer Night’s Dream – A Private Eye’s View)
- BITTER WATERS; OR, THE VILLAIN’S APPOINTMENT – Genevieve Williams (Much Ado About Nothing – Western/Post-Apocalyptic)
- TWELFTH NIGHT (OR WHAT YOU WILL) – Lou Tambone (Twelfth Night – Sci-Fi)
- LIVING ON BARD TIME: AN AFTERWORD – Rich Handley
