A few months back I received review copies of two genre magazines thinking it would be good to start talking about them since I wanted to get into more short fiction. After reading I didn't have a nice word to say about either so I was a bit trepidatious when Shawn Duke, the editor behind Survival by Storytelling sent me a review copy. My fears were unfounded as this collection was quite enjoyable and shows great promise. Survival by Storytelling is a collection of mostly short stories plus poetry and a little non-fiction all written by people 25 years old or younger. The magazine is an extension of Your Writers Online. Divided with non-fiction to start followed by fiction, an interview, and ending with poetry. I think it would have been better to mix-up the sections a bit more with a poem mixed between the short stories instead of sectioned off as such, but that is a very trivial. That said the collection did flow well from one story to the next. The interview with Paul Genesse was particularly interesting as was Genesse's article on crafting memorable characters, which offered some very sound advice such as writing your characters a bio.
The fiction section starts off strong with Chrysalis by Josh Roberts, which explores the loss of ones first love well. It is still a bit depressing, but an honest look. Honor Roll Bound by Dru Ervine stands out as the most memorable to me. It involved a young woman struggling through school with the demands and stresses she goes through. She meets someone who could be the love of her life and an angel. The ending was very depressing, but it stays with you as she left it all behind for something different. Dried Flowers by Adrienne Copeland is a world where plants are virtually unknown. This is the story out of the whole collection that could be expanded upon the most and is also the closest to Sci-Fi. I'd certainly welcome more from Copeland as it feels like she has more stories to tell about this strange future. I was certainly surprised Copeland was one of the youngest contributors at 17 so we can only hope she continues on this path.
Survival by Storytelling is definitely worth checking out if you are a short story fan. Themes of the dark side of love, loss, and stress are all in attendance throughout, which is something you expect from those under 25. I would check out a second issue if it happens, but I do think a bridge idea that all the writers aim for would be good. For a first effort this comes off better than most lit magazines I've read in recent years.
Survival by Storytelling can be purchased through Amazon, CreateSpace, or Lulu.
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