When I asked my patrons to pick from a selection of potential anthology themes I was quite surprised when ‘A magical horse anthology’ won. Jokingly referred to as Equus II this project was one I’d kicked around a bit because people on Twitter wanted me to, but never seriously considered. But my patrons had spoken, and I was going to listen.
It took me quite some time to figure out how to make a second magical horse anthology but have it feel distinct from the first one I’d done. I thought about shifting to the darker end of the spectrum, or picking one specific type of magical horse and focusing on that. And then the pandemic happened and I had more than enough darkness on my plate already so I went in the other direction.
I was looking for light stories, whimsical ones. And I got some, but this anthology is not purely the light and airy bit of fluff that I’d first imagined, it’s an interesting mix of light and shadows which I think may actually accentuate the light more than it would have otherwise. That whole you need some dark to appreciate the light thing.
So. Without further ado, I am pleased to present the list of stories, authors and the back cover text for Untethered.
Unicorns locked away in the cargo holds of spaceships, becoming roller skating phenoms or leaving sparkly rainbow poop in a poor bartender’s living room are just the start. There’s a demi-god trying to figure out where Pegasus has disappeared to, horses formed of sea, or steam and even one who thinks he’s a spider. And so much more. These stories are all a little untamed, a little wild, a little… untethered.
Featuring stories by Alyx Barter, Beth Cato, M.L.D. Curelas, Alyson Grauer, Lucy Hagan, Jamie Lackey, Carter Lappin, Sally McBride, Marshall Moore, Wendy Nikel, Jamie Perrault, Jennifer Lee Rossman, Rose Strickman, DJ Tyrer, Rachel M. Thompson, and Laura VanArendonk Baugh, this anthology is sure to have something for every horse lover.
Untethered Table of Contents
How to Hide a Unicorn by Beth Cato
Ugly Unicorn by Rose Strickman
Spider Horse by Jennifer Lee Rossman
Their Eyes Like Stars, Their Horns Aloft by Alyson Grauer
The Horse of Tremorden by DJ Tyrer
Juliet Silver and the Nightmare Regatta by Wendy Nikel
Argent by Marshall Moore
Mist and Fire by Laura VanArendonk Baugh
It’s the Elemental Spirits! by Sally McBride
Ghost Horse by Carter Lappin
The Wings of the Tempest by Jamie Perrault
The Prodigal Horse Girl Returns by Lucy Hagan
One Giant Leap by Jamie Lackey
Bonds and Bindings by Rachel M. Thompson
The Night-Horses by Alyx Barter
Rink of Dreams by M. L. D. Curelas
