With two exceptions I have been reading the Anthology in order so I will present my comments based on that order.
First of all Joy’s introduction is terrific. It is a genuine pleasure to have someone of her abilities involved in our project. Her comments were articulate and thoughtful. I was very pleased to read it.
Avatar’s “The Watch”
What a way to start off the book. Excellent poetry. The imagery and content is beautiful and effective in conveying what we are all about. I’ve read it over and over. Well done.
Thule of the Quill – zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Jay Resop’s “Dr. Donez”
Now here is an interesting story. After reading the opening scene I was quite surprised to discover what the story was actually about. In fact there are a number of surprises that kept me wondering what was going to happen next. Since I have a spoiler warning at the top of this thread I feel free to reveal that the good Doctor, who we originally believe is an arrogant but frustrated Weather man at a local television studio, turns out to be an aspiring Super Villain. I won’t reveal an more details but I found the plot and setup of the story quite entertaining. The only critical comment I have is that the opening sequence may have focused on the alarm clock a bit too long and the end seemed a little rushed.
T.M. Hammon / Furls Fire – The Creed
The Creed was a very interesting, entertaining and well written story. I was a little shocked by the dark brutality of the Church and its leaders. I’m sure I’m not alone when I hoped their bloody reign would end immediately. There were elements in the story that reminded me of other tales. TCTC’s The Clave, Star Wars, Logan’s Run, TCTC’s Creator and even fundamental Christian theology. The Creed’s narrative also appears to serve as the preamble or prequel to a much larger story that I look forward to reading in the future. Well done.
I’ll fill in comments about the rest of the stories here as I read them. Skipping to the end….
Michael Rowlands’s “A God For Atheists”
Michael’s story is extremely well written and is quite thought provoking to be sure. There are elements that emerge that remind me of many of the more interesting episodes of the Twilight Zone and of A Clockwork Orange but Atheists is a very unique story, very imaginative. There is a dark and disturbing undertone that permeates throughout. When the central mystery is finally revealed all preconceptions about what is happening are suddenly turned upside down. The story telling is intelligent, eloquent and quite professional. Excellent.
Dan Southard’s “The Story”
Dan’s addition to the Anthology is a brilliant commentary on writing and its impact on not only those that write but also the people that read and their perceptions of the authors they admire. I first thought of Dan’s entry as a clever dodge from actually having to write but still managing to produce a submission but I freely admit I was dead wrong. In many ways “The Story” is an impressive effort that entertains and educates at the same time. I am left with one nagging question. Will Dan every attempt to actually write the story he describes in The Story? Can anyone produce a piece of fiction that ascends to the lofty standards he has established? One hopes its is worth a try.
Wow. Thanks. From someone of your writing calibre, that is a real compliment. 
Glad you liked it Tom. It was the first thing I'd written in probably 3 or 4 years, and one of the very rare times when I've written something "to order" as it were. In other words, choosing something to write about, rather than simply writing whatever was there.
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