Shortly after we came up with the idea for Fiction River and before we had even published our first volume, a couple of stories landed on my desk from the incredibly talented Steve Perry. I remember looking at the first story, called “Generations,” and wondering what genre if fit into so I could channel it to the appropriate editor. So, I began to read.

Pretty quickly, I thought I had the genre of the story identified, and although I don’t tend to gravitate to the type of story it seemed Steve had written, his voice is so compelling that I kept going. I’m so glad I did. Because it wasn’t until four paragraphs from the end that I came upon one of the best story twists I’ve ever read. It surprised me to such a great extent that I burst out laughing—and kept laughing so hard I had an asthma attack.

I loved that story then, and I love it more each time I read it.

So, when I took on the position of editor for Fiction River Presents, I knew I’d build an anthology around that story and how much I enjoyed that surprise I never saw coming.

Nothing intrigues me more than when I think I have something or someone all figured out and then I find out that I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface.

My favorite fiction stories do just that. So, for the second volume of our Fiction River reprint series, I present you with The Unexpected.

Here’s the synopsis:

Expect the unexpected in this latest volume of Fiction River Presents. Be it a twist you won’t see coming, an unusual character voice, or a surprising elicitation of emotion, these wonderful stories will catch you off guard and keep you hooked. From some unique retellings of classic tales to some not-so-typical detectives to expressions of love and heroism from the most unlikely of misfits, these ten stories eloquently demonstrate why Astro Guys calls the Fiction River series “a wonderful mind-expanding read.”

Table of Contents
“Generations” by Steve Perry
“Case Cracked” by Joe Cron
“Role Model” by Kevin J. Anderson
“Finally Family” by Ray Vukcevich
“Time, Expressed as an Entrée” by Robert T. Jeschonek
“One-Night Stands for Love and Glory” by David H. Hendrickson
“Earth Day” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
“Jelly’s Heroes” by Louisa Swann
“Nice Timestream Youse Got Here” by Lee Allred
“In the Play of Frigid Women” by Dean Wesley Smith

I highly recommend you pick up this volume. I’ve told you to expect the unexpected, but one thing you can count on is some fantastic fiction.

The volume will be available Friday, April 29, in ebook and trade paperback. Even better, if you start or renew a subscription to Fiction River this week, I’ll send you the ebook for The Unexpected for free. So, what are you waiting for?

Allyson Longueira is publisher of WMG Publishing. She is an award-winning writer, editor and designer.