Tails of the Apocalypse

Foreword to the Collection ^{by Mary Buckham}

When the visionary author, editor, and producer behind Tails of the Apocalypse, Chris Pourteau, invited me to write a foreword to an anthology he described as The Walking Dead meets The Incredible Journey, I had no idea how 14 authors were going to pull together stories that did not all sound the same. The concept of a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world seen through the eyes of a variety of animals (or the humans in relation to their animals) was not something I’d ever considered. To say I was blown away by not only the power of these stories but by the affirmation of the human-animal connection in them is an understatement.

The authors hail from around the world, including the U.S., England (by way of Sweden), Canada, and the Philippines, and the animal protagonists in these tales are as varied as their creators. Some of the stories made me reach for the Kleenex box; others had me punching my fist in the air shouting, “Go! Go! Go!” All kept me engrossed and hungry for more. Not an easy feat across an anthology-length work centered upon a common theme.

Parrots, bats, budgies, wolves, bears, dogs, cats, and more—a variety of cultures from the past, present, and, based on these stories, future—can be found here. The authors acknowledge and celebrate the unique bond between humans and their animal companions, regardless of setting, time, or dystopian circumstance. Sometimes these relationships are about mutual preservation, but often there is more at stake for both human and creature than simple survival. That’s what resonates the loudest for me as a reader—not only the creativity and diversity of the situations our heroes find themselves in, but the underlying emotional intensity of the animal-human bond that these authors have brought out in so many unique ways.

David Adams, Todd Barselow, Stefan Bolz, David Bruns, Michael Bunker, Nick Cole, Jennifer Ellis, Harlow C. Fallon, Hank Garner, E. E. Giorgi, Deirdre Gould, Chris Pourteau, Edward W. Robertson, and Steven Savile have crafted stories about wolves who save humans, dogs who empower their owners to live up to their potential, a bear who gives a human the will to live—and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. These are stories of protection, sacrifice, empowerment, and, most of all, hope in times and places that need hope more than anything else.

These are stories that will have you hugging your own pet or going out of your way to help an animal if you are pet-less. They’ll make you reimagine the future and become more aware that the worst of times can bring out the best in us and our most special of partners in life.

A little over a year ago, I discovered such a partner myself in a feral cat, with whom I’ve since developed a symbiotic relationship that suits us both. Because my husband is very allergic to animals, it’d been years since I’d had a pet around. But when he was away for a few months on business, I happened to notice a pure-white cat who’d often sleep in a patch of sunlight in our backyard. I’d noticed her around the neighborhood for a few years but always assumed she was someone else’s cat. This particular year, though, she spent almost every day in our yard—the only dog- or cat-free zone in the extended neighborhood. She looked very thin, so I started setting some dry cat food out for her. It took days for her to come up on the back porch, and she’d only do so if I wasn’t around. It took six months for her to come onto the porch with the door partially open and a few more months after that before she’d step inside to eat. (I think the winter weather helped her with that decision.) Yet, the first time she curled up in my lap, feeling safe enough that I wouldn’t hurt her, I knew we’d both won. Trust, perseverance, connection—these are the gifts we give one another, and they’re what you’ll find in this collection’s stories.

But you don’t have to believe me. See for yourself. Then share what you’ve felt with others after reading these tales, and they too can experience the touching stories contained in this wonderful anthology.

Mary Buckham is the USA Today bestselling author of the Writing Active series for writers, which includes Writing Active Setting and Writing Active Hooks. She’s also the co-author of Break into Fiction: 11 Steps to Building a Powerful Story. She doesn’t just teach writers though; she practices what she preaches, writing Urban Fantasy with attitude. Love romance, danger, and kick-ass heroines? Find it in her Alex Noziak or Kelly McAllister series. And follow her at http://www.marybuckham.com/.