South Branch Scribbler: The anthology everyone has been waiting for is finally here... Yahoo!

Sunday, 18 October 2026

The anthology everyone has been waiting for is finally here... Yahoo!

The second of the Elements anthologies is available in paperback now, eBook coming soon.

Meet the authors.

Find out what inspired their story.

Read on, my friends.

Air, An Anthology - a collection of short stories that are fast, fresh and unpredictable. The second in a four-book series dedicated to the cornerstones of our existence, Air celebrates the element we cannot live without, the invisible connection to every living thing on this planet. So breathe in, breathe out and grab a front row seat for this incredible ride.

From the pens of award-winning Canadian and British wordsmiths, this collection unleashes boundless imaginings that feature winds of change most unexpected; a windstorm fallout in Treeless County; an Appalachian bird-watching excursion that reveals a unique creature; vital answers from the past when Tarlia’s sword falls silent; unforeseen consequences inspired by a beautiful work of art; the solemn truth that living in the past is no way to enjoy the future; a woman who falls unexpectedly from the sky; the compelling notion of words floating through the air; a coming of age while ice sailing, and a creation set loose into an unknown world … that used to be alive...

Discover for yourself why this multi-genre treasure trove is completely unforgettable.

Eden Monroe

What inspired my story The Big Green:

The day Paisley fell out of the sky.

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I thought it would be fun to revisit my long-time fascination with hot air balloons. So I combined my thrilling experiences as a passenger (on one occasion fleeing a quickly approaching storm) — and once as a member of a chase crew. I then added an altogether possible what if, because sometimes the worst can happen.

Visit her website HERE.

Sandra Bunting

What inspired my story in Air, Six Degrees of Freedom.

The winds of change – maybe not what you d think.

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Our world at the moment seems lost in a fog as to what is real, what is the truth and even what is human.

Visit her website HERE.

Christopher Sweet

What inspired my story, The Perfect Spot

During a bird-watching excursion at a little-known place in the
Appalachians, a young couple gets more than they bargained for when a truly unique creature reveals itself.
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The idea for my story came to me as I was watching birds one afternoon. As I watched, this imaginary scenario played out in my head wherein some birders try their luck at a site rumoured to host some incredible birds, only to discover something far more intriguing–and frightening–than an eastern bluebird or Kirtland’s warbler.

Visit his website HERE

Pierre Arseneault

What inspired my story, God’s Wrath?

As per an intoxicated Willie, God took his wife Maybel, leaving

the few remaining residents of Treeless County to figure out

exactly what that means as they assess the damages from a

windstorm.

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Themed anthologies are something I’ve grown to love doing. And while ideas usually come easy for me, I struggled at first because how does one write about air or water? Then, about a week later, during my one-hour commute to work one day, the dam finally broke. I pulled into the parking lot and jotted down brief notes about all four seeds. Also, I’d decided I would test my storytelling abilities in these four books.

For Earth – I would write a fantasy.

For Air – I would write a western.

For Fire – I would write horror. (sorry…)

For Water – I would write science fiction. Most of these story ideas were simply hatched from flashes of how I would use the element in the story.

Visit his website HERE or HERE

Angela Wren

What inspired my story, The Portrait.

A beautiful piece of art inspires unforeseen consequences.

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2014 and I’m at the Academy of Arts in London staring at a painting of a tailor that was created between 1565 and 1570. There is something about the expression on the man’s face that sets my mind wondering who he was and how he lived. Who were his family? By the time I’d got back to the station I’d got a story outline written in my head. By the time I’d got back home I’d got almost a complete story. Christmas 2025 and I rediscover my jotted notes. 2026, The Portrait is published.

Visit her website HERE.

Gianetta Murray

Wind Chimes

Living in the past is no way to enjoy the future

Visit her website HERE

Suzanne Casey

The Boys of Winter

As two boys start manhood, they test their skills and limits through ice sailing.

Learn more HERE.

Angella Cormier

The Dryden Experiment

In the silence was the flowing of the information within the vines of the creation he had unleashed upon what used to be the world. What used to be … alive.

Visit her website HERE.

S. C. Eston

What inspired my story, The Passing

Tarlia’s sword falls silent, and the only person who might know why is someone she’s spent years to forget.

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The Passing was loosely inspired by a scene in Downton Abbey after one of the show's most beloved characters dies. One by one, the other characters come to see her, revisiting what has been and paying their respects. I carried that procession into the World of Arvelas (the setting of both my book The Conclave and my new dark fantasy series, The Baneseeker Chronicles) where it became the next chapter for the Crystal Company and its leader Talia, who first appeared in my short story The Huntress. I've played tabletop RPGs in this world since I was a teenager, so writing this felt like coming home.

Visit his website HERE

Allan Hudson

What inspired my story, The Letter

Words floating through the air.

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When the group decided on the element, Air, I imagined the moving winds stealing something valuable from someone. Perhaps a letter?

Visit his website …, Oh, wait...you're already there.

PLEASE BUY THE BOOK HERE.

(THANK YOU)

The previous anthology in this series is Earth

To learn more, please go HERE.

Take a look at our previous series of anthologies - The Path Series.
Autumn Paths.
Winter Paths
Spring Paths
Summer Paths
To discover more, please go HERE.

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An excerpt from Wall of War.

“The bones were projecting from the base of a large boulder as if still reaching for freedom. The curled finger bones were still intact, tarsal and meta-tarsal pointed to the roof. Suetonius stared at the dreadful sight for many moments never having considered that perhaps he'd not been the first to climb this face. His curiosity brought him deeper. Behind the boulder, the skeleton continued, two sets of tibia and fibula with feet attached completed the scene. The man or woman had been crushed by a falling rock. Who it was would never be answered. What he may have possibly been doing here would soon become evident.”

Vigilantes -

Another Drake Alexander Adventure. The master vintner at Chateau Lambert Estates, Jean-Paul Chouinard, stares up the rise at the family cemetery, where the darling of the house was laid to rest yesterday. The grave site is surrounded by four men and a woman. The people whose service Mireille Lambert was in when she died. One of them was her lover. One of them is Drake Alexander. Chouinard knows what they do. He knows who Alexander is. He hears the whispers. Vigilantes. He grieves knowing the brothers who are responsible for his daughter’s death twenty years ago have not been apprehended. Maybe it’s been too long. Maybe the brothers are already dead. Maybe, if he asked, Alexander and his people could find them

Earth.

Earth, An Anthology, is the first in a compelling four part series that celebrates our planet in a smorgasbord of unforgettable short stories. Ten best-selling and award-winning authors who call the North Atlantic home, share their vivid imaginations in these tales of intrigue and adventure. From potato farm mayhem; investigating mysterious jagged trenches; a voice from the past; a grim discovery, and a quest for a lost sword, to life lessons; seductive sparkle and fire; questioning the balance between good and bad; and someone – or something – that threatens the existence of Warden McCabe — Earth, An Anthology, is a treasure trove of pure entertainment. So tuck into your favourite armchair and experience our world as never before. Please click on the image.

Spring Paths. The anthologies continue.

Code Name: Iron Spear 1941

5 Star review by Author Diana Stevan for Voyage of Hope.

"Though a short tale, this story about a 11 year old Jewish boy in Germany just before WWII breaks out, is beautifully written and leaves the reader with much to think about, especially at this time, when Israel and Gaza are at war. Anti-Semitism is on the rise, or maybe it's just more exposed now, like it was during Hitler's time. There are many published stories about the horrors Jews faced during the Holocaust. We need them, to remind us of not only what happened, but to stop another holocaust from happening again. Allan Hudson's short story is one of them."

A love story. A story about family...

Jeb Coyne, proprietor of Coyne’s Confectionary, will have been widowed for two years tomorrow. Tending to his daily business takes his mind off the looming anniversary for a moment, as do his customers, whether cheerful or grumpy. But he’s never felt so alone. With the workday finished, Jeb is a few minutes from locking the doors. He goes out to bring in the sign board his father made and is interrupted by a tiny voice asking if he is closing. Olivia Fletcher stands before him, a teenager with wet strands of hair across her cheek, a baby in her arms. This chance meeting will change both of their lives forever. Click on the photo to learn more. TY.

5 Star review of The Alexanders Vol. 1 by Author Cheryl Schenk of Western Canada.

"A most enjoyable read. The author has done an impressive job of taking us through 9 years in the life of Dominic Alexander. A life packed with people, events both happy and sad, and accomplishments, and yet his life has only just begun. Also, I was impressed with the world history that continuously unfolded throughout the story. I spent a lot of time Googling much of that history. Also, I feel that I know so much more about New Brunswick, a province I have yet to visit. I look forward to more from the Alexanders." Please click on the image to learn more.

The Alexanders. Vol. 2 1921 - 1925

The Alexander Saga continues. Dominic has his ups and downs as life continues in his new country. His business is growing. His wife is expecting their first child. He often wonders of the woman he saw in Halifax. The Roaring 20’s bring speakeasys, jazz, flappers, a booming stock market, disregard for prohibition. Everyone who can is investing in the future. Europe is rebuilding after the war and supplies from North America are in high demand. Will Dominic get involved with the investing frenzy or will caution prevail? The words of his late Uncle Duff ring loudly in his mind. “Watch those pennies, lad. Don’t waste your money on foolish things.” Will Dominic’s decisions keep the business intact? Please click on the photo.

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Sunday, 18 October 2026

The anthology everyone has been waiting for is finally here... Yahoo!

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