Introducing a new kind of Speculative Fiction anthology for readers and writers

Tales of The Black Piper:

• combines flash fiction from yet-to-be-discovered authors (you) with stories from bestselling & award-winning authors like Kristen Britain, Gillian Bronte Adams, and Emilie Haney;
• provides a custom cinematic-style soundtrack for each story, composed by Hollywood composers who have written official music for Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive and Brent Weeks' Lightbringer series;
• gives readers a multi-genre series of tales bursting with exciting adventure, edge-of-your-seat suspense, emotional roller coasters, and heartwarming humor.
• provides each author with a team of alpha & beta readers, Editor, and Creative Director;
• and more…

For the authors: As creatives, we know firsthand the struggle to get that first big chance; it can sometimes seem impossible to make your voice stand out. The thing is, we know you have amazing stories to tell, but just getting published that first time can be a grueling quest in a hostile, foreign land. Well, we have an idea. We want to combine our musical talents with your masterful storytelling.

It's time to make an impact!

• Step 1: You choose from a selection of prompts/themes/devices that we provide.
• Step 2: You submit the most compelling short story you've ever written.
• Step 3: Our team of alpha/beta readers + Editor work with you to help your story reach its highest potential.
• Step 4: You provide initial thoughts (if desired) to our music team, and a Hollywood composer adapts your story into an epic soundtrack.
• Step 5: Readers across the world jam out to the soundtrack while reading your moving, transformative, or otherwise glorious story.

Like this:

And maybe even like this:

But, oh, how they'll weep:

• Step 1: Receive each insanely compelling story and legendary soundtrack combination in your inbox or mailbox. (This is the fun part.)
• Step 2: Jam out to the soundtrack while reading the story or partake of them separately - it’s totally up to you. (This is also the fun part.)
• Step 3: Cheer, weep, and do a happy dance. (See above for reference images related to weeping.)

Yes, you heard right! We're doing a Composer Edition!

Each and every story will receive a soundtrack from a member of The Black Piper team, but we are opening the doors to up-and-coming composers! Have your work included alongside ours as you provide epic themes for some amazing flash fiction.

• Step 1: You receive an anthology story. One of our composers will also receive the same story.
• Step 2: You compete with our composer to see who writes the better soundtrack.
• Step 3: If you lose, 
• Step 4: If you don’t win,
• Step 5: Just kidding - it’s not a competition. Seriously, we know you're amazing. You and our composer each create a different take on the same story. (And that author gets two soundtracks for the price of one. Bonus!)
• Step 6: You work with our Creative Director who provides you notes to help you compose the best version of the soundtrack possible.
• Step 7: Once your music is in the best place you can get it compositionally, we work with you on polish, including (as needed), help with synthestration (Yes, it's a word; thank you, spell-check.), MIDI printing with professional virtual instruments, mixing, and so on.
• Step 8: Excited fans across the world read the story, while having your music playing in their ears. Doesn’t that sound awesome?

For an example of our work as a composers, check out this sweet sampler of Kaladin, officially based on Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings:

JOIN US for an experience unlike any other!

(And for early backer discounts. You'll want to sign up now so you don't miss those!)

Crowdfunding Spring 2023