Tag Archive for: Solar eclipse

Day of The Dark Anthology Debuts by Debra H. Goldstein

Day of the Dark Anthology Debuts by Debra H. Goldstein
Forty years is a long
time.  In this case, on August 21, 2017, it
will have been over forty years since a total solar eclipse passed over the
continental United States. That’s why, according to news reports, people are booking
hotels, signing up for excursions and making other plans to find a spot somewhere
between Oregon and South Carolina to experience the eclipse. The location one
chooses is important because it can mean the difference of having a second or up
two minutes and thirty-eight seconds to view the moon pass between the sun and
the earth.

Of course, when mystery
writers think about the word eclipse, their excitement can become slightly
skewed. Twenty-four authors proved that point in the anthology, Day of the Dark, which will be released by Wildside Press on July 21.

Edited by author Kaye
George, who also has a story, The Darkest
Hour
, in the anthology, the stories roughly track the path across the
United States that the shadow of the eclipse will take. A few occur on
different continents and in timespans other than August 2017. The tales range
from medium to dark, traditional to supernatural, but all meet the same
standard of excellence.

Of course, I’m biased. One
of my short stories, A Golden Eclipse,
was accepted for the anthology. It reminds us that no matter what the event,
there are always people ready to use any occasion to take advantage of others.

But don’t just read Day of the Dark for Kaye and my
stories. There are twenty-two other authors included in the book.  These include Margaret S. Hamilton, Toni
Goodyear, Kristin Kisska, Harriette Sackler, Joseph S. Walker, LD Masterson, Paul
D. Marks, Katherine Tomlinson, Leslie Wheeler, Carol L. Wright, Christine Hammar,
John Clark, Bridges DelPont, M.K. Waller, Laura Oles, Melissa Blaine, Cari
Dubiel, Suzanne Berube Rorhus, Dee McKinney, Nupur Tustin, Cheri Vause, and KB
Inglee.  Some are well known like Paul D.
Marks, a 2013 Shammus winner and 2015 Anthony and Macavity nominee while, for
others, like Nupur Tustin, this is their first published short story.

Not only are the authors
diverse in their writing styles and story ideas, but they also proved their
diversity when, after deciding that a portion of the proceeds Day of the Dark should be donated, they
agreed that the causes to be supported will include Earth and Sky, Petconnect
Rescue, Natural Resources Defense Council, Science Center in Finland,
DonorsChoose.org, Friends of Goldendale Observatory, Friends of the Earth,
Morehead Planetarium, Texas Museum of Science and Technology, DAPCEP.org for
STEM education for future astronomers and scientists in Detroit, and personal
friends in need. 

Whew! And so is the
book.  I won’t be able to be anywhere to
view the eclipse, but I’m okay with that. 
I plan to be holed up with Day of
the Dark
. I’m certainly not waiting forty more years for this eclipse
treat.