Our own Jean Marie Ward has a story, “Brigid and the Snakes,” in the anthology Intergalactic Rejects, out now (Calendar of Fools, June 20, 2025).
For readers: A collection of exciting, powerful science fiction and fantasy stories. For writers: a reminder that rejection isn’t the end and to never give up on stories you believe in.
A man who lost his son finds family again piloting a lab-grown dolphin and helping it navigate loss while, hopefully, preventing more; an Irish goddess must contend with the magic of a saint to save her people; and a bullied boy finds common cause with the ghosts of dead horses in the basement of the Hermitage Museum.
These stories and many more await in this anthology of stories. Each one powerfully demonstrates the point of this anthology: that great stories are rejected every day. From Science Fiction Grand Masters and New York Times bestsellers to writers just starting their career, this anthology is packed full of strong stories that waited a long time to find a home. Every story is accompanied by a rejection history from the author themselves, each with different lessons on the nature and meaning of rejection as well as words of encouragement for their fellow authors on those days when the rejections roll in too many at a time.
Along with the seven stories from our anchor authors Samuel R. Delany, Robert J. Sawyer, Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta, Gregory Norman Bossert, Jean Marie Ward, William Joseph Roberts, and David Boop, we also have an original essay from Robert Silverberg, and a foreword by Neil Clarke, the editor and publisher of Clarkesworld Magazine.
Finally, there are also thirteen original stories slushed from our open call by Christopher Blake, Laurence Raphael Brothers, Marie Croke, Sam Harris, Andrew Jackson, Stephen Kotowych, Rich Larson, Sam Loiaconi, Amelia Dee Mueller, Sam W. Pisciotta, Erica Ruppert, Paul Dale Smith, and Catherine Wells.
• The website(s) that has the book info on it: Calendar of Fools https://calendaroffools.com/intergalactic-rejects/
• Buy links:
Print on Amazon
Ebook
Amazon < https://www.amazon.com/Intergalactic-Rejects-Calendar-Fools-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0F79V2DNN/>
Barnes & Noble < https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intergalactic-rejects-kevin-j-anderson/1147532343>
Kobo < https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intergalactic-rejects-a-calendar-of-fools-anthology?sId=30c2fa62-d21a-4aa1-8bf3-254c1f14f538>
Jean adds: “I’m really excited about being on the cover of a book with all those big names in the science fiction and fantasy field—and for being the only woman on the cover until Kevin J. Anderson got around to adding his wife. It’s also gratifying to be one of three stories specifically referenced in the jacket copy. Better yet, it’s the only story I’ve ever submitted that sailed from submission through proofing with no changes. I still don’t quite believe it.
“On a more productive note, for folks who would like to learn more about the anthology as a whole, Tangent Online recently published a review and recap of all 17 of the previously unpublished stories.
27 Responses
What a wonderful idea. Congratulation, Jean!
Agreed–wonderful idea!
Thank you, Deborah. The idea sold me, even before I was asked to join. And when I was, I was over the moon. 😀
Congratulations, Jean Marie Ward!
I ordered myself the paperback from my favorite indie bookstore. Here’s the ISBN if anyone else wants to do that:
979-8989406029
Thanks so much, Llewella–and for adding the ISBN!
Congratulations, Jean!! What a wonderful idea for a collection of stories.
Thanks, Carrie!
Way to go!
Thank you so much!
Not only a great idea for an anthology, but I love the teaser for your story! It made me grin in anticipation. Go, Brigid (and Jean Marie)!
It’s on my list to buy next Amazon double points day.
Thank you, Barbara! I hope the story–and the entire anthology–make you smile.
I read the sample on Amazon, and it was interesting to learn about the process of submission and rejection of stories. You all must have egos of steel to get through that!
Thanks, Jan. It can get rough. But so many folks on this blog have made it through, including our peerless leader. 😀
Very cool! This looks like a great gift book too!
Thanks, Lisa. We certainly hope so.
Good luck with the book. Whoever did the cover of your book has done a brilliant job.
They did, didn’t they? 😀 Thanks, Galway.
And thank you, Jenny, for sharing this. Editor Storm Humbert, my fellow contributors, and I deeply appreciate it.
I just want to add a big thank you to everyone reading here today, with special thanks to those who bought books. Thanks to you, INTERGALACTIC REJECTS hit an Amazon top 100 list (Fantasy Short Stories) in Paper. I don’t know how long it will last, so I did a screencap and posted it on my Instagram. I hope the link will make through moderation. But even if it doesn’t, the thanks remain. You all rock!
We are happy for you!
Thank you!
So cool! Congratulations!
Thank you!
Oooh, I love reading the story behind a story, and this one is even more intriguing because I get to enjoy the stories and reap the writers’ wisdom. Congrats, Jean. Clicking now!
Thanks so much, Melissa! I think you’ll enjoy the anthology. There really is something for everyone. 😀
So excited for you! Sending lots of congratulations!
Thank you!