Release the Virgins

It was during a late-night conversation that the phrase "Release the Virgins" was spoken. Seemingly nonsensical, it stuck in our minds, and turned into a group project that would lead to an anthology. We brought the idea to a crowd-funding site, which interested enough people to provide the seed funding to turn this anthology into reality. We took that springboard, and gave eighteen talented authors the task of writing a great story with only one guideline: the story had to include the phrase "Release the Virgins." The results are surprisingly varied and creative: science fiction, fantasy, outright comedy, serious imaginings... in this anthology, you'll find Manhattan gangsters, sad superheroes, marathon-running aliens, teenage Cthulhu worshippers, ghost dinosaurs, computer hackers, and even a unicorn or two. And we think you'll agree: it's a good thing that phrase stuck in our minds. stories: Valedictory by Lawrence Watt-Evans Sidekicked by Hildy Silverman Command Decision by Steve Miller Are You There, Cthulhu? It's Me, Judy by Beth W. Patterson Innocence Lost by Gail Z. Martin How Mose Saved the Virgins of Old New York by Allen M. Steele The Fires of Rome by Jody Lynn Nye Salvage by Shariann Lewitt The Midwinter of Our Discontent by Keith R.A. DeCandido Coming Attractions by Daniel M. Kimmel Cracking the Vault by Matt Bechtel The Coffee Corps by Alex Shvartsman The Vestals of Midnight by Sharon Lee Paradisiacal Protocols by Gordon Linzner Brass Tacks by Cecilia Tan Old Spirits by Brian Trent The Running of the Drones by Patrick Thomas Dangerous Virgins by David Gerrold