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Glimpses of Light
Be challenged, captivated and moved by these imaginative reflections on faith, help in time of need, joy in the midst of tragedy, and surprising encounters with God.
During 2015, the International Year of Light, twenty-one authors from Australia and the United States have come together to explore the theme of 'glimpses of light'—finding light in dark places—through short stories, poems, flash fiction and creative non-fiction.
Glimpses of Light includes contributions from respected and award-winning authors and poets Jo-Anne Berthelsen, Paula Vince, Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones, Jo Wanmer, Jeanette Grant-Thomson and Ellen Carr, as well as exciting new talent.
During 2015, the International Year of Light, twenty-one authors from Australia and the United States have come together to explore the theme of 'glimpses of light'—finding light in dark places—through short stories, poems, flash fiction and creative non-fiction.
Glimpses of Light includes contributions from respected and award-winning authors and poets Jo-Anne Berthelsen, Paula Vince, Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones, Jo Wanmer, Jeanette Grant-Thomson and Ellen Carr, as well as exciting new talent.
231 pages, Paperback
Published December 15, 2015
2 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette O'Hagan
30 books147 followersJeanette O'Hagan spun tales in the world of Nardva from the age of eight. She enjoys writing fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, and editing.
Her Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations, plasma rifles and cyborgs.
Jeanette is the 2024 Aurealias winner YA short story for "In a League of Her Own" in Rhiza Press' Stepping Sideways Anthology.
She has published over thirty stories and poems including the five books in her YA epic fanasty - Under the Mountain novella series -as well as Ruhanna's Flight and Other Stories, and Akrad's Children and Rasel's Song in the Akrad's Legacy series - a Young Adult secondary world fantasy with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements.
Her stories and poems have also been published in over twenty anthologies - including Gods of Clay, Challenge Accepted and Tales of Magic and Destiny in 2019
Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.
Her Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations, plasma rifles and cyborgs.
Jeanette is the 2024 Aurealias winner YA short story for "In a League of Her Own" in Rhiza Press' Stepping Sideways Anthology.
She has published over thirty stories and poems including the five books in her YA epic fanasty - Under the Mountain novella series -as well as Ruhanna's Flight and Other Stories, and Akrad's Children and Rasel's Song in the Akrad's Legacy series - a Young Adult secondary world fantasy with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements.
Her stories and poems have also been published in over twenty anthologies - including Gods of Clay, Challenge Accepted and Tales of Magic and Destiny in 2019
Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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January 1, 2016Glimpses of Light has taken up much of my and, my co-editor, Nola Passmore's time in 2015. We've seen it develop from an idea into a reality.
I've been thrilled at the enthusiasm and dedication of our contributors and have enjoyed reading the poems, stories and creative non-fiction that was selected by the editorial team (including our back-up judges).
It's been wonderful having multi-published and award winning authors contributing as well as 'newbies'.
I particularly have enjoyed the number of spec fic stories (we fantasy writers found it hard to keep to the 7000 word limit but we did it) though not all the stories are fantasy. Some are funny, many are moving or inspiring, transporting the reader to other worlds or casting a new light on this one. As a poet, I loved the poetry as well - which was sometimes drawn from the personal experience of the poet, or sometimes delving into the experience of others. The creative non-fiction was reflective and thought provoking. And while it's hard to pick a favourite (and maybe not politic to do so) - I particularly appreciated Jo Berthelsen's 'Revelation'. The fact that this story was drawn from real life made it all the more poignant.
I hope you as much enjoyment in reading Glimpses of Light as much as we have in writing, editing and reading it.
I've been thrilled at the enthusiasm and dedication of our contributors and have enjoyed reading the poems, stories and creative non-fiction that was selected by the editorial team (including our back-up judges).
It's been wonderful having multi-published and award winning authors contributing as well as 'newbies'.
I particularly have enjoyed the number of spec fic stories (we fantasy writers found it hard to keep to the 7000 word limit but we did it) though not all the stories are fantasy. Some are funny, many are moving or inspiring, transporting the reader to other worlds or casting a new light on this one. As a poet, I loved the poetry as well - which was sometimes drawn from the personal experience of the poet, or sometimes delving into the experience of others. The creative non-fiction was reflective and thought provoking. And while it's hard to pick a favourite (and maybe not politic to do so) - I particularly appreciated Jo Berthelsen's 'Revelation'. The fact that this story was drawn from real life made it all the more poignant.
I hope you as much enjoyment in reading Glimpses of Light as much as we have in writing, editing and reading it.
January 3, 2016
I wouldn't ordinarily rate or review a book I was a part of, but since my story is only a very small part of a much greater whole I'm making an exception.
The stories in this collection really are top-notch. I loved reading everybody else's contributions. I give my heartfelt congratulations to all the other authors and feel greatly privileged to stand beside you all.
I am very proud of my story and hope that others will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
The stories in this collection really are top-notch. I loved reading everybody else's contributions. I give my heartfelt congratulations to all the other authors and feel greatly privileged to stand beside you all.
I am very proud of my story and hope that others will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
December 31, 2023
What an excellent celebration of the International Year of Light – an anthology around the theme of light. This group of authors (Christian Writers Downunder) offer a fascinating diversity of styles and moods.
It is difficult to nominate only some of the most memorable from an overall consistently high standard. I chortled through Kaleidoscope by Adele Jones who draws characters with impish humour; 'Amy's voice had the sting of a box jellyfish, leaving him paralysed.' She has an astute eye for body language: 'Dorothy's lips were pursed into a tight crepe-paper flower' and the hapless Horace Hertle's lips shrank to a tight little 'o.'
Ruhanna's Flight by Jeanette O'Hagan contrasts with haunting lyricism underpinned by menace. In a sensory delight of sound, colour, taste and smell, she paints scenes of a sleepy fishing village on Sentinel Isle – whose peace is shattered by sinister Royal Guards of the Sea Dragon Throne and the supposedly accidental death of her father.
The tempo escalates in A Light to My Path by Adam David Collings. Hero Archer White stumbles, sprints and plods through mazes of tunnels, wades through an underground river infested with cave spiders. Light guides him out from his action packed adventure as he repeats 'Your words is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.'
Not so fortunate is the ill-prepared gold fossicker in Edward: On Going Alone (Catriona McKeown). She paints feverish dehydration under the fierce glare of Australia's outback.
This beautifully produced book includes excellent contributions from 21 authors, too numerous to list all. Special mentions for Nola Passmore, Lynne Stringer, Robyn Campbell, Jo-Anne Berthelsen and Jo Wanmer.
It is difficult to nominate only some of the most memorable from an overall consistently high standard. I chortled through Kaleidoscope by Adele Jones who draws characters with impish humour; 'Amy's voice had the sting of a box jellyfish, leaving him paralysed.' She has an astute eye for body language: 'Dorothy's lips were pursed into a tight crepe-paper flower' and the hapless Horace Hertle's lips shrank to a tight little 'o.'
Ruhanna's Flight by Jeanette O'Hagan contrasts with haunting lyricism underpinned by menace. In a sensory delight of sound, colour, taste and smell, she paints scenes of a sleepy fishing village on Sentinel Isle – whose peace is shattered by sinister Royal Guards of the Sea Dragon Throne and the supposedly accidental death of her father.
The tempo escalates in A Light to My Path by Adam David Collings. Hero Archer White stumbles, sprints and plods through mazes of tunnels, wades through an underground river infested with cave spiders. Light guides him out from his action packed adventure as he repeats 'Your words is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.'
Not so fortunate is the ill-prepared gold fossicker in Edward: On Going Alone (Catriona McKeown). She paints feverish dehydration under the fierce glare of Australia's outback.
This beautifully produced book includes excellent contributions from 21 authors, too numerous to list all. Special mentions for Nola Passmore, Lynne Stringer, Robyn Campbell, Jo-Anne Berthelsen and Jo Wanmer.
December 1, 2016
A mixed bag of stories and poems around the theme of light. Some were very good. I particularly enjoyed The Last Blood Moon by Charis Joy Jackson, Ruhanna's Flight by Jeanette O'Hagan, From Darkness by Lynette Stringer, A Light to My Path by Adam David Collins and Stone Bearer by Kirsten Hart - I do really enjoy fantasy and SF and these were great. I also was a bit touched by Revelation by Jo-Anne Berthelsen which was presumably a true story and will no doubt remember Edward: On going alone by Catriona McKeown for a long time (poor Angela!). However I did not find all the stories to be of the same high standard and I did not read any of the poetry. Overall it is definitely worth a look if you enjoy clean short stories.
March 3, 2016
While I usually wouldn't review my own book, my story was only a small contribution in a book that's bursting with unusual stories, flash fiction and poems. A lovely assortment of goodies in there—inspiration, humor, touching moments and great story-telling. They all contain glimpses of light, some very cleverly brought into the story. I particularly liked Nola Passmore's 'The Follower' and Jo-Berthelson's 'Revelation', but it's also true to say I enjoyed all of it.
I fully recommend 'Glimpses of Light. I shall be dipping into it for a second read before long and plan to share it via gifts to family and friends.
I fully recommend 'Glimpses of Light. I shall be dipping into it for a second read before long and plan to share it via gifts to family and friends.
May 3, 2016
As part of a blog tour my review is up on my write and read with Dale blog today
http://www.livejournal.com/users/oran...
http://www.livejournal.com/users/oran...
December 26, 2015
Glimpses of Light contains stories and poems of imagination and hope. I was stoked that my submission for this anthology was accepted and even more jazzed when I received my copy.
I feel proud and humbled that my name appears next to well-established authors and grateful that I was allowed to contribute.
I enjoyed reading all the stories and poetry in the anthology but one in particular touched my heart. It is called Window Seat and was written by Ellen Carr.
I found her words warm and comforting despite the hopelessness conveyed. What struck me most about Ellen's poetry was not what was said, but the power and holiness of the unspoken in her writing.
I feel proud and humbled that my name appears next to well-established authors and grateful that I was allowed to contribute.
I enjoyed reading all the stories and poetry in the anthology but one in particular touched my heart. It is called Window Seat and was written by Ellen Carr.
I found her words warm and comforting despite the hopelessness conveyed. What struck me most about Ellen's poetry was not what was said, but the power and holiness of the unspoken in her writing.
May 31, 2016
Glimpses of Light is a collection of 26 stories and poems based around the theme of light. The collection was put together in 2015 which was the International Year of Light. Profits from the book go appropriately to CBM (formerly Christian Blind Mission).
It's always surprising to read the vastly different reflections that writers can have on a theme – some serious, some light-hearted, some imaginative and some factual. I enjoyed the wide variety of writing styles and the diversity of genres. It was also interesting to see the way writers had weaved, either subtly or overtly, Christian values into their stories.
Some of entries were fantasy. Normally this is not a genre I enjoy, however I found this worked well in the short story context. Fantasy doesn't appeal to me because it usually includes long descriptive passages but this is less of an issue in a shortened version.
I read this book several weeks ago and it is interesting to reflect on the stories that have stayed with me: Ben-Shachar by Naomi Edwards; The last Blood Moon by Charis Joy Jackson; Moon People by Paula Vince; and Revelation by Jo-Anne Berthelsen. I particularly enjoyed the last two stories, probably because they were true.
The entries were all well written and Jeanette and Nola have done an excellence job of editing.
An enjoyable read.
It's always surprising to read the vastly different reflections that writers can have on a theme – some serious, some light-hearted, some imaginative and some factual. I enjoyed the wide variety of writing styles and the diversity of genres. It was also interesting to see the way writers had weaved, either subtly or overtly, Christian values into their stories.
Some of entries were fantasy. Normally this is not a genre I enjoy, however I found this worked well in the short story context. Fantasy doesn't appeal to me because it usually includes long descriptive passages but this is less of an issue in a shortened version.
I read this book several weeks ago and it is interesting to reflect on the stories that have stayed with me: Ben-Shachar by Naomi Edwards; The last Blood Moon by Charis Joy Jackson; Moon People by Paula Vince; and Revelation by Jo-Anne Berthelsen. I particularly enjoyed the last two stories, probably because they were true.
The entries were all well written and Jeanette and Nola have done an excellence job of editing.
An enjoyable read.
January 24, 2016
I'll mention up-front that I'm one of the contributors to this anthology. I am privileged to have two of my poems included amongst the wonderful stories and other poems, all related to the theme of light.
I very much enjoyed reading all the stories and poems and found them to be very engaging and well-written. I have my favorites of course, but every contribution is very good indeed. The mixture of genres, all on the same theme, provides great variety. There is science fiction, fantasy, personal testimony, everyday fiction, and a variety of types of poetry. This is a book for short, entertaining reads some of which are deeply moving.
Reading the work of these authors has whet my appetite to read more of their writing and I will be searching out some of their other work. I am really pleased that profits from this book are directed to CBM Australia (supporting people with visual and other disabilities around the world).
For all the above reasons I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading and as a great gift to give a reading friend.
I very much enjoyed reading all the stories and poems and found them to be very engaging and well-written. I have my favorites of course, but every contribution is very good indeed. The mixture of genres, all on the same theme, provides great variety. There is science fiction, fantasy, personal testimony, everyday fiction, and a variety of types of poetry. This is a book for short, entertaining reads some of which are deeply moving.
Reading the work of these authors has whet my appetite to read more of their writing and I will be searching out some of their other work. I am really pleased that profits from this book are directed to CBM Australia (supporting people with visual and other disabilities around the world).
For all the above reasons I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading and as a great gift to give a reading friend.
May 13, 2016
This anthology is a mix of short fiction, longer fiction, poetry, and a couple of non-fiction pieces, all around the theme of light. Several are fantasy stories, and each of the authors to an excellent job of condensing a lot of world building and plot into a small space.
I’m normally a fiction reader I do have to say I liked the two non-fiction pieces best, especially the final piece from Jo-Anne Berthelsen. I also surprised myself by liking one of the short poems! It’s a varied and enjoyable selection, and I’m sure everyone will find something to like.
Thanks to the authors for providing a free ebook for review.
I’m normally a fiction reader I do have to say I liked the two non-fiction pieces best, especially the final piece from Jo-Anne Berthelsen. I also surprised myself by liking one of the short poems! It’s a varied and enjoyable selection, and I’m sure everyone will find something to like.
Thanks to the authors for providing a free ebook for review.
August 14, 2017
Enormously enjoyable anthology. It's rare to find a general anthology that has more than a token speculative fiction piece but this has several and they are uniformly excellent. There isn't a single instance where I didn't want more - I wanted a full-blown novel, not just a short story.
Rich, robust and welcoming fare.
Rich, robust and welcoming fare.
May 18, 2022
Glimpses of Light: Stories and poems of imagination and hope is a perfect title for this fascinating book.
The stories—and poems—are so different and imaginative that it is difficult to pick favorites. They were all a delight to read. I especially enjoyed Adele Jones’ and Jeanette O’Hagan’s contributions out of the diverse and creative reads.
The stories—and poems—are so different and imaginative that it is difficult to pick favorites. They were all a delight to read. I especially enjoyed Adele Jones’ and Jeanette O’Hagan’s contributions out of the diverse and creative reads.
December 30, 2020
'Loved the upbeat and encouraging story lines. So many different plots and settings that the reads are engaging from beginning to finish. Loved it and enjoy going back for another dip into its pages. No spoilers here - just a big recommendation to try it :)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews