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Glitter + Ashes: Queer Tales of a World That Wouldn’t Die
Glitter + Ashes: Queer Tales of a World That Wouldn’t Die is an anthology of post-apocalyptic fiction centering queer joy and community in the face of disaster. What does hope look like when everything is lost? Now, more than ever, we need to revel in the bright spots amidst the darkness.
The twenty-three stories (and two poems) contained here, as well as the roleplaying game Dream Askew by Avery Alder, imagine queer community in myriad futures interrupted by collapse. Post-apocalyptic futures glittering and bleak, challenging and eerie.
Glitter + Ashes is here to hold up a torch. Come gather round the fire.
The twenty-three stories (and two poems) contained here, as well as the roleplaying game Dream Askew by Avery Alder, imagine queer community in myriad futures interrupted by collapse. Post-apocalyptic futures glittering and bleak, challenging and eerie.
Glitter + Ashes is here to hold up a torch. Come gather round the fire.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2020
11 people are currently reading
741 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 27, 2020
We did some good work in this anthology!
May 15, 2021
This anthology was full of magical, immersive stories that made me think. Stories that stretched my imagination in the best way and made me appreciate the little things we enjoy about our world and lives now. SO SO GOOD! 😍 4.5 stars!
September 1, 2020
This anthology is a balm for the uncertain and unusual times that we currently are in. I have been avoiding anything post apocalyptic because quite frankly, the current times are exactly what the genre touches upon. I backed Glitter + Ashes last year because I love queer speculative fiction anthology and as a teen I devoured so much post apocalyptic and dystopian YA books. I was hesitant to start the ARC since I had not been in a good place with my mental health when I had received it. However, when I did finally start it, I found the stories comforting and soothing. The first story in the anthology felt like home in a way since it just had the energies of one of my queer friends. I was also really intrigued by the inclusion of a ttrpg in the anthology since game writing is something that has been added to the SWFA and Hugo rosters.
What I absolutely loved about this anthology is that it encompasses such a wide range of queer experiences from Ball Culture to Jewish lesbians. The contributing authors each brought something special and unique from their experiences to the table in all their stories to assemble a vibrant picture of futures that could be. I remember when I started reading post-apocalyptic and dystopias in high school and everything was so bland and similar after a while. One of the things I also appreciate is just how trans this anthology is. There were several trans-centric stories and several trans contributing authors. I am nonbinary so I am always wanting to read stories about people like me and the anthology did that for me.
Furthermore content wise, I really appreciate the sheer range of concepts. There’s a vampire story in the anthology! There’s a story about alternate realities! There’s a story about mad max esque bikers! There’s drag queens! There is something for everyone in the anthology. Although, I do have to say my favorite story of the entire anthology was focused on religion, death, and the struggle of being queer in a religious community. It really struck a chord with me because of my experiences but also because of my studies in museum ethics surrounding human remains. I don’t want to give too much out, but it’s really good. Like most anthologies, there were a few entries that weren’t to my personal taste, everything was incredibly solid and well written.
The ttrpg, Dream Askew, was a really fun way to end the anthology. The choice of the last piece being the ttrpg was brilliant since it encourages the reader to go and tell their stories with friends, to take the hope and comfort from the anthology contents, and share it with friends. I struggle with ttrpg rules and handbooks often since they can be quite dense and math (I struggle with basic mathematics). However, I found Dream Askew to be quite accessible and it is also PBTA (powered by the apocalypse/apocalypse world) based game mechanics. PBTA is my favorite ttrpg system since the game play is focused primarily on character interaction and world development instead of fights and dungeon crawls.
I highly recommend this anthology for anyone looking for a stellar round up of short fiction featuring queer voices and themes. It is hopeful for a bright and warm future despite calamity and chaos. This is the post apocalyptic fiction that we deserve in a world on fire.
What I absolutely loved about this anthology is that it encompasses such a wide range of queer experiences from Ball Culture to Jewish lesbians. The contributing authors each brought something special and unique from their experiences to the table in all their stories to assemble a vibrant picture of futures that could be. I remember when I started reading post-apocalyptic and dystopias in high school and everything was so bland and similar after a while. One of the things I also appreciate is just how trans this anthology is. There were several trans-centric stories and several trans contributing authors. I am nonbinary so I am always wanting to read stories about people like me and the anthology did that for me.
Furthermore content wise, I really appreciate the sheer range of concepts. There’s a vampire story in the anthology! There’s a story about alternate realities! There’s a story about mad max esque bikers! There’s drag queens! There is something for everyone in the anthology. Although, I do have to say my favorite story of the entire anthology was focused on religion, death, and the struggle of being queer in a religious community. It really struck a chord with me because of my experiences but also because of my studies in museum ethics surrounding human remains. I don’t want to give too much out, but it’s really good. Like most anthologies, there were a few entries that weren’t to my personal taste, everything was incredibly solid and well written.
The ttrpg, Dream Askew, was a really fun way to end the anthology. The choice of the last piece being the ttrpg was brilliant since it encourages the reader to go and tell their stories with friends, to take the hope and comfort from the anthology contents, and share it with friends. I struggle with ttrpg rules and handbooks often since they can be quite dense and math (I struggle with basic mathematics). However, I found Dream Askew to be quite accessible and it is also PBTA (powered by the apocalypse/apocalypse world) based game mechanics. PBTA is my favorite ttrpg system since the game play is focused primarily on character interaction and world development instead of fights and dungeon crawls.
I highly recommend this anthology for anyone looking for a stellar round up of short fiction featuring queer voices and themes. It is hopeful for a bright and warm future despite calamity and chaos. This is the post apocalyptic fiction that we deserve in a world on fire.
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April 10, 2022It's almost standard to describe an anthology as a mixed bag, but I found this remarkably even in terms of both quality and themes.
I'd definitely recommend this for sf fans rather than romance readers, but it is generally as positive in tone as one could reasonably be in settings where lots of awful things have happened or are in the process of happening.
Overall a solid and interesting collection of stories.
I'd definitely recommend this for sf fans rather than romance readers, but it is generally as positive in tone as one could reasonably be in settings where lots of awful things have happened or are in the process of happening.
Overall a solid and interesting collection of stories.
October 4, 2023
This is potentially the best short story collection I've ever read? I've never had so many 5 star short stories all come from one collection (besides Le Guin) and I'm consistently going back to reread parts.
And all of the three stars+ are still good! The entire collection was GOOD. This doesn't happen very often.
I'm so thrilled.
Wrath of a Queer God by Anthony Mol - 3*
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel by Christopher Caldwell - 3*
The Descent of Their Last End by Izzy Wasserstein - 3*
Soft by Otter Lieffe - 3.5*
The Shape of My Name by Nino Cipri - 3*
The Black Hearts of La Playa by Jordan Kurella - 3*
The Bone Gifts by Michael Milne - 5*
Otherwise by Nisi Shawl - 2*
When the Last of the Birds and the Bees Have Gone On by C. L. Clark - 5*
A Future In Color by R. J. Theodore - 5*
Champions of Water War by Elly Bangs - 3*
A Sound Like Staying Together by Adam R. Shannon - 3*
Be Strong, Kick Many Asses by Aun-Juli Riddle - 2.5*
Venom and Bite by Darcie Little Badger - 4.5*
The Limitations of Her Code by Marianne Kirby - 5*
You Fool, You Wanderer by Brendan Williams-Childs - 5*
A Party Planner's Guide to the Apocalypse by Lauren Ring - 4*
Imago by A. Z. Louise - 5*
Safe Haven by A. P. Thayer - 5*
Note Left on a Coffeetable by Mari Ness - 4*
The Valley of Mothers by Josie Columbus - 4.5*
For the Taking, For the Making by V. Medina - 3.5*
When She Nothing Shines Upon by Blake Jessop - 5*
The Last Dawn of Targadrides by Trip Galey - 3*
The Dreadnought and the Stars by Phoebe Barton - 5*
And all of the three stars+ are still good! The entire collection was GOOD. This doesn't happen very often.
I'm so thrilled.
Wrath of a Queer God by Anthony Mol - 3*
Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel by Christopher Caldwell - 3*
The Descent of Their Last End by Izzy Wasserstein - 3*
Soft by Otter Lieffe - 3.5*
The Shape of My Name by Nino Cipri - 3*
The Black Hearts of La Playa by Jordan Kurella - 3*
The Bone Gifts by Michael Milne - 5*
Otherwise by Nisi Shawl - 2*
When the Last of the Birds and the Bees Have Gone On by C. L. Clark - 5*
A Future In Color by R. J. Theodore - 5*
Champions of Water War by Elly Bangs - 3*
A Sound Like Staying Together by Adam R. Shannon - 3*
Be Strong, Kick Many Asses by Aun-Juli Riddle - 2.5*
Venom and Bite by Darcie Little Badger - 4.5*
The Limitations of Her Code by Marianne Kirby - 5*
You Fool, You Wanderer by Brendan Williams-Childs - 5*
A Party Planner's Guide to the Apocalypse by Lauren Ring - 4*
Imago by A. Z. Louise - 5*
Safe Haven by A. P. Thayer - 5*
Note Left on a Coffeetable by Mari Ness - 4*
The Valley of Mothers by Josie Columbus - 4.5*
For the Taking, For the Making by V. Medina - 3.5*
When She Nothing Shines Upon by Blake Jessop - 5*
The Last Dawn of Targadrides by Trip Galey - 3*
The Dreadnought and the Stars by Phoebe Barton - 5*
December 29, 2020
This was lovely, a great collection of stories - queer tales at the end of the world, but all with a moment of hope, rebuilding, love, connection, and care. "Just because it's a harsh world out there, doesn't mean we have to be harsh to ourselves, or each other". There's about 20ish stories, many are short and sweet. There's a ton of variety in the stories in what "end of the world" means, I loved taking a quick dive into a new world with each story and I loved that they all had an element of comfort to them. As the back cover says "What does hope look like when everything is lost?"
It's really a perfect book for this moment, I highly recommend it.
There's also two poems and an roleplaying game (I just skimmed the role playing game at the end).
It's really a perfect book for this moment, I highly recommend it.
There's also two poems and an roleplaying game (I just skimmed the role playing game at the end).
February 11, 2023
*3,5
Technically I've only read like 76% come at me
Nice concept, could've used more editing, it was dragging out at the end and I just couldn't.
Technically I've only read like 76% come at me
Nice concept, could've used more editing, it was dragging out at the end and I just couldn't.
June 1, 2023
favorites:
the descent of their last end
venom and bite
you fool you wanderer
vamos
valley of mothers
when she nothing shines upon
the descent of their last end
venom and bite
you fool you wanderer
vamos
valley of mothers
when she nothing shines upon
January 6, 2021
(This review originally appeared at History That Never Was.)
Glitter + Ashes: Queer Tales of a World That Wouldn’t Die, edited by dave ring, is a collection of stories and a couple of poems about queer characters in a post-apocalyptic world. The stories range from funny to heartbreaking, while making stops at nearly every point in the range of human emotion.
A number of the stories are quite short, at only a few pages, which makes them quick reads. Many of these only present a moment in the lives of queer characters surviving whatever the apocalypse has thrown at them. The bulk of the book, however, is longer stories, with more of a traditional arc.
As is normally the case with anthologies, there are always a few stories that stand out for me. “The Bone Gifts” by Michael Milne is on the sadder side of the spectrum, but I loved the slightly Viking-esque feel of this post-apocalyptic world. Blake Jessop’s “When She Nothing Shines Upon” was a lovely story of a mech pilot and her mechanic as they grow from strangers to partners. And “The Last Dawn of the Targadrides” by Trip Galey was a gorgeous mélange of elements that reminded me of the queer spectacle of Pose, the baroque politics of Dune, and the surreal fantasy of the Nobilis roleplaying game.
The book also includes Dream Askew, a roleplaying game by Avery Alder that focuses on the community of a queer enclave during an apocalypse. Though I haven’t played this game, I love other of Avery’s games, like Monsterhearts, so I anticipate that I would love this one as well!
If you’re looking for a broad range of post-apocalyptic fiction featuring queer characters, Glitter + Ashes is a wonderful anthology that is sure to contain stories that you will enjoy!
The editor provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for review consideration.
Glitter + Ashes: Queer Tales of a World That Wouldn’t Die, edited by dave ring, is a collection of stories and a couple of poems about queer characters in a post-apocalyptic world. The stories range from funny to heartbreaking, while making stops at nearly every point in the range of human emotion.
A number of the stories are quite short, at only a few pages, which makes them quick reads. Many of these only present a moment in the lives of queer characters surviving whatever the apocalypse has thrown at them. The bulk of the book, however, is longer stories, with more of a traditional arc.
As is normally the case with anthologies, there are always a few stories that stand out for me. “The Bone Gifts” by Michael Milne is on the sadder side of the spectrum, but I loved the slightly Viking-esque feel of this post-apocalyptic world. Blake Jessop’s “When She Nothing Shines Upon” was a lovely story of a mech pilot and her mechanic as they grow from strangers to partners. And “The Last Dawn of the Targadrides” by Trip Galey was a gorgeous mélange of elements that reminded me of the queer spectacle of Pose, the baroque politics of Dune, and the surreal fantasy of the Nobilis roleplaying game.
The book also includes Dream Askew, a roleplaying game by Avery Alder that focuses on the community of a queer enclave during an apocalypse. Though I haven’t played this game, I love other of Avery’s games, like Monsterhearts, so I anticipate that I would love this one as well!
If you’re looking for a broad range of post-apocalyptic fiction featuring queer characters, Glitter + Ashes is a wonderful anthology that is sure to contain stories that you will enjoy!
The editor provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for review consideration.
February 18, 2025
OK, read this mostly for the Elly Bangs story, which was even more needed in our current libertarian billionaire hellscape and just utterly beautiful in its juxtaposition of queer love vs. oligarchy, but honestly this just might be the best short story collection I've ever read.
I particularly liked how all writers, when magic was used, didn't necessarily explain it. Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, The Dreadnought and the Stars, and The Last Dawn of Targadradides almost treat it like a given, which adds an air of mystery (making it more magical and less scientific) and leaves more time for glorious sendups to ball culture and found family, especially those people you love who help you find your whole self. I especially liked the Currant Dumas- the food journalist whose eyes we see the end of the world from is a unique way to make worldbuilding happen, and it's particularly well done, though Targadradides idea of a world made up of leftover flotsam from collapsing universes makes for a neat exploration of the role of family, love, and coming into oneself in that setting.
As for other standouts? There are a lot of them. You Fool, You Wanderer is beautiful art about grief, losing a partner but staying connected to community. Soft is a genre all too often ignored: the T4T heist story. The sensory surrealism of A Sound Like Staying Together melds space, time, and those little moments we get with those we love into something that left me drained and overflowing at the same time. And the short vignettes and more experimental pieces like The Descent of Their Last End, A Party Planner's Guide to the Apocalypse, and Notes Left on A Coffeetable all hit precisely where they need to, right in the heart.
There is not a single bad story among any of these, though for some reason or another I felt like the latter half was a bit slow at times. But honestly, utterly fantastic and utterly necessary uplifting of queer love, queer community, and queer life at this particular moment in time.
I particularly liked how all writers, when magic was used, didn't necessarily explain it. Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, The Dreadnought and the Stars, and The Last Dawn of Targadradides almost treat it like a given, which adds an air of mystery (making it more magical and less scientific) and leaves more time for glorious sendups to ball culture and found family, especially those people you love who help you find your whole self. I especially liked the Currant Dumas- the food journalist whose eyes we see the end of the world from is a unique way to make worldbuilding happen, and it's particularly well done, though Targadradides idea of a world made up of leftover flotsam from collapsing universes makes for a neat exploration of the role of family, love, and coming into oneself in that setting.
As for other standouts? There are a lot of them. You Fool, You Wanderer is beautiful art about grief, losing a partner but staying connected to community. Soft is a genre all too often ignored: the T4T heist story. The sensory surrealism of A Sound Like Staying Together melds space, time, and those little moments we get with those we love into something that left me drained and overflowing at the same time. And the short vignettes and more experimental pieces like The Descent of Their Last End, A Party Planner's Guide to the Apocalypse, and Notes Left on A Coffeetable all hit precisely where they need to, right in the heart.
There is not a single bad story among any of these, though for some reason or another I felt like the latter half was a bit slow at times. But honestly, utterly fantastic and utterly necessary uplifting of queer love, queer community, and queer life at this particular moment in time.
March 9, 2021
I genuinely enjoyed this, and not just because Josie's short story is in there (though obviously it was the best one!). Because all of these short stories are set in the apocalypse without focusing on the how or why of the world ending, they all feel like they could be set in the same world. Also gay folx just living their best apocalyptic lived is a great vibe
August 10, 2020
A stunning set of short fiction and some poems that truly envision a world where queer people not only survive but thrive. Every story gives you something to think about or people to root for or joy in darkness. Amazing collection!!!
February 14, 2022
Overall, it was fairly "meh". A lot of the stories were note engaging at all. One or two of them were really good, like the one on the train especially. The last "story" I skipped. And I'm saying this as a D&D player. This just held no interest at all for me to learn a new RPG.
October 12, 2022
Absolutely could not tell you why I stopped and started with this book for almost two years, except that I suck. Really compelling collection of stories, with a wide variety of premises and formats. faves included: champions of water war, you fool you wanderer, & when she shines upon nothing.
March 15, 2021
"Glitter + Ashes" is a collection of gritty, post-apocalyptic stories. Each tale asserts that even when times are tough there are people who strive to do good. Very captivating!
June 20, 2021
I realized again that I'm not the audience for short stories, but these were good and it feels good to read something with actual nonbinary characters.
September 13, 2021
Some really strong stories in this collection. Standouts for me were those by Christopher Caldwell, Darcie Little Badger, Brendan Williams-Childs, L.D. Lewis, and Phoebe Barton.
January 7, 2022
beautiful collection of stories
September 1, 2022
slay i wish the world would end a little quicker
December 16, 2023
It was billed as short stories but most of them were vignettes, or scenes, or feelings, and I would have liked more. Interesting, anyway.
November 13, 2022
Some gems yet a rather uneven collection that is in need of editing.
Editing to add: this is definitely worth reading.
Editing to add: this is definitely worth reading.
March 11, 2024
First of all, excellent overall anthology in terms of variety of stories and none I had to skip.
Now, I am sure it will shock no one who knows me that my favorite story in this collection was "The Current Dumas" by L.D. Lewis. By a landslide. Post-apocalyptic community building! Magic! Sapphic flirting! Trains! Anthony Bourdain vibes!
Other favorites include:
"When the Last of the Birds and the Bees Have Gone On" by C.L. Clark, which is modeled on "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid, which is one of my favorite short stories of ALL TIME and also contains the immaculate line "this is how you choose a gender; this is how you cast one off;"
"The Descent of Their Last End" by Izzy Wasserstein, so short and bittersweet, about making art at the end of all things.
"Champions of Water War" by Elly Bangs, which is almost too wholesome (in the middle of a super brutal dystopia), but I loved it.
So many good ones! I couldn't possibly call them all out or I would be here all day.
Now, I am sure it will shock no one who knows me that my favorite story in this collection was "The Current Dumas" by L.D. Lewis. By a landslide. Post-apocalyptic community building! Magic! Sapphic flirting! Trains! Anthony Bourdain vibes!
Other favorites include:
"When the Last of the Birds and the Bees Have Gone On" by C.L. Clark, which is modeled on "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid, which is one of my favorite short stories of ALL TIME and also contains the immaculate line "this is how you choose a gender; this is how you cast one off;"
"The Descent of Their Last End" by Izzy Wasserstein, so short and bittersweet, about making art at the end of all things.
"Champions of Water War" by Elly Bangs, which is almost too wholesome (in the middle of a super brutal dystopia), but I loved it.
So many good ones! I couldn't possibly call them all out or I would be here all day.
December 29, 2020
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