What is The Watchfire?
Alongside our flagship print magazine and Silence & Starsong Radio, The Watchfire is a community hub for stories, reflections, and essays, as well as conversations about the craft and process of writing. The mission of Silence and Starsong remains the same (see below), but we’re simply adding another outlet—one that’s a little more suited to the way that people get stories in our online age.
Everything that is currently up on our main website will remain there. Future stories that we publish online (flash fiction contests, round robin stories, other online exclusives) will be found here and will be delivered directly to your email inbox or easily accessible in the Substack app.
In addition to the same kind of stories that you’ve come to know us for, we’re going to add some essays and craft/process musings. One of the convenient features of Substack is that you can subscribe to all of those sections or just to the ones that interest you. Everyone will get “Stories” by default, but if you want to peak behind the curtain and learn how some of the authors bring their stories to life you can add “The Cozy Workshop.” If you like to zoom out and think about why we should read and write fiction in the first place, or how this project fits into “The Great Conversation” (or whether it does at all), you can check the box for “Reflections.”
Whatever sections you choose to receive, we especially hope that you will dive in and engage with us. We are eager to hear what readers think about the stories that we publish and would be glad to think along with you as we reflect on the big picture or fiddle with the niceties of the writing process.
Silence and Starsong’s Mission
In the present age of raw materialism and scientific achievement, it’s almost as if every technological advancement makes our planet a little less home and the people around us a little less human; it remains true that only a good story can transport you into worlds of adventure and intrigue.
At Silence & Starsong, we believe that narrative has the power to transform our minds and environments, making us a little more human again. Through science fiction and fantasy, we can explore the limitless possibilities of the human experience and connect with others who share our passion for storytelling.
Our mission is to provide a platform for visionary storytellers to share their work with readers who crave adventure and a deeper understanding of the world around us. We are committed to showcasing writers who can stand in the gap between man and machine as the voice of reason and fostering an uplifting community of readers and writers.
Whether you are seeking to escape into new worlds or create your own, Silence & Starsong offers opportunities to engage with fellow enthusiasts, improve your craft, and explore the meaning and significance of the world around us.
And in case you’re not sure how Substack works . . .
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