Words are flowing out
Like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe

— The Beatles, “Across the Universe”

Now the story can be told: I am delighted to announce that I will be co-editing a brand-new anthology for Fantastic Books, Across the Universe: Tales of Alternative Beatles (working title), with co-editor Michael Ventrella.

And our Kickstarter just went live this morning! Here’s the link.

It’s all very exciting. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working with Michael and publisher Ian Randal Strock to create this fab lineup of writers: Spider Robinson, David Gerrold, Jonathan Maberry, Alan Goldsher, Cat Rambo, Keith DeCandido, Jody Lynn Nye, Lawrence Watt-Evans and Gail Z. Martin. In addition, Janis Ian and Nancy Holder are set to contribute notes in the book.

The basic idea is this:

What if the Beatles had never met? Would we enjoy Dave Clark Five-mania (as Spider Robinson suggested)? What if Brian Epstein hadn’t managed the band? What if George Harrison hated sitar music? What if Ringo had been the true star of the band all along? What if the Beatles had been aliens? Or magic users? Or zombies? Or American?

Here’s a pencil drawing of our tentative cover by Dave Alvarez, for your delight and enjoyment. Trust us, the real one will be colored in:

Let’s find out! But we need you to help make that happen, by pledging over at Kickstarter — after all, the writers gotta get paid, ’cause the “Taxman” cometh.

Once we reach our earliest goals, we’ll be opening up for further submissions, and if we surpass our $6,000 base level, we can have even more writers on board!

In addition, there are some great rewards for those willing to pony up — including lunch with moi, Tuckerizations, and other goodies!

So please take a moment right now and:

a) pledge! Early birds can get the e-book for just $5
b) send this post or the Kickstarter or both across your own universe — of social media, email and other contacts! (Use #BeatlesTales if you can!)

Share the love, share the fun, and hopefully in December (our planned publication date) we’ll be sharing all of these great stories with you!

Peace, love, rock ‘n roll, and pledge!

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