Kevin and I are heading into the Unioverse!

So, it seems Kevin and I are at it again.

In my monthly “writing wrap-up” posts, I’ve been hinting about a couple of projects I — or Kevin and I — have been working on during these past several months. With NDAs in place and timing being everything so far as effectively rolling out announcements for new projects, we’ve had to wait (im)patiently for the respective Powers That Be to greenlight promotion efforts. One of those things Kevin and I have been working on together has been described in this space over the past few months thusly:

“Unidentified Shared Universe Project – As mentioned in a previous blog post, Kevin and I received an invitation to participate in this effort. The editorial team loved our ideas and after incorporating the few notes they had for us, we got the go ahead to start writing our short story. We delivered our our manuscript on October 1st and we’re presently awaiting editorial feedback. We’re also standing by for an official announcement about the project and our involvement. Hopefully soon!”

So, what’s this for? I’m so glad you asked.

What is “the Unioverse?” The short version is it’s a new science fiction game setting being developed by a team of seriously top-shelf creators. They’re laying the groundwork for a truly massive setting which will allow stories to be experienced not just in a gaming space but across multiple media platforms.

And rather than just keeping it all to themselves, not only are they recruiting established creator talent from the realms of gaming, comics, novels, and film, but they also have plans to open things up to new voices and creators looking to get their foot in the door within those arenas. That alone is its own topic that could keep us talking for hours and rather than me stealing all their thunder, I’d really rather direct you to the Unioverse website to get a full deep dive on what they’ve accomplished so far as well as what they’re planning.

Which brings us to this:

BusinessWire.com: Hex Publishers to Expand the Unioverse with Tie-In Anthology and Comic Book Series

Josh Viola and Hex Publishers, with whom Kevin and I previously worked for the anthology It Came from the Multiplex: 80s Midnight Chillers back in 2020, have been tapped to shepherd this new collection of short tales set in the ever-expanding Unioverse. I don’t know what possessed Josh to invite us to join in this new venture, but I’m grateful as it’s been an absolute blast getting to know this knew universe. Sorry. Unioverse!

Ours is just one of 27 Stories of the Reconvergence, which brings together writers representing various corners of genre fiction. This includes friends and colleagues Mario Acevedo, Kevin J. Anderson, and Tim Waggoner as well as Jane Yolen and Alvaro Zinos-Amaro, both of whom I’m fortunate to know thanks to mutual friendships within the writing community. Meanwhile, I’ve read and enjoyed the writings of several other participants, and I’m as excited as anyone else to be introduced to those word-pushers who are new to me. It’s a pretty impressive line-up, so here’s hoping Kevin and I manage to pull our weight accordingly.

As I write this, Kevin and I are awaiting feedback from editor and his co-editor, Angie Hoddap, both of whom bring their own rather impressive street cred to the fray. Stories from the Reconvergence is currently slated for publication in the summer of 2023. More details as they’re made known, but for now you can read the read the official press release with all of the details by clicking on this linky-type thing right here.

And while we’re all waiting for the book to wind its way through the production life cycle, if this sounds like something you want to get in, either as a player of the forthcoming game or as a possible future contributor in some manner, be sure to check out any or all of the following:

Many thanks to Josh, Angie, and the rest of the Unioverse team for inviting us to play in their swank new sandbox!