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About Us

Four Star Stories is an online publishing venture for Science Fiction and Fantasy short stories.

Since 2008, or so, paid venues for publishing Science Fiction and Fantasy short stories have been becoming fewer. This trend bothered the creators of the Four Star Stories web site for two reasons. Fewer publishing opportunities made it difficult for talented writers to find paying venues where their stories could appear. Also, fewer publishing venues made it hard for readers who enjoy Science Fiction and Fantasy stories to find stories to read.

As long-time fans of Science Fiction and Fantasy, We felt that we had been lucky. We grew up when there were lots of opportunities to enjoy well-written and exciting Science Fiction and Fantasy stories. Stories that gave us hope for our futures and for the future of our world and humankind. Sure the protagonists in the stories dealt with all sorts of problems, but with skill, courage, the right knowledge, and a little luck they managed to win through in the end.

So we started talking about what we could do to solve the problems of both writers and readers while making the kind of stories that inspired us available for today’s readers.

We didn’t have the time, money, or expertise to do something big, like starting a new magazine. Also, creating a new print publishing empire was way beyond our means.

Still, we wanted to do something.

We looked at what we did have. We had some knowledge of building web sites, some skill as editors, more courage than was reasonable, and some luck because we already knew some writers and artists. So, we came up with the idea of creating a website where we would publish four stories, four times a year.

TA-DA! The idea for 4 Star Stories was born.

Four Star Stories is a website created for people who write, edit, and read Science Fiction and Fantasy stories. And, in addition, it is a website for artists who create Science Fiction and Fantasy art. Originally we planned for four stories per issue and four issues a year, thus the name "Four Star Stories". Along the way we picked up a Guest Artist page and a Bonus story, the Bonus story when we had a story that didn't make the cut, but was still worth publishing. Over time we dropped the Guest Artist, although we still feature art-oriented content on the Guest Artist page, mostly from in-house artists.

We will still publish four stories and a Bonus story per issue and scifi-related essays and art-related material when we have it, but we will only publish an issue when we are able.

Come by and enjoy the stories and the art. And don’t forget to tell your friends!

 

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