Challenge Accepted - New release

Technically it released the end of March but I'm slow, what can I say.

You might be thinking. big deal, in your in another anthology (though, hey, that is a big deal so there). What's so special about this one? Well, for one thing, I'm the one that put it together, and, though there are sixteen other talented writers involved, I chose and edited it. And, of course, it was my idea. and anthology that celebrates the every day heroes who already walk among us, taking on challenges most of us can barely imagine. Not objects to be pitied. Not relics in the future often written out as if they couldn't exist. Not mistakes. Not sidekicks. Seventeen stories where someone with a disability takes center stage and proves, again much like they do every day, that they can solve problems without someone coming to rescue them. All proceeds will go to the Special Olympics.

A blind spaceship pilot.

Cops and maintenance personnel in wheelchairs.

Taking on bad guys with only one leg or no arms.

It's not what you are that makes you something special. It's who you choose to be.

Seventeen stories about people who rise above anything that tries to stop them, even their own limitations.

With stories by Stephanie Barr, Misha Burnett, J. A. Busick, Adam David Collings, Steve Curry, Scott G. Gibson, Joyce Hertzoff, Jane Jago, Clarence Jennelle, Jeanette O'Hagan, Layla Pinkett, Jen Ponce, Connor Sassmannshausen, Lynne Stringer, E. M. Swift-Hook, Margret Treiber, Andy Zach.

Here's an excerpt from my story, "None So Blind":

"Not pirates," a third voice said. "We're more like explorers—space explorers—out to conquer new territory for China much like your ancestors did our neighbors a few centuries back."

All three laughed at this, leaving Renaud sputtering. "Are you actually telling me that this act of piracy is sanctioned by the Chinese government?"

There was a pause. "Why should some international company have a stranglehold on the growth of replacement organs? Why them and not us?"

"Didn't they develop them?" Weston asked and was smacked again for his trouble.

"It's too much power for one company to have," the brute retorted. "And, if they can't preserve control over it like we would definitely do, they deserve to lose it."

There were a few more minutes of uncomfortable silence. She would have to adjust her flight in nine minutes or they would be committed to a long elliptical orbit that would use up all their resources, including oxygen, unless she killed most of these men. She wasn't set up for a several day mission.

Something pinged . . . twice. Sin was so clever with her signal—that also meant she was back in the cockpit. The other seven men were still in the original room. That could even the odds. She slipped the toe of one boot under a flap of what looked like thermal blanket riveted to the floor and pressed a button, then pulled her foot back. She heard shouting from a distance, some of it quite vehement, and then the clang of multiple doors closing and locking. Now it was just the three of them on the bridge.

There were some grunts and the sound of hands grabbing hand holds and slapping metal, perhaps in frustration. "How did you do that? Open that door back up immediately!"

"What door?" she asked, feigning ignorance. She was always amazed how many people presumed that being blind meant she wasn't very bright.

"The door where my men are trapped. The door to the cockpit."

"You've been watching me this whole time. Have my hands moved?"

Something—likely a gloved hand, smacked across her face. Hard. Now she tasted blood as well. "I'm getting tired of your attitude. That door didn't close itself."

"Maybe they triggered the meteoroid alarm accidentally. That seals off all the internal compartments in case of leak."

"Is that true?"

Weston's voice was nasal. She wondered if they'd broken his nose. "Yes. Most ships have those. Or we could have been holed and it happened automatically."

"You mean, my men might be locked in a leaking compartment?"

"It's possible," Weston said.

"How do we know?"

Kayla smiled. "Listen for screaming."

Seventeen entertaining and empowering stories. You can find it most places ebooks and paperbacks are sold (and it's also available in large print at amazon.com).

If you want to find them all the books I'm in, you can find them on my website. http://stephanieebarr.us.