The Forge: Fire and Ice

FOREWORD By Simon Fisher-Becker

For an anthology with its roots in the 16th century, this one certainly spreads its wings far and wide. Both fire and ice have long played roles in great literature; Shakespeare’s King John introduces the concept of fighting fire with fire: ‘Be stirring as the time; be fire with fire; Threaten the threatener…’ During Shakespeare’s lifetime, Sir Thomas North, (Military Officer, Translator and Justice of the Peace) introduced the figurative concept of breaking the ice. His wording is irresistible in the context of a science fiction and fantasy publication, ‘To be the first to break the Ice of the Enterprise.’ Is it Plutarch who said, ‘the mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled,’? If so, it beautifully captures the essence of this anthology.

The remit given to the authors was to get in touch with their dark side and they’ve done just that. Dystopian landscapes unfold from humankind on alien worlds to alien beings wrestling with very human problems (though you could be forgiven for thinking it is an historical account of what is happening on Earth today). There is adventure, drama, narrow escapes, success and failure. Infused with unexpected humour the writers have skilfully forged fire with ice. This is science fiction and fantasy written to a high standard as storytelling ought to be. Given the struggles against adversity that are told on its pages, it is fitting that this book will generate funds to help relieve a condition that causes widespread pain.

Chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia often hit the more vulnerable the hardest. In the 21st century our planet has become too small for factions and inequalities. The Canadian journalist, Bat Masterson, so perceptively said in the 19th century, ‘We all get the same amount of ice. The rich get it in the summer. The poor get it in the winter.’ In the 21st century there is no excuse for such a gaping imbalance. It should light the fire of rage within us all that such disparities still exist. It is so easy to feel a donation from a science fiction and fantasy anthology seems like a drop in the ocean. I say, think again. Remember, every ocean is a collection of single drops.