Wendy Erskine

The Open Pen Anthology Volume Two is a collection of short stories from the last five years of Open Pen Magazine, as well as new fiction from each of the contributing authors. In keeping with the format of Volume One, Open Pen favourites have been invied to contribute microfiction pieces that serve as page breaks. Open Pen''s short fiction has been called edgy, brave, and hilarious. Paul Ewen said we are more like a shot of absinthe than a boring pint of lager, and our output has kept its tongue firmly in its cheek for over a decade, debuting many literary talents that have gone on to publish celebrated and popular titles.

'What a joy it is to read'Michael Magee, author of Close to Home'I couldn't put this book down'Sheena Patel, author of I'm A Fan'Powerful, moving, compelling, utterly enthralling'Jon McGregor, author of Reservoir 13'A prodigiously talented author: funny and brutal by turns'Guardian'The style of Woolf but the heart of Dickens'Sunday Times'Vital reading'Spectator'I miss it already . . . What a beautiful, hilarious blast of brilliance'Donal Ryan, author of Heart, Be at Peace'A cast of characters so vividly drawn it feels like you've known them all your life'Colin Walsh, author of KalaMisty thought of them as friends, the three local boys from wealthy homes. Until upstairs at a house party an act of violence takes place, with lines drawn and repercussions for them all. On her side, Misty has her devoted father Boogie, and the formidable matriarch Nan D. On theirs, the boys have their mothers - Frankie, Bronagh and Miriam will use the considerable power at their disposal to protect their own children. And all the while, anonymous voices across the city confide in us, sometimes offering us another perspective on what has happened, but more often telling their own stories - inviting us briefly into lives shaped by money and class, by family and love.