When asked to recommend a new author or genre, I recommend anthologies. These volumes of short stories are written by both celebrated authors and those who are looking to expand their reading base. The stories are excellent measures of talent and skill since the author must build an entire experience in fewer pages than most novel's chapters. Building the story and the characters while bringing the reader an excellent experience is not an easy task. Most antholgies are devoted to a single theme, this one is written by guests of the widely popular Worldshapers podcast. As in all collections, some of them are better than others, but all of them are well worth reading. I've discovered some new favorites and expanded my love of differing genres through collections. I recommend and gift antholgies often and keep one or two handy for those times I can't decide what to read next. Choose one, this one is an excellent start, and I think you'll find yourself a fan too.

Another solid anthology from Edward Willett, based on the eponymous SF program featuring a range of established and emerging SF authors. As with any anthology like this, quality can vary, but this is largely readable to quite good. Stories by Graham, Hogarth, Gardner, Kuhn, Lamplighter, Shvartsman, and Schoenberg are all recommended, among others. I back each of Mr. Willett’s kickstarters and based on this volume will continue to do so.