22 Comments
User's avatar
Terry Freedman's avatar

It's a brilliant idea, Ben, and I'm gutted that I discovered it too late to particpate. I hope you will con sider running it again soon. I've been reading the stories, and the collection is a veritable feast. Thankk you for putting it together.

Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks, Terry! After the dust settles, I'm sure we'll consider doing another one. I need to streamline some of the administrative work but otherwise, it's been a blast.

Dr. Levent Mollamustafaoğlu's avatar

Ben, I just finished reading all the stories, albeit a bit late due to other priorities. As a collection they hold up very well, with different styles and narratives, but overall a good read.

I keep coming back to Volume I in your title. It means there will be further volumes. I will certainly jump on it when you announce Volume II.

Thanks again for this wonderful experiment and for pulling all these wonderful writers together...

Ben Wakeman's avatar

There will definitely be another one in the future but I’ve not decided on a date yet. Thanks for being a part of the project.

Chris J. Franklin's avatar

This is a fantastic idea. Well done for organising it. We need more opportunities like this on here for writers to collaborate and connect with each other. Hopefully, there will be another one of these, and many more to come. I'd definitely be interested in participating next time... 😎

Donna McArthur's avatar

@Ben Wakeman this is a brilliant series, I am enjoying it very much. Bravo to you for creating a wonderful community project.

Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks, Donna! It's been a labor of love.

Robin LaVoie's avatar

Thank you for putting this together, such a great idea - I am so enjoying these stories! There's an extra layer of intrigue, too, as I'm reading--imagining what the original experience/prompt might have been for each. It's a fun way to find new writers, and yes, I'm spending too much time reading when I should be writing, but the creative inspiration is well worth it!

Ben Wakeman's avatar

That’s wonderful Robin! If this has introduced you to even a handful of great unknown writers then my mission has been accomplished.

Rolando Andrade's avatar

Hi Ben Can you Guide? How, or where, can I participate?

Ben Wakeman's avatar

Hi Rolando, I’m sure I will host another event in a few months. Either subscribe to Catch & Release or just follow me in Notes to find out when I announce it.

Rolando Andrade's avatar

Thanks Ben. Allready subscribed to Catch&Realease

Petra Hernandez's avatar

Thanks for doing this, Ben! And for all the work you and the other writers put into this. It was a really interesting process. It stretched me in good ways. And I'm looking forward to looking through the other stories over the next few days.

Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks Petra! So glad you contributed.

Reena Kapoor's avatar

Fabulous!!! Can’t wait to read.

PS. Wish I’d known- I’d have participated too. 😀

Ben Wakeman's avatar

We'll do another one, I'm sure. Stay tuned.

Nathan Slake's avatar

Amazing work, Ben. I'm so happy to see all this come to life and I'm going to enjoy making my way slowly through all of these!

Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks, Nathan! Me too.

Dr. Levent Mollamustafaoğlu's avatar

Ben, thanks for this project and all the work you had to do to put this together. I'm slowly reading all the stories one by one and the experience has been fascinating. Of course, I don't know what the prompts were (haven't seen my story yet) and frankly, I don't care, but seeing different perspectives on life, and different genres still covering similar human issues and feelings gives me more hope about literature making life better.

Ben Wakeman's avatar

I agree, Levent. Reading these stories and seeing how the writer truly honored the experience of a stranger is moving.

Diane BF78's avatar

I’m behind reading!