22 Comments

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.

Expand full comment
author

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.

Expand full comment

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...

Expand full comment
author

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.

Expand full comment

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... 😎

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment

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!

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment
author

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.

Expand full comment

Thanks Ben. Allready subscribed to Catch&Realease

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks Petra! So glad you contributed.

Expand full comment

Fabulous!!! Can’t wait to read.

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

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment
Dec 29, 2023Liked by Ben Wakeman

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!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Nathan! Me too.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment

I’m behind reading!

Expand full comment