The Swetky Agency

Submission Synopsis

Sha'Daa
by Edward McKeown

A Shared-World Anthology in which each stand-alone story take place within the same 48-hour framework. Set in the near future, each deals with a different aspect of an invasion from another dimension, all of which take place once every ten thousand years on earth. A common character, The Salesman, appears in each story and plays a major role in the outcome of each conflict. - Edited by Edward McKeown and Mike Hanson

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Length:

126,000 Words

Genre:

Horror

Shared Anthology

Series:

"Sha'Daa II: Beachheads" Completed

"Sha'Daa III: Catechism"

Sentence:

In the near future the barriers between Earth and Hell fracture as madness and monsters invade our world.

Blurb:

Every 10,000 years comes the Sha'Daa, a two-day stretch of time when evil is permitted to cross the dimensional barriers and attack the Earth. This shared-world anthology is a collection of exciting and frightening tales which run the gamut from true soul-shaking horror, to wry and ironic takes on the end of reality as we know it. Unlikely heroes in unusual locations around the globe battle not only for their own survival, but for all of humanity.

Synopsis:

The Sha'Daa is a mystical two-day event that occurs once every 10,000 years, a stretch of time so long that even the legends of it have faded from mankind's collective memory. For ten millennium demons and monsters have been nothing more than folktales, relegated to obscure campfire orations which we no longer pay heed. But make no mistake. The hellrealms endure. And their innumerable denizens slaver with hatred, lusting for human blood. And now their time has come.

From our largest cities to the most obscure corners of our world, there are a precious few, aware of the coming apocalypse and preparing for the conflict. Many others, innocents and ignorant alike, will be thrown into the fray without warning to defend and battle or die trying.

Fortunately we are not entirely on our own. Strange allies lurk in the shadows and cracks of space and time. Strangest of them all is "The Salesman," a mysterious figure with many names and faces, doomed to travel the Earth for thousands of years, trading in artifacts and favors, forever plotting and scheming in his seemingly doomed effort to thwart The Sha'Daa.

The Salesman both hates and loves humanity, with whom he has shared our world for uncounted centuries. Sometimes half-mad and as frightening as the invading hell-demons themselves and other times the ironic observer, brilliant strategist, and scheming tactician, he is the difference between victory and death. The Salesman is always at the forefront of each demon beachhead on our island Earth, always possessing that special item needed for victory and survival...but at what price?

The Sha'Daa is a chessboard for the most ancient of deities, whose entertainment and sustenance is the rage, fear, and bloodshed it invokes. Not even the hell-demons and supernatural entities waging war with humanity realize that they too are food of the gods and that the true fate of the universe will ultimately be decided in the highest of realms.

Biographies:

Michael Hanson is the author of 20 screenplays, 40 poems, and 45 short stories of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi. His brain-child, The Sha'Daa, represents his first foray into novel-length fiction. He lives and works in New Jersey.

Edward McKeown has edited both complete Sha’ Daa volumes. He is the author of three novels and over 30 short stories. A martial arts enthusiast and native son of NYC, he writes and lives, along with his artist wife, Schelly Keefer, in Charlotte, NC. http://www.sfwa.org/members/mckeown

Deborah Koren has written a host of exciting short stories of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. She currently lives amidst California's Sierra Nevada mountains. http://www.cimharas.com

Wilson G. Marsh, former Mayor of Boulder, Montana, writes sci-fi, fantasy, and horror from his home in Arizona.

Arthur Sanchez is a novelist who has recently published two anthologies of his short fiction. He edits Astoundingtales.com and resides in Westchester County, NY. http://www.arthursanchez.com

Jaime Schmidt has written many tales of the fantastic. A master of the short form, her sci-fi, horror, and fantasy stories are always delightful. http://www.jkschmidt.com/

D.R. MacMaster is a writer/filmmaker/cartoonist and author of innumerable sci-fi and fantasy tales. He currently resides in Nova Scotia, Canada. http://www.thewarlord.blogspot.com

Adrienne Ray is a graduate of Mary Washington College and a Eucharistic Minister. She is a sly humorist and author of many wonderful short stories.

Nancy Jackson is a full-time writer who has authored a host of anthologized short stories. Known as the "Horror Diva," she also edits and publishes anthologies of horror. http://www.nancyajackson.com

Lee Kuruganti, a former mountaineer and kayak guide, has written a pile of wonderful short stories and two unpublished novels. She lives and attends college in Colorado. Lee is also our cover artist http://www.leekuruganti.com

Rob Adams is a civil servant who lives in Newcastle, U.K. He is the devilish author of many frightening and creepy tales of the darkside. http://www.mysite.sanadoo-members.co.uk/robadams.co.uk

Endorsements:

Tim McLoughlin, Heart of the Old County.

Film:

The Sha'Daa will easily translate into a movie format as the writing style is very visual and the special effects needs would not exceed those of the average "Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode."

Additional:

The second book of the series is complete and ready to follow on the heels of the success of the first.