"The fourth edition of Voices of the Future weaves together short stories of adventure and imagination in a memorable and heartwarming collection. Experience the next generation’s creativity and vision through these brief tales from rising young creatives."

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-The Author Conservatory

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My contribution to this anthology, "The River's Lullaby", follows ​14-year-old Averic as the guards bring him the worst possible news: his father, their country’s High Lord, was captured during a mission in enemy territory. Though attempting rescue now is nothing but a fool’s mission, Averic is determined to save his father. The news sent his pregnant mother into a dangerous early labor, and she and the baby aren’t well. Only Papa can hold their family together.

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But what he won’t admit, even to himself, is that he knows he won’t be able to save his father. He isn’t really running to rescue him. He’s running away from his own family’s pain—and what he himself can do to balm it.