Ink of Ages Fiction Prize
Historical & Mythological Short Fiction
World History Encyclopedia's international historical and mythological short story contest
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Celebrating global historical and myth-inspired short fiction
Echoes & Origins: Ink of Ages Volume One
Echoes & Origins: Ink of Ages Volume One
Seventeen prize-selected short stories, centuries of history and myth, one transporting anthology.
Seventeen prize-selected short stories, centuries of history and myth, one transporting anthology.
Affiliate link: World History Encyclopedia gets a teeny bit of money back from Amazon, at no extra cost to you.
Echoes & Origins: Ink of Ages Volume One presents the 17 winning and shortlisted short stories from the 2024 Ink of Ages Fiction Prize, transporting readers across centuries and cultures through historical and mythology-inspired fiction.
From ancient Egypt to Ottoman history, from London in 1665 to the Siege of Suiyang, these stories reimagine lives and moments both forgotten and familiar with wonder, depth, and heart. Published April 2026 in hardback, paperback, and ebook.
What's Inside?
What's Inside?
🪶 17 winning and shortlisted short stories
🏺 Ancient Greece & Rome, eighth-century China, WWI
👹 Javanese folklore, Egyptian deities
🦭 Selkies, hungry ghosts
🌋 Disaster, hope, grief, humanity
And much more!
“In the imaginations of these talented writers, history and myth stand, move, and move us in ways that only the best fiction can.”
—Stefan Vranka, Oxford University Press
“What amazed me about the submissions was the diversity of styles and choices of subject, which I thought was really wonderful.”
—Dr Louise M. Pryke, Historian & Author
Who Is Echoes & Origins For?
Who Is Echoes & Origins For?
If you love global storytelling from distant and not-so-distant times and places, real history, depth of human interactions, a dash of gods, folklore, and the occasional monstrous creature, then Ink of Ages short stories are for you!
“This book celebrates historical and mythology-inspired fiction from around the world. Genres that give writers a tantalizing opportunity to explore gaps in the records – intriguing characters, unexplained plot twists – and to tie research together with the power of imagination. Fiction has a way of expressing the truth, and in these stories we can glimpse a little of what it means to be human across eras and cultures.”
—Joanne Taylor, Editor’s Note
Sneak peeks from inside
Sneak peeks from inside
“So Antonia has popped out another one,” Julia rasped. “Always good to have heirs to spare.”
Livia flinched. “The gods have blessed Drusus and Antonia,” she agreed, managing to keep the barb from her voice.
“A pity they are not blessing your older son,” Julia shot back.
Caesar Augustus smiled, relaxed and affable with his treasured daughter. “Only a matter of time.”
—Sherry Christie, "Mater Patriae"
One night’s sail west of the Island of Thera—1550 BCE
Spray dashes against my face, soaking the deck and dripping from the rigging. I gasp, then choke on the black fumes that blot out the sun. The only light emanates from Thera and stains the horizon blood red.
“Bansabi, my son, keep your head down. They’re closing.”
Father’s warning may have sent ice running through my veins but I still struggle against laughter. How can my head be further down?
—E. V. Wallace, "End of Days"
Illustrations © Simeon Netchev
Contributing Authors
Contributing Authors
Victoria Alvear, “The Untold Story of the Murder of Isis”—Ancient Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris.
Tracy Bradford, “Moment of Grace”—The Great Plague, London, 1665.
Sherry Christie, “Mater Patriae”—Caesar Augustus's attempts to find a successor.
Suzanne Scheideker Cook, “Between Two Worlds”—Selkies in Scottish folklore.
Jenyth Evans, “Myrrhine”—The priestesshood of Athena Nike.
Sallyann Halstead, “Circles in the Sand”—Carl Gauss, the mathematician.
Firza Hapsari, “Girl Beasts”—Calon Arang from Javanese and Balinese myth.
Louis Hill, “To Be Free”—The city of Troy, Greek myth.
Susan James, “Bequeath”—Oliver Cromwell's head!
E. Jamieson, “The Coin”—The first marathon, 490 BCE.
Rafah, “Tools of Fate”—Ottoman royalty and political intrigue.
Nandita Ray, “The Seventh Month”—The Hungry Ghost Festival.
A. S. Rowe, “Mnemosyne and Her Muses”—Greek mythology.
Dava Street, “Ruby Crane”—WWI rehabilitation of blind soldiers.
E. V. Wallace, “End of Days”—The Theran Eruption circa 1550 BCE.
Daniel Wan, “After the Siege”—The Siege of Suiyang, China, in 757 CE.
Bill C. Wilson, “A Somewhat Laughing Matter”— The Western Front of WWI.
About Ink of Ages
About Ink of Ages
The Ink of Ages Fiction Prize is World History Encyclopedia’s international short story competition, run annually and supported by Oxford University Press. The competition welcomes submissions of historical fiction and mythology-inspired fiction in two main categories – adult and youth – and maintains its commitment to accessibility by remaining free to enter, whilst offering professional-level judging and support.
Echoes & Origins is the first published volume of the competition, with anthologies of the winning and shortlisted stories from 2025 and 2026 to be published subsequently.
About World History Encyclopedia
About World History Encyclopedia
World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization that publishes free, high-quality historical content to advance historical literacy and improve history education worldwide. Since 2009, the organization has grown to become the world's most-read history publication, reaching millions of visitors monthly from over 150 countries. WHE is recommended by leading universities, including Oxford University and California State University, and maintains complete editorial independence while operating as a registered non-profit in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
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Issue #10 Self-editing
Issue #10 Self-editing
My favourite editing tips. Writing and editing advice benefits from two disclaimers, I think: Do whatever you want as long as it works. And choose to ignore advice that doesn't inspire you, Let's go!
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