Superior Gods - Salway Ash pupils write their way out.

We are very excited to announce the launch of our latest story anthology. Written entirely by the talented Year 6 pupils from Salway Ash, Superior Gods is a collection of short stories investigating the world of escape. Each of these perfectly crafted nuggets of speculative fiction has, at its heart, the idea of an ‘escape’. Whether this is a character battling to return home, a literal freeing from slavery, or a psychological breaking free from the norm, each of these tales is bound up with the idea of freedom.

These stories were written over a period of four weeks, and were followed up with a first draft reading where the authors chose to face the horror of a reader panel and a Q&A! As if that wasn’t daunting enough, the authors then got to meet one-to-one with our Bank Editors who gave them further advice and feedback, before the young writers got busy finishing their final drafts.

The resulting stories are, I guarantee like nothing you’ve ever read before. Spanning genres and busting narrative forms, these are, unsolved mysteries, political commentary, hilarious pastiche and weird tales straight out of an episode of the Twilight Zone. Contained in this volume are tales of stolen socks, haunted houses, maligned and misaligned snails, burglars, freedom fighters, lost dogs and horse whisperers. And every one of them yearning to be free.

Thanks so much to all of our volunteer writing mentors whop gave up their time to support the children in their writing, Ambs, Ged, Mia, Lu, Trish, Tessa and Rachel, you are all amazing. And to our guest editors, Jess, Jon, and Lu who gave up their time and professional expertise, another massive thanks.

The wonderful front cover illustration is by the prodigiously talented Isabel Garcia and we’re very grateful fir the time and skill that she brought to the project.

Superior Gods is available NOW.