A small circus pops up overnight in an abandoned cornfield just outside the tight-knit farming community of Sarah’s Keep, Nebraska. The circus had the hand-painted banner “World Carnival” stretched across the front of the big top tent. Clowns, a funhouse, a carousel, jugglers, musicians, carnies and “sights to amaze” thundered along for an entire week before, once again, disappearing without a warning. Without a trace. Except for the faint hint of calliope music carried in upon the wind from parts unknown. "The Event" series is a short story anthology exploring a new genre with each outing. This collection contains four stories by four different authors:

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• Paper Town by Steve Metcalf: A city appears on one satellite image, but not the next. A lowly clerical worker is sent to investigate and must defeat a nightmare ... literally.

• Just War by J.C. Skala: A warehouse slaughter. An archbishop at the center holding two smoking guns. Mercy bleeds. Justice fires. This is Just War.

• The Circus Arrives in Sarah’s Keep by Robert S. Miller: Religious leaders oppose the annual circus because it would mean too much fun (and therefore be immoral). Plus, there are deep-pocketed business interests who have their eyes on that solemn tract of land for development. Two outsiders, a masseuse and the owner of a dry-goods store fight for sanity in the little community.

• Carnival of Spores by Elizabeth Indra: A young girl gets more than she bargained for when she makes a deal with an unscrupulous ringmaster.

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Follow along as four writers craft four different stories using the same launching pad. Join us at the carnival ... if you dare.