The Touch of the Sea
ed. by Steve Berman
"At sea a fellow comes out. Salt water is like wine, in that respect." - Herman Melville
Greek myths held that Oceanus to be a massive river surrounding the land. A Titan, son of sky and earth, he was depicted as a handsome, muscular man whose torso ended in a scaled tail. As the Olympians emerged, Oceanus retreated, his domain restricted to strange and dangerous shores, the realm of sailors' fortunes and worries. So, too, are the eleven tales within the pages of The Touch of the Sea: fantastical, at times eerie, with sightings of mermen, water spirits, and sea beasts (even the fabled "living island," the aspidochelone) as well as a smattering of pirates. What makes these stories memorable is that they affirm the masculinity of the sea, the taste of brine on another man's lips.
"Time and Tide" by 'Nathan Burgoine
"The Calm Tonight" by Matthew A. Merendo
"The Bloated Woman" by Jonathan Harper
"The Stone of Sacrifice" by Jeff Mann
"Air Tears" by Damon Shaw
"The Grief of Seagulls" by Joel Lane
"Ban's Dream of the Sea" by Alex Jeffers
"Night of the Sea Beast" by Brandon Cracraft
"Wave Boys" by Vincent Kovar
"Out to Sea" by John Howard
"Keep the Aspidochelone Floating" by Chaz Brenchley
Paperback, 196 pages
Cover and interior design by Alex Jeffers
"The eleven stories that comprise The Touch of the Sea take full advantage of not only locations but the ocean’s mysterious elements as well. Sea creatures abound, interacting with both humans and themselves, present and the past." - Out in Print