Sorcerers, superheroes, and zombies.
 
Out of work, out of luck, out of practice.
 
Gods, clods, or four simple lads.
 
Here are the Beatles as you've never known them before: singing for their supper, singing for their souls, and singing to save the world.
 
Join 25 remarkable authors as they take you Across the Universe.
 
Featuring the stories of: Spider Robinson, Gregory Benford, David Gerrold, Allen M. Steele, Pat Cadigan, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Jody Lynn Nye, Gregory Frost, Cat Rambo, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Gail Z. Martin, Bev Vincent, Brenda W. Clough, Alan Goldsher, Gordon Linzner, Beth W. Patterson, Christian H. Smith, Sally Wiener Grotta, Kenneth Schneyer, Charles Barouch, Carol Gyzander, Patrick Barb, R. Jean Mathieu, Eric Avedissian, and Matthew F. Amati.
 
Reviews:
"This anthology will move and surprise you." —Library Journal starred review
 
"Ranging from trippy fantasy to hard science fiction and zombie apocalypse mash-up, the stories in this anthology send the members of the Beatles on wild adventures through alternate timelines and universes.… Beatles aficionados and fantasy fans will enjoy this affectionate, speculative homage." —Publishers Weekly
 
"This book would make an interesting addition to the libraries of alternate history fans and is a must read for the true Beatles fan." —Lee Weinstein in File 770 (October 2022)
 
"The authors… are clearly having a lot of fun creating worlds in which John, Paul, George, and Ringo have radically different careers than they did in ours. And 'fun' is pretty much the operative word to describe this anthology.… You're likely to find yourself humming bits of fifty-year-old songs at various points while reading.… If the Beatles and their music meant anything at all to you, give this one a look—you'll be glad you did." —Peter Heck in Asimov's Science Fiction (September/October 2020)
 
"…one has to give major kudos to Michael A. Ventrella and Randee Dawn for Across the Universe: Tales of Alternative Beatles.… Each story is more outrageous than the one before; no matter what strange things you've heard about the Beatles, I can guarantee that you've never dreamed half of the outrageous ideas here." —Don Sakers in Analog Science Fiction and Fact (March/April 2020)
 
"You'll be entertained." —Abyss & Apex
 
"Across the Universe opens and closes with reprint stories: Spider Robinson's 'Rubber Soul' and Gregory Benford's 'Doing Lennon,' both classics in the alternative Beatles genre, which also includes Bryce Zabel's Sidewise Award winning novel Once There Was a Way, Stephen Baxter's 'The Twelfth Album,' Ian R. MacLeod's 'Snodgrass,' and Larry Kirwan's Liverpool Fantasy. It is quite possible that some of the stories in Across the Universe will join these stories as lasting explorations of what the Beatles and their work mean." —Steven S Silver in Black Gate
 
"Editors Ventrella and Dawn showcase a lot of what-ifs by various contributors to this anthology about how the Fab 4, or the Fab 5 or the Fab 4.5 came about, or perhaps didn't." —True Review
 
"This collection is a Magical Mystery Tour through alternate universes where the familiar narrative of the Beatles is turned on its head. Or ear. Or ass. It's fun, irreverent, sexy, and twisted—just like the Fab Four themselves." —Vicki Peterson, The Bangles
 
"I must have read a thousand Beatles books. But not one of them mentioned that the Beatles were attacked by aliens at the Hollywood Bowl. Or talked about their encounter with the Mersey Monster. Or discussed how they became zombies. I had to learn all of this from the thoroughly entertaining anthology Across the Universe. Each of its 25 stories of speculative fiction re-imagine The Beatles in alternative universes, allowing us to laugh at and with John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Highly recommended!" —Scott Freiman, creator of Deconstructing the Beatles
 
"Across the Universe is way too much fun! It's the Beatles in the Twilight Zone of infinite possibilities! Highly recommended!" —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of V-Wars and Rage
 
"Across the Universe is a fantastic, freewheeling, and imaginative romp of a collection. The authors transported me not only across the universe, but to what might have been in many and various alternate universes, all populated by the Beatles and their peculiar possible transmutations. Totally engrossing." —Paul Marshall, I See Hawks In L.A., Strawberry Alarm Clock
 
Contents:
Introduction: "Oh, That Long and Winding Road: Being an Introduction to This Anthology, Including Some Basic Beatles-ology. Do Not Skip It." by Nancy Holder
"Rubber Soul" by Spider Robinson
"A New Beginning" by Jody Lynn Nye
"The Perfect Bridge" by Charles Barouch
"The Hey! Team" by Gordon Linzner
"Paul is Dead" by Lawrence Watt-Evans
"Come Together" by Allen M. Steele
"The Truth Within" by Sally Wiener Grotta
"Foursomes" by Kenneth Schneyer
"The Fabtastic Four" by David Gerrold
"All You Need" by Cat Rambo
"Used To Be" by Keith R.A. DeCandido
"Game Seven" by Bev Vincent
"When I'm #64" by Patrick Barb
"Deal with the Devil" by Carol Gyzander
"Meet the Beatles" by Pat Cadigan
"The Walrus Returns" by Gail Z. Martin
"My Sweet Lord of Light" by Brenda W. Clough
"Liverpool Band Battle 1982" by Eric Avedissian
"Undead in the Material World" by Alan Goldsher
"The Heretic" by R. Jean Mathieu
"Cayenne" by Beth W. Patterson
"Through a Glass Onion" by Christian H. Smith
"A Hard Day's Night at the Opera" by Gregory Frost
"Apocalypse Rock" by Matthew F. Amati
"Doing Lennon" by Gregory Benford
Afterword by Ian Randal Strock
Contributor Bios
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