Whilst Tolkien was inspired by Sarehole Mill, I’m at a loss to identify other pieces of fantasy, apocalypse or such drama to be set in the West Midlands.

I mean, why do aliens, zombies and creatures otherwise unspecified go to other geographic locations?

Why shouldn’t Birmingham not be a backdrop?

Please don’t get me wrong. I love Birmingham; Brummie Born and Bred. I am not tempting fate, being disparaging. Not in the least.

Working with Author city for the book event anthology, I picked the theme of a city of a thousand trades.

And chose to marry that with Dragons.

Here we have ten short stories that see Birmingham become home to some rather interesting creatures.