There are times to sink into the philosophical depths or the detailed, scientifically grounded world building of a thoughtful work of speculative fiction, whether on the page or the screen (big or small.) Other times, however, we want Buck Rogers. We want Brian Daley’s Han Solo novels. We want the scorched ozone burn of blaster… Continue reading Plasma Pulp: Lost Worlds
Category: Anthologies
Mercs and Mayhem
Raconteur Press has just released the anthology Mercs and Mayhem. So far it is rocketing up various Amazon sales charts. I’m not saying that’s due to it carrying a story by yours truly, but then again I’m not saying it isn’t. (Well, probably not.) Anyway, you should pick up a copy and read some stories… Continue reading Mercs and Mayhem
Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 9
I cut my writing teeth on short stories before turning my attention to novels. I still like to work with the shorter form on occasion. In fact my entire published output this year will, it seems, be a couple of short stories. (I’ve been laboring steadily this year on a three-book series, attempting to get… Continue reading Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 9
Part III of a Review of “A Treasury of Fantasy.” (REH Has Entered the Chat.)
Following is my review of the last half of A Treasury of Fantasy. Part I is here. Part II here. The Wood Beyond the World. William Morris. This is not my first Morris novel, though it is, perhaps, my favorite thus far. Morris continues to employ deliberately archaic language, as one might expect. I still… Continue reading Part III of a Review of “A Treasury of Fantasy.” (REH Has Entered the Chat.)
Liavek. Not Coming Up Sevens.
The Thieves World series made a splash in the eighties with its stories of anti-heroes, burglars, wizards, crime lords, warriors, bards, various underworld denizens, and the occasional common, law abiding (more or less) citizen of Sanctuary. Will Shetterly and Emma Bull, et al, decided to see if they could recreate that Thieves World magic with… Continue reading Liavek. Not Coming Up Sevens.
Robert E. Howard’s Dennis Dorgan. Plus Savage Journal Entry 50.
Dennis Dorgan, the character whose exploits are collected in The Incredible Adventures of Dennis Dorgan, is definitely not Popeye the Sailor Man, despite his creation shortly after the release of E.C. Segar’s classic character in 1929. Dennis makes this perfectly clear by his stated dislike of canned spinach. Though both men are sailors, speak in… Continue reading Robert E. Howard’s Dennis Dorgan. Plus Savage Journal Entry 50.
Weird Tales Four, Plus Savage Journal Entry 49.
I picked up this book for the cover. I mean look at it. There’s a story in that artwork. Unfortunately that story isn’t in this book. Not even tangentially. There are other disappointments. It is haphazardly edited and printed. The introduction (which opens the book for a page at the front, then is continued at… Continue reading Weird Tales Four, Plus Savage Journal Entry 49.
Howard’s Historicals: The Sowers of the Thunder. Plus Savage Journal Entry 45
I won’t delay any surprise here: the anthology of Robert E. Howard historical novellas The Sowers of the Thunder is an absolute treat. There, you can head off the used bookstore or open another tab and start the hunt at eBay or ThriftBooks. Or you can stay and keep reading. Roy G. Krenkel’s introduction is… Continue reading Howard’s Historicals: The Sowers of the Thunder. Plus Savage Journal Entry 45
Swords of Shahrazar. Plus Savage Journal Entry 44.
One of the treasures I picked up at Howard Days last month was the Robert E. Howard collection Swords of Shahrazar. That turned out to be some good reading, as colorful as the cover of my edition promises. And that cover is also included as a miniature fold-out poster inside. A nice bonus. We get… Continue reading Swords of Shahrazar. Plus Savage Journal Entry 44.