I could not be more excited! My essay “Why We Should Care About Michael Moorcock’s Wizardry and Wild Romance: A Study of Epic Fantasy” has attracted the attention of the Grandmaster himself. Not surprisingly, he disagrees with certain portions of my analysis. To see the discussion, please visit http://www.multiverse.org/postp45768.html. Thanks!
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I’ve received several inquires about joining the sword and sorcery critique groups. For more information, please go to the writing pages at www.SwordandSorcery.org. Thanks for your interest!
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My story, “Anonymous World,” has been accepted for publication by Chaos Theory: Tales Askew, edited by Arthur A. Roberts, et al and is now available online. Thanks, Arthur and CTTA!!
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“The Demon War” has received praise from both readers and Tangent Short Fiction Review (aka Tangent Online). Thanks for your support!
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“Cloning Jesus” has been reprinted in Gateway S-F Magazine #13, edited by John A.M. Darnell and available at www.gateway-sf-magazine.com. It was originally printed in Fantastic Stories of the Imagination #21 (Spr. 2001), edited by Edward J. McFadden and illustrated by Hugo Award winning artist Frank Wu.
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The latest Dermanassian short story has debuted in Flashing Swords, Vol. 1, Issue 3 edited by Howard Andrew Jones. “The Demon War” is available at www.SwordandSorcery.org. Thanks, Howard!
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I received an invitation to write an essay for a book on Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Keep an eye out for it next year.
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The inaugural critique group at www.SwordandSorcery.org has begun.

My essay, “The Elric Saga: Overview Part 2,” has been accepted for publication by www.SwordandSorcery.org, edited by Howard Andrew Jones, and should be available shortly. Thanks, Howard!
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My essay, “Sojan Shieldbearer,” is scheduled to appear at www.SwordandSorcery.org during September.
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“The Gray Mist” has been reprinted in www.SwordsEdge.ca, edited by Fraser Ronald. It was originally printed in Gauntlet! The Magazine of Heroic Tales, Vol. 1, #4 (Sum. 2000), edited by George Smith.

My essay, “The Elric Saga: Overview Part 2,” is available at www.SwordandSorcery.org, edited by Howard Andrew Jones and Ryan Harvey. Thanks, Howard and Ryan! While you’re there, be sure also to check out Part 1, which has been updated to include illustrations.
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My book reviews of Michael Moorcock’s Elric at the End of Time, Wizardry & Wild Romance: A Study of Epic Fantasy, The Fortress of the Pearl, and The Revenge of the Rose have been published at SFReader, run by Dave Felts, and at Fantasy Book Spot, run by Damon M. Caporaso and others. They are available at www.SFReader.com and www.FantasyBookSpot.com. Thanks, Dave and Damon!
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I am now an Associate Reviewer at Fantasy Book Spot, run by Damon M. Caporaso and others. Thanks, Damon! You can see my reviews at www.FantasyBookSpot.com.
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My essay, “Sojan Shieldbearer,” is available at www.SwordandSorcery.org, edited by Howard Andrew Jones. Thanks, Howard!
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Our first session of the www.SwordandSorcery.org’s critique group has successfully concluded and the next one is about to begin. As always, if you’re interested in joining us, check out the writing pages at www.SwordandSorcery.org.

My four part Dermanassian serial, “Rise of a Necromancer,” has just been accepted by Howard Andrew Jones, Managing Editor of the quarterly sword and sorcery ezine Flashing Swords. The stories (“The Dragon’s Scale,” “To Find Peace,” “Lessons in Necromancy,” and “The Shores of Limbo”) will appear in 2006. Thanks, Howard!
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I’ve received another invitation to submit, this time to an invitation-only sword and sorcery anthology. Cross your fingers!
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My book reviews of Michael Moorcock’s The Dreamthief’s Daughter: A Tale of the Albino, The Skrayling Tree: The Albino in America, and The White Wolf’s Son: The Albino Underground have been published at Fantasy Book Spot. They are available at www.FantasyBookSpot.com.
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I’ve already started receiving inquiries about the next session of the www.SwordandSorcery.org’s critique group, which starts in January. As always, if you’re interested in joining us, check out the writing pages at www.SwordandSorcery.org. Thanks to our growing list of participants, Howard Andrew Jones (Editor in Chief), and Pitch Black Books for their support!

My book reviews of Michael Moorcock’s Elric of Melnibone and The Vanishing Tower have been published at SFreader. They are available at www.SFReader.com.
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My book review of Fritz Leiber’s The First Book of Lankhmar has been published at Fantasy Book Spot, available at www.FantasyBookSpot.com.

Happy Holidays! Our January critique group sessions are soon starting. Because of the sessions’ growing popularity and large number of repeat participants, we’ve expanded to two sessions rather than our customary one. Thanks everyone for making www.SwordandSorcery’s critique groups successful!
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My four-part Dermanassian novella, Rise of a Necromancer, has been accepted for publication by Flashing Swords, edited by Howard Andrew Jones. It will be available at www.SwordandSorcery.org in 2006. Thanks, Howard!
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My book review of Fritz Leiber’s The Second Book of Lankhmar has been published at Fantasy Book Spot, available at www.FantasyBookSpot.com.

Abhorsen by Garth Nix

The Abhorsen Sabriel and her husband, King Touchstone, struggle in magic-
less Ancelstierre, where their magical abilities are useless. The evil
necromancer Hedge has manipulated politics in Ancelstierre in order to send
hundreds of thousands of war refugees over the Wall and into the Old
Kingdom, where he can kill them and use their dead bodies for his evil plans.
Sabriel and Touchstone are on a desperate quest to keep the refugees in
Ancelstierre. Instead of finding help and understanding, they are attacked.

Meanwhile, Lirael and Sameth have come into their own. Lirael, much to Sam’s
relief, is Sabriel’s half-sister and the true Abhorsen-in-Waiting. More, because
of her mixed Clayr and Abhorsen heritage, she is also a Rememberancer—that
rarest of rare mages who can See into the past. With Sabriel gone, it is Lirael
who must deal with the Dead who seem to spring from ever corner.

Sameth’s proficiency at making things, his joy of tinkering and combining
magic with objects, and his strong connection with magic all point to one thing—
he is the true heir to the power of the Wallmakers, one of the lost magical
families whose strength was in magical construction. Sam too must learn to
make the most of his powers, but will it be enough to help Lirael succeed
against Hedge and, worse, Hedge’s master?

Sam and Lirael, however, are not totally alone. The cat-like Mogget and the
Disreputable Dog, both mysterious magical creatures, are there to give
assistance, guidance, and support. Or are they…?

Each in his own way, our heroes fight against an ancient evil that Hedge is
resurrecting. Sam’s friend Nick from Anclestierre has become deeply wrapped
in this scheme, unwittingly the host of Hedge’s master and helping to build the
Lightening Field that will free this evil. Has Nick been completely subverted, or
is there some small part of him that can resist?

Each character’s path brings the book closer to the final, cataclysmic battle.
The consequences of this battle are clear: if our heroes lose, the Old Kingdom,
Ancelstierre, and the whole world will be destroyed.

“Abhorsen” is a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to Nix’s trilogy. Nix’s world,
magical system, and characters continue to evolve. He continues to
successfully answer questions while raising more, building to a conclusion that
brings all loose ends together. The action never stops and Nix swings the
reader through chilling descriptions, riveting action, and personal triumph. As
in the previous books, Nix highlights the values of family, friendship, loyalty,
and principle; these values are worth fighting for and do not come without cost.
Although religious allegory becomes a bit heavy-handed toward the end,
“Abhorsen” is a fine read for readers of all ages.

I rate it a 9 out of 10.

First Printing:
FantasyBookSpot.com (Mar. 1, 2006) (now BookSpotCentral.com), at http://www.bookspotcentral.com/2006/03/book-review-abhorsen/.

Second Printing:
SCBryce.com (Dec. 22, 2006).