Yeah

Sorry the blog’s been quiet! Not because nothing’s been going on… just that it’s been going on in other forums. One day I’ll get around to updating the bibliography and other pages, but in the meantime they’re like a peek back. Hard to believe the first posts are nearly 10 years old, moved here when I switched to WordPress all the way back in 2008!

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Old News – July 2005

July 2005

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 http://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 http://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 http://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 http://www.SwordandSorcery.org has begun.

Old News – August 2005

August 2005

My essay, “The Elric Saga: Overview Part 2,” has been accepted for publication by http://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 http://www.SwordandSorcery.org during September.
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“The Gray Mist” has been reprinted in http://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.

Old News – September 2005

September 2005

My essay, “The Elric Saga: Overview Part 2,” is available at http://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 http://www.SFReader.com and http://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 http://www.FantasyBookSpot.com.
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My essay, “Sojan Shieldbearer,” is available at http://www.SwordandSorcery.org, edited by Howard Andrew Jones. Thanks, Howard!
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Our first session of the http://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 http://www.SwordandSorcery.org.

Old News – October 2005

October 2005

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 http://www.FantasyBookSpot.com.
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I’ve already started receiving inquiries about the next session of the http://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 http://www.SwordandSorcery.org. Thanks to our growing list of participants, Howard Andrew Jones (Editor in Chief), and Pitch Black Books for their support!

Old News – November 2005

November 2005

My book reviews of Michael Moorcock’s Elric of Melnibone and The Vanishing Tower have been published at SFreader. They are available at http://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 http://www.FantasyBookSpot.com.

Old News – December 2005

December 2005

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 http://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 http://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 http://www.FantasyBookSpot.com.

Book Review – Abhorsen by Garth Nix

Abhorsen by Garth Nix

Award-winning author Garth Nix’s conclusion to “Sabriel” and “Lirael” is
“Abhorsen.” Taking place immediately following “Lirael,” “Abhorsen” also
splits time among many characters of this dual-world.

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).

Old News – January 2005

January 2005

My latest short story featuring my reoccurring hero, Dermanassian, has appeared in the inaugural issue of Flashing Swords, the quarterly semi-pro e-zine dedicated to sword and sorcery and edited by Howard Andrew Jones. To read “The Burning River,” please visit www.SwordandSorcery.org. Thanks, Howard!
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My essay on Michael Moorcock’s Elric books was accepted by Howard Andrew Jones for publication at www.SwordandSorcery.org. It should be available shortly. Thanks, Howard!
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At the invitation of www.SwordandSorcery.org’s Howard Andrew Jones, I am hard at work designing the sword and sorcery, sword and planet, and swashbuckling historicals critique group. Thanks, Howard!

Old News – February 2005

February 2005

“The Elric Saga: Overview” has received positive feedback from readers. The essay is available in the articles section of www.SwordandSorcery.org. Thanks, readers!
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My essay on Michael Moorcock’s Elric books (specifically, readers as the six books that form the core of The Elric Saga: Elric of Melniboné, The Sailor on the Seas of Fate, The Weird of the White Wolf, The Vanishing Tower, The Bane of the Black Sword, and Stormbringer) has appeared in the articles section of http://www.SwordandSorcery.org. To read “The Elric Saga: Overview,” please visit the articles section of www.SwordandSorcery.org. Thanks, Howard!
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My short story, “The Burning River,” received positive feedback from readers. “The Burning River” is a Dermanassian story available in the inaugural issue of Flashing Swords, the quarterly e-zine of www.SwordandSorcery.org. Thanks, readers!