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!

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.

News from Kaleidotrope

Greetings and happy holidays from Kaleidotrope!  I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season and looking forward to 2009 as much as we are.

2008 was a very good year for Kaleidotrope.  We published two issues to favorable reviews — plus a brief mention in the Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror — and we’re very enthusiastic about the stories and poems we have coming down the pipeline in the New Year.  Our next issue will be available in April ’09, and it promises to be an eclectic mix of mostly fantasy and science fiction, with both returning favorites and new voices for readers to discover.

We’re always eager to see new submissions, so please do check out our guidelines at the website below or write back for more details.  We’d love to hear from you!

Finally, a quick reminder that now until December 31 is your last chance to subscribe to Kaleidotrope at the current rate of $16 ($25 int’l). That’s four issues of stories, poems and other various tidbits delivered straight to your mailbox twice a year. It’s a great way support an independent zine and a terrific assortment of writers.  Individual issues are also available.  Subscribe now and save!

Again, happy holidays.  Wishing you all the best in the New Year!

Regards,

Fred Coppersmith
Editor, Kaleidotrope
www.kaleidotrope.net/

Return of the Sword 2d printing available

From Rogue Blades Entertainment‘s website…

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Return of the Sword

Rogue Blades Presents:
Return of the Sword: An Anthology of Heroic Adventure

Return of the Sword is a brand new anthology of blood-pounding, spine-tingling stories by some of today’s most critically acclaimed Sword and Sorcery authors. First published in March 2008, it has just gone back for a second printing.

Stacey Berg, Bill Ward, Phil Emery, Jeff Draper, Nicholas Ian Hawkins, David Pitchford, Ty Johnston, Jeff Stewart, Angeline Hawkes, Robert Rhodes, E.E. Knight, James Enge, Michael Ehart, Thomas M. MacKay, Christopher Heath, Nathan Meyer, S.C. Bryce, Allen B. Lloyd, William Clunie, Steve Goble, Bruce Durham, and Harold Lamb present you with enough fast paced adventure to keep you reading for hours.

A hand painted, wrap around cover by fantasy artist Johnney Perkins ensures that Return of the Sword will not only be enjoyable to read, but also look good on your coffee table or bookshelf.

Return of the Sword cover

Return now to the days of true adventure! Join fierce warriors in savage battles of survival and supremacy as they face hordes of vile foes, vie against inner demons, or struggle before onslaughts of both. Enter the halls of heroic fantasy in awe and marvel at the deeds of the mighty. Close upon the heels of Howard’s Conan, Moorcock’s Elric, and Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser come Ehart’s Ninshi, Heath’s Brom, and Hawkes’ Kabar. Unsheathe your sword and follow in their steps if you dare!

Only $16.99 !
(plus shipping and applicable taxes)

Purchase code: ROTS2

Table of Contents

“Altar of the Moon” by Stacey Berg
“The Wyrd of War” by Bill Ward
“The Last Scream of Carnage” by Phil Emery
“The Battle of Raven Kill” by Jeff Draper
“What Heroes Leave Behind” by Nicholas Ian Hawkins
“Fatefist at Torkas Nahl” by David Pitchford
“Deep in the Land of the Ice and Snow” by Ty Johnston
“Mountain Scarab” by Jeff Stewart
“Lair of the Cherufe” by Angeline Hawkes
“To Be A Man” by Robert Rhodes
“Storytelling” by E.E. Knight
“The Red Worm’s Way” by James Enge
“To Destroy All Flesh” by Michael Ehart
“Guardian of Rage” by Thomas M. MacKay
“Claimed by Birthright” by Christopher Heath
“The Hand that Holds the Crown” by Nathan Meyer
“The Dawn Tree” by S.C. Bryce
“An Uneasy Truce in Ulam-Bator” by Allen B. Lloyd & William Clunie
“The Mask Oath” by Steve Goble
“Valley of Bones” by Bruce Durham
“Red Hands” by Harold Lamb

Site Awards

In the interest of preserving my original site’s history, I’ll be adding my old site awards.

American Association of Webmasters Bronze Award

American Association of Webmasters Bronze
Award

“We see all the hard work and dedication that you have
put into constructing your web site… Your site displays a
nice clean design and layout… with quality content… A
wonderful website…”

www.aawebmasters.com
Award Sites! Rated 4.5
Awarded: Feb. 20, 2006

Another one lost… Worlds of Wonder Closing

Worlds of Wonder

Note from editor Sharon Partington:

In order to focus more directly on the production and sale of eBooks and print books, Lilley Press has decided to close Worlds of Wonder: A magazine of Speculative Fiction. We would like to offer a multitude of thanks to those amazing authors who have allowed us to feature their stories and worlds in the Zine during it’s run, as well as thank the many readers whose loyalty and dedication have made the Zine a pleasure to create. The current issue (October 2008) will be our last, and any stories currently slated for January 2009 are released back to the respective authors, effective immediately. You are now free to submit them to other markets.

We thank you once again for your support over the past four years and wish you all the best in your writing endeavors.

Sincerely,

Sharon Partington
Business Manager
Lilley Press