Well, I missed doing this for the past couple of weeks and decided to write about this book of the week pick. One of Vonneguts best even if off kilter a bit. This book contains his own experience involved in the bombing of Dresden.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Book of the week...
Well, I missed doing this for the past couple of weeks and decided to write about this book of the week pick. One of Vonneguts best even if off kilter a bit. This book contains his own experience involved in the bombing of Dresden.
Occupy Wall Street...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/15/zuccotti-park-cleared-occupy-wall-street_n_1094313.html#liveblog?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C112562
I'm not one for politics but this provides an interesting insight into the OWS movement and possibly a story line. I believe in freedom of speech and rights as stated in our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. What we have here is an obvious infringement on both to gather and protest peacefully. I don't know what living conditions are like, one can imagine, but if it's such a concern than the city should place police protection and sanitation needs in the area. This is an example of the future of a police state which reminds me of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and Philip Jose Farmers Day World Breakup. Are we headed for the same direction? Obviously our political leaders are not listening and choose to use force to instill their agenda and continue to receive corporate campaign contributions.
I'm not one for politics but this provides an interesting insight into the OWS movement and possibly a story line. I believe in freedom of speech and rights as stated in our Constitution and the Bill of Rights. What we have here is an obvious infringement on both to gather and protest peacefully. I don't know what living conditions are like, one can imagine, but if it's such a concern than the city should place police protection and sanitation needs in the area. This is an example of the future of a police state which reminds me of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and Philip Jose Farmers Day World Breakup. Are we headed for the same direction? Obviously our political leaders are not listening and choose to use force to instill their agenda and continue to receive corporate campaign contributions.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Books I recommend...
Just a list of some books I recommend reading. Some of the books are getting hard to find others not to hard. About every week I'll recommend a book ar two.
An ongoing series about a Roman Soldier condemned to wander the ages as a soldier until the Second Coming of Christ. Originally began with Barry Sadler creating the idea and writing the first 22 installments until 1989 when he passed away. The series has since been written by Tony Roberts who strives to maintain a balnce of history and warfare. Just recently the Sadler books are being reprinted by Americana Books vol 2, God of Death, has been released. Check out: Barrysadler.com for ordering info.
An ongoing series about a Roman Soldier condemned to wander the ages as a soldier until the Second Coming of Christ. Originally began with Barry Sadler creating the idea and writing the first 22 installments until 1989 when he passed away. The series has since been written by Tony Roberts who strives to maintain a balnce of history and warfare. Just recently the Sadler books are being reprinted by Americana Books vol 2, God of Death, has been released. Check out: Barrysadler.com for ordering info.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Best Served Cold, An Eye For an Eye Anthology Vol 1
Been waiiting to see the cover on this magazine ever since I submitted 'Cold Hearts" and it got accepted into it. When I get more information I will update the post. Right now you can keep an eye out (no pun intended) here at: http://www.runewright.com/best_served_cold_v1.html for the latest ordering info. While you're there check out thier other publications such as Penny Dreads or It Lives. Excellent quality and a great read.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Schedules: Plans to submit for 2012
Just a few rambling thoughts on whats coming up for 2012. Below I've made up a 'wish list' of publications I plan on submitting to. It's up to the gods of the writing world to decide if the stories and poems make it.
Shards of the Minds Eye…….Best Served Cold Vol 2.……June 15, 2012. Can be finished last but looks like it might end up finishing first. I wrote this story 15 years ago but was vastly different in concept. Originally the story was written with a three part novella premise in mind. I had finished two of the novellas and almost a third but the story went nowhere but in rambling mode. Another idea was to publish the trio via Kindle but I went ahead and decided against it and shelved the concept before the idea of adding zombies had a better appeal to strengthen the storyline. The concept of zombies is an interesting one but with all the B level movies and vast numbers of novels and short stories flooding the market on the subject I had to add other realistic elements which will be discussed later. Also the title might change but have to find a better suited one. Also I like Rune Wright and its one reason I'm going to submit this story here. Its a small press but it's an incredible publication and one of my personal favorites.
Borders…..Shotgun Honey….November, 2011 or 2012. Need to take my time with this one to assure publication. I’ve been shot down in flames multiple times with this publication and rightfully so. Believe me writing a 700 word complete story from start to ending is about as difficult as writing a novel. There are times I should just write a novel, it would be a hellava lot easier. This one deals with a pair of German Shepards and a home invasion and how quickly the tables turn.
Jornada del Muerto (Dead Man's Journey)…..Dead Rush Anthology/Wicked East…..Feb 28th, 2012. Found this anthology online and just had to submit to it. Its got a cool cover and represents what goes on in a writers mind. I’ve got a working draft in progress and several pages already written. This story looks to flow pretty good so we’ll see where it goes.
Dead Run......Static Movement Press........Undead Space Anthology. I have to quit looking around but ran across this anthology and it fits perfectly with one of my rough drafts about zombies in space. I wrote the original with a Philip K Dick style of twist at the end.
Finally...well we'll see what happens. I got the opening for a short story/novella and an outline handed over to me after I asked for it. I can't say who or what the story is about at this time but it might be something or amount to nothing but a writing exercise. I pounded out six pages of rough draft already upon receiving it but I have to research a few things. Stay tuned...
Poetry…….
The Raleigh Review and the Atlantic……2012. I’ve been wanting to get my foot in the door with these magazines. With the Atlantic I was rejected eight times and have the rejection slips somewhere around here. I’ve been working on a handful of pieces which I believe out weigh all the other materials I sent in to them years ago. I believe I have a real shot at getting in.
Novels.......
Curently reworking the hardboiled detective stories set in Albuquerque from first person to third. I beleive this will give the story a greater depth.
Shards of the Minds Eye…….Best Served Cold Vol 2.……June 15, 2012. Can be finished last but looks like it might end up finishing first. I wrote this story 15 years ago but was vastly different in concept. Originally the story was written with a three part novella premise in mind. I had finished two of the novellas and almost a third but the story went nowhere but in rambling mode. Another idea was to publish the trio via Kindle but I went ahead and decided against it and shelved the concept before the idea of adding zombies had a better appeal to strengthen the storyline. The concept of zombies is an interesting one but with all the B level movies and vast numbers of novels and short stories flooding the market on the subject I had to add other realistic elements which will be discussed later. Also the title might change but have to find a better suited one. Also I like Rune Wright and its one reason I'm going to submit this story here. Its a small press but it's an incredible publication and one of my personal favorites.
Borders…..Shotgun Honey….November, 2011 or 2012. Need to take my time with this one to assure publication. I’ve been shot down in flames multiple times with this publication and rightfully so. Believe me writing a 700 word complete story from start to ending is about as difficult as writing a novel. There are times I should just write a novel, it would be a hellava lot easier. This one deals with a pair of German Shepards and a home invasion and how quickly the tables turn.
Steam Punk storyline…………Penny Dreads Vol 2.…January 15. Have to submit this story sometime before the end of December and hopefully it gets accepted. I’ve been slowly writing this one since May/June and most of it is written but I’ve yet to come up with any proper title. Also I'm rewriting the geographical location of the story itself. Originally had the setting in New Mexico but decided to place it in Africa. I think this will keep in time with the pulps of old.
Border Noir Story…………Vao Publishing….Feb 1, 2012. Least in priority. I would want to write a story for this one but time is short and I have no real plausible ideas. I’ve gone through all the slush piles in my drawers and boxes and found a few stories that could be salvaged but would need a serious rework for any chance. The story idea is of revenge and a couple of DEA agents on a drug bust.
Jornada del Muerto (Dead Man's Journey)…..Dead Rush Anthology/Wicked East…..Feb 28th, 2012. Found this anthology online and just had to submit to it. Its got a cool cover and represents what goes on in a writers mind. I’ve got a working draft in progress and several pages already written. This story looks to flow pretty good so we’ll see where it goes.
Hero’s Bullet………Fresh Ground Coffee anthology………Aug 2012. This one is for a flash fiction anthology. Flash fiction is normally about 500 words to 1500 words. Hero’s Bullet was originally submitted to Shotgun Honey but was rejected. I found plausible merit to salvage it and rewrite it in third person instead of first with added material to make it coherent. Getting rejected is nothing new and is an acceptable way to better ones writing skill and story making. There are stories that constantly get rejected but eventually find homes. When I wrote “Cold Hearts” it was rejected by Dirty Noir. I believed it would’ve made it there at first but after reviewing the story I saw why. It had too much to fit in under a thousand words. I rewrote and expanded it and Rune Wright took it for their Best Served Cold Anthology Vol 1.
Diesel Punk………Twit publishing…….April, 30 2012. An interesting idea formed about a couple years ago and I started some notes on ideas and directions for a short story involving the Battle of Stalingrad and a serial killer.
Sci-Fi Storyline............Tales of the Talisman..........July 1, 2012. Not sure on what to submit here. I do have several rough drafts of storys but would need serious rework. The idea is there and I would like to submit here but we will see what happens.
Humanity's End........Spectacle 2012 End of the World Anthology. Due on or by Decedmber 1st 2011. I hammered out a 3000 word short story for this project and currently in the rewrite stages. I estimate the story will average about 2500 words. The idea of writing an end of the world themed story is fun. This one is about nuclear war and the last thirty minutes or so of humanity's exsistance and what they will be doing if the end was near.
Science Fiction Trails............2012. I was not going to submit anything here again for lack of ideas but, as always, an idea hit me and I decided to write a follow up story to 'End of Trails' with the main character Bill Benslow hired to save a scientists nephew from the hands of wanted outlaws. The outlaws are holding the nephew for ransom and the price?....we'll have to wait and see how the story shapes up. Right now about 3000 words written.
Sci-Fi Storyline............Tales of the Talisman..........July 1, 2012. Not sure on what to submit here. I do have several rough drafts of storys but would need serious rework. The idea is there and I would like to submit here but we will see what happens.
Humanity's End........Spectacle 2012 End of the World Anthology. Due on or by Decedmber 1st 2011. I hammered out a 3000 word short story for this project and currently in the rewrite stages. I estimate the story will average about 2500 words. The idea of writing an end of the world themed story is fun. This one is about nuclear war and the last thirty minutes or so of humanity's exsistance and what they will be doing if the end was near.
Science Fiction Trails............2012. I was not going to submit anything here again for lack of ideas but, as always, an idea hit me and I decided to write a follow up story to 'End of Trails' with the main character Bill Benslow hired to save a scientists nephew from the hands of wanted outlaws. The outlaws are holding the nephew for ransom and the price?....we'll have to wait and see how the story shapes up. Right now about 3000 words written.
Dead Run......Static Movement Press........Undead Space Anthology. I have to quit looking around but ran across this anthology and it fits perfectly with one of my rough drafts about zombies in space. I wrote the original with a Philip K Dick style of twist at the end.
Finally...well we'll see what happens. I got the opening for a short story/novella and an outline handed over to me after I asked for it. I can't say who or what the story is about at this time but it might be something or amount to nothing but a writing exercise. I pounded out six pages of rough draft already upon receiving it but I have to research a few things. Stay tuned...
Poetry…….
The Raleigh Review and the Atlantic……2012. I’ve been wanting to get my foot in the door with these magazines. With the Atlantic I was rejected eight times and have the rejection slips somewhere around here. I’ve been working on a handful of pieces which I believe out weigh all the other materials I sent in to them years ago. I believe I have a real shot at getting in.
Novels.......
Curently reworking the hardboiled detective stories set in Albuquerque from first person to third. I beleive this will give the story a greater depth.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Projects and thoughts....
http://youtu.be/UU51N2s3B78
http://youtu.be/YlYAhSffEDM
Perhaps one of the best and enduring of writers. Bradbury is an inspiration to the aspiring writer and provides lessons on the subject. I've watched these interviews several times and it never fails to amaze me the genius of his writing skills and lessons he provides. Watch these videos and have fun with writing a story. It's a good feeling to write something and finally get it accepted into print. Watching some of Bradbury's interviews made me get up and actually begin writing instead of just thinking about it.
http://youtu.be/YlYAhSffEDM
Perhaps one of the best and enduring of writers. Bradbury is an inspiration to the aspiring writer and provides lessons on the subject. I've watched these interviews several times and it never fails to amaze me the genius of his writing skills and lessons he provides. Watch these videos and have fun with writing a story. It's a good feeling to write something and finally get it accepted into print. Watching some of Bradbury's interviews made me get up and actually begin writing instead of just thinking about it.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Science Fiction Trails Vol 7 is out!
Received my contributors copy of Science Fiction Trails Vol 7 today. I was surprised by the size of the magazine and the number of contributors. A small number of nine authors. I don't know how many people submitted to the magazine but it was humbling and a good feeling to see my story rise to the top of the submissions pile and make it to print. Order your copy today and read the good stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/Science-Fiction-Trails-Where-Meets/dp/1466348631/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1318279572&sr=8-6
Also if you want to save a bit of dough and who does'nt these days, go to:
www.createspace.com/3691701
Then enter code Q4RTJNX4
This will save you 20%. Also I'm sure leaving a review would also be very helpful for the contributors within this issue. So if you buy please leave a review after you've read the issue.
http://www.amazon.com/Science-Fiction-Trails-Where-Meets/dp/1466348631/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1318279572&sr=8-6
Also if you want to save a bit of dough and who does'nt these days, go to:
www.createspace.com/3691701
Then enter code Q4RTJNX4
This will save you 20%. Also I'm sure leaving a review would also be very helpful for the contributors within this issue. So if you buy please leave a review after you've read the issue.
Monday, September 26, 2011
First post and the new pulp age...
Amazing the 21st century and the ideas of writing straight to the computer and to world wide within seconds. I beleive this is the second age of pulp style fiction allbeit computerized. The first being in the 1920's and 1930's with pulp paper magazine titles like Doc Savage and Amazing Worlds to name a couple could be bought for a nickel or two. Below is a small look at some of the publishing credits I have built up and the list continues to grow and more will be done in the years to follow. I will post direct links when I can. Enjoy.
The Official Philip Jose Farmer Web Site:
- My Love, June 10th, 2002- Short Story
- For God and Country, January 8th, 2003- Short Story
- The Long Walk to Nowhere, December 9th, 2003- Short Story
http://www.pjfarmer.com/fanfic.htm
The Colors of Life Anthology
- Faith’s Sword, 2003- Poem
http://www.amazon.com/Colors-Life-International-Library-Poetry/dp/0795152396
The Russian Mosin-Nagant Web Site, older Site now defunct and currently unavailable.
- A Shooters Look at the Historical Mosin Nagant, 2004 - Article
-Shootout (Range testing of various Mosin Nagant model rifles as compared to similar bolt action rifles from other nations of WW 1 and WW 2 era) - 2005 - Article
The Camel Saloon
- Encounters with Shadows, March 11, 2011- Poem
- Flags of the Beast, March 17, 2011- Poem
- Century House, March 20, 2011- Poem
http://thecamelsaloon.blogspot.com/
Indigo Rising Magazine
- Ruins of Hate ( Highway of Death, 1991), Print, April 2011- Poem
- The Wandering Beast, webzine edition, March 2011- Poem
http://www.indigorisingmagazine.com/
Heavy Hands Ink Vol. 5
- Solace, June 2011- Poem
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/hhi-volume-five/15998444?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/3
Yellow Mama, Issue 27
- Corners, August 15, 2011- Poem
- The Big Nothing, Issue 27, August 15, 2011- Poem
http://blackpetalsks.tripod.com/yellowmama/
Adobe Walls Anthology Vol. 3
- Fourth Of July, 2011- Poem
http://amzn.com/1463781938
Science Fiction Trails
- End of Trails, Issue 7, October 10, 2011- Short Story
http://www.sciencefictiontrails.com/
Best Served Cold Anthology, An Eye for an Eye, Vol. 1
-Cold Hearts, November or December 2011- Short Story
http://www.runewright.com/
Yellow Mama, Issue 30
- Dog Days, February 15, 2012-Short Story
The Official Philip Jose Farmer Web Site:
- My Love, June 10th, 2002- Short Story
- For God and Country, January 8th, 2003- Short Story
- The Long Walk to Nowhere, December 9th, 2003- Short Story
http://www.pjfarmer.com/fanfic.htm
The Colors of Life Anthology
- Faith’s Sword, 2003- Poem
http://www.amazon.com/Colors-Life-International-Library-Poetry/dp/0795152396
The Russian Mosin-Nagant Web Site, older Site now defunct and currently unavailable.
- A Shooters Look at the Historical Mosin Nagant, 2004 - Article
-Shootout (Range testing of various Mosin Nagant model rifles as compared to similar bolt action rifles from other nations of WW 1 and WW 2 era) - 2005 - Article
The Camel Saloon
- Encounters with Shadows, March 11, 2011- Poem
- Flags of the Beast, March 17, 2011- Poem
- Century House, March 20, 2011- Poem
http://thecamelsaloon.blogspot.com/
Indigo Rising Magazine
- Ruins of Hate ( Highway of Death, 1991), Print, April 2011- Poem
- The Wandering Beast, webzine edition, March 2011- Poem
http://www.indigorisingmagazine.com/
Heavy Hands Ink Vol. 5
- Solace, June 2011- Poem
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/hhi-volume-five/15998444?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/3
Yellow Mama, Issue 27
- Corners, August 15, 2011- Poem
- The Big Nothing, Issue 27, August 15, 2011- Poem
http://blackpetalsks.tripod.com/yellowmama/
Adobe Walls Anthology Vol. 3
- Fourth Of July, 2011- Poem
http://amzn.com/1463781938
Science Fiction Trails
- End of Trails, Issue 7, October 10, 2011- Short Story
http://www.sciencefictiontrails.com/
Best Served Cold Anthology, An Eye for an Eye, Vol. 1
-Cold Hearts, November or December 2011- Short Story
http://www.runewright.com/
Yellow Mama, Issue 30
- Dog Days, February 15, 2012-Short Story
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