I’ve posted a couple of posts lately about urban fantasy versus contemporary fantasy (here and here) and got a ton of emails and messages from all of you, discussing how you see the genres, and what you think they are. All very interesting. I’m a member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), and […]
Have you ever read a fantastic book, thought about leaving a review, then decided there was no point? After all, you’re just one voice among millions. No one is going to care what you think about the book. No one would even see any review you wrote. If you’ve ever hesitated about writing a review
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Phew! Lots of reactions to my post about Urban Fantasy versus Contemporary Fantasy! Thank you to everyone who responded. There were some interesting answers in there! I found that your responses fell more or less evenly on either side of the question I asked. About half of the responses indicated that all fantasy set in
Where to find Contemporary Fantasy Read More »
The first time I heard the term “cozy epic fantasy”, I blinked, because at first glance, it sounds like a complete contradiction in terms. “Epic” fantasy is all about the scale, with huge stakes; the entire world is often in jeopardy. There are three or four major fantasy species, each with their own convoluted histories,
Cozy Epic Fantasy…say what? Read More »
Among writers, the shades of genre can be passionately argued discussed, as we try to figure out what readers expect from their fiction. And recently, I had one of those discussions about urban fantasy. Actually, it was my fault the discussion took place at all. I asked the fatal question; What IS urban fantasy? I
Urban Fantasy? Or Contemporary Fantasy? You Tell Me. Read More »
It’s Spooky season, and we’re only five days away from Halloween itself. So I thought I’d research and bring to your attention some fantasy stories with Halloween as a theme. And shocker: Halloween fantasies are hard to find. I finally tracked down a series of anthologies on Kobo. That I found them on Kobo is
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A Subtle Thing…. “No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife between the shoulder blades will seriously cramp his style,” The Vlad Taltos series by Steven Brust Taylen
Religion plays a hefty role in many fantasy stories, and some of the belief systems are downright bizarre. All of them, though, dictate how people in that story world behave, and usually have an out-sized influence upon the politics and power figures running the show. I tend to roll my eyes at the more outlandish
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Megapacks are for Fantasy, too! I just got an email from Wildside Press announcing the release of their latest Megapacks. For the longest time, I thought these bundles were purely for Classic and Golden Age Science Fiction, but Wildside collect all the classic fiction, including mystery, horror, and fantasy. I thought I’d mention it
Megapacks are for Fantasy, too! Read More »
Today marks the 819 anniversary of the fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade, which temporarily ended the Byzantine Empire in 1204. The attack of Constantinople was a political strategy driven mostly by the new Republic of Venice. Constantinople was the greatest city in the world at that time, measured by both
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