In the author Twittersphere, it seems there are creators, wannabes, and grifters. Lately I’ve felt like a #WritingCommunity wannabe and grifter, trying to build an audience when I have nothing published. After getting my rejection letter, I don’t have a follow-up plan on which short fiction magazines to try next. I am not aware ofContinue reading “Leveling Up from a Wannabe Grifter”
Tag Archives: inspiration
The Riddle of Iron: The Answer
The time has come to face Crom. It’s been a long journey. I could keep reading Appendix N entries and #IronAge offerings until I’m blue in the face, but the same answers keep bubbling to the surface. I now climb the hill to stand before his judgmental eyes, wearied, palms sweaty, my first and onlyContinue reading “The Riddle of Iron: The Answer”
I Need a Win
I knew when I took a first stab at submitting a short story, there was a pretty good chance I wasn’t going to make it. I figured getting a rejection letter or my first publication were both desirable scenarios. Either outcome would be a win, I told myself. It’s said that every author needs rejectionContinue reading “I Need a Win”
The Riddle of Iron Part 9: Sword and Sorcery in Unexpected Places #1: The Maxx
I believe we’re narrowing down the answer to the Riddle of Iron. Let’s see what else we can figure out for the glory of the #IronAge! Part 1. (What is Sword & Sorcery?) Part 2. (The Tower of the Elephant) Part 3. (Jirel of Joiry) Part 4. (The Historic Riddle of Steel) Part 5. (The meaning behind the Riddle of Steel inContinue reading “The Riddle of Iron Part 9: Sword and Sorcery in Unexpected Places #1: The Maxx”
The Riddle of Iron Part 8: Newpulp, and “Tales from the Magician’s Skull” (issue 11)
Join me as I try to answer “The Riddle of Iron” in a continued journey to help move the great genre of Sword and Sorcery forward, for the glory of the #IronAge. Part 1. (What is Sword & Sorcery?) Part 2. (The Tower of the Elephant) Part 3. (Jirel of Joiry) Part 4. (The Historic Riddle of Steel) Part 5. (The meaning behind theContinue reading “The Riddle of Iron Part 8: Newpulp, and “Tales from the Magician’s Skull” (issue 11)”
Victory at Gen Con 2023
Indianapolis. Land of narrow streets, randomly closed lanes, Gen Con, the Indy 500, and homeless people who are surprisingly pleasant and don’t constantly hound you for handouts. There’s this monument at the center of it all, a massive obelisk standing 284 feet in height, erected in honor of war veterans. It’s called the “Soldiers andContinue reading “Victory at Gen Con 2023”
The Riddle of Iron Part 2: The Tower of the Elephant
Part 1 here. This is a continued exploration to help move the great genre of Sword and Sorcery forward to the #IronAge. In our effort, it’s probably a good idea to look back to the genre’s past. Exhibit A: The Tower of the Elephant (1933) Easily my favorite of the Robert E. Howard Conan yarns.Continue reading “The Riddle of Iron Part 2: The Tower of the Elephant”
The Riddle of Iron: How to move Sword & Sorcery forward to a new era
I came away from GenCon 2023 with a realization: No one seems to know how to move the Sword & Sorcery genre forward. To me, this is the new “Riddle of Steel”. A riddle for the #IronAge. A tough nut I want to crack. I believe Robert E. Howard was already showing us the wayContinue reading “The Riddle of Iron: How to move Sword & Sorcery forward to a new era”
Never Tell Me the Odds: A Writing Update
On June 24th, I did something daring. I imposed a deadline upon myself: August 3rd. My goal was to “finalize” The Machine, in hopes to have it done in time for Gen Con. I didn’t even have the first draft done at the time, so making that statement was quite the gambit. Of course, thingsContinue reading “Never Tell Me the Odds: A Writing Update”
Adventures in Editing (and Ghostwriting)
I used to find it annoying when editors would complain endlessly about writers not following submission guidelines. (Is Arial really so hard to read? Is it too difficult to highlight everything with CTRL+A and change the font to Times New Roman 12 point? Do you honestly need the document double-spaced when the process is all-digitalContinue reading “Adventures in Editing (and Ghostwriting)”
Nick Enlowe 