Maria Haskins's Blog, page 49
February 9, 2016
9 weird & wonderful science fiction & fantasy short stories
In my continuing quest to read as much new and fabulous science fiction and fantasy as I possibly can, and shout about it on the internet, I’m sharing these nine short stories you can read online right now: weird, wonderful, and highly recommended. St. Dymphna’s School For Poison Girls, by Angela Slatter at tor.com. Over the… More 9 weird & wonderful science fiction & fantasy short stories
8 wonderful science fiction & fantasy short stories
In my continuing quest to read as much new and fabulous science fiction and fantasy as I possibly can, I’ve come across these eight short stories online: weird, wonderful, and highly recommended. St. Dymphna’s School For Poison Girls, by Angela Slatter at tor.com. Over the last year I’ve become a huge fan of Slatter’s writing, and… More 8 wonderful science fiction & fantasy short stories
February 8, 2016
My review of UPDRAFT, by Fran Wilde
The blurb: Welcome to a world of wind and bone, songs and silence, betrayal and courage. Kirit Densira cannot wait to pass her wingtest and begin flying as a trader by her mother’s side, being in service to her beloved home tower and exploring the skies beyond. When Kirit inadvertently breaks Tower Law, the city’s… More My review of UPDRAFT, by Fran Wilde
January 31, 2016
This old book – FOUCAULT’S PENDULUM, by Umberto Eco
My copy of ‘Foucault’s Pendulum’ is the Swedish translation from 1989 in hardcover, and I’m not sure how many times I’ve read it. Ten? Twelve? Something like that. As you can see from the worn slipcover, it’s been put through the wringer. It’s traveled with me through Europe, and from Europe to Canada, and once here, it’s… More This old book – FOUCAULT’S PENDULUM, by Umberto Eco
January 26, 2016
A master-class in poetry & the rhythm of words
Back in the stegosauraus-era when I studied Spanish in high-school (AKA ‘gymnasiet’ in Sweden), our teacher had us read Spanish poetry for part of the course. One of those poems has stuck with me ever since: even if my knowledge of the language has faded a bit with time, this poem is still there. It’s… More A master-class in poetry & the rhythm of words
January 17, 2016
A lovely review of LOST AND FOUND, by author Darcia Helle
Darcia Helle recently reviewed my short story LOST AND FOUND (from ODIN’S EYE) at her site ‘A Word Please’, and I love this review so much that I just have to share it. Just a small bit here: “Maria Haskins creates a fascinating premise, on an unknown planet, with mystery, suspense, adventure, and intrigue. I wanted to… More A lovely review of LOST AND FOUND, by author Darcia Helle
January 14, 2016
9 intriguing science fiction & fantasy short stories
I’ve been reading a lot of new sci-fi and fantasy short fiction lately, delving into the many stories available in magazines and on websites that publish scifi and fantasy online. Here are nine stories I read and enjoyed the past few of weeks: Kaiju maximus®: “So Various, So Beautiful, So New”, by Kai Ashante Wilson in Fantasy Magazine. Another… More 9 intriguing science fiction & fantasy short stories
Pain in progress (again)
I wrote this poem after one of my friends died last year, another victim of cancer. This week, for many reasons, the words and the feelings I had then are haunting me again. PAIN IN PROGRESS/MY FRIEND IS DEAD All the lamps are lit in every window. I feel the warmth beneath my own hands… More Pain in progress (again)
January 13, 2016
Great books on writing, by Stephen King & Ursula K. Le Guin
Over the last week, I’ve devoured two books on writing: Stephen King’s ‘On Writing – A Memoir of the Craft’, and Ursula K. Le Guin’s ‘Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story’. Both are excellent, and I would highly recommend both books to anyone looking for inspiration and practical tips on… More Great books on writing, by Stephen King & Ursula K. Le Guin
January 11, 2016
RIP, David Bowie
“The truth is of course that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time.” – David Bowie Crushing news tonight. David Bowie has passed away. Musician, artist and resident alien. Unapologetically weird and wonderful shape-shifting human being. Two of my favourite Bowie tracks are ‘Ziggy Stardust’ and ‘Life On Mars’. I… More RIP, David Bowie
