Helen Lowe's Blog, page 125

Deleted Scenes — aka The Author’s Cut

UK/AU/NZ

With Daughter of Blood almost upon us — the final, official version — I can’t help reflecting a little on deleted scenes, of which there are quite a few.

So waddya reckon, should I share some of them with you here?

I really think I could… But should I?

What do you think, dear readers?

USA

Shall we only stick with the final, official version, or would you like a taste of what didna make the author’s cut*?

I shall eagerly await your wise guidance.

*Because this is material that was ru...

Just One Week Left Until — DAUGHTER OF BLOOD!

Almost

Here!

Yes, my dears, it’s that time–just on week left until Daughter of Blood is finally published on 26 January (US and UK), which is 27 January here in New Zealand and Australia.

I’ll be doing an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit Fantasy on the 26th (AU/NZ 27th) and will also have an interview on my friend Sharon Stogner’s ismellsheep genre site.

I’ll be back with more details for both of those closer to the time–and I do hope you’ll consider dropping by and asking me a question on the...

Excerpt: “The Woods Of Westermain” by George Meredith

The Woods of Westermain

I

Enter these enchanted woods,
You who dare.
Nothing harms beneath the leaves
More than waves a swimmer cleaves.
Toss your heart up with the lark,
Foot at peace with mouse and worm,
Fair you fare.
Only at a dread of dark
Quaver, and they quit their form:
Thousand eyeballs under hoods
Have you by the hair.
Enter these enchanted woods,
You who dare.

II

Here the snake across your path
Stretches in his golden bath:
Mossy-footed squirrels leap
Soft as winnowing plumes of Sl...

An Avid Reader Special: Paul Weimer’s Five Most-Anticipated Reads of 2016

Last week, I kicked off the second part of my “avid reader” special—and this time some of the most avid readers I know are sharing their Most-Anticipated Reads of 2016.

Paul is not only a book reviewer, but also podcaster, and a Mind Meld convenor on SF Signal: let’s see what he’s most looking forward to reading this year.

—

Paul Weimer’s Five Most-Anticipated Reads of 2016

Once upon a time, before the internet, before I discovered Locus, this question would have been more of an aspirational...

Love Letters To Melbourne’s Trees

“Dearest Golden Elm”, wrote one correspondent earlier this month, “I finally found you! I see you every day on my way to uni, but I had no idea of what kind of tree you are. You are the most beautiful tree in the city and I love you.” ~ “A.”

—

A Christchurch variegated elm

I have — much against my will with Daughter of Blood being published on the 26th/27th and The Chaos Gate (The Wall of Night Book Four) a work in progress — gotten dragged into the “Recovery” planning process for Christchur...

58 Eridani: Episode 6

~ by Andrew Robins
.

58 Eridani: Episode 6 Record of owners meeting held on-board Freetrader “Mistral”, location 58 Eridani Analogue Reference 1, enroute to NRRNV Frigate “Lepanto” 45.64 days elapsed time – mission 14.

Shareholders present: Glandin Frutnok van Glomzimmer, Amelia Delaware, Buffy Chinks, Bob Stark

Observing meeting: Didi Turner (official witness of record), Huia Turner, Sheen Turner and Tina Turner of the Ramadan Collective. RI “Lepanto” present via remote.

Agenda: Status re...

You Can Now Read the First Three Chapters of Daughter Of Blood!

USA

Yup, that’s right, after yesterday’s release on SF Signal, the first three chapters of Daughter of Blood are now available in the wild—which is pretty durned cool, from where I’m sitting.

Two of the releases featured on the wonderful SF Signal, the third was on Barnes & Noble’s SciFi site.

To read them in order, click on the following links:

Prologue Chapter 1: Lady Mouse Chapter 2: The Serpent Prince

UK/AU/NZ

Enjoy!

Oh, and don’t forget there’s a giveaway, too — click here for details:

...

First Chapter; First Giveaway — for DAUGHTER OF BLOOD!

“Outside, the latest Wall storm had blown itself into a brief respite of calm weather, but inside the Red Keep the storm that had been raging between the ruling kin for weeks continued to generate acrimony and raised voices. Although, Myr thought, wrapping her arms around her drawn-up knees, “raised voices” was only her former governess Ise’s way of being polite. Anyone else would say shouting, usually over the top of whoever else was yelling at the same time. …”

from Chapter 1, Lady Mouse: D...

Big Worlds On Small Screens & “Fantasy Films From the Eighties That Weren’t That Bad”—Rebecca Fisher Discusses “Legend”

~ by Rebecca Fisher

.
There’s no denying that Ridley Scott’s Legend is a strange film, and not a hugely successful one either. Despite the title, it’s based more on fairy tales than legends, with a good-versus-evil conflict drawn from Christian duality and its ideas surrounding light and dark, spring and winter, innocence and corruption.

The Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry playing what is possibly the most arresting depiction of satanic magnificence ever seen in a film) wants to increase his pow...

“O dreamy, gloomy friendly trees” by Herbert Trench

O dreamy, gloomy friendly trees, I came along your narrow track To bring my gifts unto your knees And gifts did you give back; For when I brought this heart that burns— These thoughts that bitterly repine— And laid them here among the ferns And the hum of boughs divine, Ye, vastest breathers of the air, Shook down with slow and mighty poise Your coolness on the human care, Your wonder on its toys, Your greenness on the heart’s despair, Your darkness on its noise
. ~ by Herbert Trench, 1865 –...