Lorina Stephens's Blog, page 46

4-star review for 88 on Goodreads

Iain's Reviews > 88  ReadMy rating:1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars[ 5 of 5 stars ]88 
by Michael R. Fletcher (Goodreads Author) 
Iain's review Nov 16, 13
bookshelves: kindle
Read from September 23 to November 16, 2013
Quick review as I gave so little free time these days. Disclaimer first of all - I got a freebie copy of the book. However, if I don't like something I'll say so. I didn't not like this!

"88" starts off in a cyber-future but unlike some books of the genre that seem to have their own language based vaguely on English, "88" is very readable. The "science" part is introduced smoothly and easily so that it allows the reads to focus on the "fiction" part.

It's a good story with a nice bit of a moral quandary thrown in as an undercurrent - when does an artificial intelligence become less artificial to the point where it deserves rights? Coincidentally something I've been covering with pupils recently.

The real-world sections of the book are every bit as good as the cyber segments, with plenty of violence and bloodshed. It managed to chuck terms like "laser" and "gauss" around without sounding like the author's ripped off a WH40k manual for reference.

Overall, a decent enough read and - importantly - well written.1 like · like ∙ flagfollow reviews

New submission period and guidelines

After much discussion, we've decided to have an annual period during which we will accept submissions; that is, February 1 to 14 in any given year. 

Please refer to our Guidelines for further details.

Interview with Dave Duncan, author of The Runner and the Wizard

Dave Duncan took time from his schedule to meet with Lorina Stephens on Skype and discuss and read from his newest novelette, The Runner and the Wizard.

A Taste of Local Authors, at Owl's Nest Books

Thursday, December 12, 7-9:00 PM, Owl's Nest Books in Calgary presents A Taste of Local Authors.









Check out 12 new releases from 12 local authors. Novels. Novellas. Short Story Collections. Poetry. Genres from Mainstream to Science Fiction to Fantasy to Romance to Paranormal Romance. Even better, the authors will be on hand to give short readings from their work, answer questions, and sign books.





Ambiance is provided by Hazel Grey Music. If you've never heard Pete and Josanna before, you are in for a real treat.



If you're in the Calgary area, please come join in for an evening of words and music.




Official event page is on Facebook.




Five Rivers' own Susan Forest and J.W. Schnarr will be there reading from Immunity to Strange Tales, and A Quiet Place, respectively.

Broken Blade releases December 1

The third novel in Ann Marston's Rune Blades of Celi series releases December 1, 2013: Broken Blade. 



A kidnapped Princess and a clanless man share a terrible secret--the dark powers of Maedun are preparing a new assault on the shinning Isle of Celi.

Using stolen Celae magic, the sorcerer Hakkar plans to rip down the veil of enchantment drawn about the island kingdom. Only the great sword Kingmaker can save the land. Until it, too, is shattered.

Brynda, daughter of Keylan, must teach her Rune Blade to sing death's song--or Maedun's Somber Riders will slay all Celi for their own!

The cover is by Jeff Minkevics, and we feel captures perfectly the darker nature of this novel.
Broken Blade will be available in both print and eBook, directly from Five Rivers, as well as online booksellers worldwide. Now available for pre-order.


Format Print $28.99 CAD eBook $9.99 CAD

Derryl Murphy event at Rand McNally

Derryl Murphy



Derryl Murphy and a host of other Canadian SF luminaries appears at Rand McNally Booksellers in Saskatoon, Saskatechewan on Monday, November 18, 7:00 p.m.









Murphy will be signing copies of the re-release of his edgy and sometimes visionary collection of short fiction, Wasps at the Speed of Sound. 











Details of the event can be found on Facebook.

Launch for Out of Time, by D. G. Laderoute

The launch of D.G. Laderoute's debut YA fantasy, Out of Time, takes place Saturday, November 16, 2013, 1-4:00 PM, at The Book Shelf, 920 Memorial Ave., Thunder Bay, ON.



Promises to be a great event if you're in Thunder Bay. More details can be found on the Facebook event site. 

On the 11th hour, on the 11th day

To honour veterans across the world on this day of remembrance.

Lorina Stephens to sit on book publisher panel at Pure Spec

Pure Speculation is an annual science and fiction festival in Edmonton, Alberta, run by the eponymous Pure Speculation Science-Fiction and Fantasy Society of Alberta (commonly shortened to "Pure Speculation Society").



Founded in 2005 by Brent M. Jans and a group of like-minded friends, Pure Spec is dedicated to the geek communities in Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada, bringing together fans and creators in an intimate celebration of our passions and hobbies. For almost a decade, Pure Spec has provided a diverse array of programming for attendees, on subjects ranging from nanotechnology to surviving a zombie apocalypse, to teaching science to kids, to costuming on a budget, and much, much more.





This year the convention takes place November 16 and 17, at  the Ramada Conference Centre Edmonton which is located at 11834 - Kingsway Ave NW, Edmonton, AB.





Among the many panels this year is Meet Canada's Small Press Publishers, Saturday, November 16, from 19:45 to 20:45, in the Dirigible Room. Five Rivers' publisher, Lorina Stephens, will be on that panel via Skype from Neustadt, ON. The use of that technology in itself is pretty amazing if you stop and think about it, and certainly reflects the global reach Five Rivers embraces from its headquarters in the loft of a 130 year old stone house in an historic, bucolic village in rural Midwestern Ontario. The anachronism of it is delicious.

Nate Hendley reading at Brentwood Library

Nate Hendley



Thursday, November 7, 2013, author Nate Hendley will be reading from his book Stephens Truscott: Decades of Injustice. The event takes place at the Brentwood branch of the Toronto Public Library, 36 Brentwood Road North (near Royal York and Bloor Street West), at 6:30 p.m.



More details of the event can be found at the Toronto Library website.











Hendley's book chronicles the Truscott story which began when Truscott was 14, and accused, despite lack of physical evidence, of the rape and murder of his classmate, and ends with Truscott's exoneration.






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