James Pyles's Blog, page 55

My Interview About “The Haunted Detective”

Once upon a time, I wrote a story about a private detective named Margie Potter. She lived and worked in San Francisco in the year 1947. The original story was really “adult oriented” and “gritty” but the people who wanted to publish it wanted something more “Young Adult” themed. That, plus the word count restriction, […]

Standing Up Against the Bullies

A couple of days ago, I posted a commentary about COVID and vaccines and I took great pains to shield the source of my conversation. But when I woke up this morning and checked in on twitter, I found that the “haters” had discovered my commentary and decided to call me a bunch of names. […]

Preview of my Interview for my short story “The Haunted Detective”

Last Fall, my short story “The Haunted Detective” was published in Ruth Littner’s and Ann Stolinsky’s mystery anthology The Trench Coat Chronicles. Just a few days ago on Facebook, their interview of me was published. In a few more days, it will appear on the Gemini Wordsmiths webpage. Until then, here’s a small sample: Q: […]

Are the COVID “Unvacciated” Deniers and Morally Inferior?

I just had an interesting “debate” on twitter. Someone I follow (and who doesn’t follow me) said something about the vaxx-denier at work being on again about the person in question getting vaccinated. I’ve heard the word “denier” used more or less in the same context as “racist” or “child molester,” as if someone does […]

“The Art and Craft of Writing” by L. Jagi Lamplighter

A little over two years ago, a small group of aspiring authors accepted an invitation from L. Jagi Lamplighter to take an online writing class she was developing. Since it was in its nascent phase, she called it her “Guinea Pig” class. Guess who the lab rats were? I took the class for three reasons. […]

“Homeward” Featured in the Deep Space Vol 2 Anthology

I finally got the “go ahead” to announce that my nearly 10,000 word count science fiction story “Homeward” is being featured in the Black Hare Press anthology Deep Space Volume 2. Here’s a wee sample: “The humans arrived first.” The others in the Kuq’od didn’t hear the statement so much as partook of the conception, […]

“7 Deadly Sins” Reviewed at “Damaged Skull Writer” Blog

I’m very happy that my fellow author Brian – James, otherwise known as “Damaged Skull Writer” reviewed the Terror Tract Publishing horror anthology 7 Deadly Sins. It features my short story “The Babel Project” (Pride). The review states in part: The Babel Project by James Pyles is probably my favorite story in the anthology. It’s […]

The Gods Between and Lucifer

This was the last place Jani wanted to be, in the middle of a mob outside some ancient…no, not just an ancient building, but a historical one. It used to be the Capitol of the old United States of America, but that was long ago. The nation fell like all of the other empires before […]

Assault by Sex Toy

In the past, I’ve written about some rather unusual technological trends we can expect in the near future. One in particular should be very much anticipated, but sometimes too personal to talk about. I’m discussing sex with machines. My previous commentaries are When Your Sex Toy Tattles on You, An AI Sexbot That Can Love […]

Book Review of “Galen’s Way”

Richard Paolinelli’s novel Galen’s Way: A Starquest 4th Age Adventure attempts to re-capture the bygone era of space operas and makes a good run at it, but the cost is encountering more than a few space opera stereotypes. Galen, a mercenary and smuggler, formerly an elite soldier, is covertly hired by a royal emissary to […]