R.J.K. Lee's Blog
January 6, 2025
FINAL STATS for Writing Submissions in 2024
I've been meaning to post an update on my 2024 writing progress. Here it is.Overall, 2024 was disappointing. I expected more success. In the past two years (2023-2024), I have more than doubled my number ofsubmissions made each year compared to 2022, and yet, I have not seen an increase in my accepted pieces. In 2023, 470 submissions and 4 accepted, and in 2024, 428 submissions and 3 accepted.
October 21, 2024
Book Review: It Will Only Hurt for a Moment (gothic horror thriller)
It Will Only Hurt for a MomentBy Delilah S. DawsonPublished by Del Rey on October 22, 2024Adult. Content notes: abuse of all kinds, sexual assault, violence and death to animals and humans; personally, I appreciate authors who deal directly with such subject matter, and Dawson does it pretty well, but fair warning.As usual, a spoiler-free review.I enjoyed the Delilah S. Dawson Star Wars books I
August 2, 2024
Book Review: The Jaguar Mask (shapechanging, visions and protest in Gautemala City)
The Jaguar Mask by Michael J. DeLucaPublished by Stelliform Press on August 1st, 2024DeLuca's debut novel, 348-page paperbackAdult (violence, death)Read on without fear of spoilers! Also note that I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I thank the author, publisher, and BookSirens for the opportunity.Second experience with a book published at
July 22, 2024
Book Review: "Dark Spaces: Wildfire"
Dark Spaces: WildfireWriter: Scott SnyderArtist: Hayden ShermanPublication: IDW Publishing - May 9, 2023Recommended for readers of crime thrillers and horror.Warnings: language, violenceThe combination of Scott Snyder and Hayden Sherman in this first entry in the Dark Spaces crime/horror series is fantastic, perhaps better than the Dungeon follow-up. Female inmates working as firefighters with a
July 21, 2024
Book Review: "Dark Spaces: Dungeons"
Dark Spaces: DungeonsWriter: Scott SnyderArtist: Hayden ShermanPublication: IDW Publishing - August 27, 2024Recommended for readers of crime thrillers and horror.Warnings: kidnapping, torture, violenceI loved the previous Dark Spaces series about inmate firefighters, Dark Spaces: Wildfire, so I had high expectations for this one, as I often do for Scott Snyder works.Thankfully, I was not
February 19, 2024
Book Review: Queen Hazel and Beloved Beverly
Queen Hazel and Beloved Beverly by Mary E LowdPublished by Deep Sky Anchor Press on December 8th, 2023.A cozy portal fantasy with special attention to family bonds and childhood memories and letting go. I could see this being okay for any age group but feels directed at an adult who misses reading piles of middle grade portal fantasy books, who grew up expecting to be transported into some
Book Review: Idolatry
Idolatry by Aditya SudarshanPublished by Flame Tree Press on January 9th, 2024 Idolatry is an SF social commentary novel set in India and following how Shrine Tech influences society to gradually increasing levels of domination. As with my previous review, I'll give the good, neutral, and bad. I did have pretty mixed reactions to the novel, even though it was a good read and
January 29, 2024
Book review: a quick, fun fantasy with dragons and queer relationships
The Chase Begins: Catastrophe Incoming Volume 1by Aimee DonnellanPublished by Aimee Donnellan on June 24, 2023The good:-Character tensions.-Grounding of the city the whole story is set in.-The select details for major characters that help them stand out.-The protagonist's identity and complicated relationship was greatly appreciated-Fun, fast read; easy to read along with weightier tomes.The not
January 10, 2024
My Stories Published in 2023
Happy New Year!It's been a very slow start for me. I certainly enjoyed the brief break. Could use more...hah. Regardless, I'm trying to play catch-up now and pick up the pace for whatever awaits me this year.First off, my stories published in 2023. Go give them a read, if you haven't yet, and let me know what you think. Would love any feedback. Really enjoyed what I heard from some readers so far
Final Statistics Report on Submissions during 2023
Hi there. I'd like to share my final statistics for work submitted in 2023. For comparison's sake, the total submissions for 2022 came to 129. This year was a bit more...Total times work was submitted in 2023: 477 (108 flash/drabble, 248 short/novelettes, 3 novella, 102 poem, 10 reprint, 2 pitch, 4 acceptance)Accepted pieces: 4 (2 short stories, 1 poem, 1 reprint)Writers of the Future
