Angela Slatter's Blog, page 68
November 29, 2015
Black Static 49
Not only does the most excellent Black Static issue 49 contain wonderful dark fiction by (among others) Thana Niveau, Simon Bestwick, and Erinn L. Kemper, but also a most kind review by Peter Tennant of The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings, which ends with this:
Okay, having exercised restraint so far, it’s now time for me to gush. This is a collection of stories in which each individual work is a perfectly crafted gem, and the whole is considerably greater than the sum of its parts. Slatter creates a fantasy world, but she populates it with real people, wise women and malicious men, heroes and villains, monsters and magicians. It is history told largely from a female perspective, with the emphasis placed squarely on the preservation of knowledge and reverence for learning, rather than warfare and struggles for power, though those too are represented. As intricately plotted as Martin’s magnum opus, and with similar outbursts of bloody violence (often steeped in misogyny), this is not escapism regardless of its fantasy label, but its diametrical opposite, through the medium of a made up world showing us reality in all its ugliness and beauty. As of today’s date, I rate The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings the best book I have read so far this year.
And if none of that sells you on the collection, by way of bonus material there’s an introduction by Stephen Jones, an afterword by Lisa L. Hannett, and accompanying the text more than eighty line drawings by Australian artist Kathleen Jennings, all of which makes for a very impressive literary package, one that the fictional content more than lives up to.
And Then interviews: Alan Baxter
Clan Destine Press is bringing out a new anthology And Then, and you can read interviews with the authors here over the next few weeks. There is also an Indiegogo campaign, to which y’all contribute here.
First cab off the rank is Alan Baxter.
What inspired “Golden Fortune, Dragon Jade“?
A few converging things. Firstly, Lindy asking me for a buddy adventure story, which is a bit outside my normal style. That made me realise that an idea for a Chinese-inspired fantasy story I’d had in mind for ages, with Shaolin martial arts and spirit magic, would fit the brief. And that meant I could finally write the story with a protagonist loosely based on my kung fu master of the last couple of decades. I even used his first name in homage. For his buddy, I chose his cousin, and she turned out to be a powerful geomancer, trapped in a small village. And because Lindy wanted an Australian connection, that set the historical period I used, as the end of the Aussie gold rush was the perfect setting. It all catalysed into what I hope is an exciting novelette.
What appealed to you about this project?
The big nature of it, and the scope it will ultimately represent. Plus sharing the pages with so many great writers.
What advantages does a long-short form offer?
It gives that extra breathing space over a short story where character and worldbuilding can be more detailed and the plot a little more complex, while retaining the appeal of the short story.
The future of short fiction is …
Exciting and vibrant. Especially with so many small press publishers embracing the form and pushing the boundaries with a wide variety of themed anthologies.
What’s next for you?
I’ve always got a bunch of stuff on the go, currently including a couple of novels, a novella and several short stories out on submission. So I guess what’s next will be whatever sells first! And my dark urban fantasy trilogy, The Alex Caine Series, will see all three books in print in Australia by July and a US release sometime soon too. Exciting times!
Alan Baxter is a British-Australian author who writes dark fantasy, horror and sci-fi, rides a motorcycle and loves his dog. He also teaches Kung Fu. He lives among dairy paddocks on the beautiful south coast of NSW, Australia, with his wife, son, dog and cat. He’s the award-winning author of six novels and over sixty short stories and novellas. So far. Read extracts from his novels, a novella and short stories at his website – www.warriorscribe.com – or find him on Twitter @AlanBaxter and Facebook, and feel free to tell him what you think. About anything.
November 26, 2015
Meanwhile, over at Night Land Quarterly vol.3 …
… my story “The Heart is a Mirror for Sinners” has been translated into Japanese for a special Gothic issue.
How good is this cover??
This story will appear in English next year.
And hopefully one day as a graphic story.
November 25, 2015
Corvidae review
Jorie Loves a Story reviews Corvidae from World Weaver Press, with some love for “Flight” – here!
Have a listen! The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings …
… so Tartarus Press have about 100 copies of the limited edition hardcover of the WFA-winning The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings … next year will see the release of a paperback version … but if you love artefact books now would be the time to get one of the hardbacks … coz the now out-of-print Sourdough and Other Stories is going in some places for about $300.00!
Just saying. 
Look here …
November 13, 2015
So, this happened …
… and I will write a proper con report when the jetlag leaves me. But for now, enjoy the sight of HP with his cocktail umbrella, and Kelly Link and Helen Marshall trying to brain me.
October 26, 2015
Post at Tor.com: Five Books Containing Traces of Witches
Over at Tor.com I talk about five books containing traces of witches, specifically some magnificent works by Margo Lanagan, Juliet Marillier, Tanith Lee, Diana L. Paxson, and Emma Donoghue. Note: Seahearts was published as The Brides of Rollrock Island in the US.
Witches come in all shapes and sizes, ages, races, abilities and skills. The thing they have in common? Whether they’re ‘white’ or ‘black’, they excite fear because they’re powerful; they’re not obedient or biddable. A wicked witch is kind of boring, however, so when I wrote Of Sorrow and Such I wanted Patience to be someone who’s neither entirely good nor evil, but a human being in full. Following on from that idea, here are some witches who are more than the cardboard cut-outs you put on your house for Halloween.
The rest is here.
October 23, 2015
Dead Letters Cover
The cover for Dead Letters, the anthology edited by Conrad Williams and published by Titan Books, has been revealed! All of the contributors are on the cover, so huzzah! I’ve got a weird and nasty story in this one.
October 22, 2015
Last “Flight” postcards
The last of the lovely Flight postcards have arrived, so we’ll be packing them to take to WFC and leave in strategic locations around the con hotel – collect the whole set! Thanks to Sue at Tiny Owl Workshop for organising this and to Kathleen for putting such gorgeous art with my words.
