Steven R. Southard's Blog, page 13
July 26, 2023
Author Interview—Demetri Capetanopoulos
Most authors I interview lead lives far different from mine. In today’s interview, it’s almost like I’m interviewing myself. Like me, Demetri Capetanopoulos received technical training and served as an officer aboard submarines before turning to writing. One of his stories appears in 20,000 Leagues Remembered and another is in Extraordinary Visions: Stories Inspired by Jules Verne.
Like many boys of a certain age, Demetri Capetanopoulos discovered Jules Verne and was captivated—not just by...
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July 22, 2023
I Found the ‘Dial of Destiny’ First
The current movie, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny portrays a retired archeology professor who comes across an artifact called the Archimedes Dial. You’re too late, Indiana Jones. I found it first.
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The machine exists. And don’t call it the Archimedes Dial. Call it the Antikythera Mechanism. Note to scriptwriters: the machine couldn’t detect time fissures, but could predict future positions of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and...
July 20, 2023
Mystery of Jack the Ripper Solved?
According to recent reports, a researcher has uncovered the identity of Jack the Ripper, the famous serial killer of London in 1888. But did she name the right man?
Hyam HyamsSarah Bax Horton, a former police volunteer and great-great-granddaughter of one of the original investigators, identifies the killer as Hyam Hyams, an alcoholic and ‘wandering lunatic.’
Hyams already figured on the list of over a hundred possible Ripper suspects. Ms. Bax Horton might be right, but it’s astounding ...
July 18, 2023
Author Interview—Darrell Bartell
Sometimes, for these interviews, the emails don’t travel far. I’ve known Darrell Bartell for a few years, and we belong to the same local writing critique group.
Darrell Bartell—actor, playwright, short story writer, author, former cab driver, security officer, stage magician, future radio broadcaster, and cancer survivor—completed his MA in drama at Texas Woman’s University. His script, “Bragging Rights,” a ten-minute one-man play based on the school shootings at the time, earned him a tr...
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July 16, 2023
How to Write for Anthologies
If you write short stories, consider writing for anthologies. I know a great how-to book to get you started.
Perhaps you’d like to write fiction, but don’t know where to start or what to write about. Or maybe you’ve been writing what you want and can’t sell it, and now you’re wondering what you could write and sell.
Anthologies might be your answer. That market puts out numerous and constant calls for submissions. Anthology editors beg for your short stories and give you a prompt—a subj...
July 10, 2023
Author Interview—Janice Rider
If you love animals and the quiet contemplation of nature, the author I interview today will appeal to you. Janice Rider wrote the story “Want of Air” for Extraordinary Visions: Stories Inspired by Jules Verne.
Janice Rider (she/her) has always loved the natural world and resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, close to the Rocky Mountains. She has a BSc in Zoology with a minor in English Literature and a BEd degree. Springs and summers following university course work were spent at the Calg...
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July 9, 2023
The Calf-Path of Writing
You’ve been enjoying my recent author interview posts, I know, but this week I’ll take a short break from them. I’ve got at least two more interviews planned, so stay tuned.
Credit to Pixabay.com and PexelsToday I’ll discuss a poem and how it relates to writing. Sam Walter Foss wrote “The Calf-Path” in 1895. It’s a funny little poem bearing a significant message.
In the poem, a small calf wanders through the woods in a haphazard, zig-zag way, just ambling in an aimless manner. It trampl...
