Wesley Britton's Blog, page 44
September 16, 2016
Remembering The Wild Wild West and Classic ‘60s “Spy-Fi”
From September 17, 1965 – April 4, 1969, millions of TV viewers were fascinated by a very innovative entry in the very popular genre of “Spy-Fi”—The Wild Wild West. It fused the equally popular genres of Westerns and spy adventures and was distinguished by clever sci fi-type anacronisms. Each week we saw everything from fake aliens to hypnotic movie viewers to steam-powered robots running around in the 19th century.
To celebrate the anniversary of that premiere, I have two items for you. First is a link to my interview with Robert Conrad that was first published in the fanzine, Back to The Wild Wild West (Issue #109, 2002). Later, I posted a revised version with new photos at:
http://www.spywise.net/robertConrad.html
Second, at the same website I posted an interview with Mark Ellis called “A Man From U.N.C.L.E., I Spy, and The Wild Wild West.” That’s because Mark was the main motor behind comic-book adaptations for each of those classic series.
I won’t repost the full interview here, but here is the section about Mark’s Wild Wild West story called “The Night of the Iron Tyrants.” You’ll not only hear how the comic-books came about, but gain some insights into the relationship between the two stars, Robert Conrad and Ross Martin.
----
Mark Ellis was the man behind returning the Wild Wild West as a comic book series. In early 1990, he contacted Viacom and got the ball rolling for the rights.
During production of “The Night of the Iron Tyrants,” Mark recalls, “a movie producer optioned the storyline in an attempt to get a WWW feature film bankrolled. He felt showing the issues of mini-series around was a more effective marketing tool than a script or a treatment. If I do say so myself, `The Night of the Iron Tyrants’ would have made a better film than what was finally released.”
On this point, Mark doesn’t speak alone. “Overall, it was pretty good,” spy expert Bill Koenig says of the comic, “and, yes, better than the 1999 feature movie that later developed.” Bill remembers the Wild Wild West comic’s use of the likenesses of Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, and Michael Dunn. “However, there were other characters in the comic mini-series from the TV series – Voltaire (a huge lackey of Dr. Loveless, played by Richard Kiel in the first two or three Dr. Loveless episodes) and Col. Richmond, a recurring character played by, I think, Douglas Henderson. They were not drawn to resemble either actor.”
According to Ellis, “The explanation for that is pretty simple – we didn’t have the rights to use their likenesses. Viacom was pretty clear that we could only ‘suggest’ the likenesses of Mr. Kiel or any other actor/actress who was not a contracted part of the regular cast. As it was, I recall the guy at Viacom had reservations about us using Michael Dunn’s likeness, too, but I pointed out that if any member of his estate wanted to object, they could simply do so on the grounds that we presented Dr. Loveless as a dwarf because Mr. Dunn was a dwarf. The Viacom liaison never brought it up again.”
Koenig also recalled the storyline to “Iron Tyrant,” saying,”There was a plot twist where Col. Richmond was part of the conspiracy that West and Gordon are investigating. From what I remember, all the robber barons of the 1870s era were collaborating on some plot. They ‘hired’ Dr. Loveless, not realizing Loveless had his own plans. I think it was also set a little bit later than the TV series – 1876, tying into the U.S. centennial.”
Mark confirmed Bill’s recollections. “Yeah . . . a third season episode of the series established the date as 1874, so I figured the fourth and final season was set in 1875. Also, 1876 was the last year of President Grant’s term and by implication, the last year that West and Gordon would hold their positions, inasmuch as it was part of the series canon they reported directly to President Grant.”
When Millennium was publishing the Wild Wild West comic, the widow of Ross Martin (the actor who’d played Artemus Gordon on TV) contacted Ellis. “I chatted with her for a couple of hours. She was a lovely person and had some great anecdotes. Like Mr. Conrad said [in the interview you had with him], she said that Mr. Martin and he got along very well. They rarely socialized except when they were doing publicity for the series, but she said they nevertheless were always respectful of each other.”
“When Mr. Martin passed away,” Mark added, “she claimed that Mr. Conrad was very broken up at the service, apologizing that he had never told Mr. Martin just how much he had admired him and enjoyed working with him for so many years. She said she was very touched by the degree of emotion he showed.”
Another recollection about the WWW comic Mark has is that “the Gene Autry Western Heritage museum supposedly has the issues on display as part of their WWW exhibit.”
The full article is still available at:
http://www.spywise.net/markEllis.html
To celebrate the anniversary of that premiere, I have two items for you. First is a link to my interview with Robert Conrad that was first published in the fanzine, Back to The Wild Wild West (Issue #109, 2002). Later, I posted a revised version with new photos at:
http://www.spywise.net/robertConrad.html
Second, at the same website I posted an interview with Mark Ellis called “A Man From U.N.C.L.E., I Spy, and The Wild Wild West.” That’s because Mark was the main motor behind comic-book adaptations for each of those classic series.
I won’t repost the full interview here, but here is the section about Mark’s Wild Wild West story called “The Night of the Iron Tyrants.” You’ll not only hear how the comic-books came about, but gain some insights into the relationship between the two stars, Robert Conrad and Ross Martin.
----
Mark Ellis was the man behind returning the Wild Wild West as a comic book series. In early 1990, he contacted Viacom and got the ball rolling for the rights.
During production of “The Night of the Iron Tyrants,” Mark recalls, “a movie producer optioned the storyline in an attempt to get a WWW feature film bankrolled. He felt showing the issues of mini-series around was a more effective marketing tool than a script or a treatment. If I do say so myself, `The Night of the Iron Tyrants’ would have made a better film than what was finally released.”
On this point, Mark doesn’t speak alone. “Overall, it was pretty good,” spy expert Bill Koenig says of the comic, “and, yes, better than the 1999 feature movie that later developed.” Bill remembers the Wild Wild West comic’s use of the likenesses of Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, and Michael Dunn. “However, there were other characters in the comic mini-series from the TV series – Voltaire (a huge lackey of Dr. Loveless, played by Richard Kiel in the first two or three Dr. Loveless episodes) and Col. Richmond, a recurring character played by, I think, Douglas Henderson. They were not drawn to resemble either actor.”
According to Ellis, “The explanation for that is pretty simple – we didn’t have the rights to use their likenesses. Viacom was pretty clear that we could only ‘suggest’ the likenesses of Mr. Kiel or any other actor/actress who was not a contracted part of the regular cast. As it was, I recall the guy at Viacom had reservations about us using Michael Dunn’s likeness, too, but I pointed out that if any member of his estate wanted to object, they could simply do so on the grounds that we presented Dr. Loveless as a dwarf because Mr. Dunn was a dwarf. The Viacom liaison never brought it up again.”
Koenig also recalled the storyline to “Iron Tyrant,” saying,”There was a plot twist where Col. Richmond was part of the conspiracy that West and Gordon are investigating. From what I remember, all the robber barons of the 1870s era were collaborating on some plot. They ‘hired’ Dr. Loveless, not realizing Loveless had his own plans. I think it was also set a little bit later than the TV series – 1876, tying into the U.S. centennial.”
Mark confirmed Bill’s recollections. “Yeah . . . a third season episode of the series established the date as 1874, so I figured the fourth and final season was set in 1875. Also, 1876 was the last year of President Grant’s term and by implication, the last year that West and Gordon would hold their positions, inasmuch as it was part of the series canon they reported directly to President Grant.”
When Millennium was publishing the Wild Wild West comic, the widow of Ross Martin (the actor who’d played Artemus Gordon on TV) contacted Ellis. “I chatted with her for a couple of hours. She was a lovely person and had some great anecdotes. Like Mr. Conrad said [in the interview you had with him], she said that Mr. Martin and he got along very well. They rarely socialized except when they were doing publicity for the series, but she said they nevertheless were always respectful of each other.”
“When Mr. Martin passed away,” Mark added, “she claimed that Mr. Conrad was very broken up at the service, apologizing that he had never told Mr. Martin just how much he had admired him and enjoyed working with him for so many years. She said she was very touched by the degree of emotion he showed.”
Another recollection about the WWW comic Mark has is that “the Gene Autry Western Heritage museum supposedly has the issues on display as part of their WWW exhibit.”
The full article is still available at:
http://www.spywise.net/markEllis.html
September 15, 2016
Celebrating Larry Storch and F-Troop, Peter Falk and Columbo
51 years ago yesterday, F-Troop debuted on ABC starring, among others, impressionist Larry Storch. I had the opportunity to meet Larry and interviewed him for both online radio’s “Dave White Presents” and for my spywise.net website. You can read “From F Troop to Get Smart– The Many Voices of Larry Storch” and learn about his career on F-Troop and elsewhere in his own words at—
http://www.spywise.net/larryStorch.html
Another anniversary to celebrate is for the first adventure of Columbo which debuted on Sept. 15, 1971. As with Larry, I was able to twice interview show co-creator William Link for radio, the second time was, as it happened, Sept13, 2011 to discuss the passing of Peter Falk three days before what would have been the star’s 83rd birthday. (Falk was born Sept. 16, 1926).
The first time Bill and I talked, as it happened, was also in September, on September 29, 2010 to discuss his then new book, The Columbo Collection. Here’s my review of the book which should interest any Columbo fan:
The Columbo Collection
William Link
Crippen & Landru Publishers
Richard Levinson and William Link made their first major contribution to TV history when they created the detective series, Mannix. A few years later, during a Screen Writers Guild strike, they came up with a script that became a stage play called Prescription: Murder. Much to their surprise, according to Link’s “Foreword” to The Columbo Collection, audience response didn’t center on the star, the legendary Joseph Cotten. Instead, audiences applauded wildly for actor Thomas Mitchell playing the minor supporting role of a homicide detective named Lieutenant Columbo. This surprise developed into a series of TV movies originally intended to star—Bing Crosby. But a fella named Peter Falk k, a raincoat, a notebook, and a cigar came along, and a hit was born.
Decades after Columbo left the air and the passing of Richard Levinson, Link decided to return to his beloved character anew and craft a series of 12 short stories starring the frumpled investigator. Columbo fans should be delighted he did. Likely for the first time, a creator of a TV favorite took the time to spin some new yarns relying on the old formulas, but with the twists requisite of all good detective fiction. As with the 90 minute mysteries, most of these tales reveal the murderer in the opening paragraphs and readers watch the criminal’s irritation grow as they find a certain policeman showing up again and again asking just one more question.
The essential difference between the TV movies and these stories is length. These stories are short enough most readers can absorb one or more cases in an evening. Little details might jolt purists, as with Columbo—still with no first name—answering his cellphone. And suspects carrying Blackberries and making recordings on CDs. True, Columbo isn’t exactly PC—he still brandishes his cigars, both lit and unlit, just about everywhere he goes.
But Link doesn’t always stick too closely to any set pattern. In “Ricochet,” the opening scene is of an unsettled Columbo being sent off to New York on an assignment. If he doesn’t exactly have a fear of flying, he has major discomfort and asks his boss to raise his one drink limit to three. Columbo devotees will likely look for such clues into the character’s elusive background. For example, when Columbo tells one witness his wife’s father didn’t want her to marry a cop because Dad too was a cop, you have to pause a moment and wonder—did we just read a small revelation or just a bit of Columbo banter? Well, in “Trance,” it’s very clear he has a niece named Julia. He seems to have countless uncles and aunts. He has a wide range of interests, from boxing to opera. And, of course, there’s his very opinionated if never seen wife.
But beyond the detective himself, character development is rarely the point as the pace is tight, economical, and focused on Columbo thinking out the one clue that will undo a killer’s best laid plans. In each story, the killers emotions inevitably erode from feelings of triumph to increasing nervousness to stunned acceptance.
There’s a tone of nostalgic innocence about it all—Lt. Columbo seems to get all the cases of methodical, intelligent, and often very cultured killers out for one victim, never serial killers, gang bangers, nor child molesters. He doesn’t have to duel with supervisors, defense attorneys, nor the DA’s office. He doesn’t have a partner to spar with nor any assistants beyond the unnamed police squads who collect the evidence at crime scenes. Unlike the ensemble casts prevalent on more current dramas, Columbo still arrests his prey alone, never fearing they’ll turn violent in the final scene. Or make a mad dash for it.
Some of these new mysteries could be easily classified as short-short stories (“Ricochet,” “Sucker Punch.”) while others, such as “Requiem for a Hitman” and “The Blackest Mail” involve a killer forced to take extreme measures to cover their, well, extreme measures. Some plots are a bit contrived (“Trance”) but all reveal, again and again, the most calculating of murderers, whether “The Criminal Criminal Attorney,” conspiratorial musicians (“Murder Allegro”), or vengeful vets (“A Dish Best Served Cold”) can’t compete with the unflagging instincts of Lt. Columbo.
All together, this is light reading and no Edgar nominations are likely for Link, although he has won four of these prestigious awards in the past. It’s an ideal companion for airport terminals or bedtime reading, for times when you want to enjoy a writer and his character being their clever best. I’ll take seconds, Mr. Link.
This review first appeared at:
http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitep...
http://www.spywise.net/larryStorch.html
Another anniversary to celebrate is for the first adventure of Columbo which debuted on Sept. 15, 1971. As with Larry, I was able to twice interview show co-creator William Link for radio, the second time was, as it happened, Sept13, 2011 to discuss the passing of Peter Falk three days before what would have been the star’s 83rd birthday. (Falk was born Sept. 16, 1926).
The first time Bill and I talked, as it happened, was also in September, on September 29, 2010 to discuss his then new book, The Columbo Collection. Here’s my review of the book which should interest any Columbo fan:
The Columbo Collection
William Link
Crippen & Landru Publishers
Richard Levinson and William Link made their first major contribution to TV history when they created the detective series, Mannix. A few years later, during a Screen Writers Guild strike, they came up with a script that became a stage play called Prescription: Murder. Much to their surprise, according to Link’s “Foreword” to The Columbo Collection, audience response didn’t center on the star, the legendary Joseph Cotten. Instead, audiences applauded wildly for actor Thomas Mitchell playing the minor supporting role of a homicide detective named Lieutenant Columbo. This surprise developed into a series of TV movies originally intended to star—Bing Crosby. But a fella named Peter Falk k, a raincoat, a notebook, and a cigar came along, and a hit was born.
Decades after Columbo left the air and the passing of Richard Levinson, Link decided to return to his beloved character anew and craft a series of 12 short stories starring the frumpled investigator. Columbo fans should be delighted he did. Likely for the first time, a creator of a TV favorite took the time to spin some new yarns relying on the old formulas, but with the twists requisite of all good detective fiction. As with the 90 minute mysteries, most of these tales reveal the murderer in the opening paragraphs and readers watch the criminal’s irritation grow as they find a certain policeman showing up again and again asking just one more question.
The essential difference between the TV movies and these stories is length. These stories are short enough most readers can absorb one or more cases in an evening. Little details might jolt purists, as with Columbo—still with no first name—answering his cellphone. And suspects carrying Blackberries and making recordings on CDs. True, Columbo isn’t exactly PC—he still brandishes his cigars, both lit and unlit, just about everywhere he goes.
But Link doesn’t always stick too closely to any set pattern. In “Ricochet,” the opening scene is of an unsettled Columbo being sent off to New York on an assignment. If he doesn’t exactly have a fear of flying, he has major discomfort and asks his boss to raise his one drink limit to three. Columbo devotees will likely look for such clues into the character’s elusive background. For example, when Columbo tells one witness his wife’s father didn’t want her to marry a cop because Dad too was a cop, you have to pause a moment and wonder—did we just read a small revelation or just a bit of Columbo banter? Well, in “Trance,” it’s very clear he has a niece named Julia. He seems to have countless uncles and aunts. He has a wide range of interests, from boxing to opera. And, of course, there’s his very opinionated if never seen wife.
But beyond the detective himself, character development is rarely the point as the pace is tight, economical, and focused on Columbo thinking out the one clue that will undo a killer’s best laid plans. In each story, the killers emotions inevitably erode from feelings of triumph to increasing nervousness to stunned acceptance.
There’s a tone of nostalgic innocence about it all—Lt. Columbo seems to get all the cases of methodical, intelligent, and often very cultured killers out for one victim, never serial killers, gang bangers, nor child molesters. He doesn’t have to duel with supervisors, defense attorneys, nor the DA’s office. He doesn’t have a partner to spar with nor any assistants beyond the unnamed police squads who collect the evidence at crime scenes. Unlike the ensemble casts prevalent on more current dramas, Columbo still arrests his prey alone, never fearing they’ll turn violent in the final scene. Or make a mad dash for it.
Some of these new mysteries could be easily classified as short-short stories (“Ricochet,” “Sucker Punch.”) while others, such as “Requiem for a Hitman” and “The Blackest Mail” involve a killer forced to take extreme measures to cover their, well, extreme measures. Some plots are a bit contrived (“Trance”) but all reveal, again and again, the most calculating of murderers, whether “The Criminal Criminal Attorney,” conspiratorial musicians (“Murder Allegro”), or vengeful vets (“A Dish Best Served Cold”) can’t compete with the unflagging instincts of Lt. Columbo.
All together, this is light reading and no Edgar nominations are likely for Link, although he has won four of these prestigious awards in the past. It’s an ideal companion for airport terminals or bedtime reading, for times when you want to enjoy a writer and his character being their clever best. I’ll take seconds, Mr. Link.
This review first appeared at:
http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitep...
September 14, 2016
Guest Post: Barbara Barnett unleashes The Apothecary’s Curse
Note: I admit being very surprised learning Barbara Barnett was publishing a sci fi novel, The Apothecary's Curse, coming Oct. 11. I knew her as one of the main motors who were at the helm of BlogCritics.org when I used to write for them. I not only reviewed her non-fiction history of TV’s House, M.D., I interviewed her about the book on online radio’s “Dave White Presents.”
While I haven’t read The Apothecary’s Curse yet myself, here’s what I’ve learned about it:
"Anne Rice meets Michael Crichton" in this genre-bending historical fantasy-thriller mixes alchemy and genetics as a doctor and an apothecary try to prevent a pharmaceutical company from exploiting the book that made them immortal centuries ago.
In Victorian London, the fates of physician Simon Bell and apothecary Gaelan Erceldoune entwine when Simon gives his wife an elixir created by Gaelan from an ancient manuscript. Meant to cure her cancer, it kills her. Suicidal, Simon swallows the remainder--only to find he cannot die.
Five years later, hearing rumors of a Bedlam inmate with regenerative powers like his own, Simon is shocked to discover it's Gaelan. The two men conceal their immortality, but the only hope of reversing their condition rests with Gaelan's missing manuscript.
When modern-day pharmaceutical company Transdiff Genomics unearths diaries describing the torture of Bedlam inmates, the company's scientists suspect a link between Gaelan and an unnamed inmate. Gaelan and Genomics geneticist Anne Shawe are powerfully drawn to each other, and her family connection to his manuscript leads to a stunning revelation. Will it bring ruin or redemption?
“Anne Rice meets Michael Crichton in this fever dream of a fantasy. . .will keep readers up well past their bedtime. Highly recommended!” —Jay Bonansinga, New York Times–bestselling author of The Walking Dead: Search and Destroy
“An irresistible blend of fairy folklore, science, and suspense that’s sure to keep you reading late into the night.” —Shanna Swendson, author of Enchanted, Inc.
“A new narrative world lovingly created with an Old World touch. . .” Jane Espenson, Writer/Producer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, Once Upon a Time
“Myth, medicine, and immortality, braided together like the border of an illuminated manuscript.” —Doris Egan, screenwriter, novelist, and writer and co-executive producer of House
Pre-order from Amazon.com
Visit BarbaraBarnett.com
While I haven’t read The Apothecary’s Curse yet myself, here’s what I’ve learned about it:
"Anne Rice meets Michael Crichton" in this genre-bending historical fantasy-thriller mixes alchemy and genetics as a doctor and an apothecary try to prevent a pharmaceutical company from exploiting the book that made them immortal centuries ago.
In Victorian London, the fates of physician Simon Bell and apothecary Gaelan Erceldoune entwine when Simon gives his wife an elixir created by Gaelan from an ancient manuscript. Meant to cure her cancer, it kills her. Suicidal, Simon swallows the remainder--only to find he cannot die.
Five years later, hearing rumors of a Bedlam inmate with regenerative powers like his own, Simon is shocked to discover it's Gaelan. The two men conceal their immortality, but the only hope of reversing their condition rests with Gaelan's missing manuscript.
When modern-day pharmaceutical company Transdiff Genomics unearths diaries describing the torture of Bedlam inmates, the company's scientists suspect a link between Gaelan and an unnamed inmate. Gaelan and Genomics geneticist Anne Shawe are powerfully drawn to each other, and her family connection to his manuscript leads to a stunning revelation. Will it bring ruin or redemption?
“Anne Rice meets Michael Crichton in this fever dream of a fantasy. . .will keep readers up well past their bedtime. Highly recommended!” —Jay Bonansinga, New York Times–bestselling author of The Walking Dead: Search and Destroy
“An irresistible blend of fairy folklore, science, and suspense that’s sure to keep you reading late into the night.” —Shanna Swendson, author of Enchanted, Inc.
“A new narrative world lovingly created with an Old World touch. . .” Jane Espenson, Writer/Producer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, Once Upon a Time
“Myth, medicine, and immortality, braided together like the border of an illuminated manuscript.” —Doris Egan, screenwriter, novelist, and writer and co-executive producer of House
Pre-order from Amazon.com
Visit BarbaraBarnett.com
September 12, 2016
Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi, and Alien Eyes in the Sky
I know. Making overt connections between my books and the writings of Mark Twain stretches and strains credulity. This despite the fact that, for a decade of my life, I was completely immersed in the life and works of Samuel Clemens. My master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation were about his religious views. During those years, I was a happy member of the lively and personable Twain scholarly community. To be honest, I miss those days and especially those people.
Still, only once during my writing process did I feel Twain was looking over my shoulder when I crafted the first chapter of A Throne for an Alien. I remembered, or thought I remembered, one chapter from Life on the Mississippi that opens with a descriptive overview of an area on the Mississippi. Then Twain narrowed his focus to a specific town, then narrowed his view to one street, then one house, and finally one sleeping drunk on a porch. Well, as Twain once said, I remember everything whether it happened or not. Actually, the passage read like this:
http://www.bartleby.com/library/prose...
Interestingly, the way I remembered the scene, Twain would have been using a cameratic technique long before any camera could do anything like this. According to some helpful Twain scholars, he’s starting the scene with a "Zoom in" or "establishing shot", also known as a bird's eye or pan(orama) shot. You’ve seen this used in films like Psycho, The Birdcage, and The Dark Knight.
The way I recalled the passage is what I tried to emulate when describing the fleet of exiles in the opening pages of Throne for an Alien. The “bird’s eye” view comes from what the character named Joline imagines what the spirit of her murdered sister Bar might see looking down from the clouds. Later in the chapter, Joline has Bar’s perspective focus on the ship of her former family and then her spirit looks into the ship’s cabin. You can see for yourselves how I used the pan (orama) technique here:
Joline: One day looking over the horizon-deck of our "Barbara Blue," I thought of my lost sister, Bar. For one moment, I wondered what she might think if she looked down from the skies over Tribe Renbourn. From the quiet clouds feeding occasional gentle rains onto the foaming, rocking blue waters of the Philosea, she'd see one of the strangest, most magnificent sights in Betan history. As our fleet, our "rag-tag" fleet as Husband described it, sailed east across the Philosea, 60, 70, 90 ships would sometimes be a swelling entity all together, sometimes be streams of smaller fleets seemingly independent but parallel, and sometimes scattered armadas when boat-Captains decided to linger in ports or at island landings at their will.
That day, I thought, the view from where I stood on our ship was just as dramatic as any overhead eyes. After all, my vision was combined with the smells and feels of ocean winds and waters. Some days, we all saw and smelled smoke rising like gentle ladders to the clouds from ships of burning engines. Sometimes, we heard sky booms and saw vapor trails from fast-moving wingers racing above us, no doubt looking down to see what they could see. Many days, wide-sails with proud Alliance signs were filled with the winds and we looked through our glass scopes to see who was nearby.
Some decorated sails we knew well, many our friends from Biol, Oyne, and Persis. We smiled seeing their new flags bearing the Half-Moon sign Husband had made the emblem of the first peaceful resistance to a government gone mad. We waved at friendly sailors climbing up rigging or waving at us from watch-nests atop sturdy masts, especially the cargo-ship Alnenia's father, Sikas Ricipa, had loaned our tribe to carry many of our support-hands. Other ships in the distance we saw rare. We knew their leaders only by Two-Way or EV-com contacts. We knew every ship in the fleet was filled with fearful refugees, many wondering if Alman submersibles would rise to the surface to demand some ships be turned around.
Others worried the powerful Alman Navy might make attempts to capture individuals the new Alman government might have reason to want. Men especially feared their homeland might insist on reclaiming them. But, in the main, the Alman Navy was conspicuous by its absence.
"Perhaps," Alnenia mused, "they prefer to leave us at the mercy of the elements and possible raiders."
Only as time passed did this unease seem to slowly vanish like the flocks of seabirds winging overhead. Of course, many of these ships were small and designed not for long voyages. Many such had been provisioned in quick time and lacked for food, water, and long-distance navigation equipment. Cargo ships had been hastily converted into passenger vessels. Sometimes we lingered to allow these stragglers to keep close to their protective neighbors. Some days, we all paused as if we were one
body to allow ships heading other directions to cross or cut through our path.
"I would never have imagined," Husband remarked, inhaling the sea air he loved, "that there could be traffic jams in the middle of an ocean."
We had many such. All these disparate exiles cast their fates away from the country that had given us all one choice — bend your mind, your soul, your will to one Lunta, one vision of Olos, one cruel woman with double-powers or leave. So many left. For reasons even the prophets said not, many followed the Duce of Bilan, My Husband, the blind alien of Alpha-Earth to wherever he and his tribe might go. And on this, the third arc of our voyage, we knew not where we went.
To our east, we knew Rhasvin ships were forming a buffer on their coast as if to say, "Sail on, sail on, but sail not here." We knew Arasad ships floated like barracuda to our west as if hoping for at least a few morsels of tribute. But mostly the world watched and wondered.
At the moment I stood on our deck and thought of sister Bar, my womb was too full of the present and the family around me to wonder too much about the doings on other ships or in remote lands. Instead, I allowed my imagined cloud-spirit of Bar to narrow her vision, pointing her fleshless eyes downward at her namesake, our pride, the "Barbara Blue." She'd have seen a very different husband from the tortured animal she'd first met in the Bergarten see-through cell, the abused teacher in the Balnakin School, the haunted husband and father who'd been blamed for the deaths of thousands. Now, if she looked closely, she'd see a man on the deck of his ship playing games with children of nine mothers, including her own daughter, Becky. If she looked close, she might amaze to see a father and his tribe in happy play, a tribe seemingly unconcerned that, once again, our family was homeless.
Once, our tribe would have looked cautious outward, wondering and speculating about the future in new places under new rules with shifting lines of power and need. Once, our Tribal Council would have mourned the loss of a beloved home and the roots we'd sought to plant on Island Bilan. Now, this tribe in transition was led by a father deliberately losing games for laughing offspring between tickling helpless mothers to the decks. Now, the reluctant father of an international exodus seemed to fear nothing.
Still, wise eyes would see Noriah of the Willing Horse and her ten Trustees
spending much time on deck, teaching children and adults alike the ways of alertness and preparation. As she had for years, Sister Doret still taught everyone intricacies of Kin-Po, our exercise that was also our physical defense.
Had the spirit of Bar peered into the window of our ship's parlor, she would have seen the famous corner of Two-Way wavers that once beamed out signals of distress when Tribe Renbourn was at the mercy of Arasad raiders. Now, she'd see maps of all sizes and designs decorating the walls as every Renbourn of every age had been given a vote in the great question. Where was home?
----
Find out what happens next in A Throne for an Alien—The Beta-Earth Chronicles: Book 4
https://www.amazon.com/Throne-Alien-B...
Book 1, The Blind Alien, is still on sale for 99 cents!
https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Alien-Be...
Still, only once during my writing process did I feel Twain was looking over my shoulder when I crafted the first chapter of A Throne for an Alien. I remembered, or thought I remembered, one chapter from Life on the Mississippi that opens with a descriptive overview of an area on the Mississippi. Then Twain narrowed his focus to a specific town, then narrowed his view to one street, then one house, and finally one sleeping drunk on a porch. Well, as Twain once said, I remember everything whether it happened or not. Actually, the passage read like this:
http://www.bartleby.com/library/prose...
Interestingly, the way I remembered the scene, Twain would have been using a cameratic technique long before any camera could do anything like this. According to some helpful Twain scholars, he’s starting the scene with a "Zoom in" or "establishing shot", also known as a bird's eye or pan(orama) shot. You’ve seen this used in films like Psycho, The Birdcage, and The Dark Knight.
The way I recalled the passage is what I tried to emulate when describing the fleet of exiles in the opening pages of Throne for an Alien. The “bird’s eye” view comes from what the character named Joline imagines what the spirit of her murdered sister Bar might see looking down from the clouds. Later in the chapter, Joline has Bar’s perspective focus on the ship of her former family and then her spirit looks into the ship’s cabin. You can see for yourselves how I used the pan (orama) technique here:
Joline: One day looking over the horizon-deck of our "Barbara Blue," I thought of my lost sister, Bar. For one moment, I wondered what she might think if she looked down from the skies over Tribe Renbourn. From the quiet clouds feeding occasional gentle rains onto the foaming, rocking blue waters of the Philosea, she'd see one of the strangest, most magnificent sights in Betan history. As our fleet, our "rag-tag" fleet as Husband described it, sailed east across the Philosea, 60, 70, 90 ships would sometimes be a swelling entity all together, sometimes be streams of smaller fleets seemingly independent but parallel, and sometimes scattered armadas when boat-Captains decided to linger in ports or at island landings at their will.
That day, I thought, the view from where I stood on our ship was just as dramatic as any overhead eyes. After all, my vision was combined with the smells and feels of ocean winds and waters. Some days, we all saw and smelled smoke rising like gentle ladders to the clouds from ships of burning engines. Sometimes, we heard sky booms and saw vapor trails from fast-moving wingers racing above us, no doubt looking down to see what they could see. Many days, wide-sails with proud Alliance signs were filled with the winds and we looked through our glass scopes to see who was nearby.
Some decorated sails we knew well, many our friends from Biol, Oyne, and Persis. We smiled seeing their new flags bearing the Half-Moon sign Husband had made the emblem of the first peaceful resistance to a government gone mad. We waved at friendly sailors climbing up rigging or waving at us from watch-nests atop sturdy masts, especially the cargo-ship Alnenia's father, Sikas Ricipa, had loaned our tribe to carry many of our support-hands. Other ships in the distance we saw rare. We knew their leaders only by Two-Way or EV-com contacts. We knew every ship in the fleet was filled with fearful refugees, many wondering if Alman submersibles would rise to the surface to demand some ships be turned around.
Others worried the powerful Alman Navy might make attempts to capture individuals the new Alman government might have reason to want. Men especially feared their homeland might insist on reclaiming them. But, in the main, the Alman Navy was conspicuous by its absence.
"Perhaps," Alnenia mused, "they prefer to leave us at the mercy of the elements and possible raiders."
Only as time passed did this unease seem to slowly vanish like the flocks of seabirds winging overhead. Of course, many of these ships were small and designed not for long voyages. Many such had been provisioned in quick time and lacked for food, water, and long-distance navigation equipment. Cargo ships had been hastily converted into passenger vessels. Sometimes we lingered to allow these stragglers to keep close to their protective neighbors. Some days, we all paused as if we were one
body to allow ships heading other directions to cross or cut through our path.
"I would never have imagined," Husband remarked, inhaling the sea air he loved, "that there could be traffic jams in the middle of an ocean."
We had many such. All these disparate exiles cast their fates away from the country that had given us all one choice — bend your mind, your soul, your will to one Lunta, one vision of Olos, one cruel woman with double-powers or leave. So many left. For reasons even the prophets said not, many followed the Duce of Bilan, My Husband, the blind alien of Alpha-Earth to wherever he and his tribe might go. And on this, the third arc of our voyage, we knew not where we went.
To our east, we knew Rhasvin ships were forming a buffer on their coast as if to say, "Sail on, sail on, but sail not here." We knew Arasad ships floated like barracuda to our west as if hoping for at least a few morsels of tribute. But mostly the world watched and wondered.
At the moment I stood on our deck and thought of sister Bar, my womb was too full of the present and the family around me to wonder too much about the doings on other ships or in remote lands. Instead, I allowed my imagined cloud-spirit of Bar to narrow her vision, pointing her fleshless eyes downward at her namesake, our pride, the "Barbara Blue." She'd have seen a very different husband from the tortured animal she'd first met in the Bergarten see-through cell, the abused teacher in the Balnakin School, the haunted husband and father who'd been blamed for the deaths of thousands. Now, if she looked closely, she'd see a man on the deck of his ship playing games with children of nine mothers, including her own daughter, Becky. If she looked close, she might amaze to see a father and his tribe in happy play, a tribe seemingly unconcerned that, once again, our family was homeless.
Once, our tribe would have looked cautious outward, wondering and speculating about the future in new places under new rules with shifting lines of power and need. Once, our Tribal Council would have mourned the loss of a beloved home and the roots we'd sought to plant on Island Bilan. Now, this tribe in transition was led by a father deliberately losing games for laughing offspring between tickling helpless mothers to the decks. Now, the reluctant father of an international exodus seemed to fear nothing.
Still, wise eyes would see Noriah of the Willing Horse and her ten Trustees
spending much time on deck, teaching children and adults alike the ways of alertness and preparation. As she had for years, Sister Doret still taught everyone intricacies of Kin-Po, our exercise that was also our physical defense.
Had the spirit of Bar peered into the window of our ship's parlor, she would have seen the famous corner of Two-Way wavers that once beamed out signals of distress when Tribe Renbourn was at the mercy of Arasad raiders. Now, she'd see maps of all sizes and designs decorating the walls as every Renbourn of every age had been given a vote in the great question. Where was home?
----
Find out what happens next in A Throne for an Alien—The Beta-Earth Chronicles: Book 4
https://www.amazon.com/Throne-Alien-B...
Book 1, The Blind Alien, is still on sale for 99 cents!
https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Alien-Be...
September 10, 2016
Big Book Sale from BearManor Media!
Today, Saturday, September 10, BearManor Media’s big 46% off sale begins.
Offer: take 46% off any book on BMM’s www.bearmanormedia.com web site. Excluded are our sister sites, such as Coverout.com, Bearmanorbare.com, Ebay.com, Selz.com, etc.
Sale discount code: fortyBM. A buyer need only place this code once in the APPLY DISCOUNT box in their shopping cart. The discount will automatically apply to all purchases.
Duration of the sale: from Saturday, 9.10.16 to Tuesday, 9.20.16 midnight EST.
Offer: take 46% off any book on BMM’s www.bearmanormedia.com web site. Excluded are our sister sites, such as Coverout.com, Bearmanorbare.com, Ebay.com, Selz.com, etc.
Sale discount code: fortyBM. A buyer need only place this code once in the APPLY DISCOUNT box in their shopping cart. The discount will automatically apply to all purchases.
Duration of the sale: from Saturday, 9.10.16 to Tuesday, 9.20.16 midnight EST.
September 9, 2016
Race and Beauty on Beta-Earth
It’s been a while since I gave y’all a free sample from a Beta book. So here’s a passage from The Blood of Balnakin I’m rather proud of.
That’s because this section not only introduces you to a major character in the series, but, in that character’s own words, introduces you to some of the major themes of the book. In particular, the role of race in the country of Balnakin.
For a little set-up: “Sojoa-sheets” are essentially solar panels. “Stadsems” are colleges. In the country of Balnakin, the dominant race is brown-skins. Blues are their slaves. “Tribal sewings” are markings worn on tunics to indicate strong tribal alliances.
In the final third of The Blind Alien, the book that preceded Blood, a terrible catastrophe occurred when an explosion destroyed much of the city of Bergarten. Many Balnakins mistakenly believed the blind alien, Dr. Malcolm Renbourn, could have averted the disaster if he’d have sacrificed himself in the laboratory that had brought him over from Alpha earth. As a result, the Renbourns and all light-skins are blamed for the deaths of thousands. So Kalma is about to discuss various reactions to the event from her family’s various points of view.
Kalma: I am daughter of the great city of Bergarten, a city I have known with pride, shame, and aching womb all my days. In the twenty-five years of my growing near the three rivers, I thrived in the knowledge my home city was a center of the world. All around me were the wide, clean walkways leading past gleaming buildings unlike any in any other city on Olos earth. I knew these flowing streets well, I knew I was one fleshly part of the best of humanity. My Bergarten was where the future shaped, where discipline and energy superseded the ways of others tangled in their tired pasts.
But I also was shaped by a family deeply troubled by the slavery of fellow Balnakins sharing not our deep, earth-soil colors. I knew well our Sojoa sheets shone because of the polishings of blues dangled from rooftops or belted to mechanical ladders. Riding in our trans from one site to another, my Mother often circled her breasts with single finger loops, signaling gratitude to be blessed each time she glanced at a sullen blue woman tuning tools, unloading tracs, crawling down into pipes below ground. Many such women would know spears, children, family not.
Futures not. We whispered our regret. But only whispers, silences, prayers. After all, without the blues, our greatness possibled not.
Then, my soul ached and more as I was in Bergarten the day the soundless explosion robbed my city of its heart. I was one of those shoved onto an evacuation bus at stadsem that cursed day, cramped with students and sweating teachers on the road north when the catastrophe took away the rooms we sat in but minutes before. I can name names of many who exist no more. My belly tightens still to think of them.
Had not my Tribe fast boats on the Gell River, two of my Sisters and their children would also exist no more.
To say more, for years, my family has been a deep part of what I loved most about Bergarten. For one matter, unlike many, my father, Lius Salk, built his empire of
connections relying not on what he considered a dishonest means of business. That is, as he rose in the ranks of the shipping company of Mhelapras, he chose not his wives based on tunic sewings. Instead, each of his five bondings were daughters from the New Dome Church of No-Stratas founded by the eminent Devlin Joco Llyam. Llyam's congregation agreed on various principles including the possibility, but rarity of, true prophecy. We believed Olos was indeed the Mother of All, and that all included all skins. This meant Olos abhorred slavery. No member of the New Domes associated with Devlin Llyam could own or deal with the selling of humans. This meant we had few prosperous, powerful tribes to share worship with. My father looked for wives with these beliefs knowing they would come from families with these values. He wanted wives focused on their children. So, each of us grew in a home devoted to our betterment while my father grew his company in countries stained not by human bondage. He worked with makers of goods with sellers all over the globe interested in unique wares from cultures across land and sea. As Father rose to the top of Mhelapras, we rose with him.
True said, in each family, seeds bear different fruits. My brother Mool became as interested as my father in the ways of connecting makers with distributors. So, he established his own healthy branch to the family's growth into the countries south of the Psam Peninsula, mostly on the continent of Verashush. But my brother Kinn could find his way not. He became an angry student at the Lipran Stadsem, graduating just before the news came out that an alien was in the Halls of the great Bergarten Institute of the Species. Kinn stood in the audience the day Doctor Malcolm Renbourn reached out to two globes. Later, Kinn raged in father's house the day the alien snuck across the border into Rhasvi. My father dismayed when Kinn denounced loud the Lipran authorities for having allowed this escape to happen. Why had any fool put a Shaprim robe on a blue, why was a creature so obviously defective contained not here in Bergarten where all the world should come and beg access to our knowledge? "Olos put her stamp on every Brown," Kin preached, "when she marked us with her own color, the color of her most fertile land! What is blue but an empty shade between day and night? Unnatural. Name one other creature sharing this strange pigment!" He laughed. "And these are creatures to envy, pity not! How relaxing to have no decisions to make, no will to exercise! We shelter, feed, guide these off-colors!" My father had known not my brother had changed at the Stadsem. Into this nest of anti-slavery philosophies, a racist had emerged.
And Kinn became more than that when one-fourth of our city became a dome in
the earth, a gaping hole where once friends and companions lived. One horrible day, my father's office view overlooked a wound that now defined a culture. Devlin Llyam's home was but two-lanes away. During the first years after that damnable rip in Olos appeared, such men and their women grieved in silent wonder. During the same years, men and women like my brother Kinn spoke often and loud. "I stood there, right there at the very center of that wound in the Mother! By miracle alone three of my Sisters survived! But a minute, a moment, our Tribe, too, would have had souls with bodies not for holy burning!" All Balnakin homes knew the debates. Yes, drain and bleed Rhasvin coffers for compensation. But compensate who? How can lost knowledge be re-claimed? Who owned the lost land? They were gone, too. Rebuild? Build a memorial? Answers were slow. But those like Kin looked for answers not.
Vengeance. Slashing, burning, crushing of all creatures whose skin was brown not. Consuming, unyielding rage. So, father sent my brother to Alma in the hopes the distance might calm his angry spear. To live among blues who were slaves not, Balnakin, Rhasvi not. For a time, we knew not of success in father's dreams. We more concerned with our world turned upside down.
For the record, I have seven sisters, as well, but my purpose here is not to fully flesh out my blood-tree. To say simple, my tribe, like most, was a story of contrasts. I, well, I was my father's favorite star. From early years, I was the quickest of my brood to show promise in my studies, especially seeing the patterns of numbers. As I grew in
health, comfort, dignity, and belief in the values of our New Dome association, it was obvious to all I should have the brightest possibilities of my generation. Young men
eyed my tall frame and wide birth-hips with considerable interest. Even when I was young, boys loved to stare into my yellow-iris eyes, a trait passed down from my
Mother. Along with my well-recognized tunic-colors I designed myself, I was praised
for my song-voice which I shaped in praise for Olos. But I was ready for bonding not.
Unlike my mother, I planned to establish myself as a woman with a scope far larger
than our mansion near River Lod. In my womb, I imagined myself wife to a Tribal-Centel if not one myself. Where I to bond with such a man, he'd have to be one
expecting considerable guidance from his first wife. For I would settle not for less.
Learn what happens next, and what happened before, in:
The Blood of Balnakin—The Beta-Earth Chronicles: Book Two
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Balnakin...
That’s because this section not only introduces you to a major character in the series, but, in that character’s own words, introduces you to some of the major themes of the book. In particular, the role of race in the country of Balnakin.
For a little set-up: “Sojoa-sheets” are essentially solar panels. “Stadsems” are colleges. In the country of Balnakin, the dominant race is brown-skins. Blues are their slaves. “Tribal sewings” are markings worn on tunics to indicate strong tribal alliances.
In the final third of The Blind Alien, the book that preceded Blood, a terrible catastrophe occurred when an explosion destroyed much of the city of Bergarten. Many Balnakins mistakenly believed the blind alien, Dr. Malcolm Renbourn, could have averted the disaster if he’d have sacrificed himself in the laboratory that had brought him over from Alpha earth. As a result, the Renbourns and all light-skins are blamed for the deaths of thousands. So Kalma is about to discuss various reactions to the event from her family’s various points of view.
Kalma: I am daughter of the great city of Bergarten, a city I have known with pride, shame, and aching womb all my days. In the twenty-five years of my growing near the three rivers, I thrived in the knowledge my home city was a center of the world. All around me were the wide, clean walkways leading past gleaming buildings unlike any in any other city on Olos earth. I knew these flowing streets well, I knew I was one fleshly part of the best of humanity. My Bergarten was where the future shaped, where discipline and energy superseded the ways of others tangled in their tired pasts.
But I also was shaped by a family deeply troubled by the slavery of fellow Balnakins sharing not our deep, earth-soil colors. I knew well our Sojoa sheets shone because of the polishings of blues dangled from rooftops or belted to mechanical ladders. Riding in our trans from one site to another, my Mother often circled her breasts with single finger loops, signaling gratitude to be blessed each time she glanced at a sullen blue woman tuning tools, unloading tracs, crawling down into pipes below ground. Many such women would know spears, children, family not.
Futures not. We whispered our regret. But only whispers, silences, prayers. After all, without the blues, our greatness possibled not.
Then, my soul ached and more as I was in Bergarten the day the soundless explosion robbed my city of its heart. I was one of those shoved onto an evacuation bus at stadsem that cursed day, cramped with students and sweating teachers on the road north when the catastrophe took away the rooms we sat in but minutes before. I can name names of many who exist no more. My belly tightens still to think of them.
Had not my Tribe fast boats on the Gell River, two of my Sisters and their children would also exist no more.
To say more, for years, my family has been a deep part of what I loved most about Bergarten. For one matter, unlike many, my father, Lius Salk, built his empire of
connections relying not on what he considered a dishonest means of business. That is, as he rose in the ranks of the shipping company of Mhelapras, he chose not his wives based on tunic sewings. Instead, each of his five bondings were daughters from the New Dome Church of No-Stratas founded by the eminent Devlin Joco Llyam. Llyam's congregation agreed on various principles including the possibility, but rarity of, true prophecy. We believed Olos was indeed the Mother of All, and that all included all skins. This meant Olos abhorred slavery. No member of the New Domes associated with Devlin Llyam could own or deal with the selling of humans. This meant we had few prosperous, powerful tribes to share worship with. My father looked for wives with these beliefs knowing they would come from families with these values. He wanted wives focused on their children. So, each of us grew in a home devoted to our betterment while my father grew his company in countries stained not by human bondage. He worked with makers of goods with sellers all over the globe interested in unique wares from cultures across land and sea. As Father rose to the top of Mhelapras, we rose with him.
True said, in each family, seeds bear different fruits. My brother Mool became as interested as my father in the ways of connecting makers with distributors. So, he established his own healthy branch to the family's growth into the countries south of the Psam Peninsula, mostly on the continent of Verashush. But my brother Kinn could find his way not. He became an angry student at the Lipran Stadsem, graduating just before the news came out that an alien was in the Halls of the great Bergarten Institute of the Species. Kinn stood in the audience the day Doctor Malcolm Renbourn reached out to two globes. Later, Kinn raged in father's house the day the alien snuck across the border into Rhasvi. My father dismayed when Kinn denounced loud the Lipran authorities for having allowed this escape to happen. Why had any fool put a Shaprim robe on a blue, why was a creature so obviously defective contained not here in Bergarten where all the world should come and beg access to our knowledge? "Olos put her stamp on every Brown," Kin preached, "when she marked us with her own color, the color of her most fertile land! What is blue but an empty shade between day and night? Unnatural. Name one other creature sharing this strange pigment!" He laughed. "And these are creatures to envy, pity not! How relaxing to have no decisions to make, no will to exercise! We shelter, feed, guide these off-colors!" My father had known not my brother had changed at the Stadsem. Into this nest of anti-slavery philosophies, a racist had emerged.
And Kinn became more than that when one-fourth of our city became a dome in
the earth, a gaping hole where once friends and companions lived. One horrible day, my father's office view overlooked a wound that now defined a culture. Devlin Llyam's home was but two-lanes away. During the first years after that damnable rip in Olos appeared, such men and their women grieved in silent wonder. During the same years, men and women like my brother Kinn spoke often and loud. "I stood there, right there at the very center of that wound in the Mother! By miracle alone three of my Sisters survived! But a minute, a moment, our Tribe, too, would have had souls with bodies not for holy burning!" All Balnakin homes knew the debates. Yes, drain and bleed Rhasvin coffers for compensation. But compensate who? How can lost knowledge be re-claimed? Who owned the lost land? They were gone, too. Rebuild? Build a memorial? Answers were slow. But those like Kin looked for answers not.
Vengeance. Slashing, burning, crushing of all creatures whose skin was brown not. Consuming, unyielding rage. So, father sent my brother to Alma in the hopes the distance might calm his angry spear. To live among blues who were slaves not, Balnakin, Rhasvi not. For a time, we knew not of success in father's dreams. We more concerned with our world turned upside down.
For the record, I have seven sisters, as well, but my purpose here is not to fully flesh out my blood-tree. To say simple, my tribe, like most, was a story of contrasts. I, well, I was my father's favorite star. From early years, I was the quickest of my brood to show promise in my studies, especially seeing the patterns of numbers. As I grew in
health, comfort, dignity, and belief in the values of our New Dome association, it was obvious to all I should have the brightest possibilities of my generation. Young men
eyed my tall frame and wide birth-hips with considerable interest. Even when I was young, boys loved to stare into my yellow-iris eyes, a trait passed down from my
Mother. Along with my well-recognized tunic-colors I designed myself, I was praised
for my song-voice which I shaped in praise for Olos. But I was ready for bonding not.
Unlike my mother, I planned to establish myself as a woman with a scope far larger
than our mansion near River Lod. In my womb, I imagined myself wife to a Tribal-Centel if not one myself. Where I to bond with such a man, he'd have to be one
expecting considerable guidance from his first wife. For I would settle not for less.
Learn what happens next, and what happened before, in:
The Blood of Balnakin—The Beta-Earth Chronicles: Book Two
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Balnakin...
September 7, 2016
Guest Post: Author Marc Cushman takes you back to Lost in Space
Note: I’ve been touting the work of Marc Cushman for some time now. In 2007, I was happy to help plug his wonderful and long overdue history of I Spy. Anyone who knows anything about the original Star Trek knows his exhaustive three volume series, These are the Voyages, are the penultimate histories of those classic three years.
Now, Marc takes his skills in research and investigation to explore Lost in Space. Volume One digs into the creation of the series, reviews its background, and, well, I’ll let Marc speak for himself:
Irwin Allen's Lost in Space: The Authorized Biography of a Classic Sci-Fi Series, Volume One documents the early career of Irwin Allen. It is a true rags-to-riches story, as Allen ventures from a humble beginning in the Bronx to his later incarnations in Hollywood as an entertainment journalist, radio and television host, a literary agent – all before becoming a successful motion picture producer and director. After winning an Academy Award in 1954, Allen entered the fantasy genre with films such as The Lost World and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. He then rolled the dice again with a move into television, creating and producing Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and, one year later, Lost in Space.
Lost in Space was the first primetime weekly series to take viewers into outer space’s strange new alien worlds – something the networks believed impossible on a TV budget and schedule. In this book you’ll be whisked back in time to the production offices, writers’ conferences, and soundstages for the making of this iconic series. Included are hundreds of memos between Allen and his staff; production schedules; budgets; fan letters; more than 300 rare behind-the-scene images; and the TV ratings for every episode.
And that’s just what you’ll find in Volume One!
Marc Cushman is a WGA screenwriter, a TV and film director/producer, and author. As a screenwriter he has written for Star Trek: the Next Generation; Star Trek Continues; Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction and Diagnosis Murder, as well as such feature films as In the Eyes of a Killer and the award-winning Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney. Marc co-authored the book I Spy: A History and Episode Guide to the Groundbreaking Television Series. In 2014, Marc received a Special Achievement Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films for his three-book set These are the Voyages, Star Trek: TOS, which comprises one book for each original Star Trek season.
Ordering info at:
https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Allens-L...
Now, Marc takes his skills in research and investigation to explore Lost in Space. Volume One digs into the creation of the series, reviews its background, and, well, I’ll let Marc speak for himself:
Irwin Allen's Lost in Space: The Authorized Biography of a Classic Sci-Fi Series, Volume One documents the early career of Irwin Allen. It is a true rags-to-riches story, as Allen ventures from a humble beginning in the Bronx to his later incarnations in Hollywood as an entertainment journalist, radio and television host, a literary agent – all before becoming a successful motion picture producer and director. After winning an Academy Award in 1954, Allen entered the fantasy genre with films such as The Lost World and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. He then rolled the dice again with a move into television, creating and producing Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and, one year later, Lost in Space.
Lost in Space was the first primetime weekly series to take viewers into outer space’s strange new alien worlds – something the networks believed impossible on a TV budget and schedule. In this book you’ll be whisked back in time to the production offices, writers’ conferences, and soundstages for the making of this iconic series. Included are hundreds of memos between Allen and his staff; production schedules; budgets; fan letters; more than 300 rare behind-the-scene images; and the TV ratings for every episode.
And that’s just what you’ll find in Volume One!
Marc Cushman is a WGA screenwriter, a TV and film director/producer, and author. As a screenwriter he has written for Star Trek: the Next Generation; Star Trek Continues; Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction and Diagnosis Murder, as well as such feature films as In the Eyes of a Killer and the award-winning Desperately Seeking Paul McCartney. Marc co-authored the book I Spy: A History and Episode Guide to the Groundbreaking Television Series. In 2014, Marc received a Special Achievement Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films for his three-book set These are the Voyages, Star Trek: TOS, which comprises one book for each original Star Trek season.
Ordering info at:
https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Allens-L...
September 6, 2016
RIP Hugh O'Brian
“Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp, Brave courageous and bold.
Long live his fame and long live his glory
and long may his story be told.”
While completely unrelated to sci fi, I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to actor Hugh O’Brian who died Sept. 6 at the age of 91.
In Jan. 2015, I had the opportunity to interview Hugh for online radio’s “Dave White Presents” as part of his promotions for his autobiography, Hugh O'Brian, Or What's Left of Him which he co-wrote with his wife, Virginia. Virginia was also part of the interview as Hugh’s hearing was so bad, she had to help him respond to my questions.
As I learned in both the book and interview, the life and legend of Hugh O’Brian went far beyond his years starring in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. I opened the discussion making an observation I’d had since I watched the show as a youngster--don't brave, courageous, and bold all mean exactly the same thing?
Nitpicking about theme lyrics aside, there's no question The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp made an impression on those who watched it during its first run from 1955 to 1961. But another line in the same theme song proclaims, "long may his story be told," and that's certainly been the case for the adventures of a heavily fictionalized incarnation of a hero of the Old West.
So fans of that series should be interested in the autobiography of Hugh O'Brian who indeed gives us insider views into the evolution of his character. In his book and our interview together, he described how he chose his own outfit, how he contributed to the dialogue and style of the episodes, and how his gun-slinging ended up costing him much of his hearing.
But no actor's life begins and ends with one role, and O'Brian delivered a fast-paced memoir of his own life and times. He began on a humorous note, telling us that, as a four year old, he started his own business selling used newspapers to earn pennies for candy. He shared his days in the Marines where, at the age of 17, he was the youngest drill instructor in the service and claims he was the one to coin the phrase, "ooh-rah!"
Of course, there are numerous anecdotes about the films and TV appearances he was involved in. He discussed his friendships with Debbie Reynolds and Hugh Hefner, both of whom wrote introductions for the book. He described working on stage and within the studio system of the era. He worked with the likes of Ida Lupino, Lana Turner, John Wayne on the ailing actor's last film, and the proposed comedy team of O'Brian and Buddy Hackett. He met Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and many presidents during his life. Among his many films, he was one of the sperm donors to the Danny DeVito/Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle, Twins.
But his book changed gears when O'Brian describes his meeting in Africa with famed humanitarian Dr. Albert Sweitzer and how that changed his life. In 1958, he founded the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, a non-profit development program for high school sophomores. It sponsors 10,000 students annually through its over 70 leadership programs in all 50 states and 20 countries. Justifiably, O'Brian is immeasurably proud of this achievement and its ongoing growth.
In the final pages, O'Brian took to the pulpit with a rather repetitive sermon on what young people need to do to succeed—as in being givers rather than takers—and why older retirees should stay active and contribute to the community by volunteering. Well, if anyone had earned the privilege of lecturing senior citizens, it's O'Brian. After all, after a lifetime of enjoying lovely ladies, he finally got married at the age of 81.
The story of Hugh O'Brian is well worth being told, even if many of his stories are so short as to be virtual good natured snapshots. If you're interested in Wyatt Earp, one man's mostly happy memories of Hollywood, and the impressive Youth Leadership program, O’Brian offered a good read.
To hear my Jan. 28, 2015 interview with Hugh O’Brian, it’s still available as a podcast, mp3 download, from itunes and through TEVO, or on the player at
http://tinyurl.com/lkz93he
Long live his fame and long live his glory
and long may his story be told.”
While completely unrelated to sci fi, I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to actor Hugh O’Brian who died Sept. 6 at the age of 91.
In Jan. 2015, I had the opportunity to interview Hugh for online radio’s “Dave White Presents” as part of his promotions for his autobiography, Hugh O'Brian, Or What's Left of Him which he co-wrote with his wife, Virginia. Virginia was also part of the interview as Hugh’s hearing was so bad, she had to help him respond to my questions.
As I learned in both the book and interview, the life and legend of Hugh O’Brian went far beyond his years starring in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. I opened the discussion making an observation I’d had since I watched the show as a youngster--don't brave, courageous, and bold all mean exactly the same thing?
Nitpicking about theme lyrics aside, there's no question The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp made an impression on those who watched it during its first run from 1955 to 1961. But another line in the same theme song proclaims, "long may his story be told," and that's certainly been the case for the adventures of a heavily fictionalized incarnation of a hero of the Old West.
So fans of that series should be interested in the autobiography of Hugh O'Brian who indeed gives us insider views into the evolution of his character. In his book and our interview together, he described how he chose his own outfit, how he contributed to the dialogue and style of the episodes, and how his gun-slinging ended up costing him much of his hearing.
But no actor's life begins and ends with one role, and O'Brian delivered a fast-paced memoir of his own life and times. He began on a humorous note, telling us that, as a four year old, he started his own business selling used newspapers to earn pennies for candy. He shared his days in the Marines where, at the age of 17, he was the youngest drill instructor in the service and claims he was the one to coin the phrase, "ooh-rah!"
Of course, there are numerous anecdotes about the films and TV appearances he was involved in. He discussed his friendships with Debbie Reynolds and Hugh Hefner, both of whom wrote introductions for the book. He described working on stage and within the studio system of the era. He worked with the likes of Ida Lupino, Lana Turner, John Wayne on the ailing actor's last film, and the proposed comedy team of O'Brian and Buddy Hackett. He met Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and many presidents during his life. Among his many films, he was one of the sperm donors to the Danny DeVito/Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle, Twins.
But his book changed gears when O'Brian describes his meeting in Africa with famed humanitarian Dr. Albert Sweitzer and how that changed his life. In 1958, he founded the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, a non-profit development program for high school sophomores. It sponsors 10,000 students annually through its over 70 leadership programs in all 50 states and 20 countries. Justifiably, O'Brian is immeasurably proud of this achievement and its ongoing growth.
In the final pages, O'Brian took to the pulpit with a rather repetitive sermon on what young people need to do to succeed—as in being givers rather than takers—and why older retirees should stay active and contribute to the community by volunteering. Well, if anyone had earned the privilege of lecturing senior citizens, it's O'Brian. After all, after a lifetime of enjoying lovely ladies, he finally got married at the age of 81.
The story of Hugh O'Brian is well worth being told, even if many of his stories are so short as to be virtual good natured snapshots. If you're interested in Wyatt Earp, one man's mostly happy memories of Hollywood, and the impressive Youth Leadership program, O’Brian offered a good read.
To hear my Jan. 28, 2015 interview with Hugh O’Brian, it’s still available as a podcast, mp3 download, from itunes and through TEVO, or on the player at
http://tinyurl.com/lkz93he
September 5, 2016
Classic Radio Interviews with Sci Fi Actors, Writers, and Producers
For seven years, Wes Britton was co-host of online radio’s “Dave White Presents” for which he contributed hundreds of audio interviews with musicians, actors, producers, and all manner of entertainment insiders. During its original run, the show was broadcast every other Tuesday night over KSAV.org before being permanently archived at www.audioentertainment.org.
Many of Wes’s interviews were with participants in science fiction films, TV shows, novels, and comics. Below is a list of these interviews which, happily, are not dated because most of the actors, writers, or producers were talking about classic projects they had been involved with decades before. Every one of these shows is still available as a podcast, mp3 download, from itunes and through TEVO, or on the player at www.audioentertainment.org.
I provided direct links to specific shows when I had them in my files. I don’t have specific links here for older broadcast that aired before I started keeping better records. You can use the dates provided to find them in the directory at the website.
Please know, “Dave White Presents” was all about Variety Entertainment, so each interview was only a part of each 90 minute show. There are comedy songs, short comic bits, and other interviews in each broadcast. Most listeners will want to use a slider to move to the specific conversation you want to hear and ignore everything else. Also know most of these interviews are very in-depth and on the long side, up to 45 minutes in the case of very special guests. We had, as you can see below, many very special guests.
Here we go—
Star Trek
Walter Koenig with Marc Cushman.
http://tinyurl.com/ovyla5x
Marc Cushman on his Star Trek books.
http://tinyurl.com/qeorz83
Writer/producer John D.F. Black
http://tinyurl.com/nlbz847
June 24-July 8, 2009 (two parter): Ron Moore (special effects for Star trek and GHOSTBUSTERS)
www.audioentertainment.org/dwp
Actors from Sci Fi TV and Films
Dee Wallace (E.T., Scream Queen)
www.audioentertainment.org/dwp
June Lockhart (Lost in Space)
http://tinyurl.com/k7z6v4m
Tippi Hedron (The Birds)
http://tinyurl.com/87lxu8o
William B. Davis (“Cigarette Smoking Man” on THE X-FILES)
http://tinyurl.com/6neds9v
Bill Gray (The Day the Earth Stood Still)
http://tinyurl.com/nxsh7jo
Lochlyn Munro (Jules Verne’s Mysterious Island)
http://tinyurl.com/86y58d5
Writers, Producers, and Film Makers
Author Jay Bonansinga on The Walking Dead
http://tinyurl.com/cs2r6jy
Peter Ernest of the International Spy Museum on espionage in Harry Potter books and films.
http://tinyurl.com/po7lbx2
Author Greg Cox on Godzilla novelization.
http://tinyurl.com/mzmvns2
Documentary filmmaker Patrick Meany on his film about X-Men writer Chris Claremont, creator of "Days of Future Passed."
http://tinyurl.com/ontgfat
Producer Paul Davids, the Sci-Fy documentary, The Life After Death Project.
http://tinyurl.com/m6gw9rg
Older Shows still available
March 30, 2011. Singer/producer Philip Margo of The Tokens talks music and his sci fi novel, The Null Quotient.
Sept. 1, 2010. Mark Goddard (Lost in Space)
Sept. 16, 2009. Actor and musician Bill Mumy (LOST IN SPACE, BABYLON 5)
Oct. 28-Nov 11, 2009 (two parter). Author Bruce Scivally (SUPERMAN)
Aug. 19, 2009. Script writer Alan Katz (TALES FROM THE CRYPT)
April 29, 2009. Author Diane Cachmar (THE FLY AT 50)
March 18, 2009. Author Martin Grams (THE TWILIGHT ZONE)
Many of Wes’s interviews were with participants in science fiction films, TV shows, novels, and comics. Below is a list of these interviews which, happily, are not dated because most of the actors, writers, or producers were talking about classic projects they had been involved with decades before. Every one of these shows is still available as a podcast, mp3 download, from itunes and through TEVO, or on the player at www.audioentertainment.org.
I provided direct links to specific shows when I had them in my files. I don’t have specific links here for older broadcast that aired before I started keeping better records. You can use the dates provided to find them in the directory at the website.
Please know, “Dave White Presents” was all about Variety Entertainment, so each interview was only a part of each 90 minute show. There are comedy songs, short comic bits, and other interviews in each broadcast. Most listeners will want to use a slider to move to the specific conversation you want to hear and ignore everything else. Also know most of these interviews are very in-depth and on the long side, up to 45 minutes in the case of very special guests. We had, as you can see below, many very special guests.
Here we go—
Star Trek
Walter Koenig with Marc Cushman.
http://tinyurl.com/ovyla5x
Marc Cushman on his Star Trek books.
http://tinyurl.com/qeorz83
Writer/producer John D.F. Black
http://tinyurl.com/nlbz847
June 24-July 8, 2009 (two parter): Ron Moore (special effects for Star trek and GHOSTBUSTERS)
www.audioentertainment.org/dwp
Actors from Sci Fi TV and Films
Dee Wallace (E.T., Scream Queen)
www.audioentertainment.org/dwp
June Lockhart (Lost in Space)
http://tinyurl.com/k7z6v4m
Tippi Hedron (The Birds)
http://tinyurl.com/87lxu8o
William B. Davis (“Cigarette Smoking Man” on THE X-FILES)
http://tinyurl.com/6neds9v
Bill Gray (The Day the Earth Stood Still)
http://tinyurl.com/nxsh7jo
Lochlyn Munro (Jules Verne’s Mysterious Island)
http://tinyurl.com/86y58d5
Writers, Producers, and Film Makers
Author Jay Bonansinga on The Walking Dead
http://tinyurl.com/cs2r6jy
Peter Ernest of the International Spy Museum on espionage in Harry Potter books and films.
http://tinyurl.com/po7lbx2
Author Greg Cox on Godzilla novelization.
http://tinyurl.com/mzmvns2
Documentary filmmaker Patrick Meany on his film about X-Men writer Chris Claremont, creator of "Days of Future Passed."
http://tinyurl.com/ontgfat
Producer Paul Davids, the Sci-Fy documentary, The Life After Death Project.
http://tinyurl.com/m6gw9rg
Older Shows still available
March 30, 2011. Singer/producer Philip Margo of The Tokens talks music and his sci fi novel, The Null Quotient.
Sept. 1, 2010. Mark Goddard (Lost in Space)
Sept. 16, 2009. Actor and musician Bill Mumy (LOST IN SPACE, BABYLON 5)
Oct. 28-Nov 11, 2009 (two parter). Author Bruce Scivally (SUPERMAN)
Aug. 19, 2009. Script writer Alan Katz (TALES FROM THE CRYPT)
April 29, 2009. Author Diane Cachmar (THE FLY AT 50)
March 18, 2009. Author Martin Grams (THE TWILIGHT ZONE)
September 4, 2016
Guest Blogger: Joseph J. Miccoliss describes his Dagmarth: Escape from Palmar
Note: As I’m about to dive into Dagmarth: Escape From Palmar by Joseph J. Miccoliss, I naturally wanted to know as much about the book as I could before adding it to my late summer reading. Here’s what Joseph wants you to know in a synopsis and short Q&A:
Kodus has lived a boring life in Stronghaven, sheltered from the world and isolated from any social interaction. This is until he meets a girl who leads him to adventure into Estonia. His life in Stronghaven was forced by his parents only for protection. His mother and father were the king and queen of Dagmarth, a beautiful planet considered the center of all galaxies, until a savage enemy led a surprise attack that nearly obliterated it. Some Dagmarthians found safety on the planet Palmar, where his parents hid for years before coming back to our own world.
It was a new prophecy told on Palmar that encouraged one last hope for winning the ongoing war and restoring Dagmarth to freedom and peace. But, every promising future comes with a cost. Dagmarth must convince one extraordinary boy to become its bright-shining hero. His name will be Kodus Solaris Hemsley.
All of Dagmarth will realize the hard part is not protecting Kodus, but convincing the boy to fight for them and all planets on its side. He will discover magical powers and skills that outmatch any warrior. It will be his destiny to be the hero for all – the hero of a new generation of freedom and peace. A quest that begins with an escape from Palmar and depends on Kodus accepting the truth and his destiny.
Questions & Answers:
Q: What inspired you to write this story that created the series?
A: I wanted to see something new be introduced in the Fantasy and Magic genre. A hot brand to be a breakthrough for a new generation of literature.
Q: Why is the Dagmarth series better than similar brands?
A: I will loosely quote a review by saying that the Dagmarth series seems to defy labelling. This statement captures my intention for this series because it appreciates familiar concepts and takes them to a new level with a refreshing idea. Dagmarth appreciates Harry Potter because this new series focuses on a main character who doesn’t know his true identity, destiny, or the greatness of the powers he will obtain. Dagmarth appreciates Lord of the Rings because this new series focuses on a futuristic period of advanced technologies and magic used by enemies fighting about freedom and peace versus an empire under one leader. Dagmarth appreciates Star Wars and Star Trek because this new series involves space adventures with lots of action and exploration as characters convince others to join a side of the ongoing war. Readers will see that the Dagmarth series is a crossover of sci-fi/fantasy that attempts to use exciting elements in a refreshing way to focus on a true aspect of our reality – the war on terrorism. This is why I believe the Dagmarth series is better than similar brands because it is opening an undiscovered door of fiction.
Q: How do you see this series progressing?
A: It will be exciting to see how Kodus reacts to the truth upon discovering it. Will he embrace it as this unbelievable journey beyond his wildest dreams or push it away for any reason? The free sample which is obtainable by emailing me from my website or Facebook page will lead to Kodus becoming curious about space during his studies. Of course, you would have to buy the book to find out more beyond this. I do have some ideas for the second and third book in the storyline.
Q: What is your purpose for creating this series?
A: The Dagmarth series is intended to focus on becoming of age during times of terrorism and discovering one’s role in the ongoing war, and accepting it.
Ordering information is at:
https://www.amazon.com/Dagmarth-Escap...
More information about the Dagmarth series is at:
https://www.facebook.com/josephjmicco...
https://josephjmiccolis.wordpress.com/
Kodus has lived a boring life in Stronghaven, sheltered from the world and isolated from any social interaction. This is until he meets a girl who leads him to adventure into Estonia. His life in Stronghaven was forced by his parents only for protection. His mother and father were the king and queen of Dagmarth, a beautiful planet considered the center of all galaxies, until a savage enemy led a surprise attack that nearly obliterated it. Some Dagmarthians found safety on the planet Palmar, where his parents hid for years before coming back to our own world.
It was a new prophecy told on Palmar that encouraged one last hope for winning the ongoing war and restoring Dagmarth to freedom and peace. But, every promising future comes with a cost. Dagmarth must convince one extraordinary boy to become its bright-shining hero. His name will be Kodus Solaris Hemsley.
All of Dagmarth will realize the hard part is not protecting Kodus, but convincing the boy to fight for them and all planets on its side. He will discover magical powers and skills that outmatch any warrior. It will be his destiny to be the hero for all – the hero of a new generation of freedom and peace. A quest that begins with an escape from Palmar and depends on Kodus accepting the truth and his destiny.
Questions & Answers:
Q: What inspired you to write this story that created the series?
A: I wanted to see something new be introduced in the Fantasy and Magic genre. A hot brand to be a breakthrough for a new generation of literature.
Q: Why is the Dagmarth series better than similar brands?
A: I will loosely quote a review by saying that the Dagmarth series seems to defy labelling. This statement captures my intention for this series because it appreciates familiar concepts and takes them to a new level with a refreshing idea. Dagmarth appreciates Harry Potter because this new series focuses on a main character who doesn’t know his true identity, destiny, or the greatness of the powers he will obtain. Dagmarth appreciates Lord of the Rings because this new series focuses on a futuristic period of advanced technologies and magic used by enemies fighting about freedom and peace versus an empire under one leader. Dagmarth appreciates Star Wars and Star Trek because this new series involves space adventures with lots of action and exploration as characters convince others to join a side of the ongoing war. Readers will see that the Dagmarth series is a crossover of sci-fi/fantasy that attempts to use exciting elements in a refreshing way to focus on a true aspect of our reality – the war on terrorism. This is why I believe the Dagmarth series is better than similar brands because it is opening an undiscovered door of fiction.
Q: How do you see this series progressing?
A: It will be exciting to see how Kodus reacts to the truth upon discovering it. Will he embrace it as this unbelievable journey beyond his wildest dreams or push it away for any reason? The free sample which is obtainable by emailing me from my website or Facebook page will lead to Kodus becoming curious about space during his studies. Of course, you would have to buy the book to find out more beyond this. I do have some ideas for the second and third book in the storyline.
Q: What is your purpose for creating this series?
A: The Dagmarth series is intended to focus on becoming of age during times of terrorism and discovering one’s role in the ongoing war, and accepting it.
Ordering information is at:
https://www.amazon.com/Dagmarth-Escap...
More information about the Dagmarth series is at:
https://www.facebook.com/josephjmicco...
https://josephjmiccolis.wordpress.com/
Wesley Britton's Blog
This just came in. My favorite two sentences of all time!
“The Blind Alien is a story with a highly original concept, fascinating characters, and not-too-subtle but truthful allegories. Don’t let the ...more
“The Blind Alien is a story with a highly original concept, fascinating characters, and not-too-subtle but truthful allegories. Don’t let the ...more
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