Phil Giunta's Blog, page 17

February 7, 2021

Book Review: The Stone God Awakens by Philip Jose Farmer

Encased in stone for millions of years as a result of a failed experiment, atomic scientist Ulysses Singing Bear is liberated from his imprisonment by a bolt of lightning during a battle between two races of bipedal creatures. One group appears to have evolved from cats while the other, raccoons. Ulysses soon learns that humans have long since become extinct and the earth populated by sentient beings evolved from familiar animals of the late 20th century.

The Stone God Awakens by Philip Jose FarmerAs Ulysses acclimates to his new environment, the Wufea come to worship him as a god and ask for his help in defeating the Great Devourer known as Wurutana. To uphold his status as a deity, Ulysses has little choice but to agree and, along with an army of Wufea warriors, treks across the wilderness to do battle with what he understands to be an enormous tree that is spreading across the land. Along the way, he manages to form a truce between the Wufea and their enemy, the Wagarondit. He even recruits Wagarondit warriors to join the offensive.

All the while, they are guided by Ghlikh, a pygmy creature with batwings who offers Ulysses information about the land and peoples ahead of them, including a village of humans who live along the southern coast. In order to reach them, however, Ulysses and his armies must cross Wurutana. Yet, Ulysses senses that Ghlikh is withholding information and possibly leading them into a trap.

Will Ulysses and his troops survive their passage through Wurutana and their encounters with the treacherous denizens within its vast network of tangled branches, vines, trunks, and waterways?

At its core, The Stone God Awakens is a fish out of water adventure much like Farmer’s The Green Odyssey published 13 years earlier, or Jack Vance’s Planet of Adventure series, or even The Time Machine by H.G. Welles. In this case, Farmer adds a few imaginative twists including the evolution of various animal species, an uncommon antagonist, and the development of plant-based science and engineering. The fact that an atomic scientist displays such exceptional prowess in survival, military tactics, and political leadership is, at times, a stretch. Still, The Stone God Awakens is another outstanding tale from one of the giants of the genre.

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Published on February 07, 2021 07:22

February 2, 2021

My (Virtual) Farpoint Schedule

If you are planning to attend Farpoint SF Convention (via Gather.Town) on February 20-21, here is my panel schedule. The full con schedule and instructions for using Gather.Town will be posted on their website soon.

Hope to see you there!

Firebringer Press Presents

Sat 2/20

11:00AM

Got Enough Science?

Sat 2/20

1:00PM

This Was Not The Dystopia I Ordered

Sun 2/21

NOON

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Published on February 02, 2021 09:43

January 28, 2021

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, learn how to deal with writer burnout from Tom Meitner, and let attorney Joseph Perry explain the critical components of a publishing contract.

At Career Authors, Erin Celello urges us to take our story idea on a date while Hank Phillippi Ryan offers advice on self-editing.

Kelly Jensen reminds us of the value of mood to both writer and reader while over at the The Write Practice, Joslyn Chase and Ruthanne Reid discuss the proper use of cause and effect and the elements of plot, respectively.

Janice Hardy give us some strong opening lines and Anthony Ehlers shows us how to be visual storytellers.

All that and a little more. Enjoy!

Stretched to Your Limits? How to Avoid—and Cure—Writing Burnout by Tom Meitner

Know Your Rights: Key Provisions in a Publishing Contract by Joseph Perry via Anne R. Allen

How to Cut 20,000 Words by Hank Phillippi Ryan

4 Questions to Ask Before You Start Writing that Book by Erin Celello

How Much Really Needs to Be in Your Novel’s Opening Sentence by Janice Hardy

5 Tips on How to Fit Your Book’s Hook into a Super Short Amazon Ad by Bryan Cohen

10 Powerful Visual Storytelling Techniques for Writers by Anthony Ehlers

How to Maximize the Power of Cause and Effect in Your Stories by Joslyn Chase

What is Plot? The 6 Elements of Plot and How to Use Them by Ruthanne Reid

Mood is the Most Underrated Literary Device—and the Most Valuable by Kelly Jensen

Wattpad to Be Acquired for $600 Million by Korean Internet Conglomerate Naver by Todd Spangler for Variety

Class Action Suit: Amazon and Publishers Face Price Collusion by Personanondata

 

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Published on January 28, 2021 20:19

January 17, 2021

Book Review: Victory by Lester del Rey

After 14 years in space defending the planet Meloa from an incursion by the Throm, Captain Duke O’Neill returns to find Kordule, the capital of Meloa, devastated after a series of Throm raids that occurred over the past few months.

To make matters worse, Earth remained neutral and refused to intervene on behalf Meloa. For this, O’Neill holds a bitter grudge against his home planet and refuses to return. Rather, he decides to remain on Meloa. He first tracks down his wife, Ronda, who survived the raids, but is living in squalor along with many other humans and native Meloans. O’Neill soon learns that his marriage was a sham from the beginning and Ronda wants nothing more to do with him.

Meanwhile, another war is brewing between the humanoid Kloomirians and the Earth colony Cathay and yet again, Earth maintains its position of neutrality. With no job prospects on Meloa, O’Neill attempts to reenlist on behalf of Cathay, but Director Flannery of the Earth Foreign Office has other ideas for the soldier, one that will explain the psychology behind Earth’s apparent cowardice.

Victory begins as a story of a bitter, displaced war veteran with few prospects and ends with the lesson the maturation of cultures from destructive warmongering to peaceful coexistence.

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Published on January 17, 2021 19:13

Before She’s Gone Forever

I’m thrilled to announce that my South Korean ghost story, “Before She’s Gone Forever,” has been accepted by Gravelight Press for their Halloween Party 2021 anthology. Click here for more information about Gravelight Press. Comments from Managing Editor, David Yurkovich: “I’m delighted to report that “Before She’s Gone Forever” received very big thumbs ups. I would be thrilled to include it in the HP 21 collection. IMHO it’s one of the most original innovations in the art of horror writing. If you are okay with this, Dianne will send out a standard publishing contract. I’ll also send you an edited version of the work (probably in February) with changes tracked, but you shouldn’t expect to see much because the writing is very tight. It’s pretty clear that you spent a lot of time crafting this tale.”‌Stay tuned for more information!
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Published on January 17, 2021 05:32

January 15, 2021

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, Ken Miyamoto provides a regimen for becoming a screenwriter in one year. Chris Winkle offers suggestions for maintaining tension during those in-between scenes (often called sequels) while Donald Maass shows us how to meld the mundane and spectacular in our stories to suspend the reader’s disbelief.

We delve into all things editing with Patti Callhan Henry, PJ Parrish, and Jim Dempsey. Julie Glover reminds us of how real life can be fodder for fiction, and NYT bestselling author Jeffrey Deaver reveals his 13 rules for writing fiction that sells.

All that a little more. Enjoy!

365 Days: How to Become a Screenwriter in One Year by Ken Miyamoto

Self-Editing Secret: Listen Carefully by Patti Callahan Henry

Editing: The Three Levels of Hell by PJ Parrish

What to Expect from an Editor by Jim Dempsey

Five Ways to Restore Tension by Chris Winkle

The Real vs. The Unreal by Donald Maass

How Much of Our Real Life Shows Up in Our Fiction? by Julie Glover

List of Fantasy Magazines and Journals by Richie Billing

10 Things Screenwriters Don’t Need to Worry About by Ken Miyamoto

Jeffrey Deaver: Thirteen Rules for Writing Commercial Fiction by Diana Belchase (video)

 

 

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Published on January 15, 2021 21:05

January 11, 2021

Weathering the “Perfect Storm”

The “perfect storm” of events over the past year has inflicted severe damage to our nation, taken lives, crushed spirits, destroyed businesses, divided friends and family, and severely exacerbated depression and anxiety in those of us who struggle with these demons.‌My own attitude and outlook on life have plummeted as a result of these events. It also doesn’t help that I have a job that beats me down on a daily basis. I’m introspective enough to see how all of this chaos and stress has affected my state of being, physical health, and some of my relationships. I’m working on it. No one’s perfect. I only wish more people would be as honest with themselves.‌In an increasingly selfish and anti-intellectual nation, it should come as no surprise that leadership has failed us at every level. Why should we expect anything different when we persist in electing the willfully ignorant, corporate-branded, and closed-minded into positions of power?‌Many of these politicians are arrogant in their ignorance and refuse to listen to any information that conflicts with their prejudices, bigotry, or religious beliefs. In fact, they use religion as a justification for hatred and bigotry as much as a tool to gain votes.‌This, in turn, incites and emboldens their constituents. I’m sure many of the traitors who stormed the capitol on Wednesday were “good Christians” who attended church with their families the Sunday prior.‌Just a few years ago, I finally lost all trust and faith in so-called organized religion given the rampant abuse, corruption, and hypocrisy. Where I once found solace, I now find disappointment.‌However, I’m blessed with an incredible wife and wonderful friends. I’m grateful for every publishing success and every learning opportunity. I’m excited every day to be part of a supportive, diverse, and talented community of writers. As with any other group, it’s a dysfunctional family at times with as much ego, arrogance, braggadocio, and self-aggrandizement as anywhere else. You simply choose your company well and understand it will change and evolve over time.‌In the end, these are what give me hope and strength to push forward every day when it seems that society is disintegrating around me. I hope you also have a place or group in which you find similar encouragement. If I’m part of that group, so much the better. It’s an honor.‌We will get through these tribulations together. Imagine what it will feel like when we do!
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Published on January 11, 2021 08:19

January 10, 2021

Book Review: A Thousand Degrees Below Zero by Murray Leinster

The Thrill Book - July 1919In the middle of summer, an ice floe materializes in New York harbor, leaving two ships in distress. During the ensuing confusion, a strange black aircraft descends and hovers over the scene before vanishing as quickly as it appeared. Shortly after, several more ice “cakes” form without warning in the Straits of Gibraltar, Folkestone Harbor, and Yokohama.


With panic mounting across the globe, a manifesto is sent to the British government from a man named Wladislaw Varrhus, who announces his intention to assume control of all world governments and establish himself as dictator. If the nations fail to meet his demands, more waterways will be frozen, disrupting commerce.


The American military consults with one Professor Hawkins and his assistant Teddy Gerrod, who develop a method to neutralize Varrhus’s “cold bombs”—but the deranged inventor is not so easily foiled. He not only returns with an improved version of his cold bomb, but murders Professor Hawkins in revenge. With the help of the professor’s daughter, Evelyn, and an American pilot named Davis, Teddy devises a plan to defeat Varrhus.


A Thousand Degrees Below Zero was Murray Leinster’s (William Fitzgerald Jenkins) first published novella, featured in the July 1919 edition of The Thrill Book pulp magazine. It’s a typical Leinster story with two-dimensional protagonists and a plot that relies heavily on the science and technology of the time with inventive twists. A fun science fiction adventure tale that would make an enjoyable TV movie.

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Published on January 10, 2021 19:00

December 28, 2020

Book Review: Philip Jose Farmer’s Night of Light

Night of Light by Philip Jose FarmerAfter fleeing Earth to the planet Kareen, thief and murderer John Carmody is taken in by two Catholic missionaries who order him on a covert fact-finding mission to the Temple of Boonta on the eve of an annual ritual known as the Night of Light.


Most Kareenans take sedatives to ensure that they sleep during the chaotic and savage Night. To remain awake is to be subjected to torturous hallucinations, to lose one’s sanity, and potentially, to be murdered or commit suicide.


Fearless and irreverent, Carmody mocks all religions, until he defies regulations and remains awake during the Night in an attempt to assassinate a god incarnate named Yess. According to Kareenan beliefs, the goddess Boonta has two sons, the benevolent Yess and the evil Algul, each of whom are reborn through the ages and take turns ruling Kareen.


As me makes his way through the streets to the temple where Yess has concealed himself for the Night, Carmody is confronted by bizarre, disturbing visions that eventually compel him to renounce his old life and convert to Catholicism.


Years later, after returning to Earth and undergoing rehabilitation, Carmody enters the priesthood and is ordered by the Church to return to Kareen and dissuade the latest incarnation of Yess from sending missionaries to spread Boontism to other worlds. However, vestiges of Carmody’s old life reemerge as the Night of Light is once again nearly upon Kareen…


Strong in both plot and character arc, Night of Light is yet another captivating, original, and wildly imaginative example of Philip Jose Farmer’s propensity for using science fiction as a milieu to explore and question long-established religious beliefs. This is also evidenced by some of his other works, such as Inside Outside and the Riverworld series.

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Published on December 28, 2020 09:23

December 26, 2020

Goodbye, Dolle’s?

I developed a deep affinity for the Delaware coast since I started vacationing there in 2012 with my wife and several friends Parasailing in Dewey Beach and visiting Cape Henlopen State Park have become summer traditions. Prior to that, I had not been to Rehoboth since high school. Due to COVID, I wasn’t able to visit this year, but I hope to return in 2021.





Over the past four years, I wrote a few short stories set in Rehoboth. Three were published by Cat & Mouse Press (based in Lewes, DE). “Tower Sixteen” took second place in the Rehoboth Beach Reads contest in 2016 and was included in the anthology BEACH NIGHTS . In 2019, my stories “Tapestry” and “The Celestials” were published in BEACH PULP .



Dolles Salt Water Taffy - Rehoboth Beach, DE Photo by Phil Giunta (July 2011).

Just before Christmas, the news broke that Dolle’s Salt Water Taffy would be leaving their current location on the corner of the boardwalk and Rehoboth Avenue when their lease expires on January 31.  Although relatively minor, this is yet another disappointing development in 2020. I hope they find a way to keep the iconic Dolle’s sign on display either in its current location or at another prominent site along the boardwalk or Rehoboth Avenue.‌




While Dolle’s is relocating only three doors away to merge with Ibach’s By The Sea (both shops are owned by the Tom Ibach), other landmark businesses, such as Nicola’s Pizza and The Pond, are moving out of downtown to Route 1. Change is inevitable, but I hope this does not become a trend.

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Published on December 26, 2020 14:03