Phil Giunta's Blog, page 20

“How Pauley Michaels Saved Humanity” in the Middle of Eternity

We welcome Bart Palamaro to the Middle of Eternity with his fantastic science fiction tale, “How Pauley Michaels Saved Humanity.”

Bart and I are fellow members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group where Bart serves as our webmaster and general tech guru as well as the facilitator of our Writers’ Cafe live critique sessions.

Below, Bart reveals his inspiration behind his globetrotting adventure in Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity.

This story is based on an actual incident that happened about seven years ago. We had a couple of friends over for dinner and I was taking some bowls down from the cupboard for soup, when I noticed that one of them was a slightly different style from the rest. They were pretty much as described in the story, homey, casual, comfortable. I put the odd bowl back and picked out another.  A couple of years later I was rummaging through the set again when I noticed there were now two of the odd bowls. I mentioned it to my wife and she just shrugged. I looked at the set and the outline of the story as published pretty much sprang into my head fully formed.

The odd thing is, since then we have neither microwaved nor used any of the odd bowls.

We hope you’ll check out the perks we’re offering in our Indiegogo campaign and consider a contribution to help us fund the publication of Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity. Thank you for supporting small press writers!

Bart Palamaro is author of several published short stories and one published novel, The Other Side of Time, and The Fate of U-1055, its free prequel. All are pretty much in the SF genre. Almost everything Bart read growing up was SF or fantasy. Even Horatio Hornblower is a form of SF to a 20th Century kid.

Recently, he’s taking a side trip into the paranormal, with a shapeshifter subculture living and prospering while indistinguishable from anyone else in our own world. In the Teeth of the Problem and In the Eye of the Beholder are due for publication in 2020. Who knows, he may commit fantasy one of these days.

Bart is also TechGuru for the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, riding herd on the web site and various other techie stuff we do. For fun and profit, he edits and formats books for self-publishers, both print and ebook. He also does book covers.

We look forward to launching Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity in February 2021.  In the meantime, check out the first volumes in the series by clicking on a cover image below.

 

A “Surge of Pride” in the Middle of Eternity

This week on the blog, Daniel Patrick Corcoran discusses his delightfully clever contribution to our upcoming speculative fiction anthology, Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity. Daniel is one of our core storytellers who has been with us since book one.

When I was invited to include a story in the third Middle of Eternity anthology, I reflected on the stories that I had included in the first two. My story in Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity was about a vampire, placing it solidly in the category of fantasy. When a reader pointed out that the stories in that anthology were almost all fantasy, I made sure my story in Elsewhere in the Middle of Eternity was as deep into science fiction as I could get. So for Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity, I wondered if there was a way I could combine the two genres. And I realized, yes, yes I could.

The idea of a robot finding a genie’s lamp is not particularly unique, and when I came up with the story hook it was mostly to prop up a punchline. As I was writing the first draft I was thinking that while the joke would be funny, it would also be easy, and if it wasn’t a challenge for me it might not be enjoyable for the reader. That’s when I started asking myself questions about the story and that’s where the fun really starts for me. I really like the craftwork, taking an idea and building onto it to make it a good story. In this instance, I revisited the story elements. Is the genie malicious or subservient? Is the robot going to get its wish? Will the wish produce ironic results? Is there something else going on that is not immediately apparent? It was that last question that led me to write a story I feel worthy of inclusion in an anthology of the fantastic, and I hope the readers agree.

We hope you’ll check out the perks we’re offering in our Indiegogo campaign and consider a contribution to help us fund the publication of Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity. Thank you for supporting small press writers!

Known as Renfield to his friends and family—yes, really—Daniel Patrick Corcoran lives in Baltimore, Maryland with his wife and house rabbits. Renfield is a familiar face at the Maryland convention scene and can usually be found taking to the stage in one form or another. When not busy turning beloved genres on their ears, he is sometimes seen wandering the streets dressed as Krampus or Schnabelperchten as a celebrant of all holiday traditions. Daniel’s vampire comedy tale, “Apartment Hunting,” and science fiction adventure, “The Hard Place,” were published in Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity and Elsewhere in the Middle of Eternity, respectively.

We look forward to launching Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity in February 2021. In the meantime, check out the first volumes in the series by clicking on a cover image below.

 

 

And We Are LIVE on Indiegogo!

Steven H. Wilson and I are thrilled to bring you the third book in our Middle of Eternity anthology series—Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity—with stories of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal by Daniel Patrick Corcoran, Michael Critzer, Sean Druelinger, Julie Fedon, Chris Ochs, Peter Ong, Bart Palamaro, Stuart Roth, Susanna Reilly, April Welles, Lance Woods, Steven H. Wilson, and Phil Giunta.
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With cover art by Michael Riehl and interior art by Tim Marron, Laura Inglis, Julie Fedon, Chris Ochs, Cheyenne-Autumn Christine Reilly, and Michael Riehl.
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Check out our Indiegogo campaign here and consider helping us bring this book to publication. Thank you for supporting small press publishers and authors!

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The Social Dilemma

For the past year or so, I’ve labelled social media as a social disease. I’ve told people that were it not an essential part of a writer’s platform for promoting their work, I would have been gone about five years ago and never looked back.



Social media has inflicted egregious damage on our society through fake news, presenting customized “facts” that fit your beliefs, generating self-image problems, fracturing families and friendships, eroding mental health, enraging people into physically attacking others, and driving many to suicide.



I don’t give a damn what your political persuasion is. Your emotions and decisions are being not merely influenced, but manipulated by billion dollar corporations for the sake of profit.



But don’t take my word for it. Watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix and hear it straight from several key people who set our self-destruction in motion.

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, David Brown and Michelle Barker explain the differences between situation and plot while Jami Gold leads us into our protagonist’s dark moments.

Over at Mythcreants, Chris Winkle casts a skeptical eye on The Hero’s Journey and its basis, The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

Matt Knight warns against common perils in publishing contracts and agreements, Sarah Manavis discusses why Story Graph is a better online book cataloguing tool than Goodreads, and Josyln Chase provides methods to improve our productivity.

All that and a little more. Enjoy!

Situation Versus Plot by David Brown and Michelle Barker via Anne R. Allen

How to Leave Traditional Publishing, Go Indie, and Not Regret It by Kurt Dinan

Traditional and Self-Publishing Contracts—When to Say No! by Matt Knight

Black Moments: Understanding our Options by Jami Gold

Why Structures Like the Hero’s Journey Don’t Work by Chris Winkle

It’s Time to Throw Out the Hero with a Thousand Faces by Chris Winkle

Why Goodreads is Bad for Books by Sarah Manavis

Managing Your Cast by Dave King

Managing Expectations, One Book at a Time by Heather Webb

Road, Neighborhood, Sky: A Three-Layered Approach to Writing a Novel by Barbara Linn Probst

8 Proven Strategies to Write More and Boost Your Productivity by Joslyn Chase

Writing Your First Novel: How to Fix an (Accidentally) Autobiographical Novel by Sarah Gribble

 

 

 

Movin’ and Shakin’… and Tryin’ to Keep it Together!

It’s been a few weeks since my last update here. My day job continues to burn me out on a daily basis and I’ve been busy on a few house projects.

However, the good news is that I recently submitted four short stories and one of my novels to Screencraft for their Cinematic Short Story Competition and Cinematic Book Competition, respectively.

I am awaiting the verdict on two of my stories that were submitted on June 1 to Nowhere Travel Magazine for their Spring 2020 contest. If either of my stories are chosen, I will announce it here.

I also have three short stories in Sunspot Literary Journal’s Inception contest, which closes today. Again, I will keep everyone posted should any of my stories win.

My ghost/demonic possession story, “Break and Enter,” is on track to be submitted to Gravelight Press a week or two ahead of the open call deadline.

Also, I just read an encouraging update from the editors of SCARY STUFF, a horror anthology by Oddity Prodigy Productions. The book includes my ghost story, “Burn After Writing.” Publication was delayed by COVID, but it’s off to the presses soon and should be released in time for Halloween!

 

As previously announced, I am excited that my story, “Where It’s Needed Most,” will be published in LOVE ON THE EDGE, the latest anthology from Year of the Book Press. The theme is love in all of its forms and the book is slated for release in January 2021.

 

Unfortunately, the pirate story I outlined and began writing will not be completed by the October 5 open call deadline for Zombie Pirate Publishing. No worries. My ambitions are greater than my availability, especially given my work hours. At least I have an outline and partially completed story for the next opportunity.

Next on the project list is another open call, this one for stories about resurrections or reincarnations, with a deadline of 12/25 from Antimony and Elder Lace Press.

The Indiegogo campaign to fund the third and final installment in the Middle of Eternity speculative fiction anthology series (Firebringer Press) should launch next month. Our publication goal for Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity is February 2021. More details to follow!

 

Also, I plan to finish the second draft of my SF novel at an upcoming writers retreat. The manuscript is beginning to suffer from abandonment issues.

That’s all for now. Onward!

Book Review: The Philip K. Dick Reader

This marvelous collection of 24 stories includes such gems as “Fair Game,” “The Hanging Stranger,” “The Last of the Masters,” “War Veteran,” “Exhibit Piece,” “Sales Pitch,” “The Chromium Fence,” and several tales that were adopted into film, such as “We Can Remember it for You Wholesale” (Total Recall, 1990), “The Minority Report” (Minority Report, 2002), “The Golden Man” (Next, 2007), and “Second Variety” (Screamers, 1995).

Additionally, “Sales Pitch,” “Exhibit Piece,” “The Hanging Stranger,” and “Foster, You’re Dead!” were dramatized in the 2017 Amazon Prime anthology series, Electric Dreams, based on the works of Philip K. Dick.

In the Wake of Things to Come…

As with everything else disrupted by COVID-19,  my publishing schedule has also been affected to some degree. Here is a list of my stories that have been accepted and are on their way to publication.

Had it not been for the pandemic, I would have had four short stories published across two anthologies by now.  My ghost story, “Burn After Writing,” was accepted by Oddity Prodigy Productions for their anthology, SCARY STUFF, an homage to the vintage EC Comics titles Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, and Haunt of Fear. I hope to see the book published before the end of 2020 or soon into 2021.

 

Three more of my stories will be released in MEANWHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF ETERNITY, the third and final book in the Middle of Eternity anthology series that I created and edited for Firebringer Press. The book, delayed until Q1 2021, will feature reprints of two of my paranormal tales, “Take a Cue from the Canine,” and “So Hungry…” and the debut of my Finnish fantasy tale, “Forest for the Trees.”

Among my most recent stories, “Help Me Rise” was accepted by the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group for their March 2021 anthology, WRITES OF PASSAGE. I am also serving as one of the content editors on this book. More info to come!

I’m also excited to announce that my story “Where It’s Needed Most” was accepted into the charity anthology LOVE ON THE EDGE by Year of the Book Press. All content for this book was written by members of the annual Mindful Writers Retreats that are held in Ligonier, PA three times per year.  More info soon!

Back in May, I wrote and submitted a story to Chicken Soup for the Soul for their upcoming anthology, MAKING ME TIME. No idea if or when I’ll ever hear from them.

I currently have two stories awaiting judgement in a contest sponsored by Nowhere travel magazine. Those are “All That Matters is What You Believe” and “Before She’s Gone Forever.”  I hope to hear the results in late September or early October.

Recently, I learned of a contest at Sunspot Literary Journal called Inceptions. They’re looking for opening scenes / lines / panels from novels, short stories, poems, graphic novels, etc. I submitted the openers to three of my stories including the two I sent to Nowhere magazine plus my detective story, “Pearl of Great Price,” which is featured here on my website for free.

I just finished rewriting a ghost story that was originally penned in 2015 for a small press anthology that never materialized. Hopefully, “Break and Enter” might find a new home in a paranormal anthology being compiled by Gravelight Press. I’m awaiting comments on the story from a few critique partners.

I also have a space pirate story in the works for an open call by Zombe Pirate Publishing and I’m brainstorming a reincarnation or possibly resurrection tale for another open call by Antimony and Elder Lace Press. Although, depending on my schedule, I might decide to skip these in favor of completing the second draft of my science fiction novel before it develops abandonment issues. I have not touched it since April!

In between all of this, I continue to record short story readings from my backlist titles on my YouTube channel.

Oh, and tomorrow (September 1), Screencraft’s Cinematic Book and Cinematic Short Story contests open. I intend to submit to both.

So that’s what’s happening and I hope to have more information on these projects soon. Thank you for supporting independent and small press writers.

Book Review: The Dying Earth by Jack Vance

One of Jack Vance’s most influential works and the first in a series, The Dying Earth is comprised of six fantasy adventures that are tangentially connected. They take place in Earth’s far future, during a time when the sun is approaching the end of its life and has become, it seems, a red dwarf. The human population has diminished significantly and most of the planet’s history long forgotten.

Each story involves magic and sorcery with a loose foundation in science. Some level of technology still exists, but it is not always well understood by the characters.

The six thoroughly enjoyable tales include:

“Turjan of Miir” – Although skilled in creating humanoid life, a magician seeks the necessary spells to imbue it with intelligence. To do so, he must travel to another realm and seek the legendary sorcerer known as Pandelume.

“Mazirian the Magician” – The diabolical Mazirian captures Turjan and tortures him into revealing the necessary spells to imbue his creations with intelligence. However, Mazirian is distracted by the appearance of a beautiful young maiden who visits his property each day on horseback but flees whenever he confronts her. Eventually, Mazirian decides to set off in pursuit.

“T’sais” – An artificial woman created by the wizard Pandelume, T’sais once despised all living beings, including herself. This personality flaw made her combative, unreasonable, and violent. After speaking with her “twin sister” T’sain—created by Turjin to be gentle and kind—T’sais is persuaded to end her treacherous ways. She journeys to Earth to find love and encounters a benevolent man named Etarr who once made the mistake of falling in love with an evil witch. The witch exchanged his face for that of a demon, forcing Etarr to wear a mask. Together with T’sais, Etarr sets out to confront the witch and reverse the spell.

“Liane the Wayfarer” – In order to win the heart of a beautiful but reclusive young witch, an arrogant, callow adventurer undertakes a quest to retrieve the other half of a tapestry that hangs in the witch’s home. To do this, he must steal it from the castle of the dreaded creature known as Chun the Unavoidable.

“Ulan Dhor Ends a Dream” – An apprentice wizard arrives in the city of Ampridatvir on a quest to recover a pair of ancient tablets that, according to myth, provide access to ancient and powerful magic. Ulan is immediately mistaken for a raider due the color of his clothing and soon learns that color has meaning in this strange land. He meets the lovely Elai, who instructs him on the ways of her people and accompanies him on his quest. After a series of mishaps, the pair awaken the high priest of the region who is perturbed by the population’s lack of intellectual progress and decides to do something about it.

“Guyal of Sfere” – Rather than continuing to vex his father and the other elders of Sfere with his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, young Guyal sets out in search of the legendary Museum of Man and its omniscient curator. During his journey, Guyal encounters several dangers, including a hovering ghost on his way into the village of Saponce, where he inadvertently breaks a law and is sentenced to a strange punishment—he must choose the fairest maiden in the village during a pageant. He chooses Shierl, the daughter of a high-ranking Saponce official. In doing so, Guyal unwittingly dooms Shierl as a sacrifice to the demon that resides in the Museum of Man.

 

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, Debbie Burke lists a dozen ways to tighten our prose while Jael R. Bakari provides an insightful guide to story development.

Dana Isaacson offers advice on keeping track of our story’s timeline, Paula Munier shows us ways to make readers fall in love with our protagonists from the first scene, and Chris Winkle discusses why some protagonists are unlikeable.

If you’re perplexed by the true meaning of premise, let Larry Brooks clear up the confusion and explain how the facets of premise should be applied to every story.

All that and a little more. Enjoy!

12 Tips to Write Tight by Debbie Burke via Anne R. Allen

Suspense in Books: 6 Ways to Grow Anticipation by Now Novel

Charting a Fictional Timeline by Dana Isaacson

Writing Process: Developing a Coherent Story by Jael R. Bakari via Jami Gold

The Grand Entrance: How to Introduce Your Protagonist so that Readers Care by Paula Munier

Seven Common Reasons Protagonists Are Unlikable by Chris Winkle

Why I Actually Prefer Stories with Prologues by Vaughn Roycroft

How to Start Writing Again When You Haven’t in a While by Sarah Gribble

How to Use Vivid Verbs to Bring Your Scenes to Life by J.D. Edwin

How to Mine the Facets of Premise for Story Gold by Larry Brooks

How to Use Simple Psychology and Basic Common Sense to Sell More Books by Barb Drodzowich via Anne R. Allen