Phil Giunta's Blog, page 27

November 29, 2019

Home for the Holidays

Over the River and Through the Woods (front cover)Traditionally, Thanksgiving and Christmas are holidays (hopefully) spent with family, enjoying their company and creating endearing memories. Several of the stories, essays, and poems in Over the River and Through the Woods focus on this theme—but the topics are diverse, ranging from an essay involving actor Alec Guinness to a story about a  magic bed; from a contemporary version of the Holy Family to a coming of age tale involving a lost diamond ring.


Read on as authors Ramona DeFelice Long, Michele Zirkle, Lori M. Jones, Jennifer Diamond, Cara Reinard, and Denise Weaver reveal the inspirations behind their contributions to our fantastic winter holiday anthology.


My essay, “The Bridge on the River Obi-Wan,” is based on a real Christmas Eve when my son was 11. My husband often worked holidays, so the merrymaking was usually left to me, and I wasn’t always very merry about it. This day, however, turned into a life lesson that stayed with me for years. Nearly a decade passed before I was able to craft an essay on what *I* learned that day while trying to teach my son. —Ramona DeFelice Long


Growing up, my grandparents bed seemed a magical place of arm-tickling and story-telling and I wanted to capture some of that rapturously sweet dream-time. Dreams are magical, especially when sleeping in this sleigh bed where more than visions of sugarplums dance in Ciara’s head… love lights up the dark and shines hope into her heart. —Michele Zirkle, author of “Magic Sleigh Bed”


When I was thinking about an idea for a Christmas story, I thought, what is Christmas all about? Although I know it’s not the correct answer, Mary and Joseph popped into my head. Obviously their miracle child is who [we] celebrate, but their stories are pretty amazing. So I wanted a story about a modern day Mary and Joseph and what would happen to them if they inadvertently stumbled upon a miracle.  —Lori M. Jones, author of “The Gift”


The spark for “Fathers and Daughters began with a memory from author Jennifer Diamond’s childhood. It bloomed from a simple story about a misplaced gift into the true tale of how a self-conscious, semi-self-centered thirteen-year-old looked at her family with a new viewpoint. By the end of that one Christmas day, she leaped into young adulthood and learned to appreciate the moments shared between fathers and daughters. —Jennifer Diamond


“Buon Natale,” which means Merry Christmas in Italian, is dedicated to my family. The poem captures our true day of celebration, Christmas Eve, which is marked by a huge meal known as The Feast of Seven Fishes. Both sides of my family have celebrated this bountiful dinner of no less than seven seafood dishes since I was a small child. As an adult, each year, my Aunt Reene and I switch off hosting this special occasion for whoever can attend—our table is never too full, our hearts are open to all—tis the true meaning of Buon Natale. I hope you enjoy my poem and that it brings you holiday cheer. —Cara Reinard


My essay, “Shaping Christmas,” is a reflection of how Christmas has been shaped for me through the particular influences of several women throughout my life. It has led to my awe and joy of the holiday season, focusing on faith, family, friends, and food. I am happy to share a Christmas cookie recipe from my beloved mother-in-law; it’s a family favorite. —Denise Weaver


Proceeds from the sale of Over the River and Through the Woods benefit the Ligoner Camp and Conference Center, home of the Mindful Writers Retreat. We thank you for your support!


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Published on November 29, 2019 02:30

November 27, 2019

Have Yourself a Speculative Little Christmas

Over the River and Through the Woods (front cover)Fellow SF writer N.J. Hammer offers an otherworldly tale of hope in her contribution to our winter holiday anthology, Over the River and Through the Woods.


“Because I write Science Fiction/Fantasy, I often wonder how future generations will celebrate the important holidays of our religions. Ending strife and pointing the way to a better future for another society is an excellent way to honor our traditions. This belief was the basis for “Stars of Peace.”” — N.J. Hammer


Perhaps the most bizarre of the three speculative fiction tales in the book is “Solstice.” I’ll let author Eileen Enwright Hodgetts describe it in her own words.


“”Solsticeis one of those stories that comes about by the author (me) staring into space and asking “what would happen if…?”  In this case, what would happen if a man’s fingers kept falling off?  I thought the idea would be worth exploring  for its humor but instead I found I was writing about the death of the steel industry, the treatment of the disabled, and the loss of youthful dreams; all without losing the central theme… There’s a man, and his fingers keep falling off.”              —Eileen Enwright Hodgetts


Finally, my own tale “Limited Time Offer” puts a dark twist—a la Twilight Zone/Outer Limits—on the bromidic theme of holiday romance.


“Statistically, December reigns supreme as the most popular month for engagements. Most of you probably know that, but if you don’t believe me, Google it. Seriously, I’ll wait…


However, I’m sure you’ll agree that a few thousand words about a marriage proposal alone would be dull. After all, the best stories serve up a healthy dose of conflict. I could have written about an intractable parent who attempts to prevent the engagement for their own selfish and misguided reasons. I could have gone with the ever-reliable “reappearance of the old flame” trope, forcing one of the would-be spouses to question where his or her heart truly lies. I might even have placed one of our young lovers in mortal jeopardy, prompting the other to undertake a dangerous rescue mission. Actually, that last one is the plot of a fantasy tale I wrote a few years ago.


No, I had something else in mind for Over the River and Through the Woods. Besides, I enjoy challenging myself to explore new territory with each writing project. In “Limited Time Offer,” there is no obstacle preventing my protagonist, Derek, from successfully proposing to the love of his life, Kristy. The problem arises when the world around them begins to disintegrate seconds after he slips the ring on her finger, and we soon learn the hard lesson that life itself is a limited time offer.


As a speculative fiction writer, I mainly work in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal. I’m inspired not merely by the unexpected, but by elements strange and bizarre that knock a character’s reality off kilter, tossing them headfirst out of their comfort zone and forcing them to change in order to thrive in a new reality—regardless of how painful that process might be. I believe I achieved that with “Limited Time Offer,” but of course, that is for you, dear reader, to decide.”  —Yours Truly


Proceeds from the sale of Over the River and Through the Woods benefit the Ligoner Camp and Conference Center, home of the Mindful Writers Retreat. We thank you for your support!


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Published on November 27, 2019 02:55

November 26, 2019

Book Review: Science Fiction Showcase edited by Mary Kornbluth

Science Fiction Showcase edited by Mary KornbluthA tribute to SF writer C.M. Kornbluth— who died at the age of 34 in 1958—Science Fiction Showcase delivers eleven excellent speculative fiction tales edited by Kornbluth’s wife, Mary Byers. Contributing authors include Ray Bradbury, Damon Knight, Ted Sturgeon, Robert Bloch, Frederik Pohl, Avram Davidson, James Blish, Jack Williamson, Phil K. Dick, Poul Anderson, and Richard Matheson.


With a line-up like that, how could you go wrong? It’s a rare occasion when I enjoy every story in an anthology almost equally, but in this case, they were all brilliant. Were I forced to choose favorites, they would be…


Richard Falk, a fugitive from Earth, steals a space freighter and heads to Mars where an alien transportation device was long ago uncovered. Unable to live in a society brainwashed into complacency by the government, Falk intends to use the device to begin life anew on a distant world. There’s only problem—once you step inside, where you end up is anyone’s guess in “A Ticket to Anywhere” by Damon Knight.


Anderson “Sonny” Trumie grew up poor, practically raised by robots, in a society whose highest priority was to consume. Yet, time passed Sonny by and he failed to share in its enlightenment. He continued to consume, until he was too obese to move without assistance, and to construct robots to help him acquire his own island… and still he wanted more, for Anderson Trumie was “The Man Who Ate the World” by Frederick Pohl.


In “A Work of Art” by James Blish, 19th century German composer Richard Strauss is resurrected in a new body in the year 2161. Repulsed by what he considers the regression of music in this modern age, Strauss sets out to compose an opera based on Christopher Fry’s play, Venus Observed. Although his opera is wildly successful, Strauss comes to realize two awful truths about himself… and his fate.


The orphaned boy of two American explorers must leave his Tibetan upbringing and migrate to Kansas where he is to be raised by his intolerant Christian aunt who, glaring down at him with one eye brown and other a glassy green, will not bear the boy’s heathen faith and philosophy. Yet despite her chastisements and beatings, the boy holds true to his Tibetan teachings while his aunt learns a lesson in cruelty in Jack Williamson’s “The Cold Green Eye.”


“Mantage” by Richard Matheson – Alfred Hitchcock observed that “drama is life with the dull bits cut out,” but what if you were so eager to achieve your goals that you had the option to live your life without those dull bits? Heed the old adage, you can’t live your life in a day—unless you’re award-winning writer Owen Crowley who learns that the gaps between the accolades are just as precious.

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Published on November 26, 2019 04:44

November 25, 2019

We Three Scribes

Over the River and Through the Woods (front cover)Our delightful winter holiday anthology, Over the River and Through the Woods was edited by the talented Demi Stevens of Year of the Book Press. Her story also marks her first foray into writing fiction.


“Even though I’ve edited 200+ fiction titles, I’ve only ever written non-fiction before… so I decided to be a masochist and write about characters who live somewhere I’ve only visited, with lives wildly different from mine, who throw parties and actually seem to like being around people, who’ve faced serious health traumas, and excel at the sport of golf. Needless to say I relied on the help of many friends, and a master editor, Ramona DeFelice Long, to save me from the abyss!” —Demi Stevens, anthology editor and author of “Christmas Pearl”


Two more creative stars in our anthology are Kimberly Kurth Gray and Hilary Hauck. Each put their own unique twists on holiday themes, clearly thinking outside the gift box!


“The name, or character rather, of Joyce came to me before the story did. I knew Joyce was a lost soul who had tried to make the best of the bad choices she had made in her life. When the theme for the anthology was decided, I began to wonder how Joyce might be spending her holidays. It was then that I realized she spent her time trying to avoid her mother-in-law. Through that story, I discovered who Joyce was and it’s where I met Beau, Joyce’s true love. From there the story practically wrote itself.” —Kimberly Kurth Gray, author  of “Tidings of Comfort and Joyce”


“My story, “Once Upon a Life Well Spent,” was inspired by the first story I ever wrote in primary school. I remember having an incredible feeling of elation and freedom as I took my character, a candle, on an adventurous journey. My writing style has evolved over the years, but that rush of elation when a story comes together or a character comes to life has not.” —Hilary Hauck


Proceeds from the sale of Over the River and Through the Woods benefit the Ligoner Camp and Conference Center. We thank you for your support!


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Published on November 25, 2019 04:27

November 23, 2019

Christmas Rocks!

Over the River and Through the Woods (front cover)Fellow writer Larry “Rock ‘n Roll” Schardt reveals the personal  inspiration behind his essay, “First Nativity” for Over the River and Through the Woods. This winter holiday anthology—published by Year of the Book Press—features stories, essays, and poems from the attendees of the Mindful Writers Retreat.


“Christmas rocks! Through my life, Christmas has always been an exciting time. My mother taught us the joy in giving in the spirit of Jesus. As the oldest of nine, I learned the elation that goes with giving… picking out that special gift for each of my four brothers and three sisters. The manger of our nativity set was always the centerpiece of every holiday. When I moved out on my own it was critical that I got my own heirloom to have forever. My story is about carrying on that family tradition.” —Dr. Larry Schardt


Together with Kathleen Shoop, Larry serves as co-organizer of the Mindful Writers Retreat which takes places three times per year at the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center in Ligonier, PA and nestled in the gorgeous Laurel Highlands.


Speaking of Kathleen, her delightful story for our anthology was adapted from a touching historical event.


“My story, “The Christmas Tree,” was inspired by the true story of Mark Carr, the first Christmas tree vendor to sell trees in Washington Market, New York City. I’d read about him over the years, as he’s mentioned in various Christmas books I own. So when coming up with an idea for a holiday story to submit to Over the River and Through the Woods, Carr’s story immediately came to mind. I changed the names and pieced together the facts I could find to make the fictionalized story feel “real.” I think I captured what must have been the wonder and joy the family felt when they realized they could share their abundance of trees with others and save their farm.” —Kathleen Shoop


Proceeds from the sale of Over the River and Through the Woods benefit the Ligoner Camp and Conference Center. We thank you for your support!


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Published on November 23, 2019 10:23

November 22, 2019

Book Review: Murray Leinster’s Space Tug

Space Tug by Murray LeinsterJoe Kenmore and his crew, astronauts with the Space Exploration Project, have been assigned to deliver supplies and defensive weapons to the Platform, mankind’s first space station.


Orbiting 4,000 miles above the Earth, the Platform was constructed solely by the United States after the United Nations had rejected the proposal. As a result, the Platform is now targeted by enemy nations suspicious as to its true purpose. Expeditions to and from the Platform are under constant threat of attack by ground to space missiles—which is precisely what happens to Kenmore and crew.


After some quick thinking and imaginative solutions, they manage to thwart the bombardment and safely arrive at the Platform only to be met with scorn by the Platform’s lead scientist, Doctor Sanford. Shortly after Kenmore and his crew unload the supplies, Sanford, on the verge of a mental breakdown under the constant threat of death, attempts to kill everyone aboard the Platform. After a second ship arrives carrying Sanford’s replacement, U.S. Navy Commander Brown, Kenmore and crew depart in their ship while some of the Platform’s crew escort Sanford off in another.


As both vessels approach the Earth’s surface, Sanford’s ship is promptly destroyed by enemy fire while Kenmore and crew narrowly evade destruction. Once back at base, Kenmore is informed that Space Exploration Corporation has been contracted by the U.S. government to build a Moonship. If the vessel survives the journey, the moon will become United States territory. Will Kenmore and his crew be the first men to venture to Earth’s as-yet unexplored satellite?


In terms of plot, Space Tug is a step above the typical young adult SF adventures of the 1950s. Although most of the conflict is external to the protagonist, Murray Leinster delivers surprising moments of depth in Joe Kenmore and his crew—Haney (whose first name is never revealed), native American Chief Bender, and the “midget” Mike Scandia—all of whom are depicted as technically savvy and scientifically literate. In fact, due to his size, Scandia is the most skilled among them in zero-gravity maneuvering—a fact in which he vociferously revels.


There is little fluff in this story, aside from a slight romance brewing between Kenmore and Sally Holt, daughter of Major Holt, the base commander. The pacing is fast, the tension is constant, and there is just enough technical jargon as to provide a sense of authenticity and verisimilitude.

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Published on November 22, 2019 19:01

November 17, 2019

Celebrating The First Ten Years…

On November 20, 2009, my first novel, Testing the Prisoner, was published by Firebringer Press. During the intervening decade, I managed to publish two follow up novels and nearly 20 short stories across 11 anthologies and a few websites. To date, I’ve written or contributed to 14 titles.


Compared to some of my contemporaries—referring specifically to indie authors who also hold full time jobs—that number might seem unremarkable, but I’ve reached an age where I’m less interested in competing with others and prefer instead to stay focused on my own career and produce at a pace that works for me.


Of course, I’m deeply grateful to all of the veteran writers who mentored me, the publishers and editors who accepted my work, and the friends and readers who supported me along this emotionally turbulent, but ultimately exhilarating, journey.


I’m proud of every story I’ve published whether online or in print and look forward to the next ten years of challenges. So what’s ahead in 2020? Keep scrolling…


The First 10 Years The First Ten Years…

Scary Stuff Front CoverIn February, my short story, “Burn After Writing,” will be published in Scary Stuff, a horror anthology by Oddity Prodigy Productions. Scary Stuff was inspired by such classic EC Comics titles as Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear, and the magazines Creepy and Eerie.  Oddity Prodigy is currently running an Indiegogo campaign to fund the publication.


 


Meanwhile in the Middle of EternitySlated for a mid-year release from Firebringer Press is the third installment in the Middle of Eternity anthology series—Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity. I created and edited this series with the goal of providing an outlet for as yet unpublished writers and a few established names. We began in 2014 with Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity and continued in 2016 with Elsewhere in the Middle of Eternity. Our third book will be the largest volume yet with a diverse array of tales from SF, fantasy, and the paranormal.


More info forthcoming on these exciting projects!

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Published on November 17, 2019 15:30

November 16, 2019

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, Kristen Lamb delves into the traits of a perfect villain and reminds us of the importance of story mastery above all else. Anne R. Allen offers advice on writing that challenging first chapter while Marie Eberle would like to see less of certain hackneyed character types in SF and Fantasy.


It’s a foregone conclusion that conflict is the heart of storytelling, but what about conflict management? L. Deborah Sword discusses.


Over at Writer Unboxed, Jim Dempsey encourages us to delve into our characters’ values to find their ultimate motivation, and speaking of characters, Donald Maass suggests examining psychological archetypes as a means for crafting character arcs.


If you’re struggling to build a readership, there may be a good reason for that. In fact, as Shannon Ashley reveals, there might be at least twelve reasons.


All that and a little more. Enjoy!


On Writing: Why Mastery Should Matter To the Serious Author by Kristen Lamb


The Villain: Crafting Scoundrels, Sinners, and Substance of Legends by Kristen Lamb


Finding and Using Competing Book Titles in Your Book Marketing by Penny Sansevieri


Writing that First Chapter: 10 Dos and Don’ts for Starting a Novel by Anne R. Allen


Avoid these Crutch Words by Dana Isaacson


Story Conflict: It’s Not as Simple as We Think by L. Deborah Sword via Jami Gold


Nine Ways for Your Hero to Earn the Clues They Need by Chris Winkle


The Two Types of Archetype by Donald Maass


What Really Drives Your Characters? by Jim Dempsey


12 Reasons Nobody Wants to Read Your Writing by Shannon Ashley


3 Types of Fantasy and Sci-Fi Characters We’ve Seen Enough Of by Marie Eberle


What is a Vignette & How Do I Write One? by Amanda Patterson

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Published on November 16, 2019 20:32

November 12, 2019

Climb “Purple Hills” with the Infinite Bard!

Let the Infinite Bard be your tour guide to the “Purple Hills.”

Click here to read Rigel Ailur’s FREE short story!


Purple Hills by Rigel Ailur

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Published on November 12, 2019 19:16

November 11, 2019

After Action Report: Philcon 82

Philcon 82The 82nd annual Philadelpha SF Convention (Philcon) has come and gone and, for me, it was one of the best yet. I participated in four edifying and—in the case of Compassionate Representation of Mental Illness in Fiction—intense discussion panels.


I was not scheduled for any panels on Friday, which allowed me to browse the dealer room and pick up over 20 classic SF paperbacks before enjoying dinner at Houlihan’s with Sharon Van Blarcom and Sarah Yaworsky from the Farpoint Convention and fellow writer Chris Ochs.


Classic SF Paperbacks Christmas Tree-Cherry Hill, NJ


Saturday was a busy day with three discussion panels and an autograph session. I was honored to share the autograph table with Hugo and Nebula award-winning SF author Michael Swanwick. We had a delightful conversation about classic speculative fiction authors such as Robert Silverberg, Harlan Ellison, Phil K. Dick, Philip José Farmer, and others.


How to Discover New Authors Panel Saturday Discussion Panel – How Does a Reader Discover New Authors? – Photo Credit: Michael Ventrella
Discussion Panel-Your Story Doesn't Start until Page Eleven? Sunday Discussion Panel – Your Story Doesn’t Start until Page Eleven? – Photo Credit: James Beall

In between panels, I sat with Farpoint Chair Sharon Van Blarcom at the Farpoint Convention table. Once we closed up at 6PM, I joined Sharon, Farpoint committee member Brian Sarcinelli, and Shore Leave Co-Chair Inge Heyer in the hotel restaurant for about an hour before joining writer pals Aaron Rosenberg, Glenn Hauman, Heather Hutsell, and several others for dinner at Whole Hog BBQ.‌


Scary Stuff Front Cover


One of the highlights of the weekend was the launch of the Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign by Oddity Prodigy Productions for their upcoming horror anthology, Scary Stuff. My ghost story, “Burn After Writing” will be included in the book. Scary Stuff is an homage to the classic EC Comics titles such as Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear, Creepy, etc. Click here to learn more about the project including the contributing authors and the various donation levels. Thank you for supporting small press authors!


Christmas Tree-Cherry Hill, NJSunday morning saw me at two discussion panels–Your Story Doesn’t Start Until Page Eleven? and Rituals for Conjuring Novel Titles. Both of which were fun and engaging for the panelists and the audience.


As I was packing my car to leave on Sunday, I noticed this massive Christmas tree directly across from the Crowne Plaza hotel on Park Avenue. Although still a bit early in the season, it was a cheerful ending to a succesful weekend. As always, I look forward to returning next November!


 

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Published on November 11, 2019 11:48