Phil Giunta's Blog, page 28
November 10, 2019
Book Review: Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said by Phil K. Dick
Following an attack by a jilted lover, renowned TV variety show host and singer, Jason Taverner, awakens in a cheap motel and soon discovers that he is unknown to the world. Neither his current girlfriend nor his lawyer recognizes him when he calls. Further, all records of his identity have been erased from Earth’s databases.
Rather than panic, Taverner uses his genetically enhanced intellect and survival training to arrange for forged IDs in order to pass through the numerous checkpoints of the police state that developed in the U.S. since the Second Civil War. Otherwise, Taverner risks arrest and sentencing to one of the forced labor camps for the rest of his life.
While on the run, Taverner searches for answers only to become entangled with a host of characters ranging from the eccentric and harmless to the desperate and dangerous—until he is falsely accused of murdering the sister/wife of a Los Angeles police general.
It is easy to see why Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said earned Phil K. Dick the John W. Campbell award as well as nominations for a Hugo and Nebula. It’s a fast-paced story with a protagonist both capable and mysterious. Taverner is classified as a “Six”—presumably, a sixth generation genetically enhanced human (reminiscent of the Nexus 6 androids in Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?). As usual with Phil K. Dick, the antagonist in the story is not merely a single character, such as the unethical police general or his drug-dealing sibling/spouse. Rather, the enemy is the corrupt state, the totalitarian government, the decaying society.
Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said ranks as one of my top five favorite SF novels.
November 2, 2019
My Philcon Schedule
I’m always excited to return to Philcon as a program participant, even more so when I’m on discussion panels with writers I know such as Hildy Silverman, Aaron Rosenberg, and Heather E. Hutsell.
My schedule for next weekend’s Philcon is below. If you’ll be there, let’s catch up!
Saturday, 11/9 at 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Three (1 hour) HOW DOES A READER DISCOVER NEW AUTHORS?
Panelists: Elektra Hammond (moderator), Timothy Pratt, Elyse Rosenstein, Mary Spila, Eric Hardenbrook, Phil Giunta
In a world where people are more likely to order new releases by their favorites off of Amazon than drive to a bookstore and browse, how do readers find authors they hadn’t previously heard of?
Saturday, 11/9 at 12:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Promenade (Gaming) (1 hour)
AUTOGRAPHS: MICHAEL SWANWICK, TESS KISSINGER, PHIL GIUNTA
Saturday, 11/9 at 7:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two (1 hour)
WHAT *ELSE* MAKES A STORY SATISFYING?
Panelists: Anastasia Klimchynskaya (moderator), Ty Drago, Barna William Donovan, Phil Giunta, Michael Hanson, Aaron Rosenberg
And now for a set of *different* perspectives on the topic!
Saturday, 11/9 at 10:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two (1 hour)
COMPASSIONATE REPRESENTATION
Panelists: Jim Stratton (moderator), Miriam Seidel, Phil Giunta, Jay
Smith, Pam Smith
A discussion on how to avoid harmful stereotyping and tropes when
writing characters with mental illnesses—and why that’s something
you should care about.
Sunday, 11/10 at 11:00 AM in Crystal Ballroom Two (1 hour)
YOUR STORY DOESN’T START UNTIL PAGE ELEVEN?
Panelists: Hildy Silverman (moderator), Marilyn ‘Mattie’ Brahen, Oz
Drummond, Phil Giunta
…and that’s a problem. How does a writer recognize when a
narrative needs major surgery?
Sunday, 11/10 at 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
RITUALS FOR CONJURING NOVEL TITLES
Panelists: Aaron Rosenberg (moderator), Randee Dawn, Phil Giunta, Heather Hutsell, Brian Koscienski
Is an actual summoning circle required to find the perfect name for
your book, or are there other methods you can use?
October 29, 2019
A “Full Voice” on The Infinite Bard
It’s Wednesday again and in my “FULL VOICE,” I call you to The Infinite Bard for our latest brilliant—and FREE—short story!
Click here to enjoy! And by all means, please help spread the word. Thank you for your support!
October 27, 2019
Book Revew: The Book of Philip Jose Farmer
Philip Jose Farmer was one of the most prolific writers of imaginative literature during the heyday of SF and speculative fiction beginning in the early 1950s. Although some may argue that he was overshadowed by his peers—Bradbury, Clarke, Ellison, Heinlein, and others—Farmer was no less a master craftsman in his field, creating such legendary series as Riverworld and World of Tiers.
Some of his most famous stories include Riders of the Purple Wage, “Uproar in Acheron,” “Father in the Basement,” and hundreds more. Farmer also wrote works based on Tarzan and Doc Savage and wrote a few novels under the pseudonym of Kilgore Trout, a character found in three of Kurt Vonnegut’s novels. Farmer was often considered controversial, even pornographic, for his “shocking” alternative perspectives on sex and religion.
The Book of Philip Jose Farmer is a collection of the writer’s work, compiled by Farmer himself, in an effort to provide a sample of his breadth as a storyteller from SF and horror to fantasy and satire. My favorites included:
“Skinburn” – To the bewilderment of several doctors, private detective Kent Lane suffers from sunburn the moment he is exposed to even the weakest daylight. More, Lane is under surveillance by the Feds, but each time he is arrested, strange events transpires that permit Lane to be released from custody…
“The Alley Man” – a college student spends time with a deformed, delusional trash collector and his two harlots as part of a sociology study that swiftly goes awry.
“Father in the Basement” – an eleven-year-old girl employs her supernatural ability to help her father work around the clock for days to complete the first draft of his novel. He wanted it to be his final act, after all.
“Don’t Wash the Carats” – Expecting to remove a brain tumor from an unnamed patient, surgeons remove… a 127-carat diamond!
“Only Who Can Make a Tree?” – Three wacky scientists—Mough, Lorenzo, and Kerls—compete for the heart of their gorgeous colleague, Doctor Legzenbreins. Finally, she confronts them with a challenge. One of them must be willing to marry her insane daughter, Desdemona. Only then will she consider one of the “survivors” as a potential spouse…
“Uproar in Acheron” – A traveling medicine man named Grandtoul trundles into the old west town of Acheron claiming the ability to resurrect the recently dead. To prove this, he uses technology in his wagon to resurrect a young man who was shot dead moments before Grandtoul arrived. The miracle worker then offers to go to the local cemetery and do the same…
“Toward the Beloved City” – After the apocalypse—during which the hosts of Heaven supposedly defeated the Antichrist—a group of desperate and devoted Christians undertake a pilgrimage from the U.S. to the Middle East in search of the Holy City. Along the way, their leader, Kevin Norris, meets another survivor, Dana Webster. Claiming to be a fellow Christian, Webster nonetheless proceeds to question what they have been taught, which brings her under suspicion from the rest of Kelvin’s group, especially Anna Silvich, who is intent on killing Webster for her blasphemy.
October 20, 2019
Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity
As most of you know, all three of my novels were published by Maryland-based Firebringer Press owned by writer pal Steven H. Wilson. Additionally, I created and edited a series of speculative fiction anthologies called the Middle of Eternity series for Firebringer. The first two volumes, Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity and Elsewhere in the Middle of Eternity were released in 2014 and 2016, respectively.
I’m excited to report that Steve and I are working on the long-awaited third volume in the series! Almost all content is in and I can tell you that the stories and interior illustrations are incredible, not to mention the cover created by returning artist Michael Riehl.
Steve and I are thrilled to welcome back series writers Michael Critzer, Daniel Patrick Corcoran, Stuart Roth, Susanna Reilly, April Welles, and Lance Woods.
New voices joining us for book three include Julie Fedon, Chris Ochs, Peter Ong, Bart Palamaro, and Richard Shawn as well as artists Laura Inglis and Tim Marron.
Stay tuned for more info in the months to come!
October 19, 2019
About This Writing Stuff…
This week, Tim Grahl reveals the ingredients to a successful book launch while Joanna Penn offers quick advice on how to combat imposter syndrome.
Over at the Kill Zone, James Scott Bell provides guidance on character description while Jordan Dane talks layering scenes and plot. We have a twofer from that wise Mythcreant, Chris Winkle, who first expounds several methods for ensuring your protagonists pull their weight, and then points out how to spot misandry in your story.
Writer pal Kathryn Craft reveals why you might be afraid of your WIP while Tiffany Yates Martin whips our editor’s brain into shape.
All that and a little more. Enjoy!
The Book Launch Framework: How I Keep Launching Bestselling Books by Tim Grahl
How Writers Can Deal with Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome by Joanna Penn
How to Describe Your Main Character by James Scott Bell
How to Enhance Your Writing by Layering Your Scenes & Plot by Jordan Dane
18 Ways for Protagonists to Contribute and Five Signs Your Story is Sexist—Against Men by Chris Winkle
CockyGate Update: One Writer’s Adjective; Another Writer’s Short-Lived Trademark by Matt Knight
How to Train Your Editor Brain by Tiffany Yates Martin
12 Signs You’re Afraid of Your WIP by Kathryn Craft
6 Ways to Immerse Your Readers in the Setting of a Story by Joslyn Chase
October 16, 2019
Murder and the Little Old Lady
This week, the Infinite Bard brings you “Murder and the Little Old Lady” by writer pal Lorraine J. Anderson!
Click here to read this FREE short story.
October 14, 2019
My Schedule for the Easton Book Festival
In less than two weeks, I will be joining fellow members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group (GLVWG) at the Easton Book Festival to participate in what is essentially a two-day writers conference, organized by our very own John Evans.
All solo sessions will take place at the Northampton Community College (NCC) building on 3rd Street near Crayola on Saturday and Sunday, 10/26 – 10/27, with a few discussion panels and critique sessions to be held at other venues nearby. Throughout the weekend, books written by the presenters will be available for sale at the GLVWG table at Northampton Community College.
Of course, there are scores of other events happening that weekend throughout the town. The full festival program can be found here.
My specific schedule is below. Click on each session title to learn more about it.
Saturday, October 26
12PM to 1PM: Trim That Story! A presentation on self-editing. Location: NCC Classroom 124
2PM to 3PM: Writing in the 21st Century. A discussion panel with Christa Conklin (moderator), Phil Giunta, Keith Keffer, and Christine Talley. Location: State Theatre Gallery
Sunday, October 27
1PM to 2PM: Time Management for Writers. Location: NCC Classroom 105.
October 8, 2019
From the Holidays to Horror
In addition to today’s 99-cent Kindle debut of Over the River and Through the Woods, the winter holiday anthology featuring my story, “Limited Time Offer,” I received yet more sensational publishing news.
My ghost story, “Burn After Writing” has been accepted for publication in an upcoming horror anthology. I have not yet signed the contract, so I can’t reveal details yet, but stay tuned for more info. This is going to be a fantastic fright fest!
For now, though I hope you will consider purchasing a copy of the aforementioned winter holiday anthology (pictured above) filled with wonderful stories, essays, poems, and even a holiday recipe all written by attendees of the Mindful Writers Retreats. Click the image to the right to see the list of contributing authors.
Proceeds benefit the Ligonier Camp and Conference Center nestled in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania. The camp provides activities for families and children throughout the year and also serves as the location for the Mindful Writers Retreats organized by writer pals Kathie Shoop and Larry Schardt.
We deeply appreciate your help in supporting a good cause!
October 6, 2019
About This Writing Stuff…
This week, Kristen Lamb ponders the importance of talent while Chris Syme offers a primer on preserving your authorial reputation in a crisis.
Kris Kennedy concludes her five-part series on avoiding the nefarious info-dump and Jordan Dane defines narrative drive.
Over at Writer Unboxed, Donald Maass analyzes what makes a true hero or heroine while Heather Webb provides tips on writing an effective query letter.
The New York Times reminds us that fact-checking is everyone’s responsibility and Kickstarter finds itself embroiled in a labor dispute.
All that and a little more. Enjoy!
Do Some People Lack the Talent to be a Successful Author? by Kristen Lamb
The Five Myths of Crisis Management for Authors by Chris Syme via Anne R. Allen
Pitfalls and Solutions for Writing a Science Thriller by Amy Rogers
Backstory: Avoid Info Dumping by Making it Essential-Part Four and Part Five by Kris Kennedy via Jami Gold
Narrative Drive—Do You Have It? by Jordan Dane
Rookie Mistakes Indie Writers Make by James Scott Bell
It’s a Fact: Mistakes are Embarrassing the Publishing Industry by Alexandra Alter
The Making of a Hero or Heroine by Donald Maass
Writing the Query Letter: Dos and Don’ts by Heather Webb
How to Market a Book: 10 First Steps by Joe Bunting
Is There a Labor War Brewing Inside of Kickstarter? by Tobias Carroll