Dave Higgins's Blog, page 103
January 25, 2016
Upon the Casting of Pods
The first episode of the Nitty Gritty Writing Podcast, hosted by Simon Cantan and me, is now available for free on iTunes. Or watch the replay on YouTube. And you can do more than watch: We’re looking for a third co-host: whether you’re published several series or have the first manuscript that you feel is […]
January 22, 2016
Havelock by Jane D. Everly
Combining expensive toys and dramatic fights with institutional paranoia and gritty realism, Everly creates a spy story that will appeal both to readers seeking explosions and those seeking a more cerebral experience. When an unassuming businessman displays skills usually only found in élite soldiers, assassinates a venture capitalist, and evades the resulting search for hours, […]
January 20, 2016
Going into the Nitty Gritty
This Saturday, I will be co-hosting the first ever episode of the Nitty Gritty Writing podcast with Simon Cantan. The show will be about writing and publishing from the perspective of people who aren’t big names in author-publishing. Over the weeks, we’ll be sharing our own journeys as authors, what we’re trying at the moment, […]
January 18, 2016
Skies Bring Calms and Storms
David Bowie’s death (hopefully) had a different resonance for me than many other fans of his art. I’ve spent the last week considering whether or not to talk about that. As it might help someone, I’ve decided to share my thoughts: it’s fine not to be feel something more deeply because of circumstances. My parents […]
January 15, 2016
Generation Why by Nicholas Gagnier
Defining a generation more by a feeling than by happenstance of age, Gagnier speaks to those who have grown into lives of comfort but not meaning. In an attack more melancholy than brutal – yet no less effective – he exposes both risk and solution without reducing individuals solely to their generation. This collection contains […]
January 13, 2016
Immerse or Die Story Bundle 2015
Originally posted on mishaburnett:
I’ve mentioned Jefferson Smith’s Immerse Or Die Report before. The concept is brutal in its simplicity. Every morning he takes a self-published novel or story collection and gets on his treadmill for forty minutes. When he runs across something that breaks immersion–unclear syntax, wooden dialogue, boring exposition, pretty much anything that…
I’ve mentioned Jefferson Smith’s Immerse Or Die Report before. The concept is brutal in its simplicity. Every morning he takes a self-published novel or story collection and gets on his treadmill for forty minutes. When he runs across something that breaks immersion–unclear syntax, wooden dialogue, boring exposition, pretty much anything that…
January 11, 2016
Mischief Continued
Last weekend was the third anniversary of them moving in. In celebration, they spent the day sleeping on us, bunting at us, and playing cat chess. So, much like any other day. As I was under cats, I couldn’t post on the day, so here’s a belated celebration of their first three years here. From […]
January 8, 2016
Darkfire by Garrett Robinson
Continuing his careful mixture of epic fantasy background with character-driven detail, Robinson has produced another tale that will appeal to both fans of high fantasy and low. This novel is the third in the Nightblade Volumes. As such the review contains probably spoilers. Following Xain’s public use of darkfire to overcome a group of Mystics, […]
January 6, 2016
To Travel Hopefully
This isn’t terrible; and the branding isn’t that noticeable. What he did omit of course was that much of the 5% of conversation that isn’t weather involves irony or understatement.
January 4, 2016
State of the Dave
The first post of January is a common time for posting a round-up of the previous year or resolutions for the coming one. And who am I to break with tradition? Especially as it was a good year for me last year. However, it is also a common time for people to suffer from depression. […]
