Dave Higgins's Blog, page 66

The Cursed Codex by Matthew S. Cox

Treating both childhood and roleplaying games with seriousness while remaining aware of their more absurd aspects, Cox creates a fantasy tale that is accessible to younger readers without sacrificing the tension and complexity more mature readers seek. Thirteen-year-old Keith Croft has been invisible for his entire school life: not a brainiac; not a jock; not … Continue reading The Cursed Codex by Matthew S. Cox

What The Crap?

Of all the things a household uses, toilet paper is perhaps one of the things least likely to inspire interest. However, today I wanted to share some pictures of ours. My wife has stopped using plastic for January. The rules of her challenge exempt things that I’ve bought that are for communal use; nevertheless, I … Continue reading What The Crap?

Goodcopbadcop by Jim Alexander

Alexander mixes an engaging crime thriller with questions on the morality of vengeance to create a novel that is both gritty and thought-provoking. Detective Inspector Brian Fisher gets results; good enough results without proof of wrongdoing that review boards tend toward a favourable theories of events. But, rather than the binary of “good” or “bad” … Continue reading Goodcopbadcop by Jim Alexander

Brushing Away Sawdust

I’ve received a few questions about my submission call for Fears of a Clown, both while drafting it and afterwards. I added the ones clarifying the call to the call itself, but wanted to share some of my process in drafting the call for anyone who wanted to try compiling an anthology themselves or was … Continue reading Brushing Away Sawdust

Seven Things Not to do When Everyone’s Trying to Kill You by Megan O’Russell

Displaying a firm grasp of how all lives suffer the same burden of the mundane without losing the excitement of magic and high-stakes adventure, O’Russell continues her fresh take on the trope of a young person who discovers they are a magician. This novel is the second in The Tale of Bryant Adams series. This … Continue reading Seven Things Not to do When Everyone’s Trying to Kill You by Megan O’Russell

Call for Submissions: Fears of a Clown

Toward the end of last year, Misha Burnett challenged the Nasty, Brutish, and Short writing group to each compile and release an anthology this year. As Fauxpocalypse, a project he conceived, marked the start of my career as a professional author, it felt right to not only accept but dive in. So, I’m issuing a … Continue reading Call for Submissions: Fears of a Clown

Emma and the Silverbell Faeries by Matthew S. Cox

Cox crafts a fantasy adventure from viewpoint of a ten-year-old without losing the sense of nuance and complexity that many fans of adult fantasy seek. This is the third volume in the Tales of Widowswood series. Spoilers might lurk ahead. Emma’s parents have forgiven her for worrying them and her punishment is over, yet she … Continue reading Emma and the Silverbell Faeries by Matthew S. Cox

Advent Ghosts: Protected Speech

As in previous years, I’m part of Loren Eaton’s Advent Ghosts, a 100-word scary story project. Read my submission is below. Protected Speech Josh strode up the beach, Bible clutched in one hand. Heathen arrows and spears flew toward him, only to be gusted aside by the wings of the angel behind him, the angel … Continue reading Advent Ghosts: Protected Speech

The Green-Eyed Monster by Mike Robinson

Robinson mixes evidence of supernatural influence with clearly mundane motivations to build an unnerving tale of horror. John Becker and Martin Smith have been almost images of each other since birth: born on the same day in the same town, a town where they have lived their entire lives, each has become a best-selling novelist, … Continue reading The Green-Eyed Monster by Mike Robinson

Lovecraftian Yule

This year, we are celebrating the festive season at home. While Jasper and Una have settled well after the move, my wife and I decided it was probably still too early to suddenly disappeared for several days and have a stranger started invade the house a couple of times a day to lurk near the … Continue reading Lovecraftian Yule