Jason’s Comments (group member since Jan 16, 2013)

Jason’s comments from the Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" group.

I'm just glad Swanwick called ASOIAF high fantasy and didn't fall for that 'gritty = sword-and-sorcery' BS too many do.

It's one and the same Janet! Thanks for sharing your excitement to read it too.

And I'm very happy to hear the praise for the cover! This turned out to be a blessing in disguise find, as this is the perfect art for this book in so many ways...but the road to find it was just as arduous as gathering the contents was.

In the beginning, there was a dream and a plan. Way back in 2009 I was designing this book, though I didn't start peddling its theme and soliciting its contributors until 2010. I found an artist, told him what I wanted, gave him links to examples, and got back absolutely not what I wanted. Gave him another chance, worked with him on finding the closest thing we could for an example, found one, discussed it, agreed on it, then promptly never heard from him until I finally and so far for the only time ever had to fire an artist.

That sucked and led to me looking for existing art, which I found...one wanted more money for the rights than RBE has ever even netted...two more didn't have rights back so couldn't sell even non exclusive rights...two more never bothered to reply to inquiries...and then with a little searching help from designer and layout master J. M. Martin we both found splendid artwork by the same artist - Dleoblack! A few mock ups, an exchange of emails, and 'The Hunt' was the new cover for Writing Fantasy Heroes :)

Then there was the contents...long bouts of time hearing back from invited contributors...a few backed out and I had to find replacements...and a few have 'gone dark' since then, leaving me short of a few requested components.

But it's finally done! And will finally grace the hands, homes, shelves and backpacks of dozens of storytellers looking to create more believable heroes and dozens of readers who crave strong characters! I am very glad to finally be delivering this book :)

Yes, all sound ideas Joe. I've had a story I really like accepted twice now to publications that have since died (one was the Ricasso Press Through Blood and Iron anthology I was extremely excited to appear in alongside many of the S&S authors I know and/or have published), and it is currently a contender in one more anthology. If it returns from that I intend on making Mr O'Neill an offer he can't refuse ;)

Sweet! Congrats Bruce. Which tale?

That's interesting that so many here will be representin' :)
Too bad I've not yet had a published S&S tale.

Cool news Joe! Be sure to yell nice and loud when it is available :)