S.E.’s
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(group member since Nov 01, 2012)
S.E.’s
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from the Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" group.
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Jan-Feb 2022: Annual 2month groupread of Anthologies (and Magazines). All are fair game. Online. Print. Old. New. 
Banner Cover Art Credits
Sanjulian - Tales from the Magician's Skull #5
Jim Pitts - Sword and Sorceries #3
Mark Wheatley - Blood on the Blade
Feel welcome to add any anthology you plan to read to the "poll" which serves to advertise what is being read or discussed (rather than a "winner").
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...
Whetstone (Free, online) magazine
Swords and Sorceries by Parallel Universe
DMR books
Rogues Blades Entertainment/Foundation
HFQ online or collection
Sword and Planet due out Dec 21
Welcome David to a group of writers-readers which has most of us grasping to flotsam, searching for respite on placid Islands of ignorance in black seas of infinity (cheers to HPL).
Richard wrote: "Very envious haul! Bravo!"I'm pretty sure you gave me the heads up about the Engor's Sword Arm availability at DMR. Appreciate that boost!
I've been buying books!Engor's Sword Arm
Black Dust and other stories
Blood on the Blade
The Night Eternal
This Crooked Way
The Wolf Age
Blood of Ambrose
I must learn from Master Ultan and be more chill.
Johnathan Maberry just posted an open call for Pitches (not stories) for Weird Tales from facebook:
WEIRD TALES OPEN CALL!
Read this carefully –I’ll be taking short story pitches for an upcoming themed issue of Weird Tales Magazine. The theme is COSMIC HORROR –which can be defined a lot of ways. It can be Lovecraftian but does not have to be.
I am NOT accepting short story submissions at this time. What I want are pitches of 1-2 paragraphs, along with a writing sample. The pitch and sample must both be attached at Word docs (not RTF, no PDF, etc.). 12-point Times New Roman. No exceptions. No reprints.
Pitches should be sent to me at Jonathan_maberry@yahoo.com. Put WT COSMIC HORROR PITCH in the subject bar. (Again, no exceptions).
In the body of the email, provide a short bio.
The submission window opens now and closes December 21 at 5pm PST.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me with WT PITCH QUESTION in the subject bar.
Oliver wrote: "Joseph wrote: "If anyone's looking for yet another podcast to add to their list, I'd suggest the SFF Audio podcast. As you'd expect from its title, most episodes begin with somebody reading a story..."The amount of podcasts, blogposts, magazines, and books that are coming out is overwhelming me.
It's a good problem. But it is impossible to read it all.
The TFMS blog continues to crank out content:
Link: https://goodman-games.com/tftms/
Here are the posts from late Nov thru mid-Dec, with blurbs:
Dec 10 Preserving the Flame: A Review of Phantasmagoria Special Edition Series #5: Karl Edward Wagner by Brian Murphy
https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
What makes Karl Edward Wagner’s best writing so powerful? I believe he was chasing a dark muse, dangerous and unpredictable, vital and vivid. The one we see on the page of “Into the Pines,” a story which alone makes the new Phantasmagoria Special Edition Series#5: Karl Edward Wagner, worth its price tag: Out into the pines Renee led him. The pines whose incessant whisper told of black knowledge and secret loneliness.
Dec 07: Adventures in Fiction: Leigh Brackett by Michael Curtis
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Our Appendix N Archeology and Adventures in Fiction series are meant to take a look at the writers and creators behind the genre(s) that helped to forge not only our favorite hobby but our lives. We invite you to explore the entirety of the series on our Adventures In Fiction home page.
Dec 07: Classic Covers: Leigh Brackett by Bill Ward
https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
The sad truth is that Appendix N is overwhelmingly a boys’ club. Much of the blame can be assigned to the fact that science-fiction and fantasy writers prior to 1960s were by and large white men. It was a tough club for a woman to break into, resulting in many female authors with an interest in writing science-fiction and fantasy working under either pen names (such as Andre Norton) or their initials (like C.L. Moore). A few managed to find success and publication without obscuring their femininity, proving that gender is meaningless when it comes to writing rollicking good sci-fi and fantasy. Leigh Brackett was one of these women who earned her place in the club without needing to hide her identity.
Dec 03: A Chicago Archaeologist in King Thiudahad’s Court: A Look at L. Sprague de Camp’s Lest Darkness Fall by Bill Ward
https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
In a flash, unassuming archaeologist Martin Padway finds himself displaced in time, slipping from the Rome of Mussolini’s Italy in 1938 into the Rome of the sixth century, AD 535 to be exact. With nothing but the contents of his pockets, a lifetime of learning, and off-the-charts levels of audacity, he sets about not only securing a life for himself, but staving off the collapse of the entire classical world. Fortunately for Western Civilization Martin Padway – who will no doubt be revered in some alternate historical timeline as Martinus Paduei – has an almost John Carter-like suite of superpowers at his disposal. Padway is no fighter, however, and his power has nothing to do with gravity (though he does happen to spill the beans on Einstein’s General Relativity a millennium and a half early…), but rather consists of an encyclopedic knowledge of Procopius’ Gothic Wars, enough Classical Latin and Modern Italian to pidgin his way through the language of the day, and a pretty sharp memory of High School chemistry. It’s a good thing, too, because all of Italy is about to be plunged into a destructive, decades-long war that will achieve nothing in the long-term beyond a further degradation of civilization itself, and Martin must scramble to prevent, even reverse, the coming fiasco . . . Lest Darkness Fall.
Nov-30 Short Sorcery: Poul Anderson’s “Witch of the Demon Seas” by Bill Ward
https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
Corun of Conahur, once prince of a conquered people, now pirate and rebel, has been captured and brought to Tauros, the seat of imperial sea power for the Thalassocracy of Archaea. Imprisoned, facing certain doom, he is offered a chance to preserve his life in the service of new masters, the sinister sorcerer Shorzon and his beautiful and terrible daughter, the witch Cryseis. As one of the few adventurers ever to return alive from the forbidden realm of the Sea of Demons, one who actually conversed with the mysterious inhuman Xanthi and lived to tell the tale, Corun is uniquely valuable to the sorcerer’s unrevealed plans. Thus begins Poul Anderson’s novella “Witch of the Demon Seas,” a straight-ahead blood and thunder quest over phosphorescent seas in a barbarian-crewed galley into ruined alien lands with the fate of an entire planet at stake.
Nov 27: Adventures in Fiction: L. Sprague de Camp by Jeff Goad
https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
Our Appendix N Archeology and Adventures in Fiction series are meant to take a look at the writers and creators behind the genre(s) that helped to forge not only our favorite hobby but our lives. We invite you to explore the entirety of the series on our Adventures In Fiction home page......Did you know that L. Sprague de Camp coined the terms “extraterrestrial” and “E.T.”? It’s true! While the noun existed before de Camp, he was the first to use it to describe alien life in a 1939 article for Astounding Science Fiction. This is one of many examples of how De Camp’s impact on the genres of science fiction and fantasy far exceed his level of contemporary fame.
Nov 26: A Look at James Enge’s Blood of Ambrose by Fletcher Vredenburgh
https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
I abandoned reading fantasy for six or seven years. I had become bored with epics and found myself uninterested in the new, supposedly transgressive, books. But around 2010 I decided to actively seek out and write about sword & sorcery on my blog Stuff I Like. At some point in my search I encountered James Enge’s old website, where he was offering a free download of the Morlock story “Traveller’s Rest.” Assuring readers I wouldn’t give any plot away I wrote, “And the escapade I’m not going to write about is exciting, creepy and covered with the right amount of nuttiness.” Soon after, I read “The Red Worm’s Way” in Rogue Blades’ monstrously good collection, Return of the Sword (a book any true S&S aficionado should own). My short review of that story reads: “Morlock Ambrosius and corpse-eating monsters. Enough said.” Those two stories led me right to Enge’s first full-length novel, Blood of Ambrose.
Richard wrote: "Thank you Seth. Great timing for the anthology group read. Jack would have enjoyed this one."Somehow GR made two copies of this thread.....anyway....I replied on the other one that I made a listing for the book in the Anthology poll upon your suggestion :)
Added it to the Poll as per Richard's comments (somewhere in here)
As revealed on Black Gate:https://www.blackgate.com/2021/12/07/...
Sword and Planet
Available Dec 21st. 2021
SWORD & PLANET EDITED BY CHRISTOPHER RUOCCHIO
Introduction by Christopher Ruocchio
“A Murder Of Knights,” Tim Akers
“Operatrix Triumphans,” Susan R. Matthews
“Power & Prestige,” D.J. Butler
“A Broken Sword Held High,” L.J. Hachmeister
“The Fruits Of Reputation,” Jody Lynn Nye
“A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Nakh-maru,” Jessica Cluess
“Saving The Emperor,” Simon R. Green
“A Knight Luminary,” R.R. Virdi
“Chronicler Of The Titan’s Heart,” Anthony Martezi
“Bleeding From Cold Sleep,” Peter Fehervari
“The Test,” T.C. McCarthy
“Queen Amid Ashes,” Christopher Ruocchio
As revealed on Black Gate:https://www.blackgate.com/2021/12/07/...
Sword and Planet
Available Dec 21st. 2021
SWORD & PLANET EDITED BY CHRISTOPHER RUOCCHIO
Introduction by Christopher Ruocchio
“A Murder Of Knights,” Tim Akers
“Operatrix Triumphans,” Susan R. Matthews
“Power & Prestige,” D.J. Butler
“A Broken Sword Held High,” L.J. Hachmeister
“The Fruits Of Reputation,” Jody Lynn Nye
“A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Nakh-maru,” Jessica Cluess
“Saving The Emperor,” Simon R. Green
“A Knight Luminary,” R.R. Virdi
“Chronicler Of The Titan’s Heart,” Anthony Martezi
“Bleeding From Cold Sleep,” Peter Fehervari
“The Test,” T.C. McCarthy
“Queen Amid Ashes,” Christopher Ruocchio
There was a S&S panel at Windycon recently. You can catch the panel posted on Black Gate:Link: https://www.blackgate.com/2021/12/05/...
Posted by John O'Neil:
Blurb:
But the highlight of the convention for me was Sunday’s Sword & Sorcery panel, a lively discussion of S&S past and present. Michael Penkas moderated, and the speakers were Adrian Simmons (distinguished editor of Heroic Fantasy Quarterly magazine), author David C. Smith (Red Sonja, Oron, Coven House, and Robert E. Howard: A Literary Biography), and yours truly (John O'Neil).
The discussion ranged far and wide — the golden age of the S&S in the pulps, Sword & Soul, Howard Andrew Jones’ groundbreaking Hanuvar stories, the work of James Enge, the Red Sonja comics of the 70s, the artist Frank Thorne, S&S in video games and RPGs, the new S&S boom in magazines like Tales From the Magician’s Skull and Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, Andre Norton and The Beastmaster, and much more.
The SMOF masters of Windycon recorded the entire thing, and you can listen to it in its entirety here (the panel kicks off right around the 2:04:00 mark).
Joseph wrote: "And another Patreon supporter discussion I was on made it into the regular feed! https://appendixnbookclub.com/2021/11..."You are becoming a regular. representing MN and horror and fantasy quite well!
I'm finally wrapping up a review of Hocking's Pastiche (Emerald Lotus and "Black Starlight"):https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Expect an interview with him in 2022 that covers the content of the Living Plague.
Clint wrote: "I need to catch up on my reading. I still have issues 2 and 3 to read."Worry not Clint, we have our Jan-Feb Anthology groupread coming soon! It's a perfect time to catch up on these magazines!
Whetstone: Amateur Magazine of Pulp Sword and Sorcery #4 jus released.Free PDF at :https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JHrx...
Editor's Note - Jason Ray Carney
Introduction - Brian Murphy
A Chance Burden - Matthew John
A Boarding Action - Nathaniel Webb
The Princess's Plunge Pool - Ciarán Laverty
Six Heads for Gullahm-Khullgosh - B. Harlan Crawford
Kyla-Selin - Chuck E. Clark
The Beast Mistress - J. Thomas Howard
The Phoenician - Scott Oden
The Eldest Edda - Robert Subiaga
Cat and Mouse - Luke E. Dodd
Wolfskin and Pale Kings - Brad Ellison
In Dust and Dead Desire - Michael Burke
The Symbol on the Ring - Cole Burgett
Terror and Talon - Mario Carić
The Assault on Mourengrad - John H. Brown
Muse and the Monstrous - Chase A. Folmar
Christian wrote: "I have that SK novel of his ready to go when I get to it, but I think I should read the REH Kane stories first. Shamefully never read them yet. But I did watch the movie when it first released and loved it, thought it was very well done..."I enjoyed the SK stories. I'm guessing you'd enjoy them too. Not a bad idea to try REH first.
Several TFMS posts have rolled out over the last half of Nov.Link: https://goodman-games.com/tftms/
Save Up To 40% With The HAUL-idays!
Link: https://goodman-games.com/blog/2021/1...
Goodman Games Haul-iday Sale! Virtually everything on the Goodman Games website is discounted now through Monday, November 29, 2021. By using the two coupon codes below, you can save anywhere from 20-40% on items ordered through our website. Most Goodman Games items are 40% off, and most third-party products are 20% off. Coupon codes are not valid on pre-order items, gift cards, or the First-Time Fan Kit. Free shipping on domestic orders over $100.00.
At checkout enter the following two coupon codes (they can be combined, but do not stack):
HAUL2021GOOD and HAUL20213PP.
A Look at James Enge’s Blood of Ambrose by Fletcher Vredenburgh
Link: https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
"I abandoned reading fantasy for six or seven years. I had become bored with epics and found myself uninterested in the new, supposedly transgressive, books. But around 2010 I decided to actively seek out and write about sword & sorcery on my blog Stuff I Like. At some point in my search I encountered James Enge’s old website, where he was offering a free download of the Morlock story “Traveller’s Rest.” Assuring readers I wouldn’t give any plot away I wrote, “And the escapade I’m not going to write about is exciting, creepy and covered with the right amount of nuttiness.” Soon after, I read “The Red Worm’s Way” in Rogue Blades’ monstrously good collection, Return of the Sword (a book any true S&S aficionado should own). My short review of that story reads: “Morlock Ambrosius and corpse-eating monsters. Enough said.” Those two stories led me right to Enge’s first full-length novel, Blood of Ambrose."
Classic Covers: Poul Anderson
Link: https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
"With scores of novels spanning the popular genres of science fiction and fantasy, with hundreds of magazine and anthology appearances, and with a career spanning the most creative era of visual marketing in publishing of the 20th century, Poul Anderson’s bibliography has the quintessential ‘Classic Covers’ ingredients. Here is but a small sample of the art that brought Anderson’s stories to life."
Northwest of Earth: A Look at C.L. Moore’s Iconic Space Adventurer
Link: https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2021/...
Popular media is resplendent with celebrations of the romantic outlaw. From Robin of Locksley to the six gun strapping figures of the American Frontier, or the hardboiled gumshoes of detective fiction, the anonymous masked vigilantes of the pulps, even the globe-trotting adventurers of the Victorian era, and continuing right up to the spice-smuggling space jockeys of science fiction, those that dwell outside society’s rules and expectations make for vicariously interesting protagonists. One such character, C.L. Moore’s cool and ruthless Northwest Smith, falls squarely along the timeline that saw America’s heroes trade in their horses for rocketships and their revolvers for rayguns, all while retaining that tenaciously independent and hyper-competent attitude that is the hallmark of the Outsider Hero.
Changa and the Jade Obelisk #2A Sword & Soul Tale from MV Media and 133art.
Creator Milton J. Davis and crew hope to bring us more Sword & Soul. You can help....I had to get a shard of the real Jade Obelisk!
Starts 11/26 and runs for 2 weeks
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
