Introductions

[Anthony]

Thanks!

[Richard]

Welcome aboard Anthony.

[Anthony]

Thanks, Richard!

[Holly]

Hello to the group.

At mid-life my fascination with the horror genre sort of ended and fantasy became my new favorite genre. I have read enough now that I feel comfortable discussing it. I definitely prefer sword & sorcery, epic fantasy and high fantasy......urban fantasy gives me a bad case of the eye rolls. Basically I like a good story first and foremost, I don't want political dogma posing as fiction.

I look forward to interesting discussion and some good recommendations.

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Holly wrote: "Hello to the group. At mid-life my fascination with the horror genre sort of ended and fantasy became my new favorite genre. I have read enough now that I feel comfortable discussing it. I defini..."

Welcome Holly! Lots of horror-adventure here that you should enjoy.

[Μάριος]

Hello to everybody,

I've been a member of the group for almost two months now. My love for R.E. Howard, M. Moorcock, E. Burroughs and horror stories that were written in the beginning of the previous century led me here. I see that there are a lot of people in the group with deep knowledge in the fantasy genre in general and I always learn a new book when a new discussion starts. I also write short stories and books (self published ebooks to be more precise) mostly for my personal satisfaction and learning about so many obscure writers from the '80s is fantastic.

May Crom be with you!

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Marios wrote: "Hello to everybody, I've been a member of the group for almost two months now. My love for R.E. Howard, M. Moorcock, E. Burroughs and horror stories that were written in the beginning of the previ..."

And welcome Marios, may Crom be with you too!

[David]

Hello, my name is Dave. Just joined. I've been a sword&sorcery fan since I was a teenager and saw my first Frazetta cover. Looking forward to getting some good leads here to more sword & sorcery reads.

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

David wrote: "Hello, my name is Dave. Just joined. I've been a sword&sorcery fan since I was a teenager and saw my first Frazetta cover. Looking forward to getting some good leads here to more sword & sorcery re..."

Welcome David. Have a look around the folders and feel free to extend any conversation. We have groupreads ... usually 2 topics... two months each. Right now (thru June) there is one for Moorcock and one for Leiber. We are also poll-ing for the next two-month reads, asking folks to identify obscure books.... then we'll try to find/read as many as we can as group.

The Poll is at the bottom of the group's homepage and here..
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/8...

Best, Seth

[Brian]

Hi, my name is Brian and I'm afraid I'm terribly new to the whole... Goodreads groups thing.
I recently self published my first two sword and sorcery/dark fantasy ebooks, so joining this group made a whole lot of sense. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and if anyone has any recommendations, feel free to throw them at me.

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Welcome, Brian. See above welcoming notes for some ideas on participating.

[Richard]

Welcome aboard, Brian.

[Jon]

Greetings...I come from an 80s Dungeons & Dragons background that blossomed into my love of all things Fantasy/Sword & Sorcery. I actually saw Conan the Barbarian as a pup when it came out in theaters. From there I moved over into the Conan comic books and from there writings of Robert E, Howard himself, learning of the whole Weird Tales pulp fiction era. As a young adult I got a subscription to the Heavy Metal magazine and saw some great and wild Sword Sorcery stories. It was the Dragonlance series that really got me into reading fiction and I'm a sucker for Fantasy Choose Your Own Adventure and gamebooks as well.

Last month, I finally self-published my first fantasy novel and am in the process of writing a 2nd book. I'm hoping to learn about more authors of the S&S sub-genre so I cam here. If anyone is interested in my work you can find it here on Goodreads Gorp: Goblin Janitor

Cheers!
Jon

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Jon wrote: "Greetings...I come from an 80s Dungeons & Dragons background that blossomed into my love of all things Fantasy/Sword & Sorcery. I actually saw Conan the Barbarian as a pup when it came out in theat..."

Welcome Jon. Were you a fan of the Fighting Fantasy [dicegame-book] series too? i.e., from Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone? The Warlock of Firetop Mountain

[Jon]

Not as a child, I was more into The Forest of Twisted Dreams (Wizards, Warriors and You, #1). But later in my adult quest to rediscover game books I came across the Fighting Fantasy series and have a few. I also picked up the entire Lone Wolf series, but have yet to read them. I kinda collect some CYOA books, but plan to eventually find time to read them all. It took me years to finally get all the WW&Y series. In addition to my 2nd Gorp book, I'm also planning to start up a new game book set in my world called Agrobathe, which I've spent years worldbuilding on. I think the game books would be a nice way to introduce the world to readers. I'm also looking forward to writing in 2nd person POV for a change.

[David]

Hello y'all,
I've been a member for quite a while but I'm not sure if I've ever introduced myself here. I'm pretty active on Goodreads and a longtime Sword and Sorcery fan which I first came to in the early 70's comic book wave. Maybe some of you folks remember that. It's where I first saw Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser and read my first Conan ( by Barry Windsor Smith ). Elric appeared in a Smith Conan comic too! He had this weird pointy green hat. LOL. He was kind of a dork but I liked him anyway.

Me and my twin brother both went on to SF and F novels soon after that. We went right from comic books to adult novels at a very early age. I'd read all 80 some of the Agatha Christie novels by the time I was 9 or 10. Tokien, Clarke, Asimov, RE Howard, Lovecraft, KE Wagner, and Stephen King when he came later.

But now as I have gotten older I have looked back and am discovering so much Sword and Sorcery that I have not yet read. I really love Poul Anderson's Broken Sword and Three Hearts and Three Lions. Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and Grey Mouser. Karl Edward Wagner's Kane stories. I'm wondering if older Fantasy may strike my fancy the way those did.

I do love some more recent Fantasy. I love Abercrombie's Blade Itself trilogy. Jeff Salyards' Bloodsounders Arc trilogy is a masterpiece. Nick Eames' Kings of the Wyld is sweet and funny and full of heart. And I'm really enjoying Sebastien de Castell's Greatcoats which I'm reading right now. So I'm keen always to find the best in fantasy to read.

I've never done a group reading thing. I'm not sure how it works.

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Welcome David! I recognize your picture from comments/reviews. Glad to have you here.

Groupreads are relaxed ways to synchronize members into reading similar books. Six times a yr (every two months) we poll for 1-2 themes/authors/books, then give it go! No real commitments. Any discussion or perspective is valued (ie even if you aren't reading the chosen themes but have memories/ideas to share).

Moorcock and Leiber topics running thru June.

Obscure Works starting in July!

A lot of members use the groupreads as an incentive/strategy to chip away the TBR pile. Many read the books and never chime in (I know because I follow most members). Thats fine too.

[Jason]

Howdy David!

Great group read description, Seth. I'm one of those guilty of mostly never chiming in, but usually because I'm most often catching up on my phone and the app is a very poor way to interact easily here. If I'm on my laptop it is much simpler and more efficient...but then that also means I'm not accomplishing the task I'm on the laptop for, something that has become my bane all to often!

David, for what it's worth, despite being a poor contributor to the group reads, I love the concept and ensuing conversations they generate. Even if I don't read that particular topic that session, I have often read within it shortly thereafter. Just a fun way to learn of more authors/titles/opinions.

[Joseph]

I'm Joseph Malik, author of Dragon's Trail.

It's a pleasure to be here. I'm looking forward to browsing this group and finding recommendations. I'm always looking for a new book or to discuss an old one. Cheers.

[Dean]

Hi everyone,
I'm Dean, long-time of s&s, forgot to introduce myself after joining the group :)
I joined because I see you are discussing books I wasn't aware of (i have read all the obvious stuff) and hope I can find more good/obscure and new stuff in the genre--and related subgenres. Oh and I'm particularly interested in science fantasy (empire of the atom/empire of the east/hawkmoon kind of books) if any one has any suggestions please share!
Cheers

[Peter]

Hi Everyone,

I'm glad this group exists! I read a lot of the S&S classics as a kid (Howard, Leiber, Moorcock) and am getting back into this genre. I also liked 'The Pastel City' by M John Harrison though this isn't pure S&S, it's still a cool read. Looking forward to checking out this groups recommendations for current, high-quality S&S. Interesting how the classic S&S story elements have come back in stuff like GOT.

I'm an author, but I'll try to check my urge to self-promote. Meantime, it will be fun to follow this groups discussions.

[Jon]

Welcome Peter!! If you write S&S there is a promotions section here in the group you can post your book in. Cheers!

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Welcome Peter and Dean!

[Severius]

Hi there, everyone! I've been lurking here for a few months, but haven't gotten around to introducing myself. I've reading SF and Fantasy since I was a kid; one of the first books my dad gave me to read was A Princess of Mars and I've loved that style of story ever since. It's only in the past few years, though, that I've started to read more S&S. I found my dad's old copies of Leiber, Moorcock, and Vance; and this reignited a love for the genre. Most recently I finally got around to reading the Conan stories.

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Severius wrote: "Hi there, everyone! I've been lurking here for a few months, but haven't gotten around to introducing myself. I've reading SF and Fantasy since I was a kid; one of the first books my dad gave me to..."

Welcome Severius! Good timing, in that one of our two-month groupreads [Sept-Oct] will be "sword and planet" adventure, so you can merge your desire to read more Edgar Rice Burroughs with S&S!

[Richard]

Welcome aboard, Severius!

[David]

By way of introduction then, I am David Chapman, a person of questionable significance of any sort.

I do enjoy reading and writing in various genres (for my own amusement). This craft of writing is fraught with many a pitfall and a seemingly insurmountable list of atrocities that should be avoided. Some day I shall finish something, offer it to the public, and enjoy what I hope will certainly be a grand spectacle of vilification.

My first indoctrination into this business of brandishing steel and sorcery with nary a hobbit or dwarf to ruin it was Michael Moorcock's The Chronicles of Corum. I still read and enjoy other types of fantasy to be sure, but that exposure has tempered my tastes towards the grit and grunge of a hero worth drinking and pillaging with.

[Periklis, Fafhrd (Emeritus)]

David wrote: "By way of introduction then, I am David Chapman, a person of questionable significance of any sort.

I do enjoy reading and writing in various genres (for my own amusement). This craft of writing i..."

Welcome David!

[Μανώλης]

Hey there! I'm Manolis, from Greece, art teacher and board game illustrator among other things. I'm into literature, comics and graphic novels. Sword and sorcery genre occupies a decent part of my library, so I thought to give this group a try...
If there are any boart gamers out there here's my BoardGameGeek profile: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamear....

[Periklis, Fafhrd (Emeritus)]

Μανώλης wrote: "Hey there! I'm Manolis, from Greece, art teacher and board game illustrator among other things. I'm into literature, comics and graphic novels. Sword and sorcery genre occupies a decent part of my ..."

Welcome Manolis (καλωσήρθες!), we're into all things sword & sorcery.
At the core of the group is our bi-monthly group reads (two books/ S&S-related themes, every two months). Feel free to look around and participate, in any way you'd like.
In fact a S&S board game discussion would be most welcome, either in the General Discussions folder or the Sword & Sorcery in other media folder.

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Welcome Manolis! I'll find you on BGG. It's a great time to be a boardgame player. Lots of high quality experiences available for RPGers and Sword n Sorcery fans. I've been sucked into Kickstarter and Gencon. Zombicide Black Plague, Perdition's Mouth: Abyssal Rift are two I am immersed in. Got Deep Madness coming soon (thats Lovecraftian horror). Thought about Monilith's Conan, but am running out time and funds!

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Μανώλης wrote: "Hey there! I'm Manolis, from Greece, art teacher and board game illustrator among other things. I'm into literature, comics and graphic novels. Sword and sorcery genre occupies a decent part of my ..."

Your Board Game Geek profile link wasn't working for me, so I insert it here: manolis-frangidis

BTW we have a networking folder, which attempts to connect various artisits/writers.

You may want to scope that out:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

[Μανώλης]

S.E. wrote: "Welcome Manolis! I'll find you on BGG. It's a great time to be a boardgame player. Lots of high quality experiences available for RPGers and Sword n Sorcery fans. I've been sucked into Kickstarter ..."
Thanx! Kickstarter can be a true "follow me down the rabbit hole" place where fame and fortune changes hands. Last board game I illustrated and got funded that way (Andrew Parks's Dungeon Alliance) ended up with +$100.000 and +1000 backers!(https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...).
Anyone interested in fantasy boardgaming (may it be strategy, dungeon crawling or rpg oriented) may feel free to ask anything...

[J.S.]

Hello. I'm Jem. I just learned of this group; wish I had found it much sooner. I'm an author of African Historical Fantasy. I have nothing published in SFF, but I do have some of my African fantasy characters featured in several erotica anthologies. I don't, however, consider myself an erotica writer. My first Fantasy novel is scheduled for release in early 2018, and (full disclosure) I am co-owner of an indie publisher www.afrocentricbooks.com. Our first anthology is coming out in December. Publishing/editing is super hard work and really eats into my writing time. It's also expensive. I don't know any of you yet, but please wish me luck and send positive vibes, prayers, whatever. I believe in all that stuff!

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Welcome Jem! We've a decent Sword and Soul crowd here (fans of Charles Saunders and Milton Davis). Glad they have you!

[Richard]

Welcome aboard Jem!

[Henry]

Howdy, all. I'm Hank. Used to be The 2-Fisted Blogger, before moving over to Virtual Pulp. I finally decided to join because my fellow Blogger/author and friend has a new S&S book out and I'm plugging it for him (I posted in another thread).

My intro to this flavor of Fantasy was Poul Andersen's classic 3 Hearts & 3 Lions. I moved on to REH's work afterwards. Still havent read them all as I have too many other interests fighting for my time.

In addition to my buddy's novel, I have 2 E-novellas published, with the series title "Tales of the Honor Triad." I have an unfinished work-in-progress for the same series that will probably be full-length, and will probably be paperback as well as E-book, but I have to finish some other projects before I get back to it.

Look forward to reading y'all's posts!

[Richard]

Welcome aboard, Henry!

[Henry]

Thanks Richard; thanks Jack!

[Clint]

Clint here. I am a long time reader of Sword & Sorcery. A childhood fascination with anything Conan eventually brought me around to a deep appreciation of Bob Howard. I have since branched down various S&S paths.

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Welcome Henry and Clint!

[W E]

Hey everybody, been meaning to jot something down on the intro section for a couple weeks now, so here goes! My name is Bill and I want to thank Phil for the invitation to join the group. I'm sure I'm not alone when I reveal R. E. Howard as the writer that introduced me to this grittier side street of the fantasy genre. His mix of raw bone, pulp characterization and out there weird horror really struck a chord with me as a kid. I still remember the first time I read the Tower of the Elephant, being unsettled, and a bit confused, by the imagery but impressed with Conan’s actions. Ever since, I’ve measured everything I read and write, on that early experience, for good or ill. I look forward to some great discussion and reading recommendations.

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Welcome, W E!

[Erica]

Hello, I'm Erica, the author of Loathly. My reading and writing interest is romance in sci-fi and fantasy, and high fantasy courtly intrigue. I'm trying out the Witcher books and Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman now I'm finding an interest in myths and monsters.

[Richard]

Welcome aboard!

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Ella Rose wrote: "Hey ya'll!
I'm Ella Rose, a wife, mommy, artist, author, guitar player, and crocheter!
I love Fantasy stories best of all, especially books by Tolkien and Lewis.
King Arthur is my favorite hero, ..."


Welcome Ella and Erica!

Feel welcome to browse the discussions and chime in. Lots of slow-burning conversations here that never die (i.e., the pacing is different than other social media pages). Most of us are authors here, so please check out the guidelines in the promotional folder.

Every two months we have group reads.... now thu Aug we have topics of "New" vs "Appendix-N".

[Jarod]

Hello, everyone. My name is Jarod Meyer. I'm here because I enjoy epic fantasy and science fiction. Whether that is literature, film, or video game, I am all in when I find a believable world t o immerse myself in.

My most recent reads were the Witcher series following Geralt of Rivia on spectacular quests throughout a really well thought out and interesting world.

I am a published author with Autumn Arch publishing and have been working on a four part series for the better part of seven years now.

I would love to tell you about them, so add me as a friend and message me if you want to hear about my work. I'm sure I will put at least one post somewhere about my series but I'm all for making new friends in the literary community.

[Ken]

Hello, I'm Ken and I've just joined this group with the aim of learning more about the genre. I've long been intrigued by Fantasy as a reader, and by Sword and Sorcery in particular. I know nothing! lol So, I'm looking forward to learning about S&S and engaging in discussions as I read my way through the essentials. Hope you have room for a complete noob! Thx!

[S.E., Gray Mouser (Emeritus)]

Welcome Jarod and Ken! Nice intro’s.
We’ve a very civil bunch of authors and readers here, who fantasize about being barbarians.

We never stop a conversation, so many topics kindle slowly over years.... while others come and go.

Browse the folders and jump in.

We’ve 2-month 2-topic groupreads that are popular.

Ken, are you looking for book/story suggestions? Just start a new thread and ask.

Cheers, Seth

[Richard]

Welcome aboard, Ken!