Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" discussion
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Flashing swords! #1
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Well that was weird... Flashing Swords #6
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Goes to show how good feelings can turn to bad in the turn of a page
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Contributor Adrian Cole chimed in another FB group (Sword and Sorcery and fantasy Forum) to say the Pulp Hero Press is delisting now and has hopes to re-release. Lots of work for a small press to go thru to cover up this debacle.
I know it's been pulled by the publisher but from what I've heard they've not made a statement about re-releasing it. I guess we'll see. at this point the publisher has agreed to release some of the stories back to their authors, which might mean there will be no Flashing Swords #6. There were also plans for a #7 but I imagine that's on hold as well
I think this reaction from so many writers and readers is a positive thing, and bodes well for the long term future of our favorite genre. The people have spoken, and outdated, sexist/racist and dare I say ‘Fascist’, attitudes will not be tolerated. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again; there is absolutely no reason one cannot write bloody, heroic, manly S&S without regressing into old fashioned and outdated views. I can read old pulp adventure and 70’s action/men’s adventure fiction and deal with outdated views because this stuff is a product of its times. There is no excuse to continue it today in modern fiction.
Some copies were printed since the book did go up for sale. I have no idea how many
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Bummer. Seth, are you seeing the blow up on Facebook now? Left vs Right. I was looking forward to this book. Price is the estate executive for Lin Carter. Bringing this back was a nice tribute. I support the authors’ right to pull their stories. I support Robert Price’s right to state his opinions; however, this was not the place. I want my S&S free of political opinion, left or right.
Meanwhile, Lin Carter himself, in his introduction to Conan the Buccaneer, conveyed a very different message:For Sword & Sorcery is sheer escapist reading, nothing more. It has no hidden meanings. It offers no handy, pre-packaged solution to any of the world’s numerous ills. It has no “ism” or “ology” to sell, no message to put over. It is something remarkable and rare these days.
It is—entertainment.
I see no reason why we should fill our every waking hour with brooding over the evils of the day. At least you will admit it is fun to lean back in a comfortable chair on a cold rainy evening, light a pipe, set a chill martini glass beside the ashtray, and escape into the pages of an extravagant romance, if only for an hour or two.
In other words, Lin Carter says to lay off the politics, relax, and enjoy a fun book.
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@Joy, nice counterpoint.
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https://thesilverkey.blogspot.com/202...
Brian Murphy notes, quite rightly, that the introduction would have been a fine opportunity to honor Lin Carter's contributions.... which echoes Joy's comments above.
To be honest the only thing Price is wrong about is porn. Otherwise, meh.It would be nice not to have politics invade escapist fiction but that boat sailed long ago.
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"Update: FLASHING SWORDS! # 6.
A deal has been struck between the publisher and the writers.
Bob McLain, who runs Pulp Hero Press, e-mailed us all this morning with an outline to pay all parties involved for their work. While FLASHING SWORDS! # 6 has been pulled for good and editor Robert M. Price effectively fired, Bob has offered a placement in a new anthology to be published at a later date. All those that want to withdraw their stories have been offered a kill fee for their time. Bob admitted mistakes were made and has done his best to find a resolution."
That's good to hear that they got paid. I feel for the writers and publisher. I also agree with Wagenaar way up there that this is a good thing. SnS will never have mainstream appeal, but it can grow and flourish in its niche if it buck the yoke, so to speak.
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https://dmrbooks.com/test-blog/2020/8...
It should be said D.M. Ritzlin story will be released next month with 12 other new tales and an amazing cover. The title will be Necromancy in Nilztiria . It sounds like what we have grown to expect from DMR books.
I was about to help spread the word about Flashing Swords #6, since Robert Price (editor) and Pulp Hero Press were reviving the Sword & Sorcery series this month.
However, several authors and friends appear in this...or were going to....but the book will likely be pulled just as it begins to be released.
So this is the nutty story:
In short, the editor wrote a controversial, irrelevant political rant as an introduction. So many authors are pulling their stories from this version. I suspect that Pulp Hero Press may find a way to release it again.
So...do not expect it to be released in 2020. Or rather, expect the release to be a mess.
I learned about this madness via Black Gate editor John O'Neill's Facebook page. He pointed folks to a BleedingCool website that explains more: https://bleedingcool.com/comics/autho...
Feel welcome to read that link, which includes a snapshot of the weird introduction...but to reiterate, there is no need to bring any drama here. We can collectively sigh that a promising anthology has been derailed for a bizarre reason.