Reposted: 3 Lessons from Writing A Female Protagonist

Take a look at this excellent piece by author Kai Wai Cheah, readers: 3 Lessons from Writing A Female Protagonist Babylon Red was my first attempt at writing a novel-length work anchored by a female protagonist. Unlike other modern fiction, I sought to write a female character, not a man with breasts. She had to think, talk, act …

Ballads of Space and Time

I confess that I had never heard nor read the word “filk” until recently. For those who are also unfamiliar with the term, it apparently began life as a spelling error. The word refers to folk songs written about science fiction themes; some of these may have been written specifically for sci-fi novels, in order …

Reposted: Chasing Tropes

Check out this great article by Kit Sun Cheah, readers: Chasing Tropes People enjoy the exotic, but not too exotic. People enjoy the familiar, but not too familiar. Reconciling these twin desires is the overriding concern of the modern-day fiction writer. A story where everything is formulaic, from characters to plots to setting, is predictable and boring. A story …

Deductive Reasoning: A Detective’s Work in the Future

Among the series this author has returned to of late has been a single season title: Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century*. The show is not well-beloved by fans of the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle* series because the animated tale takes several liberties with Holmes’ character. Since the show was meant for tweens and …

Review – Cirsova Magazine of Thrilling Adventure and Daring Suspense Issue #6/Spring 2021 by Cirsova Publishing

Here we have a special review, readers! I was privileged to receive an advance copy of Cirsova Magazine’s 2021 Spring Issue* in order to review it. From the description: The Artomique Paradigm (Part 1 of 3) by Michael Tierney           Earth is now in contact with their intergalactic cousins! But during recent conflicts with aliens …

Review – The Carter Files, Book 1: Phoenix by Lori Janeski

Liger Zero Phoenix No, fellow Zoids* fans, the title of the book being reviewed today has nothing to do with the franchise. I just couldn’t resist the reference. While it was not the best entry in the franchise by a long mile, not everything in Zoids: Fuzors was bad. Liger Zero and the Phoenix were …

Review – Galen’s Way: A Starquest Novel of the 4th Age by Richard Paolinelli

Well! That was quite the ride, readers. I received this book as a free eARC in order to review it, and it was enormous fun. It felt like going to see a film you think you will recognize, only to find that there is a new movie on and you like it! From the blurb: …

Review – Mecha: A Cannon Anthology, Edited by J.F. Holmes

Here we have another review, readers! Today’s book is an anthology put together by Mr. J.F. Holmes* for Cannon Publishing. It focuses on mecha, the titanic battle machines (usually with humanoid or animal forms) that serve as tanks in speculative fiction. From the blurb on the back: Feedback from the slight pressure of a hand …

Bulletin: New Cirsova Kickstarter and More!

Cirsova Magazine is celebrating their 5th Anniversary with a Kickstarter for their Spring Issue. For the first time ever, there will be illustrations to accompany the stories in this and following editions of the magazine. Some are available for preview at the Cirsova website here, while others are offered for viewing at the kickstarter page here. This …

Review: Queen of the Martian Catacombs by Leigh Brackett

To the best of this writer’s knowledge, the previous Eric John Stark novella reviewed here is the third one in the series. Queen of the Martian Catacombs* is, judging by the writing, the first in the trilogy: MARS IS ON THE VERGE OF WAR!           Trouble is brewing on Mars… With civil war about to …