Since many of us who write fantasy include scenes of the underworld, I thought I’d show some pictures from my summer vacation. Yes, I went to Hades, and didn’t even get a t-shirt. All told we were underground at Carlsbad Caverns for about three hours, with a break for lunch above ground. The second tour was more difficult than the first. It was colder, and the caverns were more oppressive. There was a part where Read more…
Two stories in the October issue of Realms of Fantasy stood out: Saint’s Paw, by Alan Smale, and Halloween, by Euan Harvey. Halloween made it pretty clear that I am a wuss when it comes to horror. The story was a selection of creeeepy vignettes of the kind that kids love because it keeps them up at night and then they can lie in their beds quivering with fear because the masks are real, the Read more…
On a forum I hang out on, we’re building an anthology of the best short stories of the 20th century. All genres, all eras. Take a gander and join in (if you aren’t already a member you have to sign up, but it’s painless): The Best Short Stories of the 20th Century So far there’s a great selection. The short story is a different art form than the novel. A lot of novelists don’t like Read more…