Thursday, August 31, 2017

Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month for August 2017

Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month
It’s that time of the month again, time for “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”.

So what is “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of speculative fiction by indie authors newly published this month, though some July books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.

Once again, we have new releases covering the whole broad spectrum of speculative fiction. This month, we have epic fantasy, historical fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal mystery, paranormal romance, gothic romance, science fiction romance, space opera, military science fiction, young adult science fiction, Steampunk, Cyberpunk, superheroes, ghosts, haunted valentines, alien invasions, FBI dark fae, magical circusses, galactic outlaws, space pirates, girl scientists and much more.

As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.

And now on to the books without further ado:

Rotten Magic by Jeffrey BardwellRotten Magic by Jeffrey Barwell:

Devin will do anything to win. Even resort to magic.

Devin competes to become the best artificer in the mage phobic Iron Empire. Who needs magic when you can master the art of machinery? The other apprentices envy his genius and skills . . . especially Benson. Every apprentice hones their craft building and fighting in crude prototypes of powered armor. Some add frills, others barbs or horns. When Devin transforms himself into a mechanical dragon to slaughter the competition, Benson steps into the role of dragon slayer.

But Devin harbors a secret as he claws his way to the top of the Artificer's Guild: he's a mage. These new abilities are thrilling and frightening, and the voices more so. How long can Devin be content wearing a steel dragon mask when the seductive promise of true arcane power whispers in his ear?
Experience the novella prequel to the Artifice Mage Saga: a fantasy steampunk brawl of metal vs. magic where sorcery is bloody, science is greasy, and nobody's hands are clean.

Resistance by Max CarverResistance by Max Carver:

DISCOVERY...INVASION...WAR...

On a rocky, desolate planet, a small band of gold prospectors find themselves making a discovery they never expected--valuable and powerful relics of the galaxy's deep past.

They also discover a hostile alien species: gigantic, hideous, ruthless monsters who wipe out all humans on sight.

Humanity's first contact with intelligent aliens becomes a war for survival. The invasion has begun...but the beginning of the invasion is also the beginning of the resistance.

Renegade Star by J.N. ChaneyRenegade Star by J.N. Chaney:

Jace Hughes is a Renegade.

That means taking almost any job that comes his way, no matter the situation. So long as he can keep his ship floating, he's free to live the life he wants.

But that all changes when he meets Abigail Pryar, a nun looking for safe passage out of the system.
Too bad there's something off about the cargo she's carrying.

Jace knows he shouldn't ask too many questions, but when strange sounds start coming from inside the large, metal box, he can't help but check it out.
Big mistake.

To make matters worse, he's being pursued by unknown ships--people who want that cargo. Does Jace give up the goods and hand over the nun...or does he risk it all for an even bigger payout?

The Contending by Cynthia Joyce ClayThe Contending by Cynthia Joyce Clay:

"If I survive this, I must make amends to Princess Royal Tristabe-airta. If don't, when I become her liege, she be too powerful of an enemy."

Royal swords possess the unhuman strength and temperament of their ancestors, dragons. Burta, a young royal sword, resents that she must always defer to Tristabé-airta, Princess Royal of Allsongs, a poet. But Burta is so skilled in arms she expects to win the Allsongs’ Contending and that will make her Tristabé-airta’s liege. The problem is, though, she is trapped between the monster that hunts her and the deadly drop down the cliff to the turbulent sea. In Book Two of the Saga of the Dragon Born, all the poets of Allsongs, including Tristabé-airta, must unite their power to rescue Burta. Once rescued, will she unwisely keep a secret close to her heart that will be a rending betrayal to Allsongs’ best hope and defense, Tristabé-airta?

The Dance on the Moons of Serenity by M.D. CooperThe Dance on the Moons of Serenity by M.D. Cooper:

Everyone deserves a day off, right?

That's just what Jessica and Cheeky are enjoying when a pair of old "friends" show up and force them to smuggle weapons into the Serenity System.

On their own with just a small interstellar pinnace at their disposal, Jessica and Cheeky aren't going to let someone else force them to smuggle weapons (especially when there's no profit in it for them) and they take control of their ship and escape.

Unfortunately, they still end up in the Serenity system...with the weapons. Now they must unravel a tangled web of deception in a highly stratified aristocratic society to learn the intended recipient of the weapons.

Attending a series of gala events, Jessica will have to use a particular set of skills she's acquired over the years (as a TBI Agent, seriously, people) to start a war between two aristocratic families.
What could go wrong?

Agent of Darkness by C.N. Crawford and Alex RiversAgent of Darkness by C.N. Crawford and Alex Rivers:

There’s a dark power growing within me. And I’m not sure I can control it.

The fae king wants me dead. His assassins tracked me down and nearly killed me— now they’re the ones lying lifeless in a pool of blood. But the price I've paid is too high. They hurt someone I love, and I burn for revenge.

I’m done watching from the sidelines. Following the seductive fae Roan, I join the rebels but find myself surrounded by suspicion at every turn. But with the strange new magic in my blood, no one trusts me anymore.

It's the magic of fear, of terror, of nightmares. The king’s minions have given me another name: Mistress of Dread. My power is unstable and deadly, and to get my vengeance, I must learn to control it. Yet with fury boiling in my blood and desire for Roan kindling my heart, it seems like an impossible task.

FBI Agent, Pixie, Terror Leech, Mistress of Dread. Will I become a King Killer as well?

Brave New Girls, edited by Paige Daniels and Mary FanBrave New Girls: Stories of Girls Who Science and Scheme, edited by Paige Daniels and Mary Fan:

Dive into a universe of sci-fi wonders.

This collection of sci-fi shorts features a variety of brainy young heroines—girls who engineer, tinker, experiment, and more. Voyage to far-off galaxies with girls who use their science savvy to fix rovers, rescue friends, and protect alien critters. Visit steampunk realms where young ladies put their skills to the test building mechanical wonders and solving mysteries. Trek across sci-fi landscapes with girls who save androids and repair robots. Journey to post-apocalyptic futures where heroines use their tech know-how to bring down overlords and spread the most dangerous thing of all… knowledge. And drop in on a few near-future heroines who use their smarts to take down supervillains and bring a little more understanding into the world.

Proceeds from sales of this anthology will be donated to a scholarship fund through the Society of Women Engineers. Let’s show today’s girls that they, too, can be tomorrow’s inventors, programmers, scientists, and more.

STORIES BY:
T. Eric Bakutis, Elisha Betts, Steph Bennion, Bryna Butler, Margaret Curelas, Paige Daniels, Kay Dominguez, Brandon Draga, George Ebey, Mary Fan, A.A. Jankiewicz, Evangeline Jennings, Jamie Krakover, Jeanne Kramer-Smyth, Stephen Landry, Karissa Laurel, Michelle Leonard, Meg Merriet, Jelani-Akin Parham, Josh Pritchett, Holly Schofield, and Lisa Toohey.

Harkworth Hall by L.S. JohnsonHarkworth Hall by L.S. Johnson:

Caroline Daniels must marry, and marry well. But in her remote corner of England eligible suitors are few and far between, and none hold a candle to her closest friend, Diana Fitzroy.

When Sir Edward Masterson arrives, he seems the answer to Caroline’s financial worries, though she instinctively dislikes the reticent, older merchant. Soon Sir Edward has set his sights on acquiring both Caroline and the decaying Harkworth Hall.

Caroline’s future seems secure, save that Sir Edward’s enigmatic secretary hints at a dark secret, and Sir Edward shows an unusual interest in the nearby bay. To discover Sir Edward’s true purpose, Caroline will have to face the horror beneath Harkworth Hall—and the woman who will change her life.

Freaky Games by Amanda M. LeeFreaky Games by Amanda M. Lee:

Look out Sin City, here comes the Mystic Caravan Circus.

The city that never sleeps has something lurking in the darkness and Poet Parker can’t decide if it’s friend or foe. The rich history of the area comes into play when research uncovers a mine disaster more than a hundred years in the past … and a tragic outcome that still haunts the locale to this day.
Between dust storms bringing forth a creature with glowing red eyes, screams in the desert and Poet’s increasing conviction that they’re not alone, the team has their hands full. That’s on top of the fact that Max decides now is the time to make his move and get to know his son – who also happens to be Poet’s boyfriend – in a new light and the unwelcome realization that Luke has seemingly become obsessed with gambling.

Poet’s attention is split in numerous directions, although Luke’s quagmire is closest to her heart. She wants to help her best friend, even as he spirals out of control. He’s not the same best friend she’s spent the past few years loving, but she’s determined to get him back … even if it means facing off with some of Las Vegas’ most perilous residents.

The mystical world of the circus is due to collide with the dangerous underbelly of the gambling world and the two sides might not be as far apart as they initially assume.

When the dust storm settles – and the final battle is upon them – more than one person will be in danger … and Poet will have to make a hard choice to protect those she loves while sacrificing someone else to the unending darkness.

It’s the ultimate game, but money isn’t the only thing at risk.

The Fiasco in News by Stephan MorseThe Fiasco in News by Stephan Morse:

When you’ve seen as many catastrophes as I have, “disaster” becomes a relative term. But when disaster hits, feel free to do what I do—hang your head while waiting for the tight-wearing crowd to arrive. That only works if your super power is the same one I have though. I’m an immortal walking magnet for superpowered problems.

This new guy, Ted—a fake part-time villain who’s in it for the ratings and excitement—wants me to be a field correspondent for his news blog, and his offer sounds good. If I can’t beat ’em, expose ’em. The problem is he has no idea what my daily life is like.

No one really does—but they’ll learn.

The Black by Neil MossparkThe Black with Neil Mosspark

Five years ago, when the anomaly arrived, it wiped out eight thousand square kilometers of Toronto Ontario, taking with it over seven million souls. It remains now as a looming impervious black dome.
Dave Thompson, a hard rock miner, was hired as the lead engineer on tunnel 18. The job is simple: Get the crews to dig fast, and dig deep, avoid the lethal energy discharges and try not to die in a tunnel collapse.

Recently the energy releases are happening more and more frequently, the miners are refusing to dig, and the government is becoming desperate. Making things worse, there's something they're not telling him.

With time running out, he suspects that if he can’t get the scientists inside, there’s little hope for humanity's survival.

There is currently a giveaway of this novel going on.

Heart of Vengeance by Glynn Stewart and Terry MixonHeart of Vengeance by Glenn Stewart and Terry Mixon:

A pirate attack with only one survivor
A conspiracy woven across the planets
A vengeance that will not be denied

When pirates seize the inter-planetary freighter owned by Brad Mantruso’s family, he is dumped into space. Saved from death by a passing Fleet ship, he is left with nothing but his skills, a gun, and a burning desire for vengeance.

Acquiring a ship, he reinvents himself as the mercenary Captain Brad Madrid. Before he can pursue his enemies, however, he finds himself dragged into an unexpected conflict when his ship’s history draws new enemies to him.

Beset by pirates, slavers, and a woman who might be his savior—but definitely is a spy—it will take all of his skill, cunning, and new friends to claim his revenge!

Privateer by J.A. SutherlandPrivateer by J.A. Sutherland:

Even with no war on, there are always battles to fight.

A cease-fire in the war with Hanover leaves Lieutenant Alexis Carew on half-pay, in-atmosphere, and with her ship laid up in ordinary until called upon once more for the “needs of the Service.” She was, at least, lucky enough to be in her home star system when here last ship, HMS Nightingale, paid off, unlike much of her former crew.

She’s left to help manage her family lands, though still with no certainty she’ll be allowed to inherit them. It would be a tranquil, peaceful life, if not for the influx of asteroid miners seeking their fortunes, the uncertainties of her inheritance, and the nagging certainty that her current life is not what she really wants.

She’d give anything to command a ship again.

As We Rise: Rogue by Donielle TynerAs We Rise: Rogue by Donielle Tyner:

It's been 48 days since Jo Cygni's father died, leaving her the CS Kismet and its crew of space-born misfits. Despite a lifetime of preparation, Jo never thought she would captain her own ship before her 21st birthday.

Broke and determined to prove she is worthy of command, Jo pushes aside her political concerns and accepts a commission from the Galactic Consulate.

The job? Launch a load of sealed crates into a nearby star.
The catch? Don't open the containers.

The Haunted Valentine by J.A. WhitingThe Haunted Valentine by J.A. Whiting:

Lin and her cousin, Viv, stop into a gift shop in Nantucket town and while browsing, Lin sees an antique Sailor's Valentine.

The valentine, made of tiny beautiful shells, pulls at Lin and she decides to buy it and bring it home.
At times, the object feels hot to the touch and sometimes the shells illuminate and dim in a sequenced pattern. Once in a while, the valentine makes appearances outside the house in places Lin happens to be. A ghost pays a visit, but Lin has no idea what he wants from her or what his link might be to the sailor's valentine. With the help of her boyfriend and her cousin, Lin works to solve the mystery of the haunted valentine.

This is book 7 in the Lin Coffin Mystery series from USA TODAY Bestselling Author J A Whiting. Although the main mystery is solved in each story, the books should be read in order for the most enjoyment as story threads run from book to book. This story has ghosts and some mild paranormal elements.

Restless Spectres by A. WoodleyRestless Spectres by A. Woodley:

Clara was comfortable around ghosts, she'd been aware of them for as long as she could remember and for the most part, she liked having them around.

She had been thinking of leaving Dan for a while and the ideal opportunity presented itself by way of an inheritance from an aunt that she had no previous knowledge of.

Leaving her job, Dan, and her old life behind, Clara heads for her new home and her new life but she soon finds out that she's forced to share her home with an unseen, evil presence that clearly doesn't want her there.

Needing to confront the vicious malevolent spirit or leave her precious new home, Clara tries to carve out a new life, while attempting to rid her castle of the evil presence that threatens to destroy her planned livelihood or her life.

Dead Weapons by Simon Paul WoodwardDead Weapons by Simon Paul Woodward:

Ciaran Richards’ father was a soldier. A hero. But now he’s dead. Or is he?

Ciaran has lost his way. He’s forgotten the boy he was and the man he wanted to become. Worst of all, he's betrayed his only true friend, Isobel, leading her to a tragic accident.

His estranged brother, Patrick, forces him to carry out one last job for his crew: collecting a stolen gun and delivering it to the gangster Eliza Frost. In return, Patrick reveals a startling secret: somebody faked their father's death.

When the gun malfunctions, fastening itself to Ciaran’s hand, he’s framed for the murder of two policemen and forced to go on the run. He searches for a way to remove the weapon and find his father, but the police, Eliza Frost and a black ops team of frighteningly modified soldiers are all hunting him and Isobel may be the only person who can help.

Dead Weapons is a young adult, urban fantasy; a story of father figures fair and foul, broken friendships and the fleeting possibility of redemption.

Monday, August 28, 2017

Restless Spectres by A. Woodley

Release date: August 21, 2017
Subgenre: Horror, Ghost story

About Restless Spectres:


Clara was comfortable around ghosts, she'd been aware of them for as long as she could remember and for the most part, she liked having them around.
She had been thinking of leaving Dan for a while and the ideal opportunity presented itself by way of an inheritance from an aunt that she had no previous knowledge of.
Leaving her job, Dan, and her old life behind, Clara heads for her new home and her new life but she soon finds out that she's forced to share her home with an unseen, evil presence that clearly doesn't want her there.
Needing to confront the vicious malevolent spirit or leave her precious new home, Clara tries to carve out a new life, while attempting to rid her castle of the evil presence that threatens to destroy her planned livelihood or her life.

Excerpt:


She stopped short as she very nearly walked through the three children that were standing just inside the private hallway.
  Mr Jones wasn’t expecting her to stop dead and he bumped into her, he apologised twice, his face flushed with embarrassment, he had tried to be so professional around Clara and he was mentally kicking himself for looking such a fool in front of her.
  ‘No, I’m sorry, it’s me that should be apologising; it was completely my fault, I thought I saw something, it must be those ghosts you were telling me about.’ Clara said as she laughed, hoping that Mr Jones would think that she was joking. Clara winked at the children and they smiled at her.
  ‘Has this ever been a children’s home?’ Clara asked Mr Jones.
  ‘I don’t know but I can probably find out, I know it has had many uses in its time, why do you ask?’
   ‘Oh, it just feels as though there have been children here, which room is the kitchen? I want to see that first.’ Clara said, quickly changing the subject and hoping that Mr Jones wouldn’t notice.
  ‘That’s at the end on the left with the lounge opposite. Both the kitchen and the lounge have patio doors leading out to the garden.’ Mr Jones said.
Clara loved her kitchen, it had an old charm about it but it didn’t look at all out-dated, she thought that it was just perfect for her. She was overjoyed as she looked out into the garden. She thought that she had caught a glimpse of someone in the garden but it was too fleeting for her to tell whether it was another spirit or a live person.
  From having seen the three children, a boy that looked to be around nine or ten years old and two younger looking girls, and from also being aware of other presences around, Clara knew that her new home definitely was haunted, although maybe not in the way that most people thought of hauntings and ghosts.
  On first entering the hotel she could tell that there were spirits even before seeing the children but she’d had a good feeling about the place and she thought that maybe some of the ghosts might just need help to move on.
  Clara and Mr Jones continued to look over the entire hotel and Clara had loved almost everything about it, especially the intricately carved wooden pieces but she would want to change some of the soft furnishings as she really wasn’t into all of the florals that her aunt had seemed to favour, they would have to go.

***

It was the very last suite on the top floor that gave Clara a really bad, uneasy sense of dread as she neared the locked door.
  ‘This door is locked.’ Clara said as she tried to open it but she really didn’t want to go in there.


Amazon

 

About A. Woodley:


Born in London (South East) many moons ago (1954) & now living in the land of the concrete cows & roundabouts (we're famous for both) in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK.
I started writing poetry & children's books so long ago but did nothing with them.
The children's books need illustrations & that is far beyond my capabilities.
The poetry sat in folders, unattended & forgotten for the most part until I recently came across some publishing info online.
I decided to dig out my old writings & sent off a manuscript to a publisher, they liked my manuscript & offered me a contract but wanted to share (refundable) costs, which was too much for my poor finances to cope with and I had no interest in vanity publishing anyway.
I was then told about self publishing with Amazon & checked it out, so here I am.
My 1st two ebooks  'Glimmer of hope' and 'Life and more'  are random collections of 50 poems in each book,
I do understand that there isn't a huge market for poetry but maybe some people will enjoy my efforts.
I think my favourite poem so far that I've written is 'I want to be a tree'.
My Daughter & Granddaughter have given me lots of encouragement to get published over the years & it now felt like the right time to try.
Eventually I plan to get my children's books published with the help of my Grandaughter, who is artistic but doesn't have a lot of free time, so that could take a while.
I have now written several more short stories, a book of 20 murder short stories (Murder Melange) and I'm currently writing a new book.

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Friday, August 25, 2017

Speculative Fiction Links of the Week for August 25, 2017


It's time again for our weekly round-up of interesting links about speculative fiction from around the web, this week with WorldCon 75, The Defenders, The Stone Sky, tributes to the late Brian Aldiss as well as the usual mix of awards news, writing advice, interviews, reviews, awards news, con reports, crowdfunding campaigns, science articles and free online fiction. 

Speculative fiction in general:

Comments on The Defenders

Tributes to Brian Aldiss:

Awards:

Writing, publishing and promotion:

Interviews:

Reviews:

Crowdfunding:

Con reports:

Science and technology:

Free online fiction:

Odds and ends:

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Cora's Adventures at WorldCon 75 in Helsinki, Finland


Entrance to the Messukeskus convention center.

As regular visitors of this site will know, I was away at WorldCon 75 in Helsinki last week. The con took place at the Messukeskus convention centre, which you can see above.

It's a nice venue. However, the sheer number of SFF fans who descended upon Helsinki, 7323 altogether according to the WorldCon 75 team, proved to be too much for the convention centre. Queuing for panels was a frequent experience and sales of day passes had to be limited after the first day.

Queuing for panels
 
However, even if you failed to get into a popular panel (which happened to me only once), there was still plenty to see at WorldCon 75, such as this blacksmith presentation outside the Messukeskus convention center.

Blacksmith presentation and shop
Inside the trade and exhibition hall, there was plenty to see and buy as well:

Signposts inside the exhibition hall
Mad Max and Terry Pratchett characters from Lego inside the exhibition hall
Terry Pratchett character from Lego on display in the exhibition hall, including a Lego figurine of Sir Terry himself.

I didn't get to watch a Hugo Awards ceremony live, because it clashed with one of my panels. So I followed the announcements of the winners via Twitter, while having dinner at the hotel restaurant. However, there were plenty of Hugo Awards past and present to see at WorldCon 75.

Hugo Award trophies on display
Display model of a 2017 Hugo Award
I was also a programme participant and so I was on four different panels, on subjects ranging from alien language in science fiction and machine translation to book blogs and how to adapt the Hugo Awards to an increasingly digital world. I even moderated one of the panels, which was a first for me.

The Digital Hugo panel, featuring (from left to right) myself, 2017 Hugo administrator Nicholas Whyte and our moderator Kristina Knaving.
On the evening before the convention opened, there was also a reception for convention staff and programme participants at Helsinki's beautiful city hall.

Reception at Helsinki City Hall. 
All in all, I had a great time at WorldCon 75 in Helsinki and am already looking forward to the 2019 WorldCon, which will be in Dublin, Ireland.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Rotten Magic (The Artifice Mage Saga prequel) by Jeffrey Bardwell

Release date: August 9, 2017
Subgenre: Steampunk fantasy 

About Rotten Magic:

 

Devin will do anything to win. Even resort to magic.

Devin competes to become the best artificer in the mage phobic Iron Empire. Who needs magic when you can master the art of machinery? The other apprentices envy his genius and skills . . . especially Benson. Every apprentice hones their craft building and fighting in crude prototypes of powered armor. Some add frills, others barbs or horns. When Devin transforms himself into a mechanical dragon to slaughter the competition, Benson steps into the role of dragon slayer.

But Devin harbors a secret as he claws his way to the top of the Artificer's Guild: he's a mage. These new abilities are thrilling and frightening, and the voices more so. How long can Devin be content wearing a steel dragon mask when the seductive promise of true arcane power whispers in his ear?

Experience the novella prequel to the Artifice Mage Saga: a fantasy steampunk brawl of metal vs. magic where sorcery is bloody, science is greasy, and nobody's hands are clean.

Excerpt:

 

Do they suspect? Devin thought, stealing furtive glances at the Black Guards. Do they know? Are they waiting, lurking, gathering evidence against me? The Black Guards kept the streets safe. His mother had always told him and his sister that. If you're ever in any trouble, find a guard. They will shelter you and punish the wicked. They protect us against killers, against thieves, against those whose crimes are too horrible to name, and most of all, they protect us from the mages.
Black Guards hunting us everywhere, the mage growled. It is the magic users who need protection from them.
The guards are merely the sweepers of the city machine, the artificer smiled,cleaning garbage off the streets.
Garbage? the mage cried.
Just like every other criminal, the artificer said, crossing his arms.
Devin looked at the calluses on his hands. But I'm not a criminal. I'm an artificer.
Neither voice in his mind replied as the youth looked up at the glorious symbol of the city's artifice princes. The ancient Guild Hall of Artificers rose above adjacent more recent buildings like a quiet old man kneeling amongst a crowd of garish babies. There was an unassuming grandeur to those time-stained, smooth granite walls. The masters took pains to preserve the aesthetics of the outside even as they implemented every new gadget and technology inside, but always with restraint and style. As Master Huron always said: “It is not just our duty to build, but to inspire. Why can't a machine be beautiful as well as functional?”
Drusilla was waiting by the gates of the Guild Hall as she did every morning. His steadfast best friend slung a welding apron over one shoulder. The scent of the wild forest lingered on the leather. How a gal from the heart of the city managed to smell like moss and elderberries, Devin never knew. The girl teased a stick from her hair and smiled as he approached.
Hear about the new Mark 3 Drake Armor?” Drusilla asked, walking alongside him.
New mechanical armor? Since when?“No,” Devin said.
There was a demonstration in the market yesterday. I tried to find you, but you went and vanished again.” Drusilla laughed. “Still working on that secret project, eh?”
Every chance I get.” Devin smiled. “It's going to be good enough to be my journeyman's piece. It's going to change the world.”
Not like this new armor,” Drusilla shook her head, eyes flashing. “It was awesome, Dev. The tiny gears and servos in the fingers are top rate. The precision. The sheer artistry. They had a man dressed in the suit knitting a little scarf with tiny, little needles. Knitting with a suit of mechanical armor. Those gauntlets are the size of your head. Fantastic!”
Knitting? Really?” Devin chuckled. “Are they going to chase down thieves with tiny, hand knit handcuffs, now?”
She clucked. “Even you have to admit it's impressive. Any mech gauntlets we create can barely grasp a cheap, wooden sword.”
Devin smiled. “Feh, swords. I prefer claws.”


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About Jeffrey Bardwell:


Jeffrey Bardwell is an ecologist with a Ph.D. who loves fantasy, amphibians, and reptiles. The author devours fantasy and science fiction novels, is most comfortable basking near a warm wood stove, and has eaten a bug or two. The author populates his own novels with realistic, fire breathing lizards. These dragons are affected by the self-inflicted charred remains of their environment, must contend with the paradox of allometric scaling, and can actually get eaten themselves.

The author lives on a farm, is perhaps overfond of puns and alliterations, and is a gigantic ham. When not in use, he keeps his degrees skinned and mounted on the back wall of his office.

Website | Blog

Friday, August 18, 2017

Speculative Fiction Links of the Week for August 18, 2017


I'm back from WorldCon and here is our weekly round-up of interesting links about speculative fiction from around the web, this week with WorldCon 75, the Hugo Awards, dystopian fiction, urban fantasy, Margaret Atwood, Ray Bradbury as well as the usual mix of awards news, writing advice, interviews, reviews, awards news, con reports, crowdfunding campaigns, science articles and free online fiction. 

Speculative fiction in general:

Awards:

Reports about WorldCon 75:

Writing, publishing and promotion:

Interviews:

Reviews:

Other con reports:

Crowdfunding:

Science and technology:

Free online fiction:

Odds and ends: 

Friday, August 11, 2017

Speculative Fiction Links of the Week for August 11, 2017


Here is our weekly round-up of interesting links about speculative fiction from around the web. This week's edition is somewhat truncated, because Cora is away at Worldcon 75 in Helsinki, Finland. 

Speculative fiction in general:

Comments on The Dark Tower

Comments on the Confederate controversy:

Awards:

Writing, publishing and promotion:

Interviews:

Reviews:

Crowdfunding:

Con reports:

Science and technology:

Free online fiction:

Odds and ends: