Thursday, February 29, 2024

Speculative Fiction Links of the Week for March 1, 2024

It's time for the latest weekly round-up of interesting links about speculative fiction from around the web, this week with Masters of the Universe: Revolution, Star Wars in general, Dune: Part 2, the new Avatar the Last Airbender, Halo, the new Quantum Leap, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, Shogun, the best SFF books of 2023, an underwhelming Willy Wonka Chocolate Experience, tributes to Brian Stableford and Kenneth Mitchell and much more.

Speculative fiction in general:

Tributes to Brian Stableford:

Best of 2023:

Comics and Art:

Film and TV:

Comments on Masters of the Universe: Revolution (spoilers) and Masters of the Universe in general:

Comments on Dune, Part 2:

Comments on Star Wars in general:

Comments on the new Avatar: The Last Airbender in animation and live action:

Comments on Halo:

Comments on the new Quantum Leap:

Comments on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live:

Comments on Shogun:

Tributes to Kenneth Mitchell:

Awards:

Writing, publishing and promotion:

Interviews:

Reviews:

Classics reviews:

Con and event reports:

Science and technology:

Gaming:

Toys and collectibles:

Free online fiction:

Trailers and videos:

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month for February 2024

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 and small press authors newly published this month, though some January 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, urban fantasy, historical fantasy, paranormal romance, paranormal mysteries, space opera, military science fiction, dystopian fiction, horror, vampires, dragons, wizards, time travel, starships for rent, space marines, freaky circuses, deadly weddings, crime-busting witches, crime-busting ghosts 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:

Major by Jonathan P. Brazee:

A Marine major is one of the orphan ranks, too senior to command a line company, but too junior to command a battalion.

Newly promoted to major, Ryck reports for duty as the assistant naval attaché to the Confederation of Free States, the same government whose troops he’d recently fought in the Telchines. Ryck wasn’t happy about the assignment, but he buckled down for a long and boring tour of duty.

But action seems to follow Ryck, and this is no exception.

From the diplomatic post on New Mumbai to leading one of the newly formed Raider special ops companies, Ryck continues his eventful career as a United Federation Marine.

Pursued by Peril by Lindsay Buroker:

The dragons of the Cosmic Realms aren’t pleased now that Azerdash has recovered a legendary galaxy blade. It makes him more of a threat in his quest to oust their kind from power. To stop him, the dragons have sent one of their own after him, a deadly assassin who likes a challenge…

Arwen wants to help Azerdash, but she has her own problems. She must track down the missing vampire alchemist, Zoltan. It’s her fault that he was kidnapped, and she can’t leave him in the hands of dark elves.

But when the dragon assassin comes after her, because of her relationship with Azerdash, Arwen must worry about far more than kidnappers.

Starship For Rent by M.R. Forbes:

When Noah sees an advertisement offering him a chance to rent a starship, he’s convinced it has to be a trick.

Already mired in the worst day of his life, he’s willing to do anything to escape, including a field trip to the middle of nowhere to follow the lead. Except there is no trick. The starship is real. And Noah’s life will never be the same.

All he has to do is sign the contract.

Joined by his wisecracking friend, a woman he met online, and the ship’s curious crew, Noah’s about to discover that the universe is more dangerous, bizarre, and magical than he ever imagined.

From tragedy to triumph. His true destiny awaits.

Ghosts of Past and Present by Rachel Ford:

When Tennessee Evans inherited a fortune, the last thing she expected was to find her absentee family on her doorstep. But that’s exactly what happened.

Quite literally, in fact. First her dad and his new wife, then her mom and her new husband. Awkward doesn’t quite cover it.
Then her stepmom is kidnapped, and the ghosts start showing up.

Which would be bad enough on its own. But Tennessee is already juggling a complicated romance, her plans to restore the town’s downtown area, and a home renovation project.

She needs to figure out what’s going on stat. Fortunately for her, the dead are on the case, and they have a few ideas…

Another Time: An Anthology of Time Travel Stories 1942-1960, edited by Jean-Paul Garnier:

The nature of time has forever perplexed humankind. Add the many ripe paradoxes of time travel and the situation gets complicated. While science has shown us that time travel is technically possible, at least on paper, we still know little about what time actually is, or our place within it. Science fiction has long explored this theme and it has become one of the cornerstones of the genre. In this collection of stories, we find visions of what time travel could be, what could go wrong, and dive headlong into the paradoxical nature of what it might entail. Tales ranging from 1942 to 1960 bring us into these mysterious worlds and provide a window into what the writers of this era grappled with when exploring time and the possibilities of traveling within the fourth dimension. Readers will also delight in traversing another time in literature, with stories that first appeared in Worlds of IF, Astonishing Stories, Galaxy Magazine, Thrilling Wonder Stories, Startling Stories, and Imagination Stories of Fantasy & Science Fiction.

With stories by:

C. Shook
Darius John Granger
Evelyn E. Smith
Sylvia Jacobs
Rog Phillips
Miriam Allen deFord
Anthony Boucher
Henry Kuttner
Alfred Bester

and an introduction by Dr. Phoenix Alexander

Witch Mirror by A.L. Hawke:

Reflections of a wicked witch.

Bryce and I are trying to revive Alondra’s old metaphysical history class. We’re in college again, this time teaching. But It’s stressful under our former teacher’s shadow. Not only that, there’s a new demon-witch messing with my love life. So I’m going through that again. Well, at least this time I have Alondra’s magic to protect me.

Actually, not only do I have her magic, her spirit is inside me, possessing me. But don’t worry, Alondra’s ghost is a positive force here to help Hawthorne. I mean…are you good, Alondra?

A witch council is gathering at my house to reflect on ways to save us. They’re convinced Alondra is evil, but Alondra and I are unsure they know what they’re doing. Well, if I can’t hold things together—inside and outside of myself—I fear my plans of finishing graduate school at Hawthorne U. and starting a family are going to shatter.

Witchy Woman Blues by Lily Harper Hart:

The final battle is here.

Hannah Hickok had high hopes for her wedding and honeymoon, but everything changes when a local politician stops by to casually drop some disturbing news. It seems Casper Creek is going to be seized by eminent domain…and there’s nothing she can do about it.

Cooper Wyatt knows that the land can’t just be taken from Hannah willy-nilly, but stopping what’s about to happen is going to take more than the sheriff on their side. They’re also going to need some magical help.

That means it’s time for Hannah’s ultimate decision on the nexus magic. She knows she can’t risk anybody getting their hands on it, especially local witch Astra Bishop, who wants to use it for evil. That means there’s no choice but to absorb it now. Is she ready, though?

Hannah wants her happily ever after. She has to take out Astra—and those she has working for her—to make it to the other side. It’s a tall order, but she’s determined to make it happen.

Casper Creek is a place of magic and love. Hannah is willing to fight to the death to keep it that way.

Will she get her wish, or will she lose everything? You’re about to find out. The end is here.

The Future Lies by John Be Lane:

What would youdoif you found out one day that the Artificial Intelligence that ran everything was lazy, dishonest, and not quite as bright as it seemed? That there might be a way to outwit the Network, in spite of its oppression, and maybe to find love, and something like a future, in the ruins of a desolate world? If you didn’t die trying, that is?

Freaky Wedding by Amanda M. Lee:

Wedding bells are about to ring for Poet Parker and Kade Denton. They just have to knock a few things off their list in Galveston, including getting a license, and then they will be ready to pledge themselves to one another forever.

There’s just one little problem.

On their first night, right across the water, they watch the local vampires do a ritual on the beach. They don’t sweat it too much until the police show up the next morning to ask them about the body that was found in the exact same location.

It seems the vampires are up to something, and they’re not the only ones. Trouble is back and the quiet week of rest and relaxation Poet was hoping for is about to go up in smoke.

As Poet and her motley crew of paranormals dig deeper into the Galveston lore, they find more interesting tidbits than they can shake a loa at. Something magical—something dark and dangerous—has been controlling the island for a very long time. That’s why no other paranormals can get a foothold in the area. It’s also why the vampires seem to be serving a new master. Unfortunately for Mystic Caravan, that creature is now focused on them.

Poet wants her big day. She wants a honeymoon to enjoy. It seems death is on the wedding reception menu, though, and it’s going to take everybody working together to make sure Poet and Kade get their happily ever after.

Lamias, dwarves, pixies, shifters, and loas are about to unite in a big fight. Who will win, though?

The Battle For Erathal by Joseph P. Macolino:

He just wanted to enjoy this time of peace. But when a familiar evil is unleashed upon the forest of Erathal, will anyone be safe?

Enjoying the time without strife, Irontail works to spread peace and unity throughout the forest of Erathal. Organizing the first ever Festival of Gratitude, he finally feels he is fulfilling his calling as the leader of his centaur village. But his plans are once again hijacked when a familiar villain escapes from imprisonment.

The felite warrior, Tel’ Shira, joins Irontail and the other heroes of Erathal as they plan their counter-offensive. But even her gift of foresight is not enough to prepare her for the upcoming battle against this malevolent foe.

With the future of Erathal on the line, will anyone survive to tell the tale?

The Battle for Erathal is the thrilling conclusion to the Evorath epic fantasy series.

Your Evil Is My Good by Robert Mammone:

Thirteen tales to unsettle and terrify. The beginning of a zombie apocalypse; what really happened to Amelia Earhart; ancient sorcery from the howling wastes of Pakistan; terror in the subways; messages from beyond the black rim of the galaxy. All these and more in Robert Mammone's debut collection, Your Evil is My Good.

Arsalan the Magnificent by J.E. Tolbert:

Arsalan the Magnificent is a lighthearted but poignant novel of historical fantasy fiction. In Europe and the Ottoman Empire of the early 19th century, a profession of wizards known as magical architects have achieved wealth and fame as builders of fantastical structures. Facing disgrace after his newest and greatest work collapses, Arsalan Ozdikmen, a renowned Ottoman magical architect in the prime of his career, is exiled to the Balkans. There, he undergoes a journey of reckoning and recovery, and finally redemption, when he is called to the aid of a young Bavarian princess.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Interview with Jason M. Waltz, editor of Neither Beg Nor Yield: Stories With S&S Attitude

Today it gives the Speculative Fiction Showcase great pleasure to interview Jason M. Waltz, editor of Neither Beg Nor Yield: Stories With S&S Attitude, which was released on January 26, 2024.

What was the kernel of inspiration behind your anthology Neither Beg Nor Yield, and what is the significance of the title?

Frankly, in a single word, frustration. I’ve previously expounded upon my inspiration in a few places, but the long and short is that I grew quite weary of all the endless lists of answers to the seemingly regularly asked, “What is Sword & Sorcery?” I mean, on the one hand it is difficult to adequately resolve that query because it is best answered with the cliché, You know it when you read it, because – for me – S&S is felt. On the other hand, it does not help that glancing at Amazon’s Top 100 S&S list includes 80+ titles that are definitely NOT S&S. Anyway, I have regularly held my State of RBE Address on January 26^th each year (happens to be my birthday and the month of the American Presidential State of the Union Address, so I ran with it), and early in 2023 I decided to announce my retirement as a publisher in my 2024 Address. Then 2023 seemed to become a year filled with endless discussions, debates, and for me discouragements about the definition of S&S. I was invited by Lyndon Perry to pen the foreword to his S&S anthology Swords & Heroes…and that burst the dam that had been trapping all my angst. I used the working and reworking of that foreword to crystalize my vision of S&S and what I believe I’ve meant by claiming it being an attitude all these years – and decided that I would retire with a declaration of just that. The title actually took a bit to determine. Obviously titles matter, especially for an anthology I think, as that title should give readers a solid idea of what to expect inside its pages. From the onset, I wanted something that proclaimed power, strength, badassedness, defiance, and attitude. S&S and powerful music have a lot in common, from the orchestral movements of Wagner and Two Steps From Hell to the screaming guitars of Beast in Black and Judas Priest to the dark metal of Brothers of Metal and Dark Moor. Well Judas Priest just so happens to have been a band I’ve listened to all my life when in need of some pumping up (organized sports, military courses, long-distance races, you name it), and it just so happens my favorite tune of theirs is “Hard as Iron.” I immediately connected the theme of this anthology with the theme of that song, but it took several months and the input of most of the authors in this book to whittle it into its final shape of Neither Beg Nor Yield. I think, for this singular book, we nailed a title as defining as its stance. I believe it becomes very challenging to explain and engage when our answer to ‘What is Sword & Sorcery?’ requires multi-point lists and/or takes longer to share than some of the stories. Neither Beg Nor Yield aims to solve that riddle.

Sword and Sorcery is enjoying a rebirth, both in appreciation of older tales and publication of new work. Why do you think that is?

Because much of modern entertainment can be traced straight back to this awesome American genre. I believe Robert E. Howard is assuredly the Father of American Fantasy as we know it today. His distillation of what came before and direct influence on all that followed has resulted in our unique American take on the heroic fantastical figure. The frontier of challenge that Sword & Sorcery allows readers to face is as appealing now as it was to our ancestors gathered around the firepits and in the mead halls to raptly listen to their troubadors and lore masters. Mankind has always been fascinated by heroic tales, in love with our legends, awed by deeds of defiance of the odds, believers in the hope heroes provide. I think the pure adrenaline rush found in these tales of typically singular heroes allow readers to live vicariously, facing down Death in its dozens of forms while rising triumphantly to claim victory in all its varieties. Enthusiasm for grand storytelling is not restricted to past nor present when it offers even the slightest of hope.

How would you define Sword and Sorcery?

I define S&S as an attitude dictated by its protagonist(s), at times even by its author. Of course, the epitome of S&S tales will be set in a pre-industrial, not-quite-factually-historically-accurate world/environment, and feature bladed-weapon bearing heroes facing off against diabolical yet mortal foes of both human and horrific bent. Many people think that is the sum of S&S stories. But I don’t believe it has to be restricted or constrained to just that, or any of a few other ingredients on the lists bandied about. There are numerous such tales that can claim those features yet are not Sword & Sorcery. I also don’t believe that the semantics – the accoutrements or environment or era – make a story a S&S tale. S&S stories don’t cease to exist because of gunpowder or because they’re not written in a pre-modern setting; S&S protagonists don’t stop being S&S heroes because they hold a gun or ride a motorcycle. It’s quite simple, actually: for me, it is the attitude and the motivation of the hero. If the protagonist possesses an indomitable will to endure any challenge mano a mano while consistently living life to the fullest measure all in pursuit of the purest of personal (mercenary) motivations – that of seeking, accepting, and defying every single one of those challenges and all the new ones to follow – that character is the hero of an S&S adventure. A protagonist who is not personally motivated or does not directly, personally address his/her conflicts with the relish of an indomitable will, is not a S&S hero. As soon as those aspects disappear, or Crom-forbid never appear, the hero and the story is no longer S&S. Fantasy, even Heroic Fantasy, certainly, but not Sword & Sorcery Fantasy.

Is there a typical Sword and Sorcery protagonist, or is it more about attitude?

It’s about attitude, and that attitude originates with the son of the Father of Sword & Sorcery, Conan the Cimmerian. Conan is the bedrock and the apex of the S&S Attitude. I am not saying every story must have a Conan in it to be S&S. I am saying that the hero of every S&S story must have Conan’s attitude of indomitable will coupled with mercenary motivation. That is why for me, Michael Moorcock’s Elric is not a S&S protagonist, not least because from the moment he was first described as the anti-Conan he was incapable of being one. A S&S hero simply cannot be the opposite of Conan in attitude. Howard’s Solomon Kane is also not a solid S&S protagonist in my opinion, because his motivation lies in his battle on behalf of his God. He’s either stark raving mad (in which case he would be a S&S hero) or he is what he believes himself to be, an embodiment of his God’s wrath upon this earth. I don’t believe he’s mad. Again, define an S&S character by his/her attitude of indomitable will and personal motivation. This is also why distinction between hero-Byronic hero-antihero-villain matter. I am saddened by the misappropriation of the term antihero that has become prevalent today. I think we, readers and storytellers alike, lose out in this blurring of the roles. The hero is easily recognized, our King Arthurs and the Joan of Arcs, as their motivations are clearly beyond the selfish. They stand in the gap because they can and it’s there and so are they and it is the right thing to do. Equally simple to identify is the villain, who has never seen a gap s/he would stand in, as they either ignore it or have someone else they can put there, voluntarily or not. The Byronic heroes are almost purely selfish and only end up being cheered as heroes through accident. These are our true S&S protagonists, characters with the starring role who, while in pursuit of their motivations, inadvertently rescue others or save the day. They don’t willingly choose to stand in the gap but also do not shirk to stand in it even if their true reason is only to save their own bacon. They are not unable to be heroic, they simply don’t wish to be. The true definition of the antihero is that of someone who has the desire to be heroic but is unable to really be so. What they do not lack in motivation they do lack in ability and competency, and any heroics they may perform are through bumbling good luck and timing. These are the Charlie Brown characters: good-hearted, well-meaning, willing to be heroic yet without a clue or the capability to be so.

Who is the archetypal hero of the genre?

Conan stands center stage and sets all the standards.

When you set out to create a new anthology, what were you looking for?

Authors who wrote the throat-punch type of stories I wanted. Storytellers (not just writers) whose consistency had stuck with me over the years. My only question I had to answer: If I was going to publish this anthology defining my kind of Sword & Sorcery, who could deliver the type of stories required? It was not a challenge at all. Names rolled off my memory faster than I could list them. What I thought would be a table of contents of 12 or 13 reached 18 without a pause. We ultimately achieved 20 authors in the final version because of the decision to crowdfund the title and I wanted to add some exciting stretch goal authors. We would have had 21 stories if I’d been able to keep Nathan Meyer, who unfortunately had to bow out to deal with issues of life. For me, sans Nathan, this is the fantasy draft of my life.

How much can you tell us about the twenty stories in the anthology?

That there are 20 individually-nuanced stories of indomitably-willed and personally-motivated characters who reek of Sword & Sorcery without being clones or mimicries. I think the authors complimented the theme of defining my style of S&S quite well, even covering angles I had not pre-considered. We have 12 returning heroes and 8 new characters, all of whom deliver the S&S Attitude. I do not think any fan of Sword & Sorcery will be disappointed in this anthology, even if they doubt my assertion of it all being the attitude.

What about the contributors?

That each contributor is, most importantly, a storyteller extraordinaire, and that all these storytellers brought characters who are boldly Byronic and emphatically S&S Attituded! Several contributors told me they researched for their stories, others said they planned certain particulars, and a few said they didn’t quite buy what I was selling but they could deliver on my request. And boy did they all! There is a smorgasbord of talent within these pages, some even bestselling and most longtime experienced authors. Each of them offers entertaining examples of exactly what I mean when I state that Sword & Sorcery is an attitude. I owe them all a debt of gratitude for penning these tales on my behalf.

Talk to us about your own writing in the genre (and outside).

Ahh, I appreciate you asking. I try to write Sword & Sorcery, but my characters tend to swing to the more general Heroic Fantasy. It’s not so much want of indomitable will as it is the lack of the mercenary motivation. I frequently explore the theme of loyalty in my stories, and that doesn’t often tick the Byronic motivation box. One of the reasons I am retiring is so that I may pursue my own writing more ardently. I was fortunate to place 5 works in publication during 2023, and it’s been personally fulfilling to once again find joy in my own storytelling. There is a certain thrill in holding an anthology of stories I’ve selected, edited, and published, but it’s something else to see my own work accepted and then read by others. Direk, Lord of Vengeance, is my most recurring character, though in 2023 I had my first Weird Western and first Cosmic Horror stories published, both of which have ideas of sequels percolating. The only story of mine that has seen publication and is S&S by my definition is “The Breath of Death” in the Rogues in the House Podcast release, A Book of Blades.

For a beginner, who are the greats from the past? And what about now?

Robert E. Howard, of course, and if I may point at two titles of my own from Rogue Blades Foundation as terrific places to begin understanding the impact of the Texas author, please look at Robert E. Howard Changed My Life and – if you’re familiar with the original Conan stories – Hither Came Conan. Others from the past include: Clark Ashton Smith and C.L. Moore, Fritz Leiber and Poul Anderson, Michael Shea and Charles Saunders, Leigh Brackett and Karl Edward Wagner. Some greats from the present – beyond those appearing in Neither Beg Nor Yield, several of whom could be considered straddlers of recent past and contemporary times – include: Roy Thomas, Scott Oden, and Alex Bledsoe to Charles Gramlich, Milton Davis, and Paul S. Kemp…and of course, Nathan Meyer.

How does Sword and Sorcery differ from Heroic Fantasy?

S&S is part of Heroic Fantasy. Heroic Fantasy is a large umbrella, with JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings under one half and Howard’s S&S under the other, and there’s a lot of territory between them. Yet not so much as one would suspect, for their overlays are numerous. I believe David Gemmell’s Druss straddles the middle of the umbrella quite comfortably, and that Gemmell himself could write the S&S Attitude, though his storytelling tended toward being more heroic in the Tolkien vein. In fact, the 3 authors Death kept me from inviting to the contents of Neither Beg Nor Yield include Howard, Gemmell, and Wagner.

In the new release spotlight for Neither Beg Nor Yield on January 29th, you said “Sword & Sorcery is contrary to Death.” Can you unpack that idea for us?

Quite simply that S&S protagonists enjoy the red, dripping juices of a full and meaty life to the hilt. They aren’t just alive; they LIVE life. They do everything within their power and strength to defy dying and—like Steve Goble’s Calthus says—win another day. The heroes of S&S grab life and don’t let it go until they’re definitely dead. S&S protagonists do not fear the Reaper.

What can you tell us about the cover art and illustrations for Neither Beg Nor Yield?

M.D. Jackson nails the feel – the down and gritty, the dark and bloody, the deadly and scary urgency I asked of him. His interior pieces do spectacular justice to each story, showcasing integral scenes and highlighting aspects of the authors’ storytelling. His cover is exactly what I sought: bloody and dangerous. A fine accompaniment to the title and theme.

How do you see your readers, and who will enjoy this?

I think that every reader who enjoys the grand adventure delivered by any definition of Sword & Sorcery will relish the thrills of this anthology. Whether a reader agrees or not with my argument, no true fan of S&S can deny that this book holds some of the best contemporary tellings of Sword & Sorcery stories to see print. If you find enjoyment in Heroic Fantasy, don’t need your stories to be hundreds of pages long, and can handle blood in the dark, you will find compelling entertainment within Neither Beg Nor Yield.

What are your plans for the future?

I aim to write some stories I hope others find exciting and appealing. Thank you very much for this opportunity, Jessica.

Thank you!

Amazon | Rogue Blades Entertainment

About Jason M. Waltz:

JASON M WALTZ ~ Jason is a lot of things, most often not the exact one needed at any given moment. He does believe in heroes, though, and strives to bring the heroic through presentation and publication. Recently Jason has taken to his own writing again, finding a few acceptances at Whetstone: Amateur Magazine of Pulp Sword and Sorcery, in the new Weird Western anthology Monster Fight at the O.K. Corral Vol. 2, and in Parallel Universe Publications’ Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Vol. 7 anthology. Once Neither Beg Nor Yield emphatically answers the burning riddle of Sword & Sorcery, Jason aims to buckle down and begin gathering rejections in earnest. Heroes: They’re what Jason—and Rogue Blades—does, whether through writing, publishing, teaching, or reading. Check ‘em out at rogue-blades.com/jmw

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