Not only do I enjoy writing short stories, but I love to read them. To me, reading a good collection of short stories is like opening a treasure chest filled with gems. One of my most recent reads, First Person Peculiar by Mike Resnick, is one of those rare chests that is filled with more…
Category: Publishing
The Sanitizing of Classic Stories [Books]
If you’ve taken a look at my reading list, you’ve seen that I like to read classics a few times a year. I find that reading these older novels and short stories provides me with perspective and new ideas. They are like snapshots of the time in which they were written, shining a light on…
The Second Draft [Writing]
A couple of years ago, I wrote the first draft of a novel. Not my first attempt at a full-length story, but it was one I felt had the most promise. It took me nearly six months to complete the first draft. There were many bursts of writing, followed by reading and re-reading, then deleting…
Review – Babel-17
Samuel R. Delany is one of the great modern science fiction writers. Oddly enough, he’s another of the greats that I hadn’t read. I’m not sure why. I’ve heard (and read) good things about his stories. He’s one of the many writers I always plan to get to at some point, but I end up…
Review – The Fifth Head of Cerberus [Reviews]
I’ll be honest with you. I don’t get the love for Gene Wolfe’s stories. He’s a good writer and his stories – at least the ones I’ve read – have been engaging, but I wouldn’t rank them up there with the great science-fiction novels. I recently finished reading The Fifth Head of Cerberus, which is…
Review – Exhalation: Stories [Books]
I’ve read good things about Ted Chiang. I read that he’s an amazing author, that his stories are incredibly creative, and that he pushes the boundaries of science fiction. I picked up a copy of his most recent collection, Exhalation: Stories, late last year and finally unearthed it from the stack of unread books next…
Best Book Lists [Books]
Yes, it’s that time of year. Everyone is publishing lists of the best books of 2022. The lists include the top ten (or more), the best in various genres, best books for women, best for men, best for children, and even celebrity favorites. To me, lists like these are subjective. Everyone has different tastes. To…
Review – Dark Matter [Books]
Earlier this year, I was looking for a new short story collection to read. I’ve been trying to expand outside of the usual speculative fiction arena and read authors from other cultures, ethnicities, and genders. I feel it allows me insight into others that I might not otherwise have. I’ve already read speculative fiction collections…
Review – Elric of Melniboné: The Elric Saga Part 1 [Books]
Elric of Melniboné is a difficult character to describe, but I find him fascinating. First appearing in print back in 1961, Elric was immediately described as an anti-hero. I don’t disagree, but author Michael Moorcock created a character far more complex than a simple anti-hero. And he built a multi-verse that is both beautiful and terrifying. …
Choosing a Book to Read [Books]
What are your criteria for choosing the next book to read? The question occurred to me the other day when I discovered a guide to navigating National Public Radio’s (NPR) Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books. It’s an interesting way to find something that appeals to my tastes. However, keep in mind the chart…