Jan-Feb Poll for Sword-n-Sorcery Groupread

Goodreads Sword & Sorcery Group

Vote now for Jan-Feb Theme(s). Recall, this period we always have an Anthology focus for one theme. This vote would be for a possible second discussion. Click to vote!

Brian Staveley's The Emperor's Blades Scott Oden's A Gathering of Ravens David Lindsay's A Voyage to Arcturus J.R.R. Tolkien's The Children of Húrin Brian Lumley's Hero of Dreams Patrick Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind William King's Gotrek & Felix: The First Omnibus

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Pax Masculina - Scamehorn's dark short film spurns misogyny with steampunk madness!

As mentioned in a previous post, I recently attending another annual meeting of IASR. It's a great group of folks interested in soap technology, but many of us are artists too! Professor John Scamehorn has been writing and producing his own dark sci-fi short film called Pax Masculina.  The best way to advertise this is to share the abstracts from IMDB and Facebook...oh those and the trailer! Keep an eye out for this as it grows from an independent endeavor into a full feature film (one day hopefully).

Talking soap and ... movie production with Professor Scamehorn!

IMDB: In the United States in 2010, a misogynistic, totalitarian regime has created a century of peace and prosperity - the Pax Masculina. The Womans Resistance movement violently opposed the government as they fight for equality...

FB: "A religious leader known as the Prophet claims to speak directly to God and becomes dictator of the United States in 1910. The prophet defines a society where women have few rights and are expected to be dutiful wives and mothers. Uninhibited by the interference of women, the resultant government leads to a hundred years of peace and prosperity, known as the Pax Masculina. The movie takes place in 2010 when the Womans Resistance Movement has become very violent in its opposition to the misogynistic regime in their fight for equality. They use assassinations and bombings to create terror and kill without mercy. These women wear steampunk themed uniforms. Seduction and murder of policemen and government officials is a common tactic. The government induces its own terror with televised executions of captured soldiers. This film raises questions about how high a price is freedom worth when the alternative is a stable, comfortable society and illustrates the eternal tension between the sexes.'

 Genre

Science Fiction, Steam Punk, Live Action Short, Short Film, Independent Film

About

In the US in 2010, a misogynistic, totalitarian regime has created a century of peace and prosperity but are opposed by the Womans Resistance Movement.

Plot Outline

The prophet and his descendants have created a social system along the lines of the Old Testament or Victorian England in that women are treated like property. They are told by their fathers who to marry, influenced in large part by the dowry provided. The society is economically successful and no wars have been fought for a century. This utopian paradise is disrupted by a violent opposition group known as the Womans Resistance Movement whose soldiers wear sexy steampunk themed uniforms, designed for combat and seduction. Both sides are ruthless as the women kill police without hesitation or mercy. The regime televise public hangings of captured soldiers, viewed as entertainment by all citizens.The fundamental conflict between men and women is illustrated by this film.

Starring

Rebecca Bartlett
Will Gardner
Kharissa Edmond
Stephen Goodman
Alex Harris

Written By

John Scamehorn

Screenplay By

John Scamehorn

Produced By

John Scamehorn via Scamehorn Productions LLC

Norman OK - Tom and his Dragon

For the last several years I have made an annual trip to Norman OK to attend a consortium on surfactants (IASR). I've been lucky to sneak a snack in with local friend and author Tom Barzcak. He also writes surreal dark fantasy, and is an artist too. This round we took turns speed-drawing as we talked. I drew a portrait of Tom with a shadowy dragon perched on his shoulders and he drew my lead protagonist, the skeletal warrior Lysis! Woo-hoo fan art of Dyscrasia Fiction!

We both contribute to Perseid Press's Heroika and Heroes in Hell series. Always enjoy discussing art and writing with Tom. Below is table of contents of my posts on his work and a great interview about his inspirations. 

S E Lindberg: Latte with Tom Barczak - Norman Oklahoma 2015 Nov 21, 2015 ... Last year I took the opportunity to track down Tom Barczak whom I interviewed in 2014 and happens to live there. He has a similar poetic/dark ... www.selindberg.com

S E Lindberg: Tom Barczak Interview Jun 12, 2014 ... Tom Barczak Interview. This continues the interviews of weird/speculative fiction authors on the themes of Art & Beauty in Fiction. Tom Barczak ... www.selindberg.com

S E Lindberg: Barczak's Veil of the Dragon - Review by S.E. May 9, 2014 ... Veil of the Dragon by Tom Barczak S.E. rating: 4 of 5 stars “…all seemed like a ghost that he could scarcely remember…” There is a lot to like in ... www.selindberg.com

S E Lindberg: Awakening Evarun - Dark Poetic Adventure like Clark ... Aug 19, 2016 ... Awakening Evarun by Tom Barczak S.E. rating: 5 of 5 stars. Thaumaturgy is associated with deep incantation of magic, and Tom Barczak is an ... www.selind

Brackett's Sword of Rhiannon- Review by S.E.

The Sword of Rhiannon by Leigh Brackett
S.E. rating: 4 of 5 stars

Leigh Brackett's sword & planet adventure The Sword of Rhiannon is a short novel but a favorite among aficionado's. It was first published Sea-Kings of Mars and Otherworldly Stories in "Thrilling Wonder" Magazine in 1949 (cover artist Earle Bergey).

It is like Indiana Jones looted Cthulhu's tomb!

This really is a gem. Written before Sci-Fi and Fantasy really became substantial genres of their own, the summary of this sounds Sci-Fi but really is Fantasy. The Mars milieu features little technology; in fact, it is almost exclusively populated with fantasy creatures ("halflings" that are like reminiscent of harpies, mermaids, and man-serpents) and fantasy/historic technology (swords, pirate ships); there is a lack of laser guns and air-ships. Actually, the technology that enables some interesting time/space travel is rooted in a Lovecraftian Mythos magic associated with an elder race (Quiro).

Our protagonist is Carse, an archaeologist/criminal who is very "Indiana Jones" like (of course this was created long before Indy Jones hit theaters). The titular Sword of Rhiannon is revealed from the start to Carse; it had been hidden for centuries in a tomb, so it was rumored, and he quickly finds the tomb from which it came as sought treasure to loot. His adventure begins as he comes into contact with eldritch forces...

The adventure is high throttle action from start to finish. The reader learns more of the curse of Rhiannon. However, there is a rich history and dynamics between cultures that are not fully realized. I would have enjoyed experiencing more of: the initial/future perspective on Rhiannon's past, the Dhuvian's oppression of others, the demonstration of Rhiannon's power(s), the demonstration of the Sword's power or purpose...

Brackett's prose is deeper and more poetic than one expects from pulpy Sword & Planet. Here is an excerpt:

"It was a long way to the city. Carse moved at a steady plodding pace. He did not try to find the easiest path but rammed his way through and over all obstacles, never deviating from the straight line that led to Jekkara. His cloak hampered him and he tore it off. His face was empty of all expression but sweat ran down his cheeks and mingled with the salt of tears.

He walked between two worlds. He went through valleys drowsing in the heat of the summer day, where leafy branches of strange trees raked his face and the juice of crushed grasses stained his sandals. Life, winged and furred and soft of foot, fled from him with a stir and a rustle. And yet he knew that he walked in a desert, where even the wind had forgotten the names of the dead for whom it mourned.

He crossed high ridges, where the sea lay before him and he could hear the boom of the surf on the beaches. And yet he saw only a vast dead plain, where the dust ran in little wavelets among the dry reefs. The truths of thirty years living are not easily forgotten."

This book is very well done but feels like four servings of a five-course-meal. It is a quick read and well worth it, but apparently this is a stand alone adventure. This novel could easily have been inflated to 2x its length without departing from its pulp-adventure roots (i.e., it would not become filler-saturated epic fantasy). Brackett did write more Sword and Planet, but not with Carse.



View all my reviews

World Fantasy Convention 2016 Wrap Up - READINGS

World Fantasy Convention 2016 - S. E. Lindberg Summaries:

• Author Readings <== you are here
• Weird Fiction - Darrell Schweitzer and Book Haul

• The Eternally Difficult (but Fascinating) Writers Panel

• Sword and Sorcery Panel
• John O'Neill: "My one true love" Black Gate, Dyscrasia, & Sword-n-Sorcery
• Writer-Artist Panel

WFC 2016 Author readings

Darrell Schweitzer reads soon to be published "Girl in the Attic"

Listening to authors read their own work, often works-in-progress (WIP), is a perk of attending conventions. At this years WFC I heard the following:

• Peter Straub
• Guy Gavriel Kay
• Fred Durbin
• Carol Berg
• Darrell Schweitzer 
• Sally Grotta

Shown at top is a reading from Darrell of his soon to be published weird fiction "Girl in the Attic" (to be included in S T Joshi's Black Wings). His dark humor percolated through his fear of the Pocono ridge lines. Very grateful to Darrell Schweitzer for the opportunity to participate in the panels and to have so much time chatting-about/listening-to weird fiction.

I also really enjoyed listening to Carol Berg present her WIP "Chimera"; she attended the Writer-Artist panel and Brenda Carr introduced me to her.  Had a great discussion on engineering and writing. Also enjoyed hearing Sally Grotta read her WIP "Dream a Little World" which is a captivating adventure in which people can make their dreams "real." Also got to listen to Sarah Avery read from her Imlen Brat (a book brought to life via Kickstarter which I had backed); Sarah has links to Black Gate magazine, having work appearing in the last issue #15. A great experience to listen to accomplished, professional writers. All very friendly and inspiring.

Carol Berg read WIP "Chimera"

Sally Grotta reads WIP "Dream a Little World"

Sarah Avery read Imlen Brat

World Fantasy Convention 2016 Wrap Up - ARTIST-WRITER PANEL

World Fantasy Convention 2016 - S. E. Lindberg Summaries:

• Author Readings
• Weird Fiction - Darrell Schweitzer and Book Haul

• The Eternally Difficult (but Fascinating) Writers Panel

• Sword and Sorcery Panel
• John O'Neill: "My one true love" Black Gate, Dyscrasia, & Sword-n-Sorcery
• Writer-Artist Panel <== you are here

The Fantasy Writer-Artist : 

THURSDAY 9PM   DELAWARE CD 

Jerome Stueart, Charles Vess, Sally Wiener Grotta(moderator), Brenda Carr , Seth Lindberg 

Abstract: We can think of numerous examples of fantasy writers (novelists or short story writers) who were also accomplished painters or illustrators – from Mervyn Peake to Janny Wurts. How does working in one medium affect work in the other? We hope to hear from active contemporary writer-artists on this panel, not just talk about them.

Sally Grotta moderated. She's a photographer and writer, who also has an interest in sustaining artisan skills via her American Hands project ("...an ongoing photographic study by Sally Wiener Grotta, who is creating narrative portraits of traditional artisans, such as a blacksmith, quilting bee, spinner, glass blower, weaver, tatting lacemaker, papermaker and so forth." I was captivated by her work in progress call "Dream a Little World" in which people can make the substance of their dreams tangible. Really looking forward to that being published.

Sally Grotta reads WIP "Dream a Little World"

Charles Vess is an accomplished illustrator known for his drawings of fae and Gaimne's Sandman. He is currently tackling ~60 works to match a Ursula Le Guin Earthsea omnibus (both trilogies). He has been hard at work drawing dragons to her approval. After the white-washing of her characters in the TV adaptation of Earthsea, in which Ursula responded publicly, Charles attempts to clarify her vision with a black Ged.

Black Ged

Jerome Stueart hails from nearby Dayton OH. He authored and illustrated The Angels of Our Better Beasts ( ChiZine Publications).  In the dealer's room, he drew personalized beasts for any visitor (I grabbed a Polar Bear and mysterious Fox). 

 "I got a lot of love from fantasy writers and fans, and people who enjoyed the little extra Beasties that I drew for them.  It really helps you connect with someone when they describe their Beast to you, and you draw their imagination to life.... you bond.  I felt like I was in Family the whole time I was there.  I met a lot of new people, reacquainted myself with relationships, and felt very welcomed there.  I couldn't ask for a better weekend or con!" - Jerome Stueart 2016

Brenda Carr recently had her story "Gret" published in the Blackguard's Blacklist companion (I had backed the kickstart for the anthology and really enjoyed it.) Gret is wonderful story tracing the origins of a witch. The narrative voice is authentic and beautifully conveys a child's view of dark reality as she is haunted & chased by evil entities (from her sorcerer ancestors to pirates). Gret's learned from her mom that 3 L's  are needed to survive: Location, Lissome tongue, and Lightning touch (thievery).  Gret will be appearing in a few works in progress. Here is a snippet:

"The day Mam died, that sodding bag of dead man's piss knocked me over my tender young pate and threw me into the orlop of a pirate ship. I'd just turned thirteen.

So there I was, cotched and away out there on blue water. 

Now, that was a real bad location. No silver-tongued happiness was gonna save my cherry. A little main no more, I'd begun on the road to the witch I am.

Isk, the captain was no true Corsair. Pirates ain't. Pirates'll rut with a post if there ain't no goats aboard, and the goats breathe easy if there's girls." 

World Fantasy Convention 2016 Wrap Up - My One True Love - BLACK GATE and DYSCRASIA

World Fantasy Convention 2016 - S. E. Lindberg Summaries:

• Author Readings
• Weird Fiction - Darrell Schweitzer and Book Haul

• The Eternally Difficult (but Fascinating) Writers Panel

• Sword and Sorcery Panel
• John O'Neill: "My one true love" Black Gate, Dyscrasia, & Sword-n-Sorcery <== you are here
• Writer-Artist Panel

To John O'Neill: "My one true love"

Black Gate, Dyscrasia, & Sword-n-Sorcery

2010: I discovered the Black Gate print magazine by attending a panel at the 2010 World Fantasy Convention and listening to Howard Andrew Jones advocate for the adventure-fiction magazine. I subscribed immediately and got #15, the last print issue. The website for Black Gate (led by John O'Neill) has persisted and remains an outstanding resource for book reviews & perspectives on contemporary and historic dark fantasy. 

2015: Author Joe Bonadonna reviewed Lords of Dyscrasia on Black Gate, which was a milestone for me. Authors thrive on recognition and visibility. I adore Joe's weird fiction and Black Gate, so getting acknowledged there, by Joe, was awesome. Scroll down for an excerpt.

2016: At the 2016 WFC, I got to meet John O'Neill, help save his marriage... right before he won a WFC award for Black Gate! Not only did I get a chance to meet John O'Neill, he bought a copy of Lords of Dyscrasia, but I was encourage to sign it "to my one true love."  John’s explained on Facebook: 

"Thanks for helping save my marriage, Seth!" - John O'Neill 2016

“It's not silly. Years ago my wife Alice asked why Catherynne Valente had autographed a book to me with "To My One True Love" (because she'd asked me what she should write, and that was the first thing that came to mind).  I hastily told Alice, "Oh, that's just how everybody signs autographs these days." And so, for the last 15 years I've been begging writers to sign books with "To my one True Love, John."  I have hundreds of them, which I strategically leave open around our house.  Oh what a tangled web we weave....

Thanks for helping save my marriage, Seth!" - John O'Neill 2016

The following day, Black Gate/John O'Neill won a WFC 2016 award! Read John's kind words on Black Gate. 

Black Gate review, 2015 Joe Bonadonna

Seeking Revenge Against the Shades of the Dead: S.E. Lindberg’s Lords of Dyscrasia 

"S.E. Lindberg is an original voice in fantasy. His prose is lush and colorful, and his style leans toward that of classic literature, without being stilted, self-conscious or pretentious. He has a gift for putting words “down on paper” and constructing sentences that flow with a poetic nuance. 

Lords of Dyscrasia (an abnormal or disordered state of the body or of a bodily part) is touted as “Graphic Sword and Sorcery,” but to me it has more in common with the dark fantasy of Clark Ashton Smith and the gothic tones of Mervyn Peake’s first two Gormenghast books. There is some nice Lovecraftian shading to this novel, as well, with a touch of Edgar Allen Poe to lend it a feverishness of tone, and even a psychedelic flavor in style.

While Lindberg channels his influences with a deft hand, he has mapped out a beautifully grotesque world that is truly his own unique creation. This book was described to me as being part of the Grimdark subgenre of dark fantasy, and it is indeed a grim, dark tale. 

Lindberg’s “dyscrasia” is a really nasty plague — a disease of the blood that has infected the insectoid and avian elder lords of the Underworld. The disease also affects pregnant human women, who give birth to mutants — hybrids of human and elders — if they don’t die during pregnancy, that is..."