Category Archives: Uncategorized

I read several anthologies of short stories each year, fantasy and science fiction both. Some of these recur each year, like Writers of the Future and The Year’s Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 2020, and others are one-time publications. People in the publishing industry say that anthologies and collections do not sell well, even forContinue reading “Short Stories Rock”

to read a book or two. Throw a log on the fire and snuggle up with a blanket and that novel or nonfiction book you’ve been waiting to peruse. Old books or fresh off the press, you know you want to soak them up. Sit down, open your book of choice, and have a grandContinue reading “’tis the Season”

I made up my mind to write another Jack Whitstone novel next year, and I am now rereading the first three books in the tetralogy. It’s surprising how smoothly the early books read, and that is always pleasing. I have a working title for it, but this will probably change as the project goes. InContinue reading “Jack Whitstone Novel”

The anthology of ghost stories I’m currently reading is rolling right along. It started with haunted castle stories, and now it has moved on to a spook wind storm and a ghost living in an old tower. In the final stories of the anthology there are cars and land line telephones, etc. So far theContinue reading “Ghosts for Christmas”

We are well on our way to Christmas, and to celebrate I am reading an anthology of ghost stories from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Why, you may wonder, am I reading this stuff now instead of back in October? Because I am doing research for a book I plan to write next year,Continue reading “Seasons Greetings”

The public library near me has re-opened after a long bout of Covid-19, and I have started reading library materials again. Covid has wreaked havoc in San Diego, where I live, with closed restaurants and closed libraries and required face masks on public transport. I’ve had my shots and feel good, but I can’t helpContinue reading “Reading Material”

I finished reading Sherman Alexie’s book Reservation Blues, about a group of Spokane Indians who learn to play instruments and give a go at success as an all-Native American band. I would call this a fantasy, because there is magic, but not much magic. There is the Devil’s guitar and an ancient shaman named BigContinue reading “Excellent Storytelling”

Well, folks, for the last week I have been jotting down ideas for future stories. This is a touchy subject because I feel obligated to develop a story once I have written down its idea, even if months have passed since I jotted the idea onto a 3×5 card. Sometimes I write the idea downContinue reading “Fishing For Ideas”

I have continued to read Reservation Blues, by Sherman Alexie, and it is a fun read. In genre it is a fantasy with light fantasy elements but just heavy enough to keep you wondering if some serious ass-whooping is going to take place at the end. The Devil, his magic guitar, and an ancient medicineContinue reading “Native American Magic”

I have finished putting my short story collection together and have edited it. Now, on to ordering a finished copy and proofing it. This takes a long time; Amazon needs more than three weeks just to print a copy and send it my way… I have seen pictures of the print-on-demand machines; they are bigContinue reading “On to the Finish”