Too Hot to Handle?

Sex is the third rail for a fantasy novel. Sex is remarkably unpopular per the following four fantasy book reviewers' stipulations about books they don't want to critique. 'Absolutely no erotica''I do NOT review erotica''no erotica/sex scenes''I will not except (sic) erotica' The last of these quotes is my favorite. Poor word choice aside, lust … Continue reading Too Hot to Handle? →

THE LORDS OF THE SUMMER SEASON in SPFBO 7

Annually for the last 7 years, the noted fantasy author, Mark Lawrence, organizes a competition to identify the best new, self-published fantasy novel. This is SPFBO ('Self Published Fantasy Blog Off'). It's gotten bigger every year and this May 300 authors submitted in less than 24 hours (the contest is limited to 300 books). The … Continue reading THE LORDS OF THE SUMMER SEASON in SPFBO 7 →

Notes on Creating a Story (part 5)

This is the last of my posts on how/why I came to write my modern fantasy, The Lords of the Summer Season (check the book out at Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3g5kfuP ). And what better note to end on than a romantic note! Of course, romance belongs in a fantasy about the Summer of Love, and Bradan has … Continue reading Notes on Creating a Story (part 5) →

Notes on Creating a Story (part 3)

Following my last post (part 2) on how/why I came to write my modern fantasy, The Lords of the Summer Season (Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3d1LbcV ), below is part 3. Other installments will follow. Besides describing Bradan's adventures during 1967's Summer of Love, I’ve also included flashback chapters set in sixth-century Britain, Renaissance Florence, and on … Continue reading Notes on Creating a Story (part 3) →

Notes on Creating a Story (part 2)

Following my prior posting (part 1) on how/why I came to write my modern fantasy, The Lords of the Summer Season (Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3uuH4vQ ), below is part 2. Other installments will follow. The Lords of the Summer Season is mostly set during 1967’s “Summer of Love.” This period is too expansive and amorphous to … Continue reading Notes on Creating a Story (part 2) →