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| SFReader Forums > Book, Magazine, and eZine Publishers > Flashing Swords > Flashing Swords Issue #7 Is live! | Forum Quick Jump
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Daniel
Carl Jung's Waterboy
      
Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 4515
|  Posted 8/7/2006 10:42 PM (GMT -5) |   | | The new issue of Flashing Swords E-zine, your source for the planet's best free sword and sorcery, has posted!
This issue includes fiction by Bryan Berg, Steven Shrewsbury, Barbara Tarbox, Nathan Meyer, Rosemary Hawley Jarman, and SC Bryce -- plus an unruly editorial by yours truly.
While you persue the new issue, keep on eye out for Pitch-Black's latest sword and sorcery print release: Whore of Jericho by Steven Shrewsbury. This is a must-read novella for any sword and sorcery fan and it's something too hot for your local retailer, too!
As always we count on and thank you deeply for your continued support!
Swords Together!
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PaulMc
Adept
Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 992
| Posted 8/8/2006 7:18 AM (GMT -5) | | | | |
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Dave
Master of the Domain
Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 684
| Posted 8/8/2006 8:05 AM (GMT -5) | | | | |
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PaulMc
Adept
Date Joined May 2005
Total Posts : 992
| Posted 8/8/2006 9:19 AM (GMT -5) | | | | |
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John M. Whalen
flashg
Date Joined Mar 2006
Total Posts : 422
| Posted 8/11/2006 2:13 PM (GMT -5) | | I also liked Nathan's story. One thing you can't say about his stories is that they don't have conflict. Characterization is another matter. The characters in Blood Price don't register as more than two dimensional, which is probably all that they should be for a story that is principally all action. The final scene almost makes you laugh, sort of like the punch line in a good, if somewhat nasty, joke.
Steven Shrewsberry's story on the other hand breathes life into its characters. The setting and atmosphere are convincing and there is a melancholy,haunting quality that I liked. But in contrast to Nathan's tale, after the inital fight scene, where's the conflict? I thought there should have been some final showdown between the hero and the priest instead of the quiet way it ended. But I liked the almost wistful finish through the little girl's eyes.
I notice most forum members are sending in "attaboy" comments on Flashing Swords stories, and maybe you don't want real opinions, but I submit them anyway for what their worth.
I am happy to see Flashing Swords expanding and trying to raise its pay rates. The merger with Carnifex Press seems like a good thing. But I notice that this issue has only six stories. Two are reprints from other Pitch Black sources, and one is a pickup from Carnifex. That would indicate far less of a chance for writers of new stories to have their work accepted and published in Flashing Swords. Will this be offset by the opportunity for submissions to be considered for a variety of venues? If so, that will be a good thing. But it seems to be happening at Flashing Swords' expense. Know what I mean?
I also note a ton of typos in this ish.
Other than that, keep up the good work. | | Back to Top | | |
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Swashbuckler
One-man sword-and-sorcery machine
Date Joined Mar 2006
Total Posts : 1276
| Posted 8/11/2006 3:12 PM (GMT -5) | | I, too, was a bit disheartened at the number of reprints. Through previous purchases, contributor copies and crtitique groups, I had already read four of the six stories in this issue of Flashing Swords. I'm hoping that the reprints will be fewer in number as things go forward, but I think running some reprints is a good idea.
A friend of mine from long ago recently found my blog. She's a voracious reader and writes some mysteries, so she followed the link from my blog to the new Flashing Swords and is going through the issue. The story that has impressed her the most, so far, is "Detour at Abbinford" by Barbara Tarbox. My friend may or may not decide to pick up "Sages & Swords," but before she followed the link from my blog, "Sages" wasn't even on her radar screen at all. Nor was heroic fantasy, really. Now she's reading HF, commenting on it, etc. It's a chance to bring someone else into the fold.
So, little things like a link from a blog and a reprint at Flashing Swords all are steps toward where we're trying to go. I'd suggest limiting reprints of very recent material to one per issue, if possible, but I wouldn't get rid of them.
Steve Goble
Visit www.stevegoble.com for news on upcoming stories or to visit my blog | | Back to Top | | |
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Daniel
Carl Jung's Waterboy
Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 4515
| Posted 8/11/2006 5:21 PM (GMT -5) | | That would indicate far less of a chance for writers of new stories to have their work accepted and published in Flashing Swords
***
Actually, there will be more slots open to new writers because the inventory stories (most of which were by PAST contributors) have been swapped out into a special e-antho and this opens up ALL the slots to new writers. Prior to this decision, FS was booked solid for at least another 2-3 *issues.* Bet you didn't know that. So, under Howard's editorship, FS was going to have to enter a buying freeze, that is: until my plans to INCREASE slots and payrates was implemented.
Now there will be an additional 3-4 slots open for flash fiction in each issue, which *increases* by 2 the number of available slots per issue, even with the PB and Carnifex reprints. We are also completely OPEN to subs of any length up to 8k.
However, I will point out: although I will do everything in my power to create better pay-rates and opportunities for heroic fantasy writers: we need *readers* much more than writers, and I feel FS has a better chance of attracting and holding readers if the ToC's are sharper, more streamlined, and tied into the multitude of other quality fantasy projects that are on the periphery of the FS site.
And that is what FS is going to do.....
Daniel
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Doris Atkinson
Stablehand
Date Joined Aug 2006
Total Posts : 1
| Posted 8/11/2006 6:49 PM (GMT -5) | | I am new to this forum and just starting again to read the genre. A friend's blog led me to the latest issue of Flashing Swords.
Not meaning to offend anyone, I cannot agree with the praise for "The Blood Price." Yes, it is a good story of barbarian fighting, but some unnecessary details just ruined it for me. Mostly, the sexual details. Coerced sexual encounters with one partner doing as he/she wishes without thought for the other is rape. While such encounters may be typical of the time and atmosphere of this story, they were hardly likely to create a lasting longing in the victim.
That said, I cannot give enough praise for "Detour From Abbinford" by Barbara E. Tarbox. I am a natural proofreader - seeing continuity and other errors the first time I read a story. Occasionally, something I read is powerful and interesting enough to overcome my automatic proofreading. "Detour" is such a story. It flows, has great characters, and an ending that’s just a touch disturbing. | | Back to Top | | |
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John M. Whalen
flashg
Date Joined Mar 2006
Total Posts : 422
| Posted 8/11/2006 7:44 PM (GMT -5) | | (It's OK to "bash" FS if you like! It is still the best *free* source of sword and sorcery fiction on earth.....)
Bash? Who's bashing? I said I liked those stories but tried to point out in a positive way where I thought they could have been better. If you consider that bashing, I'd hate to see how you'd react to a really bad review. LOL. You should appreciate that someone takes time to read and think about the stories and try not to react defensively.
(I don't see how simply being negative or critical makes one more "real" but that *does* seem to be a symptom of the modern disassociative psyche.)
It isn't negative. It's objective. And there really is an supersensitiy around here to any objective viewpoint, I've noticed. LOL.
(Actually, there will be more slots open to new writers because the inventory stories (most of which were by PAST contributors) have been swapped out into a special e-antho and this opens up ALL the slots to new writers.)
That is welcome news. Hope you're not ticked because I brought these issues up. (Especially since I have a couple of Flash stories submitted) FS is a wonderful place for S&S, and I'm glad its here. | | Back to Top | | |
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Daniel
Carl Jung's Waterboy
Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 4515
| Posted 8/11/2006 8:38 PM (GMT -5) | | It isn't negative. It's objective. And there really is an supersensitiy around here to any objective viewpoint, I've noticed. LOL.
***
Well maybe there *was.*
I'm not sensitive about it at all. really. First off all, I am personally editorially responsible for a load of fiction and non-fiction that gets published in a variety of forms on a regular basis. So I am not emotionally "wed" at some unhealthy do or die level to any individual issue or story or comment or revue. If I was, I'd look like the John Kerry wind-surfing commercial!
Secondly, the main object for all the products we publish is to generate readers, and negative comments, as well as positive comments, help that to happen.
So, please, say what you have to say. By "bashing" I meant: it is perfectly easy to pick *anything* apart if you have a mind to or a grudge or a mandate -- or merely a hankering.
In the long run, with FS, you would be criticizing a web-zine that is free and offered with the highest degree of quality and professionalism we can muster, barring certain nagging technical difficulties. So you know ... that's why I said "it's still the best place for free sword and sorcery fiction on earth!"
We are just getting our bearings now from a rather difficult transition, so I'm sure that if this is a particular time you feel would be ideal for spotlighting what's wrong with FS, as we attempt to move over a hurdle or two and expand opps for readers and writers, it would be, due to the aforementioned slight problems in editorial and web-tech changeover, the best shot you're likely to get!
Daniel
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von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)
Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 3056
| Posted 8/11/2006 8:42 PM (GMT -5) | | Paraphrasing Armand, Flashing Swords is a gift, showering us with a free taste of several author's works. I haven't read every story in every issue yet (working on it) but I do know I haven't found any stories I dislike - which is a HUGE consideration, even when something is free. There are several authors whose stories I read because I recognize their names now - and, as soon as Bryce puts out a Dermanassian (sorry if I killed the spelling) collection, I'll be buying it! All because of Flashing Swords. Oh, and I'd love to someday be included on a TOC!
Also, the 'atta-boys' posted throughout here are more in the line of, 'Way to go, you got published, you got into Flashing Swords' then blanket approval of the quality of the works themselves. If I saw any of these same people in day-to-day life I'd be slapping 'em on the back and smiling for them in the same manner. I'm happy for the author and just letting him/her know that, so I don't believe that implies a lack or non lack of critical appraisal. John, I thought your opinions were well-expressed and appropriate - but that doesn't make them any more real than my 'atta-boy'.
Clash of Steel Magazine Fantasy Book Reviewer | | Back to Top | | |
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John M. Whalen
flashg
Date Joined Mar 2006
Total Posts : 422
| Posted 8/11/2006 10:14 PM (GMT -5) | | | (We're bound to catch a little flak along the way, but is certainly remarkable how much of that flak can be traced to people with extraliterary axes to grind. Not saying that about anyone here, of course. So, an editor learns or should learn to discriminate from useful critcism | |
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