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| Posted By : jonesha - 7/5/2005 6:41 AM | ...it's live folks. I am thrilled to hear of such intense interest!
I think you'll be mightily pleased by what you find in this issue and look forward to your comments. Please, if you like what you find, let us know, and do post so the authors can see what you think.
Spread the word, and
Swords Together!
www.swordandsorcery.org
Best,
Howard
Managing Editor
www.swordandsorcery.org
Flashing Swords E-Zine |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 7/5/2005 8:51 AM | Excellent editorial, Howard, a battle cry to all who hunger for sword-and-sorcery. Swords together, indeed!
I can't wait to get started on the huge feast of stories in Issue 3. Can we hope for such banquets in future editions?
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble |
| Posted By : Daniel - 7/5/2005 9:04 AM | Great editorial, Howard. And the fiction lineup looks ... awesome!
Swords together!!
Daniel
www.pitchblackbooks.com |
| Posted By : PaulMc - 7/5/2005 9:09 AM | I third the praise for the editorial. Here's to the New Edge!
-- Paul McNamee |
| Posted By : Supr - 7/5/2005 10:12 AM | | Yeah, Swords together, Howard! Greatest news - time for celebration! |
| Posted By : Kuroboshii - 7/5/2005 10:36 AM | Wow...Stevan, Kel, AND the Gray Mist. This issue would be perfect if it had Zargatha...
Sean T. M. Stiennon (AKA Suuran Songforge)
For information about me, see my author page at www.sfreader.com/authors/seanstiennon. |
| Posted By : RyanHarvey - 7/5/2005 10:42 AM | Yes, the editorial will get everybody's blood pumping!
Good job, Howard.
What outrageousness! What arrogance! I salute you.
Ryan Harvey
Associate Editor at www.swordandsorcery.org
www.RealmOfRyan.com |
| Posted By : Jay Stevol - 7/5/2005 2:11 PM | | Looks like a good issue. The essay was excellent; really exciting to see so many people that share my same enthusiasm for real S&S. Stories look good. But where's Harold Lamb? |
| Posted By : Flint - 7/6/2005 12:08 AM | I agree with all of the above comments about the editorial--I can hear the cries as the battle-flag is raised. Look at all of those flashing swords, keen and bright; each with a new edge.
I was immediately impressed with the content of this issue and for me it is a clear demonstration of the enthusiasm on both sides of the publication. In Issue 2 I reviewed each story individually and picked out what I liked or made it special for me. I do this because I get more from the stories and because I imagine the authors would like some feedback. I'm not an S&S specialist--as has become clear to me as I read these boards--but I am a reader and I know what I like and why I like it.
I've only read the first story so far so...
***************CONTAINS SPOILERS******************
Web of Pale Venom
John C. Hocking
I was a fan of John Hocking's story in Issue 2 and so I had a good idea of what to expect with this; I wasn't disappointed.
As far as I can tell the fact that S&S is JCH's chosen field is simple good luck for me and anyone else who enjoys this genre. I have no doubt that he could be just as comfortable writing detective stories in a foggy Victorian city--I've mentioned this before and it's a feeling which appeared again with this tangled tale.
Right from the first few words I was in cinema mode: "The knife flipped end over end..." and within seconds I could see Lucella leaning on the fence in all of her tough beauty. How do I know she's a beauty when there's no obvious description? There are hints throughout but JCH doesn't need to be obvious. I know she has good looks but I also know she's got a grip like iron and the calluses to match.
Then there's Kel; he's not a wimp but then he's not a tough guy either--I like that. As far as picturing him goes I vary, one minute he's in the long robes of the stereotypical librarian(whoops, archivist)and the next he's looking a bit cool. How can you have a dagger in a sheath in the small of your back and not be cool? And here I think I've hit on one of JCH's strengths with S&S--he seems to avoid stereotypes in both characters and storyline.
This brings me on nicely to the villain of the piece: the spider. It took a while for me to realise that was what the creature was; the build up had an ominous, supernatural feel for me: "Something like a bundle of sticks..." Wonderful when I thought back to it after identifying the creature. You may notice I call the spider "The villain" and not "The Monster" and that is very deliberate as I'm sure it was for JCH. This could easily have been another giant spider story, let's face it we've all read a few, but it ends up being so much more. The spider has brains and knows how to use them; that's where the tension and sense of "what next" comes from. Couple that with some inspired imagery: "many-jointed legs heaved convulsively and the spider flipped neatly onto its feet." and you have a really dramatic situation. I also got a sense of horror from one particular image: "Eight eyes like clumps of black onyx fixed on me." For whatever reason that really worked for me and I truly got a sense of malicious intelligence there. It reminded me of a story about killer snails I once read by Patricicia Highsmith: Blank Claverengia(or something like that). The terrible intelligence was more frightening than the creatures themselves. Now I've mentioned horror here but it is not overwhelming, and in my opinion it shouldn't be; this is S&S. The byplay between the characters creates a sense of excitement and humor which does not detract from the tension, but maintains the derring-do of S&S--I would have been amazed if either of the main characters had been killed. And less than happy!
The extra twist of the other villain and the spider surviving the knife wound are, from what I can tell, classic examples of JCH's efforts with a tight and involving plot. There's a lot more I could say but I'll save some of my comments for his next story. I wonder when a book of JCH's short stories will be released?
I must get a copy of "Conan and The Emerald Lotus"
Thanks
Flint
|
| Posted By : Daniel - 7/6/2005 4:38 AM | Flint, thanks for your detailed and enthusiastic feedback!
Daniel
www.pitchblackbooks.com |
| Posted By : jonesha - 7/6/2005 7:11 AM | Thank you all for your compliments and enthusiasm, and thank you, Flint, for that detailed review.
Red, to answer your question, I'd love to jumbo-size FS every issue. That size comes courtesy of me selling a tale to <i>Black Gate</i>. While I do hope to keep selling fiction, what I'd like even more is to see Pitch Black products take off like a rocket so we run on profits from Lords of Swords, Sages of Swords, and future goodies.
So spread the word! I would love to double the size! I would love to pay the authors more money for their work! I'd love to quit my day job and just do this! Man, if you like FS and swordandsorcery.org now, just think what I could do if I could focus every day's work on the site instead of cramming time for it in around the edges...
Now I must resubmerge to tackle some work deadlines and then write a slew of e-mails about submissions that I read over the last week.
Best,
Howard
Managing Editor
www.swordandsorcery.org
Flashing Swords E-Zine |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 7/6/2005 9:30 AM | Well, I'll keep spreading the word ... and I'll write Black Gate a letter DEMANDING more Howard Andrew Jones stories!
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/6/2005 10:10 AM | Steve,
Even better, buy the magazine! Encourage others to buy it, give subscriptions away as Christmas presents! I've never sold a story to John O'Niell at Black Gate (and congradulations, Howard!) though I came close. I do think, however, that Black Gate is one hell of a publication that's right on the edge of going mainstream and its the best chance for any of us to see S&S back on the news stands.
Right now I see about every other issue on one of the magazine shealfs I regularly inspect here in Colorado Springs. Usually not the same rack, it varies. If Black Gate's numbers were to increase it would make it easier for John to get distributors to show a bit more interest in it.
I'll admit that regular stories from Howard could help. And if Mr. O'Niell would buy the next thing I send him well, that would be sure to push him over the top.[;)] Just make sure everyone you know who'd like what he has to offer knows about it.
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books |
| Posted By : John Hocking - 7/7/2005 8:31 AM |
I've only read the first four stories in "Flashing Swords' #3, but the issue is already full of Sword & Sorcery goodness in styles ranging from stately and elegant to outrageously intense.
C.L. Werner's tale is so lit up with passionate intensity it all but blazes off the page and burns your eyes out. Beware, if Sword and Sorcery is "spicy" reading, then this story is a Habenero pepper.
'The Covenant', by Stires, would have fit well in a 1930's issue of 'Weird Tales' and packs a broad, mythic level of fantasy into short, lucidly told tale. I enjoyed the savor of Clark Ashton Smith, Lord Dunsany and E. A. Poe.
C.J. Burch's 'Two Fools Make a Tragedy' is a surprise, doing a great many things very well. The editor praises the dialogue and characterization, which are indeed pretty damn good. But I was taken by the smoothly integrated depiction of the aged, isolated city and (especially) the show-stopping sword vs. sorcery battle at the climax. Fans of Sword & Sorcery will have read any number of scenes in which people armed with edged weapons go up against someone with supernatural powers. Burch shows that this archetypical conflict can still pack a punch by vividly imagining the battle down to the details and writing it with a blunt immediacy that puts the reader in the action. Don't miss it.
I'll get to the rest shortly.
Hey Flint, thanks for the (very) kind words.
|
| Posted By : Daniel - 7/7/2005 8:49 AM | While I do hope to keep selling fiction, what I'd like even more is to see Pitch Black products take off like a rocket so we run on profits from Lords of Swords, Sages of Swords, and future goodies.
***
This is in fact the best way to increase the frequency and/or size of Sword and Sorcery/Flashing Swords E-zine.
Remember if you love heroic fantasy and want to see it come "back" in a big way -- that buying the Lords of Swords anthology from your local bookstore, asking for it at your local library, generally talking about it to your friends and cohorts is the single best way to send a message to retailers that you heroic fantasy and sword and sorcery fans are alive and kicking!!!
Pitch-Black has a good chance of wheedling a market share on your local bookstore shelves for the kind of fantasy you love and want, and at a price you can afford, with the best stories available, but we can't do it alone. We need all of you to spread your enthusiasm as far and as wide as possible. Start blogging, talking,and buying whenever possible. We want to make as big of a statement with our first antho as we can. To ensure that we will be publishing more anthos, more writers, and future classics of heroic fantasy.
Believe me, if we build it, they will come. Or as some sharp sword around here said, if you publish it, they will buy.
Let's prove it's true. We need your help now, as we approach retail launch, more than ever.
Swords together!
Daniel
www.pitchblackbooks.com |
| Posted By : Supr - 7/7/2005 8:51 AM | Howard, you wrote in your editorial:
quote:
To set aside the sexism
I agree, it's bad thing that women are not equal with men when it's about payment for their job etc.
But sexism is also when you use the woman as a toy. And I think that such kind of sex for joy is the thing that makes difference between S&S and fantasy.
Lemme tell you: I won't give up writing about quite hard sex.
BUT I'm always saying: I have nothing against using men as toys by women [8D] |
| Posted By : Daniel - 7/7/2005 9:32 AM | 'The Covenant', by Stires, would have fit well in a 1930's issue of 'Weird Tales' and packs a broad, mythic level of fantasy into short, lucidly told tale. I enjoyed the savor of Clark Ashton Smith, Lord Dunsany and E. A. Poe.
***
Nicely done, Christopher. A bit of a surprise to me, the lyricism in this well-told tale. I, of course, have read The Inheritance, plus a couple of your scorching horror tales (one I published for FMAM) and though you've accomplished your usual heart-throbbing threshold of terror here, you managed to please my poetic side this time, too.
Loved the E.A.P. echo, as John mentions.
Daniel
www.pitchblackbooks.com |
| Posted By : ChristopherS - 7/7/2005 5:04 PM | Thanks Daniel and John. I appreciate the kind words. I've written two more tales about the Crusader (the stories appeared in Pirate Writings and Fantastic: Stories of the Imagination). He is the only character I've written more than one story about. Anyway I have possible ideas for a couple more stories about him and his quest. We'll see what happens.
Chris
www.zumayapublications.com |
| Posted By : PaulMc - 7/8/2005 6:24 PM | quote:
Originally posted by jonesha
...it's live folks.
Good to great stuff all around.
I've already commented on Hocking's tale and the editorial.
might be a spoiler here or there, so you've been warned ..
The White Wyrm, by C.L. Werner
A no-holds-barred tale of adventure and vengeance from the pen of the creator of Brunner and Mathias Thulman. You want action? You want mayhem? Start a'reading right here!
Yup, the story is a'rollickin' and a'rollin'. I thought it could have used one more polish, though. (I found references to "Indians" to be anachronistic. Though told by the author, given that most of the story was from Wolf's p.o.v., he wouldn't have called them Indians. I don't know *what* he would have called them. The Vikings would/could have called them Skraelings ...)
The Covenant, by Christopher Stires
To win his love, one man is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.
No offense to any of the other contributing writers, but this one really stood out, to me. It was a haunting vignette, devoid of action but so ripe with atmosphere you could nearly taste it. A great piece of writing.
Two Fools Make a Tragedy, by C.J. Burch
Idealists, fools, or merely the mad--who can say? Aduux and Kouer spring to life in their debut tale of wizardry, vengeance, and fleeting victories.
Interesting tale, love the toothy birds, interesting duo.
The Demon War, by S.C. Bryce
The Gray Mist finds himself in the midst of demonic machinations. But is he ally, or pawn?
We learn a little more about the Desert Elf (the last?), his blue sword and there are some very well described visions of a desert hell that is the demons' world. A different piece for this issue, I liked it.
End of Duty, by Joe McCullough V
Joe McCullough's Stevan the Targeteer strides into action on a midnight mission.
Short and to the explosive point!
Raven's Eye, by Jay Caselberg
She'd been stalking the men for days, and sooner or later Illiana knew they'd have to let down their guard...
A bit too direct for me, but nothing wrong with that. The story was solid enough.
The Catacombs of Dharwataqan, by Bruce Durham
This time all Dalacroy has to do is find the book in the catacombs. Too bad they'll kill him when he gets it.
I like this even more than "Marsh God". I wasn't expecting such a twist on the Golem/Gorgon legend. Very inventive. But if Dalacroy keeps picking up a companion per story, he'll have an entourage to match P. Diddy [;)]
-- Paul McNamee |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/8/2005 7:10 PM | Paul,
If Bruce can give us enough Delacroy stories to do it, I'll suffer through reading about his entourage.[;)] nice review!
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Supr - 7/10/2005 2:06 PM | Howard, I think the more folks know the better. That's why:
http://polter.pl/wiesci/5082-Flashing-Swords-nr-3.html |
| Posted By : Flint - 7/10/2005 11:07 PM | ************CONTAINS SPOILERS************8
The White Wyrm
By C L Werner
I’ve been meaning to write my comments about this story for about a week but my time is short. As a result, I’m not going to be able to go into as much detail as before but please don’t take this as a reflection on the author or story.
A short response could be that I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. The action at the beginning was very vivid, as were the characters: “troll-like figures…” A nice variation on the normal viking image—it made me thing of the Valhalla stories in the old Thor comics. The scene that I really enjoyed was the deck of the ship awash with battle being joined—an excellent introduction to the hero.
I wasn’t sure about Wolf clinging to the dragon-head in full armour but I just put that down to the epic feel of the tale. Once things got going I thought the storyline had a very strong Howard feel to it—I’m not suggesting it was a copy, but I definitely felt some influence there. That’s a good thing as far as I’m concerned. It was late when I started reading but I couldn’t put it down until I’d finished it. I count myself as fortunate that I didn’t suffer nightmares about poor Malinche’s fate—an excellent touch because of its effect on the overall mood of the story. The ending was clever and memorable with the epic battle with the beast and the avenging hero.
I’d be a lot more specific if I had the time but I would honestly love to read more of this kind of thing from C.L. Werner. Superb setting and characters but I think the story was a particular strength.
More Please!
Flint
|
| Posted By : Bruce Durham - 7/11/2005 2:28 AM | quote:
Originally posted by PaulMc
But if Dalacroy keeps picking up a companion per story, he'll have an entourage to match P. Diddy [;)]
-- Paul McNamee
Heh. They're currently looking for a good, solid bass player. [:)]
No more additons to the entourage in #3. Thanks for the kind words, Paul, Mike.
-------------------------
Admin: Community Forums for the Official Site of Conan the Barbarian
Contributing Editor for Flashing Swords. The leading edge in fantasy: Guaranteed Oprah Free!
Moderator for Paradox Interactive Games AAR and Fanfiction Forums
|
| Posted By : Bruce Durham - 7/11/2005 2:30 AM | quote:
Originally posted by Supr
Howard, I think the more folks know the better. That's why:
http://polter.pl/wiesci/5082-Flashing-Swords-nr-3.html
Cool. What's the translation?
-------------------------
Admin: Community Forums for the Official Site of Conan the Barbarian
Contributing Editor for Flashing Swords. The leading edge in fantasy: Guaranteed Oprah Free!
Moderator for Paradox Interactive Games AAR and Fanfiction Forums
|
| Posted By : Bruce Durham - 7/11/2005 2:19 PM | Well, I finally got through the issue. Extremely strong material showcasing a wide range of talent. For what they're worth, here are my thoughts on each story:
Web of Pale Venom – by John C. Hocking
This is what I’ve come to expect from Mr. Hocking. A well-told, fast paced, exciting yarn that I found reminiscent of Howard’s classic The God in the Bowl. Kel the archivist is the kind of interesting, resourceful character that Salvatore’s Cadderly fails to be--and most certainly comes with none of the nonsense attached. The crowd demands another, sir.
The White Wyrm – by C.L. Werner
One idea I’ve kicked around for a while concerned the legend of Quetzalcoatl. Well, no need to kick it around any longer. I’ve been beaten to the punch, and as punches go, it was a knockout. This is an extremely well researched story, deftly told, and gripping from beginning to end. If I have any complaint, it’s that it could have been longer--and it’s already a very long tale. Perhaps a three part serialization… Question for C.L. Werner, if you’re reading. Are the cannibals the Caribe or their ancestors?
The Covenant – by Christopher Stires
This is a beautifully told story that relies almost entirely on well-crafted dialogue. The ending is especially bittersweet. I look forward to more tales of the Crusader.
Two Fools Make a Tragedy - C.J. Burch
I found the by-play between Aduux and Kouer amusing and clever. I found this line especially funny: “’There is an old saying in this land. ‘What you do not know will not stick hot irons in your eyes and eviscerate you with a blunted darning needle.’ ” The story was good, and the battle with the wizard quite wicked. One nit was punctuation. I thought the story could have used one more edit.
The Demon War – by S.C.Bryce
With allies like this, who needs enemies? Presented with an offer he can’t refuse, Dermanassian becomes the reluctant pawn of a demon with an overly dry sense of humour. This story is so vividly imaginative, so smoothly written and so engrossing that it was over before I knew it. It’s the best piece I’ve read from S.C. Bryce yet.
End of Duty – by Joe McCullough V
This is a great story of heroes and heroism. I found myself climbing the slippery slope along with Stevan and the men tasked with doing the impossible. Vivid detail, excellent mood. Well done.
Raven’s Eye – Jay Caselberg
A tale of revenge complete with a mystery. What’s in the bundle wrapped in old red cloth and tied with leather thongs? And why does that raven pester Iliana so? This was a thoroughly enjoyable story, well written, with a heroine both bold and compassionate.
-------------------------
Admin: Community Forums for the Official Site of Conan the Barbarian
Contributing Editor for Flashing Swords. The leading edge in fantasy: Guaranteed Oprah Free!
Moderator for Paradox Interactive Games AAR and Fanfiction Forums
|
| Posted By : Spyder - 7/12/2005 1:49 AM | Most sincere thanks for the kind words about 'The White Wyrm'. It was certainly a tribute to Robert E Howard, I honestly put my mind to trying to conceive a story that he might have written, then ran rampant once I had that idea down. I am very happy to hear that the result was entertaining, especially from Mr Hocking, whose work I can honestly say I've enjoyed quite a bit. Pity he didn't get turned loose on more Conan novels, the one he produced was certainly in the upper echelons of TOR's catalog.
The debased cannibals were intended more as a play on Howard's grotesque ape-men, such as Thok or the Grey Apes more than anything else. To be honest, I didn't even consider that they could be connected to the Caribe. I'm kicking myself over missing that opportunity!
I am currently working on something quite different which I hope will match the high standard Howard maintains for Flashing Swords. But with a title like 'The Blind God Hungers', I think I'm on the right track. |
| Posted By : Supr - 7/12/2005 6:17 AM | quote:
Originally posted by bdurham
quote:
Originally posted by Supr
Howard, I think the more folks know the better. That's why:
http://polter.pl/wiesci/5082-Flashing-Swords-nr-3.html
Cool. What's the translation?
Well 'Poltergeist- born of fantasy' is a great polish web site for a. o. D&D gamers but also for literature and movies. It's also best known under polish fantasy publishing houses.
In the short note I'm informing the members about latest version of Flashing Swords as e-zine for ressurection of S&S that lately lost some of their grasp. The names of authors of published stories are also given. I'm writing that all the members of the redaction of FS are interested in resurgence of S&S. I'm also mentioning the rules of New Edge that Howard describes in his editorial. |
| Posted By : jonesha - 7/12/2005 6:42 AM | And I thank you mightily, Supr. We've gotten a number of hits from your post. I appreciate that!
Best wishes,
Howard
Managing Editor
www.swordandsorcery.org
Flashing Swords E-Zine |
| Posted By : SC Bryce - 7/12/2005 6:55 AM | quote:
Originally posted by bdurham
The Demon War – by S.C.Bryce
With allies like this, who needs enemies? Presented with an offer he can’t refuse, Dermanassian becomes the reluctant pawn of a demon with an overly dry sense of humour. This story is so vividly imaginative, so smoothly written and so engrossing that it was over before I knew it. It’s the best piece I’ve read from S.C. Bryce yet.
quote:
Originally posted by PaulMc
The Demon War, by S.C. Bryce
The Gray Mist finds himself in the midst of demonic machinations. But is he ally, or pawn?
We learn a little more about the Desert Elf (the last?), his blue sword and there are some very well described visions of a desert hell that is the demons' world. A different piece for this issue, I liked it.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now if we can only convince the critics at Tangent to see my genius [:D]
S.C. Bryce |
| Posted By : Bruce Durham - 7/12/2005 7:05 AM | quote:
Originally posted by scbryce
quote:
Originally posted by bdurham
The Demon War – by S.C.Bryce
With allies like this, who needs enemies? Presented with an offer he can’t refuse, Dermanassian becomes the reluctant pawn of a demon with an overly dry sense of humour. This story is so vividly imaginative, so smoothly written and so engrossing that it was over before I knew it. It’s the best piece I’ve read from S.C. Bryce yet.
quote:
Originally posted by PaulMc
The Demon War, by S.C. Bryce
The Gray Mist finds himself in the midst of demonic machinations. But is he ally, or pawn?
We learn a little more about the Desert Elf (the last?), his blue sword and there are some very well described visions of a desert hell that is the demons' world. A different piece for this issue, I liked it.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now if we can only convince the critics at Tangent to see my genius [:D]
S.C. Bryce
No kidding. It's enough to make me hang up my keyboard.
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Admin: Community Forums for the Official Site of Conan the Barbarian
Contributing Editor for Flashing Swords. The leading edge in fantasy: Guaranteed Oprah Free!
Moderator for Paradox Interactive Games AAR and Fanfiction Forums
|
| Posted By : PaulMc - 7/12/2005 10:23 AM | quote:
Originally posted by bdurham
No kidding. It's enough to make me hang up my keyboard.
Now, now. Would Conan hang up his keyboard?
Wait.. he wouldn't have a keyboard [;)]
There will always be critics. I think you're getting stronger with each story. (well, okay, I've only read two so far, but that means you're at 100% improvement [8)] )
Keep at it. I think Dalacroy has an interesting future ahead of him.
Swords high!
-- Paul McNamee
http://writer.paulmcnamee.net
http://www.dorancoyle.net |
| Posted By : jhmcmullen - 7/12/2005 10:43 AM | quote:
Originally posted by bdurham
No kidding. It's enough to make me hang up my keyboard.
Fear not--the rest of us know you're good and getting better.
I'm still trying to figure out why Dalacroy is such an unfortunate name--sure, it sounds like the French phrase for "of the cross" but heck, that shouldn't be enough to disqualify someone. There've been religious S&S characters. Or Bruce can just insert how "Dalacroy" means "tough battle" in his home language, and voila! it is done! |
| Posted By : Supr - 7/12/2005 11:35 AM | Hey, Bruce: F^ck it!!! [}:)]
(like I did with the women from publishing house tha didn't care for my novel) [:D]
|
| Posted By : Bruce Durham - 7/12/2005 11:47 AM | Oops. Sorry. I meant to say 'want to hang up...' [:I]
I think it's just payback for me criticising the reviewer of the previous issue of FS. Stooping to comment on a character name is rather petty. I've resigned myself to the fact I won't be getting a fair shake from these people. Frankly, I thought I wrote a pretty inventive story.
John. You nailed it. Dalacroy was derived from DeLaCroix. Maybe it's an anti-French thing.
-------------------------
Admin: Community Forums for the Official Site of Conan the Barbarian
Contributing Editor for Flashing Swords. The leading edge in fantasy: Guaranteed Oprah Free!
Moderator for Paradox Interactive Games AAR and Fanfiction Forums
|
| Posted By : Supr - 7/12/2005 12:40 PM | quote:
Originally posted by bdurham
I think it's just payback for me criticising the reviewer of the previous issue of FS.
When it's true than we all do can understand such cowardly behaviour of Tangents reviewer... She envies Delacroys balls (not literally) [:0] LOL |
| Posted By : Supr - 7/12/2005 9:43 PM | quote:
Originally posted by jonesha
And I thank you mightily, Supr. We've gotten a number of hits from your post. I appreciate that!
Best wishes,
Howard
Managing Editor
www.swordandsorcery.org
Flashing Swords E-Zine
Howard, I'm glad that I can help. |
| Posted By : Daniel - 7/13/2005 7:24 AM | I think you're getting stronger with each story. (well, okay, I've only read two so far, but that means you're at 100% improvement )
***
Bruce has a fantasy short story "Null Magic" in the upcoming issue of Prism Quarterly -- PQ 8.1. You can snag a subscription to PQ through the following link
http://www.pitchblackbooks.com/prism.htm
You can obtain ordering info for individual issues, bulk orders, and/or subscriptions through the following #
1-800-963-1070
But I won't be sending any issues of PQ to Tangent for Ms. Tilton to review.
Daniel
www.pitchblackbooks.com |
| Posted By : jonesha - 7/23/2005 4:52 AM | Hey all,
Well, we've spent enough time on reviews and editorials: let's talk some more--a lot more, hopefully--about the stories this issue and what you're wanting to see more of! There are a lot of great things in here that haven't even been touched on.
I look forward to your thoughts.
best,
Howard
Managing Editor
www.swordandsorcery.org
Flashing Swords E-Zine |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/23/2005 8:57 AM | Howard,
I haven't finished all the stories in this issue, I'm rationing them. Plus I can't read much fiction in one sitting on a screen. Eight or nine thousand words is about my limit before I start trying to make corrections to the text, (I write long hand but edit on a computer). as to what I'd like more of, Hocking and Durham to start with. I also really loved Burch's two fools. I haven't found a story yet that I actively dislike though I'm kind of hoping to, I'm way too finicky to love everything in a magazine, that would mean its appeal is way too narrow. I still have a couple of stories to read. [:)]
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 7/23/2005 9:30 AM | Howard ... I've loved what I read so far, but likewise haven't gotten to all of them. I've got a little project to complete, and some writing of my own to do, then I'll print out the rest, sit back and enjoy.
You know I like the Hocking story, and Bruce's Dalacroy tale. I've also read "The Covenant" and "Two Fools," and can definitely say I want to see more from these authors. Both went a little further than often seen in the genre; Stires primarily through his prose and imagery, Burch primarily through characterization. Neither story turned out to be what I expected as I went along, and I rather like that.
As for the issue as a whole, I'm glad to see a variety in the storytelling. All these authors have different approaches, and it keeps things from getting stale. I hope the remaining stories are up to this standard.
As for the project I mentioned, you should be getting an email from me in the wee hours including all three files. Good stuff.
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble |
| Posted By : Buxom Slayer - 7/24/2005 12:57 AM | FLASHING SWORDS issue 3. - my reviews + ratings..
Web of Pale Venom, by John C. Hocking [JH]
Kel the archivist [ he is not a librarian or a scribe] + Lucella the sword-mistress.
a search for delirium root leads into a deadly web of mystery + murder.
JH creates a great atmosphere of suspense, danger + horror, + thrills us with very exciting action + combat.
a run-of-the-mill average plot is enhanced greatly by the fine writing of JH.
rating = 3.5 of 5. very entertaining but not much innovation.[8D]
--
The White Wyrm. - C.L. Werner
tough Germanic knight v vikings + savage toltecs + a huge legend!
grim, bloody + very entertaining. even though its a bit corny, + it smugly claims to have twisted history, its very well done.
rating = 3.5 of 5. good 'historical fantastic'.
--
The Covenant, by Christopher Stires
a very short but well written piece.
but i found it pointless + shallow + very corny. the writer failed to provide even an average quality story + so broke his covenant with me..?!
0 of 5. a complete waste of my time. [ the editor has been at the delirium root? [;)]]
--
Two Fools Make A Tragedy. - C.J. Burch
or 'the perils of a pewter amulet'?
"She was a strange one Kouer was, part cat and part courtesan".[ a kind of character known too well by me?!]
Kouer is an interesting character. but Aduux is nothing special + he HAS got a silly name.
the wizards area of town + the cauldron tavern were quirky + amusing.
some of the dialogue is very good, but overall there was far too much trivial pointless banter between the 2.
good fights + deadly+fun magic.
rating = 3 of 5. entertaining fun fantasy. [ in a similar light style as Liebers Lankhmar books?]
--
The Demon War, by S.C. Bryce
Dermanassian 'the Gray Mist', in his gray clothes and cloak, + his blue lotus sword. he is the last desert elf?
thru the mind-gate to the dreamworld, demonworld + chaosworld, super powerful demons galore fight each other with the same ridiculous comical predictability of usa-wwf-tv-wrestlers!
this is tedious, basic, corny D+D fodder but with no good atmosphere, suspense, horror, surprises, or even a good plot. Bryce should get some tips on S+S from the great Conan tales of RE Howard instead of reading the latest sterile D+D rpg sourcebooks + sanitised fan-formula trilogies?
but the battle action + magic descriptions are good + exciting. [Bryce is potentially a good writer who just needs much better S+S material than this?]
rating = 2 of 5. dire plot. a yawning chasm.. [are the 'demonic' rumours about the Editor true? [}:)]]
--
End of Duty, by Joe McCullough V
muskets, a cannon fort, + massive gunpowder explosions!?!
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS DOING IN AN S+S COLLECTION ?!? [ nuts! ]
--
Raven's Eye, by Jay Caselberg
quite well written + some good action fighting.
but its just a below average plot with a disapointing very limp end.
rating = 2 of 5. a trivial + limp non-event.
--
The Catacombs of Dharwataqan, by Bruce Durham
Dalacroy the warrior has to find a special book in the deep locked catacombs of terror.
i found this 2nd story much more entertaining than the 1st 'marsh' tale.
well written with good atmosphere, combats, horror, + powerful arcane magic, + clever surprising plot twists.
this good S+S tale works well as an intense short story.
rating = 3.5 of 5. entertaining surprises + clever plot. [more like this please? ][8D]
----
so how did these 4 get in the e-zine?...
..The Covenant, The Demon War, End of Duty, + Raven's Eye?
that is half the content of this issue is wasted on very poor + corny + WRONG GENRE stories! [ is the overworked editor cracking up? at this rate issue 4 will be called 'wretched sword + musket' ?!][:D]
please improve your overall standards? i live in some S+S hope due to the flashing swords site, but this issue was half 'dead'...
my sincere thanks to the writers who produced some quality exciting S+S. [please keep up the good work]
best wishes from your most buxom reader *** [:)]
----
so come on guys, let's hear more comments ratings? what were your faves + why?
|
| Posted By : jonesha - 7/24/2005 3:16 AM | Dear Buxom,
Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy those four. Many people have gone out of their way to praise some of those stories you disliked. Also, as to End of Duty, please recall that, in addition to sword and sorcery, Flashing Swords is intended to feature swashbuckling historicals as well as sword and planet. You'll be seeing some more action-oriented swashbucklers in this e-zine's pages.
In any case, I hope you'll stick with us. Issue 4 is a fine, fine read!
best wishes,
Howard
Managing Editor
www.swordandsorcery.org
Flashing Swords E-Zine |
| Posted By : Storn - 7/24/2005 3:49 AM | quote:
End of Duty, by Joe McCullough V
muskets, a cannon fort, + massive gunpowder explosions!?!
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS DOING IN AN S+S COLLECTION ?!?
Now, I'm not the scholar of this field as much as the other folks. And I also JUST got here... but I liked End of Duty. I liked the muskets. And if Solomon Kane can use flintlock pistols... I think there is room for the devices is in S&S collections. I wouldn't take the Sword of S&S too literally.
I also thought the hand to hand combat of musket being used as club was pretty exciting stuff. The atmosphere of the rain has drama and impact because of the possiblity of misfire... I can forgive that the soldiers of the piece are not using halberds and broadswords.
It reminded me of Hornblower meets Conan... if Hornblower has had enough and leaves after the insane suicide mission. Seems pretty "pulpy" and exciting to me.
NOw, I do agree with you on the Demon War in part. I loved the scope of the setting. It was huge!
But I think it was a huge mistake to have the protagonist be a "desert elf". I would have prefered that to be disguised. Elf is simply a term that has too much wieght now. The protagonist *could* have all the trappings, all the styling of some fey-like wanderer, immortal and the like, last of his kind... and the term "elf" could have been implied but never used.
It is kinda like "ninja". You can't use "ninja" anymore. The term has reached the level of ludicrous... despite the historical placement of the Koga and Iga adn their training regimens, placement in society, being fascinating, fascinating stuff. Better to make all the inferences, and just call them assassins...
Visual Storytelling
http://www.stornc.rpggallery.com/ |
| Posted By : Daniel - 7/24/2005 4:14 AM | Hey Buxom,
I'd love to hear what you think of the Lords of Swords anthology.
www.pitchblackbooks.com
Thanks for your responses.
Daniel
www.pitchblackbooks.com |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/24/2005 7:02 AM | Storn,
The ninja have really taken it in the shorts, undone by there own success. I think the only place I could use them would be in a comedy function, a clan of really pissed off ninja with media relations problems bent on foiling the heros as a sub-plot.
Hmmnn, think I'll file that one.
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Storn - 7/24/2005 8:29 AM | Erazmus, so true.
I like Batman Begins, but I kinda had this internal giggle when ever the word ninja was used in conjunction with Raz a Ghul and the whole Destroyer's vibe of secret society dedicating to keeping balance. I LIKE the secret society aspect, the skills and training... all of that... but every time ninja was used and pajama guys showed up... I just giggled inside. Kinda sad.
Because I think the ninja enviroment is an awesome one. Martial arts, spy craft, disguises, poisons, the practicality angle, the societal angle of being the ones outside of society to do the dirty deeds dirt cheap... all of it is really, really cool if tackled in a serious, thought provoking way.
But I just described the entire character skillset (and conflict) of the main character of the Bourne Identity. The word ninja never comes up once in the film(s) or book(s). But really, it is a similar assassin archtype.
Ninja can't be used anymore with a straight face. Pity.
Visual Storytelling
http://www.stornc.rpggallery.com/ |
| Posted By : John Hocking - 7/24/2005 8:40 AM | Hey Buxom!
I tell a Sword & Sorcery tale about a glorified librarian and a lady constable breaking up a drug ring selling spider venom, and it's a "run-of-the-mill" plot?
Man, you're getting harder to please these days!
Glad to see you on this forum and I hope you find my next story more to your liking. |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/24/2005 9:24 AM | Storn,
I haven't seen Batman Begins yet, but I can imagine what you're talking about. From a writing perspective the situation isn't intolerable, just don't actually use the "N" word. I avoid japanese terms when ever I can anyway so "Shadow warrior" slides out easily enough.
But you are faced with a bigger problem as an illustrator. Any guy with a scarf over his face and a sword in his hand practicly sceams "ninja" unless you take the time and effort to assure he doesn't. That can be hard, especially when he obviously is but the writer just isn't saying so. Lots of people might wear dark or camoflaged clothing on a dodgy mission at night but you must make sure they don't look like ninja-jammies or else, well it just doesn't work. And oriental characters in black can just about hang it up unless they're garbed in ornate black robes.
I find it odd that the samurai don't seem to have this problem yet they are the other side of the ninja coin. Better spin doctors, I guess.
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/24/2005 9:31 AM | John,
Let's face it, you just holding back too much. Kel practically screams "Conan Clone", he's just the way Howard would have written him, if he'd been a Librarian instead of a Barbarian. And I think REH really missed a good one there anyway. I mean he was a raider, a thief, a pirate, a king. Why not a stint in the library? Conan the Cross Referencer could have been a ground breaking milestone, as your stories clearly demostrate.[:D]
Now if Kel's constable friend would just have to go undercover as a dancing girl, you'd have a Frazzeta cover in the making.
I love your archivist stories, by the way and in case you were wondering, but you could possible twist up the plots just a tad. Not easy in 3K words but you could. I'm not sure you should, like I say I like the stories I've read so far, but you could, a little.
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Storn - 7/24/2005 11:33 AM | quote:
but you could possible twist up the plots just a tad. Not easy in 3K words but you could. I'm not sure you should, like I say I like the stories I've read so far, but you could, a little.
yeah, Hocking, a subplot about a deranged, anal-retentive, over-controlling lord, Duke Dooie, threatening tithe reduction, unless he gets his way... or something.
Visual Storytelling
http://www.stornc.rpggallery.com/ |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/24/2005 11:52 AM | Storn,
gee I expected you to jump on the undercover as a dancing girl theme . . .[:D]
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Buxom Slayer - 7/24/2005 3:47 PM | quote:
Originally posted by John Hocking
Hey Buxom!
I tell a Sword & Sorcery tale about a glorified librarian and a lady constable breaking up a drug ring selling spider venom, and it's a "run-of-the-mill" plot?
Man, you're getting harder to please these days!
Glad to see you on this forum and I hope you find my next story more to your liking.
hi John!
i've seen a lot of tv cop/detective episodes where an expert/scholar helps a cop. + a flood of drug gang tales. + giant spiders are 10-a-penny + much over-used in fantasy these days.
but i enjoyed your very exciting tale + gave it a worthy 7 /10.
i can only give higher scores to tales with greater more surprising + original plots, + more ambitious + spectacular combats, + unusual powerful magic, + more original + viciously terrifying-horrific monsters + chilling supernatural evil, oh, + ofcourse a really great climax!
[ but u know all that cos u achieved it all in CONAN + THE EMERALD LOTUS - great S+S! rating = 9 /10. a must read! ][8D]
thanks for entertaining me so well with all your stories. best wishes *** [:)]
|
| Posted By : Rob Mancebo - 7/24/2005 4:11 PM | F/S III
Web of Pale Venom
Quite an adventure for a scholar. I hope to see many more. Lucella defeats Philon very easily to not have any explanation. Especially after he’s ‘sparred against many lady Legionnaires’. It gave me one of those ‘wait a moment’ pauses when reading. Other than that, I enjoyed this one, although I thought he should’ve pushed a little harder to get his meal in the end. He earned it after all.
The White Wyrm
Good historical fantasy. I was a little disappointed with his non-reaction over his lover’s murder and his own poisoning. I thought that that should’ve been a climatic moment in the story. Good revenge though and a good tie-in with later history.
The Covenant
I enjoyed this one. I always like a ‘turning evil against evil’ story.
Two fools Make a Tragedy
Ah yes, at the end of the day adventures don’t always pay. Warriors against monsters and a wizard with a mystery thrown in. A well done S&S piece.
End of duty
Nice to see a little slash & blast, swashbuckling action. A glorious end of a military career.
Black powder comments:
You don’t really ‘snipe’ with muskets. Beyond 75-100 yards you’re lucky to even hit a man sized target. That’s why those massed formations were used during the musket era.
No type of lock was specified but, since they weren’t messing with glowing matchcord it sounded like flint locks. In the rain, a flintlock’s pan can be cleared of powder and the touch hole plugged to keep the main charge dry. It only takes a moment. In Colonial America a feather was used for this purpose. Just dump out the powder and jam the shaft into the touch hole.
If they could see the lights of the fortress then the firing of the bombards should’ve lit up the night gloriously.
The Demon War
I must admit a personal preference to human S&S but this was a nicely done alien species war.
Raven’s Eye
This one was interesting. I could’ve wished for a little more desperation. 3-to-1 is not good odds in a real fight. She seemed to think that it was. I would’ve expected a little more of the ambush-type action she displayed with the first killing.
I would’ve expected her to be cornered or surprised in some way or you could go into more detail about why it is that she feels competent to take on numerous attackers single-handedly. I just missed the ‘drama’ in the action because she was too cool about the whole thing.
The Catacombs
Very nice. Good all-around S&S action. A treasure, a pretty girl, several big baddies, some enchanted objects, betrayal, and just desserts.
Overall I think that my favorites in this issue were The Catacombs, Two Fools, and Web of Pale Venom.
I look forward to the next one. [:)]
Rob
|
| Posted By : Rob Mancebo - 7/24/2005 4:24 PM | quote:
Originally posted by Storn
I like Batman Begins, but I kinda had this internal giggle when ever the word ninja was used in conjunction with Raz a Ghul and the whole Destroyer's vibe of secret society dedicating to keeping balance. I LIKE the secret society aspect, the skills and training... all of that... but every time ninja was used and pajama guys showed up... I just giggled inside. Kinda sad.
Because I think the ninja enviroment is an awesome one. Martial arts, spy craft, disguises, poisons, the practicality angle, the societal angle of being the ones outside of society to do the dirty deeds dirt cheap... all of it is really, really cool if tackled in a serious, thought provoking way.
- Interesting how all those 'Ninjas' were on a mountaintop in CHINA too, isn't it?
- Ah well, Dr Hatsumi said to find the roots of the Ninja you must travel the Silk Road.
- For 'real' Ninja strangeness read 'Path Notes of an American Ninja Master' By Dr. Glenn Morris. It will give you a better explanation of the reality behind the Myth-- and maybe a new way to look at life.
- Still cool stuff but you have to strain out Hollywood.
Rob
Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore
www.geocities.com/robmancebo/ |
| Posted By : John Hocking - 7/24/2005 4:56 PM | Hey Rob, thanks for the thoughtful commentary.
Lucella's fight with Philon was based on an actual street fight I witnessed in which the attacker grossly underestimated the strength and intent of his victim.
The scene was supposed to be surprising. I want Lucella to be very dangerous. Sorry if it felt unbalanced to you. |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/24/2005 5:00 PM | John'
Heck, I just assumed that there's a difference between sparring and fighting for real, and he never 'sparred' with her.
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Rob Mancebo - 7/24/2005 7:24 PM | quote:
Originally posted by John Hocking
Hey Rob, thanks for the thoughtful commentary.
The scene was supposed to be surprising. I want Lucella to be very dangerous. Sorry if it felt unbalanced to you.
Thanks for the entertainment.
- It wasn't really unbalanced-- it just raised unanswered questions.
- Having her finish with something like, "You were sparring with the wrong women," or "No one gets promoted by defeating the boss, they let you win!" I think would've been enough. Just a little something to keep people from saying, 'Huh, how did that happen?'
- As a recurring character in a series, obviously, you don't need to do this since the reader will already know that she's 'Hell-on-wheels'. Since the story is being presented on its own, I just thought that it would've helped.
Rob
Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore
www.geocities.com/robmancebo/ |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 7/24/2005 7:56 PM | I rather liked Lucella's quick dispatching of the fellow, in contrast to his sneering dismissal of her as a foe. The temptation to follow it up with a line of snappy dialogue probably was great, but I think it was wise to resist it in this case. A witty rejoinder was the expected thing, probably, in many readers' minds, and -- to me, at least -- I always find it refreshing when a storyteller has me expecting something along one line, then does something else.
Of course, if a writer has an absolutely fantastic rejoinder, then it's time to toss it in there!
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble |
| Posted By : Storn - 7/25/2005 3:26 AM | quote:
Originally posted by erazmus
Storn,
gee I expected you to jump on the undercover as a dancing girl theme . . .[:D]
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com
Susanne, my girlfriend, frowns on me jumping on other dancing girls... undercover or not.
I liked the suddeness of the Lucella's dispatching of Philon too. Just thought I would toss me 2 cents in.
quote:
Still cool stuff but you have to strain out Hollywood.
Hollywood? In my mind, it is the Japanese storytellers that have to take most of the blame. Just watched Red Shadow (based on long time running ninja TV show of the 70s starring Sonny Chiba) and Azumi. Red Shadow was played for laughs... and it was goofy fun... sorta what we talked about... ninjas as comedy can work still. Yet it still strived for poigniant moments of "why do we kill", "whom do we serve", "why are our friends getting wiped out?"
Azumi is pretty serious storyline, yet the over-the-topness of the villains and what not, ruined a really intense plot. The beginning of Azumi is freakin' brutal. But it loses that focus as it moves along.
I would take ninjas seriously again in the hands of Sam Peckinbaugh... but alas, it would take the evil ninja magiks I know to ressurect him.... and lately, I have't been getting the green light from the studio.
Visual Storytelling
http://www.stornc.rpggallery.com/ |
| Posted By : John Hocking - 7/25/2005 3:32 AM | Aw guys.
Lucella DOES deliver a rejoinder, even if it's more cruel than snappy.
Philon says, "I will cut you down, Lucella."
Then she sticks her sword through his neck, smiles into his stricken face, and says, "Not quite, Philon."
Check how many times in the course of the tale Philon uses the phrase, "Not quite."
He's supposed to use it often enough to make him sound like a pretty annoying guy.
Guess I should have had him say it a few more times. |
| Posted By : Rob Mancebo - 7/25/2005 6:26 AM | quote:
I would take ninjas seriously again in the hands of Sam Peckinbaugh... but alas, it would take the evil ninja magiks I know to ressurect him.... and lately, I have't been getting the green light from the studio.
Visual Storytelling
- No you would not. You might enjoy them as media icons. But if you DO want to take them seriously, find a Bujinkan dojo near by and show up to train with them. (Most Japanese don't even know that there are still real Ninjas living and training in Japan.)
- Now all the 'Evil Ninja Magic' tends to be hidden until higher belt levels in the booj. If you want to learn about that, find a Hoshinjutsu dojo and/or read Dr. Morris' book (Since he's been honored with a teaching certificate by Hatsumi, you can expect that his esoteric techniques pretty well mirror those of Bujinkan.)
- Ninjas in Japanese media are used about like Cowboys in American media. It doesn't matter that no one in the mid 1800s wore sequined shirts, they looked really cool on Roy Rogers in the mid 1900s on Movies & TV so, what the heck, why not? It wasn't reality it was just entertainment.
Rob
Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore
www.geocities.com/robmancebo/ |
| Posted By : Rob Mancebo - 7/25/2005 6:35 AM | quote:
Originally posted by John Hocking
Aw guys.
Lucella DOES deliver a rejoinder, even if it's more cruel than snappy.
//He's supposed to use it often enough to make him sound like a pretty annoying guy.
Guess I should have had him say it a few more times.
Sorry, I missed it. It's tough to insert something like that in a way people will notice yet not 'spoon-feed' it to them.
Did anyone else catch it??? (Maybe some others did.)
Rob
Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore
www.geocities.com/robmancebo/ |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 7/25/2005 9:00 AM | John: Please forgive my poor memory. I did note the "not quite" at the time, but did not remember it when I jumped in with my two cents about snappy rejoinders.
Please attribute that to the fact that I read your story first -- as soon as Issue 3 went up! -- and so it's been a while, and an old guy's memory gets hazy. And I read yours first because I knew I'd like it.
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble |
| Posted By : Buxom Slayer - 7/25/2005 4:27 PM | quote:
Originally posted by bdurham
..Buxom Slayer (Slayer??? I won't ask what you slay them with [:D] )..
why, with my very big natural charms ofcourse..
..well i've never had any complaints so far..[;)]
----
u earned my praise with your hard work + good ideas. thanks.
i want the writers + editors to know my own high standards of what i like in swords+sorcery tales. i want the stories [ to be like yours + Werners + Hockings] to have high impact excitement + /or supernatural surprises. + i dont want em to lie 'whimpering in a corner' like some of the poor ones.
my review of 'The Covenant' was too harsh maybe, but was my honest reaction to the limp story. but i do try to give credit to the writers ability, even if i dislike that story. i said it was "a very short but well written piece".
--
i must go + try on my new swinging 'slay-bells'..[ for whom doth the bell toll for next..?!][:D]
cheers *** [:)]
|
| Posted By : Buxom Slayer - 7/25/2005 4:50 PM | quote:
Originally posted by jonesha
Dear Buxom, Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy those four. Many people have gone out of their way to praise some of those stories you disliked. Also, as to End of Duty, please recall that, in addition to sword and sorcery, Flashing Swords is intended to feature swashbuckling historicals as well as sword and planet. You'll be seeing some more action-oriented swashbucklers in this e-zine's pages. In any case, I hope you'll stick with us. Issue 4 is a fine, fine read! best wishes,Howard.
thanks for the nice welcome.[:)]
i mistakenly thought that flashing swords was an S+S e-zine. silly me?!?[:D]
a website mainly promoting S+S should not be wasting time + space on lots of other genres?
i like lots of different genres but it is S+S that needs reviving, not 'the 7-armed yellow gatling-gunners from the planet Yog-splad-ooosha' ?!? [ still, do ya think it might get accepted by the ed' if i enclosed some fresh delirium root with my story?! ][:D]
--
if u must insist on 'swashing your buckle'..i do like bloody pirate tales..
come on guys + sing along now.."15 men on a big girls chest, yo-ho-ho + a bucket of rum.."
..[ i cant remember the rest? can anyone help out a drunken singing buxom pirate?!][;)]
|
| Posted By : Jay Stevol - 7/25/2005 6:07 PM | | I don't feel that FS is branching out into different genres at the expense of 'real S&S'. The three genres that FS asks for in the submission guidelines are all variations on the same theme anyway. I agree that there needs to be a strict limit as to what counts as S&S, S&P, and SBH, but so far I feel that Howard has provided some excellent examples of the type. Muskets and rapiers have just as much a place in FS as crossbows and claymores, IMO, provided the tales stay exciting and keep my pulse racing. |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/25/2005 6:36 PM | Buxom,
I'd second what Jay said and go a step farther. Flashing swords is not branching out so much as its returning to the roots of S&S. Robert E. Howard may be the seminal writer of S&S but he was working from, and in, the larger field of adventure fiction. He was influenced by ninteenth century popular writers such as Dumas and Scott, and more directly by H. Rider Haggard, Edgar Rice Burroughs and his contemporaries. Along with Conan, Kull and Solomon Kane he wrote historical adventure fiction, as well as fight stories and westerns. If Flashing Swords is to accomplish what(our) Howard has set out to do its going to have to use the entire base of support that S&S started with. Thats Adventure and Blue Book and the Pall Mall Gazzett as well as Weird Tales and Unknown.
Their are a lot of sub-sub genres and cousins to S&S out there and personally I'd like to see good examples of all of them find a home. Lost World Tales, Sword and Planet adventures, Swash Buckling Adventure stories. anywhere that the action is intense, the story riveting, thats a good place to put your magazine, and I think Howard has done quite well.
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Buxom Slayer - 7/25/2005 7:57 PM | TO THE EDITOR..
in future can u please clearly label each story [ after the title] as being..
S+S, or..
S+P,
SBH,
or even SSS ?
this would be most helpful so i can read the S+S 1st, + maybe try the rest later?
thankyou. [:)]
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| Posted By : erazmus - 7/25/2005 8:06 PM | Perhaps an icon of some sort?
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Storn - 7/26/2005 2:05 AM | quote:
Originally posted by Buxom Slayer
TO THE EDITOR..
in future can u please clearly label each story [ after the title] as being..
S+S, or..
S+P,
SBH,
or even SSS ?
this would be most helpful so i can read the S+S 1st, + maybe try the rest later?
thankyou. [:)]
I, for one, do not want labels. I trust the editors to find stories that fit in the ballpark... and ballpark is close enough for me. To be honest, Buxom, I find your definitions too narrow. You are willing to accept rousing pirate tales, but reject any fantasy with a musket in it? That seems to be nitpicky.
The recent review on Sword and Sorcery, of Jack Vance's Dragon Riders has aliens, slaves, spaceships and muskets... yet still seems to be FIRMLY in the realm of adventure, fantasy literature.
As what you read first... that is what the blurb is for. If you don't like what you read within the first page, no one is holding a musket to your head making you finish.
Visual Storytelling
http://www.stornc.rpggallery.com/ |
| Posted By : Supr - 7/26/2005 6:49 AM | quote:
Originally posted by Storn
quote:
Originally posted by Buxom Slayer
TO THE EDITOR..
in future can u please clearly label each story [ after the title] as being..
S+S, or..
S+P,
SBH,
or even SSS ?
this would be most helpful so i can read the S+S 1st, + maybe try the rest later?
thankyou. [:)]
I, for one, do not want labels. I trust the editors to find stories that fit in the ballpark... and ballpark is close enough for me. To be honest, Buxom, I find your definitions too narrow. You are willing to accept rousing pirate tales, but reject any fantasy with a musket in it? That seems to be nitpicky.
The recent review on Sword and Sorcery, of Jack Vance's Dragon Riders has aliens, slaves, spaceships and muskets... yet still seems to be FIRMLY in the realm of adventure, fantasy literature.
As what you read first... that is what the blurb is for. If you don't like what you read within the first page, no one is holding a musket to your head making you finish.
I'm S&S purist and have nothing against labels. All I can tell that writing stories about steel and magic is damned harder than writing stories with help of gunpowder and muskets.
I wanna the good old S&S stilisation!
But I have nothing against pirate stories written like Captain Blood by R. Sabatini.
|
| Posted By : jonesha - 7/26/2005 7:04 AM | I can see Buxom's point. I think labeling is going to far, but in the future I'll certainly indicate whether or not a piece is a "historical" one or a sword and planet (to date I've only accepted one sword and planet tale and, if memory serves, have only really received one as well) in the editorial preamble to each story. Although in this case even that was tricky. This was set in Joe's ongoing cycle of Stevan the Targeteer, set on an alternate Earth where you'll find both magic AND supernatural beasties. This particular Stevan story just didn't happen to have any.
best,
Howard
Managing Editor
www.swordandsorcery.org
Flashing Swords E-Zine |
| Posted By : Daniel - 7/26/2005 7:18 AM | to date I've only accepted one sword and planet tale and, if memory serves, have only really received one as well)
***
That's too bad. I love Sword and Planet and was hoping some good stories would show up at FS. I'm open to these kind of stories as submissions to Prism Quarterly as well.
http://www.pitchblackbooks.com/SFsubguide.htm
Daniel
www.pitchblackbooks.com |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/26/2005 7:32 AM | Take note fellows, Howard's not seeing much Sword and Planet stories. There's one way to stand out. [;)]
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Bruce Durham - 7/26/2005 12:18 PM | quote:
Originally posted by Daniel
to date I've only accepted one sword and planet tale and, if memory serves, have only really received one as well)
***
That's too bad. I love Sword and Planet and was hoping some good stories would show up at FS. I'm open to these kind of stories as submissions to Prism Quarterly as well.
http://www.pitchblackbooks.com/SFsubguide.htm
Daniel
www.pitchblackbooks.com
Great! I have this really keen idea about a guy I'll call Carter, who ends up on Mars and meets a really gorgeous princess who has been hatched from an egg and yet has a navel... [:)]
-------------------------
Admin: Community Forums for the Official Site of Conan the Barbarian
Contributing Editor for Flashing Swords. The leading edge in fantasy: Guaranteed Oprah Free!
Moderator for Paradox Interactive Games AAR and Fanfiction Forums
|
| Posted By : PaulMc - 7/26/2005 12:22 PM | quote:
Great! I have this really keen idea about a guy I'll call Carter, who ends up on Mars and meets a really gorgeous princess who has been hatched from an egg and yet has a navel... [:)]
Worked for John Norman [:p]
-- Paul McNamee
http://writer.paulmcnamee.net
http://www.dorancoyle.net |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/26/2005 1:01 PM | And Don Ayers plus a lot of fellows nobody's ever heard of.[:p]
But why not Sword and Planet? anyone perverse or independant enough to be writing S&S instead of . . .what the heck-ever we call that mainstream fantasy stuff that I don't like around here, should be off the wall enough to enjoy S&P and the challenge of making it work.
And it definatly has its own challenges and its own charm. I think I'd try a beautiful woman transported to a world of hunky, egg grown naveless guys who find her's endlessly fascinating or of religious or mystical significance. Give her a gravity derived advantage in strength and speed but a woefully inadequet understanding of political and social dynamics and turn her loose. Done straight it would be fun, done with tongue in cheek and it'd bee hilarious, better than _Bill the Galactic Hero_ and I could sell it on that basis, I'm sure.
Anyone want to collaberate?
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 7/26/2005 1:32 PM | quote:
Anyone want to collaberate?
Sure, if I get to run the spellcheck [:)]
Faust-- How comes it then that thou art out of hell? Mephistophilis-- Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/26/2005 1:40 PM | Michael,
You may have noticed, I never spell check my posts. I assure you I do let spell chucker crunch its way through my stories. I'm a self taught typist and I use the web boards as a place to work on my typing, which basically sucks. I also employ a variety of proof readers who save me from many errors.
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : MichaelEhart - 7/26/2005 1:48 PM | I challenge you to a bad typing duel!
One of life's weird ironies was that a few years back I was assigned to teach an advanced keyboarding class.
I handed out lots of assignments, and ducked the issue of my miserable keyboarding skills.
And as far as spelling is concerned, I am of the Oxfordian Shakespeare School of Manditory Optional Letter Order.
God Bless Bill gates and Spell Check!
Faust-- How comes it then that thou art out of hell? Mephistophilis-- Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. |
| Posted By : Jay Stevol - 7/26/2005 3:40 PM | quote:
Originally posted by Supr
quote:
Originally posted by Storn
I, for one, do not want labels. I trust the editors to find stories that fit in the ballpark... and ballpark is close enough for me. To be honest, Buxom, I find your definitions too narrow. You are willing to accept rousing pirate tales, but reject any fantasy with a musket in it? That seems to be nitpicky.
The recent review on Sword and Sorcery, of Jack Vance's Dragon Riders has aliens, slaves, spaceships and muskets... yet still seems to be FIRMLY in the realm of adventure, fantasy literature.
As what you read first... that is what the blurb is for. If you don't like what you read within the first page, no one is holding a musket to your head making you finish.
I'm S&S purist and have nothing against labels. All I can tell that writing stories about steel and magic is damned harder than writing stories with help of gunpowder and muskets.
I wanna the good old S&S stilisation!
But I have nothing against pirate stories written like Captain Blood by R. Sabatini.
This confuses me, somewhat. From my perspective, the 'old S&S' was categorized more by its style, plotting, and characterization than by the weapons that the protagonist happened to be proficient in. Remember, the term 'Swords and Sorcery' was not coined until much later. I enjoy Solomon Kane and consider it just as much a part of the S&S tradition as Conan or Kull, despite the fact that the hero is a Puritan gunslinger in 16th century England. Why do I like it? Because the hero is tough no nonsense, the settings are exotic, the pace is heartstopping, the sorceries are mysterious, and the stories are gripping and vivid. Isn't this what Flashing Swords is about?
Still, if labels are what people want, then I don't see any reason not to have them. Forgive me if I don't see the relevance in a bowman over a musketeer or a catapult over a cannon. |
| Posted By : Rob Mancebo - 7/26/2005 5:16 PM | quote:
Originally posted by erazmus
Done straight it would be fun, done with tongue in cheek and it'd bee hilarious, better than _Bill the Galactic Hero_ and I could sell it on that basis, I'm sure.
Anyone want to collaberate?
Mike
Joel Jenkins did it straight. It was released this year. It's not a copy of Burroughs but a little more updated version of a Mars 40,000 years ago. Lots of fun for those of us who like Sword & Planet.
Rob
Dire Planet
$15.95
Marooned on Mars, U.S. astronaut Garvey Dire limps for safety from the scathing sand-storm even while his oxygen supply runs low. What he finds is not only evidence of an ancient civilization, but he is catapulted into the past and finds himself fighting not only for his own survival, but for the survival of his home planet in another place and another time!
"Joel Jenkins' Martian epic, Dire Planet: If high adventure and deeply realized alien cultures with lots of beautiful warrior women are your bag, you owe it to yourself to check this sucker out..." -Russ Anderson, author of Mythworld
Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore
www.geocities.com/robmancebo/ |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/26/2005 6:08 PM | That echo's Brachetts "Sword of Rhiannon". Which ain't a bad thing to echo.
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Buxom Slayer - 7/26/2005 8:01 PM | quote:
Originally posted by jonesha
I can see Buxom's point. I think labeling is going to far, but in the future I'll certainly indicate whether or not a piece is a "historical" one or a sword and planet.
thank u so much. that will be fine + most helpful.
big buxom best wishes from me *** [:)]
[ S+S RULES ! + i mean swords + bows + sorcery/magic + monsters..please? ][8D]
|
| Posted By : Rob Mancebo - 7/27/2005 9:01 AM | quote:
I'm S&S purist and have nothing against labels. All I can tell that writing stories about steel and magic is damned harder than writing stories with help of gunpowder and muskets.
Nawww. Same- same- Especially when mixed. Remember, for centuries guns gave a man one shot then it was clubs, swords, and knives just like traditional S&S. If you want a straight-out sword duel, set it on a damp day. Damp powder is just mud.
// Many things happened at once. Several other guns were discharged from the forest around them scorching the night air with billowing sparks and blossoms of flame, and a number of the Hungarian troops fell dead or screaming. The dark man dropped his pistol and drew a saber. His left hand released Zsuzanna and handed her another long pistol from under his cloak. This done he fell to with the sergeant.
In less than a moment the fire-lit glade was a slashing, hacking flurry of men. The outcome was decided in the first few moments. The force of terror was with the black draped men who rushed from the forest shadows like ghouls. They were flailing, slashing, razor edged dervishes who scattered men’s blood wherever they passed. The Hungarian troops stood for only long enough to see their number reduced by two thirds and then, the survivors broke and ran screaming into the night.
“Bah!” One of the men in black wiped his blade upon the long coattails of a fallen soldier. “Sheep! Nothing but sheep!”
“Ten years is a long time,” one of the other figures agreed, “but I did not think that things would’ve changed this much. Whole towns butchered by the Turk, half the population of Transylvania rotting in shallow graves, the whole of Hungary hiding within fortified towns. Now we find soldiers chasing down what few people are left with a hangman’s rope! Who do these pox-eaten dogs think will be left to work the land?”
“It’s been too long for me to remember what Hungary should be like, my friends.” The first of the black dressed men negligently broke off the arrow that protruded from his chest. He sheathed his sword without cleaning the blade and turned back to where Zsuzanna stood with the pistol held out before her in an unfamiliar manner.
“It’s cold girl.” He dropped his heavy cloak with a pull and a shrug and wrapped it about her shoulders. The cloak was unbelievably warm and made her realize how cold the Carpathian night air truly was. The act also uncovered his shoulders to display the shine of a polished steel breastplate that had caught the archer’s arrow. Breastplate and mail, engraved pistols and a gilt worked saber. This was no common soldier.
(from Storm of Crows 1610)
Rob
Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore
www.geocities.com/robmancebo/ |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 7/27/2005 9:20 AM | Rob: I followed your link ... interesting web site! I'm going to get to your fiction once things settle down for me. I read enough to know I want to read more. I was wondering, too, who produced the art on your web site? It's a bold style, very cool. I especially like the image with Storm of Crows.
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble |
| Posted By : Supr - 7/27/2005 9:42 AM | | I'm missing the good old times when knights took the crossbows for unhonourable weapons. |
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/27/2005 10:55 AM | quote:
Originally posted by Supr
I'm missing the good old times when knights took the crossbows for unhonourable weapons.
And let their men-at-arms use them on their behalf?
Mike
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Supr - 7/27/2005 11:49 AM | quote:
Originally posted by erazmus
quote:
Originally posted by Supr
I'm missing the good old times when knights took the crossbows for unhonourable weapons.
And let their men-at-arms use them on their behalf?
Mike
Alas there were always intrigues... like there were one shot muskets and multi shot muskets. |
| Posted By : ChristopherS - 7/27/2005 2:01 PM | After I wrote "The Covenant" I decided to write another tale about the Crusader (this is the only character I've written about more than once). I decided I wanted to play with the conventions a little so I put him in a world of swords and sorcery and crossbows and muskets and cannons. Then I gave him the first revolver pistol. Did it work? Well, it did for me and it became my second sale. Since then I've written two more adventures with him and now I'm playing with an idea for a possible novella with him. Will it work? Maybe... :)
Chris
www.zumayapublications.com |
| Posted By : ChristopherS - 7/27/2005 2:01 PM | | oops ... I hit the button twice[:I] |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 7/27/2005 2:44 PM | Christopher ... glad to hear there will be more Crusader tales forthcoming. Hope they all find an appreciative editor.
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble |
| Posted By : Rob Mancebo - 7/28/2005 2:01 AM | quote:
Originally posted by Red Viper
Rob: I followed your link ... interesting web site! I'm going to get to your fiction once things settle down for me. I read enough to know I want to read more. I was wondering, too, who produced the art on your web site? It's a bold style, very cool. I especially like the image with Storm of Crows.
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble
Thanks!
All the art was done by Noel, his link is in my 'Links' area for those interested. For the 'Storm of Crows' illo I supplied him with copies of historical woodcuts of the the armor, weapons, uniforms and a couple of diagrams of what the Bathory castle was thought to have looked like when complete. Along with it I sent a quick (horrible!) scetch of what I was interested in. He's very fast and very reasonable.
Rob
Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore
www.geocities.com/robmancebo/ |
| Posted By : Rob Mancebo - 7/28/2005 2:21 AM | quote:
Originally posted by Supr
I'm missing the good old times when knights took the crossbows for unhonourable weapons.
- Yes but even then the Landsknechte and Reislaufer just collected with halberds and 16 foot pikes to knock them off their horses. It was "Against the cavalry- present your pikes!" and that effectively ended the era of knightly supremicy. Pesant pikemen were cheep and easy to train, knights took a lifetime of training and $$$$$ out the wazzoo. A pike cost one gold Florin VS a knight's 3/4 plate at 45 Florins and a war horse that might cost 4 times that! Add weapons, barding, support-- well the faster Emperor Maximilian could replace Imperial Knights with Landsknechte the quicker he was able to expand the 'Holy Roman Empire'.
- Also, pikemen you can send back home to farm until the next battle. Knights always want to be-- well, knights! In peacetime they become a violent nusance to the entire countryside. They're almost as much of a pestilance as the schlactenbumlerin (Camp hures that follow the army and pillage the dead-- and almost dead-- to support themselves.) Some groups should only be released during time of war.
Rob
Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore
www.geocities.com/robmancebo/ |
| Posted By : Bruce Durham - 7/28/2005 8:09 AM | quote:
Originally posted by Supr
I'm missing the good old times when knights took the crossbows for unhonourable weapons.
Not to mention a crossbowman's hands. [:0]
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Mancebo
- Yes but even then the Landsknechte and Reislaufer just collected with halberds and 16 foot pikes to knock them off their horses. It was "Against the cavalry- present your pikes!" and that effectively ended the era of knightly supremicy. Pesant pikemen were cheep and easy to train, knights took a lifetime of training and $$$$$ out the wazzoo. A pike cost one gold Florin VS a knight's 3/4 plate at 45 Florins and a war horse that might cost 4 times that! Add weapons, barding, support-- well the faster Emperor Maximilian could replace Imperial Knights with Landsknechte the quicker he was able to expand the 'Holy Roman Empire'.
- Also, pikemen you can send back home to farm until the next battle. Knights always want to be-- well, knights! In peacetime they become a violent nusance to the entire countryside. They're almost as much of a pestilance as the schlactenbumlerin (Camp hures that follow the army and pillage the dead-- and almost dead-- to support themselves.) Some groups should only be released during time of war.
Rob
Adventure-History-Fantasy-Folklore
www.geocities.com/robmancebo/
However, Landsknechte, the Swiss and any others who became mercenaries, especially in Italy, proved to be far more dangerous and destructive (especially in peacetime) than any wayward knight. [:)]
Cheers,
Bruce
-------------------------
Admin: Community Forums for the Official Site of Conan the Barbarian
Contributing Editor for Flashing Swords. The leading edge in fantasy: Guaranteed Oprah Free!
Moderator for Paradox Interactive Games AAR and Fanfiction Forums
|
| Posted By : erazmus - 7/28/2005 8:15 AM | That depends on your definition of "Peace Time". An army of unemployed or under utilised mercinaries, like a horde of displaced step dwellers in your country, usually means it isn't peace time. Best idea is to hire them to attack a neighbor, just to keep them out of the crops.
Mike
quote:
Originally posted by bdurham
However, Landsknechte, the Swiss and any others who became mercenaries, especially in Italy, proved to be far more dangerous and destructive (especially in peacetime) than any wayward knight. [:)]
Cheers,
Bruce
-------------------------
Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com |
| Posted By : Bruce Durham - 7/28/2005 11:15 AM | So long as there's an enemy to fight. Walter of Montreal (not the Canadian Montreal), took his 8,000 condottieri on a tour of Italy extorting florins from places like Rimini, Siena, Florence and Pisa before being arrested in Rome and beheaded. Some Dukes got in the habit of paying a merc army almost as much in peacetime as in war just so they wouldn't pillage the locals. That is, unless a person like Duke Visconti could convince a condottieri like the famed Honeyed Cat to live off the land in neighbouring Padua. The Hawkwoods and the Colleones were rare for their loyalty. [:)]
-------------------------
Admin: Community Forums for the Official Site of Conan the Barbarian
Contributing Editor for Flashing Swords. The leading edge in fantasy: Guaranteed Oprah Free!
Moderator for Paradox Interactive Games AAR and Fanfiction Forums
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