SEX!!! Everyone loves to think about it, and everyone is afraid to talk about it. So, as Salt-N-Pepa famously put it, "let's talk about sex babeee, let's talk about you and me, let's talk about sex." Sex has been a part of literature since the first cuneiform tablets were baked by the Sumerians, and yet... Continue Reading →
The Magiq of Aenya Production Diary #5
THE BOOK IS DONE!!! Break out the champagne, folks! Cue the fireworks, drop the confetti . . . After three and a half years, I have finally completed (a draft) of my fourth Aenya book, The Magiq of Aenya. OK, to be fair, this celebration comes with a few caveats. First and foremost, the book's... Continue Reading →
Fyodor Dostoevsky: Greatest of All Time?
Is Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821—1881) the greatest author of all time? I think the answer to that may quite possibly be yes. It puts you in mind of some frail and sickly girl you sometimes note with pity, even a sort of compassionate love-and at others simply fail to notice at all, who suddenly, in an... Continue Reading →
The Intersection of Science and Fantasy: King, Sagan, and Dunsany
I have this crazy idea. I want to get Stephen King, Carl Sagan, and Lord Dunsany (Edward Plunkett) in a room together ... At first glance, these writers could NOT be further apart in terms of tone and subject matter. One of the books I am reviewing for this post isn't even fiction. But as... Continue Reading →
A Master of his Craft: King and Shawshank Redemption
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption proves why King is a master storyteller. This novella is a masterclass in storytelling technique, demonstrating flawless pacing, excellent use of dialogue, and natural character development. While King can be overly descriptive in his other works, he shows remarkable restraint here, stripping everything from the writing but the bare essentials.... Continue Reading →
How AI is Creating New Scams for Writers
I have been at this forever, it seems. I began my storytelling journey 44 years ago, after turning six --- and in 2010, fifteen years ago, I started this blog. My goal was to promote my work, encourage aspiring authors to succeed in this ever-changing literary landscape, and share with readers my love for books... Continue Reading →
The Magiq of Aenya Production Diary #4
I am hammering out the details on the last chapter of my latest book (42 of 42), which currently stands at 165k words. While it's a bit dense for a YA debut novel, stories are organic things with a life all their own, and often go places I don't intend. I hope, however, my future... Continue Reading →
The Buried Giant: Ishiguro’s Fantasy Masterpiece
This is my third review of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, and I have to admit, he's done it again! The Buried Giant is a superb fantasy tale told in a way only Ishiguro can. Very reminiscent of the fairy tales of yore, the book reminded me of my favorite fantasy classics, including The Last... Continue Reading →
Why Jeff VanderMeer is Lovecraft’s True Successor
In glimmers, in shreds of thought, in the aftermath of my reading, I wondered if he kept a journal still, or if the dolphin's eye had been familiar for a reason other than that it was so human. But soon enough I banished this nonsense; some questions will ruin you if you are denied the... Continue Reading →
The Lies of Locke Lamora Review
Scott Lynch is a talented wordsmith. His writing is exceptionally vivid, which he uses to significant effect in his debut novel, The Lies of Locke Lamora. That being said, his characters lack depth, and the plot takes a while to get going, and when it does, it is relatively straightforward. The Lies of Lock Lamora... Continue Reading →

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