12/30/2009

News for December 30th, 2009

Ken Pick says: "Kill 23", first of my "Khrysha the Hangvixen" stories (circa 1992)
has been podcast-published by the small-press podcaster
"Anthrodreams". Here's a link to the (very short) "audiobook" version:
http://www.anthrodreams.com/wordpress/2009/12/18/ad-016-kill-23/
Additionally, "Kill 23" and its aftermath are alluded to in the
novella "Dyads", appearing this spring in Infinite Space, Infinite God II.

The Coalition of Christian Indy Presses is a new venture set up by C. Maggie Woychik of Port Yonder Press, to bring together small business owners and keep each other updated on progress. Many of these presses involve speculative fiction. You can find out more at http://portyonderpress.com/CCIP.aspx.

December 31st is the final day for voting in the final round of Marcher Lord Select. Come on over to the Anomaly and help choose what gets published next! The excitement of the past few months is now coming to a head, and you can be part of it too. The final poll is located here: http://wherethemapends.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=mlpselect - look for Phase 4.

12/28/2009

Call for Submissions: Short Stories

Port Yonder Press is currently seeking submissions for the following Anthologies:

SeaBeast Anthology: Tales from the Deepest Seas, Volume 1
What happens during a modern day meeting with the Loch Ness monster – are there survivors – and what does the "creature" really look like? A ship carries a secret cargo but is waylaid by a beastly storm on the Bay of Fundy – the year -- ?? A crew of scientists is sent to explore the treacherous waters near the North Pole – but what they didn’t reckon on was...pirates...and an iceberg of unparalleled proportions!

SeaBeast Anthology: Elves, Volume 1
For the purpose of this collection, focus on elves in the vein of those on LOTR, more skillful and long-lived than magical (though a few light "powers" are welcome; this is fantasy, after all). Bring us a story of elves in a kingdom of their own but contained within the world of man. Will the two worlds interact? That depends on you, the author. Will we see a war between good and bad elves? Maybe. Will your elves have a language of their own? What drama can you bring into their lives? Will they fall in love? Will you choose a timeline distinct from ours?

SeaBeast Anthology: Dragons, Volume 1
All about DRAGONS! We're looking for the imaginative, the amazing, the true or the made-up, stories of gentle or warlike dragons, etc., etc. Do you have a sustained epic dragon poem? We would consider that, as well, but the poetry must either rhyme well or be a great piece of free verse or blank verse.

For more information, visit the Submissions page at Port Yonder Press.

12/25/2009

DRY ICE DREAMS and The Macro Mechanic's Manifesto by A.P. Fuchs

Dry Ice Dreams, the first book/issue of the bookazine series, Bumper Sticker Shine, by A.P. Fuchs is now available at the following on-line retailers:

Paperback:

Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1926712315/themaniworlof-20Amazon.ca - http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1926712315/theoffisiteof-20
Amazon.co.uk - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1926712315?ie=UTF8&tag=thofsiofauapf-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1926712315
Other On-line Retailers - http://www.bestwebbuys.com/9781926712314

eBook:

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002YCXFJA/themaniworlof-20
Drivethruhorror.com - http://horror.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=65812&affiliate_id=79491
Mobipocket - http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=245467

Synopsis:

Mined from independent publisher and writer A.P. Fuchs's archives comes a collection of horror fiction, essays on independent publishing, poetry, self-publishing questions, a new 21-page comic written just for this book, and more.

Not only will you be entertained, but if you've ever considered independent publishing but didn't know what to make of it or how to go about it, Dry Ice Dreams contains insights from the man who made a career out of it.

A must-have book for anyone who wanted to get a glimpse into the world of a do-it-yourselfer but wasn't sure where to look.

The last Coscom Entertainment release: Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers - http://www.coscomentertainment.com/robinhoodzombies.html

For our full list of books, please see: http://www.coscomentertainment.com

The Macro Mechanic's Manifesto, the second book/issue of the bookazine series, Bumper Sticker Shine, by A.P. Fuchs is now available at the following on-line retailers:

Paperback:

Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1926712331/themaniworlof-20
Amazon.ca - http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1926712331/theoffisiteof-20
Amazon.co.uk - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1926712331?ie=UTF8&tag=thofsiofauapf-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1926712331
Other On-line Retailers - http://www.bestwebbuys.com/9781926712338

eBook:

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002ZP8KMS/themaniworlof-20
Drivethruhorror.com - http://horror.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=65944&affiliate_id=79491
Mobipocket - http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=249784

Synopsis:

The Macro Mechanic's Manifesto takes you deep into the world of independent publishing with essays pulled from A.P. Fuchs's archives, along with horror fiction, a superhero tale, poetry, photos, a self-publishing Q&A and more.

This collection takes a look at the ups and downs of trying to make it in publishing on your own terms and the mentality needed to see it through.

Part motivation, part inspiration, and all entertainment, The Macro Mechanic's Manifesto will once more open your eyes to doing things yourself in the crazy world of book publishing.

12/23/2009

More Residential Aliens News

Our Christmas fiction includes a debut-to-this-zine author, Francis W. Alexander. His story, appropriately named, is “The Debut” and is a whimsical holiday fantasy. If you’ve ever wondered how Santa can be everywhere at once, wonder no further! A second seasonal piece is Nick Ozment’s sentimental fable, “The Little Star.” This story was originally posted at the old site, but it’s worth migrating to a new home for your enjoyment (again).

Another debut author here at ResAliens is Angie Lofthouse. She brings us “Highway Songs,” a spiritual fantasy with a future yet ancient Aztec setting (with threads of the Mayan calendar-ending mythology woven throughout). Pleasantly different than anything we’ve published here.

Rounding out the issue are two return authors. Michael W. Garza presents us with another science fiction mystery, “Red Horizon” (his previous entry was September’s “Return to Sender“). And Stoney M. Setzer gives us a Twilight Zone inspired supernatural thriller, “We Serve All Kinds Here.” Look for Stoney’s collection of short fiction from ResAliens Press to arrive in mid-February, 2010, btw. It will be our first release of a single author’s stories and we’re excited. Another debut! Fits the theme this month.

As always, thanks for reading. And Merry Christmas!
Your Fellow Alien, Lyn

PS The ToC cover art icon is “Christmas Under Saturn” by Max V. Nimos, whose featured artist interview is still at the old site (Dec 2007). Check it out.

www.ResAliens.com


Announcing a new collection of stories from ResAliens Press!

Arriving May, 2010…
While the Morning Stars Sing
An Anthology of Spiritually Infused Speculative Fiction

About the Project

  • 20 to 25 stories, between 1500 and 6000 words each
  • 80,000 to 100,000 words, an anthology of about 250 pages
  • Submission window open now through January 31, 2010
  • Reading period for all submissions will occur Feb, 2010
  • Acceptance/declination notices sent by March 1, 2010
  • Publication date May, 2010

What We Offer

  • $5.00 per story, payable in February, 2010
  • One contributor copy mailed the month of publication
  • Complimentary ad space for your book/project, if applicable
  • Opportunity to obtain additional copies of the anthology for the cost of production plus shipping

What We Want

  • Stories from 1500 to 6000 words (query if longer)
  • All varieties or subgenres of speculative fiction
  • One-time rights for original, unpublished stories
  • Reprints a possibility, please query first
  • Simultaneous submissions okay, please indicate if it is
  • Multiple submissions okay, up to 3 stories maximum
  • Stories that range from G to PGish and include a spiritual element that is naturally integrated into the plot and/or personality of the characters

In other words, we’re looking for good stories that treat matters of faith as normal and integral to the characters, setting, and/or storyline. We are not looking for specifically religious tales, although we’re open to them (but please see “what we don’t want” below).

Why? A segment of speculative fiction is antagonistic to faith. Or, otherwise good stories are gratuitously sexual or violent. We want to offer an alternative – sophisticated stories aimed at adults which are truthful to the human experience yet touch on things eternal.

For Example
IMPORTANT: Please read the following stories so you know the heart and variety of what we’re looking for.

For more information, click here to go to the submissions page.

12/22/2009

News for December 22nd, 2009

Rick Copple says: I decided to give my readers a Christmas gift--a story!
I just wrote a Christmas story in the Realities' world, set
before Sisko left Raul for his journeys, when he and Josh had adventures
of their own.
In this one, Sisko discovers what you get when you mix an ogre and
Christmas together. To find out yourself, you'll have to read on.
http://blog.rlcopple.com/?p=174
Enjoy, and have a great Christmas.


At TitleTrakk.com, check out this new review of

Burn by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
Reviewed by Karri Compton
"
...better than Kiss by leaps and bounds..."

12/21/2009

Guild Member Spotlight: Malcolm Cowen

Malcolm Cowen
1 wife, 3 sons, 3 daughters in law (from 30-12-2009), 3 grand-daughters, 1 grandson, 1 stroppy cat. (the hairy dog and the psychotic cat both recently RIP )
When did you join the LGG? How did you make the connection?
Found it by internet search, can’t remember when, perhaps a year or so ago.

What's the first thing you remember that happened in the Guild?
I lost the link, then the website moved or something. Took me a fortnight to find it again.

Tell us some good things that have transpired from belonging.
The links to useful places, the realization that it's not just me struggling to find outlets.

What's your genre and subgenre? Why do you think that is?
SF - my habitat stories (Golden Age, pref character driven, like John Wyndham), or parallel world - Lady of Foxdale and sequel(s).

I'm not keen on fantasy, the magic too often makes convincing plot conflicts difficult to set up.

Do you like to read the same genre as you write? What other genres interest you? Favourite authors?
Yes, but I also enjoy historical WhoDunIt, Brother Cadfael, Sister Fidelma, M Didius Falco, and so on.

You could argue these have a lot in common with SF. It’s an alien society, just alien in a different way.

Tell us about your published work, and where we can go to find out more.
It started when I was working in Switzerland, and I sent an article in to a trade magazine. They published it, and about 20 others.
Then the internet came along, and the magazine folded because all their advertising income went online.

I wrote a few more stories;

“The Night that is Different” was published by Small Press of Florida,
and another story, “The Agent” got published in translation by a magazine
in Slany in the Czech Republic.

I’ve done a couple of nevels, “Lady of Foxdale” and sequel “Daughter of
the King”, available on
www.e-bshop.co.uk
(and on Readers Eden at
www.readerseden.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=42)

Recently “Conjuction”, was accepted to be published by TeenAge magazine. It's one of a series set in Space Habitats - hollowed out asteroids, as
is the Radio Drama, Sleep of Death, a Habitat WhoDunIt (locked room, 2 bodies, why were the bodies stolen) I’m awaiting confirmation of good
news there.

What are you working on right now? How's progress?
Just submitted 2 radio dramas to BBC The Blitzmädchen (about the German resistance to Hitler) and RTE (a post plague whodunit. There's
only a few hundred people left alive in the country, so who is the strange woman, and who killed her - and why). Right now I’ve got
some software to write to earn some brass to live on, so writing might have to wait a bit.

How has the LGG helped you in your work?
Encouragement, and information. I am not alone.

What are your dreams for the future of Christian speculative fiction, and for yourself within that?
Get Christian writing accepted as a genre worth reading, because of our high quality output, and act as salt in our society. But that
means we must produce the best stuff around, because it’s got to appeal outside the Christian ghetto to people who are currently immersed in a
godless worldview.

Your best writing tip?
Read it out aloud to yourself, ask if the dialogue sounds believable or just twee. Find a loving but ruthless friend to criticise it.

What else are you up to that our readers would find interesting?
Making a living working from home, so is Wife, who teaches over the internet in an online Christian School. Trying to improve my language
skills in German and Welsh.

Something you reckon not many people know about you?
Prosthopagnosia - I can't recognise human faces. Add to this all the various bits of me which got re-arranged, twisted round or generally
mucked up, and my loving family reckon this proves I'm really an alien.

I like writing poetry, (follow "Private Web Links" then 'lyrics' on www.cowensw.com). My English version of
C
âlon Lan has been recorded by male voice choirs, and I occasionally get notification of another performance.

Your website or social media profile?
Is in dire need of overhaul. I'm too busy doing other people's.
www.cowensw.com
(includes writing links) www cowensw.co.uk.

The builder's house is the last one to be fixed - as usual.

12/16/2009

News for December 16th, 2009

A.L. Marquardt says: My novella "A Reason to Hope" was chosen as one of the options for AFCW Book Club of the month selection for March, 2010 . Because I'm so excited, I'm offering my book at a 25% discount HERE. If you'd rather read it now and save a few bucks, a Kindle addition is available as well as other formats through Smashwords. Links to both is included in the page linked above.
I hope you enjoy it enough you'll vote for it, but I also recommend you give the others a try as well.

Grace Bridges says: There's an interview with yours truly about Splashdown Books over at C. Maggie Woychik's blog.


New genre reviews at TitleTrakk:

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson, reviewed by Lori Fox: "I highly recommend it to fans of fantasy, and even to someone who is unfamiliar with fantasy, and needs a good place to start."

Powers by John Olson, reviewed by Jennifer Bogart: "Powers has been widely described in press releases as the "highly-anticipated sequel to Shade”; this is clearly an understatement in my case."

Residential Aliens Announces Print Zine

Subscribe to ResAliens – the Print Zine!
A Bimonthly Publication with the Premier Issue Arriving January 1, 2010!

For US$25, you’ll receive…
+ One year subscription (6 issues) to ResAliens.
+ Every two months, you’ll receive your personal copy in the mail.
+ Each issue will showcase an original color cover with over 60 pages of stories and features.
+ You’ll be introduced to exciting new writers as well as find familiar veterans from a wide variety of speculative genres.

How to Subscribe…
To request a subscription form (send no money now), please email me, Lyn Perry, at lyn @ resaliens.com. Please type SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Not ready to make a commitment? Just buy one copy for now. Individual issues will be available for US$7 at our ResAliens Storefront (http://stores.lulu.com/lynperry).

In the Coming Months…
Issue #1 is ready to launch. In this premier, I am proud to bring together six authors who will pilot us on a science fiction journey to outerspace. You’ll be transported from the asteroid belt in our own solar system to the far reaches of the galaxy and back again. You’ll encounter mystery, miracles, suspense, surprise, and even a bit of humor. Stories by Fred Warren, R. E. Diaz, Patrick G. Cox, Dan Devine, Michael W. Garza, and John Ferrell will start your New Year off right.

Issue #2 is fantasy themed packed with stories from writers like Megan Arkenberg, Alice Roelke, and Erin M. Kinch ready to take the stage. Issue #3 will feature aliens – both the good kind and the, um, not so good kind. Issue #4 feels more slip-stream at the moment, full of modern speculative tales. #5 is dark fantasy. Or #4 might be dark fantasy, who knows? My tachyon signal from the future is intermittent. But you get the idea.

We’re in for a wild ride! Thank you for considering purchasing your round trip ticket “to the seven stars” with ResAliens. May it be one of many adventures we take together.

Your Fellow Alien, Lyn Perry

http://www.resaliens.com/subscriptions/

12/14/2009

Guild Member Spotlight: Mike Lynch

Mike Lynch


When did you join the LGG? How did you make the connection?

I joined up about 3 years ago. Brandon Barr was already a member and suggested I give the group a try. He had nothing but good things to say about everyone, and was right.
What's the first thing you remember that happened in the Guild?

The first thing I remember was how warmly I was welcomed. I am happy to say this hasn't changed.

Tell us some good things that have transpired from belonging.

I feel like I am part of a larger community of Christian writers. As we all know, writing can be a very solitary, discouraging pursuit. The stories we try to write often times do not come out as well as we had hoped, or what we do send to publishers invariably gets rejected. It's hard to put yourself out there day after day, only to have doors repeatedly slammed in your face. Having people there who understand what you are going through and giving you the encouragement you need to press on makes all the difference.

What's your genre and subgenre? Why do you think that is?

The genre I write is science fiction, more specifically, space opera. Growing up, Star Trek and Lost in Space were the shows that I enjoyed watching. I must have absorbed that kind of storytelling, and wrote my first novel in the same vein.

Do you like to read the same genre as you write? What other genres interest you? Favourite authors?

I actually enjoy reading non-fiction a great deal. I get inspired when I read about people who have overcome tremendous odds and done things that have affected the lives of others in positive ways. I don't really have a favorite author. For me, it's the story that counts.

Tell us about your published work, and where we can go to find out more.

I have a non-fiction book published by Arcadia Publishing entitled Dublin (www.arcadiapublishing.com)

My first novel, When the Sky Fell, is published by Silver Leaf Books (www.silverleafbooks.com)

My short story No Revolution is Too Big was published by Ray Gun Revival (http://www.raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1342)

Ray Gun Radio turned No Revolution is Too Big into a fun audio program, which you can listen to at: (http://www.raygunradio.com/podcast/)

Another short story, The Wrong Place at the Right Time, was also published by Ray Gun Revival (http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1572&sid=87ab7498e1bf2b46b9e4c5796af30f95)

Beyond Horizon's Edge can be found at Surprising Stories (http://www.beyondhorizonsedge.blogspot.com/)

My latest short story, A Small Sacrifice, was recently published in Digital Dragon Magazine (http://www.digitaldragonmagazine.net/lynch-smallsacrifice.php)

I've also done a few podcasts for When the Sky Fell --

http://thesnarkyavenger.com/?p=535

http://paeter.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=461948

http://www.aloftstudios.co.uk/cre8iv.html

http://archives.treet.tv/meet-author-mike-lynch

Plus some interviews & reviews

http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/search?q=mike+lynch

http://amydeardon.blogspot.com/2009/06/author-interview-when-sky-fell-by-mike.html

http://amydeardon.blogspot.com/2009/06/author-interview-part-2-when-sky-fell.html

http://www.resaliens.com/2009/07/interviewing-mike-lynch-and-brandon-barr/

http://www.digitaldragonmagazine.net/ambrose-julyreview.php

http://chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/search/label/book%20review

What are you working on right now? How's progress?

Brandon and I are currently working on the Sky sequel. We're about halfway finished with the first draft, though we're taking something of a break for a while. The two of us have been writing pretty much non-stop for the last few years, and are looking to pursue other solo writing projects for the time being before getting back to the sequel.
How has the LGG helped you in your work?

It's always nice to have people to bounce ideas off of, or have them look at some of your work to get some honest feedback. Brandon and I also asked if some the LGG members would be interested in reading our soon to be released next novel, asking them if they would write a review for us. Several people took us up on our offer and wrote some very positive endorsements.
What are your dreams for the future of Christian speculative fiction, and for yourself within that?

One of the reasons I joined the LGG is my firm belief that Christian speculative fiction is a genre that will come into the forefront of publishing sooner or later. There are a lot of writers out there who are creating wonderful stories, but Christian publishers are reluctant to take a chance on them. In order for us to legitimize speculative fiction in the eyes of the publishing world, we need to help one another get books sold. That is truly the bottom line. Success breeds success, and publishers won't take chances on novels if they feel there is a limited audience. But when they see book after book that is speculative nature bringing in strong sales, only then will they fully embrace the genre as we have.

Your best writing tip?

Nothing profound here. Perseverance. You have to keep writing and sending out your stories. The odds of any writer getting published is a 100-1. That is a tough obstacle to overcome. The only way you will ever be among the few who call themselves a published author is to write the best story you possibly can and then send it to every known publisher who might be interested.

What else are you up to that our readers would find interesting?

This is a bit of a departure for me, but I am hoping to start doing research for a non-fiction book I think will be very interesting. I recently met someone at my church who served in the military in the 1970's. It turns out he was assigned presidential protection duty, guarded the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and participated in numerous military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. I've spoken to him a little about this, but the more he says, the more I believe there is an interesting book there.

I have also been in contact with a couple of movie producers who have shown a strong interest in two novels Brandon and I have written. If we could get either one of them made into a movie that would be more than I ever could have hoped for as a writer.

Something you reckon not many people know about you?

When I was in high school I learned how to juggle and ride a unicycle. I pick it up again every now and then, though I don't have any aspirations to join the circus anytime soon. Those clowns are a little creepy.
Your website or social media profile?

If people want to know a little more about me, they can always go to my website: www.mikelynchbooks.com

I also have pages on Shoutlife and Facebook.

12/11/2009

It's Been a Great Year...

The other day I realised that it's been over a year since I restarted this blog. The thought surprised me slightly, as I wasn't sure I'd be able to pull it off. But posting has been regular - or at least semi-regular - throughout the last 12 months, and in fact there is no shortage of material to fill up these posts with news from our favourite genres.

One reason for this, I believe, is that there is such a lot happening in this arena. Look at the success of Marcher Lord Press, the increasing acceptance of "weird" stories by markets we would never have imagined possible, and all the great books that have come out in this year alone. Independent publishing ventures and high-quality e-zines continue to sprout and grow at amazing speeds, while the old guard keeps producing the fine stories we're used to.

I'm continually motivated to keep this up when I read the stats reports each week. We are getting lots of readers, and you're one of them - thanks very much for coming back! So what is it that keeps us on your blog list? Is there anything you'd like to see more of around here? Or something new you'd like us to try?

Also, does anyone have any idea how we could get more comment interaction happening? I realise news snippets don't usually warrant that kind of thing, so what could we maybe add to the mix?

If you are a writer or publisher of Christian spec-fic, you are most welcome to write a guest post on here at any time and make use of our large reader base. Just get in touch!

12/09/2009

Announcing the Catholic Writers' Conference Online 2010

M E D I A R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Karina Fabian Ann Margaret Lewis

E-mail: karina@fabianspace.com e-mail: annlewis@joesystems.com

For Immediate Release

Catholic Writers Conference Online Provides Practical Help

World Wide Web--This year's Catholic Writers’ Conference Online, which will be held February 26-March 5, 2010, will focus on the practical things the writer needs to succeed.

The conference is held via chats and forums at www.catholicwritersconference.com. Sponsored by the Catholic Writer’s Guild, the online conference is free of charge and open to writers of all levels who register between October 1, 2009 and February 15, 2010.

"We've always concentrated on workshops and chats that teach the writer skills or provide information in the areas of crafting, publishing and marketing their works, but this year, we're adding critique workshops and some incredible opportunities to pitch to leading publishers," said organizer Karina Fabian.

This year, publishers hearing pitches include well known Catholic publishers like Pauline, large secular publishers like Thomas Nelson, and smaller presses like White Rose. Thus far, eleven pitch sessions are scheduled, running the gamut from Christian romance to Catholic theology.

In a new program, at least fifty attendees will have the opportunity to have pieces of their work critiqued by successful editors and writers. In addition, there will be forum-based workshops and chat room presentations covering topics from dialogue to freelancing to how Catholic fiction differs from Christian fiction.

"Even in good economic times, it's hard for writers to attend live conferences," said Fabian, "but this year, we think it's even more important to help careers by utilizing an online format. We're so grateful that our presenters are willing to share their time and talent."

Early registration is recommended. Although the conference is offered free of charge, donations are accepted; proceeds will go toward future conferences. Non-Catholics may attend, as long as they respect Catholic beliefs and the conference's Catholic focus.

To register or for more information, go to http://www.catholicwritersconference.com.

12/07/2009

Guild Member Spotlight: Kat Heckenbach

Kat Heckenbach

When did you join the LGG? How did you make the connection?
Actually, I joined just a couple of weeks ago. I've been following the blog for a while and finally got some published short stories I wanted to announce, so I applied for membership.

What's the first thing you remember that happened in the Guild?
Well, I haven't really had much time for anything to happen. I do remember feeling completely technically-impaired trying to get hooked up on WebRing.

Tell us some good things that have transpired from belonging.
As I said, I've only just joined. But good things have transpired ever since finding LGG. Mainly, talking with some great writers/LGG members. I love feeling like I'm part of a community of misfits :). Just kidding. It is nice to know that others have the same appreciation for this genre that does seem a bit misunderstood.

What's your genre and subgenre? Why do you think that is?
My novels are YA fantasy--a little bit urban, a little bit traditional, with a slight Southern twang. I have short stories of the same genre/subgenre that are based on my books, but outside of that my writing tends to be dark fantasy/horror.
Why that is--not sure. I've just always loved fantasy novels and TV shows that had magic. I wanted to be Samantha from Bewitched, wanted to discover an enchanted forest, wished my house had a secret passage. Anything that opened a door to a "world beyond" fascinated me, and still does.

Do you like to read the same genre as you write? What other genres interest you? Favourite authors?
Yes, YA fantasy is at the top of my list, as is dark fantasy/horror. I'll read just about any genre if the story hooks me, though. Fave authors: JK Rowling, Cornelia Funke, Donita K. Paul, Bryan Davis, Steven James, Suzanne Collins, Stephen King, Madeline L'Engle, CS Lewis, Scott Westerfeld. The list, of course, goes on :).

Tell us about your published work, and where we can go to find out more.
I have stories published in the November 2009 issues of Mindflights ("The Artist") and Digital Dragon ("The Gift")--both are stories based on my novels.
One of my darker pieces ("Willing Blood") was selected Editor's Choice in The Absent Willow Review (Jul/Aug 2009) and I have another ("A Day Better Spent") coming out in TAWR in January 2010.
I've also published a couple of mainstream Christian stories--one in Christian Fiction Online Magazine and one in Einstein's Pocket Watch. My professional sales have all been personal experience stories, though.
A full list of all my published and soon-to-be-published stories can be found on my website, www.findingangel.com. Just click on the "Who's Putting Me in Print" tab.

What are you working on right now? How's progress?
I'm working on the second novel in my YA fantasy trilogy. (Yeah, trilogy--I know, that's just unheard of in fantasy :P.) I'm about half-way through the book, and it's coming in chunks. The first novel, Finding Angel, just poured out of me in about three months. But, of course, it needed gobs of editing. This one, Seeking Unseen, seems to be coming out more polished, but it's taking longer. I'm also in the middle of another short story based on a character in the books.

How has the LGG helped you in your work?
It's definitely helping to keep me motivated. Seeing other writers get published and getting to be a support to them has been fun. And in turn, feeling their support--words of praise and encouragement for my writing--has been invaluable.

What are your dreams for the future of Christian speculative fiction, and for yourself within that?
My dream would be for it to be taken more seriously by the publishing market, both Christian and secular. I'd like to see the lines blur a bit--I want to find Christian spec-fic in the secular sections of the bookstore more often.
As for me within that--I want to be seen as a Christian who writes speculative fiction that is read by both fans of Christian and secular writing. My books and stories tend not to address spiritual issues directly, but are more symbolic and allegorical, so I'm hoping my work can serve as a bridge. I actually have a writer friend who is using my short story "Willing Blood," which is what I've sort of been calling an allegorical horror, as a witnessing tool--I thought that was pretty cool.

Your best writing tip?
Learn the difference between writing "rules" and style. It's one thing to correct grammar, but quite another to change the tone of a passage. If someone has given you a suggestion that merely restates your writing in their style, it's not a suggestion you should follow.
What else are you up to that our readers would find interesting?
Hm, at the moment the only thing I can think of is that we're moving. That seems to be consuming most of my energy right now. Maybe also that I've begun drawing again--something I haven't done in years.

Something you reckon not many people know about you?
I can think of a lot of quirky things, but most people who know me already know them :). Maybe that I become completely obsessed with learning things I have an interest in. For example, my degree is in Biology and after reading the book The Case for a Creator I read every book by all the scientists Lee Strobel interviewed, and went through their bibliographies and read books they referred to--until I realized I spent two straight years reading nothing but books on the Creation/evolution debate. People at my church actually started asking me to lecture on it during Bible studies and such.
Or maybe you're looking for something like the fact that I write limericks to vent when I'm stressed, or that I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue?


Your website or social media profile?
or search "Kat Heckenbach" on Facebook

12/04/2009

News for December 4th, 2009

Karina Fabian has handed over the presidency of the Catholic Writers Guild to Walt Staples. According to Walt, "Our 'lady of dragons' is a danged hard act to follow. I figure the first thing on my plate is to learn as much as I can about the CWG, its members, and their needs and expectations. I think I've got my homework assignment for the next year or so."

Karina Fabian
also reports this new review for Magic, Mensa & Mayhem at Bitten by Books: "...a very entertaining book with a unique and extremely likeable duo in the lead."

Shelley Ledfors says: My speculative novel, "Dominion" placed as a runner up in the FaithWriters 2009 Page Turner contest. (For first chapter + synopsis of unpublished novels). I am honored and amazed! Thank-you, Lord!
Read more about Dominion here.
See the winners' announcement here.

Coscom Entertainment offers a Christmas checklist of superhero stories by A.P. Fuchs and others in his publishing company.

Adam and Andrea Graham announce: Our Second Annual Edition of Laser and Sword Magazine is for sale over at Lulu for $14.42:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/laser-and-sword-annual-2009/7987075

It is also available on Kindle for $8.00:
http://www.amazon.com/Laser-Sword-Annual-2009-ebook/dp/B002Z13KIQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259675772&sr=1-6

Bill McGrath says: I have written two new articles for my website: Mercy vs. Wisdom, and Seven Hearts. The first is about the tension that exists between mercy and wisdom in fantasy stories. The second describes using the seven gifts of Romans 12 when creating characters for your novels. Here's the link: http://www.theswordoffire.com/articles.htm

Robert Liparulo announces the release of his latest book, Whirlwind. Read all about it at his newsletter page.

12/02/2009

Exciting news from Marcher Lord Press

This just in from Jeff Gerke:

Jeff as Knight--150 x 150
Well, the third set of original Christian speculative fiction from Marcher Lord Press has been out for two months now and is selling well, especially through Amazon.
Marcher Lord Select, my experiment in fiction acquisitions, is also going very well. Phase 2 voting is completed and Phases 3 and 4 will be conducted this month.
The big news for this update is that I'm able to announce two of the three books that will comprise list 4, which releases in April 2010.
Jeff Gerke
Publisher
Announcing List 4 from Marcher Lord Press
I've rarely been able to so early announce what books will comprise a release list from Marcher Lord Press. But because of a special situation this time around, I can do so.
As in the previous lists, I will release three novels in the Spring 2010 list. Two of the three I can name now. The third I'll be able to name in next month's update.
The special situation is that the first two books are sequels to books already released by MLP, and the third is the book that will win the Marcher Lord Select contest, which is now in its latter phases.
To Darkness Fled
The first book from list 4 is the eagerly awaited sequel to By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson.
To Darkness Fled, Book 2 of The Blood of Kings, picks up right where the previous book left off. As you may recall, By Darkness Hid ends with characters entering the mysterious darkness that shrouds the land of Er'Rets. To Darkness Fled begins with these words: "What do you mean she's gone?"
By Darkness Hid is Marcher Lord Press's bestselling novel by a wide margin and readers have been clamoring to know what happens after the cliffhanger ending of that book. That Book 2 is releasing soon is cause for rejoicing. And it's a monster too: 664 pages in its unedited form.
The second book in the fourth release list from Marcher Lord Press is also a sequel. The Word Unleashed is the sequel to The Word Reclaimed, Book 1 of The Face of the Deep series by Steve Rzasa.
The Word UnleashedSteve originally wrote this 2-book series as a single (massive) book. Epic space opera at its best. I divided the book into two parts.
The great thing about that is that Book 2 was already written even before Book 1 released. So we are able to bring you the second installment in the release cycle immediately after the first one debuted. A MLP first.
The cover at left is, as you can see in the fine print in red and yellow, not a final cover, but it gives you a good feel for the direction we're going with it.
Book 2 follows Baden in his ongoing struggle, both physical and spiritual, to come to grips with what this banned holy book means and is doing to him. It also chronicles the betrayal of the secret police--Kesek--and their attempt to overthrow the crumbling monarchy binding the five worlds together in uneasy peace.
List 4 is going to be a very exciting release cycle. And now you know about 2/3 of it way in advance.
For the third book, I have to turn to Marcher Lord Select.

Marcher Lord Select: The Final Phases
I hope you're a voting participant in Marcher Lord Select, my acquisitions experiment in which you are a member of my editorial board and you get to tell me what book to publish next.
MLP SelectMarcher Lord Select began November 1 and will end on New Year's Eve, with the winner being announced at midnight.
Phases 1 and 2 are now complete. From the 36 full manuscripts that began the competition, we have honed it down to the top 8 entries.
Now things get really tough. In Phase 3, you and your fellow editorial board members will read the first 30 pages of those 8 entries and will vote in mid-December to narrow the list to the top 3 candidate manuscripts.
Then you'll read an additional 30 pages of the remaining 3 entries and vote, in late December, to pick the book that will fill the third slot in the Spring 2010 release list from Marcher Lord Press. Pretty cool, huh?
But if that weren't cool enough, consider this: I will be holding a drawing to give one or more prizes to people who vote in Phase 4. Not only do you get to decide what book I publish next, you could take home awesome MLP swag. Prizes to be determined, but could include MLP books, apparel, artwork, and/or sundry goodies.
The other part of Marcher Lord Select is the premise-only conest, the top three winners of which will receive priority acquisitions attention from me. That contest is also in its latter phases and has some incredible Christian speculative fiction creativity.
Phases 1 and 2 of that contest are complete and the initial group of 49 entries has been reduced to 20. In Phase 3 you'll read the 1-page synopses of these 20 entries, and in Phase 4 you'll read the first 500 words of the remaining 10 entries. The top 3 winners will be announced at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Both contests are terrific fun and you're able to rub elbows with many other folks who love Christian speculative fiction as much as you do. So come on out to The Anomaly forums and join the party.
Thank you for your support of Marcher Lord Press!
Jeff Gerke
Publisher

11/30/2009

Guild Member Spotlight: Steve Doyle

Steve Doyle

When did you join the LGG? How did you make the connection?


In the summer of 2006 Frank Creed posted a message to "the Herscher Project", an international group of writers to which we both belong. He told us about an Christian spec-fic anthology that Dan Weaver was putting together. I signed up and wound up submitting two stories, one of which was accepted for publication in Light at the Edge of Darkness.

What's the first thing you remember that happened in the Guild?


The name change. The group was originally called Christian_Fic_WRE_Crit_Group where WRE stood for Writing, Reading and Everything. That's quite a mouthful and the group set out to create a more easily recognizable name. The Lost Genre Guild was the result of that effort.


Tell us some good things that have transpired from belonging.

One good thing is that I became a published author. Previously I'd only had a poem published in an anthology which probably accepted everything by everybody everywhere. The other good thing is all the folks I met along the way, writers who are more than willing to help out other writers.


What's your genre and subgenre? Why do you think that is?


Speculative fiction is not the norm for me. I usually write paranormal, though my WIP is an historical novel.


Do you like to read the same genre as you write? What other genres interest you? Favourite authors?


I do enjoy reading mysteries and ghost stories as well as history and historical fiction. Many of my friends write fantasy so I read a lot of that as well. Some of my favorite authors include Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allen Poe. That guy Frank Creed is pretty good too.


Tell us about your published work, and where we can go to find out more.


Other than Light at the Edge of Darkness, I've had stories published online at Residential Aliens and Flashes in the Dark, and in an anthology by cyberwizard productions called Strange Worlds of Lunacy.

What are you working on right now? How's progress?

Right now I'm behind on a short story for the Herscher Project #42: The Meaning of Life, entitled "The Accidental Immortal". I'm in the final stages of finishing "The Casebook of the Paranormal Research Institute", a collection of stories based in and around London. I've also written a few stories for a second casebook which take place in New England. For more information on that I've put together a section at my website. My main WIP is the historical novel, "Seeds of Greed" which takes place in Plymouth, MA around the time of the American Revolution. There's a section of my website devoted to that, including a bit about how I got started on the project and some weird things that have happened along the way. A few of the chapters are posted there as well, although they're only at the rough draft stage.


How has the LGG helped you in your work?

Besides the wealth of knowledge various members bring to the table, in all areas of writing, publishing and marketing, and the critique circles, one thing I think helps is the level of commitment and support they have for each other. No matter what you're personally going through, the members of the LGG go out of their way to let you know you're not alone.


What are your dreams for the future of Christian speculative fiction, and for yourself within that?


Maybe the "Lost Genre" will become obsolete as more and more people come to realize that Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror can be written by and for Christians who enjoy a good story without excessive gore and violence and without a patronizing, be-warned-lest-ye-be-lost type of message.


Your best writing tip?

Advice I should follow myself--Write!
What else are you up to that our readers would find interesting? I run a blog called New Book News which features books by new-ish authors. I'm also kicking around the idea of a paranormal book based on stories by people who believe them. Many folks tell me they've had personal experiences they can't explain. I think it would be fun to put together a collection.

Something you reckon not many people know about you?

"The Casebook of the Paranormal Research Institute" had been accepted by a publisher specializing in "writings pertaining to the Pagan, Gothic, Occult and Vampire Communities". We couldn't agree on some of the contract terms, but had we gone ahead I would have the distinction of being published at both ends of the spectrum.

Your website or social media profile?

Doylebooks.com is my main website. I keep a profile at Doylebooks.com/Myspace and a more active one at Doylebooks.com/Facebook.

11/27/2009

Announcement from WhereTheMapEnds and Marcher Lord Press

From Jeff Gerke:

Greetings, faithful fan of Christian speculative fiction!
Two fun announcements today.
First, in the United States this Thursday is Thanksgiving. I hope your turkey day is incredible (and that the Dallas Cowboys are most triumphant). The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and is the busiest shopping day of the year.
Marcher Lord Press is taking advantage of the occasion by having our annual Black Friday Sale. From this Friday through the following Sunday (November 27-29, 2009), anyone who purchases a print book from the Marcher Lord Press Store will receive an exclusive free download...
The first four chapters of the not-yet-officially-announced novel To Darkness Fled, the sequel to MLP's bestselling novel, By Darkness Hid, the epic fantasy by Jill Williamson.
You knew a sequel was coming, but now you can read the first ~40 pages of it five months before it releases, in April 2010!
All you have to do is buy one of our nine novels (or our 1 non-fiction title, The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction) during those dates and you can receive this exclusive sneak peak.
The second fun announcement is that Marcher Lord Select is entering its second phase of voting over this same weekend.
Beginning on Saturday and ending on Monday (November 28-30, 2009), you can come join the acquisitions experiment in which you are on my editorial board and get to tell me which Christian speculative novel I should publish next through Marcher Lord Press.
In Phase 1 we had nearly 80 authors participating in this American Idol-style competition. Thirty-six of those were in the primary contest, the winner of which will be published in the Spring 2010 list. The remaining authors were in the premise-only contest, the 3 winners of which will receive prioritized acquisitions attention from me.
We held the Phase 1 voting two weeks ago and had tremendous voter turnout.
But now in Phase 2 things are getting more serious--and we need your help! Come read the first 500 words of each of the remaining 18 entrants in the primary contest. Come choose 3-6 of them to vote for--the top 8 will advance to Phase 3.
I know you love Christian speculative fiction. Come see these Christian speculative novels in their pre-published form...and have a voice in which one gets published.
Join the fun here. Look for the words "Marcher Lord Select."
-------------------------
I'll see you at the Marcher Lord Press store on Black Friday!
Sincerely,
Jeff Gerke

11/25/2009

News for November 25th, 2009

A Star Curiously Singing by Kerry Nietz, reviewed by Cathi-Lyn Dyck at Scita > Scienda: "A Star Curiously Singing resonates with me the way Asimov did. Its social issues are carefully considered, informing the sci-fi plot."

And here are the latest additions to Mindflights magazine:

You, in a Microscope
by Megan Arkenberg
Poetry - Science Fiction

Cloning saved your hair, perfect in its not-brown-not-blond color and the way it curls at the edges...

Ping by Ellie Tupper
Fiction - Fantasy
A young patriot wants only to save her country from tyranny, and finds inspiration in the simplest of objects...

The Elf King Waits by Rosalind Casey (Student)
Poetry - Fantasy
In the Hall of Mirrors...

The Artist by Kat Heckenbach
Fiction - Fantasy
Everyone has a Talent—it just takes the right circumstances to draw it out.


Shinkyo Bridge
by John Albers
Fiction - Fantasy
The legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi returns in this tale of crossed swords with the denizens of hell.


AutoAvis - A Poem of A Paradise Lost by R. J. Walker Miller
Poetry - Science Fiction
Once lost, the gifts of God can never quite be replicated.

11/23/2009

Guild Member Spotlight: Grace Bridges

Welcome to our ongoing series of conversations with Lost Genre Guild members. Catch them here on Mondays!

Grace Bridges

When did you join the LGG? How did you make the connection?

Dan Weaver chased me down on Myspace. I believe it was around June or July of 2006.

What's the first thing you remember that happened in the Guild?

Folks were very busy critiquing each other's short stories for the Guild anthology, Light at the Edge of Darkness. I joined too late to submit anything, but I did a couple of crits. Those were exciting times of extraordinary passion!

Tell us some good things that have transpired from belonging.

How about everything? Ha! If you only knew. All right, since some of you DO know, the short rundown: Mr. Creed encouraged me to publish my novel; many members provided critiques for Faith Awakened and continue to do so for other manuscripts ever since; assistance in blog tours, ready reviewers, insane fans (well okay, not quite that, but fans nonetheless), and a whole bunch of hospitality on my crazy 16-stop USA tour last year - during which I got to meet Mr. Creed's cats, visit a dragon's lair, appear on television, teach in school, celebrate Thanksgiving for the first time ever [not a downunder tradition], and meet a whole lot of my favourite online people!

What's your genre and subgenre? Why do you think that is?

Science fiction, with a definite lean towards cyberpunk and dystopia on the one hand, and space opera on the other. I'm a die-hard Trekkie, so there's your reason right there. I love to imagine what could be technically possible even in the fairly near future, and how that might impact people on a personal level - especially when systems fail.

Do you like to read the same genre as you write? What other genres interest you? Favourite authors?

Absolutely. It's my mission in life to hunt down inspirational sci-fi titles for my collection - a task certainly not made easier by living in New Zealand. I also read a fair bit of fantasy because it's the nearest thing to sci-fi and there's a lot of it out there. Stephen Lawhead, Chris Walley, Karen Hancock, Frank Creed, Caprice Hokstad, Amy Deardon, Steve Rice, and Jeremy Robinson are some of my modern favourites alongside of C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton.


Tell us about your published work, and where we can go to find out more.

With lots of help from the Guild, I published Faith Awakened in November of 2007 [just one day after Frank Creed's Flashpoint came
out, and we both used the same font on our covers! They are also both cyberpunk dystopias. How weird is that!] Head on over to www.faithawakened.com for all the funky stuff on that book. I also have a few short stories in anthologies here and there, most pending publication, and one online at Digital Dragon Magazine called Second Site. I write a lot of book reviews in the genre and most of these can be found at www.splashdownreviews.blogspot.com.

What are you working on right now? How's progress?

That's a really big question! [LOL! I should know, I wrote these questions!]
I'm republishing Faith Awakened with my own ISBN, under my own publishing company Splashdown Books. I'm also writing the sequel, Godspeed, which is inching towards halfway. In between there are two more projects: Legendary Space Pilgrims, my first foray into space opera [but it's a cyberpunk dystopia as well], is in the latter stages of editing while CyberDublin is post-first-draft, a very fun cyberpunkish story which once again returns to a favourite theme of mine: how the Irish would deal with the end of the world as we know it.

How has the LGG helped you in your work?

Critiques, edits, proofreading, reviews, endorsements, prayers, suggestions, and the most important of all: friendship. My Guild involvement predates my joining Shoutlife, Facebook and Twitter - and is still my most important sounding board for issues regarding writing.

What are your dreams for the future of Christian speculative fiction, and for yourself within that?

Oh, gee, you know I haven't actually thought about that? But I will now. Let's see. World domination by small presses to the benefit of niche genres, with side-effects for the movie and TV industries. Yeah, that about sums it up. Me? I'm just going to do my darndest to publish great books and see where that takes us.

Your best writing tip?

READ. There is no way anyone can become a great writer without first being a great reader. Get those books into you, imbibe those words so that they are added to your arsenal and can be used at will.

What else are you up to that our readers would find interesting?

Splashdown Books is my own small publishing business for inspirational sci-fi and fantasy, and the first book is The Muse by Fred Warren, a fine start to what I hope will be a long and satisfying stream of good books. Watch the movie here and check out the T-shirt shop here! Well hey, it's gotta be serious if there's a shirt shop, right?

Something you reckon not many people know about you?

I rarely leave the house without a hat on. I play the bodhran, which is an Irish hand drum. In my spare time, should I have any, I engage in photography, astronomy, Muppet-making, cookie-baking, and Tweet-ups. I speak German like a native, French like a rusty fourth-year university student, and a little Maori and Latin.

Oh yes, and I was homeschooled - or rather, as Cathi puts it, unschooled - and blame my writing craze on the hundreds of books I devoured as a child and teenager.

Your website or social media profile?

www.gracebridges.com - this hub site contains links to all of my web presences that I know of. I may have missed a few. To join my reader network for exclusive free ebooks and contests, please go to www.gracebridges.com/signup.
See you there!

11/20/2009

News for November 20th, 2009

Johne Cook says:

Katie Weiland was kind (or reckless) enough to interview me for the AuthorCulture blog. She asked fun questions, and I replied with what may be considered provocative answers. In the interview, I talk about the genesis of Ray Gun Revival magazine and my “Adventures of the Sky Pirate” serial novel, as well as the challenges of writing a serial novel, the importance of writing out your million words of dreck, thoughts about the fine line between piracy and obscurity, and the vision I predict for for the future of the publishing industry. Go here for more.

Fred Warren has been interviewed at The Writing Career Coach and Writing Examiner. Comment to win a copy of his new book The Muse.

Grace Bridges has also been interviewed at The Writing Career Coach and Writing Examiner. Leave a comment to be in to win a copy of my science fiction novel Faith Awakened.

11/18/2009

News for November 18th, 2009

Karina Fabian says: I had a lovely book signing at Godspace, the Catholic bookstore in Thousand Oaks. I sold more books than I had in a long time. What did I do different?
Read more at her post Bookstore Efforts Led to Book Signing Success.

Also check out Karina's latest press release in response to the Vatican's conference on astrobiology: As Vatican Explores Idea of Extra-Terrestrial Life, Catholic Sci-Fi is Already There

G.K. Fields announces publication of Change at Digital Dragon Magazine.

Rick Copple also announces his new flash fiction title at Residential Aliens:
Life Intruders: The Voyages of Neptune 2

Kat Heckenbach is a freelance writer, homeschool mom, and magna cum laude graduate of the University of Tampa (Biology). Her short fiction ranges from light-hearted fantasy to dark and disturbing.
You can enter her world and learn about her novels and other writing at www.findingangel.com and www.kat-findingangel.blogspot.com. Here are two of her stories:
"The Artist" in Mindflights at http://www.mindflights.com/item.php?sub_id=5785.

Don't forget to keep an eye on all the other great ezines out there too, for regular new stories incuding many by Lost Genre Guild members and friends:
Mindflights
Digital Dragon
The Cross and the Cosmos
Residential Aliens
Wayfarer's Journal
RayGun Revival
Laser & Sword

11/16/2009

Guild Member Spotlight: Fred Warren

Welcome to our ongoing series of conversations with Lost Genre Guild members. Catch them here on Mondays!

Fred Warren

When did you join the LGG? How did you make the connection?

December 2008. It was kind of a convoluted path. I was lurking on an Orthodox Christian newsgroup, where I encountered Rick Copple, who caught my attention because Orthodox and speculative fiction just seemed like a really strange combination. That led me to RayGun Revival and RayGun Radio, which led me to Double Edge Publishing, which brought a variety of Christian spec-fic authors to my attention, including a few more in LGG. I checked a few profiles on the LGG website and discovered a lot of folks with reading lists very similar to my own, so it seemed like a good fit. I'd already connected with a secular writers' forum online, but was looking for a group with a Christian focus as well.

What's the first thing you remember that happened in the Guild?

Well, there was the first time I went to an LGG meeting in Second Life, and Frank Creed's avatar was wearing a fox suit. That was different.

Tell us some good things that have transpired from belonging.

Just being in touch with a lot of other like-minded folks who want their writing to glorify God has been an incredible morale-booster and challenge for me. Another unexpected blessing was that Grace Bridges discovered my novel when I was circulating the draft for critique, and liked it so much she wanted to publish it.

What's your genre and subgenre? Why do you think that is?

I hate to pigeonhole myself, but I mostly write soft science fiction and modern fantasy—putting human beings in extraordinary situations and then seeing what happens. Though I have an engineering education and love gadgetry, the development of technology isn't as interesting to me as what people do with it or how their lives change because of it. With regard to fantasy, I see magical or supernatural elements in much the same way—they're a vehicle for bringing characters and readers into a world where the rules are different than what they expect, then seeing how they react.

Do you like to read the same genre as you write? What other genres interest you? Favorite authors?

Yes, I enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy as much as I enjoy writing it. I read the odd mystery or Western once in a while, and nonfiction about science or nature. It's almost cliché for someone who writes stories with Christian themes to say they like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, but I do. They're the masters. On the secular side, Mark Twain, for his wonderful sense of humor, Ray Bradbury, who brought poetry and science fiction together, and finally, William Tenn and Fredric Brown, two great short-story writers with a gift for delivering a huge punch in a small package.

Tell us about your published work, and where we can go to find out more. I've had fifteen or so works of short fiction published in a variety of online and print magazines, both Christian-oriented and secular, and I keep a current list on my writing blog at
http://frederation.wordpress.com/publications/ . The stories are a mixed bag of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, usually with a little humor leavened in there somewhere. In November 2009, my first novel, The Muse, will debut from Splashdown Books. I'm also a regular contributor to the month Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour, and frequently post book reviews on whatever I happen to be reading at the moment.

What are you working on right now? How's progress? I've always got a few short stories in the works, but now that I've finished writing The Muse, I've begun two new novel projects--a sequel to The Muse, and a science fiction adventure story.

How has the LGG helped you in your work? Aside from the benefits I mentioned earlier, I'd have to say that the enthusiasm among LGG members is infectious. Even a couple of years ago, I would have considered “quality spec-fic with a Christian sensibility” to be a contradiction in terms. Now, I'm actually excited about trying to write it.

What are your dreams for the future of Christian speculative fiction, and for yourself within that?

I want to see Christian spec-fic become known for both its craftsmanship and its innovation. If we're going to prosper, we have to write well, be willing to take risks, and develop speculative visions that will catch people's imagination. We can't just follow established trends or conventional wisdom--we have to step out and lead. We follow a Saviour who knows how to tell an important story, and how to tell it in a way that nobody's ever heard before. If I can grab hold of a little bit of that mastery, I'll be a happy guy.

Your best writing tip? Write something every day. It doesn't have to be a story—even if it's a letter to your Mom or a page in your diary, just developing the discipline to regularly put some words on paper or into electrons gets you used to thinking like a writer.


What else are you up to that our readers would find interesting?

My day job is pretty interesting. I help run computer simulations that the Army uses for training, so they can practice their combat procedures without burning a lot of fuel or blowing things up.

Something you reckon not many people know about you?

I spent some time living in Korea, where I developed a taste for bulgogi and kimchee.

Your website or social media profile?

My writing blog, Frederation, is at http://frederation.wordpress.com, and there are links there to my profiles on Facebook, ShoutLife, Twitter, and LiveJournal.