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Posts Tagged ‘Fiction’

Who Knew?

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 21, 2022| Leave a Comment »

What do you know, some people actually did read Playboy for the articles!

Read 10 of the Best Stories Ever Published in Playboy ‹ Literary Hub

…while Hefner was indeed a man who collected and commodified women and called it “feminism,” it doesn’t change the fact that the joke about reading Playboy for the articles isn’t really a joke. The magazine has published some fantastic interviews, essays, and—most importantly for our purposes here—fiction over the years, the latter thanks in part to expert fiction editor Alice K. Turner…

Since its inception, Playboy has published work by Vladimir Nabokov, James Baldwin, Shirley Jackson, Nadine Gordimer, Doris Lessing, John Updike, John Cheever, P. G. Wodehouse, Arthur C. Clarke, John Irving, Roald Dahl, Frank Herbert, Stephen King, Norman Mailer, Joyce Carol Oates, Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Annie Proulx, and many other greats.

Almost all of the stories on this list are available to read online (via sites that will not get you in trouble at work, bonus). So enjoy the classic fiction, folks, while appreciating the venues we now have for sci-fi and other fiction.

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Photo by Bernd Klutsch on Unsplash

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Tipping Point

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 20, 2022| 2 Comments »

A drabble inspired by my love for science fiction. Also, the news.

Tipping Point, or, Oil Lobbyists Celebrate Over Drinks (London, UK, Earth)

Four oil lobbyists drank martinis around a mahogany table in a richly-appointed bar, celebrating. Their efforts had finally succeeded.

The lobbyist at the South end of the table grinned. 

“Did you see the news? 40C! God, we’re good.”

West puffed on a Cuban cigar. “They say it’s the new normal. I’d say we’re ready.” 

North shivered in the frigid air. “Agreed. Make the call.”

East opened a communicator that looked like a prop from Star Trek.

“Base? Terraforming is complete. Send the first wave of settlers.”

South looked at his fleshy fingers. 

“Can’t wait to get out of these clothes.”

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Photo by Jarosław Kwoczała on Unsplash

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A Gem of a Book

Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 17, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I am very happy to announce the publication of Parsec Ink’s latest anthology, Triangulation: Energy. 

The theme is sustainable energy: can we find a way to keep up with—or exceed—our present and future energy consumption levels while keeping our space livable? 

Is it science fiction? Yes. Does it showcase positive takes on our energy challenges? Yes. Was I fortunate enough to have a story in it, alongside a roster of terrific authors? Yes!

The anthology is available in Kindle and paperback formats. Curious about what’s inside? Check out the Kindle preview for a sample of the first three entries, including my own story, The Jewel of New Stoltz. I know I wrote it and all, but I’m happy to be able to share a story I love.

Hope you like it too.

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Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

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Blankety Blank Blank

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , on June 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »

If you’ve ever had writers’ block you’ll know that it is, hmm, not fun. In my experience, getting past it requires taking a step back and reassessing your project, your goals, and your self. It can also help to understand what kind of block you’re dealing with. For that, Charlie Jane Anders has some advice:

The 10 Types of Writers’ Block (and How to Overcome Them)

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the terrifying mystique of Writer’s Block, it’s better to take it apart and understand it — and then conquer it. Here are 10 types of Writer’s Block and how to overcome each type.

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Photo by Eva Elijas on Pexels.com

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Treasure Unending

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on June 12, 2022| Leave a Comment »

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

— Maya Angelou

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Photo by Ashin K Suresh on Unsplash

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How to Predict the Future

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on June 10, 2022| Leave a Comment »

The title on this post is not quite fair; the actual article I’m sharing with you today is perhaps better categorized as how to think about the future. Still, as a reader and writer of speculative fiction I like the concept.

Will this approach help you to predict the next Stanley Cup winner? Maybe not, but it does seem helpful for building plausible alternate, slipstream and near-future worlds.

How to Be Less Wrong

Last year, some colleagues and I invited people from around the world to compete in a tournament to predict the future. Over the course of seven months, more than 2,000 participants registered over 20,000 predictions… here are their key principles and practices…

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Photo by Wyron A on Unsplash

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Finishing

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on June 8, 2022| Leave a Comment »

George Saunders, celebrated American writer, journalist and teacher, was asked for his thoughts on story endings. Here’s what he had to say:

Ten Ways of Thinking About Endings

I once defined “ending” as “stopping without sucking.”  And I’m going to stand by that…

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Photo by Eric Tompkins on Unsplash

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How to Thursday

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , on May 26, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I have apparently forgotten how to Thursday and my schedule is all awry. While I get myself sorted out, here are the Nebula Award winners:

2021 Nebula Awards Winners – Locus Online

As mentioned in a previous post, some of the nominees are free-to-read. The short story winner is open access (and is told primarily through its 93! footnotes):

“Where Oaken Hearts Do Gather“, Sarah Pinsker (Uncanny 3-4/21)

Enjoy!

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Photo by Tina Xinia on Unsplash

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Locus Awards Finalists

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on May 15, 2022| Leave a Comment »

I spent a good part of the day cooking and am pleased with the results. (Bread times four, duxelles times giant bowl, roasted mushrooms times big ziplock, plus a couple gallons of soup.)

Now the couch and Murderbot are calling. If you’re looking for something new to read, you might check out the 2022 Locus Awards Top Ten Finalists. Winners will be announced June 25, 2022.

For the full list see the above link, but for free reads check out the novelette and short story categories (bold links are pay to play, but the rest are open access):

NOVELETTE

SHORT STORY

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Photo by Ai Takeda on Unsplash

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Risk/Reward

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 5, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Today, another free installment from Anthropocene’s Climate Parables series.

Dodging the Apocalypse | Mark Alpert

Yo, fellow defenders of our beautiful planet, happy Monday and happy Earth Day! What a crazy week, right? I’m guessing you’ve heard about my adventures in New Mexico; they were all over the freakin’ news. So first let me send a shout out to you, my loyal listeners, for your amazing support of this graying environmental correspondent. Without you, I’d probably still be in jail.

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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