The SFX Weekender 2012 – Part 2
Paul Wiseall
Marc and I had a bizarre start to our SFX Weekender. On the drive up to Prestatyn, Wales where the convention was being held, the satnav took us down some…
2012
Don’t let the BBC screw SFF… Again.
Overlord
Now… I don’t like to rant… but today I’m going to rant. But please, bear with me because there is a point and a conclusion to it all. Right, last…
The SFX Weekender 2012 – Part 1
I just typed ‘Geek’ into an online dictionary and got two definitions: 1. A person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious 2. An intelligent, single-minded expert in a…
Writing Action Scenes
Amy Rose Davis
I want to be honest right off the top: This article is written by a complete novice when it comes to “action.” I’ve never been in a physical fight. I…
Kultus by Richard Ford
“A steam-powered burlesque of brutal demonic action!”
Charity Auction with an SFF Theme
A good friend of mine is going to be doing something amazing very soon. Now, when you say the word ‘amazing’ on Fantasy-Faction we are usually talking about Magic, Elves,…
Among Others by Jo Walton
Faith M. Boughan
Hugo Award-winning author Suzy McKee Charnas called Walton’s Among Others, “a love letter, laced with sharp-edged anguish and triumph, from within the SF/F genres to the SF/F genres.” I balked.…
Writing a Killer Query Letter
Ashley Barnard
In the last several years there’s been a wonderful development of small, independent fantasy publishers who do not require an agent for submissions. It’s much easier to break in; however,…
Control Point by Myke Cole
Jennie Ivins
Oscar Britton took his job seriously. As an officer in the US Army, he helped defend both the country and its citizens. That in and of itself was difficult, but…
Swords and Dark Magic: The New Sword and Sorcery Edited by Jonathan Strahan and Lou Anders
Dominic Stevens
“Here, then, are seventeen original tales of sword and sorcery, penned by masters old and new. What follows are stories of small stakes but high action, grim humor mixed with…
Monthly Short Story Winner: Winter
Welcome back everyone! Big news this month! In January, I hinted that there was something big coming from Fantasy-Faction for short story writers. For those of you who didn’t catch…
Violence and Gore in Fantasy
Thanks for all of your great article suggestions last week. I’m taking them in order, and up first, I get to tackle one that will probably have me flayed, drawn,…