Strange Affair of the Artisan's Heart

A couple months ago I picked up a copy of Robots Beyond and was quite impressed by the Josh Reynolds short story, The Strange Affair of the Artisan's Heart. When it comes to short stories the Strange Affair is just about perfect; its got intriguing plot, twists and turns, interesting setting (Victorian Steampunk), unique protagonist (Ameriquetzlan Ambassador Ulrich Popoca), a beautiful woman with an agenda of her own (Countess Felluci), and great dialogue and use of language.

Now DuneSteef Audio Fiction Magazine has turned this short story into an audio drama, complete with character actors doing the voices. The adaption is about a half hour long and if you stay tuned a bit longer you'll hear Josh Reynolds' curious accent and some thoughts the DuneSteef staff had on adapting the story. You may want to cut your listening short at the point they ask for donations because after that they began pointless digressions into areas unsuitable for some listeners.

However, I highly recommend that you listen to this very cool adaption of Josh's story.

Robert Heinlein says:

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

Good Reading

One of the advantages of being an author for Pulp Work Press is that I sometimes have the opportunity to read copies of PulpWork books well in advance of their actual release. I've just finished reading Dillon and the Golden Bell and it is awesome. If you asked me to describe it in one sentence I'd have to say it's like 'James Bond meets Cthulhu'. Pulpwork is hoping to release the book by Christmas this year. I'll keep you apprised.


This weekend I also had the opportunity to read Mr. Brass and the Red Horror of Frankenstein, which is not a Pulpwork Press Release but is written by Pulpwork author Josh Reynolds. This sucker has been out for at least a month, but I'm way behind on my reading. I loved every word of this story; Reynolds brings together the Dr. Frankenstein and Doctor Moreau we recognize from classic literature and plops them into a whole new mind-blowing milieu. You can read Mr. Brass and the Red Horror Frankenstein at Thousand Faces magazine.

Kings of the Night

G.W. Thomas's online fantasy magazine, Kings of the Night has some very nifty fantasy tales and also features some great artwork by M.D. Jackson (see the included painting). He even has a section on Sword and Planet stories and makes mention of the Dire Planet series (which Amazon is carrying at the new low price of $11.95 each) in a most complimentary way! Check out the Sword and Planet section here.

As a side note, I'm currently entrenched in writing the fourth Dire Planet novel, Lost Tribes of the Dire Planet, which I'm about 25,000 words into. As usual, the characters are dictating the story to me--instead of the other way around. The former galbran, Naegrik, is making himself a prominent part of the story. Also, an exile warrior who took part of the invasion of Ledgrim --who I thought was going to be a minor nemesis in this novel--has let me know that she has contradictory plans of her own.

Of course, these are just a couple elements of the novel. Kurt Vonnegut has said, about writing, that every character in a scene should want something-- even if it's just a glass of water. I find that when I listen to my characters wants and desires that the plot thickens in ways that I never imagined, and minor characters surprise me and become major players.

Nuclear Suitcase Reviewed

Ron Fortier of Pulp Fiction Reviews has posted a review of the Nuclear Suitcase.

Click on the review link and check it out.

Nuclear Suitcase in Digital

The Nuclear Suitcase is now available in digital formats and at bargain basement prices at Fictionwise.com. You can purchase a copy in the following formats: eReader (PDB), ePub (EPUB), Rocket/REB1100 (RB), Adobe Acrobat (PDF), Palm Doc (PDB), Microsoft Reader (LIT), Franklin eBookMan (FUB), hiebook (KML), Sony Reader (LRF), iSilo (PDB), Mobipocket (PRC), Kindle Compatible (MOBI), OEBFF Format (IMP)

I Hart Cthulhu

Just recently I was introduced to a band called Taurus Pedals. I'm convinced that one of their songs is an instant classic, and of particular interest to anyone who has enjoyed reading Lovecraft's horror fiction. Taurus Pedals has a sound I haven't quite been able to peg, but this particular song sounds like Deep Purple channeling Blue Oyster Cult.