There are dozens of blogs out there for reviewing sci-fi and fantasy books, and I've trended towards a few favorites that I plan on revisiting frequently. In no particular order, here are some of the blogs I visit:
Frida Fantastic(Link)
Frida Fantastic has been a review site that I've frequented since I first found it months ago. She uses a five-star scale, and can be pretty brutally honest, which you'll find is a trend I appreciate. She doesn't just do book reviews and sometimes offers great advice on finding the right books.
Review Haven: Fantasy and Sci-Fi (Link)
Review Haven is a pretty recent find for me. One of the first things I noticed about the blog is that it provides a rating system of 1-10, and it doesn't trend towards only giving 7+, which seems to be a bit of a problem when looking for indie reviews, especially. Adam pulls no punches and I appreciate that.
Android Dreamer (Link)
Android Dreamer is a somewhat eclectic collection of sci-fi and fantasy and a great place to look for decent cyberpunk, which is one of Matt's favorite genres. He reviews books on a report card scale and offers pretty in-depth commentary. He's a recent find and from correspondence, he seems like a great guy.
The Scattering (Link)
This was one of those unfortunate stories of a gifted blogger getting in over her head. Grad school and review commitments ended up stagnating the blog for a long time, but she's getting back on track with discussions of recent big name fantasy authors and generous helpings of indies. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.
What about you guys? Have you found a great sci-fi or fantasy blog that you'd like to share? If so, I'd love to hear about them!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Release Date Set
My editor and I are in the final stages of our substantive edit, and we've managed to set a date for the release of my debut novel Lucifer's Odyssey on September 1, 2011. We hope to have advanced copies sent to book reviewers on August 14th at the latest. If you are a book reviewer for speculative fiction or independent authors, please send me an email at rexjameson@gmail.com, and we will add you to the reviewer list for the early copies.
Title: Lucifer's Odyssey
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Series: Primal Patterns
Release: 09/01/2011
Word count: 84,000
Cover:
Abstract:
Chapters (1-3): MOBI | EPUB | PDF
This is an extremely exciting time, and I couldn't have gotten here without the support of so many great friends, family, and the great folks at the Kindleboards. Be sure to check back here every week or so, as I plan on having contests for autographed paperbacks. Also, be sure to check out the Pink Snowbunnies in Hell anthology, which should be coming out August 15, 2011, and features one of my flash fictions Don't Mess with the Meadow.
Title: Lucifer's Odyssey
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Series: Primal Patterns
Release: 09/01/2011
Word count: 84,000
Cover:
Abstract:
Lucifer languishes in an earthly prison, awaiting the apocalypse that will finally free him after 200,000 years. Before breaking loose, he discovers that the armageddom he set in motion will destroy the capital of Chaos, his home universe.
He travels back to Chaos and stumbles upon a bloody civil war devastating his homeland. The realm’s magic wielders are firmly under the control of a rival clan, and without their protection, Lucifer's family is in mortal peril. As old demon clan rivalries blossom and a new hostile universe expands across the known multiverse, Lucifer is faced with not only protecting Chaos from annihilation but also saving his rightful place on the throne.
Chapters (1-3): MOBI | EPUB | PDF
This is an extremely exciting time, and I couldn't have gotten here without the support of so many great friends, family, and the great folks at the Kindleboards. Be sure to check back here every week or so, as I plan on having contests for autographed paperbacks. Also, be sure to check out the Pink Snowbunnies in Hell anthology, which should be coming out August 15, 2011, and features one of my flash fictions Don't Mess with the Meadow.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I got in!
So, my flash fiction "Don't Mess with the Meadow" made it into the Pink Snowbunnies in Hell Flash Fiction Anthology, and I'm totally stoked at my very first publication anywhere! What you may not have known was that Jeanne Miller and I also worked on a flash fiction together and it unfortunately did not make it in.
Thanks so much for working with me, Jeanne. It was a pleasure talking and working with you, and I hope we can figure out a way to collaborate on something again in the future. I've included our rejected flash fiction below, along with Jeanne Miller's website.
Thanks so much for working with me, Jeanne. It was a pleasure talking and working with you, and I hope we can figure out a way to collaborate on something again in the future. I've included our rejected flash fiction below, along with Jeanne Miller's website.
Always Bring References
Jeanne Miller (Web: http://www.thepetmedium.com) and Rex Jameson
“A snowbunny that is afraid of the cold and wants to ski in hell? You can’t be serious… Mr. Snuggles, we don’t give job openings to just anyone…”
Alex fumed at the devil’s disciple across a vast expanse of desk between them, but his interviewer was implacable and unyielding. There were a lot of choice curse words that fought against his lips, but Alex breathed deeply, closed his eyes, and pressed harder. This wasn’t the time to blow up. He had waited for this interview his whole life.
“You think I like these long ears, man? This fluffy tail? No, they’re ridiculous. Was it my fault I was born pink, cute, and fuzzy? No, Derrick, it’s not. I’ve tried hair coloring and tattoos, but people just think I’m even more adorable. And why would I make up that I suffer from frigophobia? It’s in my file.”
Alex readjusted himself and moved his white tail through a slit in the back of his cushioned chair. “I have always belonged here, but I know how this looks. I understand there are no free lunches in Hell, and I have to pull my weight. That’s why I’ve brought references!”
He slammed three newspapers down and slid them across the long desk.
The disciple pulled the stack of papers slowly across the remainder of the glossed surface and read them aloud.
“Las Vegas Chronicle: Three people were killed today as they stumbled through traffic to rescue a rabbit stranded on the highway. Onlookers reported that the pink bunny looked frightened and frozen in shock. At least one mammal expert contends that the hare may have been a rare breed. Consequently, some local residents are praising the deceased as martyrs for endangered animals. Others are calling the loss of life a terrible waste.”
Derrick looked up at Alex, but he didn’t make any remarks about the article. Alex nervously thumped his paw against the floor but stopped after Derrick raised his black eyebrows and chuckled.
“Sorry.”
“Houston Journal: Was a crazed, suicidal bunny really the cause of a freak accident today on Highway 36? Two SUVs slammed head first into each other, and eight people lost their lives after a pink animal ran in front of a vehicle, causing the driver to swerve into oncoming traffic. Experts believe the events leading up to this head-on collision may be the first example of video evidence showing a rare snowbunny grabbing onto an automobile’s windshield wipers with its teeth and screaming obscenities into the cab of the car. Not everyone is impressed with the Youtube video, however. Representatives on both sides of the aisle are calling for an early opening to rabbit season this year.”
The disciple soberly gazed up at Alex. He didn’t seem impressed.
“There’s more,” Alex promised. “Keep reading!”
Derrick unfolded the next paper.
“Bangor Maine Today: Terrible news today for friends and loved ones flying American Airlines. Flight 733 crashed today while making an emergency landing in Bangor. Of the 156 passengers onboard, 155 died on impact. The lone survivor, copilot John Metzger, is listed in critical condition. Police are still questioning the man concerning the conditions of the plane before the accident occurred, but he appears to have suffered severe brain trauma. An unidentified source inside the TSA has disclosed to Bangor Maine Today that Mr. Metzger adamantly claims a pink rabbit leapt into the cockpit and bit both pilots in the neck.”
Alex leaned forward on the table and hoped against hope. His big brown eyes pleaded with his interviewer. If this didn’t qualify him, then what would? Derrick put down the paper, smiled and wiped a tear from his eye.
“My boss and I are very familiar with your work, Alex. We’ve actually been watching you for quite some time. You’ll be happy to know that we preapproved all of your requests months ago. Special accommodations for frigophobia issues? Not a problem. It’s always warm here. A ski slope? We’ve never approved something like that, but we purchased the snow machines from a local rental company three weeks ago in anticipation of your application.”
“Since my Las Vegas killing spree?”
Derrick nodded. “Welcome to Hell. You’ve earned it.”
Alex’s mouth quivered as he stood up and hopped around the table. “You won’t regret this, sir. You won’t regret this.”
Derrick grabbed two pairs of ski goggles, pulled the straps of one of them around his head, and passed the other to Alex, who was in tears.
“Alex, you know there is no crying in Hell—not for employees, anyway.”
“I’m just so happy…” Alex said laughing and rubbing his eyes.
“Well, you’re in for another treat, my friend. We’ve lined the ski course with new arrivals from PETA and some improvised explosive devices. You think you’re up for it?”
“Derrick, I was born for this…”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)