February 21 / / Book Reviews

[Friday Story Dissection] “The Hummingbird Heart” by Angela Slatter

The Girl With No Hands Angela Slatter

Title: “The Girl with No Hands & Other Tales”
Author: Angela Slatter
Genre: Fantasy / Fairy Tale / Lore
Pages: 210
Type: Collection
Stories: 16

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What’s Friday Story Dissection?

It’s a weekly feature on the blog where I cast a more in-depth look into short stories, either in a collection or in an anthology. The idea is for these short stories to exist within the context of a loose narrative, determined by a theme, intent and story order intended by author or editor.

Anthologies have adopted detailed prompts to narrow down the wiggle space of submissions, thus creating a more focused narrative. I believe short story collections tell a larger story with individual stories feeding off and layering a top each other. Read More [Friday Story Dissection] “The Hummingbird Heart” by Angela Slatter

February 20 / / Kama Libris

Kama Libris: Introducing Chimamandanata

Apologies for missing a Wednesday, so as a peace offering, we’re happy to reveal a new character who will join the cast in the Infinite Shelves. Welcome Chimamandanata or Chima as all friends call her. She is among the veteran Book Keepers and owns a bar, which as we all know readers and writers are instantly attracted to. As the narrative forms, Chima’s role will grow more important, because really.

Read More Kama Libris: Introducing Chimamandanata

February 18 / / Musings & Rants

Why It’s a Good Thing the SFWA Meltdown Is as Ugly

The SFWA has experienced a vile, public meltdown.

Not a newsflash, but I feel as though I’m admitting this happened now as I write about it. I’ve been following the SFWA developments for a few weeks and since the infamous petition, the situation has only escalated.

It’s hard for me to speak about this, because I’m not a SFWA member. I’m not anywhere near the US and honestly, it just hurts me to see this happen in the first place. It plays with all my buttons and I’ve been restricting myself from offering my thoughts, because they would be far from civil on the matter. Read More Why It’s a Good Thing the SFWA Meltdown Is as Ugly

February 17 / / Writing

I’ve Been Thinking About Writing Advice (AGAIN!)

 

As a writer I have spent reading more about writing advice than I’ve been actually writing as I have plenty of blogs I’ve followed through the years and not all that much completed work to my name. Writing advice is a curious thing. Everyone and their grandmother dishes it out and rather than explain their advice is tied to personal experience, some people push it out as the gospel truth. Read More I’ve Been Thinking About Writing Advice (AGAIN!)

February 14 / / Book Reviews

[Friday Story Dissection] “Frozen”, “Words” and “The Dead Ones Don’t Hurt You” by Angela Slatter

The Girl With No Hands Angela Slatter

Title: “The Girl with No Hands & Other Tales”
Author: Angela Slatter
Genre: Fantasy / Fairy Tale / Lore
Pages: 210
Type: Collection
Stories: 16

—
What’s Friday Story Dissection?

It’s a weekly feature on the blog where I cast a more in-depth look into short stories, either in a collection or in an anthology. The idea is for these short stories to exist within the context of a loose narrative, determined by a theme, intent and story order intended by author or editor.

Anthologies have adopted detailed prompts to narrow down the wiggle space of submissions, thus creating a more focused narrative. I believe short story collections tell a larger story with individual stories feeding off and layering a top each other. Read More [Friday Story Dissection] “Frozen”, “Words” and “The Dead Ones Don’t Hurt You” by Angela Slatter

February 12 / / Kama Libris

Kama Libris: The Elbow Bookmark

Pose: The Infinite Shelves, although a home for books, have little space for solitude. With the great mountain ostriches, paper serpents and countless Book Keepers, one can seldom find the necessary silence to concentrate. The Elbow Bookmark developed out of this necessity.

It’s a simple pose. The Book Keeper assumes a sitting position with legs crossed and since the position is casual, individuals are allowed to cross their legs in a fashion most comfortable for them. Once the Book Keeper has fulfilled this step, he/she holds the desired book in one hand (similar to the Reading Monk) and grabs their neck so as to extend an elbow above their head. Read More Kama Libris: The Elbow Bookmark

February 11 / / Promotional Work

I Talk about Applying for Clarion on BOOKLIFE NOW

February 8 / / Art

Saturday Inspiration: “Red Riding Hood” by Aaron Flynn

 

In my search for images for the post on Red Riding Hood for my Friday Story Dissection post, I found some breathtaking imagery dedicated to Red Hood and her story. This sexually charged image is drawn by Aaron Flynn , who draws inspiration from Angela Carter’s “The Company of Wolves”, which lends itself to such an interpretation. There is something raw and very sexual. One can’t stop looking at it and that’s the purpose to see the signature scene unravel in all its playful terror. Read More Saturday Inspiration: “Red Riding Hood” by Aaron Flynn

February 7 / / Book Reviews

[Friday Story Dissection] “The Chrysanthemum Bride” by Angela Slatter

The Girl With No Hands Angela Slatter

Title: “The Girl with No Hands & Other Tales”
Author: Angela Slatter
Genre: Fantasy / Fairy Tale / Lore
Pages: 210
Type: Collection
Stories: 16

—
What’s Friday Story Dissection?

It’s a weekly feature on the blog where I cast a more in-depth look into short stories, either in a collection or in an anthology. The idea is for these short stories to exist within the context of a loose narrative, determined by a theme, intent and story order intended by author or editor.

Anthologies have adopted detailed prompts to narrow down the wiggle space of submissions, thus creating a more focused narrative. I believe short story collections tell a larger story with individual stories feeding off and layering a top each other. Read More [Friday Story Dissection] “The Chrysanthemum Bride” by Angela Slatter

February 5 / / Kama Libris

Kama Libris: The Reading Monk

Pose: The Reading Monk is a deceptive little pose. Essential and fundamental, this pose is the bread and butter of any self-respecting Book Keeper – not that any Book Keeper is in need of more self-respect. After all, they are the few chosen readers with access to the Infinite Shelves where the rarest, most mischievous, magical and dangerous of books roam free.

The Reading Monk calls for extreme balance as the Book Keeper must assume a comfortable, yet stable position on one leg with the other leg firmly tucked close to the body. Both arms stretch out in opposite directions to align the body in a single line perpendicular to the ground. Read More Kama Libris: The Reading Monk