February 4 / Haralambi Markov / Progress & Milestones

January Writing Stats (Or How I Talked Myself out of Being Productive)

I wasn’t really happy with the wordcount from 2013. I didn’t write much, couldn’t even finish an innocent NaNoWriMo novel for that matter and disappointment hung in the air like a dirty, unwashed wife beater that still smells of that one time you tried to exercise and it didn’t quite work out and you don’t want to go to the memory ever again. Literally.

What? No one experiences disappointment this way? Read More January Writing Stats (Or How I Talked Myself out of Being Productive)

February 3 / Haralambi Markov / Kama Libris

Kama Libris Teaser: Atticus Mid-Novel

Wednesday is right around the corner. Kama Libris is about to debut, but in the mean time here is a teaser image with the second lead in the Kama Libris project – Atticus. Here he is enjoying a good book in one of the less insane quarters of the Infinite Shelves. Read More Kama Libris Teaser: Atticus Mid-Novel

February 2 / Haralambi Markov / Writing

Why You Should Keep Creating

THE GAP by Ira Glass from frohlocke on Vimeo.

Ira Glass talks about the gap between your taste and your skill as a creator. It’s your taste that drives you to newer heights and it’s generally correct, but I often feel as though creators take time to even develop taste. I remember very clearly how I started off. Read More Why You Should Keep Creating

February 1 / Haralambi Markov / Art

Isn’t Cannibalism Truly Fascinating?

I came across this on Facebook thanks to my friend Jaym Gates (she always manages to find a wealth of interesting and disturbing material). I don’t know who created this wonderful poster, so I can’t credit an artist but at the same time I’m careful about calling this art.

Whenever I’m presented with a diagram, I see a marketing tool rather than an art piece. Intent differs. Art expresses a personal conviction, emotion and belief. Marketing straddles you and your thought process to achieve a desired reaction and provoke you into a desired action.

And shaping your mind this does. Reading about the best meats and how to prepare you tells us how easily desensitized with cannibalism society is. Because this is both a joke as well as a practical guide, if you know… you ever find yourself in that position.

January 31 / Haralambi Markov / Book Reviews

[Friday Story Dissection] “Red Skein” 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] “Red Skein” by Angela Slatter

January 28 / Haralambi Markov / Kama Libris

Introducing Kama Libris: Welcome to the Infinite Shelves

Welcome to the Infinite Shelves!

Welcome to Kama Libris – the sensual pleasure of books!

Books have always been a special spiritual fetish since I can remember. Just the very physical presence of a book fills me with tranquility and contentment. I admit I’m terribly slow when it comes to reading, but once I have a book in my hands… Read More Introducing Kama Libris: Welcome to the Infinite Shelves

January 23 / Haralambi Markov / Musings & Rants

Cartoon Network Wants You to FUCK the Power Puff Girls

That’s what I get after spending a second looking at their variant cover for PPG #6 issued by IDW’s Little line.

There is no other explanation for the cover rather than Carton Network catering to the Internet perverts to cash in on the sicker aspects of grown men idolizing characters meant for children – the way Bronies have fetishized the new incarnation My Little Pony.

Google clopping and wingboner at your own personal risk. Read More Cartoon Network Wants You to FUCK the Power Puff Girls

January 20 / Haralambi Markov / Promotional Work

Mushrooms in My Story: The Psilocybe Semilanceata

Last week I didn’t have the chance to write about mushrooms, because DEADLINES, but the immediate danger has passed and I can return to the mushrooms.

I have already blogged about the Aseroe Rubra or as I call it – the murder mushroom monster.

Today I’m going to introduce you to a much cuter, whimsical mushroom – the Psilocybe semilanceata. Boy, what a mouthful.

But first… Read More Mushrooms in My Story: The Psilocybe Semilanceata

January 19 / Haralambi Markov / Music

Song for Sunday: Tiombe Lockhart “Can’t Get Enough”

Read the Post Song for Sunday: Tiombe Lockhart “Can’t Get Enough”

January 18 / Haralambi Markov / Art

Saturday Inspiration: “Keep in Flames” by Alex Ferreiro

Alex Ferreiro is a Spanish illustrator with impressive skill. He has been working for quite some time and has numerous awards and exhibitions to prove it. This particular piece carries a lot of emotional impact. While it’s hard to understand what exactly is happening, there is no denying there is a lot of anguish and nervous energy, which is what makes this piece so fascinating. Obviously the painting is not meant to be understood, but rather felt and in that it achieves to keep your stare on it. Read More Saturday Inspiration: “Keep in Flames” by Alex Ferreiro