« December 2007 | Main | February 2008 »
January 29, 2008
"Pastels" by M. Keaton
Don't miss this atmospheric piece of flash fiction.
"Pastels"
by M. Keaton
For every artist, there is a chosen medium.
This story closes out our first issue. Look for more in February.
Posted by Selena at 05:46 AM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2008
The Tale of the Turtle and the Crane
A few days ago, the sand cranes were in the backyard and one was seated, which I've never seen them do. I wonder if she was laying eggs or something. Then a poor, unsuspecting turtle came moseying through the lawn on his way to the lake. Momma Crane had a fit.
She got up, walked over to the turtle and started warning him away with a lot of squawking and wing flapping. (It's important to note here that the wingspan of a sand hill crane is something like seven feet. This bird is about a hundred times bigger than the turtle.) Poor turtle was surely saying, "Look, lady, relax. I'm just passing through." The turtle wasn't heading toward her nesting spot (or whatever it was). He never did turn in that direction. But that didn't stop Momma Crane from dogging him all the way down to the water, screaming the whole way some crane version of "Yeah, that's right. You just keep on walking."
It was so cool. I wish I had been able to videotape it.
Posted by Selena at 12:50 PM | Comments (0)
Seven Archangels: Annihilation - Chapter 4
The next chapter is now available.
Seven Archangels: Annihilation
by Jane Lebak
Chapter Four:
As Satan debriefs the Maskim, becoming more secure in his victory, Michael and Uriel attempt to do anything at all to save Gabriel.
Posted by Selena at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)
January 25, 2008
"One Story Short" by Gustavo Bondoni
This update is a cool story about the goings-on at a successful magazine whose writers are mostly robots.
"One Story Short"
by Gustavo Bondoni
In a world where humans and robots are beginning to coexist as equals, the lines between them are sometimes blurred...
On a personal note: This story is one of my favorites that we have published so far. I tend to like stories about writers, but this one is mostly about an editor, which is unusual. Add in the twist that the magazine publishes mostly robot writers, and that the editor pulls a story from the slush pile to fill the issue at the last minute...and well, you'll just have to read the story to see how good it is.
Any resemblance to any real-life editor or magazine is purely coincidental. (haha)
Posted by Selena at 06:38 AM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2008
Miscellaneous
I haven't been blogging much lately. It's not that I don't have anything to say. It's more like I don't have much to say that is suitable for a public forum and/or of interest to others.
Winter has always been a quiet, introspective time for me. So, please bear with me.
Here is a miscellany of what's been going on:
Mom came to visit, which was great. As usual, the sand hill cranes refused to come by the house while she was here. (I honestly can't fathom what that is about, except maybe it's just bad luck.) We did see the birds in the mall parking lot though. (Go figure.) True to form, the birds stopped by the backyard just a couple days after Mom had gone home.
We did get a visitor of another sort while Mom was here. We were in the living room one afternoon when we heard a scratching, banging noise at the front door. I opened it to find a big turtle (about a foot wide) knocking on the door like he was on his way to the lake and wanted to take a short cut through the house. We reoriented him and shortly after saw him making his way along the side of the house, down to the lake.
With the writers strike lingering on, there isn't much to watch on TV. So, I've been watching movies instead. Here are a few I watched recently and liked: The Illusionist, The Lake House (which I'd seen before and loved), Mission Impossible III, and Stranger Than Fiction.
I have been keeping up with my "one submission a week" goal, but otherwise not doing much writing. This is the reward I am motivating myself with: a mad genius T-shirt. (You know you want one.) Now if I could just stick to my diet and exercise goals, I'd be set.
I started watching the new Terminator series, which is okay so far. It's cool to see Summer Glau get more work. (I thought she was great in Firefly and Serenity.) She makes a good Terminator. I just wish her character had more personality, but I guess Terminators don't generally have a lot of personality. Favorite moment so far: Cameron (played by Summer Glau) saying "please remain calm" to the people in the car whose windshield her head is smashed through. LOL. I loved that.
Posted by Selena at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2008
"Galaxy In A Matchbox" by G. O. Clark
It is New Poetry Tuesday. Enjoy this latest offering.
"Galaxy In A Matchbox"
by G. O. Clark
What a thing is and what a thing seems to be...One and the same? Really?
Posted by Selena at 06:42 AM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2008
Seven Archangels: Annihilation - Chapter 3
The saga continues with Chapter 3.
Seven Archangels: Annihilation
by Jane Lebak
Chapter Three:
Gabriel awakens chained in Hell, where he learns about the enemy's plans to annihilate him. His attempt to escape is thwarted when Satan arrives.
Posted by Selena at 12:51 PM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2008
"Vegetable Matters" by Terry W. Ervin, II
Here is today's update:
"Vegetable Matters"
by Terry W. Ervin, II
To what lengths will a father go to protect his progeny—even if they’re no longer recognizably human?
Posted by Selena at 06:48 AM | Comments (0)
January 15, 2008
"Infringement" by Ahmed A. Khan
Here is a brief shot of fiction for your Tuesday morning...
"Infringement"
by Ahmed A. Khan
Some lines are not meant to be crossed...
Posted by Selena at 06:30 AM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2008
Good Day
It was a good day. I managed to spend several hours writing, in spite of a full day of baby-watching. Plus I took a short walk and did a little DEP work. I even finished and sent off the submission I've been working on.
It wasn't all good though. I didn't stick to my diet. I had more chocolate than good health would dictate. I didn't exercise nearly enough. But no day is perfect.
All in all, it was a very good day.
I hope yours was good too.
Posted by Selena at 09:43 PM | Comments (0)
Podcast Interview and Story
My story "Young Ones" is part of the latest episode of Ray Gun Radio. (The story was originally published in Ray Gun Revival as part of their Issue #3.) The story is book-ended by an interview with yours truly.
You can give it a listen here.
It's such a kick to hear one of my stories read out loud! That hardly ever happens.
Posted by Selena at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)
P&E poll closes tomorrow-Vote Now!
It's getting down to the wire. Voting closes for the P&E poll TOMORROW (Jan 15). If you haven't already voted, please stop by and cast your ballot for your favorites.
There are a bunch of DEP nominees to choose from. Or feel free to add your own.
Here are some DEP nominees I noticed. (If I missed any, or new ones appear, please add them into this thread as a reply.)
Short Story:
Dust, David Misialowski, Dragons, Knights, & Angels, http://dkamagazine.com/item.php?sub_id=2356
Winter Branches, Jane Lebak, The Sword Review, http://www.theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=888
No Revolution is Too Big, Mike Lynch, Ray Gun Revival, http://www.raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1342
Little White Truths, T.M.Hunter, Ray Gun Revival, http://www.raygunrevival.com/
Fast Hands, Rob Mancebo, Ray Gun Revival, http://www.raygunrevival.com/item.php?sub_id=3530
Eye of Nukuloo, S.T. Forstner, RayGun Revival, http://www.raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=976
Beyond the Flesh, A. M. Stickel, Ray Gun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1070
Nor to the Strong, Michael Merriam, Ray Gun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_0019_2007_04_01.pdf
Sixteen In A Row, Casey Chan, Ray Gun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1099
The Mouse That Ate Civilization, Steve Poling, Ray Gun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1473
The Time of Your Life, Richard S. Levine, Raygun Revival, http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_0015_2007_02_01.pdf
Anthology:
Distant Passages II, Double-Edged Publishing, http://doubleedgedpublishing.com/storeMain.php
Magazine/E-zine editor
The RGR Overlords: Johne Cook, L. S. King, Paul Christian Glenn, http://raygunrevival.com
Bill Snodgrass, http://theswordreview.com
poetry magazine
Dragons, Knights, & Angels http://dkamagazine.com
fiction magazine
Dragons, Knights, & Angels http://dkamagazine.com
Ray Gun Revival http://www.raygunrevival.com
The Sword Review http://www.theswordreview.com
artist
E.J.Mickels II http://Hisart.us/pagefour.html
Rachel Marks http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=20691&view_mode=photos&folder_id=62614
poet
Bruce Boston
Jaime Lee Moyer http://http://stillnotbored.livejournal.com/profile
Marcie Tentchoff http://mtentchoff.livejournal.com
author
Jane Lebak http://archangels.janelebak.com
Magazine/E-zine Cover Art
'Christmas Party' Tomislav Tikulin http://http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_36.jpg
'Kantoi' Ray Gun Revival Issue 30 Mohd Haris Amran http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_30.jpg
Magazine cover: Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 28 Alex Ruiz http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_28.jpg
SwordMaster E.J.Mickels href="http://www.theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=898
'Isolated Version 2' - Ray Gun Revival Issue #18 Daniel Chua Kok Jun http://raygunrevival.com/Published/RGR_18.jpg
artwork
Jade Rachel A. Marks http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=20691&view_mode=photo&folder_id=62614&pic_id=438942
Ray Gun Revival magazine, Issue 25 Ed Lopez http://raygunrevival.com/Published/Cover_RGR_25.jpg
The Visitor E.J.Mickels II http://www.theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=1390
Thanks.
Posted by Selena at 09:08 AM | Comments (1)
January 13, 2008
Failing Already
I had such high hopes for today, yet I am failing already.
I worked for a couple hours. It was going so well. But then my plans got hijacked, as so often happens.
I guess by now I should have learned how to take that in stride. But I haven't. It sets me back. Even once my time is (mostly) my own again, it's hard to get back into the groove of getting things done.
I need a reset button, a way to get back in the zone after I have been sidetracked.
I am going to try a cup of tea. Maybe the caffeine will help. Maybe then I can get back to the to-do list that has been taunting me: the 30+ submissions I have yet to read, the submission I promised myself I would finish and send off this week, the novel chapters I am supposed to be critiquing, etc., etc.
This is me pressing “Restart Game.” Wish me luck. ;)
Posted by Selena at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)
Seven Archangels: Annihilation - Chapter 2
Chapter 2 is now available!
Seven Archangels: Annihilation
by Jane Lebak
Chapter Two:
Disguised as her fallen twin, Remiel infiltrates Hell to track Gabriel's abductors. Back on Earth the archangels discover Satan's plans for Gabriel, something that has never been attempted before: annihilating an angel.
Look for new chapters every Sunday.
Listen to the audio promo for Seven Archangels: Annihilation.
Posted by Selena at 01:02 PM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2008
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Resha Caner
This update is our first short story. Enjoy!
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"
by Resha Caner
Orgon has spent his entire life underground, and no one can tell him why.
Posted by Selena at 07:37 AM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2008
"Yucatán" by John Kuhn
Next up is a poem by one of our favorite writers.
"Yucatán"
by John Kuhn
In an instant, the ancient towers fall.
For more of John's work, check out the archives at both The Sword Review and DKA.
Posted by Selena at 07:57 AM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2008
MindFlights: Seven Archangels: Annihilation (serial novel)
Today's update is chapter 1 of our serial novel:
Seven Archangels: Annihilation
by Jane Lebak
All angels have known since their creation that they cannot be killed—but now Satan is convinced the impossible can be done. Demons abduct and are able to tear apart the Archangel Gabriel's soul, leaving Heaven in stunned grief. If angels can be killed, where is God's justice?
Can Gabriel be saved from the void? How can Satan be prevented from achieving a final victory against God?
Look for new chapters every Sunday.
Posted by Selena at 12:21 PM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2008
"In The Beginning" by David Siegel Bernstein, PhD.
MindFlights is under way! Here is our first poem. Look for updates every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. Thanks.
"In The Beginning"
by David Siegel Bernstein, PhD.
Once upon a time, there was no time...
Posted by Selena at 07:49 AM | Comments (0)
DKA is now MindFlights
DKA is now MindFlights.
Stop by and check out our new website at www.mindflights.com.
You'll find that our first cover is already available. (It's "The Sentinel" by Karl Eschenbach, and also serves as our new profile picture.) Look for our first poem to be published tomorrow (Friday, January 4th) then updates every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. We even have a serial novel for you, with new chapters planned for each Sunday afternoon for the next six months.
Stop by and have a look then leave us a comment here or in our discussion forums.
Thanks.
Selena Thomason
Managing Editor
MindFlights magazine
Posted by Selena at 12:02 AM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2008
Florida Cold Snap
I live in Florida. Yet, when I woke up this morning it was thirty degrees outside and sixty-four degrees inside. (That’s with the heat on!) The weather is so out of the ordinary that it’s the top news story on most local news outlets, including this one.
I never was a fan of the cold, but now that I’ve gotten used to it hardly ever getting below seventy, it feels even colder.
One of the things I love about living in Florida is the absence of winter. I love that the weather is sunny and warm ninety-nine percent of the time. It’s just those five or so days a year when Mother Nature goes crazy and brings chilly weather to the south—uggh, that's rough. To make the cold feel even worse, houses in Florida are designed to release the heat not keep it.
They say the weather is going to normalize back into milder temps by the weekend. I can't wait.
I had planned to go out for groceries and other shopping today, but I just can't do it. Instead I'm going to wrap up in a quilt and read until the weather warms up.
Posted by Selena at 09:21 AM | Comments (0)