Saturday, March 1, 2008
Some Market Info

In the last few weeks I've received wordofa couple of anthologies and a revived magazine that might be of interestto some folksout there.

The first anthology is called Wolfsong and it is being edited by M.H. Bonham. The anthology is described thus: "The wolf has been a creature of mythology and legend since humans first told stories. Fear and reviled, or worshipped and loved, the wolf symbolizes wildness and power. In the Wolfsong Anthology, we’rehoping to capture the wolf in new stories that celebrate their magic and mysticism. What we’re looking for are original, well-constructed SFF stories that wolves play a major role. " For more information, the guidelines are at: http://www.wolfsingerpubs.com/WolfSong1.html

Wolfsinger Publications is also looking for submissions for an anthology entitled This Ain't No Rodeo. This one isn't strictly science fiction or fantasy, but I gather science fiction or fantasy stories would be welcome. From the guidelines on the webiste: "We are looking for stories up to 7500 words in length that feature the sport of Bull Riding. They can be in any genre as long as the sport of Bull Riding is a key part of the story." Guidelines are at: http://www.wolfsingerpubs.com/RRFAnthology.html

Finally, I received a letter from G.W. Brown this week saying that he is reviving his small press magazine Today's Fantasy/Future Technology. The focus was on stories that extrapolated modern technology into the future with a strongly pro-technology standpoint. I can't speak for the magazine, but the flyers he sent sounded interesting. You can learn more by sending a self-addressed-stamped envelope to: TF/FN, c/o G.W. Brown, 5111 Hillrose Drive, Baxter, TN 38544.

Happy writing!

Posted by David Summers 2008-03-01 02:35:55

Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Returning to Astronomy

As I indicated in my last entry, I believe that science is an important pursuit. So, when folks at Kitt Peak National Observatory contacted me at the very end of 2007 and told me that they were looking for an observing assistant and asked if I would be interested in applying, I took it very seriously. Now, after some discussions and an interview, the folks at Kitt Peak have formally offered the job and I have accepted. Tomorrow, I officially return to the world of professional astronomy.

Now people may wonder if this means the end of my work in the world of science fiction and fantasy. The short answer is absolutely not. I have three new books coming out in the near future, along with short stories in anthologies and magazines. I absolutely plan to continue writing and, for those folks who enjoy my audio books at Podiobooks.com, I still plan to produce Heirs of the New Earth as an audio book this year.

The Tales of the Talisman production schedule will also continue uninterrupted. That said, I am considering a short break from reading for the magazine while I come up to speed on the duties in my new job. I've just finished sending out acceptances for the winter 2008 issue and I almost have enough material in hand for the spring 2009 issue. I'm going to see how it goes with my first shift before making a final decision, but this is a head's up that I may very well take a short break in reading. If I do, there will be a formal announcement at http://www.talesofthetalisman.com

Of course I also edit books for LBF Books/Lachesis Publishing and I'm editing an anthology for Flying Pen Press. Again, no anticipated changes here for the short term. If I've committed to a project, I plan to see it through. I don't anticipate any significant delays on any project currently in my stack. Depending on how things go with the new job, there may be some effect on the number of future projects I take on, but we're going to see how things go in the coming weeks. I consider myself very fortunate to work with such fine and supportive folks as Carole Spencer at LBF/Lachesis and David Rozansky at Flying Pen. And, while I'm naming names, I should mention Tyree Campbell at Sam's Dot Publishing. I'm not editing anything for him at present, but he is publishing a book I'm in and the fine magazines he publishes have been an important venue for my work over the last few years.

A new job means changes and new challenges. There will certainly be changes in my writing and editing life as I adapt to the challenges of a new job at Kitt Peak. However, those changes should have minimal impact on current projects while, in turn, providing me with new inspiration for future projects.

Posted by David Summers 2008-02-19 11:58:29

Saturday, February 9, 2008
Thoughts on Science and Science Fiction

In January, LBF Books accepted my novel, The Solar Sea, for publication. The Solar Sea tells the story of Thomas Quinn, a young scientist who discovers an unusual new element, valuable to his father’s company. He discovers that the element exists in abundance on Saturn’s moon, Titan, and convinces his father to fund an expedition so they can learn more about the element. They build a manned solar sail craft and off they go on their adventure.

One thing I hear quite a lot is how not enough science fiction is being written and published that appeals to young people. The question is, why is it important that young people read science fiction? Personally, I think it’s important because it gets young people to think about the future and it gets them to think about how science plays a part in making that future happen.

Science is valuable and it is an important pursuit. Through science, we increase our understanding of ourselves, our universe, and our place within the universe. Without science, there is no question that our daily quality of life would suffer. I can name a whole litany of things where science has helped people from computers to medicine. Those are pretty obvious commercial applications, but they wouldn’t have been possible without the basic human desire to explore the world and universe around us. And yet, it seems that all too often here in the twenty-first century, that basic drive is trampled on in favor of short-term commercial and personal interests. It’s pretty common for me to hear phrases like “we need to solve the problems we have on Earth before we explore space” as though we as a people don’t have the ability or the willpower to do both.

I wrote The Solar Sea to be a good novel for young people. It’s not a young adult novel per se, but it was written to be the kind of novel I would have enjoyed reading in junior high or high school. It is a novel that embraces the need to explore and understand. It’s also a novel that explores one of the fundamental truths about science and that is that scientists don’t get everything right the first time. However, that’s part of the fun of science. Scientists take the new things they learn and constantly revise our understanding of the universe.

Now, in response to people who say that not enough science fiction is being written and published that appeals to young people, I often hear other people talk about the poor quality of science fiction written years ago and that science fiction is now “growing up.” My question is this: Who says that science fiction has to be written either for kids or for adults? Every other genre has stories written to appeal to different age groups. I think there’s plenty of room for science fiction that appeals primarily to young people and science fiction that appeals primarily to adults.

In addition to what I’ve said about science fiction getting people to think about the future and about science, science fiction allows us to explore important and often sensitive issues in a new light. The potential for the genre is huge and science is ever expanding. As our understanding of the universe and ourselves expands, there’s more potential for good science fiction to be written both for young people and for adults. The important thing is that we don’t close our minds to the possibilities.

Posted by David Summers 2008-02-09 13:47:47

Sunday, December 16, 2007
Wondrous Web Worlds 7

Sam’s Dot Publishing has just released Wondrous Web Worlds 7, which includes my James B. Baker Award-nominated story, “An Asteroid By Any Other Name.”

The annual Wondrous Web Worlds series presents the very best science fiction, fantasy, and horror published online at Sam's Dot Publishing, and includes two dozen selections from The Martian Wave, The Fifth Di..., and Aoife's Kiss. The material in this seventh in the series deals with some of the fundamental questions raised in the genres. What happens when you go mad from loneliness on Mars? If extra-terrestrials eat terrestrials, should you bring one back to Earth? Is it time to move on when you can't even entertain a rag-tag bunch of robots? What are the benefits of DIY terraforming? Come experience the literary potential of zombies, and learn why the Bone Slayer needed help against the skeletile, and discover the true purpose of biwigglies out Alpha Centauri way.

You'll find some of the finest names in the genres between these covers: Richard S. Levine, Wendy Leeds, Marva Dasef, Tyree Campbell, David C. Kopaska-Merkel, Keith P. Graham, Karen A. Romanko, and many more!

Order a copy at: http://www.genremall.com/anthologiesr.htm#www7

Posted by David Summers 2007-12-16 20:28:11

Tuesday, December 11, 2007
M.H. Bonham News

M.H. Bonham is a Tales of the Talisman contributor and a wonderful fantasy author. She has shared some news with me that she would like to pass along.

First, her newest book, Lachlei, has an awesome cover and is available for preorder through Amazon.com. This is the cover: http://shadowhelm.livejournal.com/407622.html?style=mine which also gets you to her blog. Second, Lachlei is on sale through the publisher at 30% off. You can preorder the book through http://www.edgewebsite.com/promotions.html and buy it right there for $13.96, which saves you over $6 on the book. If you’re not one to buy it from the publisher directly, Amazon.com has a slightly cheaper deal at $13.57, but it requires you to purchase $25 to take advantage of their super saver discounts. You can buy the book off Amazon or Maggie’s website at http://www.shadowhelm.net/book.html. Lachlei’s release is in March, but the sale won’t last, so be sure to pick up your copy and lock in the price.

What’s more, Yard Dog Press is having a holiday sale. Their website is www.yarddogpress.com. From now till the end of December buy any book from YDP and get free postage. That means you go to the site, see the Yard price, and that's what you pay - no postage expense. Of course this means you can't use the shopping carts, but it's as simple as mailing your check, money order, or credit card information with your order to Yard Dog Press, 710 W. Redbud Lane, Alma, AR 72921-7247. Her two books, Prophecy of Swords, http://www.yarddogpress.com/prophecy.htm and Runestone of Teiwas, http://www.yarddogpress.com/runeston.htm are available $2 less than cover and with free shipping. You can also buy the books through Amazon off Maggie’s website as mentioned above.

These books are awesome for anyone who loves fantasy. She also has some short stories in the following anthologies by Yard Dog Press including the Four Bubbas of the Apocalypse, Houston, We’ve got Bubbas, and Flush Fiction. She also has a short story in the book, A Time To... and two Amazon shorts which are all available on her website through Amazon.com, http://www.shadowhelm.net/book.html

Maggie has stories in volume 2, issues 2 and 4 of Tales of the Talisman, which are available at: http://www.talesofthetalisman.com/bookstore-v2.html

Posted by David Summers 2007-12-11 20:23:08