A character’s name will be the trait most often referred to in a book, so today I’d like to talk about historical and fantastical names, as well as literary usage. We’d start with a quick review of some interesting naming conventions from history (Romans, duh, but also others), then touch on fantasy and science fiction […]
News / Blog
Book Review: The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch
The Lies of Locke Lamora has been on my to-read list for a while — I’m glad I finally got to it. What to expect A wonderfully-built “heist” style adventure, with a dark turn towards the end. Locke Lamora is a thief, a con-man swindling the rich out of their money, in a roughly Renaissance-ish […]
I did NOT see this coming!
Here I was, typing away at In Victrix, very focused on the emotional grand finale, when, last Thursday, just as my train pulled in to the last station, this happened: That makes the official third volume of full-length Felix mysteries complete! Well, the first draft of which. I have quite a bit of notes in […]
TV Shows and Podcasts!
It appears I’ve appeared on national TV… Life is picking up! 🙂 This was all very exciting, not the least of which is because it was recorded at half past-midnight Australian time. I was quite happy with how coherent I still was… At least it was aired in more appropriate, viewer-friendly hours. So please, read […]
Hot off the… err… Scribe: Ancient News Roundup
A few things on the agenda today, from ancient Roman wine-making to expensive coins, from functional shields to decorative helmets, and even some ancient military humour! Wines today and in Roman times This article about ancient wine popped up in my feed: We Drink Basically The Same Wine As Ancient Romans — And That’s Not […]
Book Review: Three Nights in Faral-Khazal, by David Samuels
I like indie fantasy, and with the credentials behind the novella (finalist in Baen Fantasy Adventure finalist, and an honourable mention in Writers of the Future) this looked very promising. What to expect A novella-length collection of three short stories. The story that won the above awards is the first one – Deadliest Dish. Each […]
Who is that spotlight aimed at, anyway?
As most of you would know (at least, those on the mailing list), I’m very close to finishing the first draft of In Victrix. In fact, I just killed someone — someone who was there from the start, and I always knew had to die… Horribly, violently so. It was a sheer bloodbath, and I […]
Why We Write
Every author gets this question: why do you write? Interview answers sometimes seem trite, but we also each ask ourselves that at times. Like those times when I actually write. Seems like it’s either fingers-flying-over-keyboard madly-cackling-about-to-be-arrested bouts, or the stare-listlessly-out-the-window and think “Why am I doing it to myself?” Well, here’s the (or at least, […]
Book Review: Orconomics, by J. Zachary Pike
Orconomics brings together humour, engaging character, and thoughtful consideration together to make excellent fantasy. What to expect The book starts on a lighthearted tone, almost a parody of classic role-playing games and their logical conclusion, by considering how would fantasy economies work with a plethora of adventurer parties running around and looting everything. Don’t be […]
Series Review: Plebs
Following my review of Chlemsford 123 (the greatest Roman-era sitcom of all times!) I found the more recent Plebs. Centered around the lives of (very) common people in 27 BCE Rome, it’s a nice little British sitcom with enough going on for it. What to Expect Set in Rome of 27 BC, two mates – […]
