Swords Against Boredom

I’ve been known to rant here from time to time about trends in literature, and how I often see works that are full of poetic language, heavy symbolism, hints of deep ideas, wisps of mythic echoes, etc., but not much story, not much that is concrete.

I just read “Galapagos,” by Kurt Vonnegut, and enjoyed it so much I wanted to post about it here. Vonnegut’s book offers what I like most in literary works — breathtaking ideas, incisive wit, keen observations and an element too often missing from the stories I dislike: clarity. Read more »

Gee, so much going on and me too busy to blog about it … Read more »

My good friend and frequent “Swords Against Boredom” commenter Tom Williams has sold another story to Ricasso Press.

Tom’s John Humble will stalk the pages of the “Magic and Machina” anthology in a little number Tom calls Iron Hearts of Death.

Look for it!

– Steve

My friend TW found Tuppers’ Hop Pocket Ale on his way over to our place for a weekend visit. As Ellie Tupper is a regular commenter on this blog, we just had to give it a try. Read more »

Well, here I am at the GrendelSong No. 2 virtual release party, fashionably late but bringing along a six-pack of Germanic goodness and ready to rock. Read more »

My respect for Belgium as a brewing nation continues to grow. Read more »

I don’t like ranking stories as “best” or anything like that, but here are some sword-and-sorcery stories I think are totally awesome. Each fits my idea of sword-and-sorcery, which I realize may well differ from yours. Feel free to argue, add to the list or discuss these stories in the comments below. Read more »