| Happy New Year (2005) to all our readers
and writers!
In keeping with the New Year, a unique concept this month:
January 2005 is dedicated to our new authors (and a few
new concepts that our Web Goddess, Rebecca Gallant and Michael
"The Pretentious Twit" Battaglia have thought up).
I introduced our new writers to our readership in last
month's Scribe's Gazette, but a good idea is worth repeating,
so here they are:
Fantasy:
Our feature story of the month comes from G.C. Dillon,
Plainville, Connecticut. A published author (quantummuse.com,
scifidimensions.com,
The Cenacle magazine, Across the Universe (a fanzine).
We are honored to welcome G.C. Dillon to our Scribal Tales
website.
G. C. Dillon has written a wonderful tale for our readership
entitled, The
Cat and the Moon. A tale that reminds the reader what
fantasy is supposed to be about.
Visit the wonderful city of "Shandloor, from the
banks of Censwadd, the Great Southern Lake." Here you
will be introuduced to the cat-like M'rrr (a creature reminiscent
of Rebecca Gallant's The
Assassin [an illustration]).
Having had the opportunity to read and reread this tale
-- I read submissions once for publication purposes and re-read
for my own reading pleasure. This tale gave me tremendous
reading pleasure -- it brought to mind tales written by Robert
E. Howard (Conan), Karl Wagner (Kane).
I am not indicating that G.C. Dillon is not original in
his writing style, he is. The Cat and the Moon, a wonderful
tale of love, honor, seduction, power and revenge. You could
not ask for anything more in the world of fantasy.
The author has a distinctive voice. Read his story and
hear his words reverberate in your mind.
Again, we welcome G.C. Dillon to our website.
*
Science Fiction:
Ashley Hibbert (from Australia "Down Under"):
Ashley has submitted three short stories to Scribal Tales.
All three were excellent and have been reviewed by Terry-Ann
Volberg.
Here is Terry-Ann's review, in pertinent part:
I loved "Playing
God" and "The
Underpass". I think they have the potential of
being made into movies. That's how good they are.
I guess they would be considered science fiction or psychological
thrillers -- just loved them.
I hope you will continue with "Playing God."
I wanted more, much more. I liked the way you ended it, because
it left the reader wanting more.
As to "The Underpass," my heart was pounding
reading it. I was very wrapped up into what the main character
was "feeling," I did understand he was living his
"dream." Sometimes fantasy and science fiction writing
leaves me puzzled which is why it is so difficult for me to
"get into," but not in your case. I loved that your
stories took place in modern times, something that I can recognize,
which to me, makes it far more realistic.
I think you (Are you a "he" or "she?"
I couldn't tell because your name could be either) should
expand on your tales. There should be a monthly column devoted
to you on Scribal Tales, and I'll use my "influence"
on Dan to that effect.
As far as "Crossing
Dragons Canyon": Well written! Great story, but
the "dragon stuff" it is just not for me. I'm trying
to develop a taste for it, I really am, but it is very slow
coming.
Please continue writing for Scribal Tales.
Is there a "Playing God" Part II?
Your work is my first review. I enjoyed your writing immensely.
You have a devoted reader and reviewer in me -- even the "dragon"
stuff.
Have a great writing New Year.
Terry-Ann Volberg
Now, with a review like that, I urge our readers to go
to our science fiction section and read Ashley's well-written
tales.
*
Shared World Milieu:
A new author joins our group with A
Stranger's Tale, by Darin Dion Hunt.
Darin has requested entry into Volante, and is most certainly
welcome. He has a five-part story, which will be featured
next month (February-March), a complete glossary with a full
cast of characters. Is that not a perfect fit for life on
the planet Odessa? Of course, that was a rhetorical question
and the answer is an obvious "Yes."
Karl Strange had best make room at the Black Dragon Inn
for a newly arrived stranger who will not doubt break the
current tranquility of Talos Valley.
Darin's initial tale is dark and foreboding. It is a tale
that will prepare you for the future twists and adventures
which you will come to love by visiting the Shared World.
*
Hybrid/Fiction/Horror:
I was perplexed with this tale. I didn't really know where
to place it, but:
From the United Kingdom comes Brian Wright's, A
Helping Hand. I take great pride in publishing this
story, as it gave me an opportunity to use my editorial scimitar.
The fact that Brian accepted my suggestions, I believe, gives
him a very, very interesting tale.
Many of the submissions to Scribal Tales are "works
in progress." I believe that A Helping Hand needs
some additional polish and rewrites, but it is an extremely
interesting tale of a love affair gone sour and the mental
anguish that follows.
I thought the opening three paragraphs showed in-depth
thinking into the mind of one highly disturbed individual.
Let me know your opinion, please.
Everybody is given one chance for real happiness, Colin
thought bleakly, and his chance had come and gone.
He wondered where Sally was at that very moment, while he
sat on the parapet of the fog-shrouded bridge in the cold
English night.
The water looked inky and sluggish beneath his dangling
feet. It seemed a long way down. He looked down at his freshly
shined shoes. He had taken them off, placed his wallet in
the left one, his glasses in his right. He didn't know why
he had done that.
*
Rebecca Gallant continues to enhance our website with
the addition of a New
Fiction column, which will open up Scribal Tales to a
different genre of writer, the fiction author.
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