Ah, February, the Love Month (Valentine's Day)!

So, what does Scribal Tales do for its subscribers and authors? We start off our “love message” with an example of two authors who love their work – sort of brings to mind the old expression of, “Opposites Attract.”

So, let's backtrack to our examples of “opposites attract,” with a bit of history: Bent (October 2006). Yes, that was the start of it. Bent's author, Robert T. Tuohey submitted his, shall I say, rather controversial tale of Joe Schom and his desire to stick his head into his own private place (his ass – and I do not mean a mule or donkey that he owns).

At first, I was reluctant to publish this very finely written tale, thinking that our readers would not appreciate the tale. My email correspondence with Robert convinced me that I had to overcome my reluctance to publish this tale and “roll the dice.”

To my surprise about 95% of the correspondents I received loved this tale. “Bent” made its way around the courthouse (approximately 20 readers) and it was the “talk of the town.”

There were a few individuals who simply did not appreciate this tale, and told me so in no uncertain terms.

I was quite satisfied with my decision to publish Bent, and thought that its shock value was over. It wasn't!

The Review: Michael Battaglia (The Pretentious Twit) decided to review Bent (December 2006). Michael thought the tale was professionally written, but didn't think it was very original, to say the least – after all, The Pretentious Twit does not really pull many punches.

But “The Review” did what it was supposed to do: It made the readers and subscribers additionally aware of Bent. Forty emails later (which is quite a lot of mail for our site), Bent became the most widely read tale in the history of Scribal Tales. I might add, parenthetically, that Michael's review of Bent was his highest rated review since, “Is Karl Strange – Strange.” (See Archives).

No sooner than the Pretentious Twit hit the Internet than did I receive “The Rebuttal” from Robert Tuohey. Robert's rebuttal was so well written (Think Ali vs. Fraizer) that as the editor and publisher of Scribal Tales, I thought that I should send an advanced copy to Michael and see if he felt a “Surrebuttal” was in order. He did!

So now my precious subscribers, you have your perfect example of “Opposites Attract.” Scribal Tales through this newsletter is proud to present: The Rebuttal vs. The Surrebuttal.

What else is Scribal Tales offering you this month?

Horror Tales:

Norman A. Rubin's The Barking Dog. Believe it or not, it is (sort of) a love story. “Old Man Jenkins” was once a young man, accused of killing his own true love. It won't “creep you out” but you'll learn why a dog's love for his master is an example of pure love.

Shared World Tales:

Joel Levy's new tale of the Valkyrie and the Ninja, takes them on the road to the Black Dragon Inn. The Kingdom of Brocalinde and the city-state of Lothian fade into the background, but last year's battle will not be forgotten. Will Tarn ever win the hand of his true love Talisha; will he kill off Prince Rubert? Half-demons, beautiful evil queens, what more could a fantasy reader ask for on Valentine's Day.

Science Fiction Tales:

Tala Bar shows her writing versatility with a science fiction tale The Green Light. As my grandmother used to say, “Just shows to go you,” Humans are loved everywhere, especially the green-eyed ones.

Touched by an Alien by Dan Mills (our resident illustrator), shows his dual talents with his tale of alien love (Ah, Famka Imotal is quite a dish). Touched by an Alien, its title says it all. Garrett Vidmar needs some immediate psychiatric care; Ruman Tynes now there is a bounty hunter to be admired.

Fantasy Tales:

The Green Sword by Peter Welmerink. Not much on love but a wonderful example of the beginning of a new series by an excellent writer. I'm sure there is a love story somewhere in this tale, but if you're in love with pure fantasy, read this tale.

Odan the Scribe by Daniel Olarnick:

Yes, the scribe, the mongrel, Utre and the newly regenerated Ebon Grupe (he's a bit confused but after all after being imprisoned by Accundus (The dragon-god) for thousands of years, can you blame him?) come to the end (or is it the start) of their Quest. The Scribe finds the Relic; the Scribal Priesthood will not be outdone they have prepared the nameless scribe for this confrontation with a mental implant, so strong that … well, read Chapter 10 of my continuing series.

In conclusion: A tribute to Terry-Ann. She is all that any man needs to understand the real meaning of Valentine's Day.

Dan “O”

Daniel Olarnick, Editor and Publisher of Scribal Tales and the Scribe's Gazette.