Author Archives: Ben Zwycky

Brian Niemeier Reviews Beyond the Mist

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Brian Niemeier, Campbell award nominee and Dragon Award winner, has some very nice things to say about Beyond the mist over on his blog:

A man finds himself weightless in a rushing mist. He doesn’t know whether he is flying or falling, and he has no memory of anything prior to waking in the fog. Much like the book’s protagonist, the reader is immediately cast into an existential mystery on the first page.

Also like the protagonist, I didn’t know what to make of the character’s initial situation. Was I entering a strange science fiction world so advanced beyond our own as to make the setting itself a puzzle? Had Zwycky crafted a surrealist parable to illustrate the folly of relativism through style and mood? A metaphysical science-fantasy like Philip Jose Farmer’s Riverworld?

Since discovering the truth is among the primary joys of reading Beyond the Mist, I won’t spoil the answer. I will say that the process of discovery is masterfully handled by Zwycky and immensely satisfying.

Read the whole review here, or better yet read the book by clicking on the image below:

Beyond the Mist

 

Superversive Press titles on Kindle Countdown sales!

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Superversive Press made the following announcement earlier today, these deals run out in about 3 hours from now (I was the editor for both of these, and contributor to the second, so receive a share of the royalties from each sale):


You can currently pick up the dystopian science fiction novella The Product by Marina Fontaine in a Kindle Count down sale, proceeds from which go to feed the author as well as help keep Superversive SF alive! The Product is a story that Dragon Award winning author of CTRL ALT Revolt! Nick Cole, said ““Fontaine expertly paints a loveless future where what’s human and what’s real is dangerous and highly illegal. Taut, passionate and compelling, this vignette of a dark future reminds us that we are still human, no matter what laws are passed. A fearless warning for these fear-filled times.”, get it now before the sale is over!

Sci Phi Journal stories and article is available on a Kindle countdown sale as well. Proceeds feed authors and help keep the lights on too as well as giving you a good Sci Phi fix.

 

Iron Sunday

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As this is the first Sunday of Advent, I will be posting the short first part of what will (hopefully 🙂 ) be a five-part poem, each part themed according to the Czech (Bohemian) folk names for the four Sundays of Advent, Iron Sunday, Bronze Sunday, Silver Sunday and Gold Sunday, followed up by one on Christmas Day itself, which this year also falls on a Sunday (in the American/British tradition anyway, over here the evening of the 24th is the time for the Christmas feast and exchanging of presents. Since, being a British and Czech family, we celebrate both, I think I can get away with making the most of this conjunction of dates)

Iron Sunday

Nations crushed by iron wheels,
With gladii and oblong shields,
As far as human eyes can see
Reigns Caesar unopposed, supreme.

He sees himself as a great god
To rule all with an iron rod.
“My empire has been built to last
My might will never be surpassed.”

But soon That Day will come.

CLFA November Booknado!

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The Conservative Libertarian Fiction Alliance is running it’s Novermber Booknado, featuring two recent releases that I edited, plus another one by fellow Superversive Literary Movement founder L. Jagi Lamplighter. Check them out if you’re in the mood for a refreshing read:

 

The November CLFA Booknado churns across a darkened literary landscape, demolishing tired, old, ideologically Progressive pap and blasting fresh fiction choices all across the land! Pick up one of our featured titles today and join the movement.

Click on the book image to learn more and shop!

(Titles are considered new releases and/or sold at featured promotional price points as of November 14 and 15, 2016.)

NEW RELEASES

Keeping the Faith (Book Two of the John Fisher Chronicles) by William Lehman
It was suposed to be an easy case, a good way to “get back on the horse” and because it looked like a ‘Thrope case, it was right up Detective Fisher’s alley. Of course, nothing is ever easy when Fisher is involved, and when they found the murdered Marine, it all went south…

Blood of Invidia (Maestru Series Book 1) by Tom Tinney and  Morgen Batten
Aliens, Vampires, and Werewolves…Oh, My!
These are not cute, candy-eating aliens or sparkly tween vampires. It’s time for you to run (and your little dog too)!

In the Lamplight: The Fantastic Worlds of L. Jagi Lamplighter by L. Jagi Lamplighter
Sixteen tales of wit and wonder, of mischief and magic, where simple folk and extraordinary individuals wrestle down their own fears to find the courage, cleverness and, occasionally, faith to face life’s dangers and enchantments. Come! Enjoy the wonder!

Renegades: Out of Time (The Renegades Book 3) by Kal Spriggs
Can a group of explorers, pirates, and mercenaries find out the secrets of an ancient alien facility before time runs out?

The Secret Citizen (Freedom/Hate Series, Book 3) by Kyle Andrews
Question the lies. Suffer the consequences.

Betrayals: A Jack Del Rio Thriller by Richard Paolinelli
Star FBI agent Jack Del Rio is back, and he’s the only man in America who can stop the string of assassinations and conspiracies that threatens to topple the entire government and bring the United States under the thumb of evil dictatorship.

The Product by Marina Fontaine
Would you risk your life to come awake? (Novella)

Murphy’s Law of Vampires (Love at First Bite Book 2) by Declan Finn
Murphy’s Law dictates that when you’re ready for vampires …. you have to face a demon.

Some Other Shore by Dwight R. Decker
A collection of six lighthearted romps exploring the outer fringes of history and science, with mermaids (two different kinds), human curiosities, and even a dead king who never existed.

Sci Phi Journal, Q1 2016: The Journal of Science Fiction and Philosophy by multiple authors
Stories, articles and reviews to keep you entertained and questioning.

A Different Heroism (Father Jay Book 3) by Jane Lebak
A disabled priest and his brother, an agnostic cop, find themselves working together to save the son of a murdered police officer from two rival gangs.

FREE (limited time promotion)

By The Hands of Men, Book One: The Old World by Roy M. Griff
English Lieutenant Robert Fitzgerald fights for his soul. Refugee nurse Charlotte Braninov fights for her very survival. The star-crossed lovers meet less than a mile from the front lines in WWI before forging their destiny in a world shattered by war, greed, and the lust for power. First book of the acclaimed and beloved historical fiction series.

The First Quarterly Issue of Sci Phi Journal 2016 is out!

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For those of you who are not (yet 🙂 ) subscribers to the excellent Sci Phi Journal (in my totally unbiased opinion as frequent contributor and editing staff member 😛 ) can now obtain for the paltry sum of $4.99 the first three months of this year’s stories and articles, including one by yours truly, a polished and expanded version of one of my longer opinion pieces first posted here at this blog.

Click on the image below to take a look.sciphi_q1_2016

Of course, if you are a subscriber to the journal, you will get to read all of Sci Phi’s excellent content 6 months before it becomes available to everyone else, plus other additional content and rewards.

To become a subscriber, go here

Superversive Press Opens its Doors with The Product

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The new publishing house Superversive Press has opened its doors, releasing its first book, the dystopian novella THE PRODUCT, by the head of the Conservative Libertarian Fiction Alliance Marina Fontaine. She knows from personal experience what it is like to live under an oppressive regime, adding authenticity to a disturbing possible future. It is a story of beauty among dehumanising ugliness, hope in the midst of crushing despair, kindness in the midst of heartless cruelty, love in the midst of mindless hatred and apathy.

I must admit my personal stake in this work – I was the editor of this story, and I hope that my efforts in working with Marina on this book have made it an even more enjoyable and worthwhile read. As such I get a percentage of the royalties from each sale, so in buying a copy you will also be supporting me and a new publishing house with a worthy goal.

theproduct-cover

The Product will change your life. It will give you joy and confidence, make you more aware of the world around you. You will find new friends. You might even fall in love.

Few people know its name. Fewer still dare say it. It is, after all, illegal. Users are jailed. Dealers meet an ugly death. Yet the temptation is irresistible.

Kevin is a dealer. And he is about to get caught.

 

Now available at Amazon both as an ebook and in paperback.

Treasure Hunt

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I had the following little adventure with my 5-year-old son yesterday (he’s recently discovered the magic of imagination)

Treasure Hunt

After fighting pirate hordes
That swept across our lawn,
We find among their broken swords
A map that’s crudely drawn.

“We must find all the treasure
Before the sun goes down,
Or else the scary Nightmare Moon
Will take over this town!”

We set off across the road
And look under the trees,
Guided by my five-year-old
When suddenly he sees:

A blue stone that’s a diamond
In our guide’s little hand;
Golden leaves are now gold leaf
That’s strewn across the land.

Brown stones are great ingots
Of purest Spanish gold,
Black pebbles are obsidian carved
From lava flows grown cold.

Our bounty’s brought to Mummy,
Displayed with gleaming pride;
When my son grins from ear to ear
Her smile is just as wide.

SuperversiveSF Livestream with special guests Dave Truesdale and Nick Cole

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The next Superversive Livestream is happening at 3pm EST tomorrow, on the subject of the Hugo Award versus the Dragon Awards, and will feature Dave “Snowflake Slayer” Truesdale and not one but three Dragon Award Winners: Nick Cole, returning as a guest and our two regulars John C. Wright and Brian Niemeier. It’s sure to be an entertaining discussion, so Head over to SuperversiveSF and give us a listen!

Massive Discount on Selected Verse: Heroes and Wonders Paperback on Amazon Prime!

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By chance I happened to notice that someone at Amazon has decided to offer paperbacks my second poetry collection at a massive discount for Amazon Prime members, from my location appearing to be priced below the cost of the ebook version, and at the same time eligible for free delivery. I have no idea how this came about, or how long this discount will apply, but anyone with an Amazon Prime membership thinking about grabbing a copy should use this window of opportunity. Selected Verse - Heroes and Wonders

 

As soon as I find out more, I will update this post.