Category Archives: Beyond the Mist

Sci Phi Journal Issue 2 now on general sale

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Cover_Issue2

Chapters 1-3 of Beyond the Mist appear in Sci-Phi Journal Issue 2, which  is now available at amazon:

smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/487869

or Castalia House:

http://www.castaliahouse.com/downloads/sci-phi-journal-2/

If you are on facebook, you can meet with some of the contributors to the Journal at the Sci Phi Journal Discussions Group, and discuss the various stories and articles, as well as other philosophical and sci-fi related topics.

You can also tell me what you think of Beyond the Mist by commenting here.

Sci Phi Journal Issue 2, Including Beyond the Mist, Now Available for Pre-order!

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Cover_Issue2

Sci-Phi Journal Issue 2 is now available for preorder at amazon,

smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/487869

or castalia house:

http://www.castaliahouse.com/downloads/sci-phi-journal-2/

the issue itself becoming available on the 1st of November.

The first three chapters of Beyond the Mist appear towards the end of the issue and the cover above is based on the story. This will be the first paid writing commission of my career, and I hope you’ll all enjoy it, and that this worthy journal becomes a successful venture.

Beyond the Mist in Sci Phi Journal Issue 2 and beyond

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I’ve been a little overloaded with work this last week, so haven’t managed to finish this week’s poem. However, I have just been paid for the first installment of Beyond the Mist. The first three chapters will appear in issue 2 of the Sci Phi Journal, with another two chapters appearing in the issue after that, with more to follow in later issues. Whether there are any later issues of the journal will depend on how well the first three issues sell, so please give it a chance to succeed. For those of you who haven’t seen it, here is a preview of the cover art for issue 2, based on my story, painted by the Australian artist Cat Leonard.SciPhi2

In my opinion this is my best work, certainly the best opening to a story I’ve ever written, and I’m really excited to hear what you’ll all think of it once it’s available.

 

I’ll be sure to let you all know when issue 2 of the journal is available for preorder, this is going to be a very interesting ride.

 

How to write a good long Sci Phi Story?

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A question was asked over at the Sci Phi Journal website.

I was wondering if anyone out there could shed some insight onto the following question: How do you make a serialized series that intends to go on for at least two decades, have large epic plots that still manage to make cogent philosophical points?

I ask because it seems that most tales that do make cogent philosophical points most seem to be one-shots. Even the Twilight Zone, as chock to the brim with far more insight than both recent live-action Star Treks combined as that show was, was an anthology, or a collection of one-shots with little to no serialization.

Though I love to make philosophical one-shots and read such one-shots, I must admit that my heart lies in making tales with long plot-threads, as it was such shows like, everything in the DC Animated Universe, Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and Avatar: The Last Airbender that got me into wanting to be a writer in the first place.

I think that it’s not impossible, as those three things I mentioned above somehow managed to do it, but I’m just curious as to how one accomplishes such a thing and how difficult it really is, because I seem to be finding it’s mighty hard.

Short answer, yes it is very hard. Long answer below: Continue reading →

Sci Phi Journal

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This is my one hundredth post on this blog, and I am using it to highlight the publication that may be a turning point in my writing career.

The first issue of the Sci Phi Journal, a journal of science fiction and philosophy, is now available for purchase. I do not have any work published in this issue, but the opening of my second novel, Beyond the Mist, will be in the second issue (and given central billing) with more of it serialised across multiple issues.

I bought a copy of the first issue and its a very good and thought-provoking read, the editor has stated that he needs to sell 800 copies of each issue to be able to carry on with it past issue 3, so I would encourage anyone who enjoys science fiction and deep and rigorous thinking to buy a copy and evaluate for yourselves if this is the kind of publication you want to be supporting.

Using the amazon link below will mean part of the proceeds go towards the running costs of Theologyweb, a great online community that I have gained a lot from over the years:

It can also be purchased from smashwords:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/480176

100 followers and Beyond the Mist

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Today I gained my 100th follower on this blog. I would like to thank you all for the encouragement that this milestone has given me, and also take the opportunity to share an exciting development that occurred a couple of weeks ago, the details of which are still being finalised.

I am happy to announce that the opening to my second novel BEYOND THE MIST has been accepted for publication in next month’s relaunch of the Sci Phi Journal, the journal of philosophy and science fiction. This means that I will have the honour of being published alongside the ever-awesome John. C. Wright, something I could not imagine happening three months ago. How much of the story will be published is not yet finalised, I will be sure to update you all here as soon as I know more.

This is a very exciting time for me, and I have a lot of work ahead, but the things that are really worth doing are never easy, are they?

Update: The opening of the story will be published in the second issue of the magazine coming out a month later and will have centre billing in that issue, with more of the story being spread across multiple issues as a serial.