Category: fantasy
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Cover Reveal: EOLYN, Book 1 of THE SILVER WEB
In a land ravaged by civil war, the Mage King Kedehen initiates a ruthless purge of the magas. Eolyn, last daughter of the magas and sole heiress to their millennial tradition of magic, seeks refuge in the South Woods. When she meets the mysterious Akmael, heir to the throne of this violent realm, she embarks…
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Speaking to My Past Self
Have you ever been told to think about what your future self would say to you? I’ve never actually received this advice, but I’ve heard it given, usually to young people who are facing important challenges or decisions. I suppose people who give this advice do so because it’s worked for them. Me, I’ve always been…
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The Un-Success Story
A couple months ago, I watched a documentary about the life of Jim Henson on PBS. I grew up with the Muppets and always admired the artistry and imagination of Henson’s enterprise. It was interesting to have this behind-the-scenes look at Henson life, and to learn about the personal and professional struggles he dealt with.…
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Sunset Over Summer
We are on the cusp of the new academic year. Emails to my Avila account have increased in frequency. The long parade of faculty and staff meetings that precedes the start of classes begins this week. An ever-greater sense of urgency accompanies my renewed attempts to finalize my syllabi and get ahead on some of…
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50 Years of Dune
There were many reasons to celebrate this past Fourth of July weekend. One that caught me by surprise was the 50th anniversary of the publication of Frank Herbert’s DUNE. I first read DUNE in high school. While I often sing praises of Tolkien and Martin, if I’m to be honest with myself I’d have to…
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On the Relentless Erosion of Hope
A lot of people are talking about Game of Thrones right now, so I guess I’ll add my voice to the clamor. Heads up: there will be NO spoilers in this blog post. At least, no season five spoilers. Everything season one through four is fair game. I’ve found myself going through the same transition…
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The Importance of Heroism
Happy New Year! I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season. I’m feeling rested and refreshed from a lovely time with family and friends. My husband and I were reunited after several months living in different countries. My brother came into town with his family, and my nephew was home from college. All in all, we…
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Guest Author: Sheryl Tempchin
I am very excited today to be able to welcome author and editor Sheryl Tempchin. Back in 2008, Sheryl purchased my short story ‘Turning Point’ for the speculative fiction magazine Zahir. This was my first sale ever, an even that gave me the courage to continue as an author. It was a period before blogs and Eolyn and even Hadley Rille…
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My Brush with Greatness
I’m coming off the high of the World Fantasy Conference last weekend in Washington, D.C. Monday I posted on Heroines of Fantasy about the unforgettable experience of hearing Patricia McKillip read from her new novel. Today I’m going to rave just a little more, this time about Guy Gavriel Kay. First, a confession: I had a dismal…
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In Earthen Vessels
Among the things that linger from a Catholic upbringing are songs from Sunday mass. One can hear those songs thirty years hence and still remember them word for word, note for note. So it was today, while we were driving back from Konza Biological Station, that the lyrics of a particular hymn returned to me:…
K. R. Gastreich, Author 