We interrupt the normal multiple-day lag between posts for breaking news of interest to...well, me. Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, Issue 17, has just been published and contains a story by me called "A Whisper in Ashes." This is the first appearance of a heroic fantasy character named Krieg, who I hope to write much more about eventually. I had started two previous stories about a character with that name but they never quite gelled. This one finally did and I think I now have a handle on the character that may let me write more. The character is certainly in the tradition of sword and sorcery heroes like Conan and Karl Edward Wagner's Kane.
I hope you'll give the tale a read. It's free to readers after all. The direct link to the story is: http://www.heroicfantasyquarterly.com/?p=1418
The link to the magazine home is here: http://www.heroicfantasyquarterly.com/?p=1478
A couple of people have had the link to the magazine not work this morning. I had some trouble with it as well. Of course, it's probably due to the huge number of people trying to access my story. Don't you think? :)
The link has always come up if I waited a bit, though, so I hope it's a minor glitch.
Thanks.
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Google Chrome says it can find anything on either link. Must be problems on my end. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI got through fine, and enjoyed the story. The bit with the [spoiler] toward the end was clever. :)
ReplyDeleteIt'd be cool if this turned into a series.
Angie
Took a few times, but I made it there.
ReplyDeleteCharles, I liked the pacing of this story. Definitely S&S, but with a slower loping tone early on that reminded me somewhat of Icelandic sagas. I look forward to seeing where Krieg ends up next. And woe to those who would cross him.
Congrats ~ Über ~!
ReplyDeleteCharles, that's awesome!! Congratulations. Will pop over and read,
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific story, Charles. This is the best Conan pastiche I've read in a long time. Gritty, atmospheric, fast-paced yet solidly evocative in its sense of place and characterization. Hope you do LOTS more with Krieg, can't wait to read additional adventures.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThe link popped right up for me. You have to stop modeling all og your heroic characters after me Charles...you know it's hard to be humble when I'm so brave and all.
ReplyDeleteRandy, I don't know why it is working sometimes and not others. It's very strange.
ReplyDeleteAngie, very glad you enjoyed.
Ty, yeah, he's gonna be the toughest character I've ever written, I think.
Erik, thankee, man.
Alex, appreciate it. Thanks.
Wayne, thanks, much, and thanks for visiting. Very kind of you.
Keith, hope you enjoy. Thanks.
Mark, you caught that, did you? Wow, you do know yourself pretty well then. :)
Congrats! I will check it out.
ReplyDeleteOur internet connection has become almost ridiculously slow, to the point where I hesitate to click on links. I'll try again later!
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty, thanks.
ReplyDeleteMary, we finally upgraded from satellite and are generally doing a lot better now. Not sure what the issue is at this website though. it comes and goes so it might be related to the traffic to the site.
Neat, a free story! And it came up for me.
ReplyDeleteSage, glad it did. It's been hit or miss for some.
ReplyDeleteIvan, thanks, man.
Congrats to you Charles, can't wait to read your story! I'll be back a bit later when I have more time.
ReplyDeleteHappy Week, G
Geraldine, thanks!
ReplyDeleteCharles, I have read very few fantasy stories and I'm glad I read "A Whisper in Ashes" for it has revived my interest in a genre I'm guilty of neglecting. It's a very well-written story where the pieces, the chronology of events, fall like a perfect jigsaw puzzle. This takes imagination. The reading of it was smooth all the way through.
ReplyDeleteNon-stop sword and sorcery action at its best!
ReplyDeletePrashant, glad you enjoyed. Thanks for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteBernard, cool, man. Thanks.
Congrats! I've been looking for more short stories. I'm glad to have this to read :)
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