Friday Flash Fiction

Over on his blog, Gareth L Powell came up with the idea of posting a short story every Friday. Friday Flash Fiction has already been adopted by:

Paul Raven

Martin McGrath

Neil Beynon

I thought I'd join in too. The four drabbles I've written this week are unlikely to find a place in the very limited drabble market, so here's the first installment:

The Gondolier
By Gareth D Jones

This story now appears in the Illuminations anthology.

Triple Drabbles

On a previous occasion I attempted to write a drabble, a story of exactly 100 words, but failed miserably. I was suddenly struck by inspiration this week though and I've written three. I'm rather pleased with all of them. A fourth idea is currently circulating my brain waiting for a chance to be written.

Roadwalker

The second episode of the Roadmaker Saga, entitled Roadwalker has been accepted for publication by Jupiter magazine. It has been slated for publication in issue #19 in January next year.

Murky Depths Line-Up

The full table of contents for Murky Depths Issue #1 can now be seen on their website. My story Looking In, Looking Out is the first piece of fiction in the line up. The accompanying artwork is by Martin Deep, whom I haven't found out anything about yet. I'll keep looking.

Fiction #2 Review

Fiction returns with its 2nd issue, this time with a glossy cover to improve its air of professionalism, and the same informal, enthusiastic mix of reviews and comments. The fiction this time maintains or even improves the high standard set by issue #1.

Read my review at UK SF Review.

Review of Hub for June

Since switching from print to on-line publication, Hub has presented a new story, along with reviews and articles, every Friday. June also saw the first ‘Special Issue’, so along with issues 9 to 13 there were six stories to read during the month.

Read my review at UK SF Review.

Half a Year of Reading

This year I’ve read far more short fiction than I ever have in the past – around 200 stories so far I reckon. Some of them have been great, some entertaining or thought provoking and some original. Other stories have been none of the above but well written nonetheless. Of course there have been some dire ones too.

By the end of the year I’m thinking of creating a list of my top ten favourite stories of the year, provisionally entitled the ‘My Opinion is no More Valid than Anyone Else’s’ Awards for this year’s new fiction.

Around half of what I’ve read so far this year isn’t new, so here’s a mention of my favourites since I last posted such a list in November:


Nature Tale by Matthew Hughes - Postscripts #8

The Fallen Angels of Jude by Terry Bramlett - Forgotten Worlds #6

Seize the Lightning by Law Yihua - Forgotten Worlds #7

Bubba Pritchert and the Space Aliens by Bud Webster - Hub #1

The Frog Pond by James S Dorr – Hub #1

Editorial

I was very honoured last week to recieve an invitation to join one of the UK's SF print magazines as an assistant editor. Sadly, the limited time I already have to read, write, review, sleep, and even work full time meant I had to turn the offer down. It's a gratifying acknowledgement of my endeavours though.