CSFG has revealed the cover for the Next anthology

It’s lovely.

Read more here.

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Turd Polishing

Apparently my workshop on polishing turds at Conflux 9 is proving to be one of the more popular.

Turd polishing in a metaphorical sense, that is, not literally (although see here for how you really can do that, if you think it might be your thing). The metaphorical turds in question being the first drafts of the stories you’ve pooped out, because that’s what first drafts generally are. Sorry if you love your first drafts, but, well.

Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Chuck Wendig said, “Art harder, motherfucker.” Editing your work is the part of writing that’s dressed in overalls.

So if you’re going to be at Conflux 9, come along – horrendously early though it will be – for 2 hours of obsessive-compulsive hard work. It’ll be fun, with a soundtrack by AC/DC. 

See the Conflux website for more details and to book.

Free e-book copies of Light Touch Paper, Stand Clear

For the Kindle users out there, the anthology Light Touch Paper, Stand Clear is available for FREE at Amazon until sometime Sunday afternoon (Australian Eastern Time, depending on the vagaries of Amazon time-keeping programs).

The book includes my story “The Godbreaker and Unggubudh the Mountain”, a sequel to “The Godbreaker of Seggau-li” which you can find through the Stories page of this website.

Booyah! Sale!

Sheila Williams has bought my story “When the rain comin” for Asimov’s, my third sale there.

My previous stories in Asimov’s can both be read here: “Sleepless in the House of Ye” and “Interloper”.

First Review of Clockwork Phoenix 4

Lois Tilton at Locus has reviewed the Clockwork Phoenix 4 anthology, including a pretty good rap for my story “The Canal Barge Magician’s Number Nine Daughter”:

Aghor the bargeman is a scary fellow, who intimidates most everyone he sees.

“Aghor planted his feet wide to face the soldiers, ignoring the rain, his sleeveless vest exposing the black bramble tattoos coiled around his arms, fists on hips to pull back the vest and reveal the belt around his thick waist, made from the mummified foetuses and umbilicals of Behra’s sisters.”

Because Behra is his ninth daughter, she is allowed to live, in chains, because of the magical power her blood gives him. Now a doll-sized golem has come onto the barge, involved in an intrigue into which he lures Aghor, with the promise of reward and taking revenge on an old enemy.

Adventure in a richly-imagined fantasy world, full of intrigue, cruelty, and magical combat. Most striking is terrifying figure of Aghor, a villain of consummate ruthlessness. Nothing subtle and postmodern here, just good old straightforward secondary-world dark fantasy action.

Shameless plug for 2013 Ditmar Awards

The 2013 Ditmar Awards are open for nominations until midnight on 20 March 2013. I have 3 eligible works, in case anyone’s read them and liked them enough to nominate them (or would like to read them before the 20th):

Best Novella or Novelette
“The Godbreaker and Unggubudh the Mountain”, Ian McHugh, in Light Touch Paper, Stand Clear, Peggy Bright Books

“The Navigator and the Sky“, Ian McHugh, in Giganotoaurus, July 2012 (free to read at the Giganotosaurus website)

Best Short Story
“Dancing the Labyrinth“, Ian McHugh, in Tales of Moreauvia #4 (free to read on this website)

And check out the list of eligible works from my fellow CSFG members.