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A year shy of a half-century of writing (okay, minus 30 years becoming/being a physician, marrying, raising a child, etc.), my very first paid speculative fiction story appears today in GigaNotoSaurus.org.
And The Ends of The Earth For Thy Possession was a 2013 Writers of the Future Contest Finalist, the opening shared here among friends 08 January 2014: Hatrack Fragments and Feedback for Short Works
Go, admire and, if you like it, leave a nice comment. If you don't like it...leave a nice comment.
And please friend/like my author's facebook page while you're at it. The link is in the author's bio at the end of the story or Robert B Finegold's Kvells and Kvetchings
Shoo. Go now, or I'll tell your mother.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
Posts: 1475 | Registered: Aug 2010
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How do I feel? --Vindicated(someone thought well enough of this tale to pay for it) --Nervous (will anyone see it and, if they do, read it? And, if they read it, like it?) --Oddly both nostalgic and confused (The story is a few years old. (I had to re-read it and see if I still liked it.)
If you read it, please share your thoughts.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
Posts: 1475 | Registered: Aug 2010
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I read it, I thought it was a very good story . It's pretty similar to the stuff of yours I've read, but somewhat more streamlined in the prose. It felt shorter than 11000 words.
The introduction without explanation of so many Yiddish or Hebrew terms was a bit of a stumbling block; I'm not sure how this would have read without ready access to Google and I'm somewhat more familiar with the topical matter than most outsiders would be. The trick of a little translating appositive when introducing non-English terms might be worth trying -- I see you do use it in a few places. But there's more of a tolerance for unexplained jargon in speculative fiction than most other genres.
I was somewhat confused by the term "erev-rav" until I understood you were using it by analogy with the "mixed-multitudes" of Exodus, rather than to to the specific people so-named there. It seemed to me the Jews in the story were experiencing something more like exile under Nebuchadnezzar than the deliverance from Egypt, but that's nitpicking. I thought the idea of the roboticist as kind of a profane golem maker was interesting thematically.
Posts: 1459 | Registered: Dec 2010
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Thank you kindly for (yet again) reading one of my tales and offering some words here. Please consider leaving a brief positive, I hope, comment at GigaNotoSaurus.org to accompany the story (this would be much appreciated).
Whether Yiddish, Hebrew or French (as in this tale of mine), or in a completely invented alien language (as more gifted sf/f authors have done), I strive to either unobtrusively provide translations / explanations or (better) to make their meanings apparent through context. In nearly all cases these words can even be ignored as "color". In other words, otherwise inconsequential to the "play-by-play" of the narrative.
This type of story enhancement is tricky, especially with the number of words I choose to use. While most are a natural part of my ethnic vocabulary and "true" to these characters, deepening them and the story's world-building, I am cognizant that they may be "alien" to my (potential) Gentile readers.
What I refuse to do, however, is coddle the reader (disrespect his/her intelligence). Or intrude as a narrator.
I hope that most of these words will be either understood per the techniques noted above, or found as colorful but irrelevant. For those, like yourself (and myself, btw; I love learning new words), we can Google definitions.
Of the many ancient Jewish myths regarding the "Erev-Rav", the one I chose for this tale is explained forthright for the reader in-story:
The Rebbe sighed. “An erev-rav is the consequence of the mixed seed of Adam and Lilith.”
“Lilith was a demon, a female spirit of the sitra ahra…the other side, the realms of Darkness,” I said to Danel. “A succubus who purportedly stole the seed of men and the breath of infants. She was blamed for sudden infant death syndrome.”
The Rebbe nodded. “Just so. Silly, isn’t it, doctor?” To Danel, he said. “Like Lilith, the erev-rav are spirit thieves, vampyrs who revel in the spreading of the dark which is their abode. Nu? Nonsense.”
“There is no greater dark than that upon which we sail,” said Danel.
The term "erev-rav" has been used in Jewish writings for millennia to describe any/all opposed to G-d's Purpose for His people Israel (and for all humanity, ftm); that is, to live ethically per His Teachings. But for the purposes of this story, and derived from Kabbalistic sources, "erev-rav" are, simply, "demons". Whether they are also the potential alien "Deimons" I invent for the story is for the reader to ponder. I left this purposefully uncertain, reflecting how some people need a "scientific" explanation (such as the ship's Captain and crew) while others accept a "spiritual/faith-based" one.
Thank you again for your critique and comment. Email me and tell my what is new with you. I'd love to catch-up.
Respectfully, Bob
[ July 02, 2015, 11:20 PM: Message edited by: History ]
Posts: 1475 | Registered: Aug 2010
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Thank you. Andrew. I'm not sure. I mean it looks nice. There are words and more words in neat black type, and clean white spaces between paragraphs, and stylish curlicue thing-a-ma-bob between story scenes.
I enjoyed downloading the epub file to my android cellphone reader app. That was cool. The app provides the illusion I am turning actual pages as I slide my finger across the screen.
Electronic media, however, seems less personal and cold compared to a physical printed book with paper pages. I'm looking forward to my first of these (July 15th).
I may have had only one reader so far--or one who thought well enough of it to leave a "Comment" http://giganotosaurus.org/. I'm hoping some one else will [I note that a relative who loves these kind of stories left a comment by mistake on the June author's comment section, instead of mine. Doh!]
Ah well.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
Posts: 1475 | Registered: Aug 2010
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A double header for me this month. In addition to my GNS appearance (above), I have a story entitled The Witch's Curse in the WOTF finalist and winning authors anthology 1st and Starlight,along with a number of our friends (including snapper). The cover art is also spectacular.
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My story Lirazel's Heart, a rather sweet tale of an artificer who learns he cannot manipulate love, will appear in the small press anthology Robotica. The book release party will be at Can-Con in Ottawa on October 31st, and I've been invited to give a reading.
I suspect my story may be the more sedate offering in the volume; but I am looking forward to reading everyone else's stories (perhaps under covers with a flashlight).
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
Posts: 1475 | Registered: Aug 2010
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Thank you all for the kind words, your encouragement and support (some of you for many many years!), and for "Liking" my new author's Facebook page (thank you, thank you).
The upcoming Halloween day Robotica book release party (my first) will be a treat for me. I'll be sure to share about the experience.
But I have more good news. Shattered Vessels, the story I wrote in collaboration with the incomparable Ms Kary English has just been purchased by Mr. Mike Resnick for Galaxy's Edge Magazine.
This is my first professional sale.
I am happy to have something that will appear in 2016.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
Posts: 1475 | Registered: Aug 2010
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A lot of firsts this past weekend at the Robotica book release: --our first visit to Ottawa and Montreal; --my first time as an invited speaker at a writing convention: "Ask a Doctor Anything for Your Writing" (I know. Perfect for me, right?); --my first book release party with Elizabeth Mary Ann Hirst, Amy Sisson, and many other fine editors and writers; --my first story reading; --my first hand-holdable print version of a spec fic story of mine, and --my first requests for autographs as an author. Great Canadian hospitality.
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Today's March 2016 issue of Galaxy's Edge Magazine (free to read MAR-APR 2016, but please buy/subscribe if you can, to support the magazine) http://www.galaxysedge.com/ contains Shattered Vessels, a story I wrote with with 2015 Jovian Award and WOTF Winning author and Hugo nominee (and truly wonderful person) Ms Kary English.
This Lurianic Kabbalah derived story of love, loss, and redemption (See? I can write a happy ending!) only spans Creation to the Olam Haba, i.e. the "World-to-Come". And is under 4700 words (See? I can write short!).
This constitutes my 1st SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America) professional sale. (>happy dance<)
Kary contacted me with the idea for the story while she attended last years WOTF Winners' Workshop and asked if I'd be interested in sharing my Yiddishkeit and fledgling writing skills. "Um...yeah!" I plotzed at the opportunity and had a great time writing with her. We hope you enjoy this short, narratively complex, but sweet little story.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
P.S. I cannot express what a thrill it is to share a TOC (Table of Contents) with WOTF winners like Kary English, Steve Pantazis, and legends like Mike Resnick, Robert Silverberg, Barry Malzberg, David Drake, Leigh Brackett(!), and author/recording artist Janis Ian, as well as other young rising stars. I'm...ferklempt. Need a moment. Talkst among yourselves. Posts: 1475 | Registered: Aug 2010
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Again, congrats Dr Bob! Just be sure you're nice to people on the way up, you may need them on the way down. Just a little reality check for the rising star.
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Phil, while I am very thrilled to bring up even the very rear of this issue of Galaxy's Edge Magazine, I still feel like such a poser. I may have done much of the shlepping in writing this quirky piece, but I feel only Kary's name and reputable talent (and she is so gracious!) got this story through the door. I am wary of what readers and reviewers will think of this stylistic and strange tale. So I, remain, ever humbly yours,
Dr. Bob
P.S. I suppose this may not be the best time to mention I also received a story acceptance (no contract as yet) for the anthology Mysterion, a "speculative fiction anthology rediscovering the mysteries of the Christian faith". Surprise! Who'dah thunk? I could just plotz!
I am also trying to attend a few workshops and cons, now that I am semi-retiring from the doctor biz. I will be at Albacon (Albany, NY) this Fri-Sun; and I hope to go to Balitcon Memorial Day. I'd love to meet any Hatrackers who may be attending. It is great networking and meeting other new writers (and established, and establishing, ones). With one exception, I have found them all humble and kind.
I do not forget what a boost I get (and still do) from being a part of the Hatrack community. Posts: 1475 | Registered: Aug 2010
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Congratulations, Dr. Bob. (Or should I say, "Mazel tov!"?)
I can't remember the last time I read so much Yiddish in a post, and it was fun to read. Thanks for expressing yourself this way. Makes it that much more personal.
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Only a few weeks late (it's been a while since I visited Hatrack) and I've given you my congrats elsewhere, but congratulations.
Posts: 712 | Registered: Jun 2008
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The 2016 ebook edition of the anthology 2nd & Starlight edited by our own axeminister has just been released with a (yeah!) print edition coming out in July. The anthology contains stories by WOTF winners and finalists (many being old Hatrackers as well): Dustin Adams, Rebecca Birch, Jennifer Campbell-Hicks, Frank Dutkiewicz, Nick T.Chan, Sean Monaghan, Julie Frost, Sky McKinnon, Rachelle Harp, and myself.
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I had heard of the book but not that a paper version was coming out too. Since it only seems to be in Kindle I wasn't getting one but now I can wait
My 2nd Writers of the Future Contest Finalist story, Of Thine Impenetrable Spirit, appears in this pro-rate paying anthology.
(I know, what's a nice Jewish boy like me doing here? Spreading the Yiddishe "gospel" to the Nations? No. Some beliefs and human concerns transcend faith -- or, at least, religion.
Love, for one -- and what we would do, would risk, for it or because of it. My little tale poses this, considers the existence (and worth) of the soul) and asks the age-old question: "Because I can do something, should I?"
I'm pleased to see this, at last, in print.
[ September 01, 2016, 06:58 PM: Message edited by: History ]
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CRES is an on-line subscription magazine that pays pro rate but is not as yet a SFWA market.
This is one of my better loved stories, and yet had a long road to publication. First conceived and written in October 2010, it was finally accepted upon its 20th submission. It is my first story to be illustrated (3 illustrations)! The editor has also indicated potential interest in purchasing an author-read audio recording, which will be a first for me as well.
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