by Jason Fischer | Aug 11, 2010 | Reviews
Just got the latest issue of Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, the 44th instalment of my favourite Aussie pulp mag. Not only does ASIM #44 contain my latest story “Sebastian” (love lost, love found, and an evil equestrian encounter), the book reviews section includes a look at my novella, “After the World: Gravesend”.
Among other things, reviewer Simon Petrie says:
“Tamsyn’s strength of character is one of the novella’s strengths: in fact the characterisation, throughout, is marvellous, with at least a dozen of the townspeople emerging as fully three-dimensional, living, breathing characters during the course of the story.”
and
“Fischer’s portrayal of society’s shambling disintegration is disconcertingly plausible”.
The full review (and as usual, several awesome stories) can be read in the print copy, which can be purchased here: http://www.andromedaspaceways.com/issue-44/
by Jason Fischer | Aug 11, 2010 | Announcement, Publication
My story “for want of a jesusman” (from Aurealis issue #42) will soon be appearing in the Year’s Best Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy, Vol 5. This is always a handsome anthology, and I’m absolutely chuffed to have my story appearing in the next volume. Bill Congreve’s introductory essays alone are worth the admission, and I’ve really enjoyed the stories collected in the first four books.
This story also recently scored an Honorable Mention in Ellen Datlow’s Best Horror of the Year Vol 2. My reading of “for want of a jesusman” can still be listened to over at Terra Incognita Speculative Fiction, via this link: http://www.tisf.com.au/
by Jason Fischer | Aug 4, 2010 | Reviews
This time from the redoubtable Dirk Flinthart over at review site “(Cool) Shite On The Tube”.
http://www.coolshite.net/review/2010/08/03/world-volume-1-2-novella-review/
He does a great comparitive analysis of the first two After The World books, and of Gravesend he says:
“…Fischer offers an effective, character-driven coming-of-age story in which Tamsyn must overcome the expectations of all those around her, and defeat her own inner demons before she can move on.”
“The action and horror are still there, and the story moves at a fine pace. However, this is clearly a book, not simply a printed-page rendering of a zombie movie. Characters have distinct and powerful personalities and motivations, and go through very real arcs of development as the story unfolds to a conclusion both eminently satisfying, and still gratifyingly open.”
and
“Bringing a true novellist’s sensibility to the zombie story, Fischer’s writing appeals to the dedicated reader while still reaching out to the horror film fan.”
Sweet! My next challenge is to match this praise in the follow-up to Gravesend, “After the World: Corpus Christi”. I shall do my best!
Note: This book can still be purchased via the online store: http://www.blackboox.net/products/After-the-World%3A-Gravesend.html for the bargain price of $5.
by Jason Fischer | Aug 4, 2010 | Announcement, Pimping
The brilliant Kirstyn McDermott is launching her new book Madigan Mine at Adelaide Dymocks, on Tuesday the 25th of August, at high noon. Go on, you don’t need to eat during that pesky lunch hour. Kirstyn is truly a talented writer and by all accounts this is an excellent breakout novel.
by Jason Fischer | Aug 3, 2010 | Announcement
Well, this is all kinds of cool! In the midst of an impressive ballot list, it turns out I’ve been shortlisted for two Ditmar Awards: Best Novella/Novelette for “After the World:Gravesend”, and Best New Talent.
As always, it’s great to make such a shortlist, and actually humbling when I look at how many folks I truly admire on this ballot. Regardless of the outcome, I’m hanging out with good company, and that alone has made my day 🙂
(more…)
