by Jason Fischer | Apr 4, 2018 | Uncategorized
Writing sure has been an interesting career with a curlicue of twists and turns. I started out a painfully shy young man with an interest in poetry and stage-writing, and now I have a shelf of books, a couple of shiny trophies, lots of funny memories, and am jumping into a new career as a screen-writer.
Funniest of all is the leap I have made into facilitating writing workshops. Never in a month of Sundays would I have imagined being good at these, and enjoying them so much. In the past few years I’ve hosted a bunch of these, for libraries, the SA Writers Centre, and even the more adventurous of bookshops. I always have a ball, and get a kick out of inspiring others to get out their and tell their own stories.
I’ve decided to put out my shingle and actively seek these writing workshops, and thus have put up a new page with some info about this new service. If you know of an organisation who wants a fun, hands on writing workshop, I will deliver this for you in spades 🙂
https://jasonfischer.com.au/new-writing-workshops-available/
by Jason Fischer | Oct 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
EDIT: Ragnarok Publications has temporarily closed its doors, and are no longer publishing “Papa Lucy and the Boneman.” Sad news but I don’t envy their position – they are doing the right thing by their existing authors and right holders, and I wish them all the best.
In other news, I once more have a novel for sale 🙂 onwards and upwards.
More information here:Â https://www.ragnarokpub.com/single-post/2017/11/15/Changes-at-Ragnarok
I’m very excited to announce that my novel “Papa Lucy and the Boneman” has been acquired by the most excellent Ragnarok Publications. This book has been a labour of love for many years now, and it’s a great feeling to find it such a good home.
Set in a world of scavengers and hard folk, “Papa Lucy and the Boneman” is the tale of a centuries-old family feud. In their quest to become gods, two immortal brothers put the savage world of Now into jeopardy. Only a fallen knight-errant dares to defy Papa Lucy. Armed only with an ancient gun and a forbidden knowledge, Lanyard Everett confronts a world-killer – and himself.
This setting started off in a series of short stories that I published in Aurealis magazine, and after many years of compiling background notes on the world and the characters, I realised that I had an epic fantasy novel on my hands. Back in 2011 I received a grant from Arts SA to produce the first draft of what would become “Papa Lucy and the Boneman”, which I wrote during a 6 month sabbatical from my day job. I beat this novel into shape over a number of years, and now it is finally ready to hit the world.
Colour me excited! Press release follows:
ACQUISITIONS ANNOUNCEMENT:
Editor Gwendolyn Nix acquires two novels for Ragnarok Publications.
Gwendolyn Nix, Editor at Ragnarok Publications, has acquired rights to two novels for the Spring 2019 publishing season. Ragnarok Publications will be publishing Papa Lucy and the Boneman, a grimdark fantasy that is equal parts Mad Max and the Epic of Gilgamesh by novelist and winner of the Writers of the Future, Jason Fischer; and The Soulless, a dark epic fantasy in which a young man must face demons, seraph, and his own power in order to keep the world from falling into the hands of the first demon god, from novelist Kate Martin. “I’m thrilled to be able to continue growing Ragnarok’s dark fantasy and grimdark titles with these two authors,” Nix said regarding her first acquisitions for Ragnarok Publications. “Both authors have created incredibly unique and engaging worlds with striking characters. I can’t wait to work with both of them.”“I’m really pleased to have found such a good home for this book!” wrote Fischer. “In my short fiction career, I’ve often blended Australiana and the Weird, and have taken the same approach with this novel. Papa Lucy and the Boneman has been years in the making and is my love-letter to several literary heroes, such as Jack Vance, Terry Dowling, Stephen King, and Gene Wolfe.”According to Martin, “I am so excited to be working with Ragnarok Publications to finally bring The Soulless to shelves everywhere! Of all the stories I’ve written, this is the one I am most proud of to date. I’ve been watching the work Ragnarok has been doing, and I am thrilled that The Soulless has found a home with them.”
***
Jason Fischer is based near Adelaide, South Australia. He has won an Aurealis Award and the Writers of the Future Contest, and his writing has been included on multiple awards shortlists including the Aurealis, Ditmars, and the Australian Shadows Awards. He is the author of dozens of short stories, with a novel, a short story collection, comics, and computer game work also under his belt. He enjoys karaoke and loves puns more than life itself. More information on Jason can be found at his website
jasonfischer.com.au.Kate Martin is an adjunct professor by day, a dance teacher by night, and a writer every minute in between. Growing up on the side of a Connecticut mountain in the middle of nowhere wasn’t much good for after school shenanigans with friends, but it was spectacular for building an over-active imagination. After getting her B.A. in Elementary Education, with a minor in Psychology, she found Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction Program, graduating with her M.A. in June 2008, and then her M.F.A. in 2013. Her first story, “Poisonous Redemption,” was published in July 2009 in
Rage of the Behemoth. She is also the author of the YA Paranormal Romance series “Eternal Shadows.” She still lives in Connecticut, but now with her well-read husband, clever daughter, and tolerant cat. You can visit her website at
www.kate-martin.com.
This artwork by Adam Katsaros is from the original short story “for want of a jesusman”, first published in Aurealis Magazine #42
by Jason Fischer | Aug 25, 2017 | Uncategorized
Hey folks, I’m running the upcoming workshop for the SA Writers Centre. If you’re in Adelaide, come along – there will be buckets of dice and loads of fun!
Roll Up Role Playing for Character Creation
What can role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons teach us about character creation in fiction? In this workshop award-winning author Jason Fischer will walk you through how to use generic RPG stats and the character creation process to develop interesting characters with compelling strengths and weaknesses. (more…)
by Jason Fischer | May 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
Today I have some exciting news to share – Princess Pictures has optioned a comedy TV series “Knockers” that I’m co-writing with Liam Thorpe.
Script-writing is a new string to my bow, and so far I’m finding it a fun format to work in. The added bonus is that I get to work with one of my oldest friends, and Liam is proving to be a great wordsmith in his own right. Prior to this he’s penned several flash fiction pieces for markets like Antipodean SF, and to keep the wolf from the door he has worked in many fields, including door-to-door sales.
So of course over an epic schnitzel dinner, the idea for Knockers was born. Comedy as seen from the perspective of a door-to-door salesperson. Each door that you knock on has endless possibilities, from the whacky to the alarming. And every now and then, of course, a sale.
Here’s a link to the press release from the SA Film Corporation, it’s a win all round. Special thanks go to my screen-writing mentor James Roberts, and our wonderful producer Alex Doering. You folks beat this project into shape and got us over the line!
http://www.safilm.com.au/news/latest-news/?newsid=73
Press Release Princess Pics Options 3 SA projects_final
by Jason Fischer | Apr 28, 2017 | Uncategorized
My Cthulhu mythos story “The Dog Pit” is now available for your listening pleasure over at Pseudopod. I have been a fan of this magnificent horror podcast for YEARS, so believe me when I tell you that this is a genuine bucket-list moment.
Narrator Barry Haworth did a magnificent job of reading my story, and I hope you enjoy this story of colonial Sydney, an evil unearthed, and one of my favourite protagonists EVER!
The Dutchman finally found the boy out on the gold diggings.
Being close to seven feet tall and as broad as an axe-handle at the shoulders, Cornelius Tesselaar was an instant curiosity in that place of mud and slap-shacks. His frock-coat and good boots spoke of a man more used to cobbled streets than a fossicker’s warren. He wore a top-hat, the good silk kind, and peered around him through a pair of expensive bifocals that by themselves would earn him a knifing if he stayed too long.
A quiet word and a handful of coins led Cornelius to the nearest opium den. He swept open the hessian sack that served as a doorway, and stood blinking at the thick cloud of smoke that drifted out.
“Toby Jangles,” the Dutchman boomed, striding inside. A dozen faces stared blankly at the man, even as he stepped over their sprawled bodies. One or two furtive shapes slinked away from the doorway, creeping into the furthest shadows of the clapboard shack.
http://pseudopod.org/2017/04/28/pseudopod-540-the-dog-pit/
