These are the rules, and the reasons why.
Soon I’ll have one of my first recommendations up. Later I’ll start posting reviews. What’s the point?
I’ve been reading speculative fiction since age 6. Not first grade books, either. I came in knowing how to read, largely thanks to my mom, my grandparents, Sesame Street, and the Electric Company. Then I have to add in Star Trek, which got me interested in space.
Tally that up and it’s 52 years of experience as a reader.
You might think, hey, great. But it also means I’ve seen just about everything, and I seek out things that surprise and delight me. When I find them, it’s in my best interest to make sure they keep on coming.
This is a terrible time for literature, period. The number of people who read for pleasure is down (Smithsonian, August 2026); jerks are using AI to pretend to be authors (and other kinds of creators as well), which floods submission queues with slop; and the economy is frankly the pits, with many people not being able to afford basics, not to mention extras.
Face it. No one’s going to get rich writing short stories. People like me do it because they have something to say. Editors of small presses and independent magazines struggle just as much, year after year trying to keep afloat and keep making the magic words flow.
This blog is for people who enjoy my work to come and learn more about it. One of the best ways would be to bring people in to the community I’m part of—the places and people that bring me joy. I think you’ll like the tour.
So Here are the Rules
Reviews are a touchy subject at times among authors. Again, presume good intentions. In general, my philosophy is not to point out the bad, but to highlight the good. But here are my guiding principles:
- Reviews and Recommendations are never solicited, but choices I make of my own free will. Something to consider: I used up precious writing time (hard to come by, some days) to write the article. Why? Because I seriously thought it was worth it.
- A Recommendation highlights the best parts. Think of it as if I’m an editor, assembling a list of things I like, a sort of virtual anthology. What editor goes out of the way to add in stuff they don’t like?
- A Review can be really harsh. I mean, it can be glowing and wonderful too, but the gloves come off. I’m a stickler for science and consistent in-world logic. In general, I will only review big projects that can take a hit or two from a minor leaguer like me. My biggest pet peeve is movies and TV shows. I can’t think of any recent show but The Expanse that didn’t get ripped a new one by me at one point or another. (The last one before that was Babylon 5.)
So that’s it. I try to keep it simple. Hopefully you’ll find it entertaining and informative.
Support the things you love, right?
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