Today in #althist

I like to introduce you to a new feature on our Twitter feed (@ahwupdate): Today in #althist. Every day I share an important "alternate" event which happened on this day, along with a link to the OTL event. Check out some examples below:

Today in #althist Confederate forces defeat the Union at the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern and invade southern Missouri en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of…
— AH Weekly Update (@ahwupdate) March 7, 2013

Today in #althist, the PRA celebrates its anniversary with a special ceremony in Westmoreland County en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westmorel…
— AH Weekly Update (@ahwupdate) March 9, 2013

Today in #althist Gorbachev, founder of the Union of Sovereign States, becomes General Secretary en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Union…
— AH Weekly Update (@ahwupdate) March 11, 2013

Today in #althist 19th anniversary of the secession of traditional dioceses from the Church of England en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordinatio…
— AH Weekly Update (@ahwupdate) March 12, 2013

Today in #althist the first sedfah refugees make planetfall in the deserts outside Phoenix, AZ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_l…
— AH Weekly Update (@ahwupdate) March 13, 2013

Today in #althist Cyprus, the last crusader state, celebrates the day when James III drove out the Venetian merchants en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_o…
— AH Weekly Update (@ahwupdate) March 14, 2013

If you are interested in contributing to Today in #althist, send me a suggestion at ahwupdate at gmail dot com or direct message me on Twitter. Our friends at Dissecting Worlds already submitted the one on the Church of England. What will you think of next?

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a blogger on Amazing Stories and a volunteer editor for Alt Hist magazine. His fiction can be found at Echelon Press, Jake's Monthly and The Were-Traveler. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

Dissecting Worlds Series 6 Episode 4: The American Civil War

Well it is finally here, my guest spot on the Dissecting Worlds podcast, my first ever podcast appearance.  I join Kehaar and Matt Farr as we look at that popular alternate history setting of the American Civil War. Topics covered during the podcast include:

• Harry Harrison’s Star and Stripes series, the Trent Affair and options for European intervention.
• Harry Turtledove’s TL-191 and the romanticism of both sides of the ACW.
• The appeal (and consequences) of a Balkanized North America and an Anglo-American Union.
• Everyone's favorite winged extraterrestrials and South African Nazis.
• One of my favorite comic books: Captain Confederacy!
• Race in America and its legacy in fiction and reality. I'm calling you out H.P. Lovecraft!

Special thanks to Chris Nuttall, Richard Small and Roger L. Ransom for giving me food for thought while preparing for the podcast.

I hope you enjoy our discussion and remember: feedback is appreciated.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a volunteer editor for Alt Hist and a contributor to Just Below the Law. His fiction can be found at Echelon Press, Jake's Monthly and his own writing blog. When not writing he works as an attorney and enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana.

Dissecting Worlds Series 6, Episode 3: Romans!

I have been listening to the boys at Dissecting Worlds discuss Roman alternate histories with their guest host James from MOMBcast. Inspired by the History of Rome podcast, the guys begin by discussing Hannibal’s Children (one of my favorites from the era, though I doubt we will see a conclusion to the series anytime soon) and marching across all the popular/possible PODs of the Roman Empire.

Best quote: Stabbing your brother is wrong, okay?

I realized while listening to this episode that besides The Economics of a Roman Suez Canal, I have been remiss about covering this popular era for alternate historians.  I will try to rectify this and review some books involving the Romans very soon.

Enough reading, go listen!

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a volunteer editor for Alt Hist and a contributor to Just Below the Law. His fiction can be found at Echelon Press, Jake's Monthly and his own writing blog. When not writing he works as an attorney and enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana.

Breaking News: Dissecting Worlds Series 6, Episode 2: Nazis! and World War Alternatives

The new episode of Dissecting Worlds is out today: "Nazis! and World War Alternatives".  You can listen to it at Geek Syndicate or through iTunes.

Matt and Kehaar discuss World War I, the Interwar period and, of course, World War II, one of the most written about eras in alternate history (the other being the American Civil War).

The guys even give a shout out to Weekly Update and Chris' recent article on World War I.  Thanks guys (from Chris and I) and I just want to say that you produced another great episode.  Listeners should also check out one of Kehaar's favorite war gaming scenarios A Very British Civil War 1938 and read his writings on the scenario at his blog and A.L.F.I.E.S Antics.

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Mitro is founder, editor and contributor of Alternate History Weekly Update. When he is not busy writing about his passion for alternate history, he spends his time working as a licensed attorney in the state of Illinois and dreams of being a published author himself one day.

Breaking News: Dissecting Worlds Season 6 Episode 1

The new season of Dissecting Worlds podcast premiered today.  As I mentioned before, this season will focus on alternate history and the guys did not disappoint with their first episode.  I am listening to it now as I read this post and they have begun the new series by taking a look at Kim Stanley Robinson's The Years of Rice and Salt.

Nominee for the 2003 Hugo for best novel and the 2002 BSFA Award for best novel, there is no argument that the novel is an important work of AH. Our hosts take a scholarly look at the novel and alternate history in general, with some laughs thrown in to keep you entertained. Go check it out.

Weekly Update #47.2

Editor's Note

Sorry about that links only post yesterday.  Real life can be pretty demanding, but I hope you all enjoyed Chris' Draka review.  I promise to have more content heavy posts coming up this week, including an Airship Update, some interviews and some advice on self-publishing.

Some good news, just beat our monthly page view record again.  That makes it six months in a row, but I want to break 6000 page views this month and if we continue at the pace we are going, it is extremely likely to happen.  By the way, please, please, please like us on Facebook.  We are just one fan away from 100!

Meanwhile, we got our first reader from Vietnam. Welcome!

And now the news...

The Company of the Dead Reviews

The Company of the Dead by David Kowalski has gotten some press lately since being released in the United States and it has been good.  Sally Hughes at We Love This Book said that the novel is "fast-paced and...delivers an exciting read which raises some fascinating philosophic question."  Meanwhile Marleen at More Than a Reading Journal praised the novel by saying "I have to conclude that this is an original, fascinating and almost impossible to put down book." Then there was the review at Falcata Times which said that the story "delivered everything I wanted, gave me pause for thought and wondered what else David will have in his imagination for future releases. A great debut all in and one that will make one hell of a film."

Those interested in learning more about The Company of the Dead can check out my review of the novel and stay tuned for my interview with David Kowalski, who has graciously consented to be interviewed.

Dissecting Worlds

Those needing a new podcast should check out the guys at Geek Syndicate who have a series called Dissecting Worlds.   The upcoming season of Dissecting Worlds will be alternate history themed. Here is a proposed list of episodes:

• Plague!: The Years of Rice and Salt and The Grand Flow of History
• Nazis!: The Age of World War (1914-1949)
• Romans!: Ancient and Classical Alternates.
• Americans!: War of Independence and American Civil War
• Illuminati!: Secret Histories and the Conspiracy Novel
• Victorians!: Steampunk and the Age of Imperialism
• Conclusions.

I highly recommend that you subscribe because you will get the chance to hear me be a guest on the episode about Americans.  The episode should appear sometime in July or August.  In the meantime, go follow Dissecting Worlds on Twitter.

Upcoming Films

Last week was full of movie news for alternate historians.  Here are some highlights:

• Brian Grazer and Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment are looking to bring George Orwell's 1984 back to the big screen. Yes I know it is not exactly alternate history, but it is certainly a novel beloved by fans of the genre, just look at the most viewed article on this blog.
• Chronicle director Josh Trank is slated to direct an adaptation of Christian Gossett's The Red Star, which is set in an alternate history where the Soviet Union is alive, growing, and using magic on a day-to-day basis.
  
• Wired ran a long article on the upcoming big-budget time travel film, Rome Sweet Rome, which is about an American Marine unit that is sent back in time to golden age of Rome.  Enjoy.

Links to the Multiverse

Online Alternate History

1636: The Kremlin Games – Snippet 15

Games

Unrelenting War in an Alternate History by Dust Warfare at Fantasy Flight Games.

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Mitro is founder, editor and contributor of Alternate History Weekly Update. When he is not busy writing about his passion for alternate history, he spends his time working as a licensed attorney in the state of Illinois and dreams of being a published author himself one day.