We are introducing a new video series called Let’s Read. Get excerpts of your works read and promoted on The Alternate Historian channel. Learn more watching by the below video:
Send submission to: ahwupdate at gmail dot com. If you need help making an excerpt, check out these articles:
Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a blogger for Amazing Stories, a volunteer interviewer for SFFWorld and a Sidewise Awards for Alternate History judge. When not exploring alternate timelines he enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the day when travel between parallel universes becomes a reality. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube. Learn how you can support his alternate history projects on Patreon.
According to the press release: "Time travel is the ultimate imagined adventure for many. But for people from underrepresented and minority communities time travel could be more of a disaster than an adventure. An Asian American from 2015 who lands in the United States during World War 2, a gay married couple dropped in the middle of the conservative South in the 1950's, or a mixed-race person transported to Africa during the slave trade would face substantial challenges in those times."
“Before this, time travel has been limited to only a few people, we hope this book allows everyone to travel through time,” said Sakai. “This is a great twist on the time travel concept and we know some amazing writers are going to be as excited about contributing, as we are to be working with them.”
The submission deadline is March 1, 2015. Each proposal should include: 1) a one-page proposal featuring a main character from an underrepresented community traveling back in time; 2) a writing biography or resume; and 3) a writing sample of no more than 25 pages. Proposals and questions can be sent to Time.Traveling.4.All.of.Us at gmail dot com.
With time travel being one of the most popular methods of creating an alternate history, there is certainly a lot of potential for some good and original stories. If you plan to submit a story, please let us know.
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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. 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.
Last week Charlie Jane Anders posted on io9 an article on the ten SF&F stories that editors are tired of seeing. Although there were a few types that I would agree with (i.e. zombies) I was taken aback by the inclusion of parallel universe, time travel and steampunk stories.
Now I am obviously a bit biased since those stories often come under the umbrella of alternate history. That being said, I can understand how their proliferation can be annoying to editors who act as the gatekeepers between readers and bad fiction (well, most of the time anyway). So if you are planning to write one of the three types of stories mentioned and want to be able to stand out, below are my suggestions.
Parallel Universes: Sheila Williams of Asimov probably summed it the best in the article by saying she would like to see more exploration of current theories. The multiverse theory has been in vogue as of late, but there aren't many works out there that have tried explaining it in terms a lay person can understand. Fiction is a good way to do that. On the other hand, you can also play around with some of the speculation scientist's have been making about the multiverse, for example, the different laws that govern the parallel universe. There is already precedent for this in Martinez' Daedalus series (which has a timeline where alchemy works) and Piper's Paratime series (which has a timeline where reincarnation has been scientifically proven). Some might dismiss those ideas as fantasy, but you can still have your own fun with physics in your universe.
Time travel: At Capricon I was on or attended several panels that discussed time travel in fiction. Of the many topics we discussed, one that stuck with me is that you rarely see an analytically look at what happens when a regular person goes back in time. Too many time travelers have it too easy going back to the past, quickly fitting in after only a few "fish out of water" moments. To survive permanently, however, in the real past and not Hollywood's misconceived notion of it, now that would be an interesting story to read. One that uses real historical data and what a regular person the present could realistically accomplish in the past. Also, don't treat people of the past as country bumpkins. For one thing it is insulting (they are your ancestors too) and for another it just doesn't make sense. Sure the Wright brothers probably won't know what to make of your iPhone, but when was the last time you built an airplane from scratch (or an iPhone for that matter)?
Steampunk: I have gotten a lot of criticism for the amount of steampunk I include on this blog, but suck it up, it is related to alternate history. There are, however, some ways to make it more palatable for alternate historians and editors alike. For one thing, why not mash up the genre with military SF? Not all military SF needs to take place in the future on some distant planet. Why not write a story on an old war where the combatants have more advanced weapons. I am not talking about Guns of the South by Turtledove, but steampunk inspired weapons that could have actually been built with some tweaking in the past. Take the American Civil War in a world where the Analytical Engine was completed and came into widespread use, igniting an earlier information age and fast technological growth, like what happened in The Difference Engine. Could the Confederacy have broken the Union blockade with advanced submersibles or would they be stymied by Union airship patrols? What would masters of modern warfare like Jackson and Sherman do with steam-powered war cars and clockwork artillery?
These are just a few suggestions from myself. How would you make the above story ideas stand out for picky editors?
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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. 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.
A new alternate history anthology came to my attention recently. It is titled Altered America and it is currently accepting submissions up to December 31st. Published by Martinus Publishing, the anthology is looking for alternate histories based on American history.
"For this collection, I'm looking for 'Alternate History' stories based on the North American continent; tales that incorporate some explanation of what alteration to history caused a divergent reality to form," said Martin T. Ingham, Senior Editor at Martinus Publishing. "A few examples of already accepted stories include one where Vikings have settled along the eastern seaboard, one where the Louisiana Purchase never happened, causing for a radically different arrangement of nations (even as John F. Kennedy is elected President of United New England), and a story where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin crashed and died during Apollo 11, and the subsequent mission to successfully land a man on the moon."
"Stories that will find easy acceptance will be ones with fleshed out characters, an interesting storyline, and some obvious 'Alternate' history that is explained," said Martin. "As much as I like Twilight Zone type stories where weird things happen, that isn't what this collection is about. I mention this because I've seen a lot of really good stories that were reminiscent of that show, but didn't incorporate any historical factor. Think Harry Turtledove over Rod Sterling for this anthology."
When I asked how plausible the stories had to be, Martin responded: "As for the 'alien space bats,' there is some room for that, as well as straightforward historical alteration. One story I recently accepted involved an pseudo-magical addition to 1903, though it was definitely 'Alternate' and 'History.' A lot of the stories I've had to reject didn't really involve alternate history/dimensions at all. For example, one involved a reporter who had some kind of alien contact and subsequently anything he said became reality. This story might have worked if it had been a newscaster in 1960 and he used this power to somehow change history as we know it, but as some generic guy in a small town in an undefined year, it couldn't be considered 'Alternate History' by any stretch."
Although you can find more information about submitting by clicking on the links above, remember that submissions are due December 31st and the word count is between 2000 to 6000 words. All questions and submissions can be sent to mtiediting at inbox dot com.
Good luck! Hopefully I might see a couple of our readers with their names in print.
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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. His new short story "Road Trip" can be found in Forbidden Future: A Time Travel Anthology. 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.
Since I missed last Monday's Weekly Update, I realized many of you missed out on important dates for events and anthology deadlines. Well I rectified that by sharing with you that information ahead of next Monday's Weekly Update. Enjoy!
Events
May 10-12, 17-19: Sioux Empire Community Theatre’s steampunk-themed production of “The Wizard of Oz” in Sioux Falls, SD.
May 23-26: The 2013 Phoenix Comicon has a whole slew of steampunk events planned.
June 15: Applications due for the Viable Paradise writing workshop.
Remember if you have events or calls for submissions you would like to share with The Update's readers, send us a head's up at ahwupdate at gmail dot com.
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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 andThe 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.
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:
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 andThe 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.
Editor's Note Usually I use this space for announcements rather than editorializing, but this story caught my eye and forced me to wade into a controversial subject. To sum up, an American teacher wanted her students to understand why slavery was bad, but in an unusual manner. She asked to kids to imagine they lived in a world where slavery still existed and create posters reflecting this alternate history. People became offended after one kid made a poster featuring a reward for a runaway slave.
Personally I am siding with the teacher on this one. I have always believed counterfactuals are an excellent tool in helping truly understand the importance of historical events. As more generations are born, further separating present day humans from the events in question, it becomes easier to forget or be swayed by others who have a desire to revise how others perceive their ancestors. Furthermore, if Kevin Willmott can create a mockumentary featuring slavery in a modern day Confederacy I see no reason why others can't take from his example in teaching children about the subject.
Okay, hopefully I don't get too many angry comments.
And now the news...
Update: Clockwork Century by Cherie Priest
Cherie Priest, probably the most well-known steampunk author currently, was in the news last week. For one thing, her new novel Fiddlehead, the 5th book in her Clockwork Century, series was announced. Scheduled to come out in November, here is the synopsis from SF Signal:
Ex-spy ‘Belle Boyd’ is retired – more or less. Retired from spying on the Confederacy anyway. Her short-lived marriage to a Union navy boy cast suspicion on those Southern loyalties, so her mid-forties found her unemployed, widowed and disgraced. Until her life-changing job offer from the staunchly Union Pinkerton Detective Agency.
When she’s required to assist Abraham Lincoln himself, she has to put any old loyalties firmly aside – for a man she spied against twenty years ago.Lincoln’s friend Gideon Bardsley, colleague and ex-slave, is targeted for assassination after the young inventor made a breakthrough. Fiddlehead, Bardsley’s calculating engine, has proved an extraordinary threat threatens the civilized world. Meaning now is not the time for conflict.
Now Bardsley and Fiddlehead are in great danger as forces conspire to keep this secret, the war moving and the money flowing. With spies from both camps gunning for her, can even the notorious Belle Boyd hold the war-hawks at bay?
In other news, David Marshall at Thinking about books reviewed her recent novel The Inexplicables. Spoiler alert, he didn't like it and described it as "terrible". Ouch, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, including Eric Brown at The Guardian who reviewed Priest's Dreadnaught and called it a "marvellous steampunk, western and horror mashup that takes time out to examine warfare, racism and gender definitions." Check out The Update's past reviews of Boneshaker and Clementine done by myself and Matthew Quinn respectively.
On a side note, Brown also reviewed James P Blaylock's The Aylesford Skull and Ian McDonald's Planesrunner so click on that article if you want to see the reviews on those novels as well.
Jim Butcher to Publish Steampunk series
Speaking of steampunk, Jim Butcher, author of The Dresden Files (wait a second, a contemporary fantasy/mystery series set in Chicago...why the hell haven't I read this yet?) will be publishing a new steampunk series for Penguin. Publisher's Weekly was the first to break the news:
Penguin Group is continuing its relationship with bestselling fantasy writer Jim Butcher. The author of the Dresden Files and Codex Alera closed a seven-figure, three-book deal with his current publisher for a new series. Anne Sowards, at Roc, took world English rights to The Cinder Spires: The Aeronaut’s Windlass, and two sequels, from agent Jennifer Jackson at Donald Maass Literary...The Cinder Spires, Jackson said, is set in a world “of black spires that tower for miles over a mist-shrouded surface” and follows a war between two of the Spires: Spire Albion and Spire Aurora.
It’s kinda League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets Sherlock meets Hornblower. There are goggles and airships and steam power and bizarre crystal technology and talking cats, who are horrid little bullies.
DLC with the Famed Actor’s Powerful Voice Now Available, Trailer of Many Decibels Released
Paradox Interactive released the powerful vocal performance of Brian Blessed as an add-on for their medieval combat title War of the Roses. Players can now charge into battle with the acting legend commanding them to victory. Available as optional DLC for the game, the “BRIAN BLESSED VO” pack replaces the existing announcer with the hearty, dramatic commands of England’s greatest voice. The DLC can be purchased via Steam for $4.99.
Turn your headphones down—or up, if you like that sort of thing—and listen to BRIAN BLESSED in this newly released video:
In addition, a free demo is now available for War of the Roses, allowing any brave warrior to pledge their steel to the houses of Lancaster or York. However, demo players will not gain any prestige inside the game – nor can they enjoy the rich vocal work of BRIAN BLESSED.
Submissions Wanted
Is it just me or is it easier to find submission requests for the horror genre? First off, if you live in the Atlanta area and have horror script you a trying to sell, this Craigslist notice might interest you. Meanwhile, fans of Lovecraft or just weird fiction in general, should check out the Lovecraft eZine and their submissions page. If you need help writing your Lovecraft story, may I recommend The H.P. Lovecraft Archive, an excellent database for your favorite Rhode Islander (well Peter Griffin might be higher on the list).
Had enough horror? Check out Water Closer Press which is calling for submissions for their next issue of Ladies and Gentlemen. Also this segment is never just about writing. Do you have an alternate history web series? Than you might be interested in submitting it to the Chronos Film Fest.
As always, good luck!
Things to do
So many things to do, so little time to do it all in (and don't forget how much a plane ticket costs):
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 andThe 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.
Editor's Note So yeah the steampunk contest might be cancelled for this month, but you can still get a taste of automatons and bucking stuffy social mores through Echelon Press' upcoming anthology: Once Upon a Clockwork Tale. Your handsome editor (I'm talking about myself in case you are wondering) has a short story appearing in Clockwork Tale, scheduled to come out this week. All this month I will be giving you updates on the anthology, plus interviews with my fellow authors. I hope you all get a chance to read it and remember feedback is appreciated.
And now the news...
New Release: Inceptio by Alison Morton
Friend of The Update, Alison Morton (author of Sample Something a Little Alternative) celebrated the launch of her new novel last week, Inceptio. Here is a brief description from Amazon in case you missed it:
New York, present day. Karen Brown, angry and frightened after surviving a kidnap attempt, has a harsh choice - being eliminated by government enforcer Jeffery Renschman or fleeing to the mysterious Roma Nova, her dead mother's homeland in Europe. Founded sixteen centuries ago by Roman exiles and ruled by women, Roma Nova gives Karen safety and a ready-made family. But a shocking discovery about her new lover, the fascinating but arrogant special forces officer Conrad Tellus, who rescued her in America, isolates her. Renschman reaches into her new home and nearly kills her. Recovering, she is desperate to find out why he is hunting her so viciously. Unable to rely on anybody else, she undergoes intensive training, develops fighting skills and becomes an undercover cop. But crazy with bitterness at his past failures, Renschman sets a trap for her, knowing she has no choice but to spring it...
She has been working hard promoting it. You can catch excepts of it on her blog or watch the book trailer. Amazingly the book has only been available in a few markets and it is already winning awards, such as 'We've Got It Covered' competition. So congrats to Alison I certainly believe all her hard work will pay off...especially when she guest posts on The Update with an article concerning the alternate history behind her universe. In the meantime you can check out some examples of herblog tour to promote Inceptio.
Coming Soon: Gideon Smith and the Mechanical Girl by David Barnett
A recent author who has caught my attention is David Barnett, whose novel Gideon Smith and the Mechanical Girl is coming out later this year. Here is a description from his website:
In an alternative 1890, the British Empire’s reach and power is almost absolute, and from a technologically-advanced London where steam-power is king and airships ply the skies, Queen Victoria presides over three-quarters of the known world – including the east coast of America, following the failed revolution of 1775.
But London might as well be a world away from Sandsend, a tiny village on the Yorkshire coast, where Gideon Smith whiles away his days fishing on his father’s clockwork gearship and dreaming of the adventure promised him by the lurid tales of Captain Lucian Trigger, the Hero of the Empire, as presented in Gideon’s favourite “penny dreadful” periodical, World Marvels & Wonders.
When Gideon’s father is lost at sea in highly mysterious circumstances, Gideon is convinced that supernatural forces are at work. The writer Bram Stoker, holidaying in nearby Whitby, fears that a vampire from Transylvania is abroad on English soil, but is the dark agency that killed Arthur Smith and his crew even more ancient and foul – murderous, mummified creatures from the shifting sands of Egypt?
Deciding only Captain Lucian Trigger himself can aid him in his search for answers, Gideon sets off for London, and on the way rescues the mysterious mechanical girl Maria from a tumbledown house of shadows and iniquities.
Looking for heroes but finding only mysteries and unanswered questions, it falls to Gideon Smith to step up to the plate and attempt to save the day… but can a humble fisherman really become the true Hero of the Empire?
The novel has already gained the attention of major SF blogs like the award-winning SF Signal. I feel Barnett is someone we all need to check out.
The Relaunched AH.com Podcast
Another contributor to The Update has a new project. Junior Editor Jake Schenberg, author of Alternative Elections: 1844, has revitalized the AH.com podcast. You can listen to the first episode on YouTube:
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 andThe 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.
Short post today. I hate to end the week with some house-keeping, but it needs to be done.
First the bad news: I am sad to announce the steampunk writing contest is cancelled. Despite the good showing we had for last month's contest, I have yet to receive any submissions for this new contest. Perhaps blame rests on me for not promoting it well enough or the format of monthly contests just isn't feasible over the long term. For the sake of not wasting anyone's time I will be cancelling it and suspending future writing contests until I can come up with a better system.
Now the good news: In the very near future I will be paying for original fiction. I am starting to see some results from advertisements so to encourage more original fiction on this site I am going to start offering authors monetary compensation. Now don't think you quit your job and write for the Update for the rest of your life. I am probably going to start off with a flat rate of $5 to $10 and allowing the author to have full reprint rights once the story is posted.. I haven't decided yet, but keep an eye on the Submissions page since it will be getting an overhaul.
So again sorry for cancelling the steampunk contest, but I hope you will enjoy the new policy changes I am making for submissions.
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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 andThe 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.
Editor's Note Sorry for not posting a Weekly Update last week guys. For your troubles you get an extra loooonnnnnnnnnggggggg Weekly Update with a ton of nice and tasty links.
Not much else to report except to remind you all we are still accepting original fiction, essays and reviews dealing with the Balkanize Me trope of alternate history. The 27th is the last day I will post an entry. So far I haven't received any entries steampunk writing contest in March. I don't want to rush anybody, but if I do not start receiving some submissions soon I may have to cancel the contest.
Greetings to our first reader from Oman. Welcome and I hope you enjoy our coverage on alternate worlds.
And now the news...
Coming Soon: Gideon's Angel by Clifford Beal
A new novel has caught the attention of this alternate historian: Gideon's Angel by Clifford Beal. Set to be published tomorrow in the US/Canada and February 28th in the UK, here is the description from Amazon:
1653: The long and bloody English Civil War is at an end. King Charles is dead and Oliver Cromwell rules the land as king in all but name. Richard Treadwell, an exiled royalist officer and soldier-for-hire to the King of France and his all-powerful advisor, the wily Cardinal Mazarin, burns with revenge for those who deprived him of his family and fortune. He decides upon a self-appointed mission to return to England in secret and assassinate the new Lord Protector. Once back on English soil however, he learns that his is not the only plot in motion.
A secret army run by a deluded Puritan is bent on the same quest, guided by the Devil’s hand. When demonic entities are summoned, Treadwell finds himself in a desperate turnaround: he must save Cromwell to save England from a literal descent into Hell. But first he has to contend with a wife he left in Devon who believes she’s a widow, and a furious Paris mistress who has trailed him to England, jeopardising everything. Treadwell needs allies fast. Can he convince the man sent to forcibly drag him back to Cardinal Mazarin? A young king’s musketeer named d’Artagnan.
Black dogs and demons; religion and magic; Freemasons and Ranters. It’s a dangerous new Republic for an old cavalier coming home again.
Curious tale, but does it hold up against the critics? The Forgotten Geek at Geek Syndicate gave it a 3 out of 5 but did say that Gideon's Angel is "an enjoyable take on traditional historic horror with religious fantasy thrown in." Not exactly shining with praise, but I am still curious about the setting and the cast of characters. Those wanting to learn more can check out images and videos from the launch party and read Beal's essay titled Historical Fantasy: the pitfalls and pleasures of writing crossover fiction at The Qwillery.
Update: Chris Nuttall
Friend and contributor of The Update, Chris Nuttall, has been busy these last couple of weeks. His new novel Bookworm was recently published through Elsewhen Press and his novel Royal Sorceress came out in paperback (also published by Elsewhen). To promote this and his other novels (Chris is certainly a prolific writer) he has been touring the web with some interview. You can read his words at Amazing Stories and The Indie Spotlight. You can also check out Rome’s Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato, Mortal Enemy of Caesar, an article by Chris featuring the Roman statesman Cato.
From all of us at The Update, I want to congratulate Chris for his continued success and sincerely hope we hear even more about him in the future.
Update: The Afrika Reich by Guy Saville
Another friend of The Update, Guy Saville, has been celebrating the American edition of his novel The Afrika Reich. Here is the description from Amazon:
Africa, 1952. More than a decade has passed since Britain’s humiliation at Dunkirk brought an end to the war and the beginning of an uneasy peace with Hitler.
The swastika flies from the Sahara to the Indian Ocean. Britain and a victorious Nazi Germany have divided the continent. The SS has crushed the native populations and forced them into labor. Gleaming autobahns bisect the jungle, jet fighters patrol the skies. For almost a decade an uneasy peace has ensued.
Now, however, the plans of Walter Hochburg, messianic racist and architect of Nazi Africa, threaten Britain’s ailing colonies.
Sent to curb his ambitions is Burton Cole: a one-time assassin torn between the woman he loves and settling an old score with Hochburg. If he fails unimaginable horrors will be unleashed on the continent. No one – black or white – will be spared.
But when his mission turns to disaster, Burton must flee for his life.
It is a flight that will take him from the unholy ground of Kongo to SS slave camps to war-torn Angola – and finally a conspiracy that leads to the dark heart of The Afrika Reich itself.
Portlandia Goes Steampunk Never watched Portlandia before, but I might have to check out a couple of episodes now. The satirical sketch comedy show, set and filmed in Portland, OR and starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein has gone steampunk. The sub-culture was skewered in a recent sketch which you can see a clip below:
So far reaction seems positive. Matt Staggs at SUVUDU called it "a parody with love" and real members of the Rose City Steampunk Society did star in the show. Still its only IFC, but in the future steampunk might penetrate basic cable or even network television.
Submissions Wanted
So good news and bad news for aspiring authors out there.
In the meantime if you have a horror related work you need to publish check out Dark Moon Books who are looking for young adult horror stories. Deadline is April 15 and entries should be between 500 to 4000 words. Also if your story is a tad Lovecraftian, might I recommend this helpful list of magazins and publishers who may be in the need of some good mythos tales or just weird fiction in general.
As always good luck...and don't worry if you hear something go bump in the night. It is probably just your subconscious helping you craft a new horror story and certainly some demonic hell beast coming to steal your soul.
Things to do Bored? You shouldn't be. Another universe is just next door:
March 2 to April 14: The Ipswich Art Gallery (Ipswich, Australia) will host a high tea to open a steampunk art gallery.
May 3-5: H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival & CthulhuCon in Portland, OR...but wait! You have to kickstart it first.
Also I need to post more reviews from guests at these cons and events. Like the one our own Junior Editor Jake posted about his visit to this year's AnachroCon. He even met author and contributor to The Update, Matthew Quinn. I love it when alternate historians network, there are so few of us to begin with. Let us hope Jake's mention of podcast is more than just idle speculation...
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 andThe 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.
Editor's Note Woot! Another mention on SF Signal for my work on Amazing Stories. Okay that is enough shameless self-promotion.
Don't forget everyone, we are still accepting original fiction, essays and reviews dealing with the Balkanize Me trope of alternate history. I will be posting the next entry later this week so stay tuned. Also there is still time to send in your submissions for the steampunk writing contest in March. I look forward to reading your submissions.
New reader from the Bahamas, welcome! Why is there terrible weather in Chicago every time I have to welcome a new reader from a tropical country?
And now the news...
Star Trek & Dr. Who Fans Might Collide with a Bang! Theoretically of Course
Remember when I said I was through with the shameless self-promotion? Yeah not exactly.
Amazing Stories is pleased to announce their first piece of new fiction, and a graphic story to boot! But wait, it gets even better!
Several weeks ago David Gerrold (yes, the Tribbles guy*) announced on Facebook that he’d written a comic book script that had become orphaned through no fault of its own. Amazing Stories jumped on this potential opportunity and obtained a copy of the script for review.
Unbelievably hilarious. Totally nerdy.
From the opening panel to the very last David Gerrold has spun a tale of historic, inside jokiness and has extended that joke to encompass contemporary fare.
Arrangements were made for Amazing Stories to publish the story and, in conjunction with David’s DG Publishing imprint, produce a limited dead-tree edition. Several comic artists were approached for the honor and Troy Boyle has been given the go-ahead. Troy has already begun preliminary character sketches and page layouts.
Amazing Stories will be publishing a few teaser excerpts from the script, as well as some of Troy’s preliminary artwork here over the next few weeks.
What is it about? Let’s just say that Star Trek fans and Dr. Who fans (or should that be Dr. Who fans and Star Trek fans?) are going to have something to talk about for at least the next century. And yes, there are Tribbles in there too. Soft Tribbles. Warm Tribbles. Tribbles no one would want to Exterminate.
This Friday Amazing Stories will be releasing a few of Troy’s illustrations and a few scenes from David’s script, so mark it on your calendars and don’t miss a single reveal as we all work our way towards publication!
The script will appear here exclusively on Amazing Stories and will also be made available in a limited print edition that will be available from the Experimenter Publishing Company and DG Publishing.
So if you guys liked Assimilation, I highly recommend you check out what Amazing Stories has in stores for you this Friday. Plus you never know if another major franchise might make an appearance...
Update: The Queen is Dead by Kate Locke
The newest edition to the Immortal Empire series was released last week, but here is the description in case you missed it:
When her brother Val gets in over his head in an investigation of Half-Blood disappearances and goes missing himself, it's up to Xandra, newly crowned Goblin Queen, to get him back and bring the atrocities to light. Xandra must frequent the seediest parts of London, while also coping with what she is, the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who wants her head. Add this to a being a suspect in a murder investigation, a werewolf boyfriend with demands of his own, and a mother hell bent on destroying the monarchy, and Xandra barely knows which way is up. One thing she does know is that she's already lost one sibling, she's not about to lose another.
Xandra Varden is the newly crowned Goblin Queen of England. But her complicated life is by no means over.
There are the political factions vying for her favor, and the all too-close scrutiny of Queen Victoria, who for some reason wants her head. Not to mention her werewolf boyfriend with demands of his own, and a mother hell bent on destroying the monarchy. Now she's the suspect in a murder investigation --- and Xandra barely knows which way is up.
What she does know is that nothing lasts forever---and immortality isn't all its cracked up to be.
Do you know who Lavie Tidhar is? Well you should. This award-winning, alternate history author has made quite a name from himself. Here is a brief bio:
Lavie Tidhar grew up on a kibbutz in Israel and has since lived in South Africa, the UK, Vanuatu and Laos. He is currently residing back in London. He won the World Fantasy Award in 2012 for Best Novel, for Osama, and the British Fantasy Award 2012 for Best Novella, for Gorel & The Pot-Bellied God. He was nominated, variously, a BSFA Award, a Sidewise Award, Israel’s Geffen Award, the Airship Award, and the Sturgeon and Campbell Awards.
That bio is from Every Read Thing where you can also check out their interview with Lavie where they discuss his series The Bookman Histories and winning the World Fantasy Award for Osama. You can also check out his interview on SF Signal where Lavie is promoting the World SF Travel Fund.
Paradox News
Got a whole heaping helping of news for grand strategy gamers. Let's start with the unstoppable pagan armies!
Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio, announced the new expansion to the world of Crusader Kings II titled Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods. The new expansion will add a number of widely requested features to the game, including the ability to play as a Pagan or Zoroastrian ruler, expanding empires through war, pillaging, and ruthless brutality. Players will also be able to begin their in-game reign as far back as the year 867 AD, making The Old Gods officially the Paradox title that spans the longest period in history.
Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods lets players step into the boots of a pagan chieftain, approaching the brutal backstabbing world of Crusader Kings through invasion, adventure, and holy war. Other features include rebels being led by defined characters with specific agendas, adventurers, heathens, prepared invasion and a new AI.
Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods is scheduled to release in Q2 2013. Watch the announcement teaser trailer below:
Next we have Heart of Darkness, the second expansion for Paradox Development Studios’ Victoria II, a detailed political/economic simulation of the Victorian Age, an era of rapid transformation of technology, politics and business.
Heart of Darkness, as its name suggests, focuses on the Scramble for Africa, the late 19th century rush for newly discovered wealth and land in a continent whose interior had been mostly free from European domination.
The upcoming expansion also introduces a new diplomatic event, International Crises, where the colliding desires of rival empires get settled by Great Power mediation and where smaller powers can manipulate their friends to support their own local ambitions. Other features include a new naval system with greater detail in battles, including gun ranges and positioning, and more types of ships to bridge the gap between ironclads and dreadnoughts. There will also be a newspaper system will allow you to track all the most important events in your world instead of relying on the game log.
Victoria II: Heart of Darkness is scheduled for release in March 2013. Finally we end this segment with a host of new trailers starting with March of Eagles:
And Europa Universalis IV:
Try to get some sunlight guys.
Submissions Wanted
Need more opportunities to get published?
First, I have two publishers looking for flash fiction submissions. Fan of our favorite cephalopod should check out Whispers From the Abyss, a Lovecraftian flash fiction anthology open for submission until May 30. Stories should not be longer than 2500 words.
Next we have the Teleport Us writing contest over at Lit Reactor. They are looking for stories between 1500-4000 words with a dystopic/utopian setting and featuring plausible technology and non-human characters. You will have to hurry, however, as the submission period ends at the end of February.
Those with longer works should check out Farther Books. This SF publisher is looking for completed manuscripts. Full guidelines can be found here.
As always, good luck.
Things to do
Remind me when I get the time to sit down and make a calender for all of these events I mention. In the meantime, here are some more alternate history inspired things to do:
March 4: CON NOOGA, Chattanooga's first and only Multi-Fandom (Multiple Genre) Convention.
March 8-10: FOGcon, a literary-themed SF/F con in the San Francisco Bay Area.
August 23: NecronomiCon. the Lovecraft convention, in Providence, RI. Tickets are now on sale.
If you need more idea check out the SF Signal Podcast where Patrick Hester talks about upcoming SF conventions with a panel of prominent female SF authors.
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 andThe 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.
