Acceptance at Beneath Ceaseless Skies

[che2000]

I've just received word from Scott Andrews, editor of Beneath Ceaseless Skies that he wants to use my story 'And Other Such Delights' in an upcoming issue.

I am rather pleased about this for a number of different reasons: firstly because BCS is a wonderful magazine and the story will mark my second appearance there. Secondly because Scott is a great editor to work with (and has already made a bunch of useful suggestions and line edits that improve the story immeasurably) and thirdly because it is another in my Shining Cities Sequence and I am very attached to the various stories that I have written in this particular setting.

If you will permit a small lapse of decorum:

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Craig Herbertson]

That's great news. Just rereading Lyonesse - I'm reading Vance all the time and you'll know it's a compliment that I see favourable parallels with your work.

[che2000]

I love Jack Vance and am not fit to walk in his shadow! But that having been said, it's no secret that two of my biggest influences are JV and Clark Ashton Smith (in particular the Zothique stories) and the Shining Cities tales are my attempt to follow in their footsteps however timidly.

[Craig Herbertson]

Well, I'll say it again. I've read nearly everything Vance wrote for the commercial marker not his crime) and I only like fantasy of the Eddison, Morris, Tolkien, Lindsay variety - that is high fantasy - most modern fantasy leaves me pretty cold. Not so the few bits of yours I've read which I found extremely well written, evocative, classy, literate without being pompous, entertaining and I'd particularly like to see a novel from you.

[che2000]

I agree with you about the bulk of modern fantasy, most of it leaves me cold an' all. Most of my fantasy reading of late has been of the sword and sorcery variety by the great past masters (like Vance and CAS, Fritz Leiber, early Moorcock, Robert E. Howard and the like) the only one I've ever felt came close to those guys was the late David Gemmell.

I've been kicking around plans for a novel for a while now, but keep finding that I get distracted by short fiction. I really just need to grit my teeth and get on with it (but all those words can be so damned daunting!)

[Craig Herbertson]

I have a whole fantasy novel planned from beginning to end and have managed to write about four chapters all of which leave me very sad because they bear no relationship to the work of genius in my head

[David Kartos]

Great news , Che . Carry on the good work .

@ Craig : doesn't that happen with everybody ?