I have stories in the latest editions of both eFiction Magazine AND efiction Horror.
But that’s not what I want to talk about. No, I am not really unbiased when it comes to those two so what I am going to review here is another of the eFiction children. This is the one with the glittering eyes; the one that levitates and speaks of dragons; eFiction Fantasy.
The debut issue of this new addition to the fantasy magazine fauna is a Kindle-only magazine for now, which is fine.
It has six stories of unequal quality. The first, The Official by Eric Sandler, starts us off very well. It feels a little more like an introduction to a character than a complete story but still works well. We begin in the quintessential bar of many a fantasy, and into it walks a mysterious stranger. Brooding violence ensues, and an expected act of heroism. Well written, to the point that I wanted to read more.
The second story, The Man Who Blew His Soul Into a Bubble by Andra Durham, was a little strange for my taste but still quite good. The moon steals a man’s lover and he chases after them in a bubble. Ethereal and quirky.
Then we get to Lazenby’s Aetheriolabe by J. Cameron McClain. This is a steampunk fantasy and is, believe me, totally worth the price of the magazine by itself. A man in an airship tells fellow passengers of his fear of airships, a story-in-a-story that touches on steampunk-esque science and has a touch of H. P. Lovecraft. If nothing else, get the magazine and read this story.
Twilight Interlude by Carl Rauscher tells a story of wolves in a forest. It is short and quite good, though perhaps not exactly fantasy. But what defines fantasy?
Father Knight by Leonard Varasano is an old fashioned werewolf story that takes place as a knight travels back from the Crusades. For me, this was the weakest story in the magazine, and a perfect example of a writer trying too hard to impress. It is almost as if he wrote the story and then beat it into submission with a thesaurus. The story is good enough, but the writing so trips it up that I did not even finish reading. Leonard Varasano should go back to his bookshelf and study Hemingway and Raymond Carver, and then re-write this story (because the story itself has merit).
The final story, In the Ruins of Amir by Donald Jacob Uitvlugt is perhaps the most straight fantasy of the lot. It is exciting and fun but suffers from an overabundace of unappropriate word choices, phrases that one associates more with modern action heroes than those of fantasy. The story is long, and the reader gets a lot for his time (and money) and it is, apart from the word choices (that will probably not bother anyone but me) a great fit for the magazine.
Overall, eFantasy is a great addition to the current market, and I am glad to see the variety they include in the debut issue. Well worth the money.
Get yourself an issue now: eFantasy on amazon.com
Many congrats on getting your stories submitted, sir. If you’re looking to get a couple more eyes — and I do mean a couple; I make no promises of grandeur — I’d be more than happy to have you over for The Headspit Sessions (or, the neat-o little name I’m calling my little interview pet project thing) at http://www.amschultz.com/author-interviews.html
Cheers!
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how many stories have you published – what makes you such an authority on anything? Farðu í rassgat andskotans auminginn þinn!
Wow… a little hostile there.
I have been lucky enough to have stories published in a few magazines, but I don’t see that it matters. I am merely discussing my opinion of stories in a magazine, on my own blog, in the hopes that it helps people make a decision on whether or not this particular magazine might be their cup of tea, so to speak.
Would my opinion matter more if I had ten stories published in the New Yorker? Would it matter less if I had never published anything?
Kringlaugd wierd, ein spadi for qvoki ne skeifr drpr munni ne svinhqfdi!
What is this, I don’t even…
The internet has now told me that this means “Gaze upon thy destiny, with this sword I will cleave your lying maggot mouth from your swine head!”
That is a little more intense than I generally like comments here to get, but you get points for creativity.
This is despicable. I hope you aren’t one of our authors because this kind of attitude is not welcome at eFantasy. Get a grip.
I wouldn’t call that a little hostility, but quite alot.
I’ve published two books and a number of short stories and novellas, I’ve also translated a number of short stories and published them as well. I’ve received a couple of awards for my writing, but that doesn’t make me anymore authority on literture that Johann. As far as I can tell he has read far more books in english than I have and knows alot about writing, literture and story building.
He also has the right to publish his opinions, even online, just as anyone else, and as far as I can tell he does so in a respectful manner, i.e. he critizes the work (novels, short stories etc.) of the authors in a very postmodern way, so to speak. That, along with his knowledge of english literature, writing etc., makes him an authority.
Takk takk.
I am flattered.
Og gerir thad undir eigin nafni, annad en sumir. Svo ég bendi á hid augljósa.
Mr. Thorrson,
I lost my home October 29th with the storm and have been living place to place since. Writing has not been a priority for the last five weeks.
Today I received an e-mail from an unfamiliar source which directed me to your blog.
I’m not sure why you referenced me on November 27th but I’m offended that you did. I only speak English though I’m able to read some Italian, Latin and a little German. I’m unfamiliar with the languages posted by someone else on that date.
You didn’t like my story Father Knight and stated that it was about “werewolves”, which it is not. I’m unsure where you even came up with that considering there are no werewolves in the story but that doesn’t really matter. The true meaning is about a man who risks it all to save the lives of two small children, and they in turn eventually save his in his time of need. Your blog has much to offer, though your credibility as a reviewer, in this instance at least, is questionable.
I’ve moved on and was fortunate enough to publish another story with eFiction Fantasy’s November edition titled When the Gods Break the Chains. Perhaps you’ll like this one. If not, that’s ok too.
In any event, I’d certainly appreciate if you would remove my name from your blog, in particular the November 27th, 10:44 p.m. reference.
I don’t no how else to contact you so I’m posting here.
Thank you for your consideration.
Leonard Varasano
formerly Sea Bright, NJ
I have removed the reference to you, Mr. Varasano, and apologize for implying that you might be responsible for the offensive comments.
I was a little disturbed by the comments and posted in haste, grabbing at straws. I was wrong to do so.
I am very sorry to hear that you lost your home, and wish you all the best with finding a new place to live.
Again, I am very sorry for mentioning you in regards to the troll comments.