Category Archives: fantasy

Elisha Mancer Launch Day! With footnotes. . .

Posted on February 7, 2017 by

Elisha Mancer, Book 4 of The Dark Apostle, is now available in bookstores everywhere!  And you can find sample chapters for this, and all of the books in the series, at TheDarkApostle.com  When you love it, you can click through … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Elisha Mancer, fantasy, Germany, Great Characters of the Middle Ages, history, medieval, medieval technology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Comes Next? Power Transitions in the Middle Ages

Posted on January 20, 2017 by

Today is a big day in America, yet it’s an event that occurs every four or eight years: the inauguration of a new president.  Since I’ve also been listening to the Hamilton soundtrack, by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the words of King … Continue reading →

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E. C. Ambrose Takes the Fun out of Movies: “Fantastic Beasts” and the Ethics of Magic

Posted on November 22, 2016 by

This weekend, I went to see the new Potterverse film, “Fantastic Creatures and Where to Find Them.”  Let me preface these remarks by saying that I love a good fantasy creature, but I have some issues with Rowling’s work overall … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, fantasy, magic, movies, witchcraft | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Elisha Mancer cover reveal!

Posted on October 21, 2016 by

Yes, it’s finally here–the day I can share the amazing new cover art, by Cliff Nielsen, for Elisha Mancer, book 4 in my Dark Apostle series.  This volume takes Elisha to the Continent to track down his enemies before they … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Elisha Mancer, fantasy, fiction, magic, medieval, publishing, The Dark Apostle | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Finding a new Vernacular: the Language(s) of Fantasy

Posted on September 2, 2016 by

I have spoken to a fair number of people who say they don’t read fantasy because of all the funny names–including agents and editors who are thrown off by too many made-up words.  This is one reason I recommend authors … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, fantasy, fiction, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Problem of Plagues. . .and other Medieval Usage Issues

Posted on August 5, 2016 by

I am working my way through my editor’s notes on Elisha Mancer, book four in The Dark Apostle series, and encountering the difficulty of words.  Words are, in a novel, the primary tool for delivering the story.  In a historical … Continue reading →

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Review: Touch, by Claire North: a deeply human and highly satisfying thriller

Posted on July 22, 2016 by

This is one of the rare books that I finished and thought–That is what I want my books to feel like. For me, it delivered a powerful emotional impact along with the ripping story and engaging characters. It’s the kind … Continue reading →

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