Long Looks at Short Fiction: "Amarante" by Scott Oden

"Amarante"
Scott Oden
ebook $0.99 Kindle Nook

Scott Oden is an outstanding writer of historical adventure fiction and fantasy.  I'll be looking at his novels over the coming months. For now, though, I want to take a look at this short piece, a tale of orcs.  I've reviewed several stories about orcs in the last few months, one by Charles Gramlich and three different stories by Tom Doolan. 

This latest is probably the darkest of the lot, which is by no means a bad thing.  It concerns a punitive raid on a temple.  The leader of the orcs is Kraibag, Captain of the 10th Zhrokari Brigade.  They've finished destroying the temple for spreading sedition.  Kraibag is about to kill the surviving priestess when he's stopped by Muzgaash, a Witch Hound.  Witch Hounds can sense magic, and he warns Kraibag of sorcery. 

Scott Oden Writes a Story on his Blog

Scott Oden started writing a historical short story on his blog this week.  He's outlining the process he uses when he writes fiction, letting us in on his methods.  Plus it's shaping up to be a really good story.

He's four days into it.  Here are the links:  Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4.

Scott Oden is the author of The Lion of Cairo.  It's in the queue, and I hope to have a review of it posted by Christmas.

Scott Oden Sails the Wine-Dark Seas

Author Scott Oden has a new blog that might be of interest to readers of this one.  It's called The Wine-Dark Seas, and Scott has several posts up already.  Check it out.

Why You Soon Won't be Able to Find a Good Book in a Store

I was reading one of Kris Rusch's columns over at The Business Rusch the other day, the topic being shelf space disappearing in book stores.  At that reminded me of an unpleasant experience I had the other day in Wal-Mart, one that is now repeated every time I walk into the store (which isn't nearly as often as it was a few weeks ago).  If you haven't read Kris's column, please go read it now.  I'll wait.

There, that didn't take too long, did it?  Ms. Rusch brings up some very disturbing points, and while some of them are negative, others are mixed.  For what it's worth, here's my take on things, including why I'm not going to be shopping at Wal-Mart as much in the future.

Memorial Day

I was going to post something appropriate for Memorial Day.  Then I read this post by Scott Oden.  I can't improve on that.