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a. reid johnson Posts

Flights of Foundry

It is hard to believe that my fourth FoF is coming up this weekend. I found out about the first one in 2020 from a random post I just happened to see from Neil Clarke. I registered 3 days before the con and it was an absolute blast. I met some good friends, I joined a writing group, and my TBR pile has never been larger thanks to this group. It is not an exaggeration…

Hold Fast Through the Fire — K. B. Wagers

I was looking forward to reading this 2nd book in the NEO-G universe. Set about 400 years in the future after an unspecified calamity, this series follows the Near Earth Orbital Guard, Coast Guard in space, on their various adventures. K. B. is a non-binary author and their book has a host of various trans, and non-binary characters, as well as a loving and affectionate team of spacefarers. I was a little concerned that all…

Clarion rejection

I found out yesterday that I did not get in to the Clarion workshop in San Diego for this summer. I am sad, but I also understand the reality that it is highly competitive. I will keep trying, because I think a workshop like this will be a total game changer for my writing. Onward!

Another sale!

Today I signed another contract for my story entitled “The Grocery Store” which will appear in Radon Journal. Amazing. I can’t keep up this pace for too much longer, since I currently only have 3 other pieces out on submission but it was very exciting to have this happen quick on the heels of yesterday. I actually knew about this one for a few weeks. They gave me a conditional acceptance, but wanted me to…

First Sale!

I am beyond excited to share that I have made my first sale! My flash fiction story entitled “Alien Anthropologist” will appear in On Spec, the Canadian magazine of the fantastic, later this year. I received the acceptance email yesterday, had a brief email exchange, signed the contract, and just received the payment. I am so excited! I have been writing science fiction (off and on) since 1983. I have had several periods of more…

All Systems Red — Martha Wells

This book has been on my TBR pile since my first Flights of Foundry con; it seemed like every panelist was recommending the book. I finally purchased it a few months ago and I was in the mood for a shorter, quicker read after all the space opera epics I’ve been reading. Wow, it was a lot of fun and i am so happy that there are apparently 5 more novellas and 2 more novels…

Hunters/Sandworms of Dune — Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson

Well, I have finally finished the Dune books. I will not be the first to note that the last two books which finish of the original series started by Frank Herbert lack the depth, clarity, and precision of the original Dune. Chapterhouse ended on a cliffhanger with a very strange vision of an old couple, and for years, that was just how the series ended. But apparently Frank left an outline in a safe deposit…

I have applied to Clarion!

Had a bit of a complicated day yesterday but still managed to submit my application for the Clarion workshop for this coming summer. I was really proud of my stories about a week and a half ago or so but as I kept working and working and working, I found myself not feeling any emotional connection to them anymore at all. By the time I submitted them, I actually thought both of them were terrible.…

Creating Short Fiction — Damon Knight

This is one of the best craft books I’ve read. It covers everything from what makes a good story to how to learn about your characters to what to do when you get stuck. It isn’t as technical as some more focused books I’ve read, but his down to earth style resonated with me and the exercises he suggests are something I will be considering as I move forward with my next round of stories.…