Book Spotlight: The Exile's Violin (Tethys Chronicles, Book 1) by R.S. Hunter

Evening Beardies!

Even being busy with writing, networking, and a full time job, I've jammed in time to read. It allows me time to relax and gives me food for thought as to my own stories with possible plots, characters, twists, and settings. I personally love reading both favorites I've found in the past and totally new stories. Variety is the spice of life, but so is seeking new experiences and information! One idea I've played with for my recent stories is learning more about the Steampunk sub-genre. I had the luck of seeing The Exile's Violin listed as one of the available reviews for The Bearded Scribe and jumped on it. The possibility of discovering a new favorite author AND getting to read a novel set in Steampunk fashion? Yes, please!

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Book Spotlight: Order of the Dimensions by Irene Helenowski

Cheers Beardies!

I do hope you are all well and enjoying life wherever you are. I have now completed my sojourn in Paris, which I thoroughly enjoyed (it is a city which I would recommend to all!), and I write this from surprisingly sunny Boreham, Essex (which is not a county I would recommend to anyone).

At any rate, I have exchanged the City of Lights for the land of fake tans and silicone. Still, one must count one’s blessings: our new puppy, Madiba, named for Nelson Mandela’s clan, is proving to be an easy way of keeping fit. She would fit rather well into the role of Holmes’ Toby—I have never met a more inquisitive animal nor one as recklessly brave!

On a vaguely related note, the Musée d'Orsay had an excellent exhibition on L’Ange du Bizarre (the Angel of the Odd)—a title taken from one of Poe’s works. Though labeled as Dark Romanticism, the time periods spanned from proto-Gothic up to the Inter-War years and beautifully highlighted the works which lead up to the dawn of Speculative Fiction. Few other areas can boast that different media are so closely linked, bringing in new ideas, reinventing them, and continually pushing the boundaries of our thoughts. 

Whilst glancing through a number of older authors I came to the realisation that my knowledge of the more modern side of our genre is rather limited. So, I present to you my first 'Review Request' book review on Ms. Irene Helenowski’s Order of the Dimensions.

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Curiouser & Curiouser: Twentyish Questions with the Executive Editor — Part Four

Hello Beardies!

For me, June flew by in a blur of library programs, summer reading prizes, and, of course, books, and I can't believe it's July already.  In the midst of the insanity, though, I think last week's heat wave melted the last of Joshua's resistance to my questioning.  For whatever reason, he finally allowed me to finish the interview we started nearly a year ago.  So, four blog posts, one vial of truth serum, and innumerable late-night text messages and cups of coffee later, here's the last part.


Elizabeth: Where do you see yourself, and the The Bearded Scribe, in five years?

Joshua: I see The Bearded Scribe with its own domain and as my actual author website. The blog will still be a part of it, of course, but it will just be one section of it. Of course, that's pendulous upon my being published, but I am ever hopeful.


Elizabeth: Who or what inspires you? How do those inspirations come out in your writing?

Joshua: I pull my inspiration from so many places, it'd be torturous (to you) for me to list them all. Generally speaking, though, I love history, religion and spirituality, folklore, music, art, and classic literary pieces. I pull from them all. I also pull from nature and landscapes I love, settings that are iconic in their own right, and then I add my own twists.

Elizabeth: What is the best writing advice you have ever been given?

Joshua: Don't stop. Simple, yet full of so much weight and power.