One of my stories – ‘Best Case Scenario’ – is on the list for this quarter’s vote. The list is packed full of great stories. Have a look and vote!!
The Martian Wave – 2024
I’m very happy to announce that my short story, ‘Finders Keepers’ has been published in this year’s edition of The Martian Wave by Hiraeth Publishing. This is a story of exploitation and the bravery of the few who stand up for what is right. It is set in the same universe as my SF books and explores the pivotal moment in history when the planet Ghyllach and its valuable crystal resources are first discovered by the Calestis Coalition of planets. The profiteering mining consortium soon discover they have bitten off more than they can chew!
Amazing Stories publishes ‘Best Case Scenario’
I’m happy to announce that the well respected magazine Amazing Stories has published one of my short stories. This wouldn’t have happened without the help and support of my writing groups. Thank You! Solid and professional feedback is what all writers need and I’m lucky enough to have professional writers, who have, over the years, turned into good friends, to offer that support. To all new and aspiring writers out there: find a good writing group. It makes all the difference!
You can read the story here: https://amazingstories.com/2024/02/best-case-scenario-by-susan-oke-free-story/
Second Hand Skin
This short story was inspired by a ‘What if…?’ that has rattled around in the back of my mind for years. What if the clothes you were wearing turned into your skin? What effect would that have on individuals, families, communities? Would the world become a more inclusive place given that everyone had their own unique look, their own unique biology? No more cliques, niches, bolt-holes? Or would we find a whole new way to divide and discriminate?
I took my initial draft to the Milford Speculative fiction group, whose members provided a wealth of advice. Rewrites went around my other writing groups until I finally settled on a form that I thought best suited the story. ‘Second Hand Skin’ was recently published online in The Chamber Magazine. You can read the story here.
Launching Eclectic Dreams at Eastercon – Friday 7th April 2023 at 4.30 p.m.
Worth getting your hands on this!
All you good people who are going to Eastercon should head to the launch of Eclectic Dreams, the new fundraising Milford anthology. This features some excellent stories by Tiffani Angus, Ben Jeapes, David Langford, Jacey Bedford, Val Nolan,Cherith Baldry, Nick Moulton,Victor Ocampo, Guy T Martland, Al Robertson and JW Anderson PLUS a previously unpublished story by Neil Gaiman. All the stories have been workshopped at a Milford Conference
The books have arrived and they’ll be conveyed to Eastercon on Good Friday ready for the launch at 4.30 the same day. The anthology is to raise funds so that we can continue Milford’s bursary to fund writers of colour to attend Milford free.
The special launch event price is £10, and it would be helpful if you had cash on the day.
Some of the authors will be there and you can get your copy signed.
If you’re at Eastercon…
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ChatGPT and the Short Fiction Markets by David Gullen
A worrying turn of events!
I’ve been following the news about ChatGPT generated short story submissions with some dismay. If you’re not aware, some markets, for example the excellent Clarkesworld, have been so swamped they have been forced to temporarily close to submissions.
The problems with dealing with this kind of spamming seem to be those of scale, granularity, and cost. Small magazines don’t have the staff resources to effectively filter out all the bogus submissions, automated checks cost money they don’t have, and are not 100% effective – they generate both false positives and negatives.
It’s a problem.
I decided to ask my two sons, Ashley and Tom, if they had any ideas. As co-founders of Scirra, and authors of the Construct3 game creation software, they have a lifetime of experience dealing with cutting edge internet technology, coding, and transaction validation.
Ashley had several interesting ideas.
Ask for additional information that is…
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Winter Warmer Review
Our thanks to everyone who joined us for our first, successful Speculative Ficion Open Mic.
A unique open mic designed to bring a different side of the genre communities together. It was an enjoyable experience which we heard from writers who have completed novels or reading from work in progress.
The range on offer covered paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, the funny and the serious. From novels and short pieces.
Science Fiction and Fantasy author, Shellie Horst started things by reading an extract from the science fiction anthology Distaff. She read from her short story My Little Mecha.
Linda Acaster, a multi-genre novelist and short-story writer chose to read from her horror thriller, The Paintings
Carol Ann Kerry, author of Paranormal and Urban Fantasy fictionread from her urban fantasy Of Blood and Shadows.
Sue Oke who previously joined us to discuss about her role at BSFA REVIEW and her experience…
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Loving Life in the Rain 