Tag Archives: phil giunta

Recap: A Plague of Shadows Book Launch

A marvelous time was had by all yesterday evening at the book launch party for A Plague of Shadows, the latest paranormal fiction anthology by Smart Rhino Publications. The launch was graciously hosted by the Newark Arts Alliance in Newark, DE.

A special thank you to editors Joanne M. Reinbold (Director of the Written Remains Writers Guild) and Weldon Burge (owner of Smart Rhino Publications) and to emcee and fellow contributor Maria Masington who kept the evening on track. Approximately half of the contributing authors were on hand and some read excerpts not only from their own stories, but from stories of contributors who could not attend.

I had a wonderful time reading my story, “Bottom of the Hour” and signing several copies of the book in addition to asking my fellow writers to do the same for my own copy and for some of my friends who donated to the Kickstarter that helped fund the publication. I now have a few books to hand deliver.

There were door prizes and yes, there was cake! Check out pictures from the event below. There were a few writers that I missed including Jacob Jones-Goldstein, Shannon Connor Winward, and Gail Husch (who also arranged all of the food and beverages for the launch).

Plague of Shadows Table
Plague of Shadows Table
Plague of Shadows Cake
And there was cake!
Plague of Shadows Cake
Close up of the cake.
Plague of Shadows Box of Books
My box of books!
Phil Giunta at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Some guy named Phil reading his story.
Weldon Burge at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Weldon Burge, editor and owner of Smart Rhino Publications.
J Gregory Smith at A Plague of Shadows book launch
Fellow contributor, J. Gregory Smith
Patrick Derrickson at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Fellow contributor Patrick Derrickson reads Billie Sue Mosiman’s story. He returned in the next session to read his own.
Maria Masington at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Maria Masington, our master of ceremonies, adorable punster, and fellow contributor to A Plague of Shadows.
Joanne Reinhold cuts the cake at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Joanne M. Reinbold prepares to cuts the cake at A Plague of Shadows book launch.
JM Reinbold at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Joanne M. Reinbold, editor and director of the Written Remains Writers Guild.
Jane Miller at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Jane Miller reads her poem from the anthology.
J Patrick Conlon at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Fellow contributor, J. Patrick Conlon.

Fan Fiction – Week XVIII – “Star Trek: Chasing Reflections”

One of the most popular episodes of the original Star Trek series was “Mirror, Mirror” in which Kirk, McCoy, Scotty, and Uhura switch places with their counterparts from a parallel universe where the peaceful United Federation of Planets does not exist. Rather, the malevolent Terran Empire conquers and murders its way to dominance with Starfleet as little more than its ruthless enforcers.

Though Star Trek: The Next Generation never revisited this concept on screen (but did so in one or two novels), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired five episodes involving the parallel universe. In 2001, I thought it would be interesting to go back in time to the command of Captain Christopher Pike (played by Jeffrey Hunter in the first Star Trek pilot, “The Cage”) to see how he and his crew would fare against their doppelgängers.

Click here to read part one of “Star Trek: Chasing Reflections.”

Kickstarter Update: We Made It!

Steven H. Wilson and I are excited to announce that we exceeded our Kickstarter funding goal for Firebringer Take Two thanks to the following generous donors:

Lewis G. Aide
Michael Critzer
Tony Fucci
The Creative Fund
James Gallahan
Allyn Gibson
Jack Hillman
Madelyn Jackson
Heather Mikkelsen
Omar Padilla
Leeon Pezok
Susanna Reilly
Renfield
Ann Stolinsky
Sharon Miller VanBlarcom
Judith Waidlich
Howie Weinstein
Cindy Woods
Evon Zundel

We appreciate your generous support and will continue to keep everyone updated as the book nears completion and rewards are ready to ship (paperbacks) or claim online (ebooks).

Freedom's Blood Cover Art by Caio Cacau
Freedom’s Blood Cover Art by Caio Cacau.

 

Like Mother, Like Daughters cover
Like Mother, Like Daughters cover art by Laura Inglis. Title design by Chris Winner.

 

Firebringer Take Two Covers
Untouched cover art for double horror novel by Phil Giunta and Steven H. Wilson.

Book Review: The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

The Forever War by Joe HaldemanDuring the interstellar war with the Taurans, William Mandella climbs the ranks from private to major. While the war itself only lasts a few years from the perspective of the troops—since much of their time is spent traversing wormholes well beyond the speed of light—nearly 1,200 years passes on Earth.

While on a mission early in his career, Mandella falls in love with fellow soldier Marygay Potter and the feeling is mutual. After Potter is nearly killed during their final tour, the army grants the pair a discharge on Earth. However, Mandella and Potter soon discover that retirement is not an option. Only one job opportunity is made available to them—return to the war.

In their next campaign, both Mandella and Potter each lose a limb and are sent to a world known as Heaven to regenerate. Mandella is then promoted to Major and Potter to Captain—but each are assigned to separate companies.

After saying their final goodbyes, Mandella takes command of a Strike Force headed to Sade-138, while Potter was assigned to fight the Taurans elsewhere. Mandella fears that they will never see each other again.

In order to qualify for command, Mandella must undergo a deep-sleep learning process during which his mind is filled with facts and theories from Earth’s military history. What’s more, Mandella finds himself in command of a platoon comprised completely of homosexuals. Heterosexuals, while tolerated in human society today, are now considered queer.

ForeverWar is a satisfying hard-SF novel that presents a unique and often candid view of futuristic military life and the possible drastic changes that might occur in Earth’s culture given 1,200 years. While the Taurans are treated lightly and never developed as anything more than an alien menace, Haldeman does an admirable job detailing the battle scenes and showing how the enemy improves their tactics and weaponry with each successive confrontation.

Most of all, it was Mandella’s experiences with his fellow soldiers, his struggles with changing times (especially on Earth), and his ability to adapt and survive that kept me intrigued.