Tag: wolf singer publications

news

My Author Copy of Midnight Menagerie!

Harriet Phoenix

It’s been a while since I had good news to share on this site, so I’m hoping to close out the year with some joy for a change! My author copy of Midnight Menagerie by Wolf Singer Productions has arrived.

I have previously mentioned some issues that I have with this book. Well, one issue: after being accepted for this anthology, I realised that the cover was designed by AI. I of course have many, many issues with AI and especially its use in creative fields. However, I feel like I’ve covered that in my previous post, so I’d like to devote this one to just enjoying having a book out.

The stories in Midnight Menagerie explore the world of fairs, carnivals and zoos in a variety of science fiction and fantasy settings. There’s aliens. There’s goblins. There’s shapechangers, sentient clouds and a retelling of Jurassic Park where the exhibits may seem just a little familiar…

My story, The Menagerie of the Milky Way, obviously leans towards the sci-fi end of the scale and features an orbital zoo full of aliens. I had a lot of fun writing it (at least until I read out parts of it in my writer’s group and had to actually pronounce the names I’d come up with for all the alien species. Pro tip: consider these things while writing!) and I hope other people have as much fun reading it.

news, Science Fiction

When Cover Art Sends You Into a Tailspin

Harriet Phoenix

After something of a hiatus from the world of having news, I’ve been looking forward to announcing my inclusion in the upcoming anthology from Wolf Singer Publications. I was particularly excited to receive that cover art, which is absolutely gorgeous. But something about it set off an alarm bell for me. So I checked the copyright page of the e-book, which confirmed my worst suspicions: this cover art was generated using AI.

Yeah.

So, instead of doing my usual gushy post about the new anthology I get to be a part of, and how much fun I had writing The Menagerie of the Milky Way, I ended up in a massive emotional tailspin, because I am of course ethically opposed to the use of AI in creative work. At the very least, it needs a lot more regulation than it has or seems likely to have any time soon. So. What’s a person to do?

Well, what I did is discuss the situation with a friend who shares my concerns, and then contact the editor and calmly ask her some questions. And I’m glad I did, because she was able to reassure me that the use of AI in more than pre-publication placeholder covers is not usual practice for Wolf Singer: this one came about as a writing prompt that turned into more. In other words, the anthology itself came from this image, so work wasn’t taken from a human artist. The editor also assures me that she would never use AI to copy an existing artist’s style.

That’s all nice and reassuring. There are a lot of complex issues surrounding use of AI, and people feel a lot of different ways about it. However, what I’m feeling right now is that I’ve accidentally sorta-kinda endorsed something I really don’t agree with, and that makes me pretty uncomfortable. Instead of celebrating, I’m reaching for the headache tablets.

So, where do we go from here? I guess my next step is to continue as normal, but try to pay more attention in future, I guess? (Not my strong suit)

There are still many things to be happy about. There are many, many excellent stories in Menagerie and it’s an excellent anthology. Don’t judge a book by the AI that generated its cover, right?

Midnight Menagerie is out now.

news, Science Fiction

My Space Brides LLC Author Copy is Here!

Harriet Phoenix

It’s nice to close out the month with some good news, and luckily I have some! My author copy of Space Brides LLC has arrived! You long-time readers know how much I love this part!

Can I take a moment to enjoy a couple of things? First of all, look at that gorgeous cover. The bride in her flowing gown and that neat little bouquet, set against the backdrop of space… that is beautiful. Secondly, my story, which I had a lot of fun writing, is mentioned in the blurb. It’s a bit of a strange story that explores what marriage might mean in a society drastically different from our own, and I’m more than happy with the result. Ever want to visit a place you created in your mind?

There are plenty of other contributors besides myself, of course. I haven’t read all of them yet, but the ones I have read are brilliant. They’ve all done such different things with the concept, and results are touching, epic, funny and – of course – romantic.

Space Brides LLC is a short science fiction anthology by Wolf Singer Publications. It’s due out on December 5th, and available for pre-order as an ePub or paperback direct from the publisher, where you can use the code NR2023 to save 15%. Alternatively, find it in ePub form from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. So if you have a person in your life who enjoys fun and quirky science fiction, consider grabbing them a copy for whatever upcoming holiday you prefer!

news, Science Fiction

Space Brides Blurb and Cover Art!

Harriet Phoenix

Today I’m happy to announce that the upcoming Wolf Singer Publications anthology Space Brides is slated for a December release! I’ve seen the proofs and can now happily share with you the final cover art!

Prompts can be funny things. I’d usually be put off by a prompt as specific as this one, but somehow the idea of a matchmaking agency that serves a spacefaring humanity as it spreads through the solar system worked for me. It sent my brain to a fairly weird place as I tried to imagine the ways marriage might evolve in such a setting. I had a lot of fun writing my entry, Runaway Bride, and I’m so happy it was accepted.

If a diverse cast of science fiction characters finding love in strange new places sounds like something you ‘d be interested in, then please keep an eye on this site! I’ll be posting updates as I get them.

fantasy

An Author Copy and an Honourable Mention

Harriet Phoenix

Guess what, guys! My author copy of Never Cheat a Witch has arrived. My name is in a real, actual book! Stuff I wrote is being read by people I’ve never met! I knew that already, in theory, but… it’s here!

Now, I have done this a few times before, but it really never gets old. If it ever does, that’s probably my cue to stop writing (which would probably require brain surgery or at least a solid thump on the head, so I’m gonna go ahead and keep enjoying these things).

In other news, the good people at Globe Soup have announced the winner of their First Sentence Flash Fiction Competition! Aaand… it’s not me, but I am an Honourable Mention, which out of 1, 500 entrants is not too shabby. Fast Times at the Hook a Duck will just have to find a home elsewhere. In the meantime, congratulations to K.L. Vincent for A Falling Star. It’s beautiful and poignant, and you deserve that win.

fantasy

Never Cheat a Witch is here!

Harriet Phoenix

Great news, guys: I’ve just had word from the good people at Wolf Singer Publications, and Never Cheat a Witch is now available to buy! While it is available from Amazon, I’d recommend going directly to the publishers, where you can use the discount code NewReleaseWitch to receive 25% off. Alternatively, go to Smashwords for the eBook version and use the coupon code FG24V. Both discounts are valid until the 15th of November.

My story, Payback’s a Witch, comes right at the end. That’s right, I’m closing out the collection, which is… good? It’s probably good. Anyway, Never Cheat a Witch is officially on sale!

fantasy

Website Launch and Never Cheat a Witch Cover Art!

Harriet Phoenix

Well, this is an interesting day. Not only am I launching an author website, but I also get to announce my inclusion in an upcoming fantasy anthology! I’d love to say things are usually this eventful, but…

Well, you’ll have to wait and see.

So, on with the news: my short story, “Payback’s a Witch,” has been accepted by Wolf Singer Publications for their upcoming anthology, Never Cheat a Witch!

Never Cheat a Witch is an anthology of fantasy short fiction. Above is the final cover art for the anthology, which is on track for an October launch and can be bought from the publisher’s website.