Author Archives: Keith West

RIP, Mike Resnick

It is with great sorrow that I write this post. Laura Resnick is reporting that her father Mike passed away in his sleep early this morning (Jan. 10, 2020). Mike spent most of 2019 ill, and as a result accumulated some substantial medical bills. A fundraiser has been set up to help pay off the bills.

Adventures Fantastic would like to extend condolences to Carol, Laura, the rest of the family, and all of Mike’s many friends and fans.

I’ve read many of Mike’s books over the years. I only met him one time, at Fencon II in 2005. He was professional, approachable, and a joy to talk to. Mike was a great writer and editor. His work is worth seeking out.

Rest in Peace, Mike.

The Shadow of Tolkien

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J. R. R. Tolkien was born on this date, January 3, in 1892. He needs no introduction. I’ve written several tributes to him in the past. I’m not sure what I can say.

Last year I started rereading The Lord of the Rings and took it with me on a business trip to Costa Rica. My father-in-law passed away while I was there. I read as much as I could, or tried to, on the flight back. I managed to get somewhere in the first half of The Two Towers. I want to finish it this spring.

I also want to read some of the other works which deal with other Ages in MIddle Earth.

Tolkien’s world is so rich and detailed, I want to experience as much as I can. He casts a long shadow over the field of fantasy, longer than either Lovecraft or Howard. I think part of the reason his works have endured for so long is because he writes about universal virtues, such as courage, loyalty, and sacrifice. We need more of that these days.

So tonight, Professor Tolkien, I’ll raise a glass in your honor. The world is a better place because of your life and your writings. I am glad to work in your shadow.

Ruminations on Charles Beaumont

Happy Birthday, Seabury Quinn

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Seabury Quinn was born on this date, January 1, in 1889. He passed away Christmas Eve, 1969. Quinn wrote for Weird Tales in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. He is best remembered for his occult detective Jules de Grandin.

I don’t have a review to mark the occasion. It’s been a while since I read any of his works. I’m traveling today, so I don’t know if I will get a chance to read anything he wrote today. If it doesn’t happen today, it may be a few days. The rest of the week is going to be pretty packed with work and other obligations.

I do want to read more Quinn this year. I have the Night Shade editions of the complete Jules de Grandin, as well as the Battered Silicon Dispatch edition and a collection of non-de Grandin stories from Ash-Tree Press. I’ll let you know what I think when I do read some.

2019 in Review

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Not to put too blunt a point on it, but 2019 sucked, and it started at the end of 2018. There were some good moments, plus a few (mostly but not entirely work related) I’m still trying to figure out whether they’re going to end up good or bad in the long run. For the most part, though, I’m glad to put the year behind me.

Not that I’m thrilled with 2020 starting. It’s an election year, which means the political stupidity is only going to get worse. If anyone has a time machine I can borrow to skip ahead to 2021, I’d appreciate your letting me borrow it.

Merry Christmas

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Arctic Viking by Dave Seguin

To all who celebrate, Merry Christmas.

And to all who don’t, have a nice day.

And since we’re told that everything these days is political, here’s a little something seasonal.

Christmas Ghosts: “Four Ghosts in Hamlet” by Fritz Leiber

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“Four Ghosts in Hamlet”
Fritz Leiber
available in Fritz Leiber: Selected Stories
paperback $14.99
ebook $9.99

This post is another that is serving double-duty. Not only is it a Christmas ghost post, but today, December 24, is the birthday of Fritz Leiber (1910-1992).

This novelette draws upon Leiber’s experience as a Shakespearean actor. It’s the story of a troupe of Shakespeareans who have hired a down and out actor who used to be well known before he crawled into a bottle. Continue reading →

Christmas Ghosts: “The Wish” by Ray Bradbury

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This Christmas ghosts post is going to be a little different. I’ve been traveling most of the day and don’t feel like writing much. Fortunately, I don’t have to.

Sue Granquist, AKA Goth Chick at Black Gate, has done the heavy lifting for me. You need to read her post. It contains a link to a PDF of this story. Ms. Granquist has written a powerful and moving account of what this story means to her. I can’t top it. I read this story back in high school when I read Bradbury’s collection Long After Midnight. In the years since, I had forgotten the story entirely. It simply didn’t have a huge impact on me when I was fourteen (give or take a year). Now that my impending geezerdom is on the horizon, I can relate to it much better. Fortunately not yet as much as I probably will some day.

Go read it. You can thank me later.

Christmas Ghosts: “The Ghost Child” by Bernard Capes

Christmas Ghosts: “Bone to His Bone” by E. G. Swain