I just posted the second story to my Jack of Harts substack. This is the second in a long line of stories aimed at those who want to join the paid side of my substack. You can get previews of them if you wish, but will need to pay to read them all. Or you can wait until the full story is available elsewhere. I intend to post one story every two weeks going into the future, and I hope to see you there.
This has been a heavy week for Generation X. Three stars died, all three of them were someone you knew if you were alive back then. Whether you liked them or not, whether you had a TV or a radio or not, they were the people you would see just walking around in the media spotlight of the 1980s. Whether they were famous for eating a bat on stage, or for being on a TV show that was so popular the father was a TV dad for millions of kids, or for being the American hero who fought the enemies of America every week. You saw them on shirts, in interviews, and in music videos. Today they are dead, and I grieve for that.
I grew up without a TV or a radio at all, but I recognize them all. When I got a TV, I did what all teenagers do. I woke up early on Saturday morning to watch cartoons. But before cartoons started, I watched The Incredible Hulk Hogan waving the American flag as he fought dastardly Russians, Sheiks, Warriors, Animals, or Giants in the WWF ring. I remember when the music video “I am a Real American” came out. I remember watching Hulk Hogan strut down through crowds of cheering fans. I remember him telling kids to eat right and stand up for your country and protect the weak. He was bigger than life. He was ridiculous. But he also told us to be better. I was always entertained by him.
Today I am sad. The Hulkster has left the bounds of this Earth. But I’m also happy. He found Jesus not long ago. He found peace according to his family. I rejoice in that. I wish he could have found Jesus earlier, you understand. But I am always happy when someone who dismissed Him earlier in life chooses to accept Him later.
Hulk Hogan is dead. Long live Hulkamania. 🙂
I originally wrote Storm Breaker for the Magic Malfunction anthology for Raconteur Press. They didn’t pick it up, and I rewrote it for the Magic Malfunction anthology. Also not picked up. So here it is, in a way never seen before by anybody. I combined the parts I missed from Magic Malfunction with the more polished Magic Malfunction manuscript, and I think this version is better than both were on their own. What happens when a hurricane thunders down on Eastern Texas in 1877? If you know history, you know exactly what happened. But history discounted the contribution of Rangers and gods. This story puts them back exactly where they belong.
Have you ever wondered where all those odd magical artifacts come from in fantasy novels? These stories describe everything from weird trinkets to devices with world-ending importance. Do you want fantasy stories about eccentric alchemists, quirky witches, and genius wizards without a lick of common sense as they create the stuff of legends? These writers made your artifacts fun, whimsical, and dangerous beyond all reason.
Raconteur Press is putting out another anthology this weekend, this one about powerful artifacts and where they come from. While you are waiting for the story to reach Amazon and go online, you may want to check out the Goblin Market by Raconteur Press. It includes my story, Goblins in the Marketplace, that is built around the idea of a powerful artifact. What is it? That’s a question for another day. But this story also introduces the Shiny Thing that finds itself in many of my stories. What is it? Who can tell? When goblins believe in something, what can they do with it? Go to the Goblin Market and see for yourselves how it started.
Forge of War on Amazon
Angel Flight on Amazon
Angel Strike on Amazon
Angel War on Amazon
Wolfenheim Rising on Amazon
Wolfenheim Emergent on Amazon