Elizabeth Bear, author of Hammered, discusses the problem of fantasy "clones" and how to replace them with inventive and individual ideas which nevertheless remain faithful to the genre. In this humorous but incisive article, she explains how to avoid cliché and create a truly memorable new work.
Since a time before Icarus, humans have dreamed of flying. Float away in this luminous story about a woman's unlikely escape from gravity.
In the Apple Tree by Mathilde Madden (erotica)
Love and lust can make us cross lines we once thought were sacrosanct. In this story, we find a voyeur who gets exactly what she bargained for.
Ends and Means Aside by C. J. Burch (adventure)
When a wealthy Civil War veteran and his half-Indian wife join an archaeological expedition to a lost Tibetan city, they find themselves in a world of adventure, betrayal, and narrow escapes.
Hearing the Thinking by Zoe Lea (fantasy)
Death can give you a new perspective on life. After a lifetime of misunderstandings, a deceased mother finally begins to understand her silent daughter.
Magnetic Sheep by James Lyn (sci-fi)
Perspective is key to this small but intriguing encounter between a computer and engineer's assistant.
Possession by Joshua Moses (horror)
Most of us search for everlasting love; one woman is desperate to escape it. This story about trying to end an unwanted relationship explores the dark side of commitment.
Also check out the Book Reviews section.
The editors of Reflection’s Edge receive hundreds of fiction submissions a month; most are rejected for the same few reasons. This article gives you the inside scoop on what they are and how to correct them.
Saving Mary Sue by James Lyn
Every author puts a part of him- or herself into a story, and every hero possesses abilities which are somehow extraordinary. How much is too much?
Writer's Block by Moira Russell
The myths that surround writer's block can prevent a writer from moving past it. Find out more about common hang ups and how to get around them.
How to Edit a Story in a Way That is Helpful to the Author by Romie Stott
Sometimes, even the best writers are bad editors. This article will tell you how to provide useful criticisms without being tyrannical; what authors should expect from editors (and vice versa); and what common story problems most authors miss but you need to catch.
Don't forget to visit our full resources section, which we add to monthly, here, or simply click on the Resources link in the far left menu.
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