S&S Roundup #60
The Latest in Contemporary Sword & Sorcery
Welcome back! Hope we all had a good spring break. Although I don’t have firm job plans yet, it looks like I’ll be moving to Knoxville, TN, around July 1. So we’ll be wrapping up this project - both the S&S Roundup and the Sword & Heroes eZine - by the end of August. Indefinite hiatus, at least.
I have a couple of story collections with a few authors that I’m committed to publishing, and a few issues of some magazines, and of course, our current Kickstarter campaign to wrap up. (Space Opera Stories! Check it out!) So don’t count me out yet! (grin) Until then, we’ll keep plugging away. And now, on with the show!
Somewhat New in S&S and Adjacent
I know I missed a lot, so if you have additional projects to mention, feel free to comment with names and authors and links.
+ New in April: Swords of Steel IV — DMR Books. Also, the Amazon link. “Ten years ago the first Swords of Steel anthology was unleashed. With its novel concept of heroic fantasy stories written by heavy metal musicians…”
+ Also newly released: Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 10 hit the virtual shelves recently. Here’s the Amazon link (US). And on Goodreads, a 5 Star Review.
+ Just published: Skovolis: City of Thrones - A Kaimer Sword & Sorecery Collection by Frederick Tor (April 25, 2025) “Classic Sword &Sorcery tales with an extreme edge written by Frederick Tor exclusively for Rogue Blades Entertainment.”
+ Crimson Quill Quarterly : Volume 6 is out with 6 stories by Shephard McIlveen, Mike Adamson, Randall Madden, David Riley, Ethan Sabatella, J. VanZile, and Logan Whitney.
+ Irons (2 book series) by Eric Turowski. Following a narrow escape from the “Federales, Irons flees across the Mexican border—and straight into a new dark adventure.”
+ The Howling Earth (3 book series) by e rathke. “After the moon shattered and half the moon crashed into earth, reality cracked open.” Also check out “Scourge of Gods” and “The Infinite Library” - 2 Sword & Sorcery short stories on Substack.
+ Blades & Bullets: Seven Tales from Traditional Sword and Sorcery to Modern Thriller (Dec 2024) by Stuart Thaman, Mike Leon, Sena Andeo, and Bill Pearce. “Traverse through realms far and wide with seven unique tales from four veteran authors. Sharpen your blades, clean your guns, and never look back.” Find out more at www.nefhousepublishing.com.
+ My latest issue of ResAliens #13, though not S&S, is heavily fantasy-themed with stories by Richard L. Rubin, Susan Murrie Macdonald, Bryan T. Martin, DJ Tyrer, Selena Thomason, and a classic 'vampyric' horror by George Jacobs.
Free to read online…
+ TRIAPA Mailing #20 (May 2025) from Spiral Tower Press. Also, back issues of Witch House: Amateur Magazine of Cosmic Horror are all online.
+ Of course, you can always read Swords & Heroes eZine here on Substack. ;-)
+ Latest issue of Swords & Sorcery Magazine features 4 stories: “The Cats and the Crimson” by Rab Foster; “Edward Fish’s Folly” by Zachary Olson; “Grave of Kings” by C. W. Stevenson; and “Kerta Waja’s Shadow” by Fendry Satria Tulodo.
+ Heroic Fantasy Quarterly–Q64 also features four stories: “Daughter of Kart-Hadasht” by Rebecca Buchannan; “The Undefeated” by Thomas Griffin; “The Witch of the World’s End” by Darrell Schweitzer; and “A Knowledge Sharper than Flint, Part 1” by Adrian Simmons.
+ The latest short story is up at Rogues in the House Presents: “An Heir for the Vale” by Keith Alerec. “Sword & Sorcery has always reveled in the weird.” Also, check out the other recent stories there: “Tainted Soil” by Luana Saitta; “Kiss of Embers” by Thomas Grayfson; and “Wolves of the Wasteland” by Mario Carić.
Reviews & News & Such
+ Review of Matt Holder’s "Hurled, Headlong Flaming or the Bishop’s Tale" - review by Anthony Perconti at Swords & Sorcery Magazine.
+ Heavy Metal Magazine Returns to the Stands in Ambitious New Relaunch - The classic anthology magazine is back for a new generation.
+ At Sword and Sorcery Reviews, Christopher Rowe is compiling a bibliography. Check out the following lists.
Some Cool Kickstarters - Random Genres
+ 365 Infantry: Ride for 2025 - 365 INFANTRY is an action-packed sci-fi magazine from the high-octane mind of Jacob Calta, illustrated by the gifted hands of Kevin John Jacob, caught somewhere between Blade Runner, Mad Max, Heavy Metal Magazine, and the hero pulps of 30s and 40s. (The Shadow, Doc Savage).
+ A Summer of Sci-Fi & Fantasy: Vol 4 (Short Story Anthology) - We're back again this summer with another much-loved anthology. Packed to the brim with undeniable fantasy and science fiction! (1 Day Left)
+ Silver Buster, Volume 1 - Fusing with a living metal being, Jeff turns into Silver Buster! In this tokusatsu-inspired novel, he fights against alien mercenaries. (Launching soon.)
+ MAGIC POWDER Volume 1 & 2: The Complete First Arc. 180 pages - Fantasy meets crime in these collected volumes of the 1st 6 issues of MAGIC POWDER. Catch-up with the series before the 2nd arc begins!
+ Realm Travelers - A Fantasy/Adventure Anthology: “Explore different worlds in the 6 thrilling stories full of action, drama, mystery, and horror!” (launching soon)
+ Space Opera Stories - Four Heart-Pounding Volumes of Pulp, Plasma, and Planetary Chaos. (This is my latest project from Tule Fog Press.)
Conan and the Pulps
+ Cimmerian Remembrance: Frazetta Is Still My Favorite Artist by Deuce Richardson at DMR Books. Also check out the post on the Stygian continent and the announcement that Manly Wade Wellman's Cahena Going Out of Print.
+ At Sprague de Camp Fan, a book review: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. Also, De Camp and those Frazetta Covers.
+ Another fantasy artist, George Barr, has died (1937-2025) - post at Adventures Fantastic and another mention at Locus Magazine.
+ At Conan Chronology - Conan the Barbarian: The Horn of Azoth. Also read: The Fall and Rise (and Fall and Rise) of The Savage Sword of Conan.
+ At The Silver Key, a review - Robert E. Howard, The Life and Times of a Texas Author. Also, Howard Days are a month away.
+ At Castalia House - Sensor Sweep: Cahena, Roger Zelazny, Sterling Lanier.
+ At Rough Edges, a review: The Tripods #1: The White Mountains by John Christopher.
+ At Black Gate - A (Black) Gat in the Hand: Weird Tales Rings in Conan. Also, A Challenge Worth Smiling About: Tim Waggoner on Writing Conan.
+ At Paperback Warrior, a review of The Doomsday Planet by Harl Vincent.
+ At Grognardia, a review of Dragonbane.
+ At Vintage Pop Fictions: William P. McGivern’s The Mad Robot. (Amazing Stories, 1944).
+ Review at PorPor Books of Pulp Power by Neil McGinness Abrams (July 2022).
+ “Join Us at PulpFest 2025 from August 7 - 10, 2025, in Pittsburgh, PA!”
+ And finally, at DarkWorlds Quarterly - Sword & Sorcery Novels You May Have Missed II (read part 1 here). Plenty more content from G.W. Thomas as well, including Conan Comic Book Parodies.
For Writers…
New this Fall: Call for Submissions: Walpurgis Witcheries at DMR Books, a follow-up to their popular anthology, Samhain Sorceries (2022).
These markets seem to be always open: Swords & Sorcery Magazine // Savage Realms Monthly // BFS Horizons // Schlock! // Swords & Heroes // Peasant Magazine // Iron Age Media // Do you know of any others?
Antho Calls from Three Ravens Publishing - It Came From the Trailer Park: Vol 5 (Due Date: July 1, 2025)
Raconteur Press - Open Calls for 2025 Anthologies.
Raven Tale Publishing is open for ‘Creature Feature’ novellas.
FB page: Open Submission Calls for variety of genres. (Must join the group.)
Podcasts and Videos
Monsters, Madness and Magic Podcast - EP#326: In the Heart of Fantasia - An Interview with actor, dancer, producer Tami Stronach. Catch up on the other recent interviews with actor Connie Schulman, musician Tucker Thomasson, former radio personality Dana DeLorenzo among many others.
Paperback Warrior Podcast - Paul Bishop has a “lively conversation about his latest book, 52 Weeks 52 Sherlock Holmes Novels.”
Strange Shadows - SS3 025 Season Three Wrap Up and Mailbag.
Baen Free Radio Hour - BFRH 2025 05 09: Hailey “HY” Gregor interviews Kacey Ezell on Magelight; and One Jump Ahead by Mark L. Van Name part 10.
Rogues in the House - “Sword and Planet, Finally” (Feb 12).
The Cromcast - April 13 - Season 21 Episode 6: Dealer's Choice!
Dungeons & Damsels - Season 4 Trailer Dungeons & Damsels ~ Samples of Scenes & Characters from Season 4.
And on YouTube…
Erik Waag’s S&S Channel - Most recent: Book Haul 17 - Cahena and Some Thicc Tales and a few other vids.
Rogue Blade Presents “24 in 42” - Catch up on interviews with S.E. Lindberg, C.S.E Cooney, and H R Laurence.
Blasters & Blades Podcast - Recent: The Dark Allure of Grimdark Fiction Explained!
Michael K. Vaughan’s latest: Fists of Iron -Round One- by Robert E. Howard.
Skallagrim’s latest: How to Make Characters Appear MORE Powerful with LESS Fighting
Frazetta Icon Collectibles Conan 1:12 Action Figure Demo
That’s about it! If you find these roundups helpful, please check out some selections from Tule Fog Press and support this project if you wish with a purchase or two! And don’t forget my Kickstarter! Also, read the latest story from Swords & Heroes eZine - Story #22 - May 6 - “The Black Mongoose” by Jasiah Witkofsky.
Until next time, keep swinging!
Knew I'd miss some new projects - here's part 1 of a serial by Adam Wieland to read for free.
https://adamnathanwieland.substack.com/p/a-brief-interlude-part-1-of-6-fantasy
Also, missed this video: Sword & Sorcery in School- Ep. 48 with Dr. Jason Ray Carney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzcHbQHVy_c&ab_channel=ReadingD%26DAloud