#adam lee binder

[evilphrog]

Adam: fuck the police!

Vic: do you really need to shout that every time we have sex?

[remcycle]

Pathetic gay warlock wins every fight by detonating his own warp core, still alive because god thinks he's hot.

(This is that fan-art I mentioned that nobody will recognize)

[sasheneskywalker]

sashene's to read list

fiction

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Series by Holly Jackson

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin Series by Roseanne A. Brown

Adam Binder Series by David R. Slayton

Age of the Five by Trudi Canavan

Alex Stern Series by Leigh Bardugo

Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake

An Ember in the Ashes Series by Sabaa Tahir

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

Angel Mage by Garth Nix

Arc of a Scythe Series by Neal Shusterman

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang

Between Earth and Sky Series by Rebecca Roanhorse

Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler

Book of the Ancestor Series by Mark Lawrence

Camp by Lev A.C. Rosen

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Centenal Cycle Series by Malka Ann Older

Circe by Madeline Miller

City of Nightmares Series by Rebecca Schaeffer

Craft Sequence Series by Max Gladstone

Crier's War Series by Nina Varela

Crown of Shards Series by Jennifer Estep

Discworld by Terry Pratchett

Dreamblood Series by N.K. Jemisin

Dune Series by Frank Herbert

Ender's Saga by Orson Scott Card

Exhalation by Ted Chiang

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

French Letters Series by Felicia Davin

Gallant by V.E. Schwab

Gentleman Bastard Series by Scott Lynch

Girls of Paper and Fire Series by Natasha Ngan

Give the Dark My Love Series by Beth Revis

Great Cities Series by N.K. Jemisin

Hearts of Heroes Series by Molly J. Bragg

Hell's Library Series by A.J. Hackwith

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots

Hex by Jenni Fagan

Hierarchy Series by James Islington

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

Imperial Radch Series by Ann Leckie

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

Iron Widow Series by Xiran Jay Zhao

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo

King of Scars Series by Leigh Bardugo

Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Legendborn Series by Tracy Deonn

Letters of Enchantment Series by Rebecca Ross

Lizard Radio by Pat Schmatz

London Calling by Alexis Hall

Loveless by Alice Oseman

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Series by Rick Riordan

Malice Duology Series by Heather Walter

Market of Monsters Series by Rebecca Schaeffer

Metro Series by Dmitry Glukhovsky

Mischief & Matchmaking Series by Emma R. Alban

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Notes of a Crocodile by Qiu Miaojin

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales

Poison Study Seriesby Maria V. Snyder

Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Rise of the Empress Series by Julie C. Dao

Sadie by Courtney Summers

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Secondhand Origin Stories by Lee Blauersouth

Shades of Magic Series by V.E. Schwab

Six Crimson Cranes Series by Elizabeth Lim

Six of Crows Series by Leigh Bardugo

Starless by Jacqueline Carey

Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford

Teixcalaan Series by Arkady Martine

The Adrien English Mysteries Series by Josh Lanyon

The Atlas by Olivie Blake

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

The Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

The Book of Tea Series by Judy I. Lin

The Books of Ambha Series by Tasha Suri

The Broken Earth Series by N.K. Jemisin

The Burning Kingdoms Series by Tasha Suri

The Butterfly Assassin Series by Finn Longman

The Celestial Kingdom Duology Series by Sue Lynn Tan

The City of Fantome Series by Catherine Doyle

The Councillor Series by E.J. Beaton

The Craft Wars by Max Gladstone

The Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Faithful and the Fallen Series by John Gwynne

The Folk of the Air Series by Holly Black

The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe

The Goblin Emperor Series by Katherine Addison

The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Heroes of Olympus Series by Rick Riordan

The Inheritance Games Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

The Kane Chronicles Series by Rick Riordan

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington

The Lightest Object in the Universe by Kimi Eisele

The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir

The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer

The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska

The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older

The Mistborn Saga by Brandon Sanderson

The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Poppy War Series by R.F. Kuang

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

The Queens of Renthia Series by Sarah Beth Durst

The Radiant Emperor Series by Shelley Parker-Chan

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Shadow and Bone Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

The Singing Hills Cycle Series by Nghi Vo

The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Tarot Sequence Series by K.D. Edwards

The Trials of Apollo Series by Rick Riordan

The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez

The Wicker King by K. Ancrum

The Winnowing Flame Trilogy by Jen Williams

The Witcher Series by Andrzej Sapkowski

The Young Elites Series by Marie Lu

These Feathered Flames Series by Alexandra Overy

These Violent Delights Series by Chloe Gong

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone

This Woven Kingdom Series by Tahereh Mafi

Those Who Bear Arms Series by Maria Ying

Those Who Break Chains Series by Maria Ying

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

True Love Bites by Joy Demorra

Undercover by Tamsyn Muir

Universe of Xuya Series by Aliette de Bodard

Villains Series by V.E. Schwab

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Winter's Orbit Series by Everina Maxwell

nonfiction

All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks

Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyam

Bodies That Matter: On the Discursive Limits of "Sex" by Judith Butler

Border and Rule: Global Migration, Capitalism, and the Rise of Racist Nationalism by Harsha Walia

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Communion: The Female Search for Love by bell hooks

Dangerous Fictions: The Fear of Fantasy and the Invention of Reality by Lyta Gold

Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference by Cordelia Fine

Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism by Peter H. Marshall

Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison by Michel Foucault

Domination and the Arts of Resistance: Hidden Transcripts by James C. Scott

Economism: Bad Economics and the Rise of Inequality by James Kwak

Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil by Hannah Arendt

Eros the Bittersweet by Anne Carson

Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics by bell hooks

Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center by bell hooks

Frames of War: When is Life Grievable? by Judith Butler

Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us by Kate Bornstein

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity by Judith Butler

Gender Without Identity by Avgi Saketopoulou, Ann Pellegrini

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong—and the New Research That's Rewriting the Story by Angela Saini

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care by Kelly Hayes, Mariame Kaba

Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason by Michel Foucault

Making Social Spending Work by Peter H. Lindert

Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo

No Logo by Naomi Klein

Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture by Roxane Gay

Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal by Mohammed El-Kurd

Permanent Record by Edward Snowden

Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence by Judith Butler

Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers’ Rights by Molly Smith, Juno Mac

Scarlet A: The Ethics, Law, and Politics of Ordinary Abortion by Katie Watson

Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde

Stepping Off the Relationship Escalator: Uncommon Love and Life by Amy Gahran

The Anatomy of Prejudices by Elisabeth Young

The Archaeology of Knowledge and The Discourse on Language by Michel Foucault

The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappé

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917–2017 by Rashid Khalidi

The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House by Audre Lorde

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

The Right to Sex: Feminism in the Twenty-First Century by Amia Srinivasan

The Sane Society by Erich Fromm

The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein

The Turnaway Study: Ten Years, a Thousand Women, and the Consequences of Having--Or Being Denied--An Abortion by Diana Greene Foster

The War on Disabled People: Capitalism, Welfare and the Making of a Human Catastrophe by Ellen Clifford

The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks

This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate by Naomi Klein

What Love Is: And What It Could Be by Carrie S.I. Jenkins

Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity by Julia Serano

White Feminism: From the Suffragettes to Influencers and Who They Leave Behind by Koa Beck

White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color by Ruby Hamad

Who’s Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde

(italics mean i've already fully read it)

[sweetthingshavesharpteeth]

@threefolddefencespeech's worldcon report inspired me to write up what I've been reading recently, so here's the books I've read in roughly the last year (at least, what i recall). Let's start with the Hugo-nominated ones:

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, by Shannon Chakraborty

The blurb hooked me on this, and I wasn't disappointed. To be clear, it's not going to give great insights into the human condition or anything - it's a getting-the-gang-back-together heist movie, fun but not terribly deep. I do think "bad-ass older woman" is an underutilised protagonist archetype, though.

Witch King, by Martha Wells

This was not my favourite book by Wells - I enjoyed it enough, and the world and magic was interesting, but I think @threefolddefencespeech was right that the book sacrifices too much in character development to achieve its parallel-past-and-present narrative structure.

The Greenhollow Duology, by Emily Tesh

I actually read Silver in the Wood years ago on ao3, and when I saw that there was a sequel, I had to read it (after re-reading Silver in the Wood, of course). It has some great, and distinctive, characters, and some deliciously otherworldly vibes. I will have to read Tesh's Hugos-nominated novel (Some Desperate Glory) now.

Notorious Sorcerer and Shadow Baron, by Davinia Evans

Notorious Sorcerer is possibly my favourite book from the last year. It uses the trope of "outsider achieves what the indoctrinated don't even think is possible", but - in contrast to a lot of other examples of this trope - the protagonist doesn't magically stumble on the exact right thing to do the first time. He really doesn't know what he's doing, and uses a lot of trial-and-error. Evans sacrifices some smoothness of plot to demonstrate this, but I think it's worthwhile. It's also a book about corrupt power structures, but doesn't try to suggest that changing those structures is simple, or without consequences.

Shadow Baron is clearly the second book in a trilogy, and - as is typical with such books - doesn't really feel like it has a coherent plot of its own. I still enjoyed reading it, and I'm looking forward to the final book in the trilogy coming out.

The Archive Undying, by Emma Mieko Candon

This is exactly the sort of thing I love from SFF - it throws you in the deep end of a complex, alien world (for all it's ostensibly Earth), and you just have to trust that the author will make things clear in time. Stylistically, it felt a lot like the Machineries of Empire series by Yoon Ha Lee, one of my all-time favourite book series. I would highly recommend to anyone who liked that series.

Stories of Your Life and Others, by Ted Chiang

I can't believe it's taken me so long to get around to reading this classic short story collection (that includes the story the film Arrival is based on). In some ways, I think short stories are the ideal format for sci-fi - they can explore an idea without being overly weighed down by the need to have an engaging plot. Chiang does a good job of wielding short stories in this way, and explores some interesting concepts.

The Adam Binder Novels, by David R Slayton

There are surprisingly few novels with queer male protagonists that are written by queer men. I actually bought these books for a pound each, expecting to get holiday-worthy trashy reading, and was pleasantly surprised. They're well-written, with some interesting worldbuilding, and were definitely worth the price!

Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien

I re-watched the films last Autumn, and followed up by re-reading the books. I enjoy seeing how adaptations change a story, and thinking about why those changes were made. Also, every time I read LotR I'm more aware of the white supremacy woven into the heart of the worldbuilding.

Bunt!, by Ngozi Ukazu and Mad Rupert

Ngozi has a fantastic grasp of visual humour, and thematic parallels, and knowing when to be silly and when to be serious. It's something I loved about Check, Please!, and it's on display here as well.

Into the Tower, by Hari Conner

Claiming I've "read" this is a bit of a push - it's a choose-your-own adventure book, and I've played a handful of different paths, but there are still many more to explore. I love the world Conner has built - the weird, metaphysical world of the tower is perfectly suited to this style of piecemeal exploration, where a linear narrative couldn't hope to encompass the breadth of strange goings-on.

The Simon Snow trilogy (Carry On, etc), by Rainbow Rowell

This was sold to me as "a massive fuck-you to JK". This was inaccurate. It clearly started as Drarry fanfiction - the characters that were formerly Draco, Harry, Hermione, Hagrid and Dumbledore are plain to see - but it doesn't really engage with the themes or flaws of that book series in any meaningful way, rather using it as set dressing. Instead, it attempts to take on the broader genre of Chosen One stories - digging into themes of manipulation, being used as a tool, whether a Chosen One is actually doing Good, and what happens after their part is fulfilled.

I think it does a reasonable job of this - better than several others I've read, at least - although I didn't enjoy it enough to want to re-read it, or to make a particular recommendation of it.

Books I failed to get into

Raising Steam, by Terry Pratchett

Lesser Known Monsters, by Rory Michaelson

[starrz-ombie]

fav books?

ooh i like this question a lot. i won’t lie i mostly if not exclusively read lgbtq+ stories, especially leaning towards mlm couple since i myself am gay (and trans but it’s harder to find books w transmasc characters, though it makes me so happy to find them!!) soo a list of faves..

- the first to die at the end & they both die at the end - adam silvera (both so good, both left me sobbing)

- radio silence - alice oseman (one of the few books i’ve reread and god it’s so great. i used to be a huge heartstopper fan a couple years back and aled was my favorite character, so seeing a book based mostly around him made me so happy. not to mention him being demisexual, which probably played a part into me realized that i was)

- i wish you all the best - mason deaver (can’t remember all the details since i read it a whiiiile ago and for some reason it always mixes up with radio silence in my head? but im pretty sure i liked it a lot. one warning though, the mc’s parents don’t take them coming out as nonbinary* well at all and kick them out, so warning in case that’s something you aren’t in the headspace to read rn!!)

*im pretty sure they come out as nb but once again, i read this book possibly up to two years ago and my memory isn’t that great

- meet cute diary - emery lee (it’s not like omg the best most inspirational piece of literature i’ve ever read, but it is pretty good from what i remember. one thing though, unless i somehow misread it the main character (trans man) goes swimming in a chest binder at one point?? which is obviously something you should not do!! that left a weird taste in my mouth but besides that it’s good from what i remember. and i believe there’s a character that uses neopronouns as well which was really cool to see!!)

^^ i also read café con lychee by the same author and i believe it was good? enemies* to lovers which ive always thought im not a big fan of (though i haven’t read almost any) don’t know how good the representation is as far as cultures besides what i know from being hispanic myself (one mc is puerto rican, the other is i believe japanese?) but im not puerto rican either so.. don’t really know 100% but i think i liked the book

- the honeys - ryan la sala (unlike the previous books, not a romance book, but SO SO good. the mc is genderfluid and i believe has a slight romance with another character at one point but it’s in no way the main plot of the book. i think the genre is horror/paranormal which isn’t my usual but it is SO GOOD!! also read reveries by the author and i can’t remember it too well but the author is very talented and im pretty sure i liked it too)

this list is getting really long so for the rest i’ll just give titles, especially since a lot are by the same authors

- in deep waters & so this is ever after & spell bound - F.T. lukens (much more fantasy than any of the others on this list, didn’t think i’d be a huge fantasy fan but the storyline, pairings and writing is incredible and makes it worth it. can’t remember for the first two but i believe at least spell bound uses multiple character pov’s which i LOOOVE so a huge plus for me (im pretty sure the others do too, just not entirely sure)

- cemetery boys & the sunbearer trials (hispanic rep!! also holy shit just found out sunbearer trials sequel is out now omg i’m gonna have to read it soon)

there’s probably more that i’ll add eventually but as of now i can’t remember. tysm for the ask(s) once again!!

[thenighttrain]

books read in 2023

finally continuing my yearly tradition. all rated out of 5 stars. bolded are my faves!

The Daughters of Izdihar (The Alamaxa Duology, #1) by Hadeer Elsbai ★★★☆☆

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland ★★★☆☆

Last Violent Call (Secret Shanghai, #3.5) by Chloe Gong ★★★☆☆

The Magician's Daughter by H.G. Parry ★★★★☆

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, #1) by Shannon Chakraborty ★★★☆☆

The Lies of the Ajungo (Forever Desert, #1) by Moses Ose Utomi ★★★☆☆

The Surviving Sky (Rages, #1) by Kritika H. Rao ★★★☆☆

The Will of the Many (Hierarchy, #1) by James Islington ★★★☆☆

Immortal Longings (Flesh and False Gods, #1) by Chloe Gong ★★☆☆☆

Gods of the Wyrdwood (Forsaken, #1) by R.J. Barker ★★★☆☆

To Shape a Dragon's Breath (Nampeshiweisit, #1) by Moniquill Blackgoose ★★★☆☆

Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) by Rebecca Yarros ★★★☆☆

The Third Daughter by Adrienne Tooley ★★★☆☆

After the Dragons by Cynthia Zhang ★★★★☆

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang ★★★★☆

White Trash Warlock (Adam Binder, #1) by David R. Slayton ★★★★☆

The River Has Teeth by Erica Waters ★★★☆☆

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones ★★★☆☆

All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown ★★★☆☆

Fury of the Dragon Goddess (Adventures of Sik Aziz #2) ★★★★☆

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang ★★★★☆

My Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron ★★★☆☆

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting (Serwa Boateng, #1) by Roseanne A. Brown ★★★☆☆

Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hanna Alkaf ★★★★☆

Bonesmith (House of the Dead, #1) by Nicki Pau Preto ★★★☆☆

Garden of the Cursed (Garden of the Cursed, #1) by Katy Rose Pool ★★★★☆

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse ★★★☆☆

Don't Want to Be Your Monster by Deke Moulton DNF

The Buried and the Bound (The Buried and the Bound, #1) by Rochelle Hassan ★★★★☆

The Meadows by Stephanie Oakes ★★★☆☆

If Found, Return to Hell by Em X. Liu ★★★☆☆

Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations, #1) by B.B. Alston ★★★★☆

Starter Villain by John Scalzi ★★★★☆

Amari and the Great Game (Supernatural Investigations, #2) by B.B. Alston ★★★☆☆

The Chalice of the Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #6) by Rick Riordan ★★★★☆

The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1) by V.E. Schwab ★★★☆☆

The Hexologists (The Hexologists, #1) by Josiah Bancroft ★★★☆☆

Foul Heart Huntsman (Foul Lady Fortune, #2) by Chloe Gong ★★★☆☆

Darkhearts by James L. Sutter ★★☆☆☆

The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros ★★★★☆

Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee ★★★☆☆

The Prince's Poisoned Vow (Infernal War Saga, #1) by Hailey Turner ★★★☆☆

The Emperor's Bone Palace (Infernal War Saga #2) by Hailey Turner ★★★★☆

Beholder by Ryan La Sala ★★★★☆

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle ★★★★☆

The Forest Demands Its Due Kosoko Jackson ★★★☆☆

Reforged by Seth Haddon ★★★☆☆

The Scarlet Alchemist (The Scarlet Alchemist, #1) by Kylie Lee Baker ★★★★☆

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White DNF

The Spirit Glass by Roshani Chokshi ★★★☆☆

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs ★★★☆☆

All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters ★★☆☆☆

Frostheart (Frostheart, #1) by Jamie Littler ★★★★☆

The Vanquishers (The Vanquishers, #1) by Kalynn Bayron ★★★★☆

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller ★★★☆☆

Dark Moon, Shallow Sea (The Gods of Night and Day #1) by David R. Slayton ★★★☆☆

Dark Heir (Dark Rise, #2) by C.S. Pacat ★★★★☆

[whydamnitwhy]

okay why should i read white trash warlock. sell it to me

Why you should read White Trash Warlock by David R Slayton:

This is hard for me because I’m not one of those people who can easily recommend a book to someone (unless your my wife that is 👀). This is mainly due to all the stigma behind recommendations— not just in expressing an interest and being shamed for said interests, but also because “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and all that.

BUT, while knowing all that, I believe White Trash Warlock is a book that anyone can find SOMETHING that interests them.

It’s a book that has been commended on its use of a fantasy world that merges into our modern one. It’s a tale of family and devotion and the understanding that we are all born into a bigger world than we could imagine.

I liked its MC a lot because I found he was still learning and growing as a person. And his life, though sad and please make sure you read the CW before delving it, allowed for the reader to see that he was a survivor just.... surviving. And I love a good survivors story.

It didn’t hold back with its expression in emotions but it didn’t play into the cliches that it could have. And the author knows how to spin a good imagery/scenery/texture. It played so well with all of the readers senses that I honestly had no CLUE what was coming next half the time.

One of my main criticism is also one of the main praises: it leaves you wanting more. It’s an incomplete story with a pseudo anti-climatic ending because the MC story is FAR from over. It starts you with a plot and, just like with life, throws you in a completely different direction. The second book of the series comes out in October and I, for one, cannot WAIT.

Tl;dr: White Trash Warlock is a modern fantasy story that is filled with curiosity, sacrifice, and above all: heart. It is well worth the read.

[rain-junkiednd]

DRAGON KNIGHT v8.1 Created by rain-junkieDnD GM Binder and PDF versions You can find a changelog here You can find more of my work here Artwork by Adam Lee, Vance Kovacs, Geoffrey Ernault, Anna Grigorieva, Zano, Dominik Mayer, Jason Nguyen, Mike Azevedo

[sincerely-michael-mell]

My Audio List

I have a smaller collection that I thought, but at least I have them...

Beetlejuice

Washington, DC

Date: October 14,2018

Notes: First preview

Dear Evan Hansen

Date: May 13, 2018

Note: Mike's last show

Cast: Ben Platt, Mike Faist, Will Roland

The Prom

Date: 10-24-18

​Cast: Caitlin Kinnunen - Emma

Isabelle McCalla - Alyssa

Beth Leavel - Dee Dee Allen

Brooks Ashmanskas - Barry Glickman

Josh Lamon - Sheldon Saperstein

angie Schworer - Angie

Christopher Sieber - Trent Oliver

Coutnay Collins - Mrs. Greene

​Michael Potts - Mr.Hawkins

Ensamble - Mary Antonini, Coutney Balan, Jerusha Cavazos, Shelby Finnie, Josh Franklin, Sheldon Henry, Fernell Hogan, Joomin Hwang, Becca Lee, Wayne "Juice" Mackins, Vasthy Mompoint, Anthony Norman, Drew Redington, Teddy Toye, Kalyn West, Brittany Zeinstra

Waitress

Notes: Jessie's final show

Date: 3-24-17

​Jessie Mueller (Jenna), Charity Angel Dawson (Becky), Caitlin Houlahan (Dawn), Drew Gehling (Dr. Pomatter), William Popp (Earl), Dakin Matthews (Joe), Joe Cassidy (Cal), Christopher Fitzgerald (Ogie)

Bandstand

Notes: Second preview

Date: 4-1-17

​Corey Cott (Donny Novitski), Laura Osnes (Julia Troy), Beth Leavel (Mrs. Adams), Joe Carroll (Johnny Simpson), Brandon James Ellis (Davy Zlatic), Nate Hopkins (Jimmy Campbell), Geoff Packard (Wayne Wright), Joey Pero (Nick Radel)

Be More Chill

Date: Unknown

Dear Evan Hansen

Date: 2-10-19

Cast: Andrew Barth Feldman, Mallory Bechtel, Lisa Brescia, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Alex Boniello, Michael Park, Sky Lakota-Lynch, Samantha Williams

Date: 3-15-18

Taylor Trensch, Alex Boniello, Lisa Brescia, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Michael Park, Sky Lakota-Lynch

Hamilton Chicago

Date: 10-12-16

Cast: ​​Miguel Cervantes (Alexander Hamilton), Ari Afsar (Eliza Hamilton), Joshua Henry (Aaron Burr), Karen Olivo (Angelica Schuyler), Jonathan Kirkland (George Washington), Chris De’Sean Lee (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Wallace Smith (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), José Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), Samantha Marie Ware (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds), Alexander Gemignani (King George III), Jin Ha (Philip Schuyler/James Reynolds/Doctor), José Amor (Samuel Seabury), John Michael Fiumara (Charles Lee), Remmie Bourgeois (George Eacker), José Amor, Amber Ardolino, Remmie Bourgeois, Chloë Campbell, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, John Michael Fiumara, Jin Ha, Holly James, Dashí Mitchell, Justice Moore, Emmy Raver-Lampman (Ensemble)

​Date: 10-5-16

Cast: ​Miguel Cervantes (Alexander Hamilton), Ari Afsar (Eliza Hamilton), Joshua Henry (Aaron Burr), Karen Olivo (Angelica Schuyler), Jonathan Kirkland (George Washington), Chris De’Sean Lee (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Wallace Smith (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), José Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), Samantha Marie Ware (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds), Alexander Gemignani (King George III), Jin Ha (Philip Schuyler/James Reynolds/Doctor), José Amor (Samuel Seabury), John Michael Fiumara (Charles Lee), Remmie Bourgeois (George Eacker), José Amor, Amber Ardolino, Remmie Bourgeois, Chloë Campbell, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, John Michael Fiumara, Jin Ha, Holly James, Dashí Mitchell, Justice Moore, Emmy Raver-Lampman (Ensemble)

Falsettos

Date 1-8-17 (Closing Night)

Cast: ​Christian Borle (Marvin), Stephanie J. Block (Trina), Andrew Rannells (Whizzer), Brandon Uranowitz (Mendel), Tracie Thoms (Dr. Charlotte), Betsy Wolfe (Cordelia), Anthony Rosenthal (Jason)

​Pretty Woman

Notes: Second preview

Date: 3-14-18

​Samantha Barks (Vivian), Steve Kazee (Edward), Orfeh (Kit De Luca), Jason Danieley (Philip), Eric Anderson (Mr. Thompson), Kingsley Leggs (James)

The Lion King

Date: 6-8-13

Andile Gumbi (Simba), Jaden Jordan (Young Simba), Derek Smith (Scar), Alton Fitzgerald White (Mufasa), Buyi Zama (Rafiki), Chantal Riley (Nala), Teshi Thomas (Young Nala), Jeff Binder (Timon), Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa), Fred Berman (Zazau), James Brown-Orleans (Bonzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi), Enrique Segura (Ed), Derrick Davis, Lindiwe Dlamini, Bongi Duma, Joel Karie, Ron Kunene, Sheryl McCallum, S'bu Ngema, Nteliseng Nkhela, Sindisiwe Nxumalo, Chondra La-Tease Profit, Vusi Sondiyazi, L. Steven Taylor, Rema Webb (Ensemble Singers), Lawrence Alexander, Lamar Baylor, Gabriel Croom, Charity de Loera, Christopher Freeman, Lisa Lewis,

Jaysin McCollum, Ray Mercer, Bravita Threatt, Natalie Turner (u/s Fireflies specialist), Donna Michelle Vaughn, Camille Workman (Ensemble Dancers)

Frozen

Date: 2-22-18

Cast: ​Caissie Levy (Elsa), Patti Murin (Anna), Jelani Alladin (Kristoff), Greg Hildreth (Olaf), John Riddle (Hans), Robert Creighton (Duke of Weselton), Kevin Del Aguila(Oaken), Timothy Hughes (Pabbie), Andrew Pirozzi (Sven), Mattea Conforti (Young Anna), Brooklyn Nelson (Young Elsa), Tracee Brazer, Wendi Bergamini, Ashley Blanchet, James Brown III (King Agnarr), Claire Camp, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Jeremy Davis, Kali Grinder, Zach Hess, Donald Jones JR. Nina Lafarga, Ross Lekites, Austin Lesch, Synthia Link, Adam Perry, Olivia Phillip (Bulda), Noah J. Ricketts, Ann Sanders (Queen Iduna), Jacob Smith, Nicholas Ward

​Ben Platt (Boston)

(Concert)

Date: May 9, 2019

[virmillion]

Ibytm - T minus 11 seconds

Masterpost - Previous Chapter - Next Chapter - ao3

Words: 1,603

One of the many things on which Logan has long prided himself is his punctuality. Hand in hand with this is his insistence upon keeping appointments. These are the two thoughts running through Logan’s mind as he brazenly breaks both of those personal rules on this Friday morning. He’s never been one for superstition (‘not even a little stitious,’ in Roman’s unfortunate and inadequate words), but from the moment he ignored his alarm in favor of holding Virgil a little while longer, something in his mind quickly grew certain he’d made a mistake. He can trace the exact second, actually—when he let Virgil get back to sleep, blissfully ignoring his own lack of a consistently salaried career—when everything started going wrong. He should’ve gotten up at the first alarm, or better yet, stayed in bed all day and phoned it in. He did neither, and the consequences smacked him in the face with a wet paper towel.

He stubbed his toe on the table in the kitchenette, he forgot to prepare his overnight oatmeal last night, the car took far longer than normal to start up, there was a car with its hazards on taking up a whole lane right outside the apartment parking lot, half the lights on the way to work were out or blinking red, his jacket (the one Virgil helped him pick out at Micah’s store) got caught and ripped when he closed the car door on it, and Miss Katie-Lee dumped an absurd binder of assignments on him the moment he clocked in—exactly on time, rather than early like any other day. Logan does not believe in fate, but that string of irritating coincidences did nothing to improve his attitude.

“Why are you in such a crap mood?” Roman prods, rolling his chair over as Logan works through his normal break time.

“Because I was late to being early, and because I’m busy. Go away.”

“Wow, someone’s feeling kinda rude. Guess you didn’t take that vacation, then, huh?”

“What, in the twelve hours since I last saw you? Clearly not. And like I said, I’m busy, so unless you have something important to offer me, go away.”

“Did Katie-Lee drop all this on you just today? Dude, that hardcore blows.”

“Obviously I know that. Miss Katie-Lee clearly thinks I can handle it, or she wouldn’t have given me it. Given it to me. Whatever.”

“Still sucks.”

“Still busy.”

Roman, despite Logan’s adamant protests, grabs a few folders from the stack and shuffles through them, plucking one out at random. “Maybe you’re just overthinking some of these. Can I help?”

“No. Literally the only thing you can do for me that would be helpful is leave me alone.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be taking your break right now?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be taking yours?”

“Yeah, I actually came over to see if you wanted to get in on our fetch quest. We’re doing an order en masse. Think we’ll get Virgil?”

“Hard no. He’s probably still asleep, and if he’s awake, he’s certainly not doing anything productive.” Logan does not particularly love how thoroughly laced with irritation his tone is, but he absolutely does not have it in himself to lighten up.

“Just let me help you with these, man, you’ve got way too much on your plate.”

“They wouldn’t have promoted me if they didn’t think I could handle it.”

“Well, they promoted me , too, so maybe I’m supposed to handle some of it.”

“Well, they promoted you after me, so maybe you should just piss off and leave me alone.” Logan can feel himself being a jerk, being a completely awful person for Roman to have the misfortune of being close to, but he doesn’t know how to make himself stop. Today started out so well, too, and here he is ruining it. That realization only makes him feel worse. Not bad enough to fix his attitude, but pretty bad regardless.

Roman, however, has worked with Logan for long enough to know how to handle this sort of thing from him. He rolls his chair back to his own desk, messing with his phone in silence as Logan exhales and raps a fist against his temple, fruitlessly trying to stave off the headache that’s undoubtedly on its way.

On through the rest of what should be his break and past the time where he normally answers emails and helps his colleagues with their respective (and objectively easier) problems, Logan continues chipping away at the stack. It seems more bottomless with each passing second, especially when a few emails ping into his ‘urgent’ filter and multiply the work he still has left. Given how focused he forces himself to be to power through as much as he can realistically manage, it should come as no surprise that Logan doesn’t notice the pack of people crowded around his chair until someone taps him on the shoulder.

“I already told you, I don’t—” Logan cuts himself off mid-sentence as he turns to see Micah with his arm outstretched, a visitor’s badge dangling from his neck. “I don’t—I didn’t—what are you doing here?”

“Roman called in the cavalry.”

“I can see that.” This is about the most coherent sentence Logan can manage as he takes in the rest of the people Roman apparently rallied—Cassidy and Alex, of course, along with Joy and almost all of the newer fifth floor interns. “Roman? Care to explain?”

“We are here to help,” Roman says firmly. Before Logan can even begin to protest, Roman reaches across his desk and snatches away the binder of assignments.

“Hey, you can’t just—”

“I can and I did. Shut up and sit in your chair and let us help you.”

“But you aren’t supposed to—”

“And yet we are, so shut up and sit in your chair and please, for the love of all things on and beyond this planet, let us help you .”

Logan pulls his lips between his teeth and watches Roman pass out the folders, and though he certainly doesn’t consent to anything that happens thereafter, he’s not about to go complaining to Miss Katie-Lee. Because he doesn’t want her to know he’s slacking, of course. Not, um, not for any other reason.

“We are more than just colleagues,” Roman says gently, leaning down to pat Logan’s shoulder. Logan says nothing, watching the apparent cavalry disperse to tackle the work for him. “I don’t know exactly how far you want people to go to prove they care about you, and if it takes this much, then, well, all your friends up until now have severely sucked. Logan, look, look at me, okay?” He does. His heart wrenches at the insistent look in Roman’s eyes. “We care about you so, so much, even if you don’t have it in you to care about yourself. Now sit there and don’t look at your computer screen for at least thirty minutes, and let other people show you that you deserve to be cared about. We are not just here to collect a paycheck and go, and neither are you.”

Logan stares very intently at his desk and tries to ignore the hot tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. It takes every ounce of his concentration not to shrug off Roman’s hand, which is rubbing reassuring circles on his back. Once the tears do fall—hypothetically, of course—well, it would be (and hypothetically is) very polite of Roman not to mention them, and to silently offer a tissue.

It is with nothing short of pure, genuine relief that Logan clocks out—late, but still—having finished the last couple assignments that Roman begrudgingly allowed him to handle on his own. He had to let him finish those, since Logan needs them for his presentation coming up. Not really something you can pawn off on your work colleagues.

It is with nothing short of pure, genuine horror that Logan realizes the day on which he has clocked out late.

Friday.

Movie night.

Which Logan has never missed before.

Ever.

It’s a good thing there’s no patrol cars out to catch him going fifteen over the limit on his way home.

He opens the door to the apartment as quietly as he can manage, more than a little disheartened by the silence waiting beyond. Inside, he sees the television screen displaying Netflix’s message asking whether Virgil is still watching. Evidently not, as Virgil is sprawled out across the couch and snoring softly. Two coffee mugs sit on the table, one empty, the other full.

What’s that old adage about falling asleep angry, going to bed without resolving a fight? ‘Don’t do it, you absolute fool? You complete and utter buffoon? Think you have the power to cut God’s hair with Krafty Krinkle-Kut safety scissors? Huh? Punk?’ Logan briefly wonders what the ramifications of ignoring that might be, given that this is the second night in a row that it’s happened. He pulls off his cardigan (which now sports a glorious rip up the right side) and drapes it over Virgil, careful not to wake him as he gently pries the remote from his hand. After clicking the television off and preparing his overnight oatmeal, he turns out the few remaining lights and heads into the bedroom, removing the layers of clothing constricting his lungs as he goes.

The bed feels much colder than normal. He kicks all the covers and sheets off, curls up in a ball in the middle of the mattress, and tries to sleep.

It takes hours.

He’s freezing.

[dccomicsnews]

DC Comics News has compiled a list of DC Comics titles and collectibles shipping to comic shops for April 11, 2018.

Check back every Friday with the DC Comics News Pull Box to see all the cool new DC Comics titles and collectibles that will be available at your favorite local comic shop! So, what titles or collectibles will you be picking up this Wednesday? You can sound off in the comments section below! Click on Comic shop Locator to find the comic shop nearest to you!

COMICS

BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #21 $3.99 DETECTIVE COMICS #978 $2.99 ETERNITY GIRL #2 (OF 6) $3.99 FLASH #44 $2.99 HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #42 $2.99 IMMORTAL MEN #1 $2.99 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28 $2.99 MAD MAGAZINE #1 $5.99 NEW SUPER MAN & THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF CHINA #22 $3.99 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #21 $3.99 SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #24 $3.99 SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #92 $2.99 SIDEWAYS #3 $2.99 SUICIDE SQUAD #39 $2.99 SUPERGIRL #20 $3.99 TITANS #22 $3.99 TRINITY #21 $3.99 WONDER WOMAN #44 $2.99

DCN Pull Box Triple Spotlight

ACTION COMICS 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN HC $29.99

Jerry Seigel, Fred Guardineer, Mort Weisinger, Don Cameron, Jerry Coleman, Otto Binder, Edmond Hamilton, Len Wein, Cary Bates, Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Roger Stern, Joe Kelly, Grant Morrison, Paul Levitz (A) Joe Shuster, Fred Guardineer, Mort Meskin, Ed Dobrotka, Wayne Boring, Stan Kaye, Al Plastino, Jim Mooney, Curt Swan, George Klein, Carmine Infantino, Dick Giordano, Joe Giella, Gil Kane, John Byrne, Kerry Gammill, Dennis Janke, Bob McLeod, Ben Oliver, Neal Adams (CA) Jim Lee, Scott Williams

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Superman’s debut in ACTION COMICS #1 – and DC is celebrating this date with the publication of the new hardcover ACTION COMICS #1000: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN! It’s an extraordinary party as we revisit stories from across the decades, featuring key character debuts, essays and more in a collection curated by Paul Levitz! Highlights of this collection include: A new cover by legendary artist and DC Publisher Jim Lee A never before unpublished twelve-page Golden Age Superman story believed to have been written by Jerry Siegel with art by the Joe Shuster Studio Text pieces including: an editor’s note by Paul Levitz, a tribute to ACTION COMICS by Laura Siegel Larson (daughter of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel), an introduction by Jules Feiffer, plus essays by Tom DeHaven (“It’s Superman!”), David Hadju (“The Ten-Cent Plague”), Larry Tye (“Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero”) and Gene Luen Yang (SUPERMAN, NEW SUPER-MAN and the National Book Award finalist “American Born Chinese”)! The new five-page story “The Game,” written by Paul Levitz with art by Neal Adams The Superman stories from this collection include: “The Coming of Superman,” from ACTION COMICS #1, written by Jerry Siegel with art by Joe Shuster “Revolution in San Monte,” from from ACTION COMICS #2, written by Jerry Siegel with art by Joe Shuster “The Terrible Toyman!” from ACTION COMICS #64, written by Don Cameron with art by Ed Dobrotka and George Roussos, featuring the debut of Toyman “The Super-Key to Fort Superman,” from ACTION COMICS #241, written by Jerry Coleman with art by Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye, featuring the first appearance of the Fortress of Solitude “The Super-Duel in Space,” from ACTION COMICS #242, written by Otto Binder with art by Al Plastino, featuring the debut of Brainiac “The Supergirl from Krypton!” from ACTION COMICS #252, written by Otto Binder with art by Al Plastino, featuring the debut of Supergirl “The World’s Greatest Heroine!” from ACTION COMICS #262, written by Jerry Siegel with art by Jim Mooney “The Superman Super-Spectacular!” from ACTION COMICS #309, written by Edmond Hamilton with art by Curt Swan and George Klein, featuring an appearance by President John F. Kennedy “Superman Takes a Wife,” from ACTION COMICS #484, written by Cary Bates with art by Curt Swan and Joe Giella “If Superman Didn’t Exist…” from ACTION COMICS #554, written by Marv Wolfman with art by Gil Kane “Squatter,” from ACTION COMICS #584, written by John Byrne with art by Byrne and Dick Giordano “Ma Kent’s Photo Album,” from ACTION COMICS #655, written by Roger Stern with art by Kerry Gammill and Dennis Janke “Secrets in the Night,” from ACTION COMICS #662, written by Roger Stern with art by Bob McLeod “A Hero’s Journey,” from ACTION COMICS #800, written by Joe Kelly with art by Pasqual Ferry, Duncan Rouleau, Lee Bermejo and others “The Boy Who Stole Superman’s Cape,” from ACTION COMICS #0, written by Grant Morrison with art by Ben Oliver Other key ACTION COMICS stories in this title include: “The Mystery of the Freight Train Robberies,” from ACTION COMICS #1, written by Fred Guardineer with art by Guardineer, featuring the debut of Zatara “The Origin of the Vigilante,” from ACTION COMICS #42, written by Mort Weisinger with art by Mort Meskin, featuring the debut of the Vigilante “The Assassin-Express Contract!” from ACTION COMICS #419, written by Len Wein with art by Carmine Infantino and Dick Giordano, featuring the debut of the Human Target ACTION COMICS #1000: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN HC (DEC170241) is a 384-page title. It has a new Final Order Cutoff of February 5 and an on-sale date of April 11. Please note that the poster mentioned in the original solicitation will no longer be included in this title. The poster, which features all one thousand ACTION COMICS covers, will be offered as a separate item with ordering details to come soon.

SUPERMAN EXILE AND OTHER STORIES OMNIBUS HC $125.00

Jerry Ordway, Roger Stern, George Perez, Dan Jurgens, Tom Peyer (A) Jerry Ordway, Mike Mignola, P. Craig Russell, George Perez, Curt Swan, Brett Breeding, John Beatty, Dan Jurgens, John Statema, Art Thibert, Paris Cullins, Ty Templeton, Tim Gula, Keith Giffen, Andy Kubert, Klaus Janson (A/CA) Kerry Gammill, Dennis Janke

The late 1980s stories that set the stage for the epic “Death of Superman” are collected in a new hardcover Omnibus edition for the first time. These tales include appearances by Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Mongul, Mr. Mxyzptlk and more, plus the debut of the Eradicator, a key player in the post “Death of Superman” era. Collects THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #445-460, SUPERMAN #23-37, ACTION COMICS #643-646 and ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #2.

HAWKMAN BY GEOFF JOHNS TP BOOK 02 $29.99

Geoff Johns (A) Rags Morales, Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, Scot Eaton, Don Kramer, Michael Bair, Keith Champagne, John Dell, Leonard Kirk, Ray Kryssing, Rodney Ramos (CA) John Watson

Shayera Thal, the Thanagarian Hawkwoman, returns to the world of Hawkman! But her motives for seeking out Carter and Kendra aren’t exactly filled with good intentions… Hawkgirl isn’t exactly happy to see her…or to learn about the customary Thanagarian greeting! Hawkwoman has finally tracked down the final fate of her ex-partner and what it means to the world of the Animal Avatars. But an unexpected tagalong will send Shayera���s life in an entirely new direction! Guest-starring Animal Man, Black Adam and Headhunter. Collects HAWKMAN #15-25 and JSA #56-58.

Variant Covers

Note: Variant Prices To Be Determined By Retailer

BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #21 VAR ED $3.99 DETECTIVE COMICS #978 VAR ED $2.99 FLASH #44 VAR ED $2.99 HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #42 VAR ED $2.99 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28 VAR ED $2.99 NEW SUPER MAN & THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF CHINA #22 VAR ED $3.99 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #21 VAR ED $3.99 SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #24 VAR ED $3.99 SUICIDE SQUAD #39 VAR ED $2.99 SUPERGIRL #20 VAR ED $3.99 TITANS #22 VAR ED $3.99 TRINITY #21 VAR ED $3.99 WONDER WOMAN #44 VAR ED $2.99

GRAPHIC NOVEL

ACTION COMICS 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN HC $29.99 DC UNIVERSE BY BRIAN K VAUGHAN TP $19.99 HARLEY QUINN RED WHITE & BLACK STATUE BY BABS TARR $80.00 HAWKMAN BY GEOFF JOHNS TP BOOK 02 $29.99 JUSTICE LEAGUE REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 02 $34.99 SUICIDE SQUAD TP VOL 05 KILL YOUR DARLINGS REBIRTH $14.99 SUPERMAN EXILE AND OTHER STORIES OMNIBUS HC $125.00 SUPERMAN TP VOL 05 HOPES AND FEARS REBIRTH $16.99 WONDER WOMAN BY GEORGE PEREZ TP VOL 03 $29.99

MAGAZINES

ALTER EGO #152 $9.95

Alter Ego presents Larry Ivie, maybe the most important Silver Age comic book artist/writer you never heard of! He conceived (and named!) the Justice League of America, he helped develop the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, he brought EC art greats to the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs. and he created Monsters and Heroes, one of the first magazines ever to bridge the gap between fan and pro! Artist/friend Sandy Plunkett chronicles this unsung star’s career, with art by Wood, Frazetta, Crandall, Krenkel, Doolin, and others, plus rarely-seen and never-seen Ivie art and story pages spotlighting Justice League, Hawkman, The Atom, Sandman, and Superman!

BACK ISSUE #61 LONGBOX ED $8.95

New Printing & Size! Reprints the original sold-out issue at standard magazine size, so you can fill the hole in your Back Issue collection! It looks at “Tabloids and Treasuries,” spotlighting the Bronze Age’s biggest comic books, including every all-new tabloid from the 1970s, and a checklist of reprint treasury editions. Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man, The Bible, Captain America’s Bicentennial Battles, The Wizard of Oz, even the Paul Dini/Alex Ross World’s Greatest Super-Heroeseditions – they’re all here! With commentary from and/or art by Neal Adams, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Mike Grell, Jack Kirby, Joe Kubert, Sheldon Mayer, John Romita, Sr., Alex Toth, and more. Featuring a reimagining of Grell’s Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes Limited Collectors’ Edition wraparound cover by Alex Ross!

MERCHANDISE/COLLECTIBLES

GUND DC BATMAN 7IN PLUSH BACKPACK CLIP $10.00 GUND DC FUZZY BEAR BATMAN 14IN PLUSH $20.00 GUND DC FUZZY BEAR SUPERGIRL 14IN PLUSH $20.00 GUND DC FUZZY BEAR SUPERMAN 14IN PLUSH $20.00 GUND DC FUZZY BEAR WONDER WOMAN 14IN PLUSH $20.00 GUND DC SUPERGIRL 7IN PLUSH BACKPACK CLIP $10.00 GUND DC SUPERMAN 7IN PLUSH BACKPACK CLIP $10.00 GUND DC WONDER WOMAN 7IN PLUSH BACKPACK CLIP $10.00

ACTION FIGURES/STATUES

DARK KNIGHT BANE MAF EX $99.99 DC BATMAN UNIVERSE BUST COLL #4 TWO-FACE $24.95 DC SUPERHERO BEST OF FIG COLL MAG #52 BEAST BOY $17.95 DC SUPERHERO BEST OF FIG COLL MAG #53 HUNTRESS $17.95 DC SUPERHERO BEST OF FIG COLL MAG #54 GOLDEN AGE FLASH $17.95 FFG DC COMICS COLL WONDER WOMAN 1/6 PVC FIG $99.99

CLOTHING

WONDER WOMAN CLASSIC T/S LG $19.95 WONDER WOMAN CLASSIC T/S MED $19.95 WONDER WOMAN CLASSIC T/S SM $19.95 WONDER WOMAN CLASSIC T/S XL $19.95 WONDER WOMAN CLASSIC T/S XXL $22.95

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DC Comics Pull Box For 4-4-18 (New Comics and Merchandise) DC Comics News has compiled a list of DC Comics titles and collectibles shipping to comic shops for April 11, 2018.

[richincolor]

There are quite a few new releases this week and I’m excited for several of them.

Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore

Feiwel & Friends

Love grows such strange things.

For nearly a century, the Nomeolvides women have tended the grounds of La Pradera, the lush estate gardens that enchant guests from around the world. They’ve also hidden a tragic legacy: if they fall in love too deeply, their lovers vanish. But then, after generations of vanishings, a strange boy appears in the gardens.

The boy is a mystery to Estrella, the Nomeolvides girl who finds him, and to her family, but he’s even more a mystery to himself; he knows nothing more about who he is or where he came from than his first name. As Estrella tries to help Fel piece together his unknown past, La Pradera leads them to secrets as dangerous as they are magical in this stunning exploration of love, loss, and family.

Akata Warrior (Akata Witch #2) by Nnedi Okorafor Viking Books for Young Readers

A year ago, Sunny Nwazue, an American-born girl Nigerian girl, was inducted into the secret Leopard Society. As she began to develop her magical powers, Sunny learned that she had been chosen to lead a dangerous mission to avert an apocalypse, brought about by the terrifying masquerade, Ekwensu. Now, stronger, feistier, and a bit older, Sunny is studying with her mentor Sugar Cream and struggling to unlock the secrets in her strange Nsibidi book.

Eventually, Sunny knows she must confront her destiny. With the support of her Leopard Society friends, Orlu, Chichi, and Sasha, and of her spirit face, Anyanwu, she will travel through worlds both visible and invisible to the mysteries town of Osisi, where she will fight a climactic battle to save humanity.

Much-honored Nnedi Okorafor, winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards, merges today’s Nigeria with a unique world she creates. Akata Warrior blends mythology, fantasy, history and magic into a compelling tale that will keep readers spellbound.

Broken Circle by J.L. and M.A. Powers Black Sheep

Adam wants nothing more than to be a “normal” teen, but his reality is quickly leaking normal. Afraid to sleep because of the monster that stalks him in his dreams, Adam’s breakdown at school in front of his crush Sarah lands him in the hospital.

Now Adam can only vaguely comprehend some sort of future. His mother died when he was only four and his eccentric father—who might be an assassin, a voodoo god, the reincarnation of the Buddha, or something even stranger—is never available when Adam really needs him.

Adam’s life takes an even stranger turn when a fat man with a gold tooth and a medallion confronts his father regarding Adam’s supposed “true destiny.” Adam is soon headed toward a collision with life, death, and the entities charged with shepherding souls of the newly dead, all competing to control lucrative territories where some nightmares are real and psychopomps of ancient legends walk the streets of North America.

Seize Today (Forget Tomorrow #3) by Pintip Dunn Entangled: Teen

The third book in the New York Times bestselling and RITA award winning Forget Tomorrow series is a thrilling conclusion to an epic trilogy.

Seventeen-year-old precognitive Olivia Dresden is an optimist. Since different versions of people’s futures flicker before her eyes, she doesn’t have to believe in human decency. She can literally see the path to goodness in each person—if only he or she would make the right decision. No one is more conflicted than her mother, Chairwoman Dresden, and Olivia is fiercely loyal to the woman her mother could be.

But when the Chairwoman captures Ryder Russell, a boy from the rebel Underground, Olivia is forced to reevaluate her notions of love and faith. With Ryder’s help, Olivia must come to terms with who her mother is in the present—and stop her before she destroys the world.

Not Your Villain (Sidekick Squad #2) by C.B. Lee

Bells Broussard thought he had it made when his superpowers manifested early. Being a shapeshifter is awesome. He can change his hair whenever he wants, and if putting on a binder for the day is too much, he’s got it covered. But that was before he became the country’s most-wanted villain.

After discovering a massive cover-up by the Heroes’ League of Heroes, Bells and his friends Jess, Emma, and Abby set off on a secret mission to find the Resistance. Meanwhile, power-hungry former hero Captain Orion is on the loose with a dangerous serum that renders meta-humans powerless, and a new militarized robotic threat emerges. Everyone is in danger. Between college applications and crushing on his best friend, will Bells have time to take down a corrupt government?

Sometimes, to do a hero’s job, you need to be a villain.

Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani First Second

Pashmina tells the story of an Indian-American girl who struggles to fit in at high school, then discovers more about her family’s history with the help of her mother’s magical pashmina.

— Cover images and summaries via Goodreads

[amazingstories]

The other day I got into a brief discussion of cover mentions throughout the history of the science fiction magazine.

Of course we all focus on the cover image first, but unless it is a really extraordinary sample of the genre’s art (between BEMs and brass brassieres it’s a bit tough to hit “extraordinary”) the very next thing we look at are the names of the authors to be found within.

To the first time buyer, these mean little to nothing.  To the aficionado however,  they can serve as an instant assessment of the expected quality of the issue.  Lots of top names, stands a chance of being an excellent issue.  No recognizable authors – well, either the title is on its way out (the editors are scraping the bottom of the submission barrel) or – we’re about to discover the next great thing to come down the genre pike.  This latter possibility can only be found in the “vanishingly small probability” box, and represents more of a hope for the reader than a real possibility.

I decided to take a look at how the various magazine titles handled this bit of self-promotion.  I then decided to use 1953 as my exemplar year.

Why 1953?  Because 1953 was THE banner year for science fiction and fantasy magazines.  And because the frenzy surrounding this boom year somewhat resembles what we’ve been seeing for the past several years – an explosion of electronic magazine titles, each of which carefully lists it’s available contents.

1953 was also a year in which the genre was changing;  more markets meant that more authors could stretch, had a few more places they could pitch to.  Many of the “old guard” were still publishing, and a lot of familiar names had become firmly established.  The short story was still the dominant form for the genre and thus, it’s at least as good a year as any other to pick on.

(Wikipedia only lists 219 SF novels published in 1953.  There were undoubtedly a handful of others, but this is a pretty good indicator of how few novels were published, as opposed to short fiction in the magazines.)

Here’s a gallery, displaying the magazine covers from 1953, in alphabetical order by magazine title.

AMAZING STORIES

Published by: Ziff-Davids Publishing Company Edited by: Howard Browne Format: Pulp

Charles Creighton, Mallory Storm, Chester Geier, Guy Archette, E. K. Jarvis, Paul Lohrman (2), Jack Lait, Lee Mortimer, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, H.L. Gold (2), Theodore Sturgeon, Harriet Frank, Walter M. Miller Jr., Kendall Foster, Henry Kuttner, Algiss Budrys, R. W. Krepps, Richard Matheson, Robert Skeckley (2), Vern Fearing, William P. McGivern, Wallace West, Evan Hunter 2/26

ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION

Published by:  Street & Smith Publications Edited by: John W. Campbell, Jr. Format: Digest

Poul Anderson (3), H. Beam Piper, John J. McGuire, John Loxmith, Hal Clement, John E. Arnold, Lee Correy, Mark Clifton (2), Alex Apostildes (2), Tom Godwin, Raymond F. Jones

0/11

AVON SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY READER

Published by: Avon Novels Inc, & Stratford Novels Inc. Edited by: Sol Cohen Format:  Digest

Arthur C. Clarke (2), John Jakes (2), Alfred J. Coppel Jr., John Christopher, Milton Lesser (2), Jack Vance

0/9

BEYOND FANTASY FICTION

Published by:  Galaxy Publishing Edited by:  Horace L. Gold Format:  Digest

Ted Sturgeon (2), Damon Knight, T. L. Sherred, Jerome Bixby (2), Joe E. Dean, Richard Matheson (2), Roger Dee, Frank M. Robinson, James McConnell, Isaac Asimov, Robert Bloch, T. R. Cogswell, Philip K. Dick, John Wyndham, Wyman Guin, Richard Deeming, Algis Budrys, Franklin Gregory, Zenna Henderson, Ted Reynolds

1/23

COSMOS SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY MAGAZINE

Published by Star Publications Edited by Laurence M. Jannifer Format:  Digest

Poul Anderson, Carl Jacobi (2), Philip K. Dick, Evan Hunter (2), Ross Rocklynne, John Jakes, Bertram Chandler (2), Robert S. Richardson (2), B. Traven, N. R., Jack Vance

0/15

DYNAMIC SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Columbia Publications Edited by: Robert A. W. Lowndes Format: Pulp

Cyril Judd, Raymond Z. Gallun, James Blish, Michael Sherman, Algis Budrys

0/5*

FAMOUS FANTASTIC MYSTERIES

Published by:  All Fiction Field (imprint of Popular Publications) Edited by:  Mary Gnaedinger Format:  Pulp

Talbot Mundy, H. Rider Haggard, Ayn Rand, Kafka

1/4

FANTASTIC

Published by: Ziff-Davis Publications Edited by: Howard Browne Format: Digest

Samuel Hopkins Adams, Joseph Shallit, Kris Neville, Edgar Allan Poe, John Collier, Billy Rose, B. Traven, Stephen Vincent Benet, William P. McGivern (3), Isaac Asimov, Alfred Bester, John Wyndham (2), Esther Carlson, Evelyn Waugh, Ralph Robin (3), Walter M. Miller Jr., Robert Sheckley (2), Richard Matheson, Frank M. Robinson, Rog Phillips, Robert Bloch

2/27

FANTASTIC ADVENTURES

Published by: Ziff-Davis Publications Edited by: Howard Browne Format: Pulp

Frank McGiver, Peter Dakin, E. K. Jarvis, Mallory Storm, Ivar Jorgensen, Alexander Blade

1/6

FANTASTIC STORY MAGAZINE

  Published by:Best Books Edited by: Samuel Mines Format: Pulp

Edmond Hamilton, Murray Leinster (3), L. Sprague de Camp (4), Thomas L. McClary, Leigh Brackett, Henry Kuttner, Carl Jacobi, Horace L. Gold, Jerry Shelton, Ed Weston, Kevin Kent, Jack Townsley Rogers, Frederic Brown, Cleve Cartmill, Manly Wade Wellman, Otis Adelbert Kline, Roscoe Clark, Robert Moore Williams

1/23

FANTASTIC UNIVERSE SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: King-Sized Publications Edited by: Sam Merwin Format: Digest

Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Belknap Long, E. Hoffman Price, Evan Hunter, Irving Cox, William Campbell Gault, A. Bertram Chandler (2), Walt Sheldon, Clifford D. Simak, Poul Anderson, Richard Matheson, Eric Frank Russell, Jean Jaques Ferrat, William F. Temple, Wallace West, C. M. Kornbluth, William Morrison, Philip K. Dick, Evelyn E. Smith

1/21

THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Mercury Press Edited by: Anthony Boucher Format: Digest

Fritz Leiber, Mabel Seeley, John Wyndham, Idris Seabright (2), Robert Louis Stevenson, R. Bretnor (2), L. Sprague de Camp, Fletcher Pratt, Oliver la Farge, J. T. McIntosh, Wilson Tucker, Richard Matheson, Anthony Boucher (2), Kris Neville, Chad Oliver, Esther Carlson, Alan Nelson, William Bernard Ready, Poul Anderson, Ward Moore, John D. MacDonald, Edward W. Ludwig, Arthur Porges, Manly Wade Wellman, Winona McClintic, Tom McMorrow Jr.,

4/29

FANTASY MAGAZINE/FANTASY FICTION

Published by: Future Publications Edited by: Lester Del Rey Format: Digest

Robert E. Howard (2), John Wyndham, (Philip K) Dick, Elliot, Fritch, (H.B.) Fyfe, H. Harrison, MacLean, L. Sprague de Camp, Pletcher Pratt

0/10

FUTURE SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Standard Publications Edited by: Robert A. W. Lowndes Format: Pulp

John Wyndham, Poul Anderson, William Tenn, Gordon R. Dickson, Kriss Neville, Robert Sheckley

0/6

GALAXY SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Galaxy Publishing Edited by: Horace L. Gold Format: Digest

Philip K. Dick, Damon Knight, H. L. Gold, Willy Ley (3)*, F, L. Wallace, J. T. McIntosh, Theodore Sturgeon, Isaac Asimov

0/10

GALAXY SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS

Published by: Galaxy Publishing Edited by: Horace L. Gold Format: Digest

This “magazine” Doesn’t really count as these are single novel publications.  However, for completeness’ sake:  John Taine, Isaac Asimov, J. Leslie Mitchell, James Blish (2), Lewis Padgett*, Edmond Hamilton

0/7

IF WORLDS OF SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Digest Publications Edited by: Larry Shaw Format: Digest

Walter M. Miller Jr., Ivar Jorgenson, Arthur C. Clarke, Jack Vance, Walt Sheldon, H. B. Fyfe, James Blish, William Tenn, Mark Wolf

0/9

ORBIT SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Hanro Corporation Edited by: Donald A. Wollheim Format: Digest

Richard English, August Derleth (2), Mack Reynolds, Charles Beaumont (2), Paul Brandts, H. B. Fyfe, John Christopher, James Causey

0/10

OTHER WORLDS

Published by: Clark Publications, later Bell Publications Edited by: Raymond A. Plamer & Bea Mahaffey Format: Digest

H. B. Fyfe, Richard S. Shaver (2), L Sprague de Camp (3), Eric Frank Russell, (William F.) Temple, (Robert Moore) Williams, Edward L. Smith, (Joe) Gibson, (Raymond A.) Palmer, S. J. Byrne, Robert Bloch, James McConne

0/15

PLANET STORIES

Published by: Love Romances Edited by: Jack O’Sullivan Format: Pulp

Bryan Berry (4*), Roger Dee, Gardner F. Fox, Robert Moore Williams, Ross Rocklynne, William Tenn, Ray Gallun, B. Curtis, Gordon R. Dickson, Hayden Howard, Stanley Mullen, Leigh Brackett, Ray Bradbury, Fox B. Holden

1/17

ROCKET STORIES

Published by: Space Publications Edited by: Lester Del Rey, Harry Harrison Format: Digest

(?) Bernard, (Henry) De Rosso, (John) Jakes, (Milton) Lesser (2), (Poul) Anderson, (Algis) Budrys, (?) Cox, (James) Gunn, (A. F. ?) Loomis, (?) Mullen

0/12

SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURES

Published by: Space Fiction/Future Publications Edited by: Lester Del Rey, Harry Harrison Format: Digest

(William) Morrison (2, (Alan E.) Nourse, (George O.) Smith, (Erik) Van Lhin* (5), (Chad) Oliver, (Algis) Budrys, (Raymond Z.) Gallun, (Theodore R.) Cogswell, (Robert) Sheckley, (Poul) Anderson, (Irving E.) Cox (Jr.) (2), (Samuel) Moskowitz, (Richard) Snodgrass, C. M. Kornbluth

0/20

SCIENCE FICTION PLUS

Published by: Gernsback Publications Edited by: Sam Moskowitz Format: Slick

Eando Binder (2), Hugo Gernsback (2), Philip Jose Farmer (2), John Scott Campbell, Dr. Donald H. Menzel, Richard Tooker, Clifford D. Simak (2), Raymond Z. Gallun, Frank Belknap Long, F. L. Wallace, Robert Bloch, Harry Walton, Murray Leinster (2), Pierre Devaux, H. G. Viet, Gustav Albrecht, Frank R. Paul, Chad Oliver, Thomas Calvert McClary, Jack Williamson, Eric Frank Russell (2), Harry Bates, James H. Schmitz

0/29

SCIENCE FICTION QUARTERLY

Published by: Double-Action Magazines Edited by: Charles D. Hornig, Robert A. W. Lowndes Format: Pulp

Poul Anderson, Philip K. Dick, Randall Garrett, Milton Lesser

0/4

SCIENCE FICTION STORIES

Published by: Columbia Publications Edited by: Robert A. W. Lowndes Format: Digest

Poul Anderson, Raymond Z. Gallun, Robert Sheckley, Algis Budrys, Philip K. Dick, Noel Loomis, M.C. Pease

0/7

SCIENCE STORIES

Published by: Clark Publishing, Bell Publishing Edited by: Raymond A. Palmer, Bea Mahaffey Format: Digest

Jack Williamson, John Bloodstone, S. J. Byrne, T. P. Caravan, Mack Reynolds, Edward Wellen, Richard Dorot

0/7

SPACE SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Space Publications Edited by: Lester Del Rey Format: Digest

H. Beam Piper, (John) Christopher, (William) Morrison (2), Damon Knight, T. L. Sherred, Lester Del Rey, Poul Anderson

0/8

SPACE STORIES

Published by: Standard Magazines Edited by: Samuel Mines Format: Pulp

Leigh Brackett, William Morrison, Sam Merwin Jr.

1/3

SPACEWAY STORIES OF THE FUTURE

Published by: Fantasy Publishing Co Edited by: ? Format: Digest

Only a movie title is listed.

STARTLING STORIES

Published by: Better Publications Edited by: Samuel Mines Format: Pulp

Damon Knight, Murray Leinster (2), George O. Smith, Sam Merwin Jr (3)., Chad Oliver, Kendall Foster Crossen, Willy Ley, Fletcher Pratt, Noel Loomis, Philip Jose Farmer, Theodore Sturgeon, Edmond Hamilton

0/15

THRILLING WONDER STORIES

Published by: Beacon/Better/Standard Magazines Edited by: Samuel Mines Format: Pulp

L. Sprague de Camp, Kendall Foster Crossen (3), Damon Knight, Katherine MacLean, Wallace West, R. J. McGregor, George O. Smith, Dwight V. Swain

1/10

TOPS IN SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Love Romances Edited by: Jack O’Sullivan, Malcolm Reiss Format: Pulp

(Ray) Bradbury, Leigh Brackett (2), (Robert) Abernathy, (Hugh Frazier) Parker

TWO COMPLETE SCIENCE-ADVENTURE BOOKS

Published by:Wings Publishing Edited by: Katherine Daffron Format: Pulp

Like The Galaxy SF Novel, these “magazines” only published two full length novels, so it doesn’t really fit the standard pulp magazine cover listings thing.  However –

James Blish, Vargo Statten, Killian Houston Brunner, Bryan Berry, Poul Anderson, John D. MacDonald

0/6

UNIVERSE SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Bell Publications, Palmer Publications Edited by: Raymond A. Plamer, Bea Mahaffey Format: Digest

Theodore Sturgeon, Murray Leinster, Nelson Bond, Robert Bloch, William T. Powers (2), William Campbell Gault, Gordon R. Dickson (2), Mark Clifton, Sylvia Jacobs, Roger Flint Young, Poul Anderson, (Isaac Asimov, (L. Sprague) de Camp, (Eando) Binder, F. L. Wallace, George H. Smith

1/18

VORTEX SCIENCE FICTION

Published by: Specific Fiction Edited by: Chester Whitehorn Format: Digest

(Nobody listed on the cover, probably owing to the fact that this was a terrible magazine.)

WEIRD TALES

Published by: Weird Tales Inc Edited by: Dorothy McIllwraith Format: Digest

Everil Worrell, Joseph Payne Brennan, Leah Bodine Drake, August Derleth (2), (Manly Wade) Wellman, C.(lark) A.(shton) Smith

2/6

WONDER STORY ANNUAL

Published by: Best Books Edited by: ? Format: Pulp

Jack Williamson, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Henry Kuttner, Isaac Asimov

0/5

***

Text markup key:  A bolded name is an author who still resonates today (at least in my estimation); italics indicate a pseudonym – sometimes a house name, sometimes not; a number in ellipses indicated that the author was cover mentioned more than once during the year’s run.

The numbers following the names related the ration of female/male mentions for the year’s run.  The best that can be said about this is that Space Stories managed to achieve 33%, while the majority of the magazines featured no female authors.

***

Thirty Eight different titles, if we include serious name changes:

Amazing Stories, Astounding Science Fiction, Avon Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader, Beyond Fantasy Fiction, Cosmos Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine, Dynamic Science Fiction, Famous Fantastic Mysteries,Fantastic Adventures, Fantastic*, Fantastic Story, Fantastic Universe, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction*, Future Science Fiction, Galaxy Science Fiction, Galaxy Science Fiction Novels, If Worlds of Science Fiction, Orbit Science Fiction, Other Worlds, Planet Stories, Rocket Stories, Science Fiction Adventures, Science Fiction Plus, Science Fiction Quarterly, Science Fiction Stories, Science Stories*, Space Science Fiction, Space Stories, Spaceway, Startling Stories, Thrilling Wonder Stories, Tops in Science Fiction, Two Complete Science-Adventure Books, Universe Science Fiction, Vortex Science Fiction, Weird Tales, Wonder Story Annual. (*This was a title change) (and I’ve got 32 of the 38 first issues in my personal collection!)

Phew!

Incidentally, if you’d purchased all of these at the newsstand back in the day, it would have set you back a grand total of $55.80.  Adjusted for inflation, it would be a bit over $500 bucks today.  That’s a bit low.  There are 176 issues in question and current asking price for a digest magazine on the stands these days is $7.99.  At that price, these issues would have set you back about $1400.00.  This suggests that things really were cheaper back then!  (It’s also a lot easier to scrape up 25 cents looking for pennies on the street than it is to find $7.99….)

Beyond anything else, I simply can not imagine what it must have been like to be standing in front of the racks of a 1953 news shop.  During they heyday of my purchasing magazines from news shops, I had Amazing, F&SF, Fantastic, Galaxy, If, Analog, Odyssey, Galileo, and a handful of reprint mags to choose from, as well as a number of “graphic” magazines like Heavy Metal and “media” magazines like Star Warp.  I’d have been overwhelmed and terribly frustrated to find 38 different titles – I wouldn’t be able to choose which ones to spend my nickles on!

Truth be told, though, the regularity of these magazines was anything but regular.  If you averaged out their production over twelve months, there’d only be 15 titles to choose from at any given time.

No doubt quality suffered to some degree, but the chances of finding good stories was also increased.

Note, interestingly, that only 45 percent of these titles include the identifier “science fiction” in their name.  Among those that don’t include “science fiction”, seven consist of a descriptor and the word “stories”:  Amazing, Planet, Rocket, Science, Space, Startling, Thrilling Wonder, and two a descriptor plus “story” – Fantastic and Wonder.

I think it safe to say that the majority of magazines back in 1953 still felt the need to be very specific about what they were offering readers.  The cover image was apparently not quite enough, though I’m sure they worked hand-in-hand:  the outre image would catch your eye and the properly worded title would confirm your suspicions:  rocketships plus “Amazing” equals “science fiction”.  (Anyone seeing a scantily clad “space babe” and hoping for titillation was going to be sorely disappointed, and unlikely to be interested in anything “science stories”.)

Those two elements were probably believed to be sufficient come-ons to new customers, none of whom had a computer or databases to consult.  (In fact, whether or not you ever even saw a particular title on the newsstands was often hit or miss:  if the magazine distributor didn’t cover a particular territory (or deliver to that territory that month), you’d never see the issue(s).

But then, most of the magazines also went ahead and put two other items on their covers.  Frequently a statement about the contents was made -All New Stories!- and the title and author of at least one story listed on the table of contents.

I find it interesting that they felt a need to proclaim “All Stories Complete!”  “All New Fiction!” and even “A Selection of the Best Stories of Fantasy and Science Fiction, new and old.”  This was of course due to the fact that there were numerous reprint magazines on the stands (Famous Fantastic Mysteries among them) and woe to the reader who spent that hard-earned quarter, only to discover contents they’d already read!

Another thing regularly stuck on the cover of these ‘zines was a sort of sub-title:  Strange Adventures on Other Worlds…Preview of the Future…Stories of the Future…Science Fiction…Best in Fantasy….

If you stand back and take a look at all of the covers shown previously, you may notice that there seem to be two general format layouts – “framed” and “unframed”, and further that the unframed titles break down into two sub-groups – boxes or no boxes.

Framed layouts present the cover image, untouched, and surround it with (usually) an inverted ‘L’ shaped border (Galaxy, Space Stories), while unframed titles print a full-sized cover image and slap text directly over the image.  Some of these restrict the listing of contents or highlighted story in an opaque box (which is printed over the image).

It seems that two different schools of design thought were expressing themselves.  Both have advantages:  unframed present a larger image, framed present one that lets you see everything, no textual interruptions, please, but are small in area.

Also note that 1953 was a year of transition for magazine format:  some of the titles shown were published in “pulp” format (about 9 inches tall), such as Two Complete Science-Adventure Tales and Fantastic Adventures, while most had or were switching to the familiar digest (about 7 inches tall) format – such as Fantastic Universe and Galaxy.

The larger format almost exclusively utilized an unframed layout, while many of the digests went with the framed format, though not exclusively.  Notably, Amazing Stories seems to be all over the place.

Now, with all that being said…why’d they put those names on the cover?

These magazines had three basic markets they were trying to reach – the educated fan, the fan who didn’t know they were a fan, the casual reader.

The publishers didn’t really have to worry about the educated fan too much;  chances were they were a subscriber, or belonged to a club that subscribed, or had fellow fans who shared issues around.  Fan readers of SF&F were always hungry for more and needed no other motivation than “the new issue is on the stands” to go and seek it out.

Further, this kind of consumer had already developed their tastes and would have been pretty familiar with the regularly published authors and those who were considered to be headliners.  Any given name on the cover stood a 50-50 chance of attracting or deterring that reader.  You could get a lot for a quarter and a dime back then – almost a beer, almost a movie ticket; Mark Watney would probably like to know that ten pounds of potatoes cost the same as a magazine.

I ponder the wisdom of a promotional campaign that runs the risk of turning your potential customer off, up to fifty percent of the time.

On the other hand, publishers, at least in regards to this demographic, were probably counting on a few other things as well:  most fans were rabid fans by necessity.  Even if every single author in a given issue was disliked, there was still the editorial and the letter column (often worth the price of admission alone), whatever other features might be included and, of course, the cover, along with the interior illustrations.  (Remember those?)  Having probably already been through the demise of many prior titles, the experienced fan back then probably had a well-honed sense of historical preservation.  All of which would tend to encourage them to ignore front cover unpleasantness.

One thing is for sure though:  this segment of the market didn’t have to be sold.  They were already bought and paid for.  The only competition a magazine faced with this particular buyer was whether or not a competing title was more “attractive” this month.  Which suggests that one purpose of the names on the cover was to play one-ups-manship with the other titles.

This then leaves us with two segments – the unrealized fan and the casual reader.

The only difference between these two market segments is that the unrealized fan reader might have heard of an author or two.  I stress might, since the novels they might have been exposed to were few and far between and no one was advertising SF magazines on television or radio, nor even in the mass-circulation magazines of the day.  You weren’t going to see Isaac Asimov on a Wheaties box (though this might not be a bad idea…), Jack Parr wasn’t interviewing Ray Bradbury and the movies they might have caught rarely, if ever, mentioned the origin of their script.

Space Patrol, Tom Corbett, Tales of Tomorrow (ended this year), some fans might have caught Atom Squad, some kids were maybe watching Johnny Jupiter, Rod Brown was competing with Tom, and it would be several years before Science Fiction Theater, The Twighlight Zone and Men Into Space would grace the small screen;  these 1953 television shows did little to elevate the profile of the science fiction author.

Likewise, radio (still a popular medium) wasn’t producing much of serious fan interest either:  Dimension X had been off the air for a couple of years, and it would be a couple more before X Minus One would air (both prominently featured stories largely drawn from Astounding Science Fiction).  The radio companion for Space Patrol was airing, but, again, any author involved probably tried to keep as low a profile as possible.

The only real benefit any of the magazines might have derived from these other media might have been creating the initial interest in the subject matter.  Given the right circumstances, it is entirely possible that a consumer walking past a newsstand would make the connection between a television show featuring outer space and the image of a rocketship on the cover of one of the magazines.

This works, potentially, for the unrealized fan, though it begs a question:  why didn’t any of the magazines attempt to capture this television show audience with various forms of tie-in?  (Tom Corbett Isn’t the ONLY Space Cadet.  We’ve got space cadets in every issue!  A New Short Story by the author of the latest Tales of Tomorrow episode!)  It could be suggested that most of SF on television back in the day was focused on “kids”, and that the magazines were going after an older audience, but most of the magazines on sale were perceived, at least  by the general public, as being kid-stuff too.  I can imagine a well-meaning parent, noting their child’s interest in Space Cadets, picking up a copy of Universe, or Science Fiction Plus, or Science Fiction Adventures (check out the cover art) as an attempt to support the kid’s interest.  But then again, we’re talking about an era that generally despised science fiction, so it’s more likely that mom or dad would be scheduling homework time during Corbett’s 15 minute episodes….

The casual reader…the only thing I can imagine that would attract them to an SF pulp (or digest) would be the cover art, perhaps reinforced by one of the come-ons.  But certainly not the names.

This of course brings us back full circle.  It’s pretty well established that the names on the cover did little to help market these titles.  Existing fans knew the titles and would pick them up regardless of who was featured;  unrealized fans could make no informed judgement about the content, and the casual reader would be attracted by art and possibly blurbs.

So why?  Why go to the trouble to select the names, why the belief that doing so was beneficial?  There’s probably only two reasons:  tradition (magazines had been printing the contents on the cover from the beginning) and ego boo:  ego boo for the authors (who were getting paid very little and had only two sources of fan interaction – letters and conventions.  Not to mention wanting to keep valued authors on the submission hook.  And ego boo for the editors and publishers who got to brag among themselves and play a game of one upsmanship.

So what have we got?  Here’s the list, most cover mentions to least, in alphabetical order.  There are quite a few names we still engage with these days…and quite as many we have forgotten.

14 Anderson Poul 11 de Camp L. Sprague  8 Leinster Murray  7 Dick Philip K., 7 Sheckley Robert  6 Asimov Isaac, Budrys Algis, Matheson Richard, Morrison William, Sturgeon Theodore, Wyndham John  5 Berry Bryan, Blish James, Bloch Robert, Brackett Leigh, Bradbury Ray, Crossen Kendall Foster, Gallun Raymond Z., Knight Damon, Lesser Milton, Lhin Erik Van,  4 Chandler A. Bertram, Clarke Arthur C., Derleth August, Dickson Gordon R., Gold Horace L., Hunter Evan, Jakes John, Ley Willy, McGivern William P., Merwin Jr Sam, Oliver Chad, Russell Eric Frank  3 Binder Eando, Christopher John, Clifton Mark, Cox Irving, Farmer Philip Jose, Fyfe H. B., Hamilton Edmond, Jacobi Carl, Kuttner Henry, Miller Jr. Walter M., Neville Kris, Robin Ralph, Simak Clifford D., Smith George O., Tenn William, Vance Jack, Wallace F L., Wellman Manly Wade, West Wallace, Williams Robert Moore, Williamson Jack,  2 Apostildes Alex, Beaumont Charles, Bixby Jerome, Boucher Anthony, Bretnor R., Byrne S. J., Carlson Esther, Cogswell Theodore R., Dee Roger, Gault William Campbell, Gernsback Hugo, Heinlein Robert, Howard Robert E., Jarvis E. K., Jorgensen Ivar, Kornbluth C. M., Lohrman Paul, Long Frank Belknap, Loomis Noel, MacDonald John D., McIntosh J. T., Mullen Stanley, Piper H. Beam, Powers William T., Pratt Fletcher, Reynolds Mack, Richardson Robert S., Robinson Frank M., Rocklynne Ross, Seabright Idris, Shaver Richard S., Sheldon Walt, Sherred T. L., Storm Mallory, Temple William F., Traven B.,  1 Abernathy Robert, Adams Samuel Hopkins, Albrecht Gustav, Archette Guy, Arnold John E., Bates Harry, Benet Stephen Vincent, Bernard (?), Bester Alfred, Blade Alexander, Bloodstone John, Bond Nelson, Brandts Paul, Brennan Joseph Payne, Brown Frederic, Brunner Killian Houston, Campbell John Scott, Caravan T. P., Cartmill Cleve, Causey James, Clark Roscoe, Clement, Hal, Collier John, Coppel Jr. Alfred J., Correy Lee, Cox (?), Creighton Charles, Curtis B., Dakin Peter, De Rosso Henry, Dean Joe E., Deeming Richard, Del Rey Lester, Devaux Pierre, Dorot Richard, Drake Leah Bodine, English Richard, Fearing Vern, Ferrat Jean Jaques, Fox Gardner F., Frank Harriet, Fritch Elliot, Fyfe H.B., Garrett Randall, Geier Chester, Gibson Joe, Godwin Tom, Gregory Franklin, Guin Wyman, Gunn James, Haggard H. Rider, Harrison H., Henderson Zenna, Holden Fox B., Howard Hayden, Jacobs Sylvia, Jones Raymond F., Judd Cyril, Kafka , Kent Kevin, Kline Otis Adelbert, Krepps R. W., la Farge Oliver, Lait Jack, Leiber Fritz, Loomis (A. F. ?), Loxmith John, Ludwig Edward W., MacLean Katherine, MacLean Mabel Seeley, McClary Thomas Calvert, McClary Thomas L., McClintic Winona, McConne James, McConnell James, McGiver Frank, McGregor R. J., McMorrow Jr. Tom, McGuire John J, Menzel Donald H., Mitchell J. Leslie, Moore Ward, Mortimer Lee, Moskowitz Samuel, Mundy Talbot, Nelson Alan, Nourse Alan E., Padgett Lewis, Palmer Raymond A., Parker Hugh Frazier, Paul Frank R., Pease M.C., Phillips Rog, Poe Edgar Allan, Porges Arthur, Pratt Pletcher, Price E. Hoffman, R. N., Rand Ayn, Ready William Bernard, Reynolds Ted, Rogers Jack Townsley, Rose Billy, Schmitz James H., Shallit Joseph, Shelton Jerry, Sherman Michael, Smith Clark Ashton, Smith Evelyn E., Smith George H., Smith Edward L., Snodgrass Richard, Statten Vargo, Stevenson Robert Louis, Swain Dwight V., Taine John, Tooker Richard, Tucker Wilson, Viet H. G., Walton Harry, Waugh Evelyn, Wellen Edward, Weston Ed, Wolf Mark, Worrell Everil, Young Roger Flint

Resources for this article were obtained from Galactic Central and the Internet Science Fiction Database.

On Cover Mentions The other day I got into a brief discussion of cover mentions throughout the history of the science fiction magazine.

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Griffin Helmed INTO THE WOODS Extends Run At Writers Theatre

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds five performances to the run of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical masterpiece Into the Woods, directed by Gary Griffin. Into the Woods now runs through September 29, 2019 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. Newly added performances for Into the Woods are Thursday, September 26 at 7:30pm; Friday, September 27 at 7:30pm; Saturday, September 28 at 3pm and 7:30pm; and Sunday, September 29 at 2pm.  When a childless baker and his wife set out to lift their family curse by journeying into the woods, they encounter Jack (with his beanstalk), Cinderella (and her prince) and Little Red Riding Hood (and her wolf)! These familiar characters find themselves in decidedly unfamiliar circumstances and must brave the darkness of the woods in an effort to break the curse, conquer their fears and find out if what they’ve always wished for is what they truly want.  This epic fairy tale adventure is reimagined in a newly-configured Nichols Theatre staged “in the round,” drawing audiences into a theatrical experience unlike anything previously seen at WT! With its celebrated score, stirring script and an extraordinary team of artists bringing it all to life, Into the Woods launched WT's 2019/20 Season as the musical theatre event of the season. Chicago and Broadway Director Gary Griffin (Parade) returned to stage this Tony Award-winning musical about fairy tales, family and what happens after “happily ever after.”  The cast of Into the Woods includes: Nicole Armold (Lucinda), Ben Barker (Jack), Alex Benoit (Rapunzel’s Prince), Brianna Borger (Baker’s Wife), William Brown (Mysterious Man/Cinderella’s Father), McKinley Carter (Jack’s Mother), Matt Edmonds (Steward/Wolf), Lucy Godínez (Little Red Riding Hood), Michael Halberstam (Narrator), Kelli Harrington (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Molly Hernández (Florinda), Cecilia Iole (Rapunzel), Michael Mahler (The Baker), Ryan McBride (Cinderella’s Prince), Harriet Nzinga Plumpp (Cinderella’s Mother/Granny), Mary Poole (Milky White), Ximone Rose (Cinderella), Bethany Thomas (Witch) and Jonathan Weir (Mysterious Man/Cinderella’s Father beginning 9/17). The band consists of Charlotte Rivard-Hoster (Piano-Conductor), Jeff Handley and Brandon Podjasek (Percussion) and Mike Matlock (Woodwinds.) The creative team for Into the Woods includes: Scott Davis (Scenic Designer), Mara Blumenfeld (Costume Designer), Lee Fiskness (Lighting Designer), Christopher M. LaPorte (Sound Designer), Seph Mozes (Dramaturg), Nick Moran (CFM Contractor), Sophiyaa Nayaar (Assistant Director), Sasha Smith (Intimacy & Fight Director), Geoff Button (Casting Director), Binder Casting (Casting Consultant), and Katie Klemme (Production Stage Manager). Single tickets for Into the Woods are priced $50 - $80 and are available at www.writerstheatre.org, by phone at 847-242-6000, or in person at the box office at 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe. ABOUT THE ARTISTS Gary Griffin (Director) previously directed Parade, The Detective’s Wife and Loot at Writers Theatre. Victory Gardens Theater: Fun Home, Hand to God, Never the Sinner, Appropriate. London: Pacific Overtures (Donmar Warehouse, Olivier Award, Best Musical Production and Olivier Nominee, Best Director). Broadway: Honeymoon in Vegas, The Color Purple. Off-Broadway: Saved (Playwrights Horizons); The Apple Tree, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Pardon My English, The New Moon (Encores). Regional: Antony and Cleopatra, Camelot, West Side Story (Stratford Festival); work at McCarter, Alliance, Hartford Stage, Signature, Kansas City Rep., The Muny. Chicago: Road Show, Gypsy, Sunday in the Park With George, Follies, Amadeus, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); The Merry Widow, The Mikado, Oklahoma (Lyric Opera of Chicago); 10 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Directing. Matt Deitchman (Music Director & Orchestrations) returns to Writers Theatre where he previously music directed TREVOR the musical. He previously understudied The Hunter and the Bear. Matt Deitchman is a New York based music director, orchestrator, actor, composer and multi-instrumentalist. Most recently in Chicagoland he was seen on stage at the Paramount Theatre in the world premiere of August Rush, directed by John Doyle. Other Chicago music credits include: She Loves Me, Shrek, Spring Awakening, October Sky, The King And I, HERO (Marriott Theatre), Tug of War, Road Show, Peter Pan, Madagascar, Seussical, Shrek (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Indecent (Victory Gardens Theatre), The Wizard Of Oz (Paramount Theatre), The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes (Mercury Theater Chicago), Adding Machine, Into The Woods (The Hypocrites), Wonderland…Alice’s Rock ‘n Roll Adventure (Chicago Children’s Theater), La Révolution Française (FWD Theater Project), Ragtime, 25th Annual…Spelling Bee (Griffin Theatre), Ghost Bike, She Kills Monsters (Buzz22 Chicago), The Pajama Game, Do I Hear A Waltz? (Music Theatre Company). Regional credits include: Shakespeare Theatre Co., Adirondack Theatre Festival, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Door Shakespeare. He served as a contributing orchestrator to the LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT concert at Cooper Union in NYC. Deitchman has previously worked as a vocal coach for the Northwestern University Musical Theater department, where he received his degree in Theatre and Musical Theatre and studied acting under Mary Poole. He is a proud member of the American Federation of Musicians, American Guild of Musical Artists, and Actors’ Equity Association and is represented by Stewart Talent.  Aubrey Adams (Choreographer) returns to Writers Theatre where she previously choreographed TREVOR the musical. She is a Chicago performer as well as a Jeff Award winning choreographer. Choreography credits include: Company (Mercury Theatre), Bonnie & Clyde (Kokandy Theatre Company), Guys and Dolls (Northwestern University), 110 in the Shade, Urinetown (BoHo Theatre, Jeff Award 2017), Associate Choreographer: Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Porchlight Music Theatre). Assistant Choreographer: Music Man (Goodman Theatre), Shrek (Marriott Theatre), Mamma Mia and A Christmas Story (Paramount Theatre). Nicole Armold (Lucinda) Some recent Chicago credits include: Mary Poppins, Pippin, Company, Christmas Schooner (Mercury Theater), Ride the Cyclone, Sense and Sensibility (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), How to Succeed..., The Merry Widow (Music Theater Works) and Into the Woods (Metropolis). She received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Ben Barker (Jack) Chicago credits include Willard in Footloose, Moritz in Spring Awakening, O’Dell in October Sky (Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre), Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, the title role in Candide (Music Theater Works), Les Misérables (Paramount Theatre) and Sweeney Todd (Porchlight Music Theatre). Regional credits include Montana Shakespeare in the Parks’ A Little Night Music, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors and Richard IIIand the Palace Theater in the Dells’ A Christmas Carol. Northwestern alum. Alex Benoit (Rapunzel’s Prince) Alex spent the last four years competing overseas for Team USA as a National and World Ranked Ice Dancer. Upon retiring from Ice Dance, Alex transitioned into the world of professional acting, in the Michigan premier of Daddy Long Legs (Dio Theatre) before returning home to Chicago. Chicago Regional Credits include: Rudolpho in Matilda, Mamma Mia! (Drury Lane) and Something in the Game (American Music Theatre Project). Brianna Borger (Baker’s Wife) Chicago: Southern Gothic (World Premiere, Windy City Playhouse), The King & I (Joseph Jefferson Award Nomination - Best Actress), Into the Woods (Porchlight Music Theatre), The Christmas Schooner, The Bardy Bunch (Mercury Theatre), Billy Elliot, Bye Bye Birdie (Drury Lane) and The Three Musketeers (World Premiere, Chicago Shakespeare Theater). Regional: The Full Monty (Peninsula Players), Always... Patsy Cline, Nunsense (The Armory), Beauty & the Beast (Northern Stage), Assassins and Love's Labours Lost (Alaska Shakespeare Festival). Touring: The King & I (Broadway Asia). So very proud to be part of the Chicago theatre community, and always honored to come home to Writers Theatre. Brianna also teaches musical theatre voice and audition technique for students and professionals. William Brown (Mysterious Man/Cinderella’s Father) Bill has directed 20 productions at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin, including The Recruiting Officer, Three Sisters, King Lear, Travesties, The Importance of Being Earnest, All My Sons, Troilus and Cressida, The Critic, Hay Fever, The Comedy of Errors, Night of the Iguana, Antony and Cleopatra, All’s Well That Ends Well, You Never Can Tell and The Matchmaker. He directed and wrote (with Doug Frew) To Master the Art for TimeLine Theatre Company where he is an Associate Artist and most recently directed the world premiere of Susan Felder’s Wasteland. He has directed four plays at Northlight, including his own adaptation with music of She Stoops to Conquers. He directed Skylight at Court Theatre and at Indiana Rep, Around the World in Eighty Days and Fallen Angels. He is the Associate Artistic Director of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, where he has directed and acted since 1980. He regularly teaches and directs at universities across the country, most recently Loyola University Chicago, University of Houston, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern. As an actor Brown has appeared in over a hundred productions. He appeared as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre where he also appeared in Light up the Sky, Sunday in the Park with George, The Misanthrope and Wings. At Court Theatre, he appeared as Falstaff in Henry IV, Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest and Almady in The Play's The Thing. He created the role of Jody in Steven Dietz’s Lonely Planet (Northlight Theatre). Brown received a Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Director for The Liar (Writers Theatre) and a Best Actor award for his portrayal of Henry Kissinger in Nixon’s Nixon (Writers Theatre).  He received a 2010 Spirit of Diversity Award from Actors’ Equity Association and was named Chicagoan of the Year for Theatre by the Chicago Tribune in 2003. McKinley Carter (Jack’s Mother) Chicago credits include Mamma Mia, Ragtime (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Macbeth (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Blind Date, Turn of the Century, The Visit, Floyd Collins (Goodman Theatre) The Book of Will(Northlight Theatre), Fun Home (Victory Gardens Theater) The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes (Mercury Theater Chicago), The Merry Widow, Carousel (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Road Show, Julius Caesar, Sunday in the Park with George (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), My Way (Theatre At the Center), Putting It Together (Porchlight Music Theatre), The Sound of Music, John and Jen (Apple Tree Theatre), James Joyce’s The Dead, Cymbeline and Pericles (Court Theatre). Matt Edmonds (Steward/Wolf) A Chicago native, Matt Edmonds has been performing in the area for about ten years. Recent work includes: Murder For Two (Marriott Lincolnshire, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre), Forever Plaid, Pump Boys & Dinettes, Big River (Theatre at the Center), Ragtime (Griffin Theatre, Jeff Award for Best Musical), Death of a Salesman, All-American (Redtwist Theatre, Jeff Nominations for Best Supporting - Play), Rent (Theo Ubique, Jeff Award for Best Musical), James and the Giant Peach (Drury Lane Oakbrook) and The Last Five Years(Metropolis Performing Arts Center). Regionally, Matt’s performed in Next to Normal (TheatreSquared) and Twelfth Night (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival). Lucy Godínez (Little Red Riding Hood) Regional Chicago credits include Footloose (Ariel, Marriott Theater), In The Heights (Nina, Porchlight Music Theater), Legally Blonde (Serena, Paramount Theater), Hair (Jeannie, Mercury Theater Chicago), as well as the upcoming Oliver! (Nancy, Marriott Theater) this Fall. She is recent graduate of Northwestern University. Michael Halberstam (Narrator) has appeared in numerous Writers Theatre productions, including Two By Shaw, Oscar Remembered, Richard II (title role), Loot, Misalliance and for a number of years his annual one man performance of A Christmas Carol. Michael is also the Artistic Director of Writers Theatre and returns to the stage for the first time in 17 years. Previously, he spent two years at The Stratford Festival in Ontario where he performed in Timon of Athens, The Knight of the Burning Pestle (title role), Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like It. Halberstam’s other Chicago acting credentials include productions with The Bailiwick, Lifeline, Oak Park Shakespeare, Live Bait, Wisdom Bridge, Court and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Kelli Harrington (Cinderella’s Stepmother) Kelli Harrington's Chicago credits include Jeff Award-winning performances of The Light in the Piazza and Aspects of Love (Best Actress in a Musical) and Jeff nominations for The Bridges of Madison County, A Little Night Music (Best Lead Performance in a Musical), Masterclass (Best Actress in a Play) and Perfect Arrangement (Best Supporting Performance in a Play). She has performed locally with Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Marriott Lincolnshire, The Hypocrites, Porchlight Music Theatre, TimeLine, BoHo Theatre Company and Pride Films and Plays. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in voice from Northwestern University and has taught voice in the Musical Theatre department at the Chicago Academy for the Arts since 2000. Molly Hernández (Florinda) Favorite credits: María Elena in The Buddy Holly Story (American Blues Theater, Jeff Award), June Bennett in Into the Breeches (Northlight Theatre), Sophie DePalma in Masterclass (TimeLine Theatre), Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella (Theo Ubique, Jeff Nomination) and Julie Jordan in Carousel (Timber Lake Playhouse). In 2017 she received the Award of Excellence in Professional Theatre from the Illinois Theatre Association. Molly can be seen on Chicago P.D.(NBC) ep. 512 and APB (Fox) ep. 105. Molly is currently represented by Gray Talent Group and is a recent graduate of the Actors Gymnasium Circus School Professional Training Program. Cecilia Iole (Rapunzel) Chicago credits include Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Paramount Theatre, Theo Ubique), Master Class (TimeLine Theatre), Pirates of Penzance, Candide (Music Theatre Works) and Porchlight’s New Faces Sing Broadway Now. She has worked regionally at Clarence Brown Theatre and Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona. Michael Mahler (The Baker) Recent credits include: Holiday Inn, Honeymoon in Vegas, City of Angels (Marriott Theatre), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Little Shop of Horrors, Side Man, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago (American Blues), The March (Steppenwolf Theatre), Working (Broadway in Chicago), The Fox on the Fairway, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Producers (Theatre at the Center) and The Illusion (Court). Michael is the Jeff award-winning composer/lyricist of Miracle the Musical, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes, October Sky, Hero, the upcoming Secret of My Success and others. He also contributed additional lyrics to Cameron Mackintosh’s most recent Broadway revival of Miss Saigon. Michael is currently collaborating with playwright Randall Colburn on an original musical for Writers Theatre about Jim Jones. He also served as music director of Gary Griffin’s production of Road Show at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Michael is a proud ensemble member of American Blues Theater and Actors Equity. Ryan McBride (Cinderella’s Prince) Credits include: Noises Off (Windy City Playhouse), Continuity (Goodman Theatre), Shakespeare in Love, Julius Caesar (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), West Side Story, Mamma Mia! (Paramount Theatre), Footloose (Marriott Theatre), Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chicago Symphony Orchestra with CST), Linda, Brilliant Adventures, Fallow (Steep Theatre), Sita Ram (Lookingglass Theatre Company and Chicago Children’s Choir), Letter’s Home and Ghosts of War (Griffin Theatre Company). National Tour: Evil Dead The Musical! Regional: Hand to God (Studio Theatre, Helen Hayes Nominee). TV: Empire, Proven Innocent (FOX), Chicago Med, Chicago Justice (NBC) and The CHI (Showtime).  Mary Poole (Milky White) is a Chicago teacher who acts, past performances include London Wall, Flare Path, Stage Door (Griffin Theatre), Three Sisters (Hypocrites), The Size of the World (Red Twist), Love and Information (Remy Bumppo) and multiple old ladies at Victory Gardens, Apple Tree, Wagon Wheel, and Northwestern University, where she serves as Head of Acting and Associate Chair. Harriet Nzinga Plumpp (Cinderella’s Mother/Granny) makes her Writers Theatre debut. Harriet Nzinga Plumpp has been performing on stages professionally since she was 7 1/2 years old, starting with singing in the Chicago Children's Choir. Harriet has collaborated with Harold Prince, Frank Galati, Gary Griffin, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Flaherty, Barbara Gaines, Tom Murray, Charles Newell, George Hern, Bob Mason, Roberta Duchak, Doug Peck, Diana Basmajian and Amber Mak at The Goodman Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theater, The Lyric Opera, Ravinia Festival and Paramount Theatre. You might have seen her recently soaring in the air as Glinda in Paramount Theatre's Wizard of Oz and listening intently to Matilda as Mrs. Phelps at Drury Lane Oakbrook Theater in Matilda the Musical. Ximone Rose (Cinderella), Performer & singer-songwriter. New Orleans native. University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program. Broadway: Once On This Island (Storyteller). 1st National: Beautiful (Lucille). Regional: MTW, Fulton Theatre, Old Globe. CGF Talent.  Bethany Thomas (Witch) Bethany is a Chicago-based actor and singer, most recently in the US Premiere of the one woman show Songs For Nobodies at Milwaukee Rep. Chicago credits include The Tempest (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Porgy and Bess (Serena) at Court Theatre, Marry Me A Little, Into The Woods, Nine, In Trousers (Porchlight Music Theater)  Hair (Paramount Theatre), Fiorello! (TimeLine Theatre) also work with Second City, AboutFace Theatre, The Inconvenience, Theo Ubique, Congo Square, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Theatre at the Center, Marriott Lincolnshire, Hell In A Handbag and American Theater Company. Regional credits include Iphigenia In Aulis (Getty Villa), The Color Purple (Sofia), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Armelia), Ragtime, Man Of La Mancha, A Christmas Carol at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle) at Skylight Music Theater and Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II) at Geva Theatre. Bethany appeared in the second seasons of Empire (FOX) and You're So Talented (OpenTV) and is a proud recipient of a Joseph Jefferson Award, an After Dark Award and a Black Theatre Alliance Award. As a singer/songwriter, Bethany is a regular performer at The Paper Machete, The Hideout and in Steppenwolf's LookOut series. She's done concerts for WBEZ, WFMT, WTTW and the Chicago Humanities Festival, and was a featured local artist in Renee Fleming’s Chicago Voices Project at the Lyric Opera. She is one quarter of the alt-country project Jon Langford's Four Lost Souls, (self-titled album out on Bloodshot Records) and released an EP of her own music called First. Look out next year for her debut album. Jonathan Weir (Mysterious Man/Cinderella’s Father, beginning 9/17) Chicago: King Charles, Twelfth Night, The Emperors New Clothes (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), 2666, Candide, A Christmas Carol, The Visit (Goodman Theatre), Stepping Out (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), The Merry Widow starring the luminescent Renee Fleming (Lyric Opera Chicago) Billy Elliot, City of Angels, The Most Happy Fella, Gypsy, Ragtime (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Funny Girl, The First, Bye Bye Birdie and History Loves Company (Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre). Regional: Montana Shakespeare, Skylight Opera Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Next Act Theatre and Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival. Broadway: The Lion King. Currently on leave from the North American Tour of Disney’s Aladdin, where he performs the role of Jafar since originating the role in Chicago in April 2017. Other National Tours: Jersey Boys, The Lion King and Scrooge the Musical.  AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT Post-Show Conversation: The Word Join us after every Tuesday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team. Post-Show Conversation: The Artist Join us after every Wednesday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team. Pre-show Conversation: Up Close Join us at 7pm in the Patron’s Lounge before every Thursday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute primer on the context and content of the play facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team. RIDE METRA TO WRITERS THEATRE In an effort to promote taking public transit to the Theatre, any audience member who purchases a ticket to a Writers Theatre production and rides Metra’s Union Pacific North Line to the Theatre may snap a photo of themselves on the train and post it to their social media account with a tag of @WritersTheatre (@Writers_Theatre on Instagram) and #IntotheWoodsWT, and upon showing the post at the Writers Theatre Box Office, receive $5 in cash to put toward the cost of your fare as a thank you for going green. This promotion is available for a limited time only and may end without warning. Ticket must have been paid for in advance. Not valid on comp tickets. More information available at writerstheatre.org/metra WRITERS THEATRE PARTNERS Writers Theatre is pleased to recognize BMO Harris Bank as the Season Sponsor and ComEd as the Official Lighting Sponsor of the 2019/20 Season. The Major Corporate Sponsor is Northern Trust.  The Lead Sponsor is Mary Pat Studdert and the Artists Council Sponsors are Susan and Don Belgrad and John and Francesca Edwardson. For more information about Writers Theatre’s 2019/20 partners, visit writerstheatre.org/our-supporters. ABOUT WRITERS THEATRE For more than 25 years, Writers Theatre has captivated Chicagoland audiences with inventive interpretations of classic work, a bold approach to contemporary theatre and a dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible. Under the artistic leadership of Michael Halberstam and the executive leadership of Kathryn M. Lipuma, Writers Theatre has grown to become a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called the top regional theatre in the nation by The Wall Street Journal. The company, which plays to a sold-out and discerning audience of more than 60,000 patrons each season, has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry—providing the finest interpretations of both classic and contemporary theatre in its two intensely intimate venues.  In February 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility. This established the company's first permanent home—a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to continue to grow to accommodate its audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy. The new facility resonates with and complements the Theatre’s neighboring Glencoe community, adding tremendous value to Chicagoland and helping to establish the North Shore as a premier cultural destination. Find Writers Theatre on Facebook at Facebook.com/WritersTheatre, follow @WritersTheatre on Twitter or @Writers_Theatre on Instagram. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org. Read the full article

[thegabecole]

Somehow, the fall 2017 publication season is not that far away. Earlier in the year I did a diverse books for 2017 post, but I only covered the first half of the year, so now it's time to take a look at the books going forward that sound amazing.

I've been psyched about most of these for quite some time. Because they sound incredible.

Without further ado, here are seven I'm looking forward to:

The Girl with the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke (September 1)

YA Historical Fantasy

Goodreads summary:

"When sixteen-year-old Ellie Baum accidentally time-travels via red balloon to 1988 East Berlin, she’s caught up in a conspiracy of history and magic. She meets members of an underground guild in East Berlin who use balloons and magic to help people escape over the Wall—but even to the balloon makers, Ellie’s time travel is a mystery. When it becomes clear that someone is using dark magic to change history, Ellie must risk everything—including her only way home—to stop the process."

Diversity note: Ellie is Jewish (#ownvoices).

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (September 5)

YA Contemporary

Goodreads summary:

"On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day."

Diversity note: Mateo (and possibly Rufus?) are Latino, and I'm guessing they are queer boys too (#ownvoices).

Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller (September 5) 

YA Fantasy

Goodreads summary:

"Sallot Leon is a thief, and a good one at that. But gender fluid Sal wants nothing more than to escape the drudgery of life as a highway robber and get closer to the upper-class―and the nobles who destroyed their home.   When Sal steals a flyer for an audition to become a member of The Left Hand―the Queen's personal assassins, named after the rings she wears―Sal jumps at the chance to infiltrate the court and get revenge. But the audition is a fight to the death filled with clever circus acrobats, lethal apothecaries, and vicious ex-soldiers. A childhood as a common criminal hardly prepared Sal for the trials. And as Sal succeeds in the competition, and wins the heart of Elise, an intriguing scribe at court, they start to dream of a new life and a different future, but one that Sal can have only if they survive."

Diversity note: Sal is gender fluid.

27 Hours by Tristina Wright (October 3)

YA Sci-Fi

Goodreads summary:

"Rumor Mora fears two things: hellhounds too strong for him to kill, and failure. Jude Welton has two dreams: for humans to stop killing monsters, and for his strange abilities to vanish. But in no reality should a boy raised to love monsters fall for a boy raised to kill them. Nyx Llorca keeps two secrets: the moon speaks to her, and she’s in love with Dahlia, her best friend. Braeden Tennant wants two things: to get out from his mother's shadow, and to unlearn Epsilon's darkest secret. They’ll both have to commit treason to find the truth. During one twenty-seven-hour night, if they can’t stop the war between the colonies and the monsters from becoming a war of extinction, the things they wish for will never come true, and the things they fear will be all that’s left."

Diversity note: I've heard the representation includes characters who are bisexual (#ownvoices), gay, pansexual, asexual, trans, deaf, and POC.

Not Your Villain by C.B. Lee (October 5)

YA Fantasy (Graphic novel)

Goodreads summary:

"Bells Broussard thought he had it made when his superpowers manifested early. Being a shapeshifter is awesome. He can change his hair whenever he wants, and if putting on a binder for the day is too much, he’s got it covered. But that was before he became the country’s most-wanted villain. After discovering a massive cover-up by the Heroes’ League of Heroes, Bells and his friends Jess, Emma, and Abby set off on a secret mission to find the Resistance. Meanwhile, power-hungry former hero Captain Orion is on the loose with a dangerous serum that renders meta-humans powerless, and a new militarized robotic threat emerges. Everyone is in danger. Between college applications and crushing on his best friend, will Bells have time to take down a corrupt government? Sometimes, to do a hero’s job, you need to be a villain."

Diversity note: Bells is a trans guy.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao (October 10)

YA Fantasy

Goodreads summary:

"Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. But only if she embraces the darkness within her. Growing up as a peasant in a forgotten village on the edge of the map, Xifeng longs to fulfill the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng's majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high? Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins--sorcery fueled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute."

Diversity note: This is an #ownvoices East Asian fantasy reimagining.

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi

MG Fantasy

Goodreads summary:

"Our story begins on a frosty night… Laylee can barely remember the happier times before her beloved mother died. Before her father, driven by grief, lost his wits (and his way). Before she was left as the sole remaining mordeshoor in the village of Whichwood, destined to spend her days washing the bodies of the dead and preparing their souls for the afterlife. It’s become easy to forget and easier still to ignore the way her hands are stiffening and turning silver, just like her hair, and her own ever-increasing loneliness and fear. But soon, a pair of familiar strangers appears, and Laylee’s world is turned upside down as she rediscovers color, magic, and the healing power of friendship. "

Diversity note: This is an #ownvoices dark Persian fantasy.

So that's a sampling of the books I'm psyched for this fall. What diverse falls books are you looking forward to?