I remember having my first TV
crush when I was 10. It was 1983, and a new show called Automan hit the air. The show followed the adventures of a police
officer and computer programmer who had created an artificially intelligent
crime fighting program that generated a hologram (“Automan”) which could leave
the computer world at night and fight crime.
I was in love: with the concept,
the plot, the futuristic sf/superhero world the show created, and, of course,
with Automan himself, Chuck Wagner.
As these were the days before we
had a VCR, it was appointment viewing in my household, at my insistence. I
remember taking a two-minute shower once because my mother wouldn’t let me
watch it until I’d showered. I think I showed up in the living room in a towel,
but I didn’t miss a minute of the show.
Unfortunately, my relationship
with Automan was short-lived. The
show only lasted 12 episodes.
That was 35 years ago. And I still
remember it.
Those fantastic detectives really
stick with you.
And while none can ever compare with your first love, there are plenty more fantastic detectives in the world of fiction. And Dean Wesley Smith has curated a Storybundle full of them.
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My daughter was not the average five-year-old. She’s not the average six-year-old, either, and I doubt she’ll be average at any age. I know, I know, all parents think their precious little pumpkins are special. This is not that. My daughter is brilliant in a way that scares the living daylights out of me.
I know what it’s like to possess an above-average IQ. It took me a long time to realize that my brain works differently than the average brain. Which means I’m smart but weird. I accept that. What it doesn’t mean, however, is that I’m incapable of doing dumb things. Hell, I have two ex-husbands who demonstrate that I can make dumb choices.
I can already tell that my daughter’s IQ is higher than mine. The way her brain makes connections…nothing gets by that kid. She hasn’t figured out yet that she’s different, but it’s starting to dawn on her, I can tell. And once she knows she’s smarter than the rest of us…lord help us all.
So, I focus on teaching her the things she’ll need to balance out that intelligence. Common sense, empathy, compassion, leadership. Those are the qualities that make the difference between a brilliant leader and an evil mastermind.
So, why am I thinking about this right now? Because this week, one of my all-time favorite Kristine Kathryn Rusch short stories is available for free on her website. (I know, I know, it’s not very smart of me to point out you can read the story for free when it’s my job to get you to buy it, but, hey, I’m no evil mastermind.)
The story is called “Advisors at Naptime,” and Carol reminds me of my own little genius.
Here’s the synopsis:
Carol wants a nap. Carol needs a nap. And no one will let her have one because the grown-ups need her. But the grown-ups underestimate Carol. And they fail to realize that Carol will do anything to get her nap.
You can read the story here. And you should. It’s a great story, and it’s free. That’s just a no-brainer.
Allyson Longueira is publisher of WMG Publishing. She is an award-winning writer, editor and designer.
Browse more Books Search for: The WMG Newsletter Get advanced notice of new releases, bonus content, and so much more. Subscribe Now Fiction River Fantasy Mystery Anthologies Available in: ebook, $6.99 Trade paperback, $15.99 ISBN 978-1561466016 Amazon Kobo WMG and...
This week marks the release of our latest Fiction River volume, Fantastic Detectives, and I can’t think of a better example of the kind of amazing cross-genre stories Fiction River specializes in than this volume.
Like fantasy and mystery? We’ve got Kevin J. Anderson’s famous zombie detective, Dan Shamble; Dean Wesley Smith’s superhero detective, Poker Boy; a dog detective; a cat detective (you know, for balance); and even a detective who’s an egg (really, I’m not just cracking jokes here).
Plus, fairies and ghosts and, well, you’ve really got to give this one a read.
But don’t take my word for it.
Long and Short Reviews says: “Fiction River: Fantastic Detectives is a great choice for anyone who loves it when genres are swirled together. It’s nominally more heavily influenced by mystery conventions and tropes, but the science fiction and fantasy elements in it are almost as strong.”
And Keith West of Amazing Stories says: “Fiction River: Fantastic Detectives is a great read if you like to blend mystery with your fantasy. Check it out.”
I’m also happy to introduce the new Fiction River blog, written by WMG’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Joy Wilson. Joy is a big fan of Fiction River (and not just because she works here), and asked if she could start writing about one of her favorite publications every week. Who am I to say no to that?
So, I’ll keep my own blog short this week, because I really want you to give hers a read. It’s fantastic. And be sure to check out her new blog on Thursday, the official release day for Fantastic Detectives.
But before I sign off, one quick mention of our on Kickstarter. The “Print Fantastic Detectives Authors Package” ($125 pledge) is still available. You get not only a one-year print subscription to Fiction River and a print copy of Fantastic Detectives, but you also get signed copies of Alden Bridge by Joe Cron, Afterburn by Karen L. Abrahamson, Blue Suede Darlin’ by Juliet Nordeen and The Bloodied Fang by Ryan M. Williams. There are lots of other great rewards still available, of course, as well as some fun videos to watch, so if you haven’t stopped by Kickstarter in a few days, now’s a good time to check it out.
Happy reading!
Allyson Longueira is publisher of WMG Publishing. She is an award-winning writer, editor and designer.
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Holiday Stories Collections Available in: ebook, $5.99 Trade paperback, $12.99 ISBN 978-0615736846 Get the ebook! Get the trade paperback! Five for the Winter Holidays Kristine Kathryn Rusch Christmas stories abound, but hardly anyone writes stories based on...
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Mystery Collections Available in: ebook, $5.99 Trade paperback, $12.99 ISBN 978-0615730288 Add to cart Get the book today! Get the ebook from the WMG store! Five Mystery Stories Kristine Kathryn Rusch Kristine Kathryn Rusch, famous for her range as a writer, shows her...
So, why am I thinking about this right now? Because this week, one of my all-time favorite Kristine Kathryn Rusch short stories is available for free on her website. (I know, I know, it’s not very smart of me to point out you can read the story for free when it’s my job to get you to buy it, but, hey, I’m no evil mastermind.)