hellscape

The Subterrans – Exploring the Subsurface Fiction Sub-genre

There's a unique thrill in imagining worlds hidden beneath our feet. For over a hundred, even thousands of years, stories have explored the captivating concept of subterranean civilizations – societies forced or choosing to thrive in the dark, carving out existence far from the sun. This "Subsurface Fiction" sub-genre offers a fascinating blend of survival, … Continue reading The Subterrans – Exploring the Subsurface Fiction Sub-genre

At the mountains of madness

Why is this not a movie: Exploring At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft

Few works of horror fiction manage to carve a deep and lasting impression on both literature and the science fiction genre like H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness. Written in 1931 and first published in 1936 in Astounding Stories, this novella is more than a chilling tale—it's a cornerstone of cosmic horror, a genre … Continue reading Why is this not a movie: Exploring At the Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft

Post Apocalypto

Post-apocalypse movies have been a popular genre for decades, largely thanks to that 'Mad Max' movie that came out in 1979, a movie that defined the genre. These films depict what the world would be like after a catastrophic event, and how humanity survives or perishes in the aftermath. They often employ a distinct visual … Continue reading Post Apocalypto

Panology of Science Fiction: I

Information Technology Information Technology (IT) is the backbone of the modern digital world, encompassing the use of computers, networks, software, and data systems to store, process, and transmit information. It plays a crucial role in nearly every industry, from manufacturing, healthcare and finance to education and entertainment. IT includes a wide range of fields, such … Continue reading Panology of Science Fiction: I

The Asimovian Cosmos

It could sound like a clique stating my first ever science fiction read was Isaac Asimov back in the late 1970s, but this may have been unavoidable. This guy was an iconic American writer and professor who dominated the genre for half a century. He even boasted he was the "Best Science Writer", backed up … Continue reading The Asimovian Cosmos

Panology of Science Fiction: H

History Historiography (or Historiology) is a term that refers to the study of historical writing and its methods of interpretation. In science fiction, historiography plays a significant role in exploring the complexities of the past, present and future of a story. Science fiction authors often use historiography as a world-building tool to create a fictional … Continue reading Panology of Science Fiction: H

The Crusades (Chapter 3)

THE FIRST CRUSADE Epochs of Modern History: The Crusades G.W. Cox 1097-1097 A.D. A.D. 1096, Departure of the first rabble of Crusaders under Peter the Hermit and Walter the Penniless. LITTLE more than half the time allowed for the gathering of the crusaders had passed away, when a crowd of some sixty thousand men and … Continue reading The Crusades (Chapter 3)

The Conglomeroid Cocktail Party

There are many benefits to writing short stories. Writers do it to practice and develop their storytelling style, allowing them to explore singular ideas, concepts and themes. The narratives are easy to control, the outcomes have less room for error, and you can get your story out quickly. Readers benefit for the same reasons. They're … Continue reading The Conglomeroid Cocktail Party

The Crusades (Chapter 2)

THE COUNCIL OF CLERMONT. Epochs of Modern History: The CrusadesG.W. Cox Influence of Roman Imperialism on the Early Popes  THE pope is the bishop of Rome, and the traditions of the papacy delight in recalling the humble origin of his vast monarchy, at once spiritual and temporal, ecclesiastical and secular. If the poor Galiæan fisherman … Continue reading The Crusades (Chapter 2)