Urban Fantasist
Menu

URBAN FANTASIST
Follow @urbanfantasist

SF&F Poetry - Lighten Up Dudes!

11/12/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
I've just completed my second selection of sci-fi and fantasy poetry for the British Science Fiction Association Focus magazine and I'm afraid I have to take a leaf out of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and suggest that some would-be contributors need to lighten up dudes! We had a record number of submissions but way too many that lacked the spark of life (which might seem oxymoronic when writing poetry about vampires and zombies) and deftness of touch. Or, to put it another way: don’t take yourselves and your writing so seriously. Have fun, enjoy yourselves with your craft – and you’ll also find your readers will enjoy your work more.

What else? Moving on from oxymorons to irony, it is ironic that earlier this winter the Science Fiction Poetry Association in the US agreed on a new tee-shirt design featuring a slogan by the American horror writer and poet Michael Arnzen. (You can find him at @MikeArnzen on Twitter.) The SFPA slogan is “in space no one can hear you rhyme” which is a great pun on the old Alien movies tag-line. That’s the good news. The bad news is we also had a glut of submissions that were, to paraphrase the words of that arch-diva Grace Jones “slaves to the rhyme”. End rhymes have their place in poetry but not clunking, forced end rhymes at the expense of everything else. Once again, have fun with your work and so will your readers.

Topics-wise, the most popular subject matters for poems were Doctor Who, vampires and zombies. Very little ‘traditional’ science fiction and no High Fantasy, which is perhaps surprising considering the new Hobbit movie is in the news. I know I shouldn’t express preferences but my favourite in this selection is California Vamp by James S Dorr (reproduced below). It has that deft touch I mentioned, capturing the poignancy of the protagonist’s plight but without hammering the message home with all the subtlety of a stake being driven home into a vampire’s coffin.

My apologies to all contributors that I've had to hold on to your submissions for so long but a sudden and unexpected change of editor has meant our production schedules went out of the window. I'll be notifying you all in due course on the fate of your submissions.

CALIFORNIA VAMP 

She missed the sun. 
While vampirism was a ball, 
she missed the sun, 
the days of partying and fun, 
the beach, the bars, her friends, the mall, 
non blood-based drinks, but most of all 
she missed the sun.  

James S Dorr

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Curated by English barrister and Reuters correspondent turned editor, author, blogger, podcaster, award-winning tech journalist, storyteller, and sometime werewolf hunter Charles Christian. He writes, he drinks tea, he knows things. This site also has links to Charles' books and the Weird Tales Show videos and podcasts.

    Descended from a motley crew of smugglers and rogues, Christian was born a chime-child with a caul and grew up in a haunted medieval house by the harbourside in the Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough. He now lives in a barn on a ley-line in rural East Anglia. His latest book is The Mysterious Wold Newton Triangle: Wraiths, Werewolves & Other Weird Tales from the Yorkshire Wolds (Haunted Landscapes Volume 2)

    ​According to folklore a caul-shrouded chime-child can't drown at sea but can see and talk to faerie folk and also has protection against spells cast by malevolent sorcerers. And yes, he was once commissioned to go on a werewolf hunt on the night of a full moon by a newspaper. Spoiler alert: he didn't find one. (Or it didn't find him.)

    Latest Video Post


    Latest book: The Wold Newton Triangle

    Picture

    Tweets by urbanfantasist

    Virtual Tip Jar

    You can now support Urban Fantasist, its podcasts and its new video channel through our Virtual Tip Jars on PayPal and Patreon, giving you a choice of ad hoc or regular payments.
    Picture
    Picture

    Contact Details

    Email: urbanfantasist@icloud.com
    ​Tel: +44(0)1986 788666
    Tel/Txt: +44(0)7786 738172
    WhatsApp etc: +44(0)7786 738172

    ​Skype: ChristianUncut
    Twitter: @urbanfantasist

    Quote, Unquote

    "The only way to keep folklore alive is to share it" ...comment from viewer on YouTube channel
    ​
    "Charles Christian... a man of paranormality" ...Howard Hughes, Talk Radio UK

    "Cynicism has always been a part of your (very impressive) brand" ...Kirk Fackre

    "Your storytelling set the scene for a fascinating evening of stunning music and terrifying drama" ...Chris Caswell

    "I can't help myself. Yesterday, I went back to this post over and over again and it made me laugh out loud each time. So now I'm bringing it to all my followers with the recommendation to follow Charles Christian because he posts lots of stuff that brightens my day and will brighten yours, too" ...LinkedIn commentator

    "A great witty intelligence in the world. We need more CC and less monkey-brained politicians" ...Julia Bohanna

    ​"I love your posts, always something interesting to read and often funny" ...Karen Morton


    "I was saddened to see you have retired your podcast. I never would have found your books without it. Well if a good story deserves rereading a good podcast demands relistening. Looking forward to your next stage with the time this change will afford you. Happy Trails, Pardner" ...Jonathan Neuhaus

    "You are a great and generous host" ...Patti Negri, The Hollywood Psychic

    "I host a daily morning show in Las Vegas and I like your shows very much. I love the way you pace your voice and thoughts is fantastic and you have a way of making your guest interviews sound more like conversations. Just wanted to let you know" ...Clay Baker

    ​"The ever wonderful Charles Christian and his Weird Tales Show"...Into The Portal Podcast 

    ​"The Master of Mysteries & Folklore" ...Fantasy Radio UK

    "The witty and knowledgeable Charles Christian." 

    ​"We poled our fans on their favorite podcasts and that's how I heard of Weird Tales Show. You are well loved by the geekiverse, and fans of folklore history and monsters!"

    "Charles Christian is really out there cool."
    ​
    ​"Charles Christian defiantly makes my world a brighter, funnier place."

    "The legendary Charles Christian at his eclectic best..."

    "Charles Christian is my inner spirit animal, thank you for making me laugh."

    ​"You always make me laugh! Thank you for brightening my day with your dark humour."

    ​"the funny, wonderful and slightly cantankerous Charles Christian"

    Charles Christian's Books

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087N3NB7M
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087N3NB7M
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Picture
Copyright © Charles Christian 
& Urbanfantasist Limited 2022


urbanfantasist@icloud.com

Fuelled by Green Tea & Rosé Wine

  • Home
  • * Latest book *
  • Weird Tales Videos
  • Charles Christian Bio
  • Manifestations
  • Books & Reviews
  • Weird Tales Radio
  • Donations
  • Writing: Nonfiction
  • Writing: Fiction
  • Writing: Poetry
  • Old Americana
  • Old Grievous Angel
  • WoldsCover
  • Home
  • * Latest book *
  • Weird Tales Videos
  • Charles Christian Bio
  • Manifestations
  • Books & Reviews
  • Weird Tales Radio
  • Donations
  • Writing: Nonfiction
  • Writing: Fiction
  • Writing: Poetry
  • Old Americana
  • Old Grievous Angel
  • WoldsCover