Why New Authors Should Master Genre Conventions Before Breaking Them

One of my cherished neopatrons called my attention to this post by The Brothers Krynn, which itself is a response to another piece by author JD Cowan. After spending some time retreading the "Are fantasy and sci fi separate genres?" debate, it brings up an issue that's running rampant among…
August 15, 20245 Comments
Marble Hornets

The Link From Gen Y Nostalgia to Gen Z Horror

Our recent post on analog horror brought out a lot of folks to comment. It was especially edifying to get more of the Millennial view on the genre. Related: Analog Horror: The Past as Nightmare, Not Nostalgia The most copious treatment of the subject comes from commenter Rudolph Harrier: This…
August 14, 202410 Comments
Analog Horror

Analog Horror: The Past as Nightmare, Not Nostalgia

In recent years, a fascinating trend has emerged within the horror genre that has captivated the imaginations of Generation Z: analog horror. Cribbing the aesthetics of VHS tapes, public access television, and other analog media, this subgenre is the opposite of retrowave. Becauuse instead of eliciting nostalgia for simpler times,…
August 13, 20249 Comments
Bob Gymlan Joe Rogan

Bob Gymlan on The Joe Rogan Experience

It's been a minute since we featured a tale or two of high strangeness on this blog. The work of bigfoot expert Bob Gymlan has been featured here before. As far as YouTubers go, Gymlan is refreshing for keeping an open mind and doing his homework. So I was delighted…
August 12, 20245 Comments
Venus Spectacular Thumbnail

Catch the Venus Spectacular

Attention, newpub boosters: We've got a special announcement for you this time. Because the Venus Spectacular by author Rawle Nyanzi is funding now on Kickstarter! How do you fight your best friend when you have no army? Natsuru Machida, the Chief Witch of Venus, went to visit Akane Isesaki, an…
August 9, 2024
Crash Video Game

Is a Second Video Game Crash on the Horizon?

The video game industry is a multi-billion-dollar juggernaut. It boasts massive profits, blockbuster releases, and a global audience that spans all age groups. Yet, despite its success, concerns are growing about the possibility of a second game market implosion akin to the infamous crash of 1983. While the market today…
August 8, 202413 Comments
Online Nostalgia

Millennial Online Nostalgia

Around here we've spent a great deal of time detailing generational tendencies. When it comes to nostalgia for their long-gone childhood years, Gen Y is notorious for living in the past, while Millennials are notorious for consigning anything from the before time to the memory hole. But recently, a new…
August 7, 202415 Comments

Generational Stereotypes Work

Stereotypes catch a bad rap. But when you get to the heart of the matter, all they are is hyper-efficient ways of transmitting common understandings. For example, we all know the trope of the clueless Boomer clicking his tongue at younger generations who haven't made out as well as he…
August 6, 202413 Comments

We Won’t Let You Slip Through the Cracks

There's no two ways about it. The situation is tough out there. If current trends keep going the way they're headed, it's going to get worse before it gets better. But it will get better. Because the only way to give meaning to suffering is faith in God, and God…
August 5, 20245 Comments
Ayla Rin 1

Back The Hidden Emperor

The leading Hispanic voice in science fiction returns with a thrilling tale of intrigue, stolen identity, and blackmail ... in space! All that excitement and more awaits you in the pages of The Hidden Emperor! A brand-new sci fi graphic novel from Jon Del Arroz and Ms. Krimson! Ayla Rin,…
August 2, 2024