Elements and After 39 Days

Two bits of news all in one go!

Firstly:
My poem "After 39 days" is now up at Haruah, along with an interview with yours truly.

I almost sound like I know what I am talking about.

Almost.

Read the poem here
And the interview here

And secondly the Flashing Swords Summer Special 2008 came out yesterday which includes my Celtic/Arthurian story "Elements" in a rich and varied line up.
* You can see it here and buy a pdf version for $10:
* Buy it here in print for only €11.27
* and get a sneak preview here
And just for good measure here is the TOC

The Wrecker's Daughter - Ocean, Fall 2008

I got word the other day that my short story The Wrecker's Daughter will be appearing in Ocean magazine's Fall issue this year. It will be available from www.oceanmag.org from 1st October 2008.

R

The Wolf's Sister sells to Samhain

I'm really pleased to announce that The Wolf's Sister has been accepted by Samhain.

This novella is one of my Holtlands stories and is one of those very dear to my heart so I am delighted. I will post updates about its progress as I get them but for now, let the celebrations begin!

R

Illustration for Elements

Here's a sneak preview of the beautiful illustration A.R. Stone has created for my short story Elements, both of which will appear in the Flashing Swords Summer Special, 2008, available in print only from June 2008!



You probably can't see because of the size but the border is beautifully detailed celtic knotwork. I'm starting to get really excited about this one...

P-Con & catching up

I've been largely (read completely) absent from here with NO NEWS! This is mainly due to the fact that I am working on two novels and have been largely, if not quite as completely, absent from a lot of other places as well.

The paranormal romance is complete but far too short so I am in the process of extending it. Currently it stands at just over 80% of the projected length.

The urban fantasy only moves forward in fits and starts, and has only ever proceeded in this way. It continues. I don't know how long it will be.

Different stories tell themselves in different ways. Some arrive fully formed and just waiting for interpretation (the hard part, as the image in your head is always lessened by the transfer to paper). Others are teased out, revealed bit by bit, like one of those old action series in the cinema - tune in next week...

Strange to be writing two such different beasts at the same time.

In other news I went to P-Con (www.pcon.ie) this weekend and had a ball. I'd never been to a convention before so finding one all about writing SFF in my home town was something of a revelation and a blessing from above.

'Elements' will be appearing in a Flashing Swords Summer Special. The line up looks incredible. It will be available from 1st June.

The proofs for 'Carrying Keptara' went back last week along with my author bio, so:

Coming soon...

Who knew?

It's funny the things you find out some days. Like I have a blogger profile! (Since this time a year ago, apparently!)

Who knew?

I'm R. F. Long, and I write fantasy and romance, usually combining the two in weird and wonderful ways.

My short story "Elements" will shortly be appearing in Flashing Swords. "Carrying Keptara" is in the forthcoming 'Ruins Metropolis' Anthology from Hadley Rille Books.

And I have some other things in the pipeline.

Talk soon
R