Wonder isn't just among the stars
Mar 09, 2023 12:21 pm
Raymund Eich
Science fiction and fantasy - from Middle America to the ends of the Universe
Hi ,
My wife recently listened to a podcast that talked about dimensions of the human psyche. That sounds heavy, I know, but it's lighter than it sounds.
One of the dimensions it talked about was whether people view the world as an interesting place or a dull one. Interesting, meaning full of curiosities and new things.
In other words, wonder.
I assume you like wonder. You read science fiction (and maybe a little fantasy), after all. But as my wife and I talked, the conversation reminded me that wonder isn't just a product of rocket launches, space battles, or wizarding duels. Wonder can be found anywhere. In the Southwest Airlines flight descending toward Hobby airport through a pale blue sky, or in the live oak pollen blanketing the backyard.
I encourage you to take a minute and think about something that seems commonplace, but is actually full of curiosity and uniqueness. Right now is as good a time as any. I don't mind. This email will be here for you when you get back.
While there's wonder in the world around us, there's still plenty of wonder in the pages of science fiction books and magazines. For example, one of my stories, "Aalund's Final Mission," is in the current issue of Analog. On newsstands through April 18.
What's the story about?
A captain, a commissar, and the ultimate crisis at 0.99 c: If your propulsion system goes off-line, how can you slow down?
You can read more about the story, and some wider-ranging thoughts about Analog, at my sporadically-updated blog.
All Free Things Must Come to an End
You might recall from recent Readers Club mailings that the ebook edition of my dark fantasy short story about the Rhineland Carnival, Carnival in Sorgenbach, is free through March 10 at major ebook retailers in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, and Germany.
Wait a minute, March 10? That's tomorrow! Have you downloaded your free copy yet?
If not, there's still time:
The horrors of the war just ended. Visions of the war to come.
Hans returned from the Great War, haunted. Not only by the horrors of the trenches, but haunted by visions of a more terrifying war to come. Would the parties and parades of Carnival 1919 offer him love and hope? Or doom him and his country to the devastation he foresaw?
In case you're wondering, that's a new cover design I'll be rolling out for it in the next few days. The art nouveau font and the tagline "historical weird tale" better capture the feel of the story. Do you think so? Let me know.
That's it for now. I'll be back in a couple of weeks, with some sort of publishing news.
Till next time,
Happy reading!
Raymund
