David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer’s The Space Opera Renaissance, a 941 page mammoth volume from 2006, is divided into six sections. I’m going to review Section 1, “Redefined Writers,” for this week’s WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES and about once a month, I’ll review one of the other five sections.

Hartwell’s INTRODUCTION presents the history of the term “Space Opera”–credited to Wilson Tucker–and how that term morphed from a dismissive and snarky term to an actual respected sub-genre of Science Fiction.

Some SF critics have asserted that Edmond Hamilton was the writer that created the “Space Opera” genre. “The Star Stealers” (1929) makes a good case for Hamilton. A gigantic dark sun is threatening the Earth and the Solar System. “…their dark-star world, plunging on through empty space…would grasp this sun and carry it out with it into space. The sun’s planets, too, would be carried out, but these they planned to crash into the fires of the sun itself, to increase its size and splendor.” (p. 37). Hamilton obviously borrowed this scenario from his 1928 SF novel, Crashing Suns. A desperate group of Earthlings accept the challenge of stopping this approaching doom. GRADE: B+

“The Prince of Space” (1931) by Jack Williamson borrows from H. G. Wells’s classic, War of the Worlds. Aliens from Mars attack the Earth and only a stealth attack on Mars can prevent the Earth from devastating defeat. GRADE: B+

In David G. Hartwell’s Introduction to Leigh Brackett’s “Enchantress of Venus” (1949), Hartwell calls Brackett “The Queen of Space Opera.” Who can argue with that label on the woman who wrote the first draft of The Empire Strikes Back in 1978? Brackett wrote, “For fifteen years, from 1940 to 1955, when the magazine ceased publication, I had the happiest relationship possible for a writer with the editors of Planet Stories.” Planet Stories specialized in Space Opera. “Enchantress of Venus,” published 20 years after “The Star Stealers” and “The Prince of Space,” has added richness of character and setting with a large dollop of noir. GRADE: A

I first read “The Swordsman of Varnis” by Clive Jackson (aka, “Geoffrey Cobb) (1950) when it was reprinted in 1953 in Science Fiction Carnival, an anthology of comic SF stories edited by Fredric Brown and Mack Reynolds. It’s a silly trifle that captures the essence of Space Opera stories from that era. GRADE: B-

TO BE CONTINUED…

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I. Redefined Writers

• “The Star Stealers” by Edmond Hamilton — 21
• “The Prince of Space” by Jack Williamson — 45
• “Enchantress of Venus” by Leigh Brackett — 92
• “The Swordsman of Varnis” by Clive Jackson — 134

Diane and I were planning which Broadway shows to see in May and one of the contenders was the musical version of Death Becomes Her (1992). Although Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Isabella Rossellini, and Bruce Willis star in this Robert Zemeckis film, somehow we missed this 30 years ago. So we watched Death Becomes Her on Peacock.

Meryl Streep plays Madeline Ashton, an actress whose age signals the approaching end of her career. Ashton marries brilliant plastic surgeon Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis) after stealing him from her “friend” Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn).

After a decade, Helen writes a best selling self-help beauty book. Madeline, whose marriage to Ernest is as dead as her acting career, desperately makes a deal with the mysterious Lisle (Isabella Rossellini) to restore her youth. But Helen plots with Ernest to get revenge on Madeline and the plot veers off into silliness.

As you might have suspected, Diane and I decided to pass on the musical version of Death Becomes Her. GRADE: C+

Season 3 of The Wheel of Time–a fantasy series based on Robert Jordan’s books–returns with an opening battle royal between the Black Ajah and the Aes Sedai. In the aftermath, Rand–who could be the Dragon Reborn (decides to flee the Darkfriends–and the first three episodes (of 8) expand the storylines of magical forces fighting for control.

As executive producer and Moiraine actress Rosamund Pike cleverly says of the season, “I suppose you could say we’ve reinvented the wheel and taken ownership of the story in a new way.” As I mentioned in an earlier review of The Wheel of Time (you can read my review here), I’ll watch anything with Rosamund Pike in it. The production values of this new season have been increased. The magic is more magical, the fighting more powerful, and the treachery more cunning. If you’re in the mood for a TV series with action and excitement, you might want to give The Wheel of Time a try. GRADE: INCOMPLETE but trending towards an A-

The latest Stark House omnibus edition of Al Wheeler mysteries (#25, #26, #27) brings The Hellcat, The Lady is Transparent, and The Dumdum Murder–all published in 1962–back to readers who enjoy mirth, mayhem, and mystery.

The Hellcat challenges Al Wheeler to solve the case of a decapitated head that has been waiting–in the Morgue preserved in formaldehyde–for five years. Where is the rest of the body? What is the identity of the decapitated head? Wheeler has to deal with a rich, powerful family with plenty of secrets, two underworld hit-men–one of them blind–and alluring temptresses with hidden agendas. GRADE: A-

Al Wheeler confronts a locked room mystery in The Lady is Transparent. A man is murdered in a cursed room locked from the inside. The suspects in the house believe the victim was murdered by a ghost called The Gray Lady. Wheeler explores the cursed murder room and finds a tape recorder with a chilling message. Fitting the pieces together leads Wheeler to a deadly confrontation. GRADE: A

The Dumdum Murder opens with a corpse shot with a dumdum bullet. The corpse rests on the hood of an antique car in a garage. The residents of the house adjoining the garage are: the surviving half of a song-and-dance act, a sexy female contortionist, an Amazon woman wearing a leopard skin outfit, a sharpshooting illusionist, and an aging comic. There’s also a killer who has just been released from Alcatraz after a 30-year stay. Al Wheeler discovers the motive for the murder, but learns–almost too late–that he’s on the execution list! GRADE: B+

Whether it’s a decapitated head or a murderous ghost or a group of odd vaudevillians, Al Wheeler deals with the screwball murders, the glorious ladies, and the conniving killers in this triple treat!

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, I decided to listen to some Irish songs. I’ve always enjoyed the Irish group, Celtic Woman. Diane and I attended one of their concerts and came away with their songs on our lips and joy in our hearts. I have many Celtic Woman CDs, but if you were to ask me which Celtic Woman CD to listen to, I’d recommend Decade.

Decade is basically a Greatest Hits set with 4 CDs full of Celtic Woman hits. Some are contemporary, many are traditional Irish songs, and some are classics. These CDs present the best works of the Celtic Woman group while celebrating 10 years of success.

Are you a fan of Irish music? Any favorites here? GRADE: A

TRACK LIST:

		The Songs
1-1		You Raise Me Up	4:30
1-2		Caledonia (2013 Version)	4:57
1-3		Orinoco Flow	3:30
1-4		Fields Of Gold	3:47
1-5		Danny Boy	3:24
1-6		A Woman’s Heart	4:24
1-7		When You Wish Upon A Star	3:14
1-8		Amazing Grace (2013 Version)	5:47
1-9		Harry’s Game	2:29
1-10		When You Believe	4:27
1-11		Bridge Over Troubled Water (2013 Version)	2:56
1-12		May It Be	3:45
1-13		The Moon’s A Harsh Mistress	3:13
1-14		Isle Of Inisfree	3:25
1-15		The Parting Glass	4:15
		The Show
2-1		The Sky & The Dawn & The Sun	5:19
2-2		Awakening	5:14
2-3		The Voice	3:06
2-4		Newgrange	3:06
2-5		The Call	4:16
2-6		Songs From The Heart: Walking The Night/The World Falls Away	6:41
2-7		One World	3:47
2-8		Galway Bay	4:12
2-9		Green The Whole Year ‘Round	4:46
2-10		Follow On	4:48
2-11		You’ll Be In My Heart	3:59
2-12		Beyond The Sea	3:19
2-13		The New Ground / Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears	6:38
2-14		O, America!	3:47
2-15		The Soft Goodbye	3:58
		The Tradition
3-1		Mo Ghile Mear	4:49
3-2		Black Is The Colour	3:43
3-3		Dúlaman	3:04
3-4		The Butterfly	3:00
3-5		Téir Abhaile Riu	4:03
3-6		Siúil A Rún	3:43
3-7		Scarborough Fair	3:12
3-8		Granuaile’s Dance	3:39
3-9		Níl Sé’n Lá	3:34
3-10		Carrickfergus	3:42
3-11		Spanish Lady – Live From Slane Castle	2:22
3-12		The Coast Of Galiçia	3:34
3-13		She Moved Thru’ The Fair	3:29
3-14		My Lagan Love	2:49
3-15		The Foxhunter	3:27
		The Classics
4-1		The Last Rose Of Summer	3:36
4-2		Non C’è Più	4:48
4-3		The Blessing	3:48
4-4		Ave Maria (2011 Version)	4:17
4-5		Lascia Ch’io Pianga	3:30
4-6		You’ll Never Walk Alone	3:57
4-7		Pie Jesu	3:28
4-8		Nella Fantasia	3:39
4-9		The Prayer	4:18
4-10		Somewhere	2:11
4-11		Vivaldi’s Rain	2:10
4-12		The Lost Rose Fantasia	2:16
4-13		Over The Rainbow	2:36
4-14		Walking In The Air	3:28
4-15		Nocturne	3:32

My favorite story in Great Irish Tales of the Unimaginable (1994) is “The Last Warrior Quest” by Peter Tremayne. I’ve read several of Tremayne’s mysteries featuring Sister Fidelma and enjoyed all of them. But this short story concerns an older warrior on his Last Quest. Moving and compelling.

I also enjoyed Julia O’Faolain’s “Legend for a Painting” about a lady living with a dragon and a knight who wants to “save” her.

I’ve read several anthologies edited by Peter Haining. My one criticism of Hailing’s choices is that sometimes he chooses very old and very dated stories that I find tedious. You might struggle with this, too. GRADE: B

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction — 9 

I. GODS AND HEROES

Hound of Ulster / Standish James O’Grady –17

Wisdom of the king / W. B. Yeats — 22

Call of Oisin / Lady Gregory — 29

Laughing stranger / James Stephens

Balor and the wonder-smith / Ella Young — 44

Death of Macha Gold-Hair / Dermot O’Byrne — 61

Outlaw / Joseph O’Neill — 72

Earth-bound / Dorothy Macardle — 80

II. THE ROMANTIC SAGAS

Flight of angels / Austin Clarke — 91

Midir and Etain / Sir Shane Leslie — 109

A prince in disguise / Sinead de Balera — 116

Legend for a painting / Julia O’Faolain — 122

The Kiss / Michael Scott — 126

Woman without mercy / Maurice Walsh — 135

Bewitching of Fursey / Melvyn Wall — 145

A fable / Mary Lavin — 159

III. THE WONDER QUESTS

Voyage of Maildun / P. W. Joyce — 173

Hero of Michan / James Joyce — 207

Return of Cuchulain / Eimar O’Duffy — 212

End of the rainbow / Lord Dunsany — 231

Crotty Shinkwin / A. E. Coppard — 247

Ark of Cashelmor / T. H. White — 257

Devil and democracy / Brian Cleese — 266

Last warrior quest / Peter Tremayne — 281

Acknowledgements — 310

I saw the movie version of The Wiz with a cast starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson (in his feature film debut), Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Theresa Merritt, Thelma Carpenter, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor.  Although the movie was a commercial failure, it became a cult classic years later.

Diane and I traveled to Sheas Performing Arts Center to see the touring version of The Wiz. As you can see from the photo above, it is flashy, colorful, and a bit kooky. The musical follows the L. Frank Baum novel, The Wizard of Oz, with Dorothy taken by a tornado to a world of witches, magic, and The Yellow Brick Road. Dorothy’s house squashes The Wicked Witch of the East, Evermean, and Dorothy is rewarded by The Good Witch of the North with silver slippers (with magical powers).

Dorothy want’s to return to Kansas, so The Good Witch tells her to go to the Emerald City and ask The Wizard of Oz for help. Along the journey, Dorothy meets a talking Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Man who wants a heart, and a cowardly Lion who wants courage. They arrive at the Emerald City and speak with The Wiz who proclaims that he will only grant their wishes on the condition that they kill Evermean’s sister, Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West.

Most of you know how that turns out. I’m sure this touring company version is being boosted by the success of Wicked, Part One. If you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz, this musical will take you over the rainbow! GRADE: B

MUSICAL NUMBERS:

1.	“Overture Part I”			2:36
2.	“Overture Part II”			1:57
3.	“The Feeling That We Had”			3:26
4.	“Can I Go On?”	Quincy Jones, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson		1:56
5.	“Tornado / Glinda’s Theme”			1:10
6.	“He’s the Wizard”			4:09
7.	“Soon As I Get Home / Home”			4:04
8.	“You Can’t Win“			3:14
9.	“Ease on Down the Road #1″			3:55
10.	“What Would I Do If I Could Feel?”	Luther Vandross		2:18
11.	“Slide Some Oil to Me”			2:51
12.	“Ease on Down the Road #2”			1:31
13.	“I’m a Mean Ole Lion”			2:24
14.	“Ease on Down the Road #3”			1:26
15.	“Poppy Girls Theme”	Anthony Jackson		3:27
16.	“Be a Lion”			4:04
17.	“End of the Yellow Brick Road”			1:01
18.	“Emerald City Sequence”	(music: Jones, lyrics: Smalls)		6:44
19.	“Is This What Feeling Gets? (Dorothy’s Theme)”	(music: Jones, lyrics: Ashford & Simpson)		3:21
20.	“Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News”			3:03
21.	“Everybody Rejoice / A Brand New Day“	Luther Vandross		7:49
22.	“Believe in Yourself (Dorothy)”			2:55
23.	“The Good Witch Glinda”			1:09
24.	“Believe in Yourself (Reprise)”			2:15
25.	“Home (Finale)”			4:03

“Science fiction plucks from within us our deepest fears and hopes, then shows them to us in rough disguise.” (p. 109) This quote from W. H. Auden sets the mood for many of the chapters in Gareth L. Powell’s useful About Writing: The Authorized Field Guide for Aspiring Authors (2022). The “field guide” format means Powell invites readers to browse his book in any order they like.

I’ve read over a hundred books on writing. Every time I write, I try to improve my writing. Gareth Powell provides tips from years of writing, some of which might help me…and you.

My favorite chapter in About Writing is “Ten Books That Changed My World.” I’ve read six of the ten. Powell has good taste in books.

What is your writing process? GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Foreword 1  

How to Use This Book 5 

The Artist’s Prayer 7 

Part 1 About Getting Started — 9 

Getting Organised 11 

Getting Started 15 

Tools of the Trade 17 

Choosing Your Teachers 21 

Where Do You Get Your Crazy Ideas? 25 

55 Story Ideas 33 

When to Write and When to Edit 41 

Exercise the Storytelling Muscles 43 

Internalise the Identity 45 

Don’t Wait for Inspiration 49 

Beating the Blank Page: How to Jumpstart Your Story 51 

Three Ways to Breathe Life into Your Fiction 53 

Balancing Writing with Your Day Job 57 

Part 2 About Novels — 63 

The Real Secret to Writing a Novel 65 

When is a Novel Not a Novel? 69 

Understand What Your Novel Is About 73 

What Is Plot? 77 

Creating Authentic Characters 81 

World-Building 85 

Part 3 About Genres — 89 

A Note on Genre 91 

Crime 93 

Romance 95 

Horror 97 

Historical Fiction 99 

Young Adult Fiction 101 

Mainstream and Literary Fiction 103 

Fantasy 105 

Science Fiction 107 

Part 4 About Writing — 117 

How I Write 119 

The Essential Qualities of a Novelist 127 

Ten Tips for Novelists 131 

Daily Productivity Sheet 133 

Three Ways of Finding More Time to Write 137 

Five Essential Rules for Writing Better Fiction 141 

Five Lessons Writers Can Learn from Athletes 145 

Three Things to Remember When Writing Action Scenes 149 

Find Your Carnegie Hall 155 

A Simple Trick to Keep Your Creativity Flowing 157 

Saving What You Take Out 161 

A Trilogy of Things I Learned While Writing a Trilogy 163 

Everybody’s a Geek About Something 169 

Dealing with Writer’s Block 173 

Beating Writer’s Block with 100 Words 181 

How to Keep Being Creative in a Crisis 183 

Part 5 About Getting Published — 189 

Eight Steps to Becoming a Published Writer 191 

Publishing vs Self-Publishing 195 

Why Get an Agent, and What to Look For199 

Ten Tips for Finding an Agent 201 

How to Write a Novel Outline 205 

How to Write a Novel Synopsis 211 

The Secret Formula for Writing an Effective Elevator Pitch 217 

How to Write a Cover Letter 221 

How to Be More Confident 225 

Dealing with Rejections 229 

Imposter Syndrome233 

Part 6 About Being Published — 237 

Becoming a Full-Time Author 239 

What to Look for in a Publisher 243 

Advances: How Do They Work? 247 

Advances: What to Do with Them 251 

Dealing with Editors 253 

Being Edited 255 

Ten Tips to Deal with an Edit 259 

The Knee-Jerk ‘No!’ 263 

Covers – The Front Cover, and Cover Copy 267 

Publication Day 269 

Ten Ways to Maximise Your Publicity and Marketing 271 

Ten Top Tips for Selling Books on Social Media 275 

Dealing with Reviews 281 

Convention Tips 285 

Being an Author 291 

Part 7 About Gareth L. Powell — 303 

My Journey 305 

Where I Write313 

Ten Books That Changed My World 315 

An Open Letter to an Ugly Duckling 325 

Part 8 Frequently Asked Questions — 329 

Acknowledgements 343 

About the Author 345 

Credits 347