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Sturmkrallen – my latest novel, just out
„Sturmkrallen“, (=”Storm Claws”) is the third and final volume in the series „Die Geheimnisse der Klingenwelt” (“Secrets of the Bladeworld”). It rounds off the story of the cruel Urgorrn monstrosities and the intrepid heroines and heroes who fight them. Sturmkrallen Vol. 3 der Serie „Die Geheimnisse der Klingenwelt“ Amazon KdP, 516 Seiten, broschiert ISBN 9798323173631 Preis € 18,40 / E-Book: € 5,35 The first casualty of war is the truth, and in the eight Duchies of Predorenn truth has been dead for a long time. War has raged here for centuries, and the achievements of culture and reason of a more civilised day and age have long fallen victim to the ever-present violence and treachery. Any knowledge or information may just be an enemy ruse – or not. No one can still distinguish between superstition and a fact-based lore warning of a danger far greater than all the armies…
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My latest novel in English – World Raiders
For my English readers : I have a new book out in English: “World Raiders“. This is a novel placed in three different time frames; – NOW (more or less: I wrote the German version some 8 years ago). – in 1952 (a period somehow caught between postwar and ROARING FIFTIES ( 50ies ): a time of a new and better life after a period of dread and the memory of war and brutal oppression. Still, a time of poverty for many. – SOMETIME, – SOMEWHERE across a gulf of time in an expiring post-apocalyptic future world that has forgotten the technical and scientific achievements and take the remnants of their knowledge for wizardry or magic. One thing they can do, though, is use the dimensional portals or gates into other time periods and different realities. But this is forbidden and punished by death. But the truly fanatic will…
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The Paracryptozoological Annual Conference
Last weekend saw me busy at an extraordinary event. The Annual Paracryptozoological Conference took place at the “Bakerstreet“ in Saarbrücken. I was a speaker there. If you don’t know right away what is hidden behind the word paracryptozoology, don’t be embarrassed: It is a field of research that basically does not exist. Paracryptozoology deals with “creatures that are so extinct that they probably never lived”. To sum it up: the little creatures we are researching have sprung from our eccentric brains. And what an impressive number of eccentric brains they were! I am proud of us. A glance at the programme reveals the infinitely important and sometimes very dangerous creatures we deal with. I, for example, or rather my scientific alter ego, Dr. Rosa-Eleonore Meyer-Hübschlieb, am concerned with the Diantus Glandularis Sugens = the carnation sucker, a worm-like parasite with a carnation head, which in its most dangerous form finds…
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Once again I am straying from my work to that of a friend
I like Christian Handel’s books. They mix suspense and emotion in a skilful way. So you have heroines and heroes you can like, because you know what they think and feel. They are so much more than mere stock figures: human beings with a heart and a brain, So when he asked me to take part in his cover flash mob action, I gladly joined the crew. THE NIGHT OF THE QUEENS – Christian Handel. Alix loves her life as it is: at her father’s castle, with her little brothers and Aunt Camille, but the king’s letter leaves her no choice. All the unmarried noble young women are summoned to the ruler’s seat. King Gideon wants to choose one of them as the future queen. Alix is not worried about actually catching King Gideon’s eye as a potential bride. Her family is too insignificant. But her stay at the royal…
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Quotes from my books
Occasionally I throw quotes from my books into the internet world hoping that someone will find them so exciting that they will want to buy the book immediately. I do make an effort to hunt through the manuscripts and perhaps create suitable background images. Here I throw you a few quotes – with the same hope.
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Short Stories
I just realised that I’ve written 28 short stories in the last few years that have been published in anthologies. And then there are short stories that fill three short story volumes of my own, two in German: “Bisse” (BOD) and “Machtschattenspiele” (Edition Roter Drache). And one in English: “Call it a Knight“. Plus a few that I’ve written but haven’t fit in anywhere yet. Two short stories are also finished and waiting for future projects. That was fun. I love short stories. They are my proof to the universe that I can be brief at times. Still, I wish short stories would pay. But they don’t. At least in Germany they don’t. L’art pour l’art. All the same. Here’s an overview, in case anyone thinks they should aspire to own my complete works ? 1 Short Story „90-60-90“ in: Der Arsch auf dem Sessel von Margit Schönberger…
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Some of my Favorite Books
I recently took part in a promotion project: Shepherd – explore * discover* read The best books that combine fantasy with “the past” (shepherd.com) . Here authors present one of their own books together with five of their favorite books that fit the subject or subgenre. A simply wonderful idea! I don’t know yet how many readers it will generate. With advertising and PR, you never really know beforehand, but the idea in itself is great. Have a look at their list of best historical fiction books It’s interesting to put yourself in the context of your own preferences; also in the context of what might have inspired you as an author. Context is ultimately networking. I sincerely hope that readers who have the same preferences as I do will also be inspired to become curious about my book. Choosing five favorite books was not easy. My world is full…
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My Contribution to an RPG Rulebook
Well – not really. In fact I haven’t made any active contribution to an RPG role-playing game other than allowing my likeness to be included in the volume as a drawing. The drawing is by Sylvia and I think it turned out really well. I hereby inform you about this crowd funding project in the very own words of one of the editors: “It’s time: The crowdfunding project of the 100 Questen Gesellschaft e.V. for the SAGA OF SILVER & WAHNSINN (has)start(ed) on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. on Startnext. The campaign in 13 single adventures was originally written 30 years ago by Steffen Schütte for the “Stormbringer” role-playing game. Now finally it will be released after several years of preparation. All game values of the campaign were transferred to MYTHRAS and the background world was designed in such a way that all terms are recognizable for those familiar with the…
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My books available in English
When I wrote my first novel, I did write it in English. Some people have asked me why. Actually, there was no particular reason for this, except that I like writing in English. I’m a bit funnier in English than in German. That may be because language also shapes the soul. Language is more powerful than you might think. This is one of the reasons why there are so many discussions about gendering or non-gendering, the use of words that no longer correspond to the zeitgeist or ethical norms, and so on. But that’s not what I want to talk about here. When I couldn’t sell my first (English) book on the English market, my agent at the time recommended that I translate it. It was then published in German and called “Das Obsidianherz“. Three more books of the same series followed, all initially written in English and only then…
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Stay home and read a book
So. Since I don’t want to start each one of my entries with an excuse for not having posted anything for such a long time, I’ll start without further ado. My polar bear was to be presented at Leipzig Book Fair, which unfortunately didn’t take place due to Covid19. “Elgar Polar Bear and Civilisation” . This somewhat episodic book describes the adventures of polar bear Elgar whose ice floe completely melted from under his furry posterior, and who – since he does not want to die out yet –has come to live in our human civilisation. In his endeavour to learn more about civilised urban life he watches and comments our civilisation from his ursine perspective. I have been asked whether this is fantasy since it pretty much consists of satirical elements. Well, it is satire, and it is speculative fiction. Science fiction and fantasy have always been close…