Last Friday, I wrote about the one-year blogoversary of the OS Weekend Fiction Club. A few days later, I finished reading a book by one of its regulars.
Allen “Skipper” Howlett, known here on OS as ASH…, is a hard writer to define – and I mean that in the best way possible. Whenever you set out to read one of his stories, you have no idea what you’re going to get. In the year or so that I’ve been following him, he’s created everything from a serial novel (Servant of the Scorpion), to short stories of horror, humor, romance, history, philosophy, nostalgia, and mystery. Howlett is just as skilled at writing about sensual feelings between two adults, or telling a tale of legendary dimensions, as he is taking on the voice of a sarcastic teenager dealing with her family.
Collected Short Stories, Volume 2, is a compilation of some of his best work. As I’d expected, it’s packed with variety. Though all of the stories are very different, they’re all well-told, each one enveloping you in its particular ambiance.
“That’s all fine and good,” many of you may be thinking, “but I’m not big on reading fiction.” You may also be skeptical that I’m writing this review, since, Collected Short Stories, Volume 2 has been dedicated to me (I feel honored beyond measure), and I even make a sort of cameo appearance in one of the stories. For the first argument, I’d say, when you consider that this e-book (available on the Kindle and the Kindle reading app for computers), only costs about $5, this could be a good, reasonably priced way to take a chance and try something new. For the second, well, I can’t argue against the fact that you might think I’d be biased – all I can say is, why not discover ASH’s work for yourself and see if I’m right to praise him?
Whatever you’re looking for, and whatever genre you like to read, there’s something for everyone here. The length of the stories is perfect, in my opinion. Each one is just long enough to utterly immerse you in it, and just short enough to be read in a delightful stolen moment.
To check out Collected Short Stories, Volume 2 , click here.
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Geraint Isitt
Maureen Andrade
nilesite
john guzlowski
Rosycheeks
Jacob Sugarman
Salon.com
Comments
"Allen's gift for voice seems so effortless, so naturally composed that immersing into his stories is like slipping into a dream. Varied and stirring, he takes us from a lonely prairie town to a smokey jazz club, from a mythical desert community to a returning soldier's story, and then on to the outward reaches of imagination. And amid the sex and the swagger, just when you've come to expect the unexpected, Allen takes us aside and delves into what truly makes us human, be it the pangs of love lost or the turmoil of decision or the easy friendship that makes a hard life livable. Whatever your tastes in fiction, you're bound to find something within these pages you'll like -- and a lot more besides, which you were not looking for and may like all the more because of it. Happy reading!"
Clearly from an intelligent and insightful reader.
It's still hard to get the return on fiction posts even with this approach, but there are enuf people polite enuf to return the favor, keeping us both in the slippery feed a little longer. What's the big deal with the feed? One word: exposure. I usually start my reading straight from the feed, working my way up from the bottom before the lower ones slip away. I also click on the blogs of those who leave comments on my posts, and rate and read their latest post if I haven't already.
We might not pay or get paid, but we can still help each other this way.
I think I'm the first to have a blogsite as a Muse.
Alysa's Fiction Weekend Club challenges us all by prompts with which we might NEVER wrestle.
Come one come all, tell a friend, and always "rate" the OS Fiction Weekend blogsite.
Let's all hope that Alysa is this generation's Gertrude Stein (in influence only; Alysa, save your kisses mostly for the guys!)
PS
Funny guy, Seth, and so right of course (lol). You are still the one to beat (in the nicest way). Like I've said: when you turn your dark powers onto mainstream themes you are already where I aspire to be!
Love (?!)
ASH
Bravo to the both of you!
HUGGGGGGGGGGG
Bravo to the both of you!
HUGGGGGGGGGGG
I've watched his talent and modus operandi grow in an ever widening circle; all the while his voice and characters have gotten deeper and deeper.
I don't know Seth James personally, but I do know Solomon Kayne, one of his main protagonists like the back of my hand. Seth is another writer I never skip over. His skills are definity at a professional level.
Alysa, thanks for the great info and reviews.
R
Lezlie
Thanks for the club and review.
JIM