Clare Rhoden's Blog

This is a great read.

I’ve encountered Jeff Clulow‘s short stories before in several anthologies (including, ahem, one I edited myself, in which Jeff’s story attracted award nomination – see

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63110139-from-the-waste-land),

and I always thoroughly enjoy them.

Imagine my delight at receiving an advance copy of Clulow’s first novel, Veil.

Clulow’s writing is impeccable: so succinct, evocative, and accomplished that the story almost reads itself to you. I love clever writing that masters expression so well that the reader doesn’t notice the exquisite crafting of every paragraph and page. There is such care for each of the characters that each one is fully rounded, even the horrid ones – we can see where they are coming from.

Protagonist Suze — ex-orphange girl — is a first-rate survivor, and her haunted house story combines all the best elements of fantasy, family, and freedom.  The retro 20th century setting is also spot-on — take it from someone who was there LOL.

I wish there could be more stories about Suze (that should have you thinking just WHY I’m not expecting any more — although…).

This is a gripping tale of loss and redemption (of sorts), the terror balanced finely with life’s beauty. Clulow writes dark fantasy with a great big heart. A brilliant read. More please.

Wait! There IS more!

If you’d care to check Jeff’s writing for yourself, I recommend that you sign up for his fantastic Remixed Myths collection – FREE for his newsletter subscribers.  I’ve read them all (I’m a fangirl, yes!) and I highly recommend them. They come in audio or ebook form. Such a generous gift to the reading public.

Remixed Myths – highly recommended readingAuthor Jeff Clulow

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Long time, no post. Life doesn’t stop for writers anymore than it does for anyone else.

Here are some recent changes:

FIRST:

I’ve said GOODBYE to my 60s and embarked on a new decade.

Here’s an interesting take on growing old, by Jonathan Rauch writing in The Atlantic:

Copious evidence shows that most of what people think they know about life after 50 is wrong. Aging per se (as distinct from sickness or frailty) is not a process of uniform decline. It brings gains, too: greater equanimity, more emotional resilience, and … the positivity effect — a heightened appreciation of life’s blessings. Partly for that reason, the later decades of life are, on average, not the saddest but the happiest.

We’ll see!

SECOND:

My long-time publisher Odyssey Books is restructuring — or words to that effect; it’s not completely clear what the status is. I’m a bit dizzy as I watch the changes unfold before me, and see friendly, familiar fellow authors leave the group. It’s rather sad.

But publishing is a might tough industry. Onwards and upwards is the only way. Time doesn’t spool in reverse.

THIRD:

I’m writing two new novels and I hope to have news on them soon.

Here’s to the future.

 

The post An era ends, another begins appeared first on Clare Rhoden.

‘Kizimbani’ by Eugen Bacon and Clare E Rhoden – available NOW for free reading at

 

https://apex-magazine.com/short-fiction/kizimbani/

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Some awesome Writers’ Perks have had me smiling recently. A writer’s life is not all “stare at the keyboard until blood spurts from your eyes”, to paraphrase Hemingway. Sometimes you get to meet readers and interact with real people!

Writers’ Perk #1

In October, I spoke with three groups of young artists about the magic of writing, creating rounded characters, and my book How to Survive Your Magical Family. Creation is its own kind of magic, right? Before you write the story or paint the picture, that little piece of wonder doesn’t exist.

This was part of the awesome painting competition organised by my local art school Art Academica. What fun!

Writers’ Perk #2

Also in October, I attended a book launch for Fleetwalker by Judith Michael. It was so much fun to meet other writers and Judith’s fans, friends and family. A great day was had by all!

Fleetwalker, the long-awaited #3 in the GriffinSong trilogyWriters’ Perks #3

And on the last Friday in October, I attended the Founders & Benefactors Dinner at St Hilda’s College at the University of Melbourne, along with my fellow writing team member Louise Zedda-Sampson. It was a fabulous night where we met some amazing people and made connections to will go a long way towards setting the tone for our big project: Communitas-the first 60 years of St Hilda’s.

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Once We Flew by Nikky Lee* is an intriguing sci-fi novella that ponders how we, as humans, survive beyond our coping strategies. On the sand-ridden planet Savene, survivors of a colony-destined space mission struggle to cope in a world not completely suited to human life, and without the support of their failed technology.

The Plot

Our protagonists are not the first to investigate Savene as a home world. An alien race, visiting the planet long before the crash-landing of the humans, did what they could to life-form the place for future residents even as their own chance at survival disappeared.

The only problem is that their well-meaning alien safety methodology isn’t particularly suited to human life.

Marsa, one of the elders, is called from her chosen hermit-style life by Koby, the son of her old friend. A dying vision, gifted by the crystal ‘curse’ that affected both women, offers hope in the face of futility.

Marsa and Koby race across the sands to find a possible way forward for the entire space-ship-wrecked community.

My take

With a rare gift for narrative, Lee delivers a great deal in this slim, elegant novella. Her characters are instantly likeable, and the reader quickly gets onside with the older, disabled woman (Marsa) who leads the way for young, confused but brave teen Koby. It’s rather nice not to be looking to the east for a hero or a wizard on a white horse. These characters are much more relatable.

For me, this little gem is up there with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (and the others in the Wayfinders series.) In fact, I’d love Lee to craft some companion novellas to flesh out this world! Please?!

Just released, this is perfect for Christmas! Just saying …

And another thing…

*You might remember Nikky as one of the AWESOME authors who contributed to From the Waste Land! Her story there is amazing too!

The post Once We Flew: book review appeared first on Clare Rhoden.

The magical cats are coming!

This October I’m collaborating with local art school Art Academica. We are running a competition for two groups of teenage artists. Their task: create a portrait of one of the characters in How to Survive Your Magical Family.

While most of the characters in How to Survive Your Magical Family are magical, it’s the cats who make the story purr.  One Art Academica’s talented teachers, Elena Buyanova, prepared the feature image for the start of Term 4 classes.

Here it is again for your enjoyment. Who’s your favourite?Magical Cats by artist Elena Buyanova

Next Monday, I will have the great pleasure of speaking with the young artists in a Q&A session for each group. I’ve heard that many of them create their own stories. I can’t wait to hear what they might ask me. More importantly, I can’t wait to see their portraits of my fantasy creations. Especially Toby, Mia, and all the cats.

I’m going to ask their permission to share their works online. So keep watching this space. In between, enjoy these photos With me is Art Academica founder and director,  and all-round creative, Taya Danchenko.

Here I am with Art Academica’s Taya DanchenkoArtist Taya Danchenko and I have a look at the magic inside the book

The post Magic Cats rule October appeared first on Clare Rhoden.

I have to share this amazing post! I’m very excited about this collaboration in October.

Keep an eye out because I’ll be posting pictures!

Exciting News from Art Academica!

Term 4 is just around the corner, and we can’t contain our excitement! We’ve been working tirelessly to create something truly special for you, our amazing students and parents.

We are thrilled and privileged to announce a remarkable event in October at Art Academica. We will be hosting a special guest, none other than Clare Rhoden (@clarerhodenauthor), the author of the captivating book for teenagers, “How to Survive Your Magical Family“!

“How to Survive Your Magical Family” is a new fantasy novel that’s been sweeping readers off their feet with its loveable characters, clever plot twists, and a world that wraps around you like a warm embrace. Published by Odyssey Books, where books are an adventure, this book is a must-read for young and old alike!

But that’s not all!

We have an exciting competition in store for all the students of our school, and we promise to reveal all the enchanting details very soon!

For our “Procreate. Character design” and “Creating a Strong Folio” students, the third week of the term is going to be extra special. They’ll have the unique opportunity to meet and chat with the author Clare Rhoden herself! She will have a conversation with kids about what strategies she uses to build up interesting characters, where she finds inspiration and how to identify your reader. Kids will ask her any questions they have and we know they will have them because we know some of them already writing their first book.

We can hardly contain our excitement, and we hope you’re just as thrilled as we are for this incredible Term 4 journey at Art Academica.

Prepare for a magical blend of art, literature, and imagination like never before!
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#ArtAcademicaMagic #ClareRhoden #Term4ArtAdventures #MagicalJourney #bestartschoolforkids #art #artacademica #artclassesforadults #bestartschool #artclasses #artschool #parents #family #onlineartclasses #familyfun #artschoolforadults #artschoollife #artschoolforkids #bentleigheast #artschoolmelbourne #artcoursesonline #artschoolstudent
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A grateful reblog of story submission calls from the redoubtable Tim Major over at Cosy Catastrophes.

Time to get writing … or to unearth what’s hidden in your WIP (work in progress) folders …

Open submission calls: June 2023

The post Story Submission Calls for June-July (thanks Tim!) appeared first on Clare Rhoden.

TIM SAYS: Here are the most interesting open submissions calls for SFF writers I’ve found this month. Good luck! Qualia NousThe first volume of this anthology series contained high-profile names and was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in an Anthology. This new volume looks set to be a bit deal, too. The editor […]

Open submission calls: June 2023 — Tim Major

The post Tim Major shares some Open Submissions for June and July 2023 appeared first on Clare Rhoden.

I’m very grateful to author Patricia Leslie for reading and reviewing How to Survive Your Magical Family. Yes, I did warn you I’d be sharing reviews

 

https://www.patricialeslie.net/single-post/book-review-how-to-survive-your-magical-family-by-clare-rhoden

A small extract from Patricia’s review:

 

I’d recommend How to survive your magical family for any reader young adult and up. No need to limit yourself if you’ve passed that age bracket. Clare Rhoden is an excellent author. Her storytelling will draw you in. An afternoon of entertaining reading pleasure awaits you.

Thank you so much Patricia!

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