REVIEWS

What I think of them and what they think of me

Astounded? Me? Click Click here.
Linked to this page you will find a series of columns and individual reviews from a number of different sources. This should give you some idea of what my writing is all about. Comments are welcomed

Keen Science Fiction--Review column from Fall 1996 which focused on the works of Alexander Jablakov.
Knightmares--Review column from a past issue. These columns focus on the small press.
Heliocentric Net--Review column from this past fall done in a different style.
Scavenger's Newsletter--Skeptic Tank Column from the fall, 1996. Focuses on small press and it's one of the more fun columns I write.
Dubious Matters--Column from one of the fall 1996 issues.

And speaking of comments, let me also include some comments I've had on my own writing. And since I have a tiny little ego I'll even include the negative ones.

Here goes! Click here to start.

"Fanzine reviewers cannot be expected to be intelligent; their work is generally worth what they're paid for it. But one can hope that even fanzine reviewers will avoid the sort of libelous falsehood in which your Mr. Steven Sawicki indulges." David Drake in response to a review of "Hammer's Slammers: The Warriors." My words were; "The book is also short, with Drake or the publisher filling the final 85 pages with a reprint of Liberty Port, which I believe appeared in an earlier Hammer's Slammers book. This story is also less than gripping, and while it does make a fine companion piece in terms of style, it is frustrating to be served more of the same when redemption is sought." Gees, Dave, and for this you named a planet after me? (Note that Mr. Drake was correct in pointing out that Liberty Port did first appear in the 1987 anthology Free Lancers.

Let's hear from another Dave. "Many thanks for the e-mail and all the reviews. Reading raves is a terrible vice, one that gives me great pleasure." Dave Duncan in response to a series of reviews in Dubious Matters.

"I did want to thank you for your kind review of issue #12 in the recent SCAV." Ann Kennedy, editor of The Silver Web.

"I was wondering if Steve Sawicki had an email address so I could thank him for his very kind review of "The Puppet" which he wrote about in his review of The Blue Lady. I'm delighted by what he had to say about it. So delighted, in fact, that I don't mind him eliminiating the 't' in 'Schmalfeldt.' Bob Schmalfeld in response to a review of one of his stories. Cripes, Bob, you want a good review and your name spelled correctly?

Damon Knight says, about one of my stories--"That is just the king of story I like, but as I kept reading I began to realize that the unwrapping was not taking place, and when I got to the end I felt disappointed." Man, ask someone for an opinion and look what happens!

"Thanks a lot for the great review." Alexander Jablakov in response to a review of Breath Of Suspension. You would almost expect writers to be able to say more, no?

From Betsy Mitchell, Editor-In-Chief of Warner Books. "Just a note to thank you for the good reviews you've given our titles in the Heliocentric Network." Thanks Betsy, but you never mentioned what you think of the not-so-good reviews I sometimes do.

"The strength of this story is that it speaks to an eternal human quality--adaptability in the face of of overwhleming changes. The weakness of it is that we are no closer to understanding the substantive nature of those changes on page 5 than we are on page 1." Maya Kaathryn Bohnof, writing about a short story of mine called Sprain Brook. Hmmmm, does this mean that fiction is supposed to flow from, like, a beginning to an ending?

"You're the best boy in the world." Gees, mom, how did you get on here?

"As a beginning writer I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read and criticize my books and also sticking with me through my first book." J. V. Jones in response to reviews of The Baker's Boy trilogy. Hey, Julie, you've published like 1600 pages of novels. I think you're well past beginning.

"The writing is very good. The author has a style that is economical, yet still manages to convey powerful emotions." Ben Bova in response to one of my short stories. Sounds like there's still hope.

Whatever you do, under no circumstances should you click here unless you know the secret password.

Way cool stuff, but I've had enough and need to go home now and rest. Take me back to the first page.

Yes, Waaaaay Kewwwwwwl. Show me where everything is. Let me poke about the contents page for a while.

Too Kool for Komfort. I need to know how you did all this. Show me all the tools and such you used.

Mail, Mail, Mail, Mail, Mail, Mail. Need I say more?

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