A Review of “Excision”

I found a nice review of my story “Excision”, which appeared in Weird Tales #347. It’s by Jeremy Tolbert, a neo-pro SF/F writer whose work I had not heard of, but whose name I recognize as a former editor of Fortran Bureau. I’m glad that he was intriuged by the healing magic and that he wants to read more in this setting. I am currently outlining a new story that fits perfectly into this setting, so hopefully I can make it work.

My personal favorite in WT #347 so far is Amanda Downum’s story “Catch.” It’s not the sort of setting or tale I usually enjoy, but the characters’ emotions just dripped off the page. Very well done.

Tags: , , ,

2 Responses to “A Review of “Excision””

  1. Maggie Says:

    Huh, I can’t say that I’m impressed with that guy’s critical powers. I guess it gripes me that he didn’t finish Amanda Downum’s story because it is about Angels. I agree with you that it was extremely well-written, and well worth reading.

    I disagree with his reaction to your fusion of magic and medicine–I never felt that it was too easy. In fact, it was one of the more convincing works that I’ve read, where magic is real in that universe, and not a power bonus that gives the user a headache.

    He is right about one thing though, the magazine is very dark. But then, I don’t see how a publication called “Weird Tales” could be anything else.

  2. scott Says:

    Thanks, Maggie! I tried to portray the cost as internal to the characters, personal and emotional, rather than external, like Orson Scott Card’s classic example in his Writing SF/F book (wizards lose a finger each time they cast a spell). I do often find that internal consequences can be so subtle as to be overlooked, while reading or later while composing a review. I also can’t always make the internal things as forecful on the page as I would like. But I’m glad the consequences came through for you.

    Agreed that WT is very dark. I’m trying to submit there as much as I can, but I don’t have any other stories that feature gobs of puss!