I was delighted last week to read a glowing review of my short story “Ebb,” which is in the current issue of Space and Time. It’s by Rob Santa, a writer and indie publisher of swords and sorcery, in the Firebrand Fiction column at SFReader.com. Of all the stories in that issue, he said “‘Ebb’ is my favorite piece, a true standout.” Among other strong praise, he noted “Andrews gives each piece of this world a rich description, with enough emotion and character to chew on for days.” Pretty cool!

“Ebb” had a long and arduous path to publication, including several editors who did not understand the ending, so I was quite pleased to finally find one who did. But it’s even more rewarding to know that my vision connected with at least one reader, and just as powerfully as I intended it. Thanks very much, Mr. Santa, for the kind words!

Issue #107 of Space and Time magazine is almost here–the current issue announcement has been posted on their cool new website.

In addition to my story “Ebb,” which is a character-driven fantasy story set in a neat secondary world that is really pre-tech SF, Issue #107 also has a story by fellow Odyssey alum Larry Hodges and an interview with legendary fantasy author Peter S. Beagle (The Last Unicorn).

Space and Time also has a cool new deal on online subscriptions. They will sell you a PDF-only subscription for half price. I’ve seen the PDF version of the magazine and it’s very snazzy–perfect for reading on laptops or portable readers. A great subscription option for one of the coolest indie fiction magazines out there today.

I received word last week from Space and Time Editor-in-Chief Hildy Silverman that my short story “Ebb,” which they bought last fall, will be appearing in Issue #107, out in April.

I’m very excited! I hadn’t expected it to be out so soon. This story has had a long and tortured journey to publication, perhaps made even more torturous by the fact that I think both the setting and the story itself are very, very cool. So in April, all of you will have a chance to see if you agree. :)

I know for me it’s often like squeezing blood from a stone. And the debate over whether to outline or not is one of those classic, eternally ongoing discussions like “less filling” versus “tastes great.”

But for neat answers to the question of “how do you devise your plots,” check out this new post on the Odyssey Workshop Blog. It includes not only my answer but also those from Lane Robbins, author of the novel Maledicte, Rita Oakes, who has a story forthcoming in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and Matthew Rotundo, who won Writers of the Future last year, and other Odyssey grads. Interesting answers, all, even though their processes are all very different.