[Link] Cyberpunk is getting its biggest push since the late ‘90s, but why don’t audiences seem to care?

By David Houghton

Dark, technologically driven futures seem ever more relevant. But are we already too far down that path to notice?

The future is getting dark again. Or at least it’s trying to. Largely missing in action since the late-‘90s, the Cyberpunk genre has been trying really goddamn hard to re-establish itself in the mainstream over the last year or so. Once the dominant – or at least most influential and invigorating – literary sci-fi genre of the ‘80s, and a major shaper of cinema in that decade and its follow-up, the world of grim-dark, neon drenched, near-future hellholes and invasive, revolutionary tech-use has rather diminished since then. Under the weight of flopped movies, aesthetic fatigue, and The Matrix getting way too big and then becoming rubbish, Cyberpunk fell hard and rather fast. But now, it’s trying to rise again.

Read the full article. https://www.gamesradar.com/cyberpunk-is-getting-its-biggest-push-since-the-late-90s-but-why-dont-audiences-seem-to-care/

MEET JENNA COYNE

Airship 27 Production is thrilled to debut a new mystery series by writer Robert Ricci. This debut volume features two complete mysteries.

BLOOD ON THE COBBLESTONES

Jenna Coyne never set out to be a detective. She was content working for a sleazy insurance outfit and residing in Boston’s North End. When a case of mistaken apartments gets her caught up in a bad drug deal, she has to rely on her own wit and courage to untangle a twisted crime of vengeance. 

CRUEL WINTER

Suffering from a case of PTSD, Jenna’s new boyfriend, Boston Police Sgt. Conrad Martin is quickly falling apart and becoming dependent on alcohol. This being the result of their encounter with vicious drug peddlers. Only another baffling puzzle can bring Martin out of his mental fugue. A mystery that will lead them into danger in middle of a savage New Hampshire snow blizzard.

“A Boston based writer, Robert Ricci, knows New England all to well,” says Airship 27 Production’s Managing editor Ron Fortier. “We were delighted when he approached us about launching this new Down East mystery series.” Ted Hammond provides the cover and the interior illustrations were delivered by artist Jason Wren, with Art Director Rob Davis handling book design.  

Move over Miss Marple and Nancy Drew, there’s a new Lady Detective on the case!

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

Available now from Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.

[Link] 15 Logical Fallacies You Should Know Before Getting Into a Debate [Editor's Note: Or when you write to debate or make a point]

By TBS Staff

Logical fallacies are like landmines; easy to overlook until you find them the hard way.

One of the most important components of learning in college is academic discourse, which requires argumentation and debate. Argumentation and debate inevitably lend themselves to flawed reasoning and rhetorical errors. Many of these errors are considered logical fallacies. Logical fallacies are commonplace in the classroom, in formal televised debates, and perhaps most rampantly, on any number of internet forums. But what is a logical fallacy? And just as important, how can you avoid making logical fallacies yourself? Whether you’re in college, or preparing to go to college; whether you’re on campus or in an online bachelor’s degree program, it pays to know your logical fallacies. This article lays out some of the most common logical fallacies you might encounter, and that you should be aware of in your own discourse and debate.

What is a Logical Fallacy?

A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning common enough to warrant a fancy name. Knowing how to spot and identify fallacies is a priceless skill. It can save you time, money, and personal dignity. There are two major categories of logical fallacies, which in turn break down into a wide range of types of fallacies, each with their own unique ways of trying to trick you into agreement.

A Formal Fallacy is a breakdown in how you say something. The ideas are somehow sequenced incorrectly. Their form is wrong, rendering the argument as noise and nonsense.

An Informal Fallacy denotes an error in what you are saying, that is, the content of your argument. The ideas might be arranged correctly, but something you said isn’t quite right. The content is wrong or off-kilter.

For the purposes of this article, when we say logical fallacies, we refer to informal fallacies. Following is a list of the 15 types of logical fallacies you are most likely to encounter in discussion and debate.

Read the full article: https://thebestschools.org/magazine/15-logical-fallacies-know/

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS ALICE IN NEVERLAND

Airship 27 Production is proud to announce the release of a new fantasy adventure by writer R.A. Jones. In an original, fun-filled adventure, two of literature’s most famous young heroes team up in a truly spectacular fashion. Alice from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” finds herself magically transported to Neverland where she encounters the boy who never grew up, James Barrie’s Peter Pan.

But things are different now. Back in England, Alice’s parents have passed away and her older sister admonishes to leave behind her childish immaturity and face the cruelties and hardships of the real world. Whereas Peter has found himself abandoned by his pals the Lost Boys, who have also gone on to adulthood. Is it to be their fate as well? Or is there as yet another magical realm neither has ever imagined. One in which pain and suffering don’t exist and there is only happiness and endless adventures.

Now the pair set off to find this upper level kingdom and in doing so will be an assortment of weird, bizarre characters and challenges. “Alice in Neverland” is truly a tale for all ages, especially for the eternally young at heart.

“R.A. Jones is one of the most imaginative writers in New Pulp today,” applauds Airship 27 Production’s Managing Editor Ron Fortier. “This wonderful new book is all the proof anyone would need. From traditional action-adventure, to westerns and sci-f, Jones can do it all. Whereas this whimsical tale is truly wonderful and so much fun. We know our readers will love it.”

Graphic artist Gary Kato provides the interior illustrations and the stunning cover was provided by Canadian Artist Ted Hammond.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

Available from Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.

[Link] Free Classic Pulp Mags -- Dieselpunk Industries Pulp Library

This library wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of people who take time to scan these magazines. The scanning process can be time consuming and arduous. The cheap paper used in the original printing process often contains a higher acid content than the higher quality paper varieties available today. Over time this low quality paper becomes more fragile and brittle. The scanners have to use special care to make sure the scanning process does as little damage possible. On some occasions the magazines are to far gone and must be broken apart or separated to be scanned. A special thanks goes out to the following groups and websites who have provided all the pulps available here.

pulpscans.groups.io
thepulp.net
pulpcovers.com
archive.org
comicbookplus.com

Visit the Pulp Library now!

Shooting It Straight -- 2020 Writing Fail

I'm just gonna shoot straight with you, dear reader. 2020 kicked the wind out of my writing sails. I probably wrote a total of 10k words all year, and those only to meet deadline responsibilities. 

The Dread Pirate Monkey!

I could give the plethora of reasons, from losing my full-time job, unemployment money taking six months to kick in, never receiving my first stimulus check, constantly wondering how my wife and I were going to make our house payment and keep the lights on, and (on a positive note) my daughter giving birth to my first grandchild, my little Monkey, Westley (with a 't' like the Dread Pirate). 

So, between fighting depression and worry and keeping busy as a doting grand-Monkey, writing really took a back seat this year in my priorities. 

But, really, all those are just excuses. 

Now, I know, after a year like that, I'm going to be the last person to beat myself up. From what I've seen among my writer friends and acquaintances, I'm not alone in my production falling by the wayside. This year has really kicked a lot of our butts. 

Listen to the Governator.

And as my dear friend and cheerleader, Judy Black (still the pixie of pulp in my eyes) posts frequently on her Facebook page, "Your reminder that pretty much everyone is stressed out right now. Please be kind to yourself."

I could moan about how little I got done last year. I could play the hurts and disappointments over and over again in my mind. I could make all kinds of unrealistic expectations about how 2021 is going to be pure, unfiltered gangbusters for my word count --

But I won't. 

Right now, I'm just going to take it a day at a time. I will write weekly, and meet the deadlines I have before me. I'm gonna take this advice from The Terminator to heart, only for writing -- not working out. ;)

So, here's to new years and new beginnings and new word counts. I've got a lot of writing I want to get done. I've got a lot of blogging I want to get done. 

Join me, won't you?

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS BASS REEVES FRONTIER MARSHAL VOL. 4

Airship 27 Productions is excited to announce the release of “Bass Reeves – Frontier Lawman Vol. 4”

There was no greater lawman in the Old West than Unites States Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. For thirty years, Reeves rode throughout the untamed Territories under the famous Hanging Judge Isaac Parker out of Fort Smith. In that time he captured well over three thousand outlaws and survived several deadly gun battles.

Writers Ron Fortier, Derrick Ferguson, Terry Alexander and Mel Odom offer up four brand new, action packed adventures of the legendary Bass Reeves. In these stories the Marshal will employ all his wilderness skills to deal with some of the most brutal, cold blooded killers on the frontier. While at the same time protecting the innocent whom he has sworn to serve.

“In this volume, we really put Bass Reeves through some challenging times,” confesses Ron Fortier, Airship 27 Managing Editor and one of the volume’s contributors. “From dealing with renegade outlaws, to vengeful Indians, Marshall Reeves has his handful both staying alive and bringing the bad guys & gals to justice. This is the Wild West where death can come from anywhere at any time.”

In all the annals of American history there was never a finer lawman than Bass Reeves, Frontier Marshal. So saddle up pilgrims and get ready for some rip-roaring action.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

Available now from Amazon in paperbackand on Kindle.

Snow takes to the air in SNOW SHORTS debut!

Snow takes to the air in SNOW SHORTS debut! BEN Books is thrilled to announce the launch of SNOW SHORTS with SNOW FLIES by series creator, Bobby Nash. Now available as a $0.99 ebook. Get in on the ground floor of this new series of Snow tales here.

About Snow Shorts #1: Snow Flies:

Abraham Snow goes undercover and takes to the air when a pilot friend of his goes missing. The trail leads him to a casino, smugglers, and dangerous skies. Can Snow disrupt the smuggling operation and save his friend and their unexpected passengers before they’re shot down?

Snow Flies was nominated for a 2020 Pulp Factory Award for Best Pulp Short Story (a shorter version of this story originally appeared in Paul Bishop Presents… Disorderly Conduct: Another Ten Tales of Murder and Mayhem).

About Snow Shorts: BEN Books and author Bobby Nash are looking ahead to a Snow-filled New Year! The indie publisher and award-winning author of the Snow series are thrilled to announce the debut of SNOW SHORTS in 2021.

SNOW SHORTS are, as the name suggests, short stories set within the Snow universe. BEN Books has reached out to a host of fantastic writers to join Snow creator, Bobby Nash in crafting tales featuring Abraham Snow and his companions. Writers involved include Gary Phillips, Bernadette Johnson, Milton Davis, John Hartness, Beverly Conner, Sean Taylor, Charles F. Millhouse, Brian K. Morris, Mike Gordon, Barry Reese, and more. Covers will be provided by Jeffrey Hayes of PlasmaFire Graphics.

SNOW SHORTS will be released as $0.99 stand-alone ebooks and be collected in print as well. In addition to SNOW SHORTS, the Snow novella series continues as well when Snow series 1 wraps up in February with SNOW DOWN before Series 2 begins with SNOW HUNT.

Learn more about Snow at www.abrahamsnow.com

Learn more about Bobby Nash at www.bobbynash.com

Learn more about BEN Books at www.ben-books.com

Remember, in #TheSummerofSnow every day is a #SnowDay!

Indie Authors Read provides free author readings for those sheltering at home

For Immediate Release

Atlanta, GA—In the wake of Covid-19, many folks find themselves at home looking for ways to occupy their time without spending a lot (or even any) money. For readers and fans of sci-fi and fantasy conventions who normally get their fix of meeting their favorite authors and listening to them do readings during the con, that stay at home can be doubly difficult during what is normally a strong and busy convention season. 

That’s why Lawrenceville-based writer Sean Taylor created Indie Authors Read (www.indieauthorsread.com), a website devoted to providing video “convention reading” for those stuck at home. “Panel readings are one of my favorites things to take part in at conventions, both as a writer and as a fan. Knowing I’m not alone in that, I asked several fellow writers from my ‘convention family’ if they’d be interested in helping out with a project where we could just sit at home and read our stories as if we’d been at the big shows at the local convention center. The response has been humbling, and many have joined the group,” said Taylor. 

Although the project has its creation in the closure of sci-fi and fantasy conventions, the stories included on the site will include various genres beyond just those two. Fans can expect action stories, thrillers, drama, horror, romance, and everything in between. 

“I love this idea and am honored to be part of it. Especially now, when the arts are more essential than ever,” said Bobby Nash, whose story “Beyond the Horizon” actually does fall into the fantasy category. 

The website launched April 6, and fresh readings will be resume weekly soon. 

“All that oohing and aahing, that cringing and crying, that laughing and wowing you’re expected at the con is missing from your life. This is a taste of it,” said Robert J. Krog, who contributes a Cthulhu-themed tale to the site’s launch. 

Indie Authors Read is a free video resource where authors read from their stories. For more information visit the Indie Authors Read website at www.indieauthorsread.com (or www.indyauthorsread.com since that usage is becoming common as well) or visit the Facebook page or visit the YouTube page. Authors wishing to take part in the project should fill out the contact form on the Indie Authors Read website.

Sean Taylor is an award-winning writer of stories. He grew up telling lies, and he got pretty good at it, so now he writes them into full-blown adventures for comic books, graphic novels, magazines, book anthologies and novels. He makes stuff up for money, and he writes it down for fun. He's a lucky fellow that way. For more information visit his website at www.thetaylorverse.com.

Contact:

Sean Taylor
Creator of Indie Authors Read
www.indieauthorsread.com

# # #

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS JEZEBEL JOHNSTON VOL. 7 -- MASTIFF

Airship 27 is thrilled to announce there release of volume 7 in its best-selling pirate queen saga, Jezebel Johnston by Nancy Hansen, “Mastiff.”

Stranded far from her Caribbean homeland, pirate Jezebel Johnston struggles to survive over the alien waters of the Barbary Coast. Through a strange twist of fate, she, and two other freed slaves, Zuri and Amaka, come under the protection of the famous Maratha Indian Warlord Shivaji Bhonsle. The soon to be Maharajah has a strong disdain for foreign interference in his country along with a unique respect for the faith of others and the intelligence of women.

Thus Jezebel and her sisters, feel a strong obligation to aid the famous war by volunteering to participate on one of his seagoing raids against the Mughal overlords. To do so, they will have to become spies, gather information on which ships are carrying what cargo and how best to take them.

It is a dangerous game, one Jezebel and her companions are aptly qualified for, their bravery mingled with their natural charms set into motion a daring seagoing assault that will have serious repercussions throughout the Indian world. 

“I’ve pretty much run out of words to describe how amazing this series is,” says Airship 27 Production Managing Editor Ron Fortier. “Nancy's saga is a sweeping, historically accurate adventure saga sure to entertain any lover of pirate lore. The action never stops and her characters are truly colorful rogues battling their ways across the seven seas.”

Pulp Factory Award Winning artist Rob Davis provides the 9 black and white interior illustrations and the amazing Adam Shaw the beautifully painted cover.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION

Available now at Amazon in paperback and soon on Kindle.

My Thoughts on Patriotism Here on Inauguration Day

Here on the day when Joe Biden is inaugurated as the 46th president of this great country, I have some thoughts about what patriotism means to me. 

I've actually been asked if I don't support Trump how can I dare call myself an American and say I love my country. 

Well... I'm glad you asked.

I love my country. Period. It's a blessing to live in a country with so many liberties even though we aren't where we need to be yet.

I love America enough to want to make it better, more welcoming, compassionate,  and provide equal possibilities for all people regardless or race, gender, religion or sexual leaning. 

I want to make the country I love a place where people all are considered innocent until proven guilty and not prejudged by the color of their skin or the neighborhood they live in or the God they choose to serve. 

I love my country enough to want all faiths or the lack of them on equal footing with no preferential treatment given to any one of them in terms of monuments, plaques, or school prayers. 

I love my country enough to want to change the improper perception that poor means lazy.

I love my country enough to believe that the wealthiest citizens should love it too enough to bear their responsibility to fund a still greater share of jobs and security to those who can't. Rather than that extra 100 million they could never spend.

I love my country warts and all and want to work with it to make an even more amazing place for all of us to live together. 

I love my country not just because I love the idea of the USA but because I love the people, all races, all religions, gay, straight, bi, trans, cis, etc., native born, immigrant, refugee, rich, poor, those needing help and those able to help,  of my country.

I love my country because of its people, not its history. I love my country in spite of its history, like I said, warts and all.

I love my country because it is the great melting pot experiment of blending ideals and people to embrace and define all of us.

I love my country not because of what it is, but because of what it's capable of being.

And I will always vote for the candidates I believe can best deliver that world, whether left, right, middle, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, etc., whether DC insider or outsider.

Why? 

Beacuse I love the USA.

Taking the Story from the Page to the Board Game

I've recently begun designing board games, but never fear. For me, a good board game is still all about telling an enjoyable story. 

Do the heroes defeat the villains? Do the villains conquer the world? Does the mouse fall in love with the frog and live happily ever after? Do the players cooperate or turn on each other? 

All these kinds of questions go into a strong, replay-worthy board or card game for me. Yes, I know not all games require them, and some might cite Cards Against Humanity as an example, but even then the story unfolding isn't about the game -- it's about the players. 

So, here are the games I currently have in development (just because you're special and get a sneak peek behind the curtain). 

The Battle for Classic City

Build your team of heroes from a cadre of public domain heroes of the past -- featuring Lady Fairplay, Man o' War, Spider Queen, Zor the Mighty, Moon Girl, and many more. Fight for your place as the preeminent team of heroes in Classic City!

This one plays like a Magic or YuGiOh card game without having to buy packs to refresh your decks to stay up to date. Players share the single provided deck to create and rebuild their hands to allow their leaders and sidekicks to attack and defend. 

Matinee

In this deck builder, create your own theater and present the best films to leave your competitors in the dust. Need an advantage? Sell a permanent seat and lock down a stack from the other players or force them to buy directly from you! 

This one is a classic deck builder with a twist. Earn enough money from your theater and you can buy a permanent seat that forces players to buy from you using earned gold or by card trading. Plus it's based on all those great public domain movies you're probably watched spoofed on MST3K!

Cap'n Kelly's Custom Critters

A battling game with a best in show twist! Create your own Custom Critters and then compete in themed competitions as you move around the tiles to initiate battles with the other custom critters. Then make your pets even more special (you know, by adding bat wings or extra legs). The more trophies you earn, the more Custom Critters you can create and increase your ability to cover the board.

For this battling game you will have to constant build and rebuild you custom critters for an ever changing board of competition opportunities. Even though your octopus with lasers and tap shoes won the nightmare battle, it might not help you when it's time for an athletic competition!

Last Mouse on the Left

While Petunia and Penelope Mousekawitz were in the kitchen searching for cheese, Kitty the Killer Cat caught them, and well... it's the circle of life (or perhaps for Kitty, the circle of lunch). But this time, the remaining Mousekawitzes aren't taking it lying down. Armed with every kitchen utensil they can find, they're going to get revenge on that killer cat. Or course, that’s not going to be easy, because, as we all know, cats are notoriously hard to kill with those nine lives... The bigger and more elaborate the trap you set, the more likely you are to get your revenge on Kitty!

Place your workers to set traps, attack directly, draw additional cards, heal your mouse, or even control the cat and send him after your opponents. This one uses a basic worker placement mechanic streamlined for beginning players of that game type. 

Shark Detective

Did Little Jimmy Jellyfish steal Sara Seahorse's pearls from the Undertow Club? Or did Agatha "Angel" Angler steal Ollie Ollie Octopus' gold doubloon at Rad Reef Park? It's an under the sea crime adventure only you can solve as you take the role of one of Ocean City's most brilliant Shark Detectives to catch the right criminal, investigate the right crime scene, and return the stolen merchandise to the victim. Why sharks? Because they're the smartest hunters in the sea, and it will take all those smart to close this case!

The rules are simple on this one, and it's designed for quick, easy family and group play for all ages. Manipulate the line up and when it matches your case card, you win!