A New issue. New worlds. New tales. New questions. Same commitment to stories that matter. Read Free online : go.dfstory.com/anvil23 or BUY on Amazon: go.dfstory.com/Anvil23Amazon
Visit DreamForge. Check out our latest Issue 23, online now! And then start finding your new favorite authors across our archive of issues. Stories, articles on writing, hope notes, and more! dreamforgemagazine.com/digital-issu...
Today's Word: Apophenia
Definition: The tendency to perceive meaningful connections or patterns in random or unrelated data, this term is often linked to human pattern recognition and conspiracy theories. Remember, coincidences are not only possible, they are a mathematical certainty.
Brandon Case tells us of Prince Geodendry β swatter of sunbeams, menace of midnight β eschews the outside world. He has kibble, a windowsill, and a loyal attendant. But when one careless click of a lock leaves him stranded beyond his castle walls... go.dfstory.com/indoorprince
What if we could drill past every layer of who we are β what would we find at the core? Read Core Sample by Marie Brennan. go.dfstory.com/coresample
In every submission period, DreamForge sees tales from writers who think in medias res means opening with an explosion. Please don't. Learn the challenges and subtleties of "starting in the middle of things." go.dfstory.com/inmediares
Today's Word: Tmesis
The separation of a compound word by inserting another word between its parts. From Greek tmΔsis (cutting). "un-freaking-believable" is a tmesis. They tell me Tmesis was common in Homeric Greek, isn't that "fan-flipping-tastic"?
Writers are welcome to join us for DreamCasters! Supported through Patreon, DreamCasters is our monthly writers discussion group. Our guest on March 7 is NYT Bestselling Author Jane Lindskold.
www.patreon.com/c/DreamForge...
We love to promote the success of our DreamCasters. Today, we congratulate Stephen Sottong on his latest horror tale βNight Walk,β published in Writing Against the Grain.
watgpress.com/writing-agai...
Fifteen Silver, by Alexandra Wingo
The heart-wrenching story of a bard in chains, with only one hope of escape. In a kingdom where stories are punishable by death, the most dangerous thing you can do is listen.https://go.dfstory.com/15silver
Today's Word: Palimpsest
A manuscript page that has been scraped clean and rewritten upon, yet still bears faint traces of the original text beneath. From Greek palimpsestos (scraped again). Have you come across this word in a fantasy novel? The Archimedes Palimpsest sold for $2 million in 1998.
The Indoor Prince, by Brandon Case
Prince Geodendry, swatter of sunbeams, abhors the outside world. He has kibble, a windowsill, and a loyal attendant. But when one careless click of a lock leaves him stranded outside, Geo discovers a different way of life.https://go.dfstory.com/indoorprince
When a ghost mariachi band shows up to play at Darrenβs transition to the afterlife, he fails to die on schedule. Now heβs stuck with them, and they with him, and nobody knows quite what will happen next. Read Pete Lead's wonderful story. go.dfstory.com/ides
DreamForge Anvil #23 is here! In this issue we drill to the core of what makes us human, wager a life on the power of story, journey with a pampered cat prince as he learns about connection, share a drink with ghosts who could use a day off, and more! Online Issue link - go.dfstory.com/anvil23
A Deep Magic Kickstarter is coming soon. Two deluxe anthologies for all ages to enjoy. Published by Oliver Heber Books. 255 followers so far. www.kickstarter.com/projects/hij...
Imagination, community, and belonging are the keys to survival in any age. Nowhere will they be needed more than among the asteroids. Read "Beyond Our Hidden Stars" by Sally Wiener Grotta. dreamforgemagazine.com/story/beyond...
Today's Word: Snollygoster
A shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician guided by self-interest rather than principle. American slang from the 1840s, possibly from schnelle Geister (German, "quick spirits"). A word lying in wait for a comeback ever since. Still waiting. Any day now.
Writers are welcome to join us for DreamCasters! Supported through Patreon, DreamCasters is our monthly writers discussion group. Our guest on March 7 is NYT Bestselling Author Jane Lindskold.
www.patreon.com/c/DreamForge...
Congratulations! DreamForge's Senior Advisor & Creative Consultant, Jane Lindskold, has a new story coming out in the new online magazine Gavagai. We're looking forward to reading "Tomb of Young Dreams," which will be out in about a month. Learn more at: janelindskold.wordpress.com
Where AI may already be out-coding humans, it's unlikely their result will ever have as many unintended consequences as human programming. Or as Jason writes in Kobold Domain Patch Notes: "P.S. I met a girl." dreamforgemagazine.com/story/kobold...
Today's Word: Syzygy The alignment of celestial bodies in a straight line, as during an eclipse. From Greek suzugia (yoked together). This adds a new layer of appreciation to my viewing of 2001: A Space Odyssey, the most influential movie in my life, if not the greatest movie of all time.
Finding myself near the cutting edge of treatment for advanced macular degeneration was not on my bucket list, but here we are. In any previous decade, the outlook may have been grim. Today, progressive vision loss has turned a corner to measurable improvement.
go.dfstory.com/macular
One of my favorite poems in DreamForge - Interstellar Tract by the late Bruce Boston, paired with one of my favorite DreamForge illustrations by Jane Noel, as evocative in its own way at Bruce's words about "A rough and natural ship." dreamforgemagazine.com/story/inters...
Today's Word: Cacoethes
An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable. From Greek kakoethes (ill-disposed), blending kakos (bad) and ethos (disposition). Roman satirist Juvenal gave us "cacoethes scribendi" - the incurable itch to write. 'nuff said.
Today's Word: Eigengrau The dark gray color you see when your eyes are closed. From German eigen (own) and grau (gray), literally "intrinsic gray." Your visual system refuses to show nothing, so it invents a color instead. Even in darkness, we generate light. There's a metaphor in there somewhere
This amazing display of martial arts robots performing at China's 2026 Spring Festival Gala made me smile.Β Β
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUml...
At least the robots that conquer us will have more style, agility, and cool threads than we ever imagined. Or maybe they're just taolu partners.
Hard to believe it's been over 25 years now!
globalcomment.com/an-old-wor...
Are we doomed or ready to survive against all challenges? Aditya Deshmukh gives his answer in this reverse poem entitled "But We're Still Alive, Aren't We?" dreamforgemagazine.com/story/but-we...
Today's Word: Scrupulosity
Obsessive concern with moral or religious issues, especially excessive guilt over minor sins. From Latin scrupulus ("small sharp stone"). A famous example is St. Ignatious of Loyola, who feared he had sinned by stepping on two pieces of straw that formed a cross.
During DreamForgeβs latest submission period, we found an oft-repeated pattern in story openings that just will not work for us. Letβs take a look at what bad habits to avoid.
go.dfstory.com/story-opening
