All contributions by:

John Ottinger III

Black Dragon, White Dragon, edited by Robert J. Santa

By John Ottinger III ⋅ March 10, 2009

Dragons. Whether Western or Eastern, these beasts have captured the imagination of children and romantics everywhere. Are these myths holdovers of a memory of the gigantic beasts called dinosaurs? Or were they once a reality? No one knows, but these strange creatures have been hand in hand with fantasy ever since it was popularized by [...]

Nursery Rhyme Noir by David C. Kopaska-Merkel

By John Ottinger III ⋅ February 3, 2009

For those in the know, flash fiction is one of the most innovative and creative writing forms in existence today. So it was with pleasure that I read Nursery Rhyme Noir: The Hasp Deadbolt Files by David C. Kopaska-Merkel. Published by small press Sam’s Dot Publishing, this little book brings together 26 flash fiction tales [...]

Neo-opsis #15

By John Ottinger III ⋅ November 1, 2008

Though perhaps at $7.95 Neo-opsis #15 is a bit pricey for the six stories, one poem, and five bits of nonfiction it contains; a reader cannot deny that this Canadian magazine can and does publish good fiction. The humorous science fiction piece, “The Laughing C’rell” by Kevin Lauderdale, is a creative look at first contact. [...]

Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #37

By John Ottinger III ⋅ October 14, 2008

According to editor Tehani Wessely, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine issue #37 is a compilation of tales that “deal with loss and change, in a wide variety of incarnations.” Why? Because this is the editor’s swan song. Wessely is leaving ASIM for other pastures. So the question then becomes, does this 37th issue of the popular [...]

Six Silly Stories by Geoffrey Maloney

By John Ottinger III ⋅ October 3, 2008

The “silly” in the title of Australian author Geoffrey Maloney’s collection, Six Silly Stories, refers not to the childlike humor we normally associate with the term, but instead is synonymous with “odd,” “strange,” or even “weird.” The stories in this collection, subtitled “The City Sextet,” take the hum-drum tasks of everyday life, from doctor’s visits, [...]