​I was watching Oblivion the other day for the third or fourth time and it got me to thinking how much I love sci-fi in film/movie format. I then began to ponder at my favourite movies of all time, and then I wondered what other people thought. That has led me here.
​I want to produce a definitive list of the top ten best sci-fi films of all time.
​I guess it would be great to do a survey.
I'll definitely have my own strong opinion on that.
​It has also occurred to me that there is considerable bias towards certain films based on religion of all things. I'm not a religious person so it beats the hell out of me why anyone would let that subject cloud their judgment. One particular movie came to mind with this subject and that was, 'After Earth'. I think this movie is one of the most underrated sci-fi movies of all time. I also believe that it got undue bad publicity from Will Smith being friends with Tom Cruise, and in turn Tom Cruise being a Scientologist. It's ridiculous that the movie cannot be allowed to stand on its own merits and get off on such a bad standing from even before it was released. I recall rumours before it was released in which people discussed the idea that the story was based on Scientology ideas.
​The truth is that the movie script ideas do have shades of Scientology mostly because the tenements of Scientology are like any philosophy or religion - generalised and wide ranging. Scientology is not the only or even the first movement on this planet that believes we have lived before and will live again. It is also not the only movement that believes that the Earth has been visited and/or inhabited by beings from other planets before.
​It could even be said that the movie with Tom Cruise, 'Minority Report' could be based on Scientology rhetoric, but this is as false as it is true. Firstly, the story is loosely based on Philip K. Dick's story with the same name. Philip K. Dick is long dead, AND was not a Scientologist, and was a well known and respected sci-fi writer. However, it was well known and is evidenced in his writing that Dick explored philosophical, social and political themes in his writing.
​So, the survey will be listed below, and I will submit my favourite films.

Thanks.

​Ed. 

Sister Earth - The Saudari Chronicles by Robby Lyon, is primarily an adventure that is speckled with fantasy elements and science-fiction underpinned in an urban landscape of future Earth - the year 2042.
The story begins many years before civilization has taken hold in this particular cycle that we are in currently. Although we believe that Earth had developed basically along the lines of Darwinean Theory. It is also true that there has been other hands steering the evolution of cities, cultures and wars.
There are many people who believe this to be true among today's writers and historians. Although it may be considered fringe and controversial, it answers many questions and attempts to address holes in evolution and the written history.
After all, history has always been written by the victor, and so fiction provides a vehicle for the imagination to paint a possible picture of what may have been, what could be and what perhaps still is, a marvelous universe of infinite possibilities and ideas.
We hope that you enjoy the adventure of Flann and the OED in discovering the wonders of possibility and the surprise of reality.
Sister Earth is available in paperback.
FREE delivery in the Newcastle, NSW area for $16.99
Can be ordered world-wide from Amazon.com, thebookdepository.com, barnesandnoble.com, foyles.co.uk, greensbookstore.com, watersons.co.uk

Literary Fantasy

There’s a new kid on the block; not so much new as not as yet defined. It’s called Literary Fantasy, but where does it fit in? Does it fit in? Why do we need it?

Well, fantasy has been cruising about for a long time now, and arguably went mainstream with the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, however, since then fantasy has taken on all manner of manifestations and can, sometimes, be almost unrecognizable. Perhaps defining a genre or clarifying what it represents is only needed so as readers can locate something that they feel comfortable with, something that warms their hearts.

So, as a writer, trying to get his/her stories out there and read can be difficult if you write in an obscure genre or you touch on many areas thus not recognised for being anything. It’s a shame that writers get labelled, just as it is a shame that any pastime is recognised for certain elements rather than others, thus projecting incongruities onto people that may or may not be apt. I guess this helps people to place themselves in relation to the rest of the world.

Writers do it all the time when they describe a character. How many times have you read a fantasy novel where travellers pass through a small village and have to see a blacksmith? The blacksmith is a big, burly bloke, usually surrounded by anvils, molten liquid and hammers, right? Well, perhaps that’s not the best example, but bear with me.

So, we’re all part of this cycle of label and read, and it’ll probably gone on as long as we have the written word, so what I’d like to do is introduce you to new type of fantasy – it’s fantasy for the poets, for the literary, the dreamers. It is fantasy that weaves a story about fantastical things, in urban cultures, or faraway lands, but it’s not necessarily meant for the young adult or the adult, it’s meant for the dreamer, the person who will always remain a little kid at heart. The one that steals out the back door, grabs her tomahawk axe, which just fits in the backpack, jumps the fence, crosses the oval and heads for he hills.

We’ve all been there, but some of us are still there and always will be. Literary Fantasy is about weaving a story in a fashion that touches the soul and joins that little kid with the outside world forever. It must be defined because Literary Fantasy isn’t necessarily Urban Fantasy, which seems to have been relegated to describing vampires in our cities. It’s not traditional fantasy, that which is best defined by The Belgariad by David Eddings, and it’s not YA fantasy (hardly a genre but has nonetheless carved its own little niche).

If you are the type of person that enjoys Literary Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, adventure and even some romance, then you might very well be the kind of person who will enjoy Sister Earth by Robby Lyon. This first book in the series (The Saudari Chronicles) can most aptly be described as Literary Fantasy that touches on urban adventure, sci-fi, fantasy and urban-fantasy. There are touches of alternative history and mythology that help define the elements in the story and imbue a fantastical yet completely possible plot. 

Yesterday we launched Sarga Magazine; digital only at this stage. The first PRINT magazine is due about JUNE 2014, but this is still only a working target at this stage.
We've had some great responses by freelancers who seem to be as excited as we are in this venture. We're truly working to create a good balance of fiction, tidbits, reviews, travel stories and general news about writing, publishing and authors in general with a focus on the Indie movement as much as possible.
We believe that being independent is the only way to go, but in saying this we staunchly encourage the highest standards in writing, editing and publishing in general.

Please stop by and don't be afraid to tell others of our news: www.sargamagazine.com

Ed.

Hello Budding Writers,

Are you a writer already that we haven't heard of? Are you an Indie? We love Indies, in fact we'd prefer if you are the little guy/girl who wants to carve out some of that publishing pie for yourself. Why the hell not, right!
This anthology will have a loose theme; when we say theme we actually just mean a thread that 'kind of' links the stories in some vague way.
The idea to inspire your stories is this:
 IF ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN THE UNIVERSES THEN WHAT DOES YOUR UNIVERSE DICTATE?
It won't really matter how your story evolves or what 'genre' it impacts, we are after good stories. You may have something already that you think fits this project or you may want to tailor a new story just for this. There are limited spots, and we will pay for your story (not a huge amount, don't get too excited). The limit is about fifteen thousand words! (15,000) Please stick to this, please edit and polish as much as you know how, and then leave the rest to us. If you get chosen for the final six then we'll contact you and make the offer.
Buona Scrittura!




Ed.

G'day,
We are launching a magazine shortly, but before we do we need your help.
We're after stories about travel, dreams, books, reading, Indie authors, fiction, noon-fiction, love, people and the world in general. The title of our magazine is Dream Book (writing, travel, dreams).
If you believe you'll fit in or have an idea for a series or regular article or just a one off, then contact us NOW.
We are taking submissions.
We pay one cent per word. (1000 words =$10) Doesn't sound like much but it's a start.
Think of the opportunity.
World-wide distribution intended.
Contact the editor here:
sales@9thDraftPublications.com
In conjunction with www.booksheepress.com, www,9thdraftpublications.com, www.booksheep.com

Regards,
Ed.