Reviews of recent and upcoming science fiction, fantasy, horror and other genre related books. Sometimes I'll add something I think will be of interest.
Seven Shades of Evil by Robert McCammon Trade Hardcover Coming This October! Preorder Today, Pay When the Books Are Ready to Ship!
For those who missed the news, Lividian Publications is proud to be publishing a deluxe trade hardcover edition of Seven Shades of Evil
by Robert McCammon, the ninth volume in his acclaimed Matthew Corbett
series. This beautiful hardcover edition features exclusive Vincent
Chong full-color artwork for the dust jacket and will be published this
October in a very limited First Edition/First Printing run!
About the Book: Seven Shades of Evil is
the ninth volume in bestselling author Robert McCammon’s acclaimed
series of historical thrillers featuring Matthew Corbett, and this
fascinating installment features a wide range of adventures undertaken
by both Matthew and his friends over the years.
From
murder plots that aren’t what they seem, to creepy forests with
possible supernatural evils, to a remote manor whose occupants are in
the clutches of a ruthless master, these stories are an intriguing blend
of everything wonderful that has drawn readers to the Matthew Corbett
series for more than twenty years.
Seven Shades of Evil
is the penultimate volume in the Matthew Corbett series, and the
perfect table setter for the final adventure of the multifaceted
character USA Network has called “the Early American James Bond.” This
is another masterful volume from one of America’s most skilled authors,
featuring some of his most memorable, compelling, and chilling
characters.
Some health news in my world, not the kind I’d like, but life loves plot twists. So here goes . . .
In late November 2022 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Follicular Lymphoma (NHFL), a cancer of my lymphatic system. The lymph node in my left armpit had been swollen and cranky for some time and during a routine mammography/ultrasound it was cited as needing follow-up. A biopsy revealed this to be an “indolent” kind of lymphoma, ***very slow growing***, unlike some of the other varieties out there. (Follicular Lymphoma is the most common slow-growing lymphoma and the second most common Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.) It is considered a "chronic" cancer, of all things. Who knew?
The disease is currently at Grade 1 / 2 (my doc says he thinks it's more a 2 plus), and not in the bone marrow or organs, which is great news. Staging for FL is different than for solid tumor cancers and is based on its location above and below the diaphragm and whether it is in the bone marrow or organs. So a Stage 3 in FL is considerably different than Stage 3 in many of the other solid tumor cancers.
However, due to the multiple spots seen on my PET scan, and their locations, I’m having immuno-chemotheraphy because it’s impossible to determine if all those are the slow type without add’l biopsies. In this case, it’s better to nail those mothers right up front. Since FL can sometimes transform into a far more aggressive variety (U.S. Rep. Jaime Raskin, for instance, was recently treated for Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)), we’re being extra cautious here.
Unlike some Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, the indolent kind is not curable, it’s just an ongoing thing that will need treatment every now and then. Remission can be for months, *or for decades.* Everyone’s mileage varies with this disease, so there is watching, waiting, and then acting as needed. There are many treatment options available at this point.
I have currently finished # 2 of 6 “spa” treatments as I call them. one every three weeks if my bloodwork says I'm up for them. The medication regimine is R-CHOP, a blend of three chemo drugs, prednisone and an immunotherapy drug. It is definitely serious stuff so, no surprise, my hair has fallen out and I now have a chilly bald head. I wear a turban and I now know why hairless cats look so grumpy. The hair will grow back. The key thing is to put these nasties into remission (or destroy the more aggressive ones if they’re present) and get on with my life.
Fortunately, I’ve been vigilant (yes, a bit obsessive) about wearing a mask in public spaces since the pandemic began, which in retrospect seems to have been a wise precaution. I’ve improved my diet dramatically, taking a bunch of meds, and keeping my head and heart in the game. I continue to write on those days I have a working brain. The oncology staff at Hospital da Luz (Hospital of Light) in Coimbra (Portugal) are wonderful. Our friends in the U.S. and Portugal are supporting us, and my spouse has been a godsend.
So this has definitely been a PLOT TWIST, though it’s a lot more fun when those happen in my books. Any prayers, good vibes, and healing Light sent our way would be appreciated.
I’ll keep you updated, but not inundated with news. Onward to remission.
A PSA — if you have a lymph node that is enlarged and isn’t settling back down after a few weeks, get it checked, even if you are a young person. Or if you have any of these other symptoms.
Don’t let your doctor ignore these. Most Follicular Lymphomas aren’t diagnosed until the disease is advanced because it’s just so stealthy. Like in my case, at least 2+ years of stealth since I first noticed the lymph node change in mid 2021 during the middle of the pandemic. This is definitely a ninja disease.
L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future Volume 39, edited by Jody Lynn Nye and Dean Wesley Smith, Galaxy Press, $22.95, 978-1619867680.
It's one of my favorite times of the year. With spring, when hope and new growth appear, comes the latest volume of new writers, with new perspectives and fresh ideas arrives to prepare us for the future.
This year we welcome a new team of editors, fan favorite Jody Lynn Nye and Dean Wesley Smith, who in all clarity, wrote my first check for writing all those years ago.
Before I get into the beautiful art and amazing stories. I want to especially thank Kristine Kathryn Rusch for her essay on writing. It is a very useful piece and making time and priorities for writing for each and every writer, not just those who experience mental and physical issues that make procrastination and anxiety a daily battle.
"Kitsune" written by Devon Bohm is a marvelous tale of the return of foxes to the New Mexico of the future, the increase in the number of missing women, and the effects of both on our narrator, a young shop keeper.
"Moonlight and Funk" written by Marianne Xenos tells us of Aveen, a beach combing vampire living in Key West. She keeps a low profile using her using the treasure she finds with her metal detector and creating trinkets of of the trash that she sells to a local tourist shop. All is well until the night she runs into a dragon and its companion Chihuahua.
"Death and the Taxman" written by David Hankins may be the funniest story ever written about an IRS accountant. It seems Death was on his way to collect Frank Troutman at his office at the IRS Center, when he discovers that the old adage is true, or is it.
"Under My Cypresses" written by Jason Palmatier shows us a future of "pill or tech" to enhance our senses.
"White Elephant" written by David K. Henrickson is a first contact story unlike any other. If you think you can imagine what happens when the First Contactees want to buy the moon, you have to read this story.
"Piracy for Beginners" written by J. R. Johnson is a nicely written tale of Space Opera like we hardly see anymore.
"A Trickle in History" written by Elaine Midcoh is a thoughtful look at how to make time travel work.
Also included are a Dan Shambles story from Kevin J Anderson, an article and story from L Ron Hubbard and other stories by a new batch of writers that should turn into a well known group in the near future.
As always, thanks to Galaxy Press for putting out the best collection of new fiction of the year and I am already looking forward to Volume 40 and the talent that it will bring.
The Medical Disability Examination Office Needs to Better Monitor Mileage Requirements for Contract Exams
4/20/2023
12:00 PM EDT
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviewed how the Medical Disability Examination Office (MDEO) is monitoring mileage requirements in the contract exam process because veterans reported on satisfaction surveys that they had to travel excessive distances to attend exams.
Contracts with providers require that veterans expressly consent to traveling farther for exams than the set limits: 50 miles for non-specialist exams and 100 miles for specialist exams. That express consent must be documented and included in the record available to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) employees.
The OIG found MDEO is not monitoring whether vendors obtain and document veterans’ express consent to travel beyond contractual mileage limits for exams. The OIG also found MDEO is not sufficiently monitoring vendor portals to ensure all required details of mileage reimbursements are available to veterans. MDEO is not monitoring compliance because its leaders do not consider it a priority given the small percentage of veterans affected. However, MDEO is responsible for ensuring vendors comply with all contract requirements, including mileage requirements and reimbursements. Without monitoring, VBA cannot identify or implement improvements that will make a positive impact for veterans.
If vendors do not obtain and document express consent to exceed contractual mileage limitations, veterans may not be aware of their right to undergo an exam within a reasonable distance of their homes. This potentially burdens veterans who are elderly or have disabilities that make it difficult to travel long distances.
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits implement a process to monitor and demonstrate progress in assessing vendors’ compliance with contractual mileage and travel reimbursement requirements, collaborate with vendors to ensure portals include proper documentation of express consent, and collaborate with vendors to ensure mileage reimbursement information is available in vendor portals.
Joseph Wrzos in 1998 at I-Con 17 Long-Island, NY. Photograph by John L. Coker III
By John L. Coker III: U.S. teacher and editor Joseph [Henry] Wrzos of Saddle River, New Jersey (born in Newark, New Jersey on September 9, 1929) aka Joseph Ross, died on April 7, 2023.
Yesterday afternoon I received an e-mail message from Ken Wrzos. He wrote: “Hello, John. I’m sorry to inform you that my dad, Joseph Wrzos, passed away today, April 7, 2023.”
BACKGROUND. Joseph Wrzos received his B.A. (cum
laude) in 1952 from Rutgers University, joined Phi Beta Kappa and was a
graduate student at Columbia University. During 1953-54 Joe was
Assistant Editor at Gnome Press in New York. For the next several years
he was high school librarian in Roselle Park, NJ. During 1957-95, Joe
was an English teacher at Millburn Senior High School, Millburn, NJ, and
chairman of the English Department during 1969-72. He was a member of
the National Education Association and the New Jersey Education
Association.
FROM THE SCIENCE FICTION ENCYCLOPEDIA.
“He was the Managing Editor of Amazing Stories and Fantastic 1965-1967. He edited The Best of Amazing (anth 1967), selecting only stories from before he became editor; and Hannes Bok: A Life in Illustration (graph
coll 2012). His influence on the field has not been well publicized.
He helped Sam Moskowitz with his Robert Duncan Milne collection – Into the Sun and Other Stories: Science Fiction in Old San Francisco, Volume II (coll 1980)
– and wrote an article about it in the Winter 1982 Fantasy Commentator.
He helped Peter Ruber with most of his projects at Arkham House but
may only be formally co-credited on the Seabury Quinn collection Night Creatures (coll 2003). He also compiled the August Derleth collection In Lovecraft’s Shadow: The Cthulhu Mythos Stories of August W Derleth (coll 1998) to which he contributed the introduction. Derleth’s final sf anthology, New Horizons (anth 1998),
was put into its final shape by Ross, who again provided the
introduction. He was a consulting editor on the newly revamped (from
2012) Amazing Stories. In 2009, Joseph Wrzos received the Sam
Moskowitz Archive Award from First Fandom and he was elected to
the First Fandom Hall of Fame in 2016.”
BY JOHN L. COKER III. There are quite a few members
of fandom who knew Joseph Wrzos for more than fifty years, a lot longer
than me. I met Joe Wrzos in 1998 at I-Con 17, Stony Brook University,
Long Island, NY. For the next 25 years, we maintained a written
correspondence and worked together on several book projects. I learned a
lot about writing from Professor Wrzos.
I got to know Joe as someone who was cordial, smart, knowledgeable,
intelligent and bright, caring, industrious, a person who sought the
highest results. He was a gentleman, a teacher, a mentor, and a friend
to many. He earned and maintained his excellent reputation.
Joseph Wrzos enjoyed living the life he chose. For decades, he was
in academia, imparting wisdom in his teaching and in his writing. He
embraced the fields of science fiction and fantasy literature. He was
an avid reader and collector, someone who developed genuine expertise in
many areas. He set the highest standards for his personal work and
established those same expectations with students and collaborators.
During his long career, he got to work with many big-name fans and pros
of the highest caliber, producing a large body of meaningful material
for the genre magazines and books. He seemed happy, finding real love
with Helen de la Ree, someone who shared his many interests, and a dear
person who worked hard to achieve the very best for both of them.
Joseph Wrzos and Helen de la Ree (I-Con 17, Long Island, NY, 1998). Photograph by John L. Coker III.
FAMILY HISTORY AND FORMAL ARRANGEMENTS. The family obituary says:
He was predeceased by: his former wife Anita Wrzos; and his siblings, Mae Gaborski, Chester Wrzos and Dolly Wiley. He is survived by:
his wife Helen; his sons, Michael Ross (Eiko) and Kenneth Wrzos
(Michelle Llado-Wrzos); his grandchildren, Philip Ross (Jillian), Nina
Ross, Rachel Ross, and Emily Wrzos; and his great grandchild Harlan
Ross.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 12th
2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Dancy Memorial (9 Smull Avenue,
Caldwell, NJ 07006). A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, April 13th 2023 at 10:30 AM at the St. Aloysius Church (219 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006). A burial will be held on Thursday, April 13th 2023 at the Prospect Hill Cemetery (326 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006).”
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Joseph’s name to the American Heart Association.
About the Book:
