X-mas in Ottawa Means Weird Fiction!
After the success of Morning Owl Coffeehouse these two local authors are at it again!
Liam Gibbs, author of the In a Galaxy Far, Far Awry, himself describes the series as superhero, space opera, sci-fi, comedy. Think X-men meets Star Wars, meets Space Balls!
Michel Weatherall's numerous titles in The Symbiot-Series span and crossover numerous genres! From Lovecraftian-horror in The Symbiot to a hybrid horror-action in The Hunt: Symbiosys, to a Weird-Fiction-Cosmic horror cross in
Necropolis, to the sci-fi/theological commentary blend on UNCGSC: The Facility (and some have even hinted at the subtle and veiled comedy in Coffee @ Pequods!).
Do these two Ottawans authors' work nicely (or comfortably) fit into a genre? I wouldn't think so.
Drop by Saturday, December 17th at Comet Comics, 1167 Bank Street. These two behemoths will be there between 11 am - 4pm.
Get autographed copies. Find that difficult-to-buy-for-person on your Christmas list their gift. Get your last minute X-mas shopping done!
Or better yet, sit down and chat with these two local authors! See what makes the creative mind tick!
We'll being the chairs, you bring the coffee!
~ ~ ~
Why have I talked about Weird Fiction and stories and writing styles that are difficult clearnly define?
Some believe H.P. Lovecraft was the originator of Weird Fiction. Whether or not that's true is a matter of opinion, but one thing's for certain; he definitely drew, and continues to draw attention to this somewhat obscure genre.
Definitely ranking among the titanic influences of Weird Fiction alongside Edgar Allan Poe, Lord Dunsany, Author Machen, and Clark Ashton Smith, it is a matter of opinion whether H.P. Lovecraft was its originator or not.
There is a debate among some as to whether it is possible to write in this genre anymore; that at the death of Smith ('61) forever closed this genre; making it an isolated period of literary history. Some have even created new sub-genre, New Weird Fiction, in an attempt to sidestep this debate.
I think it's silly and ultimately is a debate I have no interest in. My interest lies in the definition of Weird Fiction, nay, past its definition, in its very spirit!
Weird Fiction is defined as "encompassing the ghost story and other tales of the macabre. Weird fiction is distinguished from horror and fantasy in its blending of supernatural, mythical, and even scientific tropes."
Although not incorrect, I am not convinced this is an accurate definition. These authors wrote before, what would become the publishing industry, defined genres. There is something refreshing and pure about that.
Today, a person decides one day to write a horror story, or a sci-fi, or a romantic-comedy - fill-in-the-blank. Whatever it is they've decided to write, they have already pigeon-holed themselves - and thus restricted or even stiffled their creativity.
There is a lesson to learn from these authors of Weird Fiction. Just write.
If the publishing companies, if the media, if the critics, if the world needs to define it, label it, and put it in a box, let them. That's on them.
Just write. If it doesn't neatly fit into a category or box, then too-bad, so sad. Let your creative juices flow!
