Tag Archives: daniel patrick corcoran

A “Surge of Pride” in the Middle of Eternity

This week on the blog, Daniel Patrick Corcoran discusses his delightfully clever contribution to our upcoming speculative fiction anthology, Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity. Daniel is one of our core storytellers who has been with us since book one.


Daniel Patrick CorcoranWhen I was invited to include a story in the third Middle of Eternity anthology, I reflected on the stories that I had included in the first two. My story in Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity was about a vampire, placing it solidly in the category of fantasy. When a reader pointed out that the stories in that anthology were almost all fantasy, I made sure my story in Elsewhere in the Middle of Eternity was as deep into science fiction as I could get. So for Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity, I wondered if there was a way I could combine the two genres. And I realized, yes, yes I could.

Surge of Pride-IlllustrationThe idea of a robot finding a genie’s lamp is not particularly unique, and when I came up with the story hook it was mostly to prop up a punchline. As I was writing the first draft I was thinking that while the joke would be funny, it would also be easy, and if it wasn’t a challenge for me it might not be enjoyable for the reader. That’s when I started asking myself questions about the story and that’s where the fun really starts for me. I really like the craftwork, taking an idea and building onto it to make it a good story. In this instance, I revisited the story elements. Is the genie malicious or subservient? Is the robot going to get its wish? Will the wish produce ironic results? Is there something else going on that is not immediately apparent? It was that last question that led me to write a story I feel worthy of inclusion in an anthology of the fantastic, and I hope the readers agree.

We hope you’ll check out the perks we’re offering in our Indiegogo campaign and consider a contribution to help us fund the publication of Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity. Thank you for supporting small press writers!


Known as Renfield to his friends and family—yes, really—Daniel Patrick Corcoran lives in Baltimore, Maryland with his wife and house rabbits. Renfield is a familiar face at the Maryland convention scene and can usually be found taking to the stage in one form or another. When not busy turning beloved genres on their ears, he is sometimes seen wandering the streets dressed as Krampus or Schnabelperchten as a celebrant of all holiday traditions. Daniel’s vampire comedy tale, “Apartment Hunting,” and science fiction adventure, “The Hard Place,” were published in Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity and Elsewhere in the Middle of Eternity, respectively.


Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity

We look forward to launching Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity in February 2021. In the meantime, check out the first two volumes in the series by clicking on a cover image below.

Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity  Elsewhere in the Middle of Eternity

 

And We Are LIVE on Indiegogo!

MIME Cover PrototypeSteven H. Wilson and Phil Giunta are thrilled to bring you the third book in our Middle of Eternity anthology series—Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity—with stories of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal by Daniel Patrick Corcoran, Michael Critzer, Sean Druelinger, Julie Fedon, Chris Ochs, Peter Ong, Bart Palamaro, Stuart Roth, Susanna Reilly, April Welles, Lance Woods, Steven H. Wilson, and Phil Giunta.
With cover art by Michael Riehl and interior art by Tim Marron, Laura Inglis, Julie Fedon, Chris Ochs, Cheyenne-Autumn Christine Reilly, and Michael Riehl.
Check out our Indiegogo campaign here and consider helping us bring this book to publication. Thank you for supporting small press publishers and authors!
Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity

Approaching the Middle of Eternity!

MIME Cover PrototypeWe’re ecstatic to announce that all stories are locked in for the long-awaited third volume of the Middle of Eternity speculative fiction series—Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity! All content editing has been completed and the manuscript will be compiled over the holidays. No official release date has been set, but stay tuned.

Contributing authors for book three include Daniel Patrick Corcoran, Michael Critzer, Julie Feedon, Phil Giunta, Christopher D. Ochs, Peter Ong, Bart Palamaro, Susanna Reilly, Stuart Roth, Richard Shawn, April Welles, Steven H. Wilson, and Lance Woods.

Cover art once again provided by Michael Riehl. Interior illustrations by Tim Marron, Laura Inglis, and Michael Riehl.

Meanwhile (pun intended), you can catch up with volumes one and two on Amazon by clicking on the cover images below. Each book presents a stellar selection of tales from the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal written by established and burgeoning writers and edited by Phil Giunta.

And remember… in Eternity, all stories are timeless.

   

The Publishing Pipeline

The Fandom Fifty by Diane Lee BaronThe next book in Firebringer’s publishing pipeline is The Fandom Fifty by Diane Baron.
The history of Maryland’s SF convention scene is chronicled through interviews and anecdotes from many longtime organizers, guests, and attendees. The Baltimore region is home to a number of popular and enduring SF cons that include Farpoint, Balticon, Shore Leave, and others. The Fandom Fifty is slated for release in mid-2019. Cover art by Todd Brugmans.

In eternity, all stories are timeless.
 
Join gods and mortals in combat against slithering demons in famine-stricken Finland…
 
Witness an unconventional battle of wits as a devious genie tries to outfox a clever robot…
 
Ride with two hapless deliverymen as they stumble upon a frightening ritual to propitiate an ancient and malevolent power…
 
Escape to a remote corner of the globe with a desperate family fleeing an insidious alien invasion…
 
Follow a fraternity pledge as he undergoes an initiation to terror at a local cemetery…
 
The second project in the pipeline is the third volume in our speculative fiction anthology series—Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity. This collection of sixteen spellbinding tales of SF, fantasy, and the paranormal follows in the tradition of its two predecessors.
 
Our august cadre of storytellers includes returning contributors Daniel Patrick Corcoran, Michael Critzer, Phil Giunta, Susanna Reilly, Stuart Roth, April Welles, Steven H. Wilson, and Lance Woods. Joining us for volume three are Richard Shawn, Julie Feedon, Christopher Ochs, Bart Palamaro, and Peter Ong.
In addition to magnificent cover art by Michael Riehl, each story will be accompanied by one black and white illustration provided by a team of artists including Mike Riehl, Laura Inglis, and Tim Marron.
 
Meanwhile in the Middle of Eternity is tentatively scheduled for a late 2019 release. For now, you can catch up with the series in paperback or ebook:
   

Firebringer at Farpoint

Firebringer Press publisher and writer Steven H. Wilson will be at Farpoint 26 next month, along with writers Phil Giunta, Diane Baron, and Daniel Patrick Corcoran.

During the Friday night book fair from 10PM to Midnight, we will have all Firebringer Press titles available, including our latest double horror novel, Freedom’s Blood and Like Mother, Like Daughters

Firebringer Take 2 Cover

On Sunday afternoon at Farpoint, Phil Giunta and veteran writer Peter David will co-host a screening of Dreams with Sharp Teeth, the 90-minute documentary about Harlan Ellison (1934-2018), one of the most awarded writers in history.  The film stars Harlan, Robin Williams, Neil Gaiman, Peter David, Ronald Moore, and others. We’re thrilled and grateful that director and producer, Erik Nelson, granted permission for the screening. 

Phil Giunta with Harlan Ellison - ICON 1999
Phil Giunta with Harlan Ellison – ICON 1999

Farpoint 26, February 8-10, 2019. Hunt Valley Marriott Delta, Hunt Valley, MD. Celebrity guests include Wallace Shawn (Princess Bride, Deep Space Nine, etc.), and voice actors Rob Paulson and Maurice LaMarche. 

Writer guests include Peter David, Howard Weinstein, Robert Greenberger, David Mack, Michael Jan Friedman, Aaron Rosenberg, Keith RA DeCandido, Daniel Ackley-McPhail, Heather Hutsell, Kelli Fitzpatrick, Derek Tyler Attico, Steven H. Wilson, Phil Giunta, Mary Fan, Russ Colchamiro, Glenn Hauman, and more.