Reader's Freebies 5 - HEROIC FANTASY QUARTERLY
The Magical Land of Fantasy Fiction
Nowadays navigating the diverse landscape of Fantasy Fiction can in itself become a heroic quest of perilous proportions. Fantasy as a literary genre has become a blanket term encompassing a group of sub-genres almost as fascinating as the literature itself; dying earth fantasy, urban fantasy, sword and sorcery, swashbuckling fantasy and the increasingly popular, young adult fantasy.
Even superhero fantasy with its brightly colored, muscle packed costumes has popped in with a speech-bubbled ‘This looks like a job for Superdude!’
But for me, fantasy has always conjured up a single image - Conan the Barbarian.
Ever since I picked up my first book (that wasn’t for the purposes of practicing Algebra or Geography) at the rather belated age of eight, I fell in love with the Nations of the Hyborian Age. Robert E Howard’s exotic and often violent world was an absolute escape of magical proportions for me. This was a world where characters like Conan (that sullen warrior with the heavily muscled limbs and the square-cut mane-and head-scratchingly odd Austrian accent) did their talking with swords and battle-axes. The villains were truly evil and the heroes were truly-- well, heroic.
Tolkien, H.P. Lovecraft and my childhood favorite, Howard, contributed to what is arguably the true grandfather of fantasy – Heroic Fantasy. It is a genre often ridiculed for its undying love for ‘purple prose,’ yet often cherished for its rich and weird worlds and simple heroes, heroes that (If I may paraphrase another HF legend, David Gemmell) would never violate a woman, harm a child, lie, cheat or steal and always protect the weak against the evil strong.
Join The Quest
Embarking on a quest to find good Heroic Fantasy is no simple task. The genre’s shorter-length fiction and free fantasy fiction is often laborious and not particularly magical. The web, with its eternal legions of reading sites, can become a disappointing and frustrating labyrinth of poorly written prose and genre-crossing fantasy.
I originally stumbled upon Heroic Fantasy Quarterly a few years ago and was recently reacquainted with it. And, boy, was I happy. Now this is a site dedicated to the kind of prose that got an eight year old boy up off the sofa and tearing down the street with a self-made wooden sword screaming, “By this axe I ruuuuule.” (I know, I was eight and didn’t care whether it was an axe or a sword.)
A single click on the ‘About’ button proudly exclaims, ‘…Our prose starts fast, with an emphasis on action. Be it an exchange of blows or insults, the spurring-on of steed, or the application of poultices to wounds, things happen and happen quickly in the pages of HFQ.’ Conan himself is nodding his massive head in approval.
The Thing Without Color
The site is not only a tribute to the glories of this rich genre but is also an active supporter of the aspiring young (and sometimes not-so young) Heroic Fantasy authors of the future. When you select either ‘Fiction’ or ‘Poetry’, the visitor steps into an exciting world of well-written and free fiction or poetry.
I know, I know! If it’s free, it can’t be good. But, hark, it is!
I read three of the many short stories, including Aiden Doyle’s, ‘The Thing Without Color’ and was pleasantly surprised with the deft command the writer had of not only the genre but also the craft of writing.
Also, I will admit that I’m no poetry expert but the imagery some of the works conjured up, in particular 'Garuda’s Gamble' by Colleen Anderson was vivid and enjoyable to muse over.
A simple and clear interface gives the visitor easy access to the various categories where one can get to know the site's eclectic and quirky editors. One is a Norse and Viking enthusiast, another a Rhysling Award nominee. Well, my Heroic Fantasy friend, we're certainly in safe hands there.
Equally as impressive are HFQ’s Blogs and Featured Articles, which keep visitors updated on everything going on in the world of HF as well as new and free fiction available on the site.
Another component the site does not shy away from is fantasy-inspired artwork. Writers, photographers and artists share their vivid images on the site which is often included with the featured stories.
The site is maybe a little light on dynamic and eye-catching treats and feels somewhat two dimensional but having said that, the actual browsing leads you directly to the nitty-gritty: some great heroic fantasy and poetry.
I hope that you will give HFQ a look and find it as rewarding as I did.
Be sure to catch our next exciting blog by Alice S. Hill, which will be up from the 22nd of May. Enjoy!
One more thing I'd like to inform our readers about is fellow Reader's Abode's member, Randall Krzak's book The Kurdish Connection. The book is stacking up some splendid reviews. Check this great read out.
I bid you well fellow Abodains, and till we meet again, here is something to think about from the master himself…
“Barbarianism is the natural state of mankind. Civilization is unnatural. It is the whim of circumstance. And barbarianism must ultimately triumph.”
