Category Archives: Short Fiction

Off to the Races With a New Story Idea

Sometimes inspiration for a story will come at the oddest times from the oddest places.  A case in point: I was just thumbing through a book on the history of Boston, called When In Boston: A Time Line and Almanac … Continue reading

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THIEFTAKER: 10 Weeks and Counting!

The official release date for THIEFTAKER, book I of the Thieftaker Chronicles, is exactly ten weeks from today.  That may seem a long way off to you, but given that I’ve been counting down for well over a year, it … Continue reading

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Writing Tip: What to do with All Those Rules

You’ve heard the rules before:  Don’t write in first person.  Don’t write in present tense.  Don’t start your book or story with dialogue.  Don’t use adverbs.  Don’t use said-bookisms.  Don’t switch point of view from one character to another in … Continue reading

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Flash Writing Tip: Accepting Criticism from an Editor

I’m here at Marcon, and it’s late.  I’ve had a full day — a long drive, a panel, a signing; I’m ready to go to sleep. But today’s panel was on “How To Be Edited,” and since I was the … Continue reading

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New Story Is Out!!

The newest Ethan Kaille story is out and available for all to read.  “A Memory of Freedom,” which is about Ethan’s first job as a thieftaker — the beginning of his new career after he had served 14 years laboring … Continue reading

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Preparations For THIEFTAKER Release, #1

Last day of March.  On Tuesday of this coming week, April 3, we will be exactly 13 weeks away from the July 3 release of THIEFTAKER.  I’m sure that sounds far away to you, but I have been waiting for … Continue reading

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New Freebie Added to the Website!

Today I updated the D.B. Jackson website to include a free download of “The Tavern Fire,” the first story (the first fiction, for that matter) I published as D.B. Jackson.  The story first appeared in a terrific anthology called After … Continue reading

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Flash Writing Tip! Making Our Imagined Worlds Come Alive

Okay, birthday is done, but I’m still on the road.  Time for another Flash Writing Tip.  Today’s topic:  Worldbuilding! The object of worldbuilding for writers of speculative fiction is really no different from the goal of mainstream writers setting up … Continue reading

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Writing on a Whim: The Project That Won’t Let Go

The other day, posting elsewhere, I commented on the fact that I was about to get back to writing after spending the first couple of months of this year working on short story revisions and a proposal for the next … Continue reading

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Writing Tips: Writing Is Hard

Sounds sort of weird, I know.  I mean, what kind of tip is “Writing is hard?” In all honesty, it might be the most important tip I ever post to this site. Let me start by saying that this is … Continue reading

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