Sparf is back with a discussion on beta reading and critique, with some cautionary tales. As always, feel free to e-mail the show or contact us on Twitter @clawspodcast.

This episode’s recommended books:

The Writing and Critique Group Survival Guide

Bleak Horizons, edited by Tarl Hoch

Bad Dog Books

Furplanet.com 

Opening and closing music by Lee Rosevere and found at the Free Music Archive. Used under Creative Commons Attribution. For more by Lee Rosevere, visit this link:http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/

This episode, Sparf discusses Romance (big R) as a genre, as well as its bleedover into erotica and some tips and thoughts for writing both.

Also, There are fewer than 5 days remaining to nominate works for the Ursa Major Awards http://www.ursamajorawards.org. If you are so inclined, Independent Claws is eligible in the Magazine category, and two of Sparf’s stories—The Torch, from Roar vol. 7 (available in ebook here) and Apostasy, from Fang vol. 7(available in ebook here)— are also eligible. They’re also available in print form from http://www.furplanet.com.

This episode discusses sexual behavior between consenting adults and should not be listened to by anyone under the age of majority in their location.

Book Recommendations and links below the cut

This episode’s recommendations are:

Bridges, by Kyell Gold. Found here in print and here in e-book format.

and Handcuffs and Lace by Rechan. Found here in print and here in e-book format.

After a long holiday season and some real world issues, Sparf returns with the promised second part of his Horror episode. This time, the topic wanders from a couple of horror subgenres over to writing more frightening or realistic monsters.

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Opening and closing music by Lee Rosevere and found at the Free Music Archive. Used under Creative Commons Attribution. For more by Lee Rosevere, visit this link:http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/

Wait, wasn’t Sparf going to talk more about horror? Well, that episode is still coming. In light of the opening of submissions for a new dystopian fiction anthology from FurPlanet, it seemed prudent to help get word out and talk about writing furry dystopian fiction, and some ideas to consider to make yours stand out.

This week’s book recommendation is Shadow of the Father by Kyell Gold, from Sofawolf Press, available here in print: https://www.sofawolf.com/products/shadow-of-the-father

Or in eBook for all formats here: https://baddogbooks.com/product/kyell-sot/

The second book recommendation was 1985: What Happens After Big Brother Dies by Gyorgy Dalos. You can find that by checking with used bookstores or sellers on Amazon. Highly recommended, if you’ve read 1984.

The yet-untitled Dystopia anthology from FurPlanet is open for submissions. The call for submissions can be found here: https://baddogbooks.com/3-new-submission-calls-for-anthologies-open-now

Applications for RAWR are open until January 20, 2017. There’s no cost to apply, so head on over to http://www.rawr.community if you’re interested in finding out more!

This episode, the first of a two-parter, Sparf talks about Horror: some of the core tenets, the subgenres, and a discussion of tips for writing horror in general

The next episode will deal with some items of anthropomorphic animals in horror, how to play with them, what to do, etc. So stay tuned for that!

Opening and closing music by Lee Rosevere and found at the Free Music Archive. Used under Creative Commons Attribution. For more by Lee Rosevere, visit this link:http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/

This episode Sparf talks about reviewing: What you should do, what you shouldn’t do, and how to craft a helpful review article.

Here is a link to the article on Card’s ‘Ender’ series that is mentioned in the episode: http://johnjosephkessel.wixsite.com/kessel-website/creating-the-innocent-killer

Here is a link to this week’s recommended book, X, edited by Kyell Gold:https://www.sofawolf.com/products/x

Opening and closing music by Lee Rosevere and found at the Free Music Archive. Used under Creative Commons Attribution. For more by Lee Rosevere, visit this link:http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/

In this episode, Sparf gives his perspective on character flaws, flawed characters, and how to make sure you aren’t glorifying bad behavior.

Today’s Recommended Reading: Heretic, by Rukis: https://furplanet.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=625

For information on RAWR: http://www.rawr.community

Opening and closing music by Lee Rosevere and found at the Free Music Archive. Used under Creative Commons Attribution. For more by Lee Rosevere, visit this link:http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/

In this episode, Sparf discusses some things to think about when writing historical fiction, or basing fiction on historical fact. Also keep an ear open for an update on his word count for the RAWR Write-a-Thon!

The history podcasts referenced in this episode:

http://www.revolutionspodcast.com

http://www.thehistoryofbyzantium.com

Today’s Recommended Reading: https://www.amazon.com/Kushiels-Dart-Legacy-Jacqueline-Carey/

For information on RAWR: http://www.rawr.community

Opening and closing music by Lee Rosevere and found at the Free Music Archive. Used under Creative Commons Attribution. For more by Lee Rosevere, visit this link:http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/

Your host, Sparf, discusses some thoughts on setting and world building, makes a book recommendation, and advertises the inaugural RAWR Write-a-Thon.

To purchase this week’s recommended reading in print: https://furplanet.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=816

eBook format: http://baddogbooks.com/?product=koa-of-the-drowned-kingdom

For information on RAWR: http://www.rawr.community

Opening and closing music by Lee Rosevere and found at the Free Music Archive. Used under Creative Commons Attribution. For more by Lee Rosevere, visit this link:http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/