Dan's Sci-fi & Fantasy Blog

Another missive from the edges of sanity—it's WIP Report time! In my quest to find comps for the Vampire Dragon WIP, I've read a few creature features. While most probably won't work as comparable titles, these unnerving yarns of unfathomable aliens, unethical genetic experimentation, and eldritch horrors are fun reads.

Ifrit comes roaring back into Bax's life in From Ash and Darkness, J.L. Sullivan's second installment of his series exploring the darkside of wishes.

Read the books "the man" says are dangerous. Be a rebel! Read banned books! Think dangerous thoughts! Read Animal Farm .

Another missive from the edges of sanity—it's WIP Report time! I planned to give Robbie, the protagonist in the Vampire Dragons WIP, a dog at home that he misses while away at a soccer tournament. While writing the draft, I decided to give another canine a more prominent role.

Read the books "the man" says are dangerous. Be a rebel! Read banned books! Think dangerous thoughts! Read Lock In.

What aspect of writing do you struggle with the most? When I first started out trying to string sentences together, you could say I wrestled with the whole kit and caboodle—even if I didn't realize it. But what I grappled with the most in those early days was characterization, unless cardboard characters without discernible emotions are your jam! So I thought I'd take a moment to pontificate on some of my favorite denizens in fantasy and sci-fi literature. 500th Post!!!!! Whe

Can AI save us from ourselves?

We've reached the midpoint of the year. How is that possible? I guess time does have a way of flying by! Anyway, that means it's time to give a reading update, namely what have been my best reads of 2026 so far.

Well, not actually a new short story… more like one I've been wrestling with for a long time.

Recently, I convinced my now 11-year-old reluctant reader to pick up some science fiction novels. But there is a catch… these are books I read as a child. Not just the same title by the same author, but the exact same copies!

Read the books "the man" says are dangerous. Be a rebel! Read banned books! Think dangerous thoughts! Read Bag of Bones.

I am always looking for books to entice my reluctant readers, especially my 10-year-old. Here are some books we read together last year, and he positively devoured!

Today, in my occasional series Pages2Screen, I try to answer the question of which is better, True Grit or the movies this classic western spawned.

Angels and demons clash in Cassie Sanchez's new release Battle Beyond the Veil. Don't miss out on the giveaway below.

I am familiar with Susie Black's Holly Swimsuit books, which are tongue-in-cheek mysteries. I was curious to see how her snarky protagonists and trademark humor translate into the young adult genre.

Read the books "the man" says are dangerous. Be a rebel! Read banned books! Think dangerous thoughts! Read The Diary of a Young Girl.

Today is release day for the fourth and final volume of The Allison Lee Chronicles! When I first started my writerly journey, one of my goals was to complete an epic fantasy series…well, I ended up writing a YA urban fantasy series! Bucket list item checked!

Meet Kyt, an alien known as a rax and confident to none other than Allison's nemesis, General Bane. She quickly bonds with Allison Lee and is a prominent character in the fourth and final volume of The Allison Lee Chronicles, The Bane Dragons.

Talk about an intriguing cover and title. Read an excerpt from The Book of Wands ands don't miss out on the giveaway below!

Meet Pallas, a wayward skaag warrior, befriended by Allison Lee and a prominent character in the fourth and final volume of The Allison Lee Chronicles, The Bane Dragons.