Author Archives: JE

About JE

James Enge is the author of the World-Fantasy-Award-nominated novel Blood of Ambrose (Pyr, April 2009). His latest book is The Wide World's End. His short fiction has appeared in Black Gate, Tales from the Magician's Skull, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and elsewhere.

Sky Beasts of the Deep Past!

Posted on January 5, 2023 by JE

Some interesting stuff at the Grauniad today. “Ancient writing system” is something of a misnomer. It seems to be a lunar calendar, with relevance for ancient astronomy. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jan/05/amateur-archaeologist-uncovers-ice-age-writing-system

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How Antigovernment Parties Govern

Posted on January 5, 2023 by JE

“But I didn’t think the saw would saw off the branch that I was sitting on!” cried the Party of People Sawing Off the Branches They Were Sitting On.

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We Have Been Here Before

Posted on January 4, 2023 by JE

Eve Edwards writes an interesting piece at The Focus about previous SNAFUs in electing the Speaker of the House. In 1856 they finally settled on a member of the Know-Nothing Party, which is probably something that would appeal to modern … Continue reading →

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SURPRISE!

Posted on January 4, 2023 by JE

It turns out that the antigovernment party is incapable of governing.

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Get the Hnakkr!

Posted on January 2, 2023 by JE

I’m rereading Snorri’s Edda and Tacitus’ Historiae in tandem, and it’s an interesting experience. With Snorri, this involves a lot of adventures in the dictionary, as the vocabulary of Old Icelandic is definitely less familiar to me than the vocabulary … Continue reading →

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Forever Blowing Bubbles

Posted on January 2, 2023 by JE

Frank Kelly Freas, “The Piper”–a WEIRD TALES cover in 1950 and 1990. (See Deuce Richardson’s writeup at the DMR Books site.)

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Scrabbling for Points

Posted on January 2, 2023 by JE

ME: Can I convince D that “nunbone” is a word? ALSO ME: You can’t convince me. OTHER ME WANDERING BY: I thought the other one was “me”. ALL: I AM!

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Happy Public Domain Day!

Posted on January 1, 2023 by JE

The Moon belongs to everyone; “The Best Things in Life” are now free. This and other news from the public domain on the other side of the link, courtesy of the Duke University’s Center for the Study of the Public … Continue reading →

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“Look Up, Not Down!”

Posted on January 1, 2023 by JE

Κύκλοψ: βλέπετ᾽ ἄνω καὶ μὴ κάτω. Χορός: ἰδού: πρὸς αὐτὸν τὸν Δί᾽ ἀνακεκύφαμεντά τ᾽ ἄστρα, καὶ τὸν Ὠρίωνα δέρκομαι. —Euripides, Cyclops Cyclops: Look up, not down. Chorus: I am looking up! I’m looking ‘way up!

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Let’s Give Vespasian a Great Big Hand

Posted on January 1, 2023 by JE

Prandente eo quondam canis extrarius e trivio manum humanam intulit mensaeque subiecit. —Suetonius, Divus Vespasianus 5.4 “Once, while he was having lunch, a stray dog carried in a human hand  from the crossroads and threw it under his table.” This is one of the … Continue reading →

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