In October 2025, I presented Chapters Five and Six of the novelette named Chemithurgy to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call.
I made five posts on my Goodreads account in October 2025.
In the past, I sent the stories, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.
The seven Flash Fiction Stories I sent out in 2020 and 2021 were Space-Dog Confession, Sleeping Sickness, Caliburnus, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue.
Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023. None for 2024.
Events from October 2025.
None this month
Writing Goals for November 2025.
In November 2025, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com, including my Writing Progress Report for November 2025.
I plan to work on a story for the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call in November 2025.
Submit the stories Space-Dog Confession, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, LARP Film noir, Sleeping Sickness, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, and Caliburnus to other short fiction magazines.
Polish and send the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.
In November 2025, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.
Planned Events for November 2025.
The next conference I plan to attend is the Philcon Conference, held near Philadelphia, PA from November 21, 2025, to November 23, 2025. They will have the conference at the Doubletree by Hilton in Cherry Hill, NY. I have never attended this conference before.
This is a link to more information about Philcon 2025.
I attended the Marcon Columbus Conference 2023 in Columbus, Ohio, from May 26, 2023, to May 28, 2023. They held the conference at 350 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. I attended eleven activities at the con. I also attended Marcon in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024. They will not have Marcon in 2025. Hopefully the con will return in 2026, and I’ll plan to be there.
This is the banner for Marcon Columbus Conference 2023
This is my Badge for Marcon 2024.
Summary
Friday, May 26th at 7:00 PM
The Marcon Kick off and meet the Guests meeting
Several people were acknowledged at the meeting. Author David Weber, Author Chris Weure, Filk coordinator Rebecca Slocumb, artist guest of honor Chaz Kemp, and content creator Jordan Breeding.
Some authors in the front row were Jan Kotouc, Joelle Presby, Andy Presby, and Tom Pope.
They held the meeting in Franklin C/D with 38 attendees.
Friday, May 26th at 8:00 PM
Concert with Mary Cromwell
She played the electric keyboard and sang. In addition, she had a person using sign language for the lyrics.
She played 10 selections including Pandora’s Box (about a D and D game with the singer’s husband), Meet Me at the Labyrinth Plinth, and Come into the City of Joy.
They held the concert in Delaware A/B with 17 attendees.
Friday, May 26th at 9:00 PM
25 Things you need to know about spaceships, a lecture with Geoffrey Landis
The presentation was done with a slide show. The presenter ran out of time so 23 things were discussed. Here are three of the points made.
Everything in space is moving and is really fast.
Launch windows are important.
You can’t hide in space so there is no such thing as space pirates.
They held the lecture in Franklin A with 30 attendees.
Saturday, May 27th at 11:00 AM
Speculative Fiction Worldbuilding, a panel with Carolyn Kay, Geoffrey Landis, Jan Kotouc, and Marie Vibbert
Worldbuilding makes science fiction different. The premise can lead to the world created. An idea story starts with the story and builds the world from the story. Hard Sf writers start with the science.
What stories do you enjoy the most other than yours? Star Wars, Issaac Asimov, Anne Leckie, and Alistair Reynolds were mentioned.
How important is the consistency of worldbuilding? Bad examples mentioned were Star Trek Into Darkness, Pandara in Avatar, and the time turner in Harry Potter.
They held the panel in Taft A with 25 attendees.
Saturday, May 27th at 12:00 PM
Andor: The story we didn’t ask for, a panel with Jordan Breeding, Carolyn Kay, Paul Hahn, and Chris Stephenson
What was your favorite part of the series? The One way out episode, the prison sequence, Cassian arrested in the wrong place at the wrong time, end of the Andy Serkis character.
What do you think we will see in Season2? Droids. Everyone will get their comeuppance except for Cassian Andor.
Final Thoughts? All the parts in Season 1 were cohesive, and they are looking forward to more of that in season 2. It was the most grounded Star Wars series. It was nice to see the world expanded outside of the jedi story.
They held the panel in Taft C with 11 attendees.
Saturday, May 27th at 3:00 PM
Babylon 5 Remembered, a panel with Ken Keisel, Leslie Mehne, Paul Hahn, and Rachael Thurston.
The panelists talked about their memories of show actors that attended previous Marcons, including Richard Biggs, Jerry Doyle, J. Michael Straczynski, Patricia Tillman. Andreas Katsulas, and Tim Choate.
They talked about an upcoming animated film and the voice actors replacing the deceased original cast members. (It was released August 2023 as Babylon 5: The Road Home)
They held the panel in Taft C with 10 attendees.
Saturday, May 27th at 4:00 PM
Picard Wrap-up, a panel with Paul Hahn, Robb Lopaka, Doc Rox, and J. Washington.
They thought that the third season was a different type of show, more like Lost in Space. It’s really three different seasons, three different shows.
They admired Worf’s progression from a warrior to a priest. They liked the Star Fleet museum with Geordi La Forge as the curator.
Thay talked about potential new series following Picard.
They held the panel in Franklin B with 16 attendees.
Saturday, May 27th at 6:00 PM
A Concert by Random Fractions.
Random Fractions is a duo with Cathy McManaman on acoustic guitar & vocals and Jason Neeremberg on Bass & vocals.
I arrived late but saw seven songs performed, including Twilight Starlight, Abundant Blessings, and Scarlet Town.
They held the panel in Delaware A/B with 14 attendees.
Saturday, May 27th at 8:00 PM
A Reading by David Weber.
The author read chapters from three of his books, the upcoming fifteenth Honor Harrington novel (It would be released in April 2024 as Toll of Honor), the upcoming novel Rebel (released September 2024), and the upcoming novel To Challenge Heaven (released January 2024).
The author finished the reading with a short Q and A session that covered past and other upcoming books.
They held the panel in Harrison with 18 attendees.
Saturday, May 27th at 9:00 PM
Get Hooked on Babylon 5: 10 Episodes that will make you a fan, a panel with Emily Lydic, Rachael Thurston, and Peter Gold.
The panelists each gave two of their favorite episodes.
Rachael Thurston mentioned Signs and Portents (S1, E13) and Mind War (S1, E6).
Emily Lydic mentioned Z’ha’dum (S3, E22) and Convictions (S3, E2)
Peter Gold mentioned And the Sky Full of Stars (S1, E8) and A Late Delivery from Avalon (S3, E13).
The audience pitched in with some of their favorites.
They held the panel in Taft C with 10 attendees.
Recommendation – Conclusion
I had a great time at Marcon Columbus Conference 2023. My star of the con was Geoffrey Landis for his spaceship lecture and insights on another panel. I also attended Marcon in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024 and hope the con will return in 2026.
Links
I attended the Marcon Columbus Conference 2024 in Columbus, Ohio, from May 17, 2024, to May 19, 2024. They held the conference at Crowne Plaza North Hotel in Worthington, Ohio. I attended six panels at the con.
Recap for the SF Conference Marcon Columbus 2022 on May 7, 2022. They held the conference at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. I also attended Marcon in 2017, 2018, and 2019. I attended three panels and one concert at the 2022 conference.
Recap for SF Conference Marcon Columbus on May 11, 2019. They held it at Crowne Plaza – Columbus North. I also attended Marcon in 2017 and 2018. This year I attended four panels, a performance, and an interview.
Recap for SF Conference Marcon Columbus on May 13, 2017. They held the conference at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. I also attended Marcon in 2018 and 2019. I attended five panels at the 2017 conference.
Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks, Book #1 of The Culture series.
Introduction
In Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks, Horza is caught in the middle of a war. The Culture is a human dominated group fighting the Idirans. Horza is from a human derived group, The Changlings, who are allied with the Idirans. The Culture and the Idirans both want a fugitive advanced computer mind that could tip the balance of the war. Horza knows where the mind is and has a plan to retrieve it. Will Horza find the mind before the others and save his people?
Summary
[Insert Summary Here]
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks.
A similar novel, A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, Johanna and Jefri’s parent’s spaceship has crashed on a planet ruled by the Tines. The Tines are a dog-like race that have communal minds. Two rival groups of Tines capture each kid. On the other side of the galaxy, Ravna and her crew race to get to the kids.
I attended a reading by John Scalzi at the Parma-Snow Library in Parma, Ohio on September 23, 2025. He read the prologue for his work in progress novel. Everyone in attendance received a copy of his most recent novel, The Shattering Peace. First published September 16, 2025.
Writing Progress from September 2025.
I wrote four blog posts for my website, garydavidgillen.com. Including my writing progress report for September 2025, which I linked below.
In September 2025, I presented Chapters Three and Four of the novelette named Chemithurgy to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call.
I made five posts on my Goodreads account in September 2025.
In the past, I sent the stories, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.
The seven Flash Fiction Stories I sent out in 2020 and 2021 were Space-Dog Confession, Sleeping Sickness, Caliburnus, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue.
Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023. None for 2024.
Events from September 2025.
None this month
Writing Goals for November 2025.
In October 2025, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com, including my Writing Progress Report for October 2025.
I plan to work on a story for the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call in October 2025.
Submit the stories Space-Dog Confession, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, LARP Film noir, Sleeping Sickness, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, and Caliburnus to other short fiction magazines.
Polish and send the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.
In October 2025, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.
Planned Events for November 2025.
The next conference I plan to attend is the Philcon Conference, held near Philadelphia, PA from November 21, 2025, to November 23, 2025. They will have the conference at the Doubletree by Hilton in Cherry Hill, NY. I have never attended this conference before.
This is a link to more information about Philcon 2025.
The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #7
Introduction
Shattering Peace by John Scalzi is the seventh book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel follows the events ten years after the previous novel. The Colonial Union, the Earth, and the Conclave are in an uneasy truce, but something goes wrong with their shared secret Colony of Unity. Gretchen Trujillo as a Colonial Union ambassador must find out what happened at the colony. Will Gretchen save the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?
Summary
Gretchen Trujillo is the point of view of the novel and the best friend of Zoe Boutin Perry. Zoe is favored by the Obin, a race of sentient spider-giraffes. Gretchen was appointed as the Colonial Union ambassador to the Obin due to her connection with Zoe.
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #7
In When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi, the moon turns to cheese, and hijinks ensue. It’s as crazy and interesting as it sounds. The novel is a series of chapters with different points of view in each chapter. The points of view characters are affected by the situation in unique ways. The novel is part satire and part prophetic theory. The final question is, did the moon turn to cheese or didn’t it?
Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi is a reimagining of the novel Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper. Scalzi updates the story to contemporary sensibilities. Jack Holloway discovers a new species he calls Fuzzies. If they are determined to be sentient, then he and Zara Corp lose the right to exploit the planet. Will Jack choose to get filthy rich or protect the new species?
Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi is the fourth book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel tells the events from the previous story, The Last Colony, from the point of view of Zoe Boutin Perry.
Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry and his family colonized a new planet. Can he protect the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?
Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi is the second book in the Old Man’s War series. Jared Dirac is a clone with another man’s memories. He must save humanity from three allied alien races determined to destroy humanity.
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson, Secret Project Book #5.
Introduction
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson is the fifth Secret Project book. I received the eBook through a bonus for the leatherbound copy of The Words of Radiance campaign. It is an expansion of the novella named Sixth of the Dusk. Sixth of the Dusk is a trapper that has magical birds that help him. The people of his country are threatened by beings with more knowledge that want their resources. Dusk must travel to the dangerous Emberdark and discover a necessary secret, or his people would lose their freedom to those who want to take it away.
Summary
Sixth of the Dusk is a trapper in the archipelago on the planet named First of the Sun. Trappers specialize in the dangers of a specific island, in Dusk’s case that is Patji. The islands are deadly, but the trappers face the dangers because they can hatch and bond with magical birds, called Aviar, only found on the islands. The bird’s powers help the trapper’s overcome obstacles.
Dusk’s people live off the land and have limited technology, but in the flashbacks, we see how new technology can tame the deadly islands. He interacts with Vathi, she is a scientist leader, in the flashbacks and they come to an understanding. Dusk doesn’t like the changes to his beloved island. In the current timeline advanced alien beings arrive and want the secrets of the islands. Dusk must go on a journey into the Emberdark to find the secrets of the magical birds, or his culture will die.
Starling is a young dragon who is trapped in her human form because she must learn a lesson. She gets together a crew for her spaceship, Dynamic, to earn her freedom. She goes to the Emberdark. Dusk and Starling meet and can help each other to achieve their goals if they trust each other.
Recommendation
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson is a great expansion of the novella named Sixth of the Dusk. I thought that putting the entire novella as a flashback in the novel was a perfect strategy. He inserted chapters of the novella into the novel as it goes along. I thought that the addition of Starling, who is not in the novella, was a weaker plotline, but I understand why it was necessary to get the story up to novel length. Very well done.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson.
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson. They published the original novella named Sixth of the Dusk in this anthology.
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson. Dalinar Kholin’s forces fight the forces of the god, Odium. The fight ends with a contest of champions. Who will prevail in the contest of champions?
My review of Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson. Wax and Wayne must foil a plot started by the terrorist group called the Set to destroy their home and people.
My review of Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson. In book 3.5 of the Stormlight Archive, Rysn and Lopen must uncover the secrets of the lost island of Akinah, or it will doom Roshar.
My review of Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson, a collection with nine stories that are part of the cosmere universe. An overarching plot, which he calls the cosmere interrelated many of the author’s works. He set six stories on the worlds of his published novels, and three stories are about worlds that have not had a novel-length story treatment. All the stories in this collection are excellent.
I attended the Ice and Fire Conference 2023 at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, from April 28 to April 30, 2023. I originally had a ticket for the Ice and Fire Con 2020, but they canceled it because of COVID-19. They focus the conference on the works of George R. R. Martin. Especially the Game of Thrones series, including his other works in the world of Westeros. The HBO series called House of the Dragon is an example and the first season released on August 21, 2022. I did attend the 2022 conference. In 2023, I attended two panels, the musical named Queens, and the closing ceremonies. This year’s theme was Ten Years Ago, since the first conference was held ten years before this conference.
This is a link to the Ice and Fire Conference website.
This is my badge for Ice and Fire Con 2023, Ten Years Ago.
Summary
Ice and Fire Conference 2023 Recap
Friday, April 28th at 7 PM
Musical: Queens: A Dream of Endings:
In 2018 and 2019 conventions they presented Westeros: a parody musical featuring the Game of Thrones story and lyrics, with the music from the Broadway musical Hamilton. Link below.
In 2022 they presented Queens: a parody musical featuring the Game of Thrones story and lyrics, with the music from the Broadway musical Six (The six wives of Henry the VIII). Link below.
In 2023 they presented Queens: A Dream of Spring: an update of the 2022 show.
[Note: Parody songs in quotes and original songs in parentheses.]
It started with The Targaryan succession song with Bloodraven as the narrator.
All six Queens with Euron as the DJ. “Queens” (Ex-wives)
The six queens are Cersei, Margaery, Asha (Yara), Arianne, Danerys, and Sansa.
Cersei singing “No Shame” (No Way)
Margaery singing “Don’t Blow This Up” (Don’t Lose Your Head)
Asha singing “Seastone Throne” (Heart of Stone)
Arianne singing “Haus of Blackfyre” (Haus of Holbein)
The Young Griff sidebar singing “Swipe Left”
Arianne singing “Unbowed” (Get Down)
Daenerys singing “I was Born to Rule” (All You Wanna Do)
Sansa singing “I Don’t Need Your Throne” (I Don’t Need Your Love)
The Six Queens Finale sing “A Dream of Endings” (Six)
They held the panel in the Grand Ballroom with about 180 attendees.
Saturday, April 29th at 12 PM
Behind Queens Panel with most of the performers from the musical from Friday:
The panel talked about the ideas that led to the musical. They wanted to do another musical to follow Westeros which was performed in 2018 and 2019. Their first idea was The Night King Cometh. Then they saw the Broadway musical named Six, about the six wives of Henry VIII on March 1, 2000. The first idea coming from Six was to use the six wives of Maegor, but that didn’t seem right. Then COVID happened and postponed everything. They came back after COVID with the idea of using six the Queens of Westeros. That led to the musical performed in 2022 and 2023.
They held the performance in the Grand Ballroom with 20 attendees.
Sunday, April 30th at 12 PM
What to Expect from HotD Season 2 Panel with four panelists:
Two panelists were from the Radio Westeros podcast, and two panelists were from the History of Westeros podcast.
The panelists did a quick recap of season 1 and wondered if four seasons would complete the show. They wondered if they were going to do the Jace and Sarah Snow plotline in Winterfell at the beginning of season 2. They mentioned the new cast members, Blood and Cheese, Alys Rivers, Gwayne Hightower, Simon Strong, and Alyn of Hull. Since they announced there were only 8 episodes this season and no cast information for Daeron Targaryan, they suspected that they were cutting out the Western storyline this season.
They wondered how and when these plot points would be used in the season; Daemon takes Harrenhall, the fight between the Brackens and the Blackwoods at the Burning Mill, and Alys Rivers use of magic. Where would the Rook’s Rest battle be inserted. Were they putting the Battle of the Gullett in episode 7 or 8? (actually, they moved it to episode 1 of Season 3)
They wondered about what the show would do about Alicent and Rhaenyra going forward in the show since their involvement declines as the source material continues.
They held the panel in the Scarlett Oak Room with 40 attendees.
Sunday, April 30th at 1 PM
Closing Ceremonies with the con runners and guests:
They talked about the winners of the costume parade, the performance contest and the Tourney of Champions. Not every winner was there, but the awards were appreciated. Tara the conference chair said that she was moving out of state and couldn’t spend the time necessary running the conference in 2024. She hoped that someone would continue the conference in 2025
They held the ceremonies in the Scarlett Oak Room with 50 attendees.
Recommendation – Conclusion
Ice and Fire Conference 2023 was fabulous. My star of the con was the musical performance of Queens (a parody of the Broadway show named Six). All six queens sang wonderfully, and all the other characters performed well. I haven’t seen the Broadway show named Six, but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of this show. At the time it was expressed that there would not be a conference in 2024. There was none in 2025 and I haven’t heard about 2026. I’m sad to see this con go, especially since House of the Dragon Season Three and Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season One are due to be released in 2026. The legacy of Game of Thrones continues, and I wish this conference had as well.
Links
My post about the SF conference Ice and Fire 2022 Conference on Apr 23 and 24. The theme was A Dream of Spring. My stars of the con were The Manimals Band and the Guest of Honor David J. Peterson.
ConFusion Detroit was a con I attended this year that is like the Ice and Fire Con. I attended the SF conference named ConFusion at 21111 Haggerty Road Novi, Michigan at the Sheraton Detroit Novi from January 21, 2022, to January 23, 2020. ConFusion Detroit 2020 was the last in-person con I attended. I have attended only virtual cons in the last two years. ConFusion 2022 was my next in-person con after that.The Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association sponsored ConFusion Detroit 2022. I attended the opening ceremonies, three panels, two lectures, one reading, and one interview. This year’s theme was rising confusion. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, the con returned from a two-year absence.
The last in-person conference I attended before Confusion Detroit 2022 was Confusion Detroit 2020. They canceled the con in 2021. They held it in the same place in 2022, with strict masks and vaccination policies in effect. I felt the con went well and enjoyed my attendance. I have two stars of the con. Author Guest of Honor Jim C. Hines gave a spirited reading of his short story, The Creature in Your Neighborhood, and an insightful interview by Black Gate Magazine. My other star of the con was Dr. Jordan Steckloff for the two lectures and the panel I attended he participated in.
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, Book Thirteen of the Wheel of Time series.
Introduction
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is the thirteenth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows seven main plot arcs. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, Egwene, Gawyn, and Aviendha. All seven characters face difficult choices and must grow to get closer to their goals. Will the forces of Light gather before the Last Battle begins?
Summary – Prologue
The prologue has six point-of-view characters, and each point of view sets up a plot arc.
Lan rides through Saldaea on his way to the Blight to fight the forces of the dark when he meets a friend on the road.
Perrin has a wolf dream with Hopper present, and he thinks about the past involving his assault on Malden and the aftermath.
Graendal escapes Rand’s balefire in a flashback from the earlier novel.
Galad and his Whitecloaks are betrayed and faces Asunawa and his Whitecloaks.
The Creature is a combination of Padan Fain and Mordeth thinks about killng Rand.
Malenarin Rai is the captain of a tower in Kandor which borders the Blight. A huge force of Trollocs invade Kandor and he is in the middle of it.
Summary–Main Plot Arcs
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson has seven main arcs.
Rand wants his forces to gather at the Field of Merrilor before he plans to break the seals and defeat the Dark One.
Mat takes the Band of the Red Hand to Caemlyn before they head to the Field of Merrilor. First, he plans to rescue someone at the Tower of Gehenjei with the help of Thom and Noal.
Perrin fights Slayer in the Wolf Dream. He also tries to come to an understanding with the Whitecloaks and their new commander, Galad.
Elyane is pregnant with twins. She navigates the politics in Andor and tries to take over Cairhein.
Egwene learns of Rand’s plan and tries to get as many people on her side as possible to dissuade Rand from his dangerous plan. She plans to trap Mesaana in T’A’R. She must decide what to do with Gawyn.
Gawyn investigates the suspicious deaths in the White Tower. He must decide what to do with Egweme.
Aviendha goes to Rhuidean to complete her Wise One Training. She experiences strange visions that she must confront.
Summary–Best Chapters
Eight Chapters stand out in The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson.
The Amyrlin’s Anger is Chapter 3 where Rand tells Egwene his plan to break the seals and fight the Dark One. He tells her to meet at the Field of Merrilor with everyone. Egwene starts a plan to dissuade Rand of his plan to break the seals.
Darkness in the Tower is Chapter 37 where Gawyn comes to a decision about his life, Egwene battles Mesaana, Perrin confronts Slayer, and Gawyn fights assassins out to kill Egwene.
Wounds is Chapter 38 where the conflicts from Chapter 37 are resolved.
A Making is Chapter 40 where Perrin makes a new hammer and becomes the leader he was always destined to be.
Near Avendesora is Chapter 48 where Aviendha has destrubing visions.
Court of the Sun is Chapter 49 where Aviendha has more visions and comes to a plan of action.
The Light of the World is Chapter 54 where Mat, Thom, and Noal attempt to enter the Tower of Gehenjei and rescue someone important. Mat must pay a price.
The One Left Behind is Chapter 55 where Mat and the rest of them try to escape the Tower of Gehenjei with there lives.
Recommendation
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson sets up A Memory of Light, the last novel of the series, well. Rand wants everyone to get to the Field of Merrilor to prepare for the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai’don. We will see Rand and Min, Perrin and Galad, Egwene and Gawyn, Elayne and Mat. The climax of the series is here.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson.
This is the link to my review of Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan. When Rand forces the hand of one of the Forsaken, will the Forsaken defeat him or will he earn a Crown of Swords?
This is the link to my review of Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, Book Six of the Wheel of Time. Chaos reigns in the Westlands. They push Rand to the edge of insanity. Will he survive the box?
In August 2025, I presented Chapters One and Two of the novelette named Chemithurgy to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call.
I made five posts on my Goodreads account in August 2025.
In the past, I sent the stories, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.
The seven Flash Fiction Stories I sent out in 2020 and 2021 were Space-Dog Confession, Sleeping Sickness, Caliburnus, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue.
Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023. None for 2024.
Events from August 2025.
None this month
Writing Goals for September 2025.
In September 2025, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com, including my Writing Progress Report for September 2025.
I plan to work on a story for the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call in September 2025.
Submit the stories Space-Dog Confession, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, LARP Film noir, Sleeping Sickness, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, and Caliburnus to other short fiction magazines.
Polish and send the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.
In September 2025, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.
Planned Events for September 2025.
The next conference I plan to attend is the Capclave Conference, held near Wahington D. C. from September 19, 2025, to September 21, 2025. They will have the conference at the Rockville Hilton in Rockville, MD. I attended the Capclave in 2016. Looking forward to going again.
This is a link to more information about Capclave 2025.
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson, Book #5 of the Stormlight Archive.
Introduction
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson is Book #5 of the Stormlight Archive. The featured character of this novel is Szeth, the Assassin in White, containing various flashbacks to give context to his actions that set off the plot of the series. Szeth goes to Shinovar with Kaladin on an important mission. The novel has six more viewpoint character groups in different locations and on different important missions. The book wraps up the main arcs for the first five novel sequence of the archive.
Summary
[Insert Summary Here]
Recommendation
[Insert Summary Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson.
My review of Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson. Wax and Wayne must foil a plot started by the terrorist group called the Set to destroy their home and people.
My review of Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson. In book 3.5 of the Stormlight Archive, Rysn and Lopen must uncover the secrets of the lost island of Akinah, or it will doom Roshar.
My review of Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson, a collection with nine stories that are part of the cosmere universe. An overarching plot, which he calls the cosmere, interrelates many of the author’s works. He set the stories of the cosmere on a group of worlds that are connected through magical means. He set six stories in the worlds of his published novels, and three stories are about worlds that have not had a novel-length story treatment. All the stories in this collection are excellent.
