To paraphrase a Panama Playboy, Adam Cole, BAY BAY! Who’s ready for Story Time With Upkins? Picture it. Sicily, 1980…..oh wait. Wrong story. This story was the weekend of the Scally Cap Mafia Meetup in Nashville, about two years back. It was Sunday evening. Most of the day had been spent saying goodbye to the … More Achievement Unlocked
When life offers you a surprise gift. … More Love You To Life, Thanks for Everything MoNique
Well since the announcement has been made, I can share the exciting news. My short story, The Bonds That Bind, will be included in the upcoming Spyfunk! anthology. Espionage, Intrigue, Secrets, Lies. Welcome to the world of Spyfunk!, a collection of spy tales that put characters of African/African Diaspora descent front and center. These exciting … More Coming Soon: Spyfunk
You think you know but you have no idea. Most of you believe you’re familiar with the fable, The Three Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. What if I told you that the Big Bad Wolf, or Bad Wolf rather, was in fact the hero? What if Bad Wolf’s only crime was defending his terrain … More Stonewalled
One of my favorite interview with one of my favorite people. … More Gail Force: An Interview With The Indomitable Gail Simone
BY DENNIS R. UPKINS Originally published at 30UpTV: “I am a woman, a mutant, a thief, an X-Man, a lover, a wife, a queen. I am all these things. I am Storm and for me, there are no such things as limits.” —Storm Nine years old. That was the age of this Catholic Altar Boy … More The Perfect Storm: An Analysis of Marvel’s Most Important Superheroine
“The path of the One is made by many.” —The Oracle, The Matrix films Be it a social media post, an academic essay, a news article, or a novella, many of my readers know that I am very prone to include profound quotes in my work. A number of those quotes have guided me and … More And I Quote
Now that the check has cleared…..I’m excited to announce that I was recently selected and awarded a prestigious writer’s grant. … More May We Get What We Deserve
You know what hope is for me? What just transpired is an excellent example. It’s arriving home after a hellacious day of writing, running errands, and handling other business. It’s your limbs burning from pain and exhaustion. It’s being spent physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s mulling over an existential crisis when you learn that … More Hope
In honor of #NationalDaughterDay … More Those Daughters of Mine
Still not convinced that the recent Geek Media Expo was the most epic event to ever epic events? Then don’t take my word for it, allow Fem and Meredith of The Whorer to convince you. In a recent podcast they discuss the panels they attend and they also have some wonderful things to say about … More And Then GMX Happened pt. 2
Like many people, PBS and I have a long history. Like most children who grew up in working class homes and didn’t have cable or many resources, my parents, grandmother and teachers understood that education was important and it needed to be mixed in with media we consumed. I discovered some true treasures … More Occupy Sesame Street
So last week I signed up for this most important event. Why is this important? Aarti explains why. “I’ve spoken on this blog (and in other forums) about the lack of diversity in fantasy fiction, particularly fantasy fiction of the epic nature. If epic fantasy has diversity, it is often present in a fashion that mirrors … More Introducing: A More Diverse Universe Blog Tour
While pondering on the fact that it’s already September and this year has flown by (wasn’t yesterday New Year’s or something), I suddenly realized that my reading schedule is about to pick up with some most excellent releases. First up, that heroine of mine JK Rowling. I can’t believe I didn’t mark my calendars. Actually … More Some Novel Reads
So late last year I was chatting with my buddy Ankhesen Mie about her novella Folklore and I mentioned to her that I planned to purchase it. She insisted I wait because she planned to re-release it. I was already even more curious because this novella had already received some serious acclaim—Midwest Book Review, … More Review: Folklore and Other Stories
Okay so my short, Monsters, has been shipped off as has my novella, West of Sunset. I’m currently typing another short story. While working, I was inspired to pen an upcoming short story piece featuring two extraordinary heroines. The premise: True Blood’s Tara Thornton teams up with the Vampire Diaries’ Bonnie Bennett. Oh yeah. I’m geeking … More Black Girls Rule!!!!
So a little over a year ago, something very special happened. My novel Hollowstone was released. To say it changed my life forever would be a vast understatement. From traveling across the country to promote the book, to connecting with extraordinary people all over the globe, I’ve had so many wonderful experiences thanks to … More 21 Lessons Learned As A Debut Novelist
As many of you are aware, I was interviewed by Brandon Fame of Black Man Can last December and it was a huge honor to be affiliated with such an excellent site. I can’t implore each and every one of you enough to get involved with this inaugural award event: _____________________________ Written by BlackCelebrityGiving: Even … More The Black Man Can Awards
“A complete stranger has the capacity to alter the life of another irrevocably. This domino effect has the capacity to change the course of an entire world. That is what life is; a chain reaction of individuals colliding with others and influencing their lives without realizing it. A decision that seems miniscule to you, may … More Norwescon 2012 Report
Deep in the heart of Africa lies Wakanda, an advanced and unconquerable civilization. A family of warrior-kings possessing superior speed, strength and agility has governed this mysterious nation as long as time itself. The latest in this famed line is young King T’Challa, the great hero known worldwide as the Black Panther. Now outsiders once … More Black Panther: Review
DENNIS R. UPKINS 