05/18/2025 Jazz Session 3 – She Blinded Me with Science (Enough to Fool Them)

This was our third Jazz Session. Our subject: She Blinded Me with Science (Enough to Fool Them).

The Toucan and the King

By Martin L. Shoemaker Once the toucan was the favored bird of the king. He sang sweetly every daybreak, and mournfully in the evening. He perched on the king’s shoulder during the day, whispering advice.  Sometimes the king… Read More

The Road Twice Taken

(With apologies to Robert Frost) By Martin L. Shoemaker Two roads diverged in a gray, dying wood. And knowing I dare not travel each, For one led to my doom, and that I would Shun if that truth… Read More

Nighttime Visits

By Martin L. Shoemaker John Horner sat at his table and poured himself a double of Jameson’s. He could already feel it was going to be one of those nights. He was ready to get thoroughly drunk and… Read More

Countdown

By Martin L. Shoemaker Looking out into the black void of space, she felt her muscles tense as she readied for the long leap. She was ready for this, had trained for this, and still she clung to… Read More

crunch (a dragon’s lament)

By Martin L. Shoemaker crunch gnawing on old bones that crunch dark but I won’t sleep because I always creep in the dark slime drips from my scales as the autumn moon pales and the poor quarry flails… Read More

The Royal Wedding Cake Gambit – Rough Cut

By Martin L. Shoemaker Exactly as recorded at the Niles Renaissance Faire, May 18, 2025. Look for a cleaned-up version soon. This is the Instant Bard. Yep, happy to have you join me. I’m getting started in about… Read More

A Handsome Thief with a Certain Charm – Rough Cut

By Martin L. Shoemaker Exactly as recorded at the Niles Renaissance Faire, May 17, 2025. Look for a cleaned-up version soon. Men and women fighting for the honor of the Queen and the Niles Renaissance Fair. You’re not… Read More

05/11/2025 Jazz Session 2 – Where Do I Sell This Thing?

This was our second Jazz Session. Our subject: Where Do I Sell This Thing?

Proof copy for A Fine and Dangerous Season!

“This SEASON evokes every kind of Bradbury Weather – a worthy celebration of storytellers and the storms they summon.”– James A. Owen, author of The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica As the veil between worlds thins on Samhain, ancient… Read More