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Hello everyone!

This week we open with a discussion on weddings and divorce. While the majority of weddings- at least in the USA- take place in the month of June, do divorces follow a seasonal trend? We look into why that might be the case and some research behind seasonal divorce.

Our main topic is on Maintaining the Spark. When you are in a long-term relationship it can often be difficult to keep a relationship feeling fresh and exciting. We discuss why that is, define some terminology, and give steps on how to approach and avoid a lack-luster long-term relationship. 

We close out the week with a question on whether it is appropriate to downplay mistakes you've made in a relationship. Sharpen your pitchforks and light your torches, we're disagreeing with some common wisdom here!

For more information, including a list of topics, see our Show Notes for this episode.

Thanks and, as always, be well!

FA 039 Maintaining the Spark - Are divorces seasonal? Can you rekindle a relationship that's lost its spark? Should you downplay mistakes you've made to a partner? All this, and more, on this week's Feral Attraction

​Hi Papabear,


A few years ago I found a great artist, and he's been my favorite artist, and a huge inspiration for me ever since then. I was only 10 when that happened, so I obviously wasn’t old enough to commission art from anyone at the time. I’m 13 now, and now that I'm old enough to get money here and there from whatever extra work I can do around the house, and I'm comfortable with my fursona (I haven't changed him in forever and I don’t plan to because I'm really happy with him), I feel like it’s about time to commission him. I saved up enough money, and asked my parents as soon as I noticed I had enough, but they said no? They've always been supportive when it comes to me being a furry, and an artist, and liking other people's art and stuff like that, but they said that buying art from him would be a waste of money. When I asked why they said because "you can't do anything with it but look at it (because it's digital art)". I tried explaining to them why people buy art of their characters, and how long I had been wanting to commission him, but they continued to say it was a waste of money. I then said it wasn't fair since I earned the money myself, but they said it was basically their money, since they paid it to me and I'm still a kid. I'm really upset, and confused on what to do. Should I keep trying to help them understand, or just wait till I'm old enough to have a real job? Or do something else? Thank you!!
 
Anonymous
 
* * *
 
Dear Furiend,
 
This is an excellent letter, and thanks for sending it (and sorry for the slow reply). Okay, so what we are dealing with here is, essentially, a verbal contract between you and your parents in which they pay you some money to do some chores around the house, and they agreed that the money is yours. However, they then apparently are under the impression that they can tell you how to spend it or not to spend it.
 
*Buzzer noise* Wrong-o! That is SUCH the wrong message to teach your child, which is essentially saying “We let you hold the money but it’s really still ours.” Sheesh. There are a number of articles online you can reference (for example, this one from KidsHealth) about how to handle allowances, which is basically what you are doing. Some parents give kids an allowance without asking anything in return; others pay an allowance for the kids doing chores around the house.
 
Now, what is the purpose of an allowance in exchange for chores? It should be for a couple of things, mostly as an instructional tool:
 

1. To teach children the value of money (you need to work for the things you want). You give the perfect example by saving your money to buy a piece of artwork. You saw something you wanted, and you saved up for it. Good job!
2. To be able to do something fun as a result of the fruits of your labors and, therefore, appreciate what you buy far more than if your parents had just given it to you outright.
3. Having an allowance is also a good opportunity to open your own bank and learn how to manage money, use a debit card, and so on. You can open a savings account at almost any age, and when it comes to a checking account there are often some restrictions, such as you must be 13 or 14 (about your age now) to do it. I would start with a savings account.
4. This is also an opportunity to learn how to make a budget. You might even start to learn how to invest money, perhaps even opening a separate account specifically to save for college.

 
What I would suggest to you, then, is that you approach your parents and tell them you would like them to help you learn how to save and spend money wisely and that you would like to open an account at your local bank. Many banks have what is called a “teen bank account.” You will have to have a minimum deposit, but usually it is quite low, such as $25. Now, don’t let your parents fool you: in most cases, you do NOT need them to have their names on your account. Insist that the account be in YOUR name and your name only. BUT!  Be completely open with the account. Promise them they can see your statements any time they wish. Do not hide your spending and saving habits from them as this will develop mistrust on their part, and you don’t want that. Finally, it must be understood by them that, once they give you money in exchange for chores as agreed upon, it is YOUR money, not theirs.
 
Next, talk to them about budgeting. Agree to a sensible plan in which you save a percentage of the money you make each year, BUT you also are allowed a certain percentage for discretionary spending. This means buying anything you wish that is fun. After all, part of the fun of having money is spending on toys, right? You can’t tell me your parents never spend money on something frivolous.
 
This brings us to the example of the art you wish to buy. They say you are wasting money on art because, “You can't do anything with it but look at it (because it's digital art).” I guess if that’s your attitude then a Picasso or a Monet is also a waste of money because you can only look at it. That’s just plain stupid. So it’s digital art? So what? If you wish, you could print it out on some nice photo-quality paper and frame it. Would that make it more legitimate? Plus, once you have this artwork of your fursona, you can use it over and over again: as a badge, as a shirt (you can print things easily on shirts these days, or anything else that matter, such as a phone case or an ornament), you can use it as an avatar, and on and on. Endless uses for the art. And, most importantly, it makes you happy. If they are truly supportive of you being a furry, then they should be made to understand that an avatar of your fursona is very important.
 
If you are still having problems with this, then I would suggest you find an income from another source, such as raking lawns, shoveling snow, doing odd jobs for your neighbors, and so on. Then they definitely cannot pull the “it’s really our money” baloney on you.
 
Hope that helps.
 
Hugs,
Papabear

Huskyteer of the Furry Writers’ Guild sends a super cool announcement for fandom book lovers.  Furry Book Month is an initiative to promote anthropomorphic literature. Please give some love to the authors and publishers of the fandom – not just established ones you know, but also newer ones like Thurston Howl and Weasel Press.  Learn more in Fred Patten’s recent article, The State of Furry Publishing.

Furry Book Month logo by Ultrafox

October 2016 is Furry Book Month!

This October, we’re raising the profile of anthropomorphic literature and bringing it to a wider audience.

The Furry Writers’ Guild has joined forces with some of our fandom’s great authors and publishers.  They will offer special deals during the month, from free shipping and discount codes to free books.

Even if you don’t read furry fiction yet, try the special offers for a furry book in October.

Already a reader? Give a book to a friend, try a new author, or write a book review!  Reviews on Amazon and Goodreads can be short, and really help authors. Got lots to say? Submit a review to Flayrah, Dogpatch Press, or Claw & Quill.

What will you do this Furry Book Month? Please spread the word on social media using #FurryBookMonth!

Visit furrywritersguild.com/furry-book-month/ for the list of offers.

And here’s love to Fred Patten from authors who had their work reviewed on Dogpatch Press.  They’ll return your attention too if you submit one.

Justin Swatsworth, author of The Origin Chronicles: Mineau –

“I wanted to write a quick note and thank you for taking the time to review my novel. As I mentioned before, it was quite an honor to have someone of your knowledge and standing in both the anthropomorphic and anime fields take an interest in my story. I really appreciate the insights, kind words and great synopsis you provided in your review. It will definitely be of assistance to me, as it is my hope in the near future to begin writing a second story that has been slowly coming together in my mind. I hope you had a fun journey while reading about my cetacean society and it’s history. I will happily link to your review on all my pages, and also share it with anyone who might be interested! Thank you once again and have a great day! Justin Swatsworth”

Jess E. Owen, author of Song of the Summer King –

“Awesome, thank you so much for taking the time! – Jess E. Owen.”

History and State of Furry Publishing to be translated to Polish.

“My name is Szymon Brycki. I would like to translate into Polish and publish over the Net some of your texts, especially “the state of furry publishing” and two parts of “history of furry publishing”. I promise that – if you will allow it, of course – I will grant access to these texts equally and free of charge. Could I do so, please?

Yours sincerely,
Szymon Brycki”

Don’t be afraid to share anything you see published on Dogpatch Press (with credit of course.) This is a free nonprofit service to the community.

With the death of David Bowie earlier this year, lots of people have been remembering his 1986 turn as the Goblin King in Labyrinth. Now Boom! Studios have their own salute to that landmark film as they bring us Jim Henson’s Labyrinth 30th Anniversary Special. “Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the beloved Jim Henson fantasy film with stories from inside the magical walls of the labyrinth. Featuring fan-favorite characters like Ludo, Hoggle, Sir Didymus, and a few surprises, this special celebration collects for the first time all of the Labyrinth Free Comic Book Day stories along with new tales from Eisner Award winner Jonathan Case (The New Deal), Gustavo Duarte (Bizarro), and more!” Entertainment Weekly did a special preview recently.

image c. 2016 Boom! Studios

Another inbetweenasode! Xander and Draggor discuss the practice of skepticism, where it's missing in today's culture, the roots of its absence, and more! We (Xander & Alkali) will be at Fur Reality for an all new (hopefully LIVE) Dragget Show, so we hope to see you there!!! If you can't be there, we will hopefully be broadcasting FRIDAY night at midnight, so keep tabs on the Youtube Channel! Deep Shit! - skepticism - Another inbetweenasode! Xander and Draggor discu…

​Hello Papabear!
 
First I want to say how much I have enjoyed reading through your past letters and responses. The advice you give helped me answer a lot of questions that were arising inside of me.

Well, recently I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be part of the furry community. I'd always had a touch of furry inside of me, knowing about the top webcomics like Kevin and Kell, Fur Will Fly, and The Class Menagerie. I've always loved anthros, coming more from the Disney and Sci-Fi school of thought like the OG generation, and my favorite novel series are Brian Jacques "Redwall" books, which were a huge influence on me wanting to be a writer. 

I didn't keep up with pursuing the fandom in high school sadly. It wasn't the perceived social stigma, so much as I was not aware of anyone else I could talk with about the fandom and my interest laid dormant from graduation, through college, and through post collegiate life. I did encounter furs in college, but they were more ... exclusive, we will say ... about who they accepted and once again my interest retreated back inside.

Well, a couple months ago I befriended several people with ties to a different fandom who happen to be furries and I found myself remembering my old interest and fun at the anthro art and comics. I started diving a little deeper than I had since I was a kid, and learned about many top people in the community, and even for the first time discovering there is a literary side to it that is as healthy as the art. This intrigued me a lot...I've always fashioned myself as a writer, and even though I have a degree in photography too writing was my first love but it fell away, as no new ideas came to me and I fell into a creative funk that became mild depression. Couple that with anxiety disorder in a high-stress work place, the depressive nature of the news, and other factors in my personal life, and I consider my furry friends lifesavers for my sanity and creativity. I found that spark again to write and currently am having my first go at an anthro story. I have a novel outlined I'd like to attempt to but I'm digressing from the main point.

My question is that I'm ready to accept my furriness and embrace it, but will I be thought of as another "wannabe" trying to be something they're not? I'm still terrified after the snub I got in college that coming into the community after being an outsider for so long I'll be looked at as some sort of poseur (no fursona to speak of and not yet a member of any furry social media). The fandom is something I want to involve myself in and be part of the community and bring what talents I have to help keep it alive. The friends I do have have been accepting, which gives me hope that once I make myself known more, that those fears will fall away. But in the back of my mind, I still have those self-sabotaging doubts.

Thank you in advance for reading this and I hope I was not a rambling bore. 

Best regards and best of health,

Rakkety Tam (age 29)
 
* * *
 
Hi, Rakkety Tam (love that name—how’d you come up with it?),
 
I completely understand this letter in many ways. As a writer myself, for example, I get what you are going through in attempting your first novel. I also understand the fear of not being accepted by the furry community, especially as an older furry. The times I’ve been to the Prancing Skiltaire party, for example, I felt like the complete outsider because it was nothing but young people (well, couple of older ones, including the hosts, of course) and they already had their cliques and all that. I stopped going for that reason. It’s also why I started the Facebook Greymuzzle Group for furries 30 and older (contact us on your next birthday) so that older furries could chat with each other more comfortably.
 
That said, two things are true here (in my experience): as a whole, the fandom is accepting of pretty much anyone, regardless of age, sexual preference, nationality, race, religion, etc. etc. However, it is also true that local groups of furries form, and each group can have its own microculture. Sometimes that culture is open and accepting, sometimes it is elitist and cliquish. A lot of this depends on who becomes the “leader” of the group. Their character as people will generally define the nature of the group they run. I’ve had people write to me at this column singing the praises of their local furry groups, while others feel completely ostracized by theirs. That group you met in college was not one of the better ones, apparently.
 
Just because you had a bad experience there, though, doesn’t mean it’s like that everywhere in the fandom. Indeed, I would say the bad groups are in the minority. You yourself note that while that college furry group was not so inviting your other furry friends have been “life savers.” You just need to keep socializing with more furries and establishing your furiends network, which will evolve over time.
 
You’re not a “wannabe” at all, Rakkety. Indeed, in my experience it is more common to see younger furs who are poseurs and who later drop out of the fandom because they just did it to try something different. It’s the same reason many young people do things like coloring their hair purple or getting a nose piercing. They are trying to find themselves and their creativity, but this period ends for many people who become “adults” and drop their furry pursuits because they are “childish.” Probably way over half of the under-20 furries you see now will not be involved in the fandom after they get regular jobs and start raising families and paying taxes and worrying about their mortgages or rent.
 
If you are still a furry in your late 20s, 30s, 40s and onward, you are hardcore in my book. You are furry for life, not just because it’s cool or outrageous, but because you have a furry soul. Papabear considers you a furry in my book. And, even if I didn’t, who cares? You aren’t a furry to please other people but to please yourself. So, enjoy the art, the comics, the books, and good luck with your writing! (I’d love to see it!)
 
You’ll make friends, don’t worry.
 
Bear Hugs,
Papabear

More how-did-we-miss-this? stuff. From Aftershock Comics (a new company, at least to us!) comes Animosity, written by Marguerite Bennett and illustrated in full color by Rafael de Latorre and Rob Schwager. “One day, the Animals woke up. They started thinking. They started talking. They started taking revenge. Now, a dog and his girl are trying to get away–out of New York City, and all the way to San Francisco, to the only person who might be able to protect and save her. From the writer of Insexts, A-Force, and Bombshells, and the artist of Superzero, comes a new kind of road trip, a new kind of black comedy, and a new kind of coming-of-age.” Aftershock has sample pages at their web site. The first issues are already on the shelves.

image c. 2016 Aftershock

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New members

Welcome to our newest members: Bruno Schafer, Jako Malan, and Stephen Coglan! In addition, welcome Sean and Andrew Rabbitt–perhaps better known as Rabbit Valley–to the FWG as associates! If you’re not a member of the Guild and you’d like more information about joining, read our membership guidelines.

Member news

Tor Books has bought the sequel to Lawrence M. Schoen’s Barsk: The Elephants’ Graveyard. In addition, Les Editions de L’Instant has bought the French language translation rights for Barsk.

Thurston Howl Publications released Wolf Warriors III: Winter Wolves, the third edition of their charity anthology in support of the National Wolfwatcher Coalition. It includes works by, among others, Alice Dryden, Amy Fontaine, Renee Carter Hall, Bill Kieffer, BanWynn Oakshadow, Frances Pauli, and Televassi.

Madison Keller’s Flower’s Fang is now available as an audiobook.

Donald Jacob Uitvlugt’s short story “In the Days of the Witch-Queens,” originally published in the Menagerie of Heroes charity anthology, is now available as a 99¢ ebook on Amazon.

Fred Patten published a large article on The State of Furry Publishing on Dogpatch Press.

New markets

• Speaking of Lawrence Schoen, his press, Paper Golem LLC, is accepting submissions of novellas (20,000 to 40,000 words) for the fourth volume of the novella anthology series Alembical. Submission guidelines.

For ongoing markets previously covered but still open (and occasionally, open in the future), visit the FWG web site:

• Paying short story markets
• Non-paying short story markets
• Novel/novella markets

Remember to keep an eye on the Calls for Submissions thread on the forum, as well as other posts on the Publishing and Marketing forum.

Furry Book Month!

October is Furry Book Month! The Furry Writers’ Guild has joined forces with some of our fandom’s great authors and publishers to offer special deals during the month. Visit the Furry Book Month page for more details and links to deals, talk about the books you’re reading on the FWG Forum, and make sure to leave a review of what you’re reading on Amazon or Goodreads—it really helps! Follow along on social media with the tag #FurryBookMonth.

Odds and ends

The Tuesday Coffeehouse Chats continue to take place on the FWG Slack channel, while the Thursday chats continue to take place on the shoutbox. There’s some discussion of moving the Thursday chats, too, or going to just one chat a week—if you’d like to weigh in, visit the forum. Visit the forum anyway.

As usual, we’d like to keep recruiting you to the FWG Goodreads group: add things to our members’ bookshelf (see the instructions here on how to do that), start conversations, indoctrinate people.

The FWG blog desperately needs more love. If you would like to love it, consider writing a guest post. See our guidelines for the details.

Have a terrific (furry book) month! Send news, suggestions, feedback, and spare hashtags to furwritersguild@gmail.com, or leave a comment below.

Recently discovered: A new full-color comic book series from Action Lab called Monty the Dinosaur. “For millions of years he has walked among us in the shadows–Monty, the last living dinosaur! The first million or so were okay, but now Monty is lonely.  He wants a friend. He has tried and tried, but no one will play with him. He is a terrifying T-Rex, after all. Enter Sophie, a ten year old girl that likes people for who they are. Follow the unlikeliest of friendships in Action Lab’s newest hit all-ages series, Monty the Dinosaur!” It’s written by Bob Frantz and illustrated by Jean Franco. There’s a preview at Pop Culture HQ.

image c. 2016 Action Lab

IDW Publishing take Disney Comics to a whole new place with the first (#0) full-color issue of Duck Avenger. “It’s the start of a most-wanted Disney superhero epic! When Scrooge McDuck buys mysterious, ultra-hi-tech Ducklair Tower, Donald sneaks onto a forgotten floor — and as Duck Avenger, finds an amazing AI sending him into a breathless space alien battle!” It seems that Duck Avenger (written by Alessandro Sisti and Ezio Sisto, with art by Alberto Lavoradori) has been a phenomenon in Europe for some time. Now Jonathan Gray has helpfully adapted it for North American audiences. Issue #0 is out now, and IDW has more on issue #1, hitting stores later this month.

image c. 2016 IDW Publishing

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This episode comes to you from Shiva's patio, with guest appearances by hookah noise and Shiva's doggo at least once. We've got a whole handful of emails this week due to missing last, and we discuss rent splits, drinks we like, not having a fursona, and how to talk to girls~ We've hit $75 an episode on the Patreon! If you'd like to contribute, join us at www.patreon.com/knotcast October is Furry Book Month! Read more here: https://baddogbooks.com/?p=7223 Episode 328 - They're Good Dogs, Brent

This October, we’re raising the profile of anthropomorphic literature and bringing furry stories to a wider audience.

The Furry Writers’ Guild has joined forces with some of our fandom’s great authors and publishers to offer special deals during the month, from free shipping and discount codes to free books.

If you don’t read furry fiction, take advantage of the special offers and try a furry book in October.

Already a reader? Give a book to a friend, try a new author, or write a book review. Reviews on Amazon and Goodreads needn’t be long, and really help authors. Got lots to say? Submit a review to [a][s], Flayrah, Dogpatch Press, or Claw & Quill.

What will you do this Furry Book Month? Spread the word on social media using #FurryBookMonth!

Visit furrywritersguild.com/furry-book-month/ for the list of offers.

Furry Book Month logo by Ultrafox

We're kind drunk. We talk Cocktober, the Presidential debate, and all sorta nonsense. Enjoy! Reminder: We're on Patreon! If you could kick us a buck or two, we'd greatly appreciate it. www.patreon.com/thedraggetshow ALSO, we're not just on SoundCloud, you can also subscribe to this on most podcast services like iTunes! Don't forget to hang out in our telegram chat, now w/ over 100 members!telegram.me/draggetshow Lastly, don't forget to check out our YouTube, where we have many extra vids, Dragget Plays, and live streams & recordings of the podcasts. ep 138 - Cocktober - We're kind drunk. We talk Cocktober, the Preside…

By far one of the oddest things we came across at Long Beach Comic Con was the world of Cy the Elephart. (Look, people, we don’t make this stuff up — We’d be a whole lot richer if we could!) Created by a trio of “phartists” (their term), Denise Saffren, Paul Schoepflin, and Becky Mann have brought us a friendly and fun-loving elephant who loves nothing more than to break wind. And, apparently, to do so in some very prettily-painted environments. We’re not saying it’ll make more sense, but you’ll see just how busy these folks have been with this project when you visit the official Cy web site. And yes, they have a book project in the works and lots of Cy goodies for sale.

image c. 2016 CyTheElephart.com

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Hi, Papabear.

I'll make it simple. I'm interested by murrsuiting. 

I find the texture of faux fur so... relaxing and so cuddly. And don't get me started on the big eyes, the colors and the cheerful personality the wearers often take while in suit. 

The thing is, I cannot help but feel uneasy when having those fantasies.

I see so many furs who do like all this fandom is about sex, who say that every furry is into kink. Who complain because they cannot buy Bad Dragon stuff at Anthrocon. I often see them online or in some very not necessery interactions with the media.

I hate those people. I often complain that some talentful artists produce a lot more of porn than SFW stuff because that is what people are paying for. 

Yet, I have what most people would consider the most stereotypical trait of a furry.

I know that I am not a freak. I wouldn't never force it on anybody, I would never bring something that has touch body fluids to a con, out of respect for the other attendees. 

But I cannot help but feel inconfortable with this fetish. I know it's because I associate it with a part of the fandom I don't like ( the Furcons-are-big-orgies kind) I know that there is probably a lot of very respectable( and respectful) people in this fandom who own a murrsuit, it just that they keep it in the bedroom where it belongs.

I just wanna stop making this association automatically. I know that there is a difference between having a wet dream involving a cute bunny girl and been an asshole who ruins the fun ( and the innocence) for a lot of furries. 

So basically, I'm tired of feeling like a freak for liking something that hurts nobody.

Anonymous

* * *

​Hi, Furiend,

I see, you feel guilty because you think having some sexual activity in an anatomically correct murrsuit. Well, let Papabear say this about that: people should be free to do what they wish to do in the privacy of their own bedrooms (or other private place of your choice) between consenting adults. The only thing that is really bothersome about people's sexual activities is when they either shove it in your face (Papabear finds twerking in public offensive, for example—I'm sure many young people will disagree with me—because I find overt, slutty public displays hurt my eyes) or when people assert that the only appropriate sex is missionary style between a man and woman for the purpose or procreation only (or, indeed, if they insist on any particular sexual practices and say that any others are sinful or illegal or otherwise not permissible).

​What these people don't tell you is that most of them are probably engaging in very kinky stuff in private and then pretending, in public, that they are clean-cut and straight-laced (how many stories have we seen in which anti-LGBT ministers or Congressmen get caught with their paws in the cookie jar?). You might have heard about the novel (and movie adaptation) 50 Shades of Grey. It's a movie about kinky bondage sex. A book with very little literary merit, it was a bestseller and popular film because why? Because people who won't admit it are fascinated by kinky sex, that's why.

So, first of all, hon, the people you are worried about judging you are probably doing things equally or more kinky than you. Either that, or they are having boring sex and are envious of you for doing something fun. In other words, their opinions are not worth listening to. I have some considerable experience in this area, and I can tell you there are many kinks and fetishes far more bizarre than a murrsuit. In fact, a murrsuit is rather tame compared to a few things I have heard and seen.

Papabear agrees with you 100% when you say "I'm tired of feeling like a freak for liking something that hurts nobody." So, stop feeling like a freak. You're doing it to yourself, you know. Get a murrsuit. Have fun. Don't feel guilty about it because that will simply spoil the experience.

Hugs,
Papabear

Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer.

Fracture, by Hugo Jackson. Map.
Derby, England, UK, Inspired Quill Publishing, September 2016, trade paperback $12.99 (ix + 327 pages), Kindle $3.99.

Fracture is Book 2 of The Resonance Tetralogy. I opened my review of Legacy, Book 1, with the statement: “The map of Eeres on pages iv and v shows only a few land masses amidst many oceans and seas; the result of a prehistoric cataclysm 2,500 years earlier. Millions were killed, the whole world was reshaped, and the few survivors were too desperately trying to survive to keep any civilization or record of the past. All that remained, when a new civilization began to come together centuries later, were legends of a glorious, hardly believable past, and of the unknown disaster that had destroyed it. And a name – Nazreal – of the only city from that forgotten past known (or believed) to have existed for sure.” The map is on pages viii and ix in Fracture, but otherwise it’s still good background.

Full disclosure: my review of Legacy is quoted in “Praise for Hugo Jackson”: “Legacy is very satisfying. Jackson brings a complex and colorful anthro world to life. His descriptions are full of lush detail.”

Fracture begins shortly after Legacy’s end, and while the Prologue is very dramatic, you really should read Legacy first. (Fortunately, it’s still available.) The walled multi-animal city/state/kingdom (Jackson uses the obsolete term “sovereign”) of Xayall, besieged and almost completely destroyed by the evil reptiles of Dhraka, is rebuilding. Xayall’s fox Emperor Aidan is dead, and his young daughter Faria, the on-the-run protagonist of Legacy, is in its hospital recovering. Chapter One is somber:

“Xayall itself […] still held hints of the vibrant life it harboured before its ordeal under Dhrakan claws. Teams of soldiers and civilians worked diligently to clear the streets, and many smaller buildings were already mostly healed of their wounds. The once bright sandstone walls, although still riddled with scorch and pock marks where the Dhrakan bombs had spent their wrath, were patrolled by dedicated troops eager to defend against any unwanted raids. The biggest change in the city’s visage, however, had been made to the central tower. Formerly the city’s glimmering pinnacle, the Tor’s severed column now virtually disappeared against the blanket of clouds, while the wing structures previously cradling the sky had shattered at its base when they fell, and were now solemnly being used to rebuild vital structures still suffering from damage.” (p. 4)

A serious problem is that Emperor Aidan was killed before revealing his long-range plans for Xayall’s eventual victory. The adolescent princess Faria, now “‘Empress’ (by itself an obsolete and criticised honorific)”, must create her orders for Xayall’s political and military rebuilding from her hospital bed, largely by guess.

With Faria and her loyal cyborg raccoon Tierenan hospitalized, and other supporting characters in Legacy busy offstage, Fracture features a new protagonist and cast at first. Bayer Kanjita, ocelot, and Kier, fox, are two young officers in Xayall’s hierarchy, the former guardians of Princess Faria and now her representatives from the hospital to Xayall’s government. Kier has just become a Counsellor of Xayall. The sovereign’s near destruction by Dhraka has made Xayall dependent on its allies for food and help rebuilding, mostly northern Andarn, the largest sovereign on the continent of Cadon (see the map):

“‘This is wrong,’ Bayer scowled. ‘We shouldn’t be dependent on them for help. We’ll be under their thumb soon. You can’t just sell us out to Andarn like this – they’ll never let go of the debt. Xayall needs to rebuild its strength from within.’

Kier stepped toward him, trying to keep covert. ‘I am not selling out. Our debt is a fate we and Andarn shared on the battlefield. We’re only alive because they defended us. At the very least Alaris [the representative of Andarn’s government to Xayall but hamstrung by Andarn’s feuding politics and Cadon’s continent-wide Senate] recognizes how close not just we, but all of Eeres, came to being destroyed. They’re not doing this to usurp our land or control us, they’re –’” (p. 26)

Captain Alaris Hiryu, pangolin, is the commander of the troops of Andarn assigned to help Xayall. The murder of an important Councillor of Andarn, at a time of tensions between Andarn and neighboring Tremaine, has resulted in Cadon’s Senate calling Alaris home. Bayer, who has grown tired of Xayall’s politics, offers to escort him to get out of Xayall for a few weeks. Captain Rowan Ibarruri (meerkat) of Tremaine’s army, a jovial friend of Alaris’, joins them. (The three ride reptilian mounts. “His [Bayer’s] steed, a tall, slim, dinosaur creature not unlike an ostrich, called an Anserisaur, reacted to his tension and would uneasily flick its head as they walked.” – p. 55.)

Bayer is shocked to find that Andarn’s politics are much more deadly than Xayall’s; and that Alaris, who he distrusted at first, may be one of the best foreign friends that Xayall has. When Rowan has to return to Tremaine, and Alaris looks to be in danger of being murdered, Bayer offers to continue escorting him on a mission that will take both of them out of Andarn to the occupied neighboring sovereign of Kyrryk to look for missing troops and supplies.

Fracture switches back and forth between what Bayer and Alaris find in Kyrryk, and unexpected dangers to Faria in Xayall. To give away one spoiler, there are villains who move about in the different uniforms of the sovereigns of Cadon, committing assassinations and other sabotage to cause the sovereigns to mistrust each other and destroy the continent’s Senate. The resonance power that saved Xayall from Dhaka in Legacy reappears dramatically in the last half of the novel:

“Defeated, [spoiler] turned to flee just as an arrow from [spoiler’s] bow shot through the air and pierced the back of his thigh. He collapsed to his knees with a yelp. A low boom echoed in the corridor, followed by a rush of air, and before anyone could tell what had happened, [spoiler] was holding his sword at [spoiler’s] neck, standing on the [spoiler’s] legs to prevent his escape. The [spoiler] growled fiercely.” (p. 177)

“Quickly the two went inside, moving past the heavy curtain that concealed the cave’s entrance. But far from being the cragged, tiny opening they were expecting, what met them past the threshold was more sinister than darkness.” (p. 189)

As with Legacy, Fracture (wraparound cover by Katie Hofgard) comes to a satisfactory conclusion; but without leaving any doubt that it is only Book 2 in the tetralogy. Book 3, Ruin’s Dawn, is next.

Fracture is enjoyable funny-animal melodrama. Jackson has some acknowledged unusual animals in his cast, such as Alaris the pangolin, who needs custom-made armour since pangolins are so rare. (Still, real pangolins aren’t nearly as large as the giant shown on Hofgard’s cover.) Jackson is still prone to adjectives and adverbs that imply sentience to objects and emotions: “bombs had spent their wrath”, “vital structures still suffering from damage”. He also likes really obsolete terminology. Besides calling nations sovereigns, there are “Slowly, unnoticed by the squabbling parties, he slid one of his bardiches from its ring on his belt.” (p. 31), and “He knelt beside her, his jinbaori rippling in the breeze.” (p. 149). But generally, meanings are clear enough from the context.

If you haven’t read Legacy, you’ll want to after reading Fracture; but this Book 2 does stand on its own nicely. It does come to a satisfactory ending – but wow! does it have a great grabber for Book 3!

–Fred Patten

• Buy on Amazon

Once again, discoveries from the Long Beach Comic Con: A new weekly on-line comic. “Tales of Absurdity is the product of the strange and absurd thoughts of cartoonist Alex Hoffman.  Topics range from pop culture parody to the bizarre limits of the human imagination.  Sometimes they are funny.” And quite often they involve animals, funny and otherwise. Recently, Mr. Hoffman has released the first collection of Absurdity comics in a new trade paperback, The Dawn of Absurdity. “Watch the absurdity evolve over 100 strips with all the twists and turns, parodies and puns.” All of this and more can be found (and purchased) at Mr. Hoffman’s official Tales of Absurdity web site.

image c. 2016 by Alex Hoffman

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Do you favor toony or more realistic art styles? Or is your preference somewhere in between? This week, Levi teaches the realism-loving Pami why toony is best, while the fox takes a middle ground. Also, expect shout-outs for our favorite artists.

Metadata and Credits Furry Art Styles

Runtime: 28:34m

Cast: KZorroFuego, Levi, Pamiiruq

Editor: Levi

Format: 196kbps AAC Copyright: © 2016 WagzTail.com. Some Rights Reserved. This podcast is released by WagzTail.com as CC BY-ND 3.0.

Furry Art Styles - Do you favor toony or more realistic art styles? Or is your preference somewhere in between? This week, Levi teaches the realism-loving Pami why toony is best, while the fox takes a middle ground.

Do you favor toony or more realistic art styles? Or is your preference somewhere in between? This week, Levi teaches the realism-loving Pami why toony is best, while the fox takes a middle ground. Also, expect shout-outs for our favorite artists.

Metadata and Credits Furry Art Styles

Runtime: 28:34m

Cast: KZorroFuego, Levi, Pamiiruq

Editor: Levi

Format: 196kbps AAC Copyright: © 2016 WagzTail.com. Some Rights Reserved. This podcast is released by WagzTail.com as CC BY-ND 3.0.

Furry Art Styles - Do you favor toony or more realistic art styles? Or is your preference somewhere in between? This week, Levi teaches the realism-loving Pami why toony is best, while the fox takes a middle ground.