Announcing the Barbarians at the Gates Blogathon

Get ready to save the world!  Or, to blog about people who are trying to save the world, anyway.  You know, the folks who pick up a sword or a spear or a bow and plant their sandals or boots firmly on the ground, ready to stop whatever evil magical foe is threatening to take over or destroy or transform the world.

In other words, my friend Jim (aka Quiggy) over at The Midnite Drive-In and I are hosting a sword-and-sorcery blogathon this fall!  We call it the Barbarians at the Gates Blogathon, and you are hereby invited to join the fun!

In case you're not familiar with the term "sword-and-sorcery," here's how pulp fiction author Lin Carter explained it:

"We call a story sword and sorcery when it is an action tale derived from the traditions of the pulp magazine adventure story, set in the land, age, or world of the author's invention -- a milieu in which magic actually works and the gods are real -- a story, moreover, which pits a stalwart warrior in direct conflict with the forces of supernatural evil."

If you want a longer explanation of the genre and its nuances, you can check out this Wikipedia article. 

The sword-and-sorcery movie genre has direct roots in the pulp magazine stories of the 1930s-1950s, and we have decided that this event should celebrate both film and print!  That means you are not limited to reviewing a movie, but can absolutely review a book or story in the genre as well.

Here are the blogathon rules:

1. Anything that fits the idea of "sword-and-sorcery" will be allowed. Basically, it needs to involve swords and sorcery/magic.  Pretty simple.  Want to write about Imaro by Charles Saunders?  Do it.  Want to review any of the plethora of films or shows in the genre, whether they had a big-screen or small-screen release?   Go for it.  You can ask Jim or myself if a specific book or movie fits the parameters. 

2. Only one person/post per film or idea (but you can get around that a little bit).  For example, one person could review the book The Princess Bride by William Goldman, and another person could review the 1987 film, while yet another person could do a general overview of the great sword-and-sorcery films of the 1980s and include The Princess Bride on their list. 

3. We would like to limit the entries per person to 3 (if you are that ambitious). 

If you're not sure what kinds of movies are considered part of the genre, this list on Wikipedia is a great place to get started!  If you have a movie (or book) in mind, but aren't sure whether it really qualifies, again, just ask me or Jim, and we can discuss it.

Please use one of these blogathon buttons on your own blog to help others know about the event!  We'd also like it if you used one in whatever post you contribute to the event.

Leave a comment on this post or on The Midnite Drive-In and let us know what you want to contribute, and we'll add you to the official roster!  Please note that this summer is extremely busy for me, so it may take me a day or two to get you added.  I'll be as timely as possible. 

The Roster

+ The Midnite Drive-In -- Conan the Barbarian (1982) + Conan the Destroyer (1984), and a giveaway

+ Hamlette's Soliloquy -- Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) and a giveaway

+ Realweegiemidget Reviews -- The Beastmaster (1982)

+ Speakeasy -- Hercules and the Haunted World (1961)

+ Whimsically Classic -- Sleeping Beauty (1959)

+ Taking Up Room -- The Scorpion King (2002)

+ 18 Cinema Lane -- Willow (1988)

+ YOU!