
Stuff I've discarded for one reason or another as unfit for publishing, I'm tossing in here. Note that by reading the contents you agree to acknowledge that all work is copyright K.L. Shelly, years variant, and that you hold no copyright to any of the documents herein. Thanks!
All reviews welcomed, including anonymous, now that I have figured out how to allow them.
As far as myself: I'm a 26-year-old law student from upstate NY, transplanted to the midwest for legal studies. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I have a master's in Early Modern English literature from the same place I'm getting my law degree, and my collegiate major was also in Early Modern English. I'm in my third year at law school (close to graduation), and I participate in moot court (I should have bothered trying out for law review -- yes, dad -- but didn't want to do two things at once). I own a cat, a Volkswagen, and the entire collection (with old-timey previews) of Patrick McGoohan's 'The Prisoner.' Although politically I lean far more left than he, I think Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is the best modern writer.
In terms of genre stuff, I adore folks like Patricia McKillip (I'd sell my soul to write so lyrically, although I know that's not my style at all), Harlan Ellison (great, punchy delivery, and some fascinating concepts that, speaking from experience, will rattle around your brain for years), and Ursula K. LeGuin (scifi's wonderful great-aunt). The most underrated fantasy author for my money is R.A. MacAvoy. The most overrated is an unholy cross between Laurel K. Hamilton and Robert Jordan (who isn't bad when planning out his world, but is bad when he tries to write about it). From that, you can probably tell whether or not you'll like my writing style and influences.
In closing, any comments that I get on any of this, particularly the fantasy novel, would be great. Sadly, I do not plan to publish A Thousand Bayonets as it's way too easy to spot the influences therein, and it was mainly to see if I could sustain a multi-layered plot and substantially drawn characters. However, it's not dreadfully written; there are parts in there that I love and, hopefully, you'll find some too amidst the writing practice! Reviews, particularly interesting ones, are more than welcomed.