Saturday, December 30, 2006

Future Syndicate


Future Syndicate is an anthology that looks at crime and criminals in the future. The collection was edited by me, and it will be released on January 25th. However, the publisher is currently running a pre-sale on the book through their website. It's just $10 plus shipping & handling.
Right now it's just a pre-sale item, and it can only be ordered through the publisher. Once it's released, it will be available from most booksellers.
Order a copy today!

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Just a couple of days left


I just wanted to remind everyone that there are just a few days left on the pre-sale of Just Because at The Genre Mall. Right now the collection is $12.00 + shipping...it goes up to $15.99 + shipping on Jan. 2nd, so if you want a good deal on a collection of works from James Baker, you need to act now!


Click on the title of this entry for all of the details...


Thursday, December 21, 2006

Amazon links

I've now added links for a few of my books so that you can order them directly from Amazon.com. I've had several people ask me about that, so now's your chance...

Let it snow!


I just thought I'd upload some pictures I took just after sunrise this morning. We've had close to two feet of snow so far, and the drifts are pretty intimidating. It's still snowing a bit, and we're still expecting another two or three inches.

I would have gotten some better pictures, but I basically can't get off the steps of my apartment unless I want to dive into those big drifts.















You can tell who drove in late in the storm, and who was here for the whole thing...















That's an SUV stuck back there. The white mound behind it is another car...














That's my neighbors car that you can just barely see closest to the camera.


Wednesday, December 20, 2006

It was ten years ago today

It was ten years ago today
It was ten years ago today that the world lost one of its greatest minds. This is the day that Carl Sagan passed away.
Sagan was well known as a popularizer of science. His PBS show Cosmos had a huge influence on a lot of people, including a ten year old boy living outside of Cleveland.
I was a precocious little geek of a kid that was completely in love with science. I already had a telescope, and I spent hours every clear night outside looking up at the stars, and wondering what might be out there. Then Cosmos came on, and I found that a lot of my questions were being asked on the show, and I loved the potential answers.
Shortly after watching that series, I read two of Carl's books...The Dragons of Eden and Broca's Brain. Some of the material was a bit over my head...I was ten after all...but I understood a lot of it, and he forever changed my life.
It may sound odd, but next to my family, Carl Sagan probably had the biggest influence on my life. I probably wouldn't have become a science fiction writer if I hadn't been exposed to his work.
I never even fully realized what an effect he had on me until I was in college. I can remember sitting on the second floor of the Auraria Campus library...I was supposed to be studying, but instead, I was working on a short story. The story was about aliens living in a gas giant. I thought it was a great idea, but there seemed to be something familiar about the aliens. About six months later, I was watching Cosmos on PBS for the first time since I was ten, and he was describing potential life forms in a gas giant. My aliens were very similar to what he was describing. I hadn't seen the show in a decade and a half, but those aliens had stuck with me, and as I watched the reruns, I realized a lot of other things from that show had stuck with me as well...
Carl Sagan is dearly missed. His voice and wisdom would be greatly welcome in the world we currently live in...

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Just Because


Many years ago, James Baker was the first editor to buy one of my stories. Later he would also take me under his wing and give me my first job as an editor. I owe much of my success in this business to that one man.

When Jim was claimed by cancer on September 18th, 2002, I promised myself that I would gather together his stories, poems, and essays and put them into a collection. Unfortunately, time and a job that sucked the life out of me never let me do that.

Earlier this year when I left my real job, I swore to myself that I would finish the book. Now, on what would have been Jim's 81st birthday, Sam's Dot Publishing (the continuation of Jim's ProMart Publishing) has announced that the book will be released on Jan. 2nd.

This book is more than just a collection of one man's works. It also features insights from the people who knew Jim, and it contains a lot of my own personal memories of him...an attempt at drawing a better picture of a man I wish many of you could have known.

The Genre Mall is currently offering the book at a special pre-sale price of $12.00 plus shipping & handling. If you'd like to order a copy, please go to... http://www.genremall.com/anthologiesr.htm#justbecause


Friday, December 15, 2006

New releases

Stay tuned for information on new releases from me...things I've written...thing I've edited...a lot going on.

First announcement will be on Sunday!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

A new record...

...and it's not one I wanted. I've gotten three rejections of the same story in a two day period! I didn't even think that would be possible.

The sad thing is that the story wasn't even a simultaneous submission. The first one was a couple of weeks late, but the next two came about four or five hours after I'd submitted the story.

Maybe it's time to go back and re-work this thing...

Monday, November 27, 2006

Harry Potter

I recently watched the fourth Harry Potter movie for the first time. I wouldn't say that I'm a fan, but I like them enough to watch them, although I've never read the books, and never really plan on reading them.

I thought the first movie was quite good, the second was good, the third was worth watching, although I did really like the plot twist in it. This movie, however, was a waste of two hours. There were several places where there were holes in the plot line that you could drive Darth Vader's star destroyer through. My biggest problems with these movies is that the villain always has something to do with the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He's other the villain, abducted by the villain, a good guy with a dark secret, or an idiot....but the plot always revolves around them being a major complication for Harry and his chums to overcome. How ridiculous is that? Can we please get some plot variety at some point...it's all becoming far too predictable...

Monday, November 20, 2006

DAM

Over the weekend, I went to the newly remodeled Denver Art Museum. In some ways, it was quite impressive. They've always had a great collection of American Indian, Pre-Colombian, and Mesoamerican pieces...I could spend days in just those sections. I was somewhat put off by the fact that there was an odd painting of John Wayne in the Native American section with a quote from him stating that what the white man did to the Indians was justifiable because the white man needed the land. This struck me as more than a bit odd considering that if you look around the corner, you can see a picture of a group of what might be Cherokee at the end of the Trail of Tears. That just didn't make sense to me.

The new section of the museum also has a large collection of Contemporary Art, which I have to admit I don't always get. I'm not sure how a bull's head stripped of skin and sitting in formaldehyde is art...if you can explain that one to me, please try...I probably still won't get it. I've never been a fan of Jackson Pollack, and a lot of the contemporary stuff is just cheap knock offs of his work. I'm thinking about soaking my cat's paws in paint and letting her run around on a canvas...I could call it "A Cat's Perspective on Life." Who knows? I might never have to work again.

There was one piece that really struck me. It was an "update" of the Madonna holding Jesus. In this piece, Jesus was actually Hitler as a baby, and he was surrounded by the SS. That piece really hit home for me...

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Reading

I've been reading The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Vol. One 1929-1964. There are quite a few stories that I've never read, but I really have to say that so far, my two favorites are the two I read long ago...Mimsy Were the Borogroves by Lewis Padgett and of course, Nightfall by Asimov.

I'm amazed how well Nightfall stands up more than 60 years after it was written. Aside from one glaring mistake at the end, the story would sell to a publisher today. That can't be said for most of the stories in this collection. Although most of them are great, several of them are quite dated. Let's face it, The Roads Must Roll by Heinlein is a great story, but if someone wrote that today, it probably would never sell. Night fall would! The science still works, the voice works, and Asimov does some of his best ever characterization in this story. It's still a masterpiece.

If you really want to examine the roots of SF, I strongly recommend this book. There's even a link on my homepage where you can buy it through Amazon...

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

The logs are gone

All of my logs for my homepage have vanished. Most likely it's just a glitch with my webhost, but given the people who have been visiting my website...I really have to wonder...

Monday, November 06, 2006

The Book

Well, I've just put the finishing touches on the novel, and now I have to decide if I'm going to submit it, or just put it in a box and forget about it. I had very high hopes for this book, but as I was working on these latest revisions, I realized that there were some things I didn't like about it. Maybe I'm being overly critical...or maybe I'm just sick of this damn story, but the novel seems to be lacking.

First of all, I'm not really happy with the actual writing of the book. Anyone who has read my work knows that I'm a fairly straight-forward writer. I don't waste a lot of time on hyperbole or description. As I always say, "If the sky is blue, it's blue!" However, in this book I tried to simplify my writing even more, basically trying to make it as easy to understand as I possibly could. Why would I do that, you might ask. The reason is simple...the underlying idea of the book is that we can't really understand anything, and that when we understand that we can't understand...that's when we truly understand!

I'm sure that anyone who was raised completely in the Western Philosophical schools just said "What the *&$#?" However, from a Taoist perspective, that statement actually makes sense...although I could have phrased it better. Come on, it's almost one in the morning, and I've been working off and on on this book for the last 12 hours...cut me some slack.

The point I was trying to make was that I wanted a very simple and easy to understand writing style to act as a juxtaposition against the underlying theme. I'm not really sure that I pulled it off.

The second problem I've encountered with the book is that most of my longer works really jerk the readers around, or at least they have parts that really jerk the readers around. Anyone who has heard one of my readings of The Opium of the People will understand. I really like to make the reader uncomfortable when they read my work. I use torture, rape, pillaging, baby killing, whatever I feel like will get a reaction out of the reader. It's not gratuitous...it actually does contribute to the story. In this book, there's none of that. Even when I kill off a friend of the main character, his reaction is rather subdued (although that is in character for him.)

So, what will now happen with this book? I'll probably submit it, but I don't have high hopes for it...however, I have been wrong before...

Sunday, November 05, 2006

If you can't find me, look for me in Guantanamo

I posted something about this on the Sam's Dot board, but I thought I'd mention it here as well...just in case...

Lately I've been noticing an abnormally high number of hits to my website from government servers, this has even included several hits from one or more FBI servers. Maybe they've overheard my comments that a sub-title for The Opium of the People could be "What Would Happen if Bush Could Run For a Third Term."

So, if I suddenly disappear, you'll have some idea of where to look for me, although given the current administration, I don't know what good that would do any of us...

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

MileHiCon Update 3-Sunday

After much sleep deprivation, it was time for the final day of the con. Sunday morning I went to a panel on pitching to an editor at a Con, which also talked a lot about pitching to an agent at a Con. It was all kind of common sense logic, but I still learned a few things from it.

At 11:00, Tyree had a panel called "E-Publishing and Zines." He was on the panel with fellow ProMartian/Sam's Dotian, Carol Hightshoe...as well as Graeme Davis and A.C. Ellis again. This one I basically went to because Tyree was there...I already know quite a bit on this subject, and half the time I felt like I was on the panel with the way Tyree kept asking me questions.

At noon, it was off to the dealers room for another signing. This one went pretty well. We definitely sold some book, and signed quite a bit. I really think Tyree will make a lot of money if he can get in the dealers' room next year. The dealers' room is almost always full, no matter the time, and people are definitely willing to spend money at this con.

At 1:00, Tyree had a panel called"Congratulation, It's an Anthology." This panel was moderated by Ed Bryant. If you're into speculative fiction at all, you should know Ed Bryant, and if you don't, I would suggest you get to know him! I had the chance to have dinner with him last year, and we went to a Henry Rollins show about a month after the con, and the man is just a wealth of information...and a really nice guy as well! I learned quite a bit about how anthologies are done in the major markets, and I think Ed had one of the best comments of the weekend. I don't remember exactly how he said it, so I'm paraphrasing...but he mentioned that he tried to avoid editing anthologies these days because his last anthology had the likes of Dan Simmons, Connie Willis, and other writers of that caliber...and how do you top that?

The last thing I went to was a reading by Rebecca Rowe and Glenn Lewis Gillette. Rebecca just released her first novel a few months ago, and I'd had the pleasure of seeing her read at the Tattered Cover here in Denver shortly after it came out. Her book Forbidden Cargo should be a must read. It's a fantastic first novel! I'd run into Rebecca several times during the Con, and she's just such a nice person that you feel like you have to support her. Josh, who was my entourage for the weekend had been intrigued by her book, and had purchased a copy, so we both figured we'd go hear her read.

That was the wrap-up of the Con. I'm ready for next year's convention already.

Keep in mind, pictures are up on my website, so head on over and check them out, and while you're there, buy a book or two...or three or more....

Monday, October 30, 2006

MileHiCon Update 2-Saturday

Saturday started out with going to a panel called "Should Space Travel be Privatized." The panelists on this one were Eric Boethin, Hugh Gregory, GoH the Stevens', a friend of mine, and editor of Tales of the Talisman, Dave Summers, and one of my friend's dads Tony Muscatello. This was a great panel. There was a lot of information, and I walked out of there with quite a few story ideas...and some possible problems with the novel I'm working on...have to figure out what to do with that...

The next few hours were spent talking to Tyree about various writing and Sam's Dot things. We also spent some time with Ian Brazee-Cannon, a new writer that we were the first to publish...just carrying on the work James Baker set out for us so long ago.

From 2:00-4:00 we were sponsoring the ConSuite. Unfortunately, Tyree didn't bring enough food, and so we had some people who were definitely grumbling...thanks to the Hobbit for going out and getting more food! We spent the two hours selling books, and we did quite well. We sold several copies of Ecotastrophe, and I sold a few copies of my books. In just those two hours, Tyree was able to cover his expenses...so it should be interesting to see what he can do if he can get a table in the Dealers' Room next year.

After that, there was a lull...the few hours around dinner are always the slowest, and without much sleep...it was a little tough to just sit around.

The night ended with the masquerade. A few great costumes, but not a lot of participation this year. Then there was the literacy auction...some great items, but I wasn't about to spend any money there.

Then came the improv. Laura Givens and the improv troupe she belongs to put on a great show. I laughed so hard, I was actually in pain!

101 porn stars go into a bar
Bartender says we can't serve 101 porn stars
101 porn stars say, that's ok, we'll cum again...

Then it was off to more parties...and no sleep.

Pictures are now up on my homepage!

MileHiCon Update 1-Friday

Now that I've had a little bit of a chance to rest up, I'll start the update with Friday...hopefully I'll have pictures up later tonight, but they didn't turn out all that well, so I'm not too thrilled about that.

The day became an adventure even before we got to the con. Driving down I-25, there was an accident two lanes over from us between a pickup and a van. Had either of them been spinning a little more, they probably would have smacked into the cars next to us, and pushed us into the dividing wall...it was that close!

Once at the Con, I met Sam's Dot's Tyree Campbell for the very first time (hard to believe!) We chatted for a while before I had to do my first and only panel, "Where Do Writers Get Their Ideas." I was on the panel with Rebecca Bates (who I'd just published in Ecotastrophe), veteran writer Cynthia Felice, and Con toastmaster Mark Ferrari. The topic isn't all that good of one since basically writers get their ideas from just about everywhere, but we did the best we could with it.

For 4:00 on a Friday, we actually had a pretty good crowd, and I think we entertained pretty well, and hopefully we even educated some people. There were some great questions, and we had such a diverse group of panelists that we proabably could have answered anything that was thrown at us.

At 5:00, I had a reading in the room next door. I was scheduled with Gary Jonas, who I had only met on MySpace (sad, I know,) and we actually had a pretty good turn out for two "lesser" known writers. I read my usual torture scene from Opium of the People, and Gary read something that was a little lighter and more fun. We both read short excerpts and spent the rest of the hour chatting with the audience...and again I think we had a pretty good time.

At 6:00 it was back to the first room I was in for Tyree's first panel..."I Just Started Publishing...Now What?" Tyree was on the panel with Carrie Vaughn, A.C. Ellis, Thea, Hutchenson, Greg Hyde, and Jeanne Stein. Things were a little disorganized, but they managed to get some good info out.

At 7:00, yeah it was a busy day, it was off to opening ceremonies, which are just a chance to get your name mentioned so that everyone can see who's there. As always, any publicity is good publicity.

At 8:00 it was off to Autograph Alley...or sit on my ass and watch everyone down at the Guest of Honor tables. Several people stopped by to chat...but no sales.

At 9:00 it was off to Networking in the Bar, which is always the highlight of the weekend. Most of the authors congregate and just sit around and talk about writing. Just a few of the authors I talked to for a little while that night: Ed Bryant, Wil McCarthy, Cynthia Felice, Dave Summers, Dave Riley, Rebecca Bates, Glenn Lewis Gillette, Thea Hutchenson, David Boop, Rick Friesen, and others. I probably spelled some of those names wrong...and I apologize.

After that it was off to the parties, which were kind of lame that night. Of course, we also had a fire alarm and my friend lost his keys.

That was basically it for that day...

Sunday, October 29, 2006

MileHiCon update 0

I have just returned from the con, and I'm dead on my feet. It was quite successful, and I will have more to post on it once I get some sleep!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

An update

I'm going to try this again. So far, blogger has lost my previous two posts...so here we go again...

It's been a while since I've posted anything, so I thought I'd at least pop in and let people know what's going on.

I've mostly been working on revisions of the new novel. I was horrified to learn that most of the major publishers have upped their minimum word counts to 80,000 words, and my novel comes up short. So, I've been working on trying to cram words into the book without it looking like I'm cramming words in.

MileHiCon is just over a week away, and it looks like it will be a great con this year...as long as the weather holds...

I still have a few copies left of my illustrated short story A Problem in Translation. You can order them through my website at http://www.jalanerwine.com/directpurchase.htm . I'll even sign them...

Monday, October 02, 2006

MileHiCon

The schedule for MileHiCon has been posted. The dates are Oct. 27-29 here in Denver, and it looks like I'm going to be mad busy the first day...then more of a fan the final two.

Here's my schedule for the Con:

Friday 4-5 Where Writers Get their Ideas

Friday 5-6 Reading

Friday 8-9 Autograph Alley

Friday 9-... Writers' Networking in the Bar

Saturday 2-4 Sam's Dot Publishing Hosts the Con Suite

Sunday Noon-1 Autographing along with Tyree Campbell

Hope to see some of you there...

Saturday, September 30, 2006

The Limit of Tolerance

The October issue of The Martian Wave features a reprint of my short story "The Limit of Tolerance." This little tale continues the story of the crew of the Astrid and their misadventures with the Lemec...in other words, it's a continuation of the below mentioned A Problem in Translation. A modified version of this story will also be the second chapter in the novel I'm currently working on.

This issue of The Martian Wave also features two stories from Keith Graham, who often posts on this blog, so make sure you check his work out as well...and there are also some great poems as well.

Friday, September 22, 2006

A Problem in Translation



I have a limited number of copies of my illustrated short story A Problem in Translation that I'm now making available through my website.

This story is the inspiration for the novel that I'm currently working on...so pick up a copy today and enter the disturbing world of the Lemec.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

RustyCon

I just received prelimiary confirmation that I will be a panelist at RustyCon in Seattle in January. So, if anyone is in the area, make plans to stop by...

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

I've finished the first draft



I've just finished the rough draft of my new novel. This has been a work in progress for a long time. It started out as a novel, but after the first chapter, it stalled out.

I then turned that first chapter into a short story which appeared in Alternate Realities and then was later released as an illustrated chapbook by Sam's Dot. The cover of that chapbook is pictured here. You can order copies from The Genre Mall by clicking on the link above.

Eventually, I wrote the second chapter, but it died again after that. So, I went back and re-wroked the second chapter into a short story which eventually sold to Hadrosaur Tales. It's in issue 20, which is also available from The Genre Mall in the zines section.

Nothing happened for years after that. Once I left Grubway, I started working on the book that doesn't want to get written...and it still doesn't, so I pulled this one out, and it all came together. I added another 40,000 words, and we now have a rough draft.

It will take quite a bit of re-working because some things did change mid-stream, but that's ok...the first draft is always the hardest for me...

Monday, September 11, 2006

Ecotastrophe has arrived



Ecotastrophe is now available from Sam's Dot Publishing. This is a trade paperback collection of short stories and poems that look at some of the most dire futures brought about by global warming. As you can tell by the cover (designed by scott virtes, with cover art by scott virtes), I'm the editor on this project.

Curious to know what's in this collection? Here's the back cover blurb:

ECOTASTROPHE is a collection of short stories and poetry that examines futures we could face if we continue to damage Earth’s ecology. The oceans are dying and only desperate measures could save them in Jan Mortimer’s The Empty Ocean. Michelle Mellon’s Undiscovered Horizons questions whether we can truly find the answers out among the stars, or can we only hope to change the future by changing the past as Rebecca S.W. Bates postulates in Walking the River. Also featuring the works of JE Gurley, Bruce Boston, E. Catherine Tobler, Kristine Ong Muslim, and Adam Banks, among others, ECOTASTROPHE is a grim but illuminating view of several possible ecological futures for humanity.

This book will be on sale for $10 through the end of September...and that's not a bad price for a trade paperback.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Religion in SF

I've been reading quite a bit lately, mostly SF, and one thing I've found that really disturbs me is the fact that a lot of SF, even the stuff set tens of thousands of years in the future has the human race still worshipping gods.

As many of you are probably aware, I'm an atheist. I don't really have much use for religion, although I am fascinated by it. It distresses me to think that we might not outgrow our superstitions even when we go to the stars (assuming we don't kill ourselves off.) I'm sure some people might be offended by that statement, but oh well, this is my blog.

21st century Americans look back at the Greeks, Romans, and other ancient peoples and often laugh at their polytheistic religions, as if Judeo-Christian beliefs are somehow better. The simple fact is that they're not. If you really cut the fat away, they're just silly superstitions as well. Much of the Old Testament is stolen from those earlier religions that people now look down their noses at.

It frightens me to think that we can't outgrow this. Here in America, there's been a definite increase in religious beliefs as a result of recent events. Yes, most Americans really do laugh at the Muslim faith...thinking it's somehow less than their own beliefs. Take some time to look it over...it makes just as much sense as what the Christian right is trying to cram down our throats.

Evolution has come under attack quite a bit since dubya came to power, especially with the argument that "Intelligent Design" should be taught in science classes, even though there's limited science to it. It's simply faith wrapped up in science...but completly untestable, which is the primary requirement for any scientific theory.

But, back to where I started...I find it completely unfathomable that ten thousand years down the road we'll still be worshipping gods. The worship of gods has caused more death on this planet than any other man-made artifice. If we as a species don't chose to grow up, there will be no future for the human race.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Entropy

My short story, Entropy has just been published in the premiere issue of Allegory e-zine, which used to be Peridot Books. There's something about this market that I've always liked, and I'm glad to have finally cracked it.

The story is about one man's obsession, and what that obsession does to him...

Thursday, August 31, 2006

The Lives of Billions


My short story "The Lives of Billions" has just been published in a anthology called Esperance. This anthology is a tribute to James Baker who started ProMart publishing, and who basically started my career as a writer and an editor. The collection contains stories, poems, and essays from Jim's early contributors.

My story looks at the question of whether or not we should colonize Mars should we find life there...even if it's microbial. This was the second story that I ever sold all those many years ago. It's been published in a few different locations, and now it's making yet another appearance.

The collection is available from The Genre Mall, so buy yourself a Labor Day present...you deserve it, don't you???

Sunday, August 27, 2006

WorldCon 2008

The 2008 World Science Fiction Convention is coming to Denver. That's right folks, geekdom will be taking over downtown Denver for five days, and I for one, plan on being there. Now I just have to get chummy with the Colorado Springs SF people so that I can go as a guest instead of a fan...although I will go no matter what!

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Pictures from my signing

As many of you know, I did a signing at Who Else Books in Denver back in June. I promised pictures, and I finally got them developed. They didn't turn out all that great, but they're now posted in the "Photo Gallery" section of my website. I think I will try to get a digital camera before MileHiCon...

And just for Keith, there are a couple of new pictures of my cat.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Laura Givens has a new site

Laura Givens, who is by far the most talented "small press" artist has a new site. Follow the link above and admire some of her work.

There's a book cover for Friends in Dark Places. This is a new book that will be released by Sam's Dot very soon, and I just happened to be the editor on the book. Also, there's a piece called "Come to Jesus." If I can ever find a new publisher for my novel, this is the cover I want. It fits so well with the book...

Monday, August 21, 2006

I feel dirty

Writers have to do a lot of different things to try to sell books...sometimes those things aren't always pleasant. In that vain, I now have a MySpace site. I've always hated MySpace...I still think it's a plague upon the Internet, but if I can sell books, then by god, I'm going to do it!!!

If I actually have any success with this, I'll let you know becuase I know there are a few of you out there with books to sell.

For now, I think I'll go take a shower...

The Shatner Roast

Last night, Comedy Central aired the William Shatner roast. I've really been looking forward to this, becuase there is just so much you can roast this guy on.

Boy, was I disappointed. This was one of the worst shows I've ever seen on TV, and that's really saying something. All totaled, I'm sure you could have pulled about five minutes out it that were good...Takei's comment about Takei rhyming with toupe certainly comes to mind.

First of all, I didn't even know who most of the comedians were, and it was obvious why...they were horrible.

Most of the roasters spent their time insulting the other roasters, rather than focusing on Shat....and the jokes were insults, not jokes. Modern comedians seem to think that the only way they can be funny is to be vulgar. I don't mind a little vulgarity in humor...Robin Williams is my favorite comedian, but he knows when to use it. With some of the comedians on this show, you really couldn't even tell what they were saying because of the amount of bleeping over their language.

Also, George Takei is gay...does every single person have to comment on it? And let's face it, the jokes were all the same, just re-told in a different way.

Overall, Comedy Central should be ashamed to have put something like this on the air. It wasn't funny, and it made South Park look like Leave it to Beaver. This could have been great, but it wasn't...

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Entropy

Allegory Magazine, which used to be Peridot Books, just bought my story "Entropy" for their premier issue, which will be on-line on September 1st.

The story is an odd little thing I wrote about one man's obsession with the concept of Entropy. It's probably the most "literary" story I've ever sold...whatever that means.

Well, check it out when it comes out...

Monday, August 14, 2006

Editing

Just as a reminder to everyone...in addition to being a freelance writer, I'm also a freelance editor, and you can hire my services by clicking on the title to this entry.

So, if you have something that you need a little spit and polish put to, send it my way. The goal is to make sure that I don't have to go back into the "real" work world. I'm enjoying working for myself far too much to have to ever do that again...

Friday, August 11, 2006

For Trek fans only

If you're a Trekkie or a Trekker, you'll love this site. Follow the link above. The true test of your Trekkiness will be whether or not you die laughing at the "Expendability" poster!

I originally found this link on Mike Brotherton's blog...http://www.mikebrotherton.com

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Just an update

It's been a little over a month since I escaped the banishment to a place worse than hell, so I thought I'd post a little update as to what I've been up to. So far, I've completed six short stories, and I've worked on a couple of others, I've written roughly 5000 words in a novel, which is now 15-20% done, and I know where the rest of it is supposed to be going...now if the book will just cooperate.

I've also finished editing a novel for Sam's Dot that was written by John Bushore. It will be a great book, and should be out in about a month...and wait til you see the Laura Givens cover. This should be a big seller at MileHiCon.

I'm about half way through putting Just Because together. This will be an anthology dedicated to the late James Baker, who was responsible for starting many an aspiring writer's career, including my own. This is a work of love, and probably won't make me rich...

The William Swarthout novel that has made all of this possible has been a bit of a struggle, but we're starting to make some progress, albeit slower than I'd like...but I find I want to get a lot done...now that I actually have time.

Ecotastrophe will soon be out, so I've been doing some promotional stuff for that.

I got to sit and talk with Connie Willis one night...

For those of you in the Seattle region, I may be doing RustyCon this January, so keep an eye on this page for future updates.

I used to hear authors talk about how they had to write at least 1000 words a day, and I never understood how they did it, but now that I don't work 10-12 hours a day without a break, I now find that I'm quite disappointed if I only write 1000 words...speaking of, I'm getting a bit wordy here, so I'll end it now.

Friday, August 04, 2006

Sudden realization

I was exchanging e-mails with a friend of mine who has never seen Star Wars...yeah, I know, why would I associate with someone like that?

Anyway, it suddenly dawned on me that next year will be the 30th anniversary of the first movie. That's almost impossible to believe! But there it is. In a way, I hope Lucas isn't planning anything, unless it's a public lynching of JarJar Biggs! The last three movies were disappointing to say the least, and in a way, I hope he lets it fade out.

On another note, there are a lot of great fan based ideas out there that I've been running into that are really good. I'll have to try and get a picture at one of the Cons with a storm trooper hawking my books. Now that would be an endorsement!!!

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

MTV is 25

Wow...that makes me feel old. I remember when MTV first started. A neighbor of mine had cable, and I can remember going over to her house and watching this new thing. I don't think any of us really knew what we were seeing...we were just kids after all. But we did know that it was quite addictive. Some of the younger readers may find it strange that we didn't have cable, but 25 years ago cable was nothing like it was today. You only got a few extra channels, and the programming was pretty bad...not that it's improved that much...just look at the crap the SciFi channel runs. Cable was a luxury in those days, and for a family that really didn't watch much TV, it wasn't worth it...although it wasn't long before we did get it.

Anyway, today VH1 Classic is running the entire first day of MTV's first day, and boy does it take me back. I remember a lot of these songs and videos, and I wish I could forget most of them...still it's nice to have a little walk down nostalgia lane.

But, damn, I feel old...

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Great Star Wars Films

Darth Vader's Psychic Hotline?

Bantha Milk?

Check out some great Star Wars films...must be a major geek to enjoy...

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Ecotastrophe



Ecotastrophe is an anthology that looks at the worst case scenarios of what could happen to our world if we continue the ecological destruction we are currently inflicting on the planet.

This is an anthology from Sam's Dot Publishing, which I edited. The book is set to be released on September 10th, but The Genre Mall is currently holding a pre-sale for the book...so you can order a copy early. Just go to http://www.genremall.com/anthologies.htm and order a copy today...

I also have to say that I think Scott Virtes did a great job with the cover. His artwork and his design...very nicely done...

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Writing

Obviously not having to do the day to day grind has been very good for my writing. I've just finished the final draft on the third story I've written since leaving Grubway. That almost matches my productivity for all of last year. Granted, I did spend a lot of my writing time last year (what there was of it) working on the novel that doesn't want to get written.

Perhaps some time soon, I will get back to that, or maybe I'll work on another idea I have. Only time will tell, but the important thing is that I'm now writing every day, whereas when I was at the hellhole job, I was happy if I wrote once a week.

Funny thing is, it's kind of like a drug. I'm sure the other writers who visit this blog understand, but when you go without writing, it's like a part of you, usually the best part of you is dead...and that's not a good feeling...but the "fix" of printing up a new story...now that's powerful!!!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Blog listings

I've added a listing of the blogs that I read on a daily basis. You can find it on the right side of this page, right under the links to my books (which you really should buy!)

I tend to read a lot more blogs than I used to, but these are the ones that I try to hit every day. You should check them out, as they are some very interesting people...

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Tour de France

I don't often post sports comments, since I'm not much of a sports fan, but I am a huge cycling fan. So, I just have to say that this is one of the best Tour de Frances that I've ever seen, and I've been watching them for about 20 years.

Who needs Lance? Without him to dominate the race, everything has been up in the air. Today there were so many break aways spread all over the mountains that they didn't have enough motorbikes and helicopters to keep track of everyone.

And anyone that says that cylcing is not a team sport should have watched today's stage. A huge breakaway went early in the stage, and as those riders were caught, they'd go to the front of the chase group and kill themselves trying to help their teammates that actually have the opportunity to win the race overall.

And what about Floyd Landis...another American winning in France...hope he can hold it all the way to Paris on Sunday!!!

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

New profile

Happy Spencer? I changed it.

In the good news department, I am writing again, and it reads more like the stuff I was working on a couple of years ago, which I think it a good thing. Most of what I've been writing lately has been adventure driven stories about characters stuck in situations they can't escape...and basically hating their lives. HAVE NO IDEA WHY!!!

Now, the stuff seems to have a little more depth, and even some writing instead of just my usual minimalist story telling...

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Future Syndicate

Nomadic Delirium Press is looking for submissions for their new anthology, Future Syndicate. It will be a book about crime in the future with the criminals as the protagonists. So, follow the link on over, and while you're there, pick up a copy of my book...

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

New story

I've posted a new story on my site. This one is quite the departure for me. Rather than examining the darker side of humanity, this one is actually a humorous story...go figure...

At one time, one of the main characters, Robert Lendorin, was making an appearance in a new story I was working on...maybe now I can go back and finish it. It was kind of a Lendorin (you'll understand him after you read the story) meets The Lord of the Rings, but in the future.

I really like this character, and he needs to make an appearance in another of my stories at some time...

Friday, June 30, 2006

I'm free!!!

The day has finally come. I am no longer a slave to Subway. I now work for myself...so if you know anyone looking for freelance writers or editors...send them to my site.

Monday, June 26, 2006

Killing time

I've been killing time as I wait for parole from Subway, and I was recently doing an ego search on line when I began to notice how many places sell my books.

So, I began to compile a list and put it together as a webpage. The page isn't designed well (so no comments, Keith), and it really serves no useful purpose, but as I said, I'm killing time before I escape Subway.

So, click on over, and make sure you buy some books. Now that I don't have that guaranteed income, I need to sell some books.

The page probably won't be up for long, as it's pretty stupid...but keeping busy is the only way I know to make time go faster.

IS IT FRIDAY YET?!?!?!?!?!?!

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Jokes

From Robert Sawyer's Mindscan, although they might have appeared elsewhere earlier...

Werner Heisenberg is pulled over for speeding.
The cop says, "Do you know how fast you were going?"
Without missing a beat, Heisenberg responds, "No, but I know where I am!"


What's the difference between a large pepperoni pizza and most full time writers?

A large pepperoni pizza can feed a family of four!