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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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???

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!

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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.

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!!!

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...

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...

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...

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!!!

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...

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!!!

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...

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...

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...

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.

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?!?!?!?!?!?!

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!

Forgot to mention

I've been so insanely busy with the "real" job that I forgot to mention that the new issue of Aoife's Kiss features a story from me.

Click on the title above and scroll down to the cover and order an issue today. It's the anniversary issue, and it has a lot of great work in it.

They're making sure I want to go

I'm working about 70 hours this week at the "real" job. I guess they want to make sure that I really want to leave and that I'll never want to come back.

I wasn't really having any second thoughts about my decision...but now I'm having even fewer.

Just 19 days to go...

Signing

Thanks to everyone who came out for the book signing!!! Hope you all had a good time, and hope we can do it again soon.

I'll have pictures up on my site as soon as I can find the time to get them developed...

Bye Bye Subway

I've recently lined up some more freelance editing work, and so I've decided to give the whole work at home freelance thing a shot...which means, I am actually leaving Subway!!!!

Although there is a bit of trepidation that goes along with saying good bye to a regular pay check, I am generally thrilled with my decision. I will miss my bosses...hard to believe, but I actually worked for some incredible people...especially the owner, one Brad Harris. He's not just a great boss, he's a great person, and I will be lucky to ever work for someone like him again!

I will also miss my crew a lot. I have some great people working for me, and I certainly hope that I will stay in touch with most of them as the years go by.

But for now, I just have four more weeks of sandwich making!!! Hard to believe!!!

Giro d'Italia

I don't often post about sports here. Let's face it, I don't really like sports, but those of you that know me know that I'm a hard core cycling fan, and I just had to post about Ivan Basso's performance in the Giro d'Italia.

The second biggest stage race in the world, and he won it by over nine minutes...the biggest winning margin in 32 years. If this guy can hold this kind of form, he's going to dominate the Tour de France.

It's also important to note that one of Ivan's teammates is Bobby Julich. When I was a junior racer, Bobby used to kick my butt up and down the Rockies. Great to see him still riding well...I don't think I could ride around the block anymore..........

The signing

More and more people are giving me "definite maybes" for the signing in two weeks. So it looks like it's going to be anywhere from 2-50 people that I will be bringing in...a few that I've never even met, which is great.

Funny thing about me is that I actually would find this easier to do with a bunch of people that I don't know as opposed to a bunch of people that I do know...but what can I say, I'm weird.

Plus, the longer I stay in this field, the more people that I'm going to know, right? Stands to reason anyhow...

If you're a Star Wars geek

I picked this up off of Michael Wentz's website. If you like Star Wars, be prepared to laugh your ass off...

A new story

I've posted a new story on my website. This one appeared in 2000. In re-reading it, I really hope my writing has progressed. I can see the potential in the story, but I can definitely see things that I could have done better with it.

Anyway, enjoy the story...

Dead man walking

Why do we live in a world that makes money more important than happiness?

This job is slowly killing me...I'm so exhausted that I can't even sleep, and I don't think that makes sense...

Signing

My book signing is just a little over a month away, and I'm trying to figure out what to read.

At MileHiCon, I read the torture chapter from my novel, and got some pretty good comments on it, but there are two of us reading at this signing, and the other author may bring in some younger readers, so that scene may not be right for them.

So, does anyone out there have any suggestions? And if you haven't read any of my stuff, I have to ask why not??? To order my books, click on the cover icons on the right side of the screen.

Comments are welcome, post them here, or e-mail me...doesn't matter...

Asteroids

If there are any near earth orbit asteroids out there, tonight would be a good night for you to come crashing to Earth...anything, just don't make me go back tomorrow.....................................................

One more day of vacation

Tomorrow will be the last day of my vacation, and damn has it been productive. I would estimate that I've written close to 15,000 words in the last four days. I've also managed to work out a few of the bugs in the book that doesn't want to get written. Damn it feels good.
However, on Tuesday I have to go back to work, and I'll bet I get to write once a week if I'm lucky...so obviously there's a horribly strong feeling of dread as that day approaches.
Why do we have to live in a world where we have to chose money over happiness. I know that if I had more time to write, I'd be much happier, and I could make something of it. I don't know if I'd ever achieve the professional level, but I could do more than I'm doing now, and I know I'd be happier, which has to count for something.
Instead, I'm forced to do a job I hate just so I can pay my bills...and then one day I'll die...you have to ask if it's really worth it or not..............

Cat site

I often visit Keith Graham's blog (http://www.cthreepo.com/blog/index.shtml) and he loves to post pictures of his cats. I don't take a lot of pictures, so there are only a few photos of the demon that lives with me...but I found this site, and just couldn't stop laughing.

I especially liked Doppler...

Laura Givens art show

Last night I went to the opening of an art show by local aritst Laura Givens. Laura and I met at MileHiCon last year where we did a couple of panels together. She had also done some artwork, including the door art for The Fifth Di..., for Sam's Dot. In addition, she's also the art editor for Tales of the Talisman, and in the most recent issue, she did the interior artwork for my story "The Ancient Ones."

She's got some amazing work, and I would strongly encourage you to head over to her site and check some of her stuff out.

More details about the signing

The book signing will be Sunday June 4th at 3:00 P.M.

If you're in Denver, Who Else! Books is on Broadway between 1st and Ellsworth.

Book signing

I've just gotten word that I'll be doing a book signing and possibly a reading at Who Else! Books here in Denver in June. Most likely it will be either the 4th or the 11th, but we're still working on the details.

Keep an eye tuned here for more info, and if you're going to be in Denver at the time of the signing, please stop by...

Story collection available as a pdf

My short story collection, Marionettes on the Moon, and other stories is now available as a pdf file from Nomadic Delirium Press. It sells for just $3.00.

Yes, the royalties aren't as good for me...but money's money, right?

Tattered Cover Bookstore

For those of you who live in Colorado, I'm sure you're familiar with The Tattered Cover Bookstore. For those of you who don't live in Colorado, you should become familiar with this store. It is one of, if not the best, independant bookstore around...certainly the best in Colorado.
The place is huge, although they will soon be moving...but the new place should be just as big.
Anyway, the point of all of this is that I'm now a Tattered Cover affiliate. On my main page, you will find a link where you can order books, and yes, I do receive a small payment for your orders...remember, it's the "Help J Escape from Subway Fund," so it's worth the order.

So, head on over to my site, and click on the link and at least have a look around. I think you'll be impressed. It has to say something for the place that Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy Award winning author Dan Simmons starts every book tour at this store.

Watch this if you've ever gamed

A while back, Mike Bortherton (http://www.mikebrotherton.com) had this link on his site. Since I was still on dial-up, I couldn't watch the movie, but now that I have high-speed, I was able to enjoy it.

I have to admit that I am an avid D&D gamer, although I haven't played in a while, and sadly, I've seen guys just like this. Of course, if you've recently been to a Con, you might have run into these guys as well.

Geeks can be great people, but some of them just scare the hell out of me!!!

I've finally joined the 21st century

After years of putting it off, I've finally gone high speed with Broadband. Hopefully it will be worth the money...

Tales of the Talisman

The new issue of Tales of the Talisman with my story "The Ancient Ones" has just been released. You can pick up your copy by clicking on the title of this post. That will take you to The Genre Mall...just scroll down to the new issue and buy a copy, and buy them for your friends as well.

MileHiCon

I've recently received my invitation to MileHiCon. I will once again be a guest at this year's con.

So, if you're planning on being in the Denver area Oct. 27-29, please stop by!!!

New story

I've finally gotten around to posting a new story on my website. It's a bit of a love story, or at least my effort at a love story...god knows it's not a subject I should be writing about.

It's hard to believe that it's been almost six years since the story was written. I was so much more prolific then...of course the quality was lower in those days...at least I think so, and I hope my readers agree.

Enjoy the story...

Great first lines

Locus Magazine published a brief list of some of the best first lines in genre fiction, here were a few of my favorites...

"A screaming came across the sky."
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."
"The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel."
"It was like so, but wasn't."
"All this happened, more or less."
"It was the day my grandmother exploded."
"It was a pleasure to burn"


You might recognize some of them, but damn, I wish I'd written one or two of them...

Locus Magazine

I just got my new edition of Locus Magazine today. For those of you unfamiliar with the title, Locus is the premier magazine about the SF field. They don't publish stories or anything like that, but they do give tons of information about the business of SF publishing.

In the last few months my perspective on this magazine has changed quite a bit. Now when I read it, it's not just a bunch of names of authors to me. Instead I'll read a snippet and think, "I did a panel with that person at CopperCon," or "I remember talking to them in the bar at MileHiCon last year. They're no longer just names on a page, they're people I actually know...people I've actually talked to about the business. Pretty damn cool, if you ask me.

Now, if I could just get my name in the magazine. I've been mentioned on the website, but I'm yet to crack the magazine.

I guess I'd have to be writing in order to have a chance at that, right?

Well, maybe soon...

VACATION

After who knows how many 50-60 hour work weeks, I'm finally taking a vacation. It's only five days, so I won't even really have time to recover, but it will be nice to not have to get up hours before dawn every morning...although I was up at 5:00 today.

Who knows, maybe I'll even get some writing done...I can dream, can't I???

The best road names in America

10. Tater Peeler Road in Lebanon, Texas
9. The intersection of Count and Basie in Richmond, Va.
8. Shades of Death Road in Warren County, N.J.
7. Unexpected Road in Buena, N.J.
6. Bucket of Blood Street in Holbrook, Ariz.
5. The intersection of Clinton and Fidelity in Houston
4. The intersection of Lonesome and Hardup in Albany, Ga.
3. Farfrompoopen Road in Tennessee (the only road up to Constipation Ridge)
2. Divorce Court in Heather Highlands, Pa.
1. Psycho Path in Traverse City, Mich.

Robert Sawyer added to MileHiCon

Robert Sawyer has been added as a GoH for MileHiCon. He's a great writer, and a really nice guy. I met him at CopperCon last year when he came up and introduced himself to me...not many GoHs will do that. I'm really looking forward to MileHiCon this year...maybe I can even score a panel with him.

New merchants added to my mall

I've added some new merchants to the mall on my website. This is an affiliate type thing that I do where I get a commission off of each sale that goes through my site. So, if you're planning on buying anything from any of the merchants, I'd ask you to click through my mall and put some money in my pocket...every penny gets me that much closer to escaping from Subway!!!!!

There are even a couple of travel sites on their for a certain digger I know...plus Overstock.com is on there, which is a great place to buy just about anything.

Thanks for your support!!

Math with the insane

Obviously I've been very busy with the new job. Last week was just 50 hours, but they're early hours, and it tends to wear me down quite a bit...but I'll adjust...eventually.

One thing I've become very aware of since taking this job (actually I've known it for a while, but I'm just becoming even more acutely aware of it) is that people can't do math...and I'm even talking about supposedly intelligent people (hello, blondie). I have to do counts every morning on a wide number of items, and I'm amazed at how often people can't do proper subtraction.

On a box of delis (58-16=32)!!!! Granted, I'm especially good at math...but that's just sad, and I see it all the time. How did these people make it through high school? Better question, how do these people make it through life??? I'd hate to see them balance a checkbook!!!

A day with the twins

After working more than 100 hours in 10 days, I took yesterday off and spent the day with the twins (almost five). If you ever need to gain perspective on what's really important in life, spend some time with kids. They'll make you realize what really matters!!!

Haven't gotten any writing done in quite some time...hopefully things will settle down at work in the next week, and I'll be able to get some writing done, and maybe get caught up on the other half a million things I've fallen behind on.

Bad Editor, Bad Editor

I don't mind rejection letters (much). God knows that I have enough of them to wallpaper this little shithole that I live in at least two times over...if not three, but if an editor is going to reject a story, they should at least send a rejection letter, even a form letter.

It's just rude to send back an author's manuscript (late, I might add) with nothing. Was it really that bad???

Nothing new to report

Contrary to popular belief, I am still alive. I've been putting in a lot of hours trying to get things put back together at the "real" job, and I've also been battling my normal early year head and chest cold. So, basically I've been medicating myself to the point that I'm almost blonde, working 8-10 hours, and then coming home to sleep.

Just hoping that this doesn't turn into pleurisy like it did last year, but I don't think it will...as it seems to be leaving my system, and if I can get tomorrow off, I should be all better...

I must be crazy

Everyone's heard me bitch and moan about my job for a very long time...and as I've become more and more frustrated over the last few months, I finally decided to do what any irrational, illogical, and insane human being would do...I let them promote me!!!

Yes, I'm no longer the assistant manager at one of the busiest Subways in Colorado...I'm now the manager (or will be in a few days.) WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING???

Oh well, knowing me, and the way I thrive on stress, I'll start cranking out a story a week, and maybe I'll even finish the damn book.

One can hope, right? RIGHT? RIGHT?

P&E Poll

Preditors & Editors is having their annual readers' poll once again. Usually Sam's Dot puts together a ballot that we try to convince people to follow, but this year, I've been too busy and basically forgot...so no ballot this year.

Someone has nominated me for writer and zine editor, so I'd certainly encourage people to vote for me, but you won't find me beating the bushes for voters, as this poll tends to favor romance writers, but hey, if I could get a top ten, that would be cool.

I would encourage people to vote for Sam's Dot and Nomadic Delirium, as I really like both of those publishers....

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2006 brings you everything you could possibly hope for. No New Years resolutions here. I think they're a waste of time, and they're a one way ticket to depressions...because, really, how many people are able to keep their resolutions, and then we just end up getting frustrated and angry, and who needs that????

Page 1

I've officially started the novel over again. I tried to fix it from where I was, but it just wasn't happening, so now it's back to the drawing board.

Writing is easy they say.......grumble, grumble, grumble.........

Happy Holidays

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday weekend, and I do say happy holidays because there are a lot of holidays being celebrated...not for PC reasons. And for those that think that we need to get back to where this holiday season came from, I say Happy Saturnalia.

Insomnia

Anyone know a good cure for insomnia??? Other than prescriptions or reading my old stats book? I've had trouble sleeping for years, but this week has been really bad. I feel like I'm a zombie just barely stumbling through life...

I've tried teas, tai-chi, and just about everything else...

If you like kick ass metal

If you like the kind of in your face metal that kicks your ass and then leaves you lying bloody by the side of the road, then you have to pick up "Doctor Butcher." That's the band and the album.

This is a re-release of a ten year old album with new bonus tracks. The band was put together by Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery of Savatage as a way of releasing some pent up aggressions, I would guess, as it's even heavier than what Savatage puts out.

And as I understand, there are plans for more Doctor Butcher songs, which is amazing given the amount of music Jon Oliva is involved with. Savatage has spawned a lot of side projects, including Jon Oliva's Pain, Circle II Circle, Chris Caffery's Faces, and of course their most famous side project Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

TSO and Dr. Butcher, that's an amazing spread of music...........

Tales of the Talisman story

I got a glimpse of the artwork that will be going with my story in Issue 4 of Tales of the Talisman, and it's quite cool...which shouldn't be a surprise since Laura Givens did the work. Laura's one of the best artists in the small press world, and should really be doing covers for major publishers.

Denver in 2008

Denver is making a bid to host WorldCon in 2008, so follow the link above and check out what they're offering, and while you're at it, become a pre-supporting member, because let's face it, Denver would be a much better choice than Chicago or Columbus.

Damn it's windy

I love living in Colorado, but the one thing I've always hated about it is the wind...it's almost always windy here, and today's certainly no exception. We're getting sustained winds between 30 & 50 mph with hurricane force gusts. My power's been knocked out several times already this morning.

I'm really not looking forward to that long walk to work in a couple of hours. If you don't hear from me for a few days, look for me in Kansas...

The novel that doesn't want to get written

I've now come to the harsh realization that this novel I've been working on just is not working. Where it started, where it is now, and where I see it going just don't seem to blend together into any kind of cohesive whole. Hell, at this point, I'm not even sure they're part of the same book (exaggerating, but there are some definite problems.)

I'm now faced with the sad task of either plodding through to the end, and hoping that something comes out of it that I can edit into an actual book, or starting the whole damn thing over again.

And writing's fun, right? I think I heard someone say that once...........excuse me, I need to find that person...we need to have a long talk...................

Busy, busy, busy

Not much to report here...just busy getting the December updates for Sam's Dot ready. It's three on-line zines and two newsletters, plus updating all of the other pages that have new info. My eyes hurt from staring at HTML code, but hopefully I'll be done by this time tomorrow...

My highly cynical view of Thanksgiving

My thoughts on the first Thanksgiving...

Pilgrim: Gee, mister Indian, thank you so much for helping us to survive in this new land...and speaking of land...

My thoughts on modern Thanksgivings:

I think too many people in this country have lost touch with the real meanings of all of the holidays, and Thanksgiving has become more about gluttony and football than anything else.

Having said that, I'd like to say that I'm thankful for my family and friends...most of whom now live far away. I'm also thankful for all of my readers, and not because they've put money in my pocket, because believe me, I'm not getting rich from writing, but rather for taking an interest in what I have to say...and I'm most thankful for the voices in my head, without whom, none of this would be possible.

Marionettes on the Moon on sale

Nomadic Delirium Press has put my newest short story collection on sale just in time for the holidays. Click on the title above, and it should take you right to their site where you can order your copy, or several copies...

Help me in my quest to escape hell............

As Pink Floyd would say...

Is there anybody out there? For months I had people e-mailing me about doing a blog...and now I feel like Keith's the only one reading it. Is there anyone else out there?

As far as news in my life...nothing to report...just working a lot at that god awful hellhole of a job...but such is life...

Let's hear it for rational thought

A couple of years ago, the board of education in Dover, PA added intelligent design to the science curriculum, and has sparked controversy throughout this country as people have tried to get intelligent design into the science classrooms in other areas, even though it's been shown repeatedly that the "science" of intelligent design is bad science.

In Tuesday's elections, rational thought finally had its say as all but one member of the board of education was voted out and a new board dedicated to science as science was elected. Pat Robertson may be saying that the town will feel God's wrath, but the truth is that intelligent design is just plain bad science, and thus does not belong in a science classroom. If Darwin's theory is ever overturned, then it shouldn't be taught as science either. This wasn't a debate of religion from the scientists' perspective, but rather a defense of science.

Tales of the Talisman party pictures

Pictures from the Tales of the Talisman room party at MileHiCon are now posted on my site. So, head on over and have a laugh at my expense...

Wondrous Web Worlds Vol. 5 is here

Wondrous Web Worlds Vol. 5 is now available from Sam's Dot Publishing. This is our annual best of the web anthology, which I edit. Amazing that it's in its fifth year now.

This issue features cover art from Teresa Tunaley and features stories and poems from Keith Graham, s.c. virtes, Tyree Campbell, John Bushore, Jennifer Schwabach, L.A. Story Houry, Jonathan Alexander, Terrie Relf, Bruce Boston, William Campbell, Mike Allen, Arthur Sanchez, Cathy Buburuz, Fredrick Obermeyer, Richard Jones, Marge Simon, Matthew Bey, Lawrence Dagstine, Kristine Ong Muslim, Kevin Anderson, and t. santitoro.

There's something here for everyone, so click on the title, and that will take you right to The Genre Mall anthologies page. The titles are listed alphabetically, so I'm sure you can find this one with ease.

Henry Rollins

Saturday night I went up to Boulder to see Henry Rollins. For those of you who don't know who he is, he was in the bands Black Flag and The Rollins Band. That was where I knew him from. I had no idea he did Spoken Word tours, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm always up for something new, so I decided to go.

If you haven't seen him, I would most certainly recommend going to one of these shows, unless you're a conservative...then you might want to stay home.

He certainly didn't fit the stereotype for a "rock star," although there was quite a bit of angst!!! He was very articulate and well read, and like most "intelligent" people I've met, he realized that there's a lot more out there than any of us could ever hope to know...and thus we don't know all that much. Maybe it's easier to be ignorant.

A friend of mine once gave me an analogy about intelligence. I'm not sure if it was his, but we'll give him the credit...so this one's from Andy...

Intelligence is like a balloon. The volume of the balloon is what you know, and the surface area of the balloon is what you realize you don't know...thus the more you learn in life, the more you realize there is to learn...could be depressing because we can never actually know all that we want to know...which is what I want.

Anyway, I digress. If you get an opportunity to see Rollins, go...you won't regret it. However, getting home at midnight when you have to be at work at 5:00 AM the next morning is not something I would recommend...I was a walking coma patient all day long...but again, it was worth it.

A new sale

My story "The Mind of the Cat" has just been picked up for the June issue of Aoife's Kiss. Originally this story was to appear in an anthology called "Standing on Mars," but sadly Jim Baker passed away before the collection could be published...so it's appropriate that Aoife's Kiss would pick up the story, as the editor, Tyree Campbell, and I were both "discovered" by Jim Baker.

The Final MileHiCon Post...for now

I'm going to sum everything else up in one posting, as I'm getting tired of writing these things. As with the last few, if you really want this to make sense, scroll down to the entry titled "MileHiCon first post," and then read up from there.

Saturday night ended with a party for Tales of the Talisman. Crazy bunch of people, and unfortunately, there was a camera there, so I'm sure those pictures will be surfacing at some point. I have a feeling the Charlies Angels picture will haunt me til the day I die. If I can get my hands on the photos, I'll post them on my site, and maybe some really obnoxious ones here.

Sunday morning then came too early. I hit a couple of panels during the day, and hung out in the dealers' room, and spent a lot of time talking to people I'd met during the weekend.

As the Con was coming to a close, I realized that I'd almost managed to cover my expenses with the books I'd sold (not bad for only my second Con,) so I decided I wanted to go out and celebrate. Dawn Stanley was in the dealers' room at the time, so I invited her to dinner. (That doesn't necessarily sound good...the way that's phrased...makes it sound like I was stuck with her, but that's not what I was trying to say. I was more than happy to take her to dinner.)

In a strange twist of fate, Ed Bryant, a friend of Dawn's and a multi-award winning author, ended up going to dinner with us...and dinner lasted a looooooooooong time, but we had a great time...other than Dawn spilling her iced tea all over me.

Then the Con was over, and now I'm looking for a new Con, so if you know of some, let me know. I have a few in mind for next year, but I haven't finalized any plans yet.

And in a note to fellow writer Keith Graham...I hope these postings save a lot of kittens!!! He'll understand, but the rest of you won't...

As an epilogue to the whole MileHiCon extravaganza, I've gotten a lot of great e-mails from people I've met there. A few people have added links to my site on theirs, and it looks like I might be doing a book signing at Who Else Books sometime next year. I'll keep everyone informed as I get more information.

If you can't tell...This was one of the best experiences of my life...even returning to the job that's too dreadful to mention hasn't been able to kill my spirit yet...but give it time...it will...

Rogues and Rogue Writers

This is yet another MileHiCon post...this is getting way out of hand, but you guys wanted me to do this blog, and you wanted to know what was going on in my life...so it's your own damn fault.

Again, if you want this to make more sense, scroll down to the "MileHiCon First post," and then read up...

If you're a writer, and you're ever asked to participate in such a panel, make sure you're one of the first readers. The idea behind the panel is that each person does a brief reading of their work...emphasis on brief. I was the moderator, which basically meant that I got to go last...bad luck for me.

When the panel started, there were more than 20 people in the room. By the time I was able to read, there were four (other than the panelists.) A combination of people taking longer than they should, some bad writing, and some bad readers scared everyone off. That's not to say everything was bad. I did enjoy some of the work, but there were a few that made me cringe "in a thousand different ways."

The response to my reading (the second chapter of The Opium of the People...the torture scene) was positive...and to put it mildly, I felt much better about my writing after that panel.

Halloween imagery

Cathy Buburuz just sent me a halloween greeting as she does every year, and I loved the graphic, so here it is.

Signing

Again, this is part of the MileHiCon posts, so if you want this to make more sense, scan down to the entry marked "MileHiCon First Post," and the scroll up from there.

I had a book signing scheduled for 5 on Saturday, and it was pretty boring. I basically spent most of it talking to Alyse, Adam, Dawn, and Nina (from WhoElse Books.) A few people stopped by, including one who was more interested in Alyse than in my books...he disappeared quickly when he realized who Adam was.

I did sell one book, but that was to Dawn. I think maybe she felt like she had to buy something because she'd been picking my brain for a sociology paper she was doing. She didn't need to feel obligated...I was enjoying the conversations, but a sale is a sale is a sale, right?

After the signing, we hit the bar! Not to get drunk, but for more questions and answers for her sociology paper. Lots of fun.

Alien Archaeology panel

I've realized that with the way these are posted, each new posting might not make sense. This is still part of the MileHiCon postings. If you haven't read the earlier ones, or if you just want this to make more sense, scroll down to the posting called "MileHiCon First Post," and then start reading up...

This panel was an interesting one. I had the idea that it was going to be us discussing what alien archaeology might look like, how we would excavate it, should we excavate it, etc. I couldn't have been more wrong. Instead, we were given "artifacts" and asked to explain their purposes.

This panel included guest of honor, David Drake, and a couple of improv guys that I was totally unprepared for, and of course, Laura Givens as moderator. If you've never met Laura, you need to, it's quite the experience (and I mean that in a good way.......sort of.)

There were six of us, and I guess we were grouped perfectly...the two improv guys together, two intellectuals together and myself and the only woman on the panel looking like a couple of deer in headlights.

The discussions quickly deteriorated into double, then triple, and finally quadruple entendres...well, not exactly...it got raunchy fast, and the Bush bashing was great (placing those two concepts in the same sentence might give people the wrong idea, I suppose.)

It ended up being revealed that I'd had an affair with my fellow archaeologist on one of our digs (with the female archaeologist, I should add.) And we played that up as much as we could...even the next day we were still at it, and yes, this is where Laura really embarassed me...caught me completely off guard, in fact.

The highlight, next to the brain sucking gun from the planet Bushonia had to be the device that allowed you to project scenes from a movie. One guy throwing himself on the table doing a full impersonation of the alien-stomach scene from Alien. Words can't do it justice...you had to be there. My friend Alyse was there, and I don't think she'll ever forget that....

More later...

I'm writing again

I'll get back to the MileHiCon posts eventually, but the big news for today is that I'm writing again. I cranked out about 3,000 words in the novel that doesn't want to get written. That's the best production I've had in quite some time.

Maybe things are finally starting to turn around...or more likely, I've decided that it's time to make things turn around.

Tales of the Talisman Panel

Saturday started out with the Tales of the Talisman panel. The four other panelists with me were editor David Lee Summers, Art Editor Laura Givens, and authors Nicole Givens-Kurtz and David Riley. We had a fairly small audience, but I had expected that. The panel mostly consisted of David talking about the zine's history, but he was gracious enough to let me plug Sam's Dot and The Genre Mall for a while.

It was a good panel, and I began to get a sense of Laura Givens' real personality....more on that very soon...

The bar

Friday night we had a little get together in the bar at the hotel...writers networking, you might say. Normally I'm very shy in these kinds of situations, but I basically decided "screw it," and grabbed a chair and butted right in at a full table. I ended up sitting between James Van Pelt (who many of you should know) and Rick Friesen (who many of you probably don't know.) From there people shifted around and we talked about everything you would expect...and more.

This, to me, is the highlight of the Con, as you get to meet a lot of different people and everyone is always so nice...whether they've never published anything in their lives, or even if they're guest of honor Alan Dean Foster (he was there too, although I never managed to make it over to his table.)

If you want to get to know writers, I've learned, you want to hang out in the bar!!!

This was also when I had a sociology grad student start to pick my brain...but more on that later...

Autograph Alley

MileHiCon started out for me with Autograph Alley. They basically put as many authors together as they can in the dealers room and in the hallway outside. For me, this meant that I was in a hallway...farthest from the dealers room, and in a corner. We didn't see too much traffic, but I did get a chance to catch up with Mike Brotherton, who I had met last year, and I also met Michael L. Wentz, who has a new YA SF book out that sounded interesting, but I'm afraid it's not quite my thing.

I had one fan tell me that he had checked my latest collection out of his school library to do a book report on, which I found to be very interesting, since the book has only been out about two months, and I'm quite sure it's not in any libraries yet.

I also had a storm trooper ask me about my first collection. You meet all kinds at the Cons.

The three of us had some great conversation, and none of us signed a book for the entire hour and a half that we were there...but that's a Friday night at a Con...most people seem to spend their money on Sundays.

More later.......

MileHiCon first post

I'm going to be making several postings here over the next few days about the Con. There's just too much to tell in one posting. If you've been to my site, then you've seen the names of the people I wanted to thank...if you haven't been there, then head over there and check out the names. I won't post them here to avoid redundancy.

Overall, I learned a lot at this Con, stayed up way too late over and over and over again, and actually sold some books...almost enough to cover my expenses, which blew my mind.

I did have someone corner me in the dealers room wanting one of my books because he had seen me on a panel...a panel that I thought was a disaster...but that just shows you what I know.

I picked the brains of everyone that I could, and was glad to have my brain picked from time to time.

Overall, I feel quite a bit more confident in my abilities as a writer, and in my ability to actually do these Cons...now if I could just finish this god damn book that doesn't want to be written, I'd feel a lot better. Of course, Connie Willis was saying pretty much the same thing, so I guess I'm in some damn good company.

More later.......

Time to be a geek

Tomorrow afternoon I'll be leaving for MileHiCon here in Denver. Cons are the best. You get to be yourself (usually that means being a geek), and no one looks down at you because you're surrounded by people that don't fit in to society...and refuse to fit into society. These, I've found over the years, are the MOST interesting people in the world.

So, if you're planning on being a geek at the Con, let me know...I'd love to meet up with people. I won't be hard to find...I'm on three panels and I'm doing two signings.

I'll look for all of you there................

Book signing added

MileHiCon has added another book signing for me. I will be in the dealers room Sat. Oct. 22nd from 5-6 P.M.

This is right after Connie Willis signs, so it might be a great opportunity for me.

For more info on the Con, click on the title of this entry, and it should take you to their site.

UNICEF and the smurfs

This is part of a new ad campaign put together by UNICEF in Belgium (not Belgium in the Hitchiker's universe). I'm not sure if I liked the picture because it's a good way of getting the point across, or if I liked it because I'd like to see this actually happen to the smurfs...anyway, enjoy!

The First Snow

We're getting our first snow of the season here in Denver, and I couldn't be happier. I love snow...I'd be happy in Alaska or Canada...the northern parts, that is. In addition to being beautiful to look at, snow stirs something in me that usually helps me to create...more than half of my fiction has been written in late Fall and Winter...must be something to that. Perhaps it's the fact that I grew up in Northern Ohio, and got used to seeing lots of snow.

Anyway, with the snow falling, the Con plans being finalized, and with a day off (after working 24 hours in a 48 hour period), I'm hoping to get some writing done. Although I wish the next week and a half would just fly by so I could be at MileHiCon.

MileHiCon

Oct. 21-23 I will be doing MileHiCon. Here's my schedule for anyone that is thinking of attending. Please feel free to drop me an e-mail if you're going to be there...

Fri:
7:30-9:00 Autograph alley...with a bunch of big names.

Sat:
1:00-1:50 Tales of the Talisman, the birth of a magazine

2:45-3:50 Alien Archaeology..one of the guests of honor is on this one with me.

9:00-12:00 Late Night Rouge and Roguish writers...10 minute reading session...apparently I'm one of the moderators for this one.

I may be doing another autograph session as well.