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.

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...

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

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!

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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!

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.