It's hard to believe that today is our middle daughter's 8th birthday. It seems like only yesterday that I was pushing her around in a stroller when we were picking her big sister up from school. Time goes by so fast. There was a time when she needed us for almost everything, and now she can pretty much take care of herself...although she still likes to play the helpless child at times.
So, happy birthday, Jul. Hope you have a great day, and I hope you love your presents...I think you'll be very surprised.
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Pre-order A Kepler's Dozen
Here's the write-up for the anthology...
A new anthology of action-packed, mysterious, and humorous stories all based on real planets discovered by the NASA Kepler mission. Edited by and contributing stories are David Lee Summers—best selling author of Owl Dance, The Pirates of Sufiro, and other novels—and Steve B. Howell, project scientist for the Kepler mission. Whether on a prison colony, in a fast escape from the authorities, or encircling a binary star, thirteen exoplanet stories written by authors such as Mike Brotherton, Laura Givens, and J Alan Erwine will amuse, frighten, and intrigue you while you share fantasy adventures among Kepler's real-life planets.
Saturday, February 02, 2013
Cosmic Crime Stories Vol. 5
What's in this issue? Here's the write-up...
Future Imperfect… Crime will always be with us, and as laws evolve, so will the techniques of violating them. In this issue, you’ll meet femme fatales, con men, evil politicians, and a war hero who has trouble adjusting to peace in space. Plus there’s another fine Robichaud article . . . and much more in this latest issue of Cosmic Crime Stories!
You can order your copy at http://sdpbookstore.com/cosmiccrimestories.htm.
Friday, February 01, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Me and my crazy ideas
I don't know if it's this medicine messing with my head, or what, but I was thinking today what a great idea it would be to take my latest book, A Problem in Translation and turn it into an RPG.
Am I really crazy enough to think that this would be a good idea???
Am I really crazy enough to think that this would be a good idea???
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Brain funk
This medication they've put me on for my chronic pain has left me in a brain funk. I feel like I'm slightly out of phase with reality at the moment. Everything seems hazy, and my brain seems to just stop at times. I've had bouts of dizziness and I'm even more exhausted than normal.
I'm hoping that these are only temporary side effects, and eventually my brain will adjust to this stuff. I'm not really sure if it's worth having the pain subside if I have to feel like this...
I'm hoping that these are only temporary side effects, and eventually my brain will adjust to this stuff. I'm not really sure if it's worth having the pain subside if I have to feel like this...
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
About time!
We had to take my oldest daughter in for a vaccination today, so while we were there, I decided to ask if my doctor could come up with a new surgical consult for me, since the previous surgeon wasn't even returning my calls. Would you believe it? About one hour after we left, the surgeon called me...
The diagnosis is that there's no definite fracture in any of the ribs, although he does believe one of the ribs is causing the popping that I can feel and hear coming from my chest. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which rib it is, so he can't go in and remove it, for fear of removing the wrong rib. He did say that there is fracturing in the cartilage on that side of my rib cage, but there's no way to surgically fix it...so I'm stuck with being on neural suppressants...probably for the rest of my life...
The diagnosis is that there's no definite fracture in any of the ribs, although he does believe one of the ribs is causing the popping that I can feel and hear coming from my chest. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which rib it is, so he can't go in and remove it, for fear of removing the wrong rib. He did say that there is fracturing in the cartilage on that side of my rib cage, but there's no way to surgically fix it...so I'm stuck with being on neural suppressants...probably for the rest of my life...
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Back from Ohio
Getting to my grandmother's funeral was quite the whirlwind tour. We left Wednesday just before noon and got into McConelsville, Ohio on Friday morning. We were there for about eight hours...just long enough for me to spend some time with my mom and brother before we went to the funeral. After that it was a very brief family get together, and then we were back on the road because Rebecca had to be at work on Sunday morning at 6 am. We got back to Denver about 9:30 on Saturday night. We basically covered over 2700 miles in about 80 hours. All of this with an 11 year old, a 7 year old, and a 2 year old along for the ride. The most impressive part of this quick trip was the fact that I don't drive, so my absolutely amazing and wonderful wife did all of the driving on her own! Did I mention that she was amazing and wonderful?
The actual funeral was well done. My grandmother was a fairly religious woman, so a minister oversaw the proceedings, and although I didn't necessarily agree with a lot of the religious stuff he had to say, it was nice that he actually knew my grandmother. A lot of times, you go to these things and the person conducting the funeral is just reading from notes that have been made by the family, but he used to drop my grandmother's house to visit, and he actually had a lot of us smiling and laughing about some of the things she would say or do. Some people may think that laughter and happiness shouldn't be a part of a funeral, but I personally believe that it should be a celebration of the person's life...and there was a lot to celebrate about my grandmother. She was a very kind person, and a lot of people commented that she was "everyone's" grandmother. Everyone knew they could go to her for anything they needed, and if anyone ever wanted to just stop and visit, she always made them welcome.
Now that I've written this, I think I need some more rest, as I'm still exhausted, and it's back to work at 6 am for me tomorrow.
And by the way...did I mention that my wife is absolutely amazing and wonderful?
Well...SHE IS!
The actual funeral was well done. My grandmother was a fairly religious woman, so a minister oversaw the proceedings, and although I didn't necessarily agree with a lot of the religious stuff he had to say, it was nice that he actually knew my grandmother. A lot of times, you go to these things and the person conducting the funeral is just reading from notes that have been made by the family, but he used to drop my grandmother's house to visit, and he actually had a lot of us smiling and laughing about some of the things she would say or do. Some people may think that laughter and happiness shouldn't be a part of a funeral, but I personally believe that it should be a celebration of the person's life...and there was a lot to celebrate about my grandmother. She was a very kind person, and a lot of people commented that she was "everyone's" grandmother. Everyone knew they could go to her for anything they needed, and if anyone ever wanted to just stop and visit, she always made them welcome.
Now that I've written this, I think I need some more rest, as I'm still exhausted, and it's back to work at 6 am for me tomorrow.
And by the way...did I mention that my wife is absolutely amazing and wonderful?
Well...SHE IS!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Gertrude Hambil
Earlier today, my grandmother, Gertrude Hambil, passed away. She was the last of my grandparents, and I can honestly say that next to my parents, she was most responsible for raising me and turning me into the person that I am today.
The last few years have been hard on her, and we all thought we were going to lose her a long time ago, but she had a lot of fight in her, and she held on. I never got a chance to see her in those final years, and maybe that was for the best, as I guess she wasn't really the same person. Age does horrible things to the human mind.
I have so many wonderful memories of her. Sitting on her lap while going for rides in the country, working in the garden (especially me planting pumpkins), the smell of her bacon in the morning, and so many more. When my mom first called me today, we both agreed that she'd had a good life, and for the most part, a happy life...not too many people can really say that, but she did.
The world seems a little emptier today, and she will truly be missed.
The last few years have been hard on her, and we all thought we were going to lose her a long time ago, but she had a lot of fight in her, and she held on. I never got a chance to see her in those final years, and maybe that was for the best, as I guess she wasn't really the same person. Age does horrible things to the human mind.
I have so many wonderful memories of her. Sitting on her lap while going for rides in the country, working in the garden (especially me planting pumpkins), the smell of her bacon in the morning, and so many more. When my mom first called me today, we both agreed that she'd had a good life, and for the most part, a happy life...not too many people can really say that, but she did.
The world seems a little emptier today, and she will truly be missed.
Monday, January 14, 2013
The Battle for Turtle Island release date
Look for more info as we get closer to the release date.
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Sam's Dot Publishing update
At the beginning of this year I became the Managing Editor for Sam's Dot Publishing, basically taking over the day to day running of the company, which is now owned by White Cat Publications. A lot of people have been wondering what will be different about Sam's Dot now that Tyree Campbell has moved on. The basic answer is...not much. All of the titles that Tyree had contracted will be published in the years to come, and I will eventually be opening back up for novel submissions, and I will be editing those, and we will be releasing those under the Sam's Dot name.
Obviously, my editorial focus will be slightly different from Tyree's, but you shouldn't notice a huge change. The biggest change I think anyone will notice is wider distribution, and that's a good thing.
I guess you could say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Obviously, my editorial focus will be slightly different from Tyree's, but you shouldn't notice a huge change. The biggest change I think anyone will notice is wider distribution, and that's a good thing.
I guess you could say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
Goodbye 2012!
Another year has come and gone, and like many other years, this one certainly had its up and downs. The biggest downs would have to have been Rebecca being held up at the end of January, and then some bastard stealing our tax check.
Although those were some low lows, I think the highs made up for it. Our oldest started middle school, and even though she already has some of the teen angst going on (a couple of years early), she's still doing great. Our middle daughter has moved on to second grade, and she's more or less excelling...if we could just get her to do her homework. And of course the youngest has grown up so much. At the beginning of the year, she was barely walking and could say a few words. Now she's strolling around everywhere, counting to 11, learning her ABC's, using four and five word sentences, and of course loving Star Wars and Babylon 5. Another positive on a personal level was my accepting a promotion at work. Although it's leaving me exhausted, we're bringing in some extra money, and that's always a good thing.
On a professional level, it was also up and down. March saw the release of my third novel, A Problem in Translation and I also finished the initial drafts of a new RPG. The biggest down would be that I didn't do anywhere near enough writing this year. I do have a new story coming out in an anthology early next year, and I'm certainly hoping to do more writing in 2013.
All in all, I'm glad to be saying goodbye to 2012. The stress from the robbery has kind of haunted everything, and once we get past the one year anniversary, I think everything will start looking up.
Although those were some low lows, I think the highs made up for it. Our oldest started middle school, and even though she already has some of the teen angst going on (a couple of years early), she's still doing great. Our middle daughter has moved on to second grade, and she's more or less excelling...if we could just get her to do her homework. And of course the youngest has grown up so much. At the beginning of the year, she was barely walking and could say a few words. Now she's strolling around everywhere, counting to 11, learning her ABC's, using four and five word sentences, and of course loving Star Wars and Babylon 5. Another positive on a personal level was my accepting a promotion at work. Although it's leaving me exhausted, we're bringing in some extra money, and that's always a good thing.
On a professional level, it was also up and down. March saw the release of my third novel, A Problem in Translation and I also finished the initial drafts of a new RPG. The biggest down would be that I didn't do anywhere near enough writing this year. I do have a new story coming out in an anthology early next year, and I'm certainly hoping to do more writing in 2013.
All in all, I'm glad to be saying goodbye to 2012. The stress from the robbery has kind of haunted everything, and once we get past the one year anniversary, I think everything will start looking up.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Christmas 2012
Another Christmas has come and gone. I've always loved Christmas. I love the lights, and I love the music...well, most of the music. And now that I have kids, I love to watch them open gifts on Christmas morning. I, of course, don't celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ, but rather as a time to reflect on the year's events, and to spend time with friends and family.
Although I have a great family with my wife and kids, I have to admit that I miss my mom, dad, brothers, and sister...as they're all spread across the country, so we rarely see each other, and I can't even remember the last time I saw any of them on Christmas. This year was especially bittersweet, as I know that any day now my maternal grandmother, and the last of my grandparents, will probably pass away.
Still, with all of the mixed emotions, I have to admit that it was a great Christmas, especially when Rebecca realized that the BIG gift I'd been teasing her about was Bon Jovi tickets...she's a HUGE fan.
I hope all of you had a great whatever holiday you celebrate.
Although I have a great family with my wife and kids, I have to admit that I miss my mom, dad, brothers, and sister...as they're all spread across the country, so we rarely see each other, and I can't even remember the last time I saw any of them on Christmas. This year was especially bittersweet, as I know that any day now my maternal grandmother, and the last of my grandparents, will probably pass away.
Still, with all of the mixed emotions, I have to admit that it was a great Christmas, especially when Rebecca realized that the BIG gift I'd been teasing her about was Bon Jovi tickets...she's a HUGE fan.
I hope all of you had a great whatever holiday you celebrate.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Another Apocalypse has come and gone
Eventually people will learn that the end of the world can't really be predicted, except possibly with science. In all honesty, this Apocalypse seemed even sillier than most of the ones in the past. I'm sure some people are feeling foolish today, although they're probably trying to justify why they were wrong...that's what always seems to happen.
On another note, the events in my novel The Opium of the People were supposed to have been set up by a near miss with a comet on Dec. 21, 2012. I'm very happy to say that I was not prophetic. The idea of living in a world like the one I created in the novel would make me wish for the end of the world.
On another note, the events in my novel The Opium of the People were supposed to have been set up by a near miss with a comet on Dec. 21, 2012. I'm very happy to say that I was not prophetic. The idea of living in a world like the one I created in the novel would make me wish for the end of the world.
Sunday, December 09, 2012
Come on people
We just got through all of the election nonsense, which I thought had brought out the worst in people, but the holidays seem to make people behave in some crazy ways. I'm not talking about the belligerent customers you have to deal with while shopping. I'm talking about the whole Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas nonsense.
Christians feel that there's an attack on Christmas because non-Christians and Atheists want to use Happy Holidays because, well, they don't believe in Christ. And non-Christians and Atheists don't want to be told Merry Christmas because, well, they don't believe in Christ.
To me, it's all insanity. Why do we have to spend so much time looking into the underlying meaning of what someone is trying to say, rather than accepting the intent behind the message, which is usually, hey, hope you have a great day and life. We're so caught up in distrusting people that we don't realize that people are just trying to be nice. Why not let them be nice?
I, myself, am a staunch Atheist. I don't feel like maybe there's a God, no, I don't believe at all. But if you believe in God, and you want to wish me a Merry Christmas, then by all means, go ahead, and I'll wish you one too. If I do something nice for someone, and they say God Bless You. I don't look at it as them trying to push their religion on me. No, I look at it as them thanking me in their own way. Even if I don't agree with their belief system, it doesn't mean that I can't accept the sentiment of gratitude.
Everyone needs to loosen up and stop worrying about what someone might mean by what they're saying. Yes, there are some people that are trying to push their beliefs on you, but the majority of people saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays are just trying to be nice. There's so little niceness left in the world, let's let them be nice and get over ourselves.
So, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or Happy Whatever You Want to Believe and Celebrate. I hope whatever you believe in and celebrate at this time of year will bring you a great deal of happiness.
Christians feel that there's an attack on Christmas because non-Christians and Atheists want to use Happy Holidays because, well, they don't believe in Christ. And non-Christians and Atheists don't want to be told Merry Christmas because, well, they don't believe in Christ.
To me, it's all insanity. Why do we have to spend so much time looking into the underlying meaning of what someone is trying to say, rather than accepting the intent behind the message, which is usually, hey, hope you have a great day and life. We're so caught up in distrusting people that we don't realize that people are just trying to be nice. Why not let them be nice?
I, myself, am a staunch Atheist. I don't feel like maybe there's a God, no, I don't believe at all. But if you believe in God, and you want to wish me a Merry Christmas, then by all means, go ahead, and I'll wish you one too. If I do something nice for someone, and they say God Bless You. I don't look at it as them trying to push their religion on me. No, I look at it as them thanking me in their own way. Even if I don't agree with their belief system, it doesn't mean that I can't accept the sentiment of gratitude.
Everyone needs to loosen up and stop worrying about what someone might mean by what they're saying. Yes, there are some people that are trying to push their beliefs on you, but the majority of people saying Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays are just trying to be nice. There's so little niceness left in the world, let's let them be nice and get over ourselves.
So, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or Happy Whatever You Want to Believe and Celebrate. I hope whatever you believe in and celebrate at this time of year will bring you a great deal of happiness.
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
I'm still around
Since taking this promotion, you've probably noticed a significant reduction in my blog posting. Well, I'm still around. I'm just trying to adjust to the extra hours and all that.
It was already tough juggling being a father of three kids, a husband, a writer, an editor, a game designer, and a part-time employee, but adding in those extra hours of going to full time is taking some getting used to. I've been overwhelmed before, so I'm sure I'll get used to this. Plus, I usually do better at things when it seems like I have too much to do.
So, that means you can probably expect more posting in the weeks to come as I get back up to speed.
It was already tough juggling being a father of three kids, a husband, a writer, an editor, a game designer, and a part-time employee, but adding in those extra hours of going to full time is taking some getting used to. I've been overwhelmed before, so I'm sure I'll get used to this. Plus, I usually do better at things when it seems like I have too much to do.
So, that means you can probably expect more posting in the weeks to come as I get back up to speed.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Jim Baker
My article about the founder of ProMart, (which became Sam's Dot) Jim Baker, has been posted on the White Cat website.
http://www.whitecatpublications.com/?p=3253
There are quite a few writers in the speculative fiction community that got their start with ProMart, so it was nice to get a chance to write the article, as I don't think we should ever forget him or his vision of the future.
http://www.whitecatpublications.com/?p=3253
There are quite a few writers in the speculative fiction community that got their start with ProMart, so it was nice to get a chance to write the article, as I don't think we should ever forget him or his vision of the future.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
I must be out of my mind
Anyone who knows me knows that I always have half a dozen projects going at once, and I always have ten million family things going on. It never seems like there's enough time to get anything done in my life, so I guess it's only logical that I would take a promotion at my "real" job. I'm now a full time supervisor.
Obviously I've lost whatever sanity I had left...
Obviously I've lost whatever sanity I had left...
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