Going to ConDFW 2009!

I finished teaching my classes early this month, so I have my weekends free. That let's me go to the ConDFW 2009 in Dallas this weeked. This is a literary Con that focuses on the writing of my chosen genre' (Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror). There wil be lots of panels and great panelists that will give me an opportunity to learn how to be a better writer. I urge anybody that wants to write to attend these kinds of conventions. They focus on how to be a better writer and not so much on dressing up like your favorite character. Don't ge me wrong, there is some of that going on, but these kinds of conventions have lots of learning opportunites in them!

One of my stories got accepted for publication!!!

I just found out that one of my stories, "The Hole That Max Found" has been accepted for publication by a new magazine, M-BRANE SF. It will be in issue #5, coming out on June 15, 2009! It's a story that mixes heavy drinking, country music and Quantum Physics. What's not to like? :-) And many thanks to Kelly McGuire for giving me his permission to use him in my story.

I get ideas from the damndest places. While taking the train to Texas, I was listening to my MP3's. One of them was Kelly's hit "Blame It On Buffet." It struck a cord in me; this tale of taking a different road because of someone else's influence. I popped the concept into my processor stack, and this story popped out. I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think of it!

What a Year!

Ok, so it's been a while. I spent over a year sick with various physical ailments, mostly heart related. I swear, when I die I'm going to speak to the manufacturer about the warranty I was issued at birth.

I actually had one REALLY good week (health-wise) back in August of 2008. I got to attend the Armadillo Con in Austun. It's not your typical convention crowded with people in costumes; it's a literary convention focuseed on writing in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genre'. I met some wonderful people there and had a chance to speak with one of my favortie authors (Joe Haldeman and his lovely wife Gay) and met a new favortie author, John Scalzi (If you like pants-wetting humor, try his novels "The Android's Dream" and "Agent to the Stars") I also had a chance to meet with many authors and leran of their own trials in getting published. If you can make it, I highly recommend this convention. It will be held on August 14 - 16, 2009 (http://fact.org/dillo/index.html).

I have been finally able to focus on writing the last couple of months, and have several stories almost finished and ready to be critiqued.

One thing I love: In Texas, the concept of winter is just that, a concept. In January it dropped into the 20's at night for a few days. It's now the second week in February and the temps are up into the 60's and 70's during the day and the 40's and 50's at night. New England spent a couple of months dealing with sub-freezing temperatures and massive amounts of snow and ice. I like Texas! :-)