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“The Encroacher” and other goings-on

September 16, 2010 in General Topics

So my novel The Tyrant Stratagem is out in the wild right now seeking an agent. Coming in at 87,000 words, the final draft was finished a few weeks back. I revised the tale about four times. With an outline in place for the other two volumes in the tale, I’m confident the piece will make someone happy, if only someone out there decides to get behind it. I’m shopping it around right now. To quote the executives in “There Will be Blood”: “We’ll make you rich.”

In belated news, let me direct you over to Variant Frequencies again, where you may or may not have been lately, to tell you that my tale “The Encroacher” had the distinction of being the last episode they’ve run (for now). I sincerely hope Rick and the gang get back into podcast fiction at some point. They have my deepest respect and appreciation for being some of the earliest people to run my work.

Let me also congratulate Norm Sherman and the team over at The Drabblecast for picking up a Parsec award for 2010. This is only about three years overdue.

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Where the heck I’ve been

April 11, 2010 in General Topics

I know I’ve been whisper-silent on this blog since, well, forever. The reason for this is I’ve been in a “quiet time”. I’ve been writing, of course, but in amongst that was a job change, a collaborative project (almost done, thank you Mr. Gareth Jones), and of course The Tyrant Stratagem, which is the Tarrasque in the room.

So the big two projects are almost — finally — done. I anticipate the project with Mr. Jones being done sometime in the next few weeks. Then my novel should follow by mid to late summer and start making the rounds at agencies. If I can only get someone to give it a chance…

Speaking of, I think that’s why I’ve had such a hard time revisiting short fiction (in addition to the work load). 2009 and 2008 were years full of disappointment for me. Over and over again, my fiction kept getting “so close” with editors and getting narrowly turned down that I honestly think I lost heart. It’s ironic, I suppose, given my bibliography already, but I’m not immune to frustration. The entire experience has just left a bad taste in my mouth. It’s easier to turn inwards and labor at a novel during such a time.

That, and I’ve been ministering. It’s been very fulfilling and has had me looking over some of my choices both present and past. I’ve been introspective. One of those things I’ve thought long on has been my writing style and methods. You will see a transformative difference between my tales of the past and those that are coming.

Still, I have written a few short stories during this time — just haven’t sent them anywhere — and have also outlined several others. What’s happening is the “quiet time” is almost over. Almost.

There will be a small reminder of sorts at Balticon this year. Call it a distant trumpet. I’m coming back. Tired of sitting on the sidelines.

Stay tuned.

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And a massive sigh of accomplishment…

October 27, 2009 in General Topics

Mark it down in the books. Here lies the first draft of “The Tyrant Stratagem“, hammered out on this day of our Lord, October 27th, 2009.

Ten years back it took me a year and a half to finish a first draft. This one was done in nine months. I’m pleased about that. And it’s my hail-Mary to the world of publishing. Wish me luck with the play.

Stay tuned.

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Thanks to all who nominated…

September 9, 2009 in General Topics

…”Best in Class” for the Parsec Award in the nod for short fiction. And thanks for the judges and especially the listeners, too. I didn’t win the award, which is honestly okay. I would have felt guilty if Michael Natale’s excellent “Under the Bed” hadn’t gotten the award. Honestly, the story is really that good, and perfectly narrated by Michael Stackpole.

This makes the fourth straight year Variant Frequencies has snagged at least one Parsec. Warm congratulations, guys.

Dragon*Con was fun, and it was especially nice to see all the folks I don’t often get to, like the Drabblecast gang, Rick Stringer and everyone else. Rick’s son, Neil, is going to be a writer. He just doesn’t know it yet.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the great fun I’m having with a collaborative project with Gareth Jones. We’re enjoying crafting a hybrid fantasy/sci-fi piece together, and as always I’m impressed by Gareth’s talent.

Stay tuned.

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“Best in Class”, finalist for 2009 Parsec Award!

July 27, 2009 in General Topics

So here’s some welcome good news: “Best in Class“, that little tale I churned out last year, has been made a finalist, in the running for “Best Speculative Fiction Story, (Short Form)”.

I don’t think “honored” is a strong enough word. And no matter what happens, I want to go ahead and thank Murky Depths, (ed. Terry Martin), who originally ran the tale in their magazine, and Variant Frequencies, especially narrator Chuck Tomasi and Rick Stringer, Anne Stringer, and Matt Wallace.

And I doubly want to thank those that nominated me and punted my humble work to this finalist slot.

Some other folks I really admire also got their work noted, including D.K. Thompson’s excellent piece “St. Darwin’s Spirituals”, “Under the Bed” by Frank Natale, Pseudopod for best Speculative Fiction Podcast (along with the afore-mentioned Variant Frequencies), Matt Wallace (who had two different works nominated).

I want to also express my sadness that the excellent Drabblecast didn’t make it to the finals, particularly the unbelievably awesome “Gifting Bliss: Fifteen Years Later, Jason Avery’s Magic is Still Saving the World” by Josh Rountree, which I nominated personally. Your time will come, fellas. I know it.

Thanks again, everyone. Good luck to everyone nominated.

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