Exciting Things

Lots of exciting things happened last week.

First off, I found out Supernatural Colorado was rejected by WWC. Within twenty-four hours, it was picked up by WolfSinger Publications, contracts to the authors were sent about forty-eight hours later, and, a second small press offered to backup WSP, if needed.

To say the authors of the stories were thrilled, is an understatement. Many were already doing PR work on Facebook.

I still need to get the back cover copy to publisher. Unfortunately, my work schedule is such that I rarely getting any writing done except on my days off.

Second, I finished the first five chapters of my new book, Thunks in the Attic. I know Sky Warrior Books is thrilled.

Third, I talked with my collaborating author, J.A. Campbell, during Myths and Legends Con about our story. I will be working on it as well.

Fourth, I had so much writing related emails and matters to attend to, I got so overwhelmed, I actually ran away to a friends house. By the end of Saturday, I had them all taken care of, but wow! Everything does so seem to happen at once.

Fifth, I'm getting an opportunity to work with artists on several of my projects. It's experience I wanted, but sometimes it's a bit awkward. Like I'm the middle man, so to speak.

Sixth, I have a story coming out in Tails from the Frontlines. It's a good story and a spin off of my new novel God's Gift. 

Seventh, well, that's a surprise I'll share at a later date. 

Myths and Legends Con

With great anticipation I loaded up my car Friday afternoon and headed for the Myths and Legends Con on the northern end of town. After a white knuckled drive up I25, the one road I am terrified of, and sitting in traffic for an hour and half, I finally pulled into the parking lot of the hotel.

I arrived in time to meet Chris and walked with him inside. He pointed the way to registration and I got my badge, checked into my room, and took my luggage to the fifth floor.

I also discovered I had a table to sell my books. Lucky for me I brought them, along with dragons to give away. I didn't set up Friday night, but I spent the time catching up several other authors. I had two panels. One was on who our favorite Doctor was and who our favorite hero in Harry Potter was. Not many attendees which was nice since we included them in the discussion.

I retired to my room and edited the beginning of my next novel, Thunks in the Attic. I actually slept. I rarely do when I'm at a hotel. Awoke in time for breakfast, which was free and ate with two con goers who recognized my name as one of the authors.

Saturday began with one very early panel on Alien biology. Afterward I checked out of my room, partially repacked my car, and then set up my table. Visited with a new author friend Ashlyn, who I discovered lives not far from me. Am excited and plan to get together with her soon.

I sold two copies of my novel Winter Awakening and one of the anthology Of Fur and Fire. My stock is getting a bit low and so I need get a few more copies. I normally don't because my publisher and I attend the sames cons. I'm also thinking of getting a minion. More on that at a later date.

Talked with my collaborating author Julie, caught up with Peter, Chris, Quincy, Kathryn, Guy, Sam, and several others. A few members of my filk group were there as well. They came by and said hello.

Had to leave early because I worked on Sunday. I was scheduled for one panel that day but Ashlyn covered for me. I'll have to find out how the panel went. It sounded like a good one. Sex and Violence in YA novels.

All in all. A very successful con. Had several authors asking what my next editing project is. Told them they'd have to wait until MileHiCon to find out. I even had one author approach me and want to be included. I'm very stunned, thrilled, and happy at the weekend outcome.

Supernatural Colorado - New story order

Whew! Spent an exhausting Sunday putting Supernatural Colorado together. Luckily, we were overcast and rainy, so it was easy to sit at the computer without longing to be outside.

I'm still awaiting a couple of revisions and bios from authors. For the most part, it's done.
On Wednesday, it will be off to the publisher.

The story order did change. Not much, but a little. Mostly due to lengths and time periods. More on this anthology as it gets closer to publication.

Final story order.

Shadows of Deceased Ghosts : David Boop      

Wicker Children : Lynn Donovan  

The Other Cemetery : Frank Luke   

Grubstake : Guy Anthony DeMarco   

Cave of Sorrows : Carol Hightshoe  

Montague Plistiblick’s Snipe Hunt : Quincy Allen  

Abandoned: Kessie Carroll 

Thank you, Thad : Susan MacDonald   

Guardian : J. A. Campbell   

Into the Home : Darla Upchurch 

Tracking Old Moses : Sam Knight 

Catharsis at Steamboat Springs :  Chris Barker  

Rainmaker : Becky Kyle  

Entity : Todd Nelson 

Pookie the Pooka : R. Joseph Maas  

Find of a Lifetime : Dana Bell  

The Vengeance of Felipe Espinosa : Pamela Nihiser  

The Rocky Flats Fiasco : Peter Wacks  

Different Dragons - now available in print

http://www.amazon.com/Different-Dragons-Dana-Bell/dp/1936099454/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367863278&sr=1-3&keywords=different+dragons

Different Dragons now available in print. Link above.

If you love dragon stories, you're going to love this anthology!

AnomalyCon Postscript

 I attended AnomalyCon, our local Steampunk convention over the weekend. I was impressed by the friendly staff, the willingness of the the Conchair to sit and talk with folks, and the impressive number of costumed attendees. I haven't see that many at the local literary conventions for several years.

My first panel World Building, was lively with several other authors making their suggestions on how to build a believable world for your characters to walk around in, without the external details overpowering the story.

I also ran two Writing Workshops, or Prompts, as they were called. Small turnouts for both but the participants learned a great deal. The first was Saturday, Goodnight Colorado, where the writers would compose a travelogue. I expanded it to include traveling other worlds, solar systems, wherever they wanted to set it. The second was with J.A. Campbell on Smart animals. A fun little exercise where instead of a human view point, the piece is written from a critter of choice.

I also had a reading but no one showed up so I spend the time talking with whomever walked by.

Most of the convention I spent talking with fellow writers, sharing news of finished projects of upcoming ones. I also brainstormed a new idea which I will be working on with J.A. Campbell. We're both excited about the project, which we're hoping to have done in time for AnomalyCon next year.