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.

AnomalyCon post report

March 28th-30th was AnomalyCon, out local Steampunk convention. I was one of the participating authors in attendance along with running an author table in artist alley.

Friday my first panel, after a long day at work, was Writing from an Animal's Perspective, along with Julie Campbell. We shared out collective experience and how to write from a nonhuman view before having those who attended write a short piece about how their animal would react to encountering a strange object. They all did very well.

My second panel was called Rite Reading, or How to do a Reading. I had two people attend and they both told me they got a great deal out of it.

Saturday I ran two writing workshops. A few people showed up and got to practice composing short peices.

Sunday I ran another workshop, which only one person showed up for. We ended up talking about the differences between secular SF/F/H and Christian Speculative. I heard later through a third party he really enjoyed it.

Not everything that happens at a Con is about what panels you're on. I ran into an old friend who had just launched his first graphic novel. He also got two chances to write short stories for anthologies, including one I'm editing. I also caught up with authors who currently have stories submitted to me and all were very understanding about why I'm behind due to life stuff.

I might also have an opportunity to appear at the Myths and Legends Con in August. I have already dropped an email to the author wrangler.

I also sold three copies of Winter Awakening and one copy of All About Eve.

One different thing I did, I gave away dragons made from pipe cleaners to all the children. I learned later the parents were very grateful. I will be doing the give away at future cons as well.

All in all - a wonderful con and I can't wait to attend again next year.

Twists and Turns

Been a busy weekend for me. I managed to edit two stories for Supernatural Colorado and added a chapter to my book Winter Emergence. The latter I will be copying on my thumb drive, taking it to our local filk,in a couple of weeks and running it past my two young adult beta readers.

Since work has me a 'busy' project, I have mental time to plot so I'm working on my book  and coming up with some interesting twists, including who is going to die at the end. I'm not sure how my readers are going to react to the characters' deaths. I'M not even sure how I feel about it.

I also sold two copies of my first book Winter Awakening to co-workers. I don't actively solicit. I just tell folks I'm a writer and if they express an interest, I offer to sell them an autographed copy. Not everyone takes me up on it, but a few accept.


 

MileHiCon post report

Over the weekend I attended MileHiCon, our local literary Science Fiction Convention. I was on three panels, one on each day, plus I had a reading during the final hour on Sunday. Most of the rest of the time I either attended panels, caught up with fellow writers and/or friends, or hung out at the WolfSinger Publications table in the dealers room.

A little about the panels, my first panel was 'What we want from the new Doctor Who'. It was a great discussion about favorite villains, companions, and yes, River Song will be back or so I was told, and questions about the choice for the new doctor.

Saturday I was part of a panel discussing food allergies and how in the world do you eat when away from home? It was called 'Eating outside the mainstream'. While such a discussion is not the norm for conventions, it was very informative about a growing problem in our society and how cooking for scratch is a life saver for those of us who have to watch what we eat.

I also attended the Spirituality & Spaceships panel which incorporated God or a higher being into SF/F/H stories and what authors have done this well. It was excellent discussion making both the panelists and audience think.

My last panel was Border Crossing:Non-Western Fantasy. It was made up of panelists all of which were using mythos of cultures that are not the normal medieval European. The moderator had great questions and it was a lively panel talking about why the authors used different cultural backgrounds in their work. I think this the best panel all weekend.

Finally, I did a reading with author Courtney Schafer. We had an audience and afterward we answered questions on our work. I sold three copies of my book 'Winter Awakening' and was complimented by Guest author Ian Tregillis for an excellent reading. I hadn't even realized he was in the audience.

Other outcomes: Got updated from various authors on where they are on their submissions for either 'Different Dragons' or 'Supernatural Colorado'. Some are doing both. Found a back up publisher for 'Supernatural Colorado' just because of the authors I have submitting to it.

Fellow author Julie Campbell and I pitched our collaboration to Carol Hightshoe for WolfSinger Publications. She said, 'When you get it done, I want it.'

Pitched an unfinished novel to Maggie Bonham from Sky Warrior books. After giving me some wonderful feedback, she told me to sent it when it was completed.

Had several folks drop by the WolfSinger table and say, 'When is the sequel to 'Winter Awakening' coming out.' Including my publisher so guess which book gets done next?

Found out 'God's Gift', my next book, will be be coming out either later this year or early next year.

Also, Carol told me she knows I'll be moving on up in the publishing world. First person who has told me that. While it scared me, I'm happy to know that at least someone has faith in my writing.

A lot of writers let me know that I am a wonderful editor and that they love writing for me. Wow! What a great compliment!!!!

All in all, a great weekend and I enjoyed reconnecting with folks I only see maybe once or twice a year. 

Winter Trilogy & Gothic Romance

Over the weekend I added another chapter to Winter Emergence.  I AM going to get that book finished this year. It continues the adventures in Winter Awakening for Mute and Word Warrior plus Nan and Jojo. There's also two human story lines. I'm trying to get the second book done because the main character from the third book Winter Moon is getting very impatient.

I've also discovered a market for Gothic romances, which I have been dying to write. I'm going to revamp one of the stories in the Doll house stories. It'll have all the elements needed. A creepy old house, a mysterious town, a handsome stranger, and two elements I'm going to keep secret. Oh, and let's not forget there are cats, dogs and a bird in the story as well.

Denver Comic Con

I spent the weekend at Denver Comic Con sitting at the WolfSinger Publications table. I'm thankful my publisher agreed to allow me to do this. She even made up a sign that I was there and had an announcement done on Sunday to say I was there.

The outcome was that ten copies of 'Winter Awakening' were sold. Another eight of the two anthologies that I edited 'Time Traveling Coffers' and 'Different Dragons'.

There were several folks who made a point to stop by. A woman and her two children who heard the announcement. A lady I rescued on the light rail. Someone who bought a copy of 'Different Dragons' on Friday night, learned I was there on Saturday and came back on Sunday to have me sign her book. A young lady I had met a Lifeway. And many others.

My most precious moment was when a young adult bought my book and asked to me to take a picture with her. I'd never had that happen and it was a bit of a surprise. But one thing I've learned from many of the pros, always be gracious with your fans and make them the highlight, not yourself.

I did take a bit of time to walk by and see the various film/TV guests. I'm not one to collect celebrities autographs. Richard Hatch was the only exception I've ever made to the rule. I got to say 'Hi' to good friends and fellow authors, David Boop, Peter J. Wacks, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta. And enjoyed the various costumes people wore all the way from infants to those who are more mature.

Will I go back next year! Absolutely!!!!

Feline Companions and Loss

I am owned by cats. I currently have three, two older males and a younger female. While there are times their demand for attention is trying, like when I'm on deadline and editing a manuscript, I have to remind myself their time in my life is brief.

I've already said goodbye to three cats when their time came. Each of them are missed but life moves forward even with their loss. I will soon face the same again with my older boys, one of which his kidney's are failing and the other although healthy, is pretty much deaf and eventually, his health will fail. He's almost eighteen.

I was further reminded of this over the weekend when I visited friends. They have a cat who has mouth cancer and they have already scheduled a day off to take her to their vet and offer the final kindness. They are spending the last two days saying their goodbyes and absolutely spoiling her. They also recently lost one of their other feline companions.

I two, suffered cat losses a year and half apart. I know what they are going through and the mourning they have ahead of them. My two girls are missed, but they live on, at least in spirit, in my book Winter Awakening.

'God's Gift' - Sneak peak

I recently re-read my next to be published novel, 'God's Gift'. It's a very good story about three siblings who find themselves on the last colonization ship to leave Earth before a super volcano erupts. Once they reach their new home they discover not is all as was expected, not to mention an intelligent feline race who first words to the human settlers is, 'God told us you were coming, tell us about His son."

The shocked reaction of the those who first contact the felines and the following events pushes apart the colony, forcing everyone to make a hard decision about what the true future of the colony is or isn't.

Due out hopefully in 2013 from WolfSinger Publications, it is an indirect prequel to my current novel 'Winter Awakening' and a fun spring board into more adventures that will be written in the Five Systems and Borders universe.




Chapter 1

Why does it always rain at funerals like on the holos? Lawrence wondered as he watched the dark cherry casket slowly lowered into the rain soaked ground.  Lightening flashed overhead followed by crackling deafening thunder.  He saw his sister flinch at the noise and he reached over to gently touch her shoulder.  Susanna gave him a grateful smile as tears ran down her pale face.    

Not for the first time, he wondered how God could have been so cruel and taken away the only man who had understood his brilliant sister.  Gary Gates had loved her and been willing to marry her despite all the traveling her career demanded.  Unfortunately, the two had met while she’d been working in London and the rest of the family had not gotten a chance to get to know him very well.

Water dripped over the edge of the black umbrella he held.  Larry shook it glad, because of the damp chill, he’d insisted on wearing his woolen uniform rather than the rented dark suit his mother had tried to convince him was better.  

“Do not mourn as unbelievers do,” the pastor began.

At least this preacher didn’t do the usual ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ speech.   Larry guessed the man must be from a list provided by the funeral home since he didn’t know him from their regular church.

“Rather remember that we have hope, while others do not,”

                                                                                                                    

                                                                                    

Pondering Next Year's Goals

This has been a very busy year. I've had quite a number of short stories published not to mention editing Time Traveling Coffers.

Next year I'm already planning on what my goals should be. Tentatively they will be:

1. Edit Different Dragons. There could be two volumes. Have already talked with publisher about possible release dates not to mention compiling an invite list for the second.

2. Finish Winter Emergence. I have those who have read Winter Awakening wanting to know what happens next.

3. Pitch my romance Worth the Wait. I have a publisher in mind who is searching for books for the over 50 crowd.

5. Pitch a Tween/Young Adult series involving winged cats. I've already informed by two young collaborators I might have found a market for it. They're excited.

6. Several short story submissions. Although, I think I'll slow down a bit in this arena.

7. Shaking, terrified, I'm thinking of pitching a series to either Baen or Tor.

8. Possible collaboration with a fellow writer to see if her vampire hunting dog and my vampire cats might be combined in a story/series.

9. Taking advantage of anything that comes my way.

Now bear in mind, all these goals are in between life, my day job, caring for the cats and my spouse.

Interview for A Flame in the Dark : Monsters!

http://timothycward.com/2012/10/27/coffin-hop-stop-4-dana-bell/

I've had a story accepted for 'A Flame in the Dark: Monsters!' titled 'More Lives'. For today, please to to the above link and read the interview.

'Winter Emergence'

Moth's are tasty kitty treats. I have two cats, Maximillian and Adara who enjoy the nightly chase of miller moths who managed to sneak in the door and flutter around whatever light has attracted them. Watching them bounce around, leap in the air and finally catch their prey, are wonderful reminders of the powerful hunters they are descended from. As I watch them, I am in process of writing the second book in my trilogy, 'Winter Emergence'. It is the human story with sprinklings of what is going on with Word Warrior, Mute, Rowena, Indrani, and many others my readers were introduced to in 'Winter Awakening'. (WolfSinger Publications 2011 - available on Amazon and SmashWords.) My kitty babies inspired my first book and will continue to influence the next two books. So will Gray Momma and her five kittens who inhabited our back yard last summer. They were wild ones we watched and fed. Eventually, we trapped them all and they went off to a good foster home to be tamed so they could eventually be adopted. However, watching her behavior and her kittens gave me a good idea on how cats not familiar with humans would act. This will play a prominent role in my next book.