Supernatural Colorado story order (Tentative)

This week has been spent finishing up edits for Supernatural Colorado. Wasn't quite as challenging as I thought it was going to be. I edited four stories over the weekend and one on Tuesday evening. Now I'm waiting for the edits to come back in as well as bios from my authors.

Here's the list of stories, authors and the 'critter' they wrote about. 

Supernatural Colorado Story Order (Tentative)

 

Shadows of Deceased Ghosts : David Boop - Indian God

Wicker Children : Lynn Donovan - Vampire

The Other Cemetery : Frank Luke - Fairies

Guardian : J. A. Campbell - Unicorn

Grubstake : Guy Anthony DeMarco -Zombies, sort of

Cave of Sorrows : Carol Hightshoe - Indian ghost

Montague Plistiblick’s Snipe Hunt : Quincy Allen - Werewolf

Pookie the Pooka: R. Joseph Maas - Pooka

Rainmaker : Becky Kyle - Rainmaker

Thank you, Thad : Susan MacDonald - Mummy

Into the Home : Darla Upchurch - Tommyknocker

Tracking Old Moses : James Sams - Bear

Catharsis at Steamboat Springs :  Chris Barker - Yeti

Abandoned: Kessie Carroll - Alien

Entity : Todd Nelson - Ted Bundy

Find of a Lifetime : Dana Bell - Merpeople

The Vengeance of Felipe Espinosa : Pamela Nihiser - Headless Horseman

The Rocky Flats Fiasco : Peter Wacks - Rubber Duckie

 

Sunday I'll be putting together the final version and sending off to my publisher, Written World Communications. 

Then, on to my next anthology editing project.

Blog Hop

 

 

 Fellow Writer Kat Heckenbach invited me to be part of a blog hop. http://www.katheckenbach.com/. Please, check out her blog and see her answers on the following questions.

 

 

 1)      What am I working on? 

I'm a writer who has to have several projects going on at once. I'm editing two anthologies, Supernatural Colorado  and Different Dragons 2. Completing Winter Emergence, the sequel to my first book. I'm working on a collaboration with Julie Campbell and I will writing a book for Sky Warrior Books. The working title is Thunks in the Attic. Not to mention several short stories to submit to various anthologies.

 

 2)       How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I allow my cats to be cats, my wolves to be wolves and any other animal I write to be true to their nature. They aren't people in animal skin. They behaviors, sense of smell, etc. are used instead of how a human would view it. I've even crawled around on the floor to see it from the cat's perspective.

 

I'm also a regional writer. I add local flavor to my work. Many of my stories and books are based in Colorado, or other places I have been. It makes the stories much more real and the reader can identify with them much easier.

 

3)       Why do I write what I do?

I grew up reading Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, so it was natural progression. I also read romances and written my first. It was rejected, but the editor liked it well enough she's going to let me know what was wrong with it so I can fix and re-submit.

 

I envisioned myself as the next Andre Norton. I loved her work and even have a story of hers in an anthology I edited. Talk about a dream come true!

 

4)       How does your writing process work?

I allow myself to writer the splat. Then I go back to fix it. What's important is to get the basic story down. It doesn't need to be perfect. I also write in odd bits of time. Sometimes it's every day, sometimes it's just whenever.

I always have more story ideas floating around in the back of my head. Several series I'm working on even while I'm trying to complete current projects.

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. 

Not Much Getting Done

Most of my week has been centered around cleaning up around the house or work. Yes, I do have a day job. I've also been watching my favorite Science Fiction shows, Defiance, Warehouse 13, Continuum, Primeval New World and Falling Skies. I'm also rewatching Terra Nova on DVD.

My one writing victory was to get my part of the collaboration with Julie Campbell done and off to her to add the next section. We're running a bit behind on it but both us have other things going on in our lives. Not to mention the wonderful warm weather just makes one want to go out and bathe in the sun rather than type away on the computer.

I'm also on the list of participating authors for MileHiCon. Got their update email with all the exciting panels and events that are planned.

The WorldCon in San Antonio, TX is right around the corner but finances prevent me from attending. Am waiting to see where the one in 2015 is with Spokane, WA, Orlando, FL and somewhere in Finland in the running. Kansas City, MO has a bid in for 2016...so far.

While I'm trying to finish this, there's a tiny paw on my leg begging for attention. Adara likes to sit on my lap and groom my arm. Unfortunately, it is just too hot, so she went to bother one of the male cats, who just wants to sleep. He ignored her so she is off to get into mischief.

Guess I'd better go check on her.

What Works

Blogs done. Check.

Sometimes, this is the only writing I get done. But writing is writing - no matter what form it takes.

Part One on Collaboration done. Check. Sent to Collaborator. Check.

I spent part of Memorial Day writing my part of the collaboration I'm currently working on with fellow writer Julie Campbell. We're running slightly behind on our soft deadline, but considering winter hung on for a bit longer than normal and both of us are wanting to be outside to enjoy the beautiful weather, that's completely understandable.

Yeah, I know, the pros tell you to write everyday and sometimes, that works. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes, the only time that is available is on weekends, or a half hour before you have to get ready for work or maybe in the middle of night.

It's all about - what works for you - the writer.

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.

Signings - not what most think they are

Saturday I had a signing at the Denver County Fair along with fellow authors David Boop, Julie Campbell and David Riley. We didn't sell many books but we did network, visit with friends who dropped by to support us and talked with potential new readers. 

Afterward, I wandered the fair with my spouse, bought some new clothes then drove home in the rain.

Monday, I went to another signing, mostly to support my fellow writers, at Fireside Books and Coffee in Englewood. I had a great time networking, meeting folks I only know on my Facebook, actually bought a book, and sought submissions for 'Different Dragons', my next anthology project.

My next project - write a ghost story for an anthology that David Riley is editing.