First Blog of 2014

Only a few more days of break and then back to school on January 8. I’m already working on syllabi, of course, and hope to have them done by the end of the day. Since I no longer allow myself to be overwhelmed with social obligations during the holidays, I tend to be able to relax and do a lot of reading. I finished a number of books, which I have dutifully reviewed on Goodreads.

Two surprises came for me at the end of the year. I made two end-of-the-year lists. I think it may be the first time it’s ever happened to me. And both were lists of ‘good’ things. I know that’s never happened to me. So, for the first blog of the new year, I’m gonna put up a couple of links.

First, over at Adventures Fantastic, Keith West put up a blog entitled “2013: An Assessment.”  How neat it was to see my name about halfway down, and the mention of my 2013 titles “The Machineries of Mars” and “Under the Ember Star.”  Thanks, Keith! Glad you liked ‘em.

Second, on Wednesday, Sandra Seamans posted her “Top Ten Story Picks for 2013” on her blog, and “Eye Spy” by this Charles Gramlich guy popped up.  Wow, that was published way back early on in 2013 and I’d almost forgotten about it. Cool to see that someone remembered it. Thanks, Sandra!

And now, time to run some errands before I get to work on my syllabi. Maybe I’ll grab a burger while I’m out. Hope you are all enjoying a great 2014 so far. 

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On the Writing Front

It’s been a busy school year and I haven’t gotten as much writing done as I’d hoped. That is often the case, however, so is nothing new. I managed to finish a sword and sorcery story over Thanksgiving for a project that I’m sworn to secrecy on. It’s going through my writing group for feedback now.

I was badly knocked for a loop by Robert Reginald’s death. I still think about him every day. I’ve been quite busy, though, which has helped me. I did get some positive news. I’d sent Rob the fourth Talera novel before his death. Everything was pretty much up in the air over that but it now looks like the book, called Wraith of Talera, will be published in 2014. I’m actually looking over the galleys now, although this is also the last week of classes, to be followed by final exams, so I’m being pulled in many directions.

Also, “The Machineries of Mars” did better than I’d feared it would. Not as good as I’d hoped, but you gotta grab the positives where you can. I’d actually made a kind of deal with myself, that if “Machineries” didn’t sell better than “Micro Weird” did I’d just hang it up. Good thing, perhaps, I didn’t have to be tested on that commitment. I don’t know if I could really “quit” anymore anyway. I’ve just been banging my head against writing for too long.

Speaking of “The Machineries of Mars,” I picked up a nice review by Keith West over at the Amazing Stories Blog. Keith also reviewed Tom Doolan’s “The Pirates of Themos.” Both of these stories are tied in to the concept of the Lost Empire of Sol. The review is here if you want to check it out.

There is also a review of "Machineries" over at James Reasoner's blog. Thanks much to him for the kind words.

Now to get the last bits of the school semester dealt with and have some time for writing over the Christmas break. That time is already spoken for with a nonfiction project I need to complete. But maybe I can work in some fiction as well.

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