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Posts Tagged ‘Publishing’

My Final Schedule for Illogicon 2014

No Comments » Written on January 8th, 2014 by
Categories: News
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The boarding passes have been printed, the house sitter has been shown where to sit, and the dogs have been told we’re really just stepping out for a few hours and will be right back. But in reality, come the morning sun my wife and I will be on our way to Raleigh, NC, where I have the privilege of being on of the Guests of Honor at Illogicon III.

Here now is my updated and complete schedule:

Friday, January 10th

2:00 p.m. | Smith | Opening Ceremonies
Join us as we kick things off and the convention chair gives Mary Robinette Kowal and I the keys to the city (or something like that).

4:00 p.m. | Reynolds | The Fortunes of Small Press
The standard joke goes like this: Want to make a small fortune with a small press? Easy, start with a large fortune! But once you get past the jokes, what’s involved in actually starting your own press?
Betty Cross, Bill Ferris, Samuel Montgomery-Blinn, Ed Schubert, and me

9:00 p.m. | Reynolds | Lies With Words
The panelists are given a list of obscure and/or obsolete words in advance. One person has the true meaning and the others compose false definition of each words, long or short, simple or complex, as they please. Can the audience tell which is which? Points are Awarded to each panelist for every audience member who buys into his/her lie.
Bill Ferris, Gray Rinehart, Ed Schubert, Mark Van Name, Michael Williams, are the panelists, and I’m the Host!

Saturday, January 11th

10:00 a.m. | Crescent | Reading
Come and hear me read a tale of the Amazing Conroy. One lucky attendee will leave with his/her/hir own plush buffalito! I’ll also talk a bit about my new book coming from Tor. Also, this would also be a good time to bring me things to sign.

12:00 p.m. | Smith | Social Scientists’ Science Fiction
There’s no shortage of science fiction written by authors with Ph.D.s in the “hard sciences” (biology, chemistry, physics), and their expertise show up in everything from world building to alien physiology. But what about authors with doctorates in Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics, Economics, and so on? Is the SF experience redefined when it comes from social scientists instead?
Bill Ferris, Samuel Montgomery-Blinn, Gray Rinehart, Michael Williams, and me

3:00 p.m. | Smith | You Are Getting Sleepy
A few words about common misperceptions of hypnosis (as maintained by media and popular culture), what doesn’t work, and what does, and maybe even a brief demonstration.
This is just me, but soon you too will be part of my army of hypnotized minions.

Sunday, January 12th

1:00 p.m. | Reynolds | Fuck the Universal Translator!
(I can’t believe they let me put “Fuck” in the panel name). A rant about the many reasons why the aliens will not show up speaking perfect English, and other examples of linguistic laziness by science fiction authors.
Bill Ferris, Chris Ross, and me

7:00 p.m. || Closing Ceremonies
A tired (but happy!) con staff gathers to thank everyone for an amazing weekend (and make us give back the key to the city).

That’s my schedule, and right about now you should be asking yourself one question: Who is Bill Ferris and why is he on every panel that I’m on?

Also joining me at the convention will be Barry (my personal, plush buffalito). As I’ve mentioned before, his Facebook page needs more photos, so be sure to pose with him this weekend.

My Preliminary Illogicon III Schedule

No Comments » Written on December 31st, 2013 by
Categories: News
Tags: , , , ,

I like the idea of closing out 2013 by telling you about something I’ll be doing in 2014. In just over a week, my wife and I will be traveling down to Raleigh, NC, where I have the privilege of being on of the Guests of Honor at Illogicon III.

I’m still not clear on who my co-panelists are on some of what follows, but I do feel pretty confident about the topics and times, and that should be enough to get you started. As more information comes in, I’ll update this with the names of actual rooms and people, greatly enhancing your chance of finding me and being ready for whoever else might be there:

Friday, January 10th

2:00 p.m. || Opening Ceremonies
Join us as we kick things off and the convention chair gives Mary Robinette Kowal and I the keys to the city (or something like that).

5:00 p.m. || The Fortunes of Small Press
The standard joke goes like this: Want to make a small fortune with a small press? Easy, start with a large fortune! But once you get past the jokes, what’s involved in actually starting your own press?

9:00 p.m. || Lies With Words
The panelists are given a list of obscure and/or obsolete words in advance. One person has the true meaning and the others compose false definition of each words, long or short, simple or complex, as they please. Can the audience tell which is which? Points are Awarded to each panelist for every audience member who buys into his/her lie.

Saturday, January 11th

10:00 a.m. || Reading
Come and hear me read a tale of the Amazing Conroy. One lucky attendee will leave with his/her/hir own plush buffalito! I’ll also talk a bit about my new book coming from Tor. Also, this would also be a good time to bring me things to sign.

12:00 p.m. || Social Scientists’ Science Fiction
There’s no shortage of science fiction written by authors with Ph.D.s in the “hard sciences” (biology, chemistry, physics), and their expertise show up in everything from world building to alien physiology. But what about authors with doctorates in Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics, Economics, and so on? Is the SF experience redefined when it comes from social scientists instead?

3:00 p.m. || You Are Getting Sleepy
A few words about common misperceptions of hypnosis (as maintained by media and popular culture), what doesn’t work, and what does, and maybe even a brief demonstration.
This is just me, but soon you too will be part of my army of hypnotized minions.

Sunday, January 12th

1:00 p.m. || Fuck the Universal Translator!
(I can’t believe they let me put “Fuck” in the panel name). A rant about the many reasons why the aliens will not show up speaking perfect English, and other examples of linguistic laziness by science fiction authors.

7:00 p.m. || Closing Ceremonies
A tired (but happy!) con staff gathers to thank everyone for an amazing weekend.

And of course, Barry (my personal, plush buffalito) will be with me. His Facebook page needs more photos, so be sure to pose with him for during the convention.

First Glimpse and Quite Possibly Final Philcon 2013 Schedule

No Comments » Written on October 31st, 2013 by
Categories: News
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Philcon

The fine folks at Philcon sent out program assignments today, a full eight days before the convention is to start. This may not seem impressive to some of you, but it’s a vast improvement over last year’s state of affairs.

I’ll be day tripping in from my home (which also isn’t exactly in Philadelphia, but is at least in PA) and only showing up on Friday and Saturday. You’re on your own for Sunday. Currently, all of my programming is set for Saturday as follows:

Saturday, November 9th

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Executive Suite 623 | Reading
Update! This just in: I will be joined during this hour by the brilliant Fran Wilde. That’s right, people, TWO readings for the price of one!

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.| Autograph Table | Signing
I’ll be sitting alongside Tom Doyle, handing out postcards for a free novella, and signing such things as you bring me

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Plaza IV | – Planning to write a series
If you don’t plan, you may come up with a really neat idea in book 5 which is unfortunately inconsistent with the first four books. How can you keep it interesting and not get tied to your outline.
with Tom Doyle (mod), Danielle Ackley-McPhail, D.H. Aire, Gail Z. Martin, and me.

8:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Plaza IV | – Expanding a short story into a novel
How do you turn a short work into a longer work without just simply padding. What are proper ways to expand a story
with Steve Miller (mod), Sharon Lee, Mike McPhail, and me.

And of course, Barry will be with me for much of the convention, eagerly hoping you’ll ask to pose for a photograph with him.

Semi-Final Capclave 2013 Schedule

No Comments » Written on September 16th, 2013 by
Categories: News
Tags: , , , , ,

The fine folks at Capclave have posted their program schedule here. Here’s what I know regarding my own small piece of it:

Friday, October 11th
5:00 – 5:25 p.m. | Frederick | Reading
Since it’s up for the WSFS small press award, I’ll probably read from my short story, “Coca Xocalatl.”

Saturday, October 12th
10:00 – 10:55 a.m. | Salon A | Moving Beyond the Small Press
A look at how small presses in the age of the eReaders – where anyone can be a publisher – have their limits, and what to do when you’ve hit them. There is also the additional pressure of performing on a higher level. Listen to panelists describe what to do when you have plateaued with your own independent publisher, and what lies ahead if or when you step up to corporate publishers.
With Philippa Ballantine (M), Ron Garner, and Michael A. Ventrella.

1:00 – 1:55 p.m.| Author’s Hallway | Author’s Table (M)
I’ll be here for nearly an hour, with an assortment of books from Paper Golem, hanging out chatting, signing things if you have things for me to sign, and so forth.
Me and Barry.

3:00 – 3:55 p.m.| Salon A | Life and Death of the Shared Universe
Why did these become so popular? What about Wildcards and others made them survive? Can the Internet revive this form? Or is its demise a victory of art over commercialization?
With Iver Cooper (M), Meriah Lysistrata Crawford, Bob Greenberger, and Annette Klause.

7:30 – 8:25 p.m.| Salon A – E | Mass Signing
The Saturday evening mass autographing session with *everyone*.

8:30 – 9:25 p.m.| Salon A – E | Awards Reception and Presentation
For the second year in a row, I’m up for the WSFS Small Press Award. Will this be my year? Who knows?

Sunday, October 13th
9:00 a.m. – 9:55 a.m. | Rockville/Potomac | Agents and You
Agents are very important to authors. Sometimes you have a great match from the beginning, other times the situation changes. Hear the experiences of authors at different stages in their careers.
With Tom Doyle, Emmie Mears, and Michael Swanwick. Oh, and I’m moderating.

10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. | Salons CDE | Hand Waving or Sci-fantasy?
Many classic Science Fiction authors didn’t spend a lot of time describing the technology or science of their futures. Things worked, but if you look more closely, they may not make sense. Today authors still use this technique. Is this a legitimate form of science fiction or lazy writing? Have the standard furniture of sf — the FTL drive and time machine — become so common the author does not need to explain them, just use them for a story? Do all the details and the scientific equations get in the way?
With David Bartell, D. Douglas Fratz, Inge Heyer, and Jamie Todd Rubin. And again I’ll be moderating.

Of course the convention is still nearly four weeks away, and it’s likely there’ll be some changes to the schedule. I’ll keep you posted.

Now It Can Be Told!

No Comments » Written on August 3rd, 2013 by
Categories: News
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Down around Baltimore, MD this weekend is the S.F. Media convention known as Shore Leave. It’s a particularly rambunctious event this time around as they have both William Shatner and Brent Spiner appearing.

I went down yesterday to be part of the mass signing and book release of the third volume in the ReDeus shared universe series (ReDeus: Native Lands), which I posted about yesterday. That bit ran from 10:00 pm to midnight, and then we all adjourned to the bar for a couple hours until closing time. I drove home and managed to crawl into bed at about 4:00 a.m. today.

But that’s not what today’s post is about.

Prior to the 10:00 signing, there was a program item at 9:00 featuring Marco Palmieri and Greg Cox, two editors at Tor Books. They did a presentation of some recent and upcoming titles from Tor. Near the end, Marco made a little announcement. I had planned to hold off sharing this news publicly until such time as the ink on all the paperwork had dried, but apparently my editor and my agent agreed it was fine. So…

*** insert trumpets here ***

I am very pleased to announce that Tor Books is buying a novel from me. Despite my having published four books through Hadley Rille Books, a small press out of Kansas City, Tor considers me a “debut author.” That’s fine. And while I’ve been very pleased with the my relationship with Eric Reynolds of HRB, going from a small press to the largest publisher of SF in the country is a jump of one or more orders of magnitude in nearly all ways.

And because I’m now finishing up a book for a major publisher, I needed to have a proper agent to handle all the pesky details of contracts that weren’t based on a simple handshake. After far more choices than I probably deserve, I’m delighted to say I am now represented by John Silbersack of the Trident Media Group.

Or to put it another way: this changes everything in my life. It’s the opportunity I’ve been working toward for about two decades, and I’m grabbing hold of it with both hands!

The rest of 2013 is going to be a wild ride. The finished manuscript is due in New York at the beginning of February, and personally I’d like to get it in a month early. Other plans are being reviewed, reorganized, re-evaluated (and in some instances, rejected) as my priorities shift to put this front and center. So if I seem even busier and harder to get ahold of for the rest of the year, this is why.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and put my ass back in the chair and hammer out some more words.

March 2013 Ebook Short – “Gift Time”

No Comments » Written on March 22nd, 2013 by
Categories: Plugs
Tags: , , ,

I’ve been somewhat lax in my original plan to release as an ebook at least one previously published short story every month. Then again, February really beat the crap out of me. And besides, none of you called me on it, so too late. I claim diplomatic immunity, or take the fifth, or invoke the statute of limitations, or simply stand here with my hands on my ears and chanting “Nyah, nyah, nyah, I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you.”

Ahem.

Gift Time

Meanwhile, the eldritch forces responsible for such things have cleared my latest upload, “Gift Time,” and you can now find it available for your e-reading delight in mobi format (favored by Kindle readers the world over) at Amazon.com, and in ePub format (favored by even more, non-proprietary readers throughout the galaxy) at BN.com.

Hadley Rille Books originally published this story in their anthology Barren Worlds, edited by Eric T. Reynolds with Adam Nakama and Rob Darnell. I don’t want to give too much away (it is only a short story after all), but I can tell offer you this as a teaser:

Somewhere in the city of Chiago, a man visits the storage unit he rents to house his collection of time machines. Where do they all come from? And of all possible dates, why does he choose his birthday to drop by?

“Gift Time” runs a bit under 2400 words. It’s a quick read, and like all of my ebook shorts it’s only a buck. I hope you like it.

More Ebook Shorts

No Comments » Written on January 7th, 2013 by
Categories: Plugs
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I put up a couple more ebook short stories a day ago:

“Thinking” was originally published in 2006 in ÆON Magazine #8. It’s a fun short about a kid in school taking one of those “life placement” kinds of tests, when the testing page begins to act a bit… strange.

“The Wrestler and the Spear Fisher” is both older and newer. Older in that I wrote it ages ago, but it never found a home until 2010, when it came out in The Stories in Between as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of Between Books, a wonderful independent bookstore in Claymont, Delaware. This one’s another rare occasion where I wrote a bit of dark fantasy.

I should also note that since I’m slowly working through my inventory of short stories and making them available as ePub and mobi files, I’ve added an Ebooks page to my website with handy links to each and every story that’s available. My first novel is listed there too, and as soon as the proof reader works her way through the other books, they’ll show up on that page too.

If you’re feeling inclined to acquire one (or more) of these ebooks, I encourage you to use the links on this page. They go through an affiliate program and while it doesn’t change your cost one whit, I get a couple extra pennies on each one. And hey, those pennies add up!

Thinking The Wrestler and the Spear Fisher
Kindle (mobi) | Nook (ePub) Kindle (mobi) | Nook (ePub)
     

Some Early 2013 Ebook Shorts

No Comments » Written on January 2nd, 2013 by
Categories: Plugs
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2013 is going to be the year of ebook publishing for me (it may be other things too, but that’s how I’m starting out).

On January 1st, I put up six short stories as $1.00 ebooks on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. They cleared through processing some time over night and they’re all now available.

Here are the six covers:

The Sky's The Limit
Pidgin
Mars Needs Baby Seals

The Game of Leaf and Smile
The Moment
Bidding the Walrus

Clicking on any of the cover images above will take you to the appropriate page at Amazon.

For the rest of the world (including me) that uses the ePub format to read on their phones or tablets, here are the respective links over at Barnes & Noble:

      “The Sky’s The Limit” || “Pidgin” || “Mars Needs Baby Seals
      “The Game of Leaf and Smile” || “The Moment” || “Bidding the Walrus

I don’t know what, if anything, will come of this. I’ve been wanting to get more of my work out there in ebook form, and I’m of the school of thought that says if you just give it away for free people will assume it’s crap. That said, I will probably set up some kind of rotation in which some one of these will be free for a week or two, at any given point in time.

And, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that making the covers was kind of fun, and a great way to decompress from the stresses of the past week.