Split Legend

Shaun (left) and me … When I worked for the University of Kansas, helping families and their children get acclimated to college life … we called this session, “Holding on and letting go …”

June 7 (my 40th birthday coincidentally) marked the end of an era. No. It had nothing to do with me or any odd behavior on my part because I’ve reached mid-life. Yet, it was the end of a period for Adventures in Scifi Publishing.

Shaun Farrell, the show’s creator, stepped down after seven years of podcasting magic. Now, the show will carry on (and continue to be well-produced I might add) under the caring leadership of new Executive Producer Timothy C. Ward.

But I do want to thank … need to thank … Shaun for the show he created. [click to continue…]

“Restoration Saturdays” will include prior blog posts that are still relevant but recently lost to my own stupidity (i.e. not backing up my database). I know. I know.

Here it is: The concept cover for my interactive novelette project, “Benandanti’s Belle.” Looks lovely, doesn’t it? The credit goes to my two graphic designer friends that I’m working with on this fun, rewarding project.

I first talked about the project publicly in May 2012 when I joined my cohorts in crime from Adventures in SciFi Publishing on the AudioTim podcast.

In short, our li’l project team will be creating an electronic book that integrates photography and other multimedia. The overall goal is to see whether we can use these tools to complement the story without ruining the immersive quality – something I’m told can’t be done.

[click to continue…]

How do you capture the goings-on of a speculative fiction convention in a single post? You don’t.

ConQuest, as always, was a fabulous time. Caught up with old friends, met new. Apparently, there was record attendance this year. With literary titans such George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, the Nielsen Haydens and more, who would expect less.

I thought the programming was spectacular this year, and that had nothing to do with me participating. I generally judge the programming by how deeply conflicted I am on what session to attend. And that happened often.

Of the three panels I moderated, all had a guest of honor attached, so you know the conversation would be lively. The panels also were cool because the “Worldbuilding” and “Books on Tour” conversations had a neo-pro or newly published author slant. Patrick Rothfuss took part in those two panels, and if you’ve not heard him chat live, it’s worth the price of admission — he’s equally thoughtful and engaging.

In fact, the panels were so interesting that I’m going dedicate separate blog posts to each over the next couple of weeks.

John Picacio’s (Lone Boy) Loteria cards

Another highlight was having John Picacio at the convention. I could listen to him talk about his artistic process all day. Even though I’d seen it before at Bubonicon, I had to see his slideshow — and I told anyone who would listen that they needed to do the same.

I also interviewed John for Adventures in SciFi Publishing (in the meantime, listen to our interview with him from a few years back). Based on what I saw at the con (and the story I heard behind them, which we’ll discuss in the forthcoming interview), his Loteria cards are off the chain. For now, you can learn more at his site. [click to continue…]

I know. I know. I’ve been offline for several months. After jumping back on social media, several people have sent me notes telling me that they were glad to see me alive.

Well, if you want to see me in the flesh at ConQuest … here you go (though there are much cooler people to see at ConQuest than me, namely Patrick Rothfuss, George RR Martin, John Picacio and Teresa Nielsen Hayden to name a few):

ConQuest 44 (and pre) schedule (All times CT):

Thursday

4 p.m. — TolkienQuest at Prospero’s Parkside Books 208B NW Highway 7, Blue Springs, Missouri 64014

Unfortunately, I may only be here early, but plenty of my friends are participating in some pre-ConQuest Tolkien fun. The event includes games, Tolkien trivia, readings and $200 in prizes. It’s free and open to the public.

Friday

3 p.m. — Theme’d for your pleasure podcast [click to continue…]

“You gotta play this game with fear and arrogance,” said Crash Davis to baseball prodigy Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh in one of my all-time favorite movies, Bull Durham.

But trust me, you can overdo it — on both counts simultaneously — too. The trick is striking the perfect balance.

Of late, fear has consumed me. [click to continue…]