A Con, An Anthology, and New Directions

Gearing up for Imaginarium next month. This is a new multi-genre con that will focus not only on books but film, comics, art, etc. I got my panels the other day. So far my schedule is:

Friday 7:00 PM The Adaptation (M)Saturday 11:00 AM Plotters vs. PantsersSaturday 12:00 PM Paranormal Romance vs. Urban FantasySaturday 2:00 PM LGBT Themes in FictionSunday 9:00 AM The Newsletter (M)


Apparently, I have reached the point where I've done enough panels that I am now appointed moderator. Not that I haven't moderated before, but it definitely takes a certain skill set and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Also helps if you have panelists who can engage the audience and each other, too. :-)

Well, as the headline indicates, lots going on. Not only have I been "drafted" to moderate panels, I've also been invited to co-author an anthology: Reel Dark. Details below. Please feel free to pass this submission info around. We're still seeking submissions in various genres.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: BlackWyrm Publishing is opening several positions in its spring short fiction anthology for general submissions. We offer professional rates (typically $.05/word, negotiable upon acceptance) for writers qualified to be full members of professional organizations such as the HWA, MWA, RWA, and SFWA; other stories accepted through general submissions receive a flat semi-professional rate of $25. All contributors receive copies. The collection, tentatively titled Reel Dark: Twisted Fantasies Projected on the Flickering Page, focuses on the infection of (prose-fictional or poetic) worlds by movies. We want innovative approaches: if you think endless references to films or characters stepping into or off of the screen is innovative, reconsider submitting. Although the anthology as a whole will be dark in tone, it will speak to a range of audiences interested in horror, science-fiction, fantasy, mystery/suspense, and/or romance (particularly paranormal). Stories should not exceed 3,500 words. Submissions are open now and close November 1, 2014. We intend to launch the collection at the World Horror Convention in May 2015. Submit stories in standard manuscript format viamovieantho@blackwyrm.com .Direct questions about the focus, rates, etc. to Editor-in-Chief L. Andrew Cooper via landrewcooper@blackwyrm.com.  Submissions sent directly to the editor will be deleted unread. Authors accepted or invited to submit may join the group at www.blackwyrm.com/movieantho for more information.

Certainly enough to keep this writer busy and out of trouble. 

Finally, the last bit of news, courtesy of my publisher Lyrical Press. They're now accepting psychological suspense/thrillers. I'm so excited. While I'll still write m/m romance, my heart and soul belong with the suspense genre. It's what I read growing up and what I started writing, along with horror. I'm currently working on a romantic-suspense book and am revising manuscripts long set aside.

The future looks promising.

Monthly Round-up: August 2014

We're over halfway through August already.  Where is this year going?  This means it's time for another report on what I've been up to writing-wise over the last month.

COMING SOON

I now have release dates for both the forthcoming Shara Summers novels.  DEATH SCENE is to be released on 22 September, and DEAD COOL on 25 November.  Though both books are e-book only, they will be available for pre-order through the MuseItUp website.

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

I've made a couple of guest appearances online since the last update. Details below:

13 August - I appeared on Kat Holmes' blog as part of her Summer Bash, talking about cultural displacement.
20 August - I was on Anne Stenhouse's blog with Five Fascinating Facts.  Well, I hope they were fascinating...

Con-wise, I went to the fabulous Geekfest, and had a fine old time.  Next up, FantasyCon in York, which will also be the last Con in my calendar.  At least for this year.  I'm already lining up my Con schedule for next year.

WORK IN PROGRESS

I have made a start on what I will hope be the final rewrite of the new horror novel, which is entitled THE WHISPERING DEATH.  I've worked out what I need to do with this, and feel happy with the way the rewrite is going so far.

September is looking like a horrendously busy month, with a lot of personal and day-job related stuff going on.  But with the release of DEATH SCENE on the horizon, there'll be plenty of writing-related stuff going on as well.  Catch you next month!

What Am I Doing At Geekfest?

It's nearly time for the Nineworlds Geekfest con! Last year was the first time this London-based convention - celebrating all things geeky - ran, and it was a fabulous event. This year sees it a bit more streamlined, but with just as packed a schedule, and I have no doubt it will be just as much fun.

Saturday I and other members of the T Party writers' group will be running an ideas-generating workshop entitled 'How to Beat Writers' Block'. This will be a series of exercises designed to trigger story ideas. Don't really want to say much about it at this stage (spoilers!) but we hope it will inspire people to go away and start writing something. In order for this to work we've limited it to 30 people so if you are attending the Con and fancy it, turn up early - it's on at 3:15 pm in the County A room.

After that I hope I get a chance to catch some panels before I am appearing on one myself - the intriguingly-entitled 'Noir - the Dirty Streets of Fiction' panel at 6:15 pm in County C&D. The only description we've been given of this is a quote from Raymond Chandler: "it seemed like a nice neighbourhood to have bad habits in". I've been thinking about this since I was asked to do the panel and I'm really looking forward to it. With noir finding its way into so many other genres, I think I can find a lot to say on this subject - assuming I don't get tongue-tied from the impressive line-up of Serious Writers on this panel (which include John Connolly, Will Hill, Daniel Polansky and Francis Knight).

I am also quite impressed with the Con's online schedule app, which not only allows each Con-goer to highlight individual sessions to create their own personal programme, but allows participants to see all of their activities all at once (here's mine).

There's also going to be a table for independent authors and small presses in the dealer room, so I shall take along a pile of SOUL SCREAMS to (hopefully) sell.

If you're at Geekfest do come and say hello - it's going to be a Con to remember.

Fandom Fest "Four" the Win!

(Cross-posted)

Authors Melissa Goodman and Amy McCorkle

Wow! I can't believe this was my fourth year at Fandom Fest. Over that time, I've met some wonderful artists, authors, editors, and publishers.

This year I participated on two panels: "Stephen King" and "Grimm Fairy Tales to Disney Character Evolutions." In both panels the audience interacted with the panelists, which made for some interesting and thought-provoking discussions.

What made this year special was I had a print book for sale. All other years, I handed out swag - postcards, pens, trading cards, etc. I still had free promo, and I even made a sale because someone saw my display. So that was pretty cool.

And the print book? I brought five copies of The Ripper's Daughter (my leftover stock from previous book signings), and sold all five. Also sold a copy at the BlackWyrm Publishing table, making it six altogether. I know, it doesn't sound like a lot, but I'm still happy. Yes, it's the little things. LOL

Had a great time with fellow authors and friends, Missy Goodman and Amy McCorkle, and a special shout out to Stephen Zimmer, who helped organize the literary track.

Overall, Fandom Fest proved to be quite a successful year. Looking forward to Imaginarium this September.