Thursday, June 16, 2011

Fiction by the Numbers & Other Tales

My story Taking Leave found its way to Fiction365. Yes, everyone now and then I like to sneak a literary piece into the aether (and the occasional odd poem). Fear not. I’m still a genre writer-- so get ready to buy new novel when (dare I say if?) it comes out. My short story, Chronology, will soon be making its web debut in Chaos Theory: Tales Askew. It has already appeared in the M-Brane SF, a magazine I can’t gush over enough. It’s helmed by Christopher Fletcher who puts out a sleek product. Keep an eye on this guy, he’s a growing force in the SF community.

My S4F June contribution to the Abandoned Towers Magazine blog is numeric in nature. Its title, Fiction by the Numbers, is a dead giveaway that there be numbers in dem dar hills. The brief article includes science-fied numbers which can be used to add verisimilitude to a writer’s science fiction. Because, AS I KEEP SAYING, in SF it’s important to minimize the number lies you tell about science. Exaggeration on the other hand is encouraged. The more truth you include the more enhanced the fiction component will be.

Monday, June 06, 2011

A Great Time was had by All

I'm back from the Philadelphia's premiere writers conference. Yes, I'm talking about the 63rd annual Philadelphia Writers Conference. As always, I was blown away by the creativity of the conferees, the knowledge and nurturing of the workshop leaders, and the camaraderie—especially from a group of people who have devoted themselves to such solo arts.

Except for the poets... nothing solo about them... they cluster in crazy groups spouting Yeats. Maybe the "crazy" part comes from my bias as a fiction writer, but it doesn't mean I'm wrong!

I promise that the fact the conference coincided with Philadelphia's Beer Week was pure coincidence. A happy one. Kismet.

A special shout out goes to my fellow board members for all their hard work and making everything perfect. Great job Eileen (our leader-and-chief).

To all the great writers I got to meet this year, feel free to get in touch with me. I miss you guys already. If you want to stay connected with the PWC join us on facebook.

I would also like to congratulate James Kemper, a member of a writers group I lead. He won three awards for his writing including a fully funded scholarship to next year's conference.

Gadget