Moving Along and Getting Back in Business

I have months of blog entries written, but haven't had the time or energy to post any of them. I'm numb and in a fog after being up, up, up for so long. I lapse into these moments where I see or remember some moment with Daddy and either burst into tears (very unlike me) or stare into space for an hour lost in thought. Here is one reminiscence, if you're interested. Going back to work helped me focus on something and my co-workers fed me tea, cookies, and strategically distributed hugs. OMG, Madeleines are just what you need for sinful, buttery comfort. While I've been silent, I have been working on keeping promises I made as well as getting ready for Taos Toolbox, which begins on July 10. Boulevard of Bad Spells and Broken Dreams is half way there. Thanks to the writing odyssey on the DSDB group I've got 50K words so far, and my early readers have been very encouraging. I am thrilled with the way it's turning out. Two agents I pitched at Fiction Fest have already asked to see it, but I will wait until the pros at TT weigh in. Today was day three of the Romance Writers of America National Convention in New York City. I have already met up with several friends for the luncheons and am looking forward to some drinks with Deborah Blake and other members of Creativity Cauldron tomorrow. I pitched Someday I'm Going to Write a Book: Diary of an Urban Missionary (I know its a romance writers convention but the agent with whom I was scheduled represents nonfiction and my paranormal romances are already under consideration with three agents from Connecticut Fiction Fest). Today's agent was very enthusiastic about it and I'll be sending out the proposal and first two chapters to her before I disappear into the mountains of New Mexico. Best of luck to OWW buddy Amy Raby who is a Golden Heart Finalist. I've read the opening of Assassin's Gambit, and it's wonderful. I'll be at the awards ceremony, Amy Check out my latest reviews: For Tangent Online: Tales From the Ur-Bar, edited by Benjamin Tate and Patricia Bray, which contains two stories on my Tangent Reviewer Recommended List (by Tregellis and Kessler). For The Portal: Strange Horizons, April and May, 2011, which is, as always, chock full of the odd and experimental tempered with a reprint by the incomparable, unclassifiable Carol Emshwiller. I promise to check in when I can.

What I'm Thankful For Today

Turkey in A Nest by Maya Virzi, class 3-204.

Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating. And for those who aren't, this traditional American holiday provides us Yanks an opportunity to focus on what we're thankful for rather than complain about what we don't have.

I'm really lucky. First off, I have my health and my family, without which nothing else matters. I have a job, a house, a wonderful husband, three happy, healthy kids, a big sloppy hound, and a sassy cat who sleeps on my feet every night. If you're interested there is more on the personal things, and an excerpt of Someday I'm Going to Write a Book: Diary of an Urban Missionary here.

Writing wise, I also have a lot to be thankful for. Progress along the path to publication, wonderful literary friends and partners on several groups and loops, and a bunch of editors who've been generous with advice, support, and venues for me to prove myself. Writers Eugie Foster, Michaela Roessner, Marta Randall, Mary Buckham, Margie Lawson, and Ana Maria Spagna who truly taught me everything I know about how to write and give me encouragement to keep going.

So to all my friends and followers, crit partners, group mates, soul mates I am thankful for YOU today. There are too many names to list here, but you know who you are.

If you've noticed my absence, well this month has been quite busy--and trying.

Please visit and "like"my writing and professional Facebook Fan Pages.

The Widow's Walk (paranormal romance novel/sequel) is almost done! Look for it on the newly expanded Critters and OWW soon. Anticiworkshoppers, no snitching about the first draft.

Boulevard of Bad Spells and Broken Dreams (first book in my urban fantasy series) is fully plotted, outlined, and research is completed.

My alter ego has completed final edits and marketing of the novella. Now it's time to enjoy the release party. Email me for an invite.

Reviews have been posted on Tangent Online and The Portal.

Submissions:

To Wordrunner E-chapbooks: Six excerpts of Someday I'm Going to Write a Book
To Alimentum: "Artichokes," a tribute to Grandma Clo, who died 11/18/99 leaving a big hole in my life--and my heart.

To agents:

Requested proposal for Someday I'm Going to Write a Book
Requested partial of Unfinished Business

And I'm very thankful that only one (so far) was a lovely, personalized rejection.

The Portal has Opened!

The Portal has made its debut at the World Fantasy Convention, and my review of Strange Horizons is in the starting lineup. I’m really excited about being involved with this new venture, since it will eventually include the often overlooked semi pro zines, as well as a wide range of fiction published in languages other than English.

Here’s the official announcement from Editor-in Chief, Val Grimm:

The inaugural issue of The Portal, an international online review of
short-form science fiction, fantasy, and horror, is now live at
http://sffportal.net/.

It includes contributions from Elizabeth Allen, Alex Donald, Miguel
Esquirol, Fábio Fernandes , David Hebblethwaite, Annaïg Houesnard, Stig W. Jørgensen, Leonid Korogodski, Knud Larn, Marlin May, Carole Moleti,
and Alison Sinclair, and coverage of Sybil's Garage, Shimmer, Strange
Horizons, Bull Spec, F&SF, and Ideomancer, as well as a magazine from
Russia, collections from Brazil and Denmark, and overviews of the
French, Bolivian, and Danish SF/F scenes.

If you happen to be at the World Fantasy Convention in Columbus, Ohio
this weekend, there'll be a launch party at 10PM/22H Saturday night
hosted by our Editor-in-Chief, Val Grimm. Look for signs around the
convention.

If you are interested in contributing, please contact us at
the sffportal@gmail.com.

Check it out!