Friday, March 28, 2014

Clarion West Class of 2014

Long story short, one week ago today, I received the call offering me a spot in this year's Clarion West class. Of course I accepted. Of course.

Some of you know how much this means to me already. For those who don't, well I will tell you. Clarion West is a six-week intensive workshop for writers of speculative fiction--fantasy, science-fiction, and horror. The program only accepts 18 students each year. Each week a different instructor--a professional writer or editor type--comes in and leads the class. Each week each student writes a story, and each week each student critiques all of the other students' stories.

In addition to the heavy workload, there are socializing opportunities, readings you can attend, the occasional party, and all the while, the students live in the same housing and try to keep up with the workload.

This was my third time applying. I really, really wanted to attend. So to be able to share that it's actually happening, can be expressed in just about any happy-making cliché ever. If you're wondering I'm partial to "over the moon."

I look forward to meeting my classmates, reading the instructors' stories, and being there, immersed in writing and critiquing and learning for six overwhelming weeks.

Before the program starts in June, I still have to deliver three more audiobooks so I'll be keeping pretty busy. My first novel length audiobook has been approved by all parties and is in the process of going on sale as I type this. I'll announce it more formally when the audiobook finishes propagating to iTunes and Amazon, but here's a sneak peek at Audible for Jack Night's "The Dead of Winter." There's even an audio sample if you're curious.

So that's it. That's my news. I hope you'll all follow along with me on this new crazy adventure.

Saturday, March 08, 2014

Beneath Ceaseless Skies Podcast

I neglected to mention, and I should have mentioned, in my last post that I also narrated a story for Beneath Ceaseless Skies: "Pilgrims" by Ann Chatham. The whole podcast runs about 27 minutes and the mp3 is available to download or stream.

Beneath Ceaseless Skies is a great market for fiction, one of my favorites. Their focus is on literary adventure fantasy in secondary world settings. You can read their stories for free online or for a small subscription fee ($13.99 for the year, as of this posting) have issues delivered to your eReader: subscribe to BCS here.

Friday, March 07, 2014

Cool News

Some cool news.

First, I narrated "Heaven Is A Place On Planet X" by Desirina Boskovich for THE END IS NIGH, the first of three anthologies on the subject of the apocalypse, edited by John Joseph Adams and Hugh Howey. You can listen to the story for free (or download the mp3) at the Drabblecast. Runs an hour.

You guys, this is seriously cool. And an awesome story. I understand that this narration will be included in the audiobook version of this anthology later. But if you'd rather buy a physical or digital copy now, you can buy the anthology at Amazon. I also narrated a story by Jake Kerr called "Wedding Day," for THE END IS NIGH. And I can't wait to share that one as well.

Second, I have a brand new story, "Arkquarium," that will be included in an anthology that's being funded through Kickstarter: THAT AIN'T RIGHT -- A LOVECRAFTIAN-THEMED ANTHOLOGY. The publisher even did an author spotlight on me. So, if you're moved to contribute, there's still about a week left to back this project. One of the backer rewards is a narration of a short story of up to 5,000 words by me.

Third, the first project I've narrated through ACX is now on sale: Hand of Fire: Battle for Magic. I'm really pleased about that. I am also currently narrating a horror novel that's due in about a week and a half to the author.

Fourth, the next "Podcasting Basics" class I'm co-teaching with Cat Rambo is currently planned for the end of April. I need to double check the date before I post it here, but there is one planned.

I think that's everything for now. Hopefully, this update helps explain why my blog has been so quiet lately. Have a great weekend, everyone.