I just got finished reading the latest edition of West Virginia South. Included in this issue (Oct/Nov) is my story, the first of The Fledge Chronicles: The Lion, the Bridge, and the Wardrobe Malfunction. I think it should be in stores and mailboxes next week. It looks nice, and I hope people enjoy it. It appears they do plan to carry the serial for a while since above the story it says "The … [Read more...] about On Fire-bombs, Stories in Print, Moving to California and Comparative Awesomeness
News from the Blog
West Virginia South to Publish The Fledge Chronicles
While the news about my novel appears to be, like the prodigal son, "still a great way off," I have some news at last of a much smaller increment of my work being published. My short story serial The Fledge Chronicles will make its first appearance in print in a couple of weeks. West Virginia South's October/November issue will feature the first installment entitled The Lion, the Bridge, and the … [Read more...] about West Virginia South to Publish The Fledge Chronicles
Imagi nation-state
"Something terrible is happening, a bunch of wild animals are coming to West Virginia." My two-year-old son, to my daughter, five. Overheard as they play in the next room. … [Read more...] about Imagi nation-state
News of Misc.
Quotes, quotes, football, quotes. I know, sorry. The blog has become a seldom-varying quote-factory. Oh well, that has some value...to cause a smile, to provoke thought, to stoke ancient prejudices into a burning inferno of hate. Well, maybe not that last one. I am debating whether to commence, or dispense, with the "I'm really busy" line. I have been busy, painting and in-general carrying out my … [Read more...] about News of Misc.
Irrepressible
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." C. S. Lewis … [Read more...] about Irrepressible
What Causes You to Buy a Book? (please don’t say “nothing”)
Via the Canon Press Blog, a list (orginally in Publisher's Weekly) from a survey of why readers buy a book... 1. Friend’s recommendation - 49% 2. Familiarity with author - 45% 3. Description on jacket - 32% 4. Reviews - 22% 5. Advertisement - 21% 6. Place on bestsellers list - 17% 7. Reading group pick - 16% 8. Cover design - 12% The moral of the story is, I think, that I need to get to … [Read more...] about What Causes You to Buy a Book? (please don’t say “nothing”)
Cheers, for Eight Years
For My Gina If marriage is a prison Then I am happily jailed with you Who convict-like have robbed me Of the incomplete life I knew Now life has new meaning And while our new is getting old In time we find our love’s more rich That piles of gleaming gold And I would rather have you Than whatever else there is Than independent days without you And the loneliness I … [Read more...] about Cheers, for Eight Years
Proper Limits
The fact is that if the writer’s attention is on producing a work of art, a work that is good in itself, he is going to take great pains to control every excess, everything that does not contribute to this central meaning and design. He cannot indulge in sentimentality, in propagandizing, or in pornography and create a work of art, for all these things are excesses. They call attention to … [Read more...] about Proper Limits