Saturday, May 22, 2010

Steampunk World's Fair Follow Up


I just had an e-mail from Jeff, one of the organizers of the World's Fair, and next year sounds like it will be even better. Many thanks for creating a wonderful environment for the imagination to feast and grow.

While at the Fair I had the opportunity to become more acquainted with a fellow member of Broad Universe, Emilie Bush. I greatly admire Emilie's pluck and talent. She self-published her book, Chenda and the Airship Brofman and I took every opportunity to pick her brains about such an endeavor. As people who attend writing cons know there are huge changes in the publishing industry. The idea of publishing a book which might go to one of the big chains, sit three weeks on their shelves and then have their covers removed to be disposed of just doesn't sound very green. In our digital age, with PODs, I-pads, etc. shouldn't paper be treated with more respect? Going non-traditional routes is very appealing and something I've thought about for years.

I also had the chance to spend time with the publisher of Weird Tales and Wildside Press, John Gregory Betancourt. I've loved Weird Tales for many, many years and it was a pleasure to take advantage of the Library which he and his associate had set up. It was a generous act since along with providing a cozy space for readings, they also gave space to the books of authors attending the Fair. I came home with a huge amount of reading material.

I ran into CJ Henderson, yet again, and had a delightful talk with him. Again, I spent more money and now have plenty to read for the next few months.

I think the highlight of the weekend came courtesy of the Steampunk Family. Anna and her husband, Herr Von Hedwig, share a past with my own husband and as a result DH and I were invited to their suite to indulge in some delicious home made absinthe. While my favorite drink during my college years was Pernod, it is nothing at all like the homemade stuff which was quite delightful and refreshing. DH had a chance to catch up on old times while I spoke with the author of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, Leanna Renee Hieber.

All in all it was a most inspiring weekend.

As for tonight, I shall be giving a reading of three of my short stories, "Troll Bridge," "Doing Time," and "I'll Love Ya Forever, But..." at the Oasis Garden (52nd off of Tenth Ave., NYC) at 6 PM, as part of the Artists in the Kitchen, Studio Tours Weekend which is now happening.

Wow, such great excitement in such a short time.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Steampunk World's Fair and Another Sale

I'm here at the Radisson Hotel at the Steampunk World's Fair and having a great time.

I was at Lunacon a couple of months ago and never got around to writing about it, so this time I'm trying to be a bit better.

We attended the Brass Ball last night and are looking forward to the many interesting panels and demonstrations today.

Also, I sold my short story, "At the End of Day" to DemonMinds Halloween 2010 anthology this past week. Whoo Hoo!

Well, the first panel is about to start...