ConCarolinas 2011

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I'll be attending ConCarolinas 2011 (June 3-5) again this year and I'm really looking forward to it.

I'll spend a lot of time at the Gryphonwood Press Table in the Dealer's Room, along with several other Gryphonwood authors (Jim Bernheimer and David Wood).

I'll also be participating on several panels:

Saturday 12:00 pm to 01:00 pm
Event Title: Skeptics vs. Believers

Location: Walden - Programming 4

Believers of the paranormal face off against skeptics in a civilized debate.

Panelists: Theresa Bane, Justin Chung, Tonya Denny, Terry W Ervin II, Shawn Sellers, Tina McSwain, Rob R Shelsky, Gail Z. Martin

Saturday 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm
Event Title: When Did Science Become a Bad Word

Location: Olmstead - Programming 7

Why does our society seem to fear science?

Panelists: Chris Berman, Justin Chung, Terry W Ervin II, James Maxey, Emlee Vassilos, Stephen Euin Cobb, James Craig

Sunday 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Event Title: Faith Based Initiative

Location: University Ballroom A - Programming 3

Including religious characters in our genre fiction.

Panelists: Mason Lavin, Joe Naff, Terry W Ervin II, Glenda C. Finkelstein, Stephen Zimmer, Edmund R. Schubert

Author Harry Turtledove

I'm really looking forward to meeting Toni Weisskopf (Managing Editor of Baen Books) and Harry Turtledove (Bestselling SF/Fantasy Author)

Hope to seeing you there!
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Steven Brust Discusses Writing

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One of my all-time favorite writers Steven Brust sits down and talks about writing.

A mixture of common sense and some really insightful stuff.



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Book Binding: Comparing Yesterday and Today

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I found these three videos that give a view on the printing and binding of a book, comparing the past to present.

The first is from the late 1940s, the other two are modern digital process version in the last couple of years The second shows offset digital printing/production of the cover and pages of Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. I know the last shows soft cover binding using a form of POD technology as opposed to offset printing, but I find the first labor intensive working toward the final, least labor intensive to be quite a contrast.

Old School Book Printing and Binding


Modern Digital Offset Print and Binding


Modern Print on Demand (Expresso's printing while you wait)


I don't know about you, but I found it interesting.
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Copyright Certificate: Flank Hawk

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The Certificate of Registration for Flank Hawk arrived in the mail today.

Gryphonwood Press officially published Flank Hawk on October 27, 2009. The registration for copyright was submitted in February 2010.

The Effective Date of Registration:
February 4, 2010

Certification Date:
February 2, 2010

The Copyright Certificate for Flank Hawk arrived in the mail today, March 20, 2011. Faster than promised. If I recall, the Copyright Office indicated 18 months before the official certificate would arrive.

In truth, it's kind of neat, but not all that impressive--if that makes sense.

Book Signing at Piqua's Taste of the Arts Festival

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Mainstreet Piqua's 17th Annual Taste of the Arts will be held on Friday, May 20th in downtown Piqua, Ohio.  Taste of the Arts is a celebration of food and art in the Upper Miami Valley and gets underway at 5:00 p.m.  Enjoy live music, amazing food and a variety of demonstrating artists.  The entire Taste of the Arts schedule of events can be found here: Taste of the Arts Schedule

I will be joining about twenty other authors signing copies of our works. More information about the Taste of the Arts Festival here: Taste of the Arts Festival Info.

Authors will be in the Piqua Public Library (see bottom left picture) from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Don't hesitate to come and join the community enjoying food, music and art.

"The Exchange Box" is Available

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"The Exchange Box" published as a Mystic Signals exclusive print story (through The Lorelei Signal April-June 2011 Issue) is now available.

It is one of the most popular/favorite short stories of my group of readers. The story has a solid positive theme coupled with a few plot twists that make the story unique.

It can be obtained here: Mystic Signals Issue 10

Teaser: A single mother is approached by a strange man with a very unusual business arrangement.  Thinking only of the money and providing a better life for her son, she agrees, but what will the ultimate cost be?


Art created for the The Exchange Box


What is also cool is that my name leads the author list on the front cover. It's a first for me :)
 
If you do get a copy and read "The Exchange Box" don't hesitate to contact me and let me know what you think.

Angie's Out of This World Adventure (Day 2)

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I have the privilege of hosting the second day of writer Angie Lofthouse's Out of This World Adventure which runs from May 9th through the 30th.  Great stories, great prizes, great fun!

All you need to do to participate is to read the stories and comment on the blogs where they're hosted (such as this one). Contest Rules and List of Prizes (such as $25.00 Amazon.com Gift Card) and other blogs participating can be found right HERE (and also spelled out below).

Let's get started!

The story to read is: "Getting Colder"
(which first appeared in Amazing Journeys magazine in the June 2004 issue).

Teaser: Baron would do anything to save his wife from an incurable illness, but the answer he finds will tests the limits of his strength, his faith , and his understanding.

To enter The Out of This World Adventure giveaway, click on the story title above to read the story, then come back here and answer the following question in the comments:

Who in your life would you go to any lengths to save?

Your comment will give you one entry in the grand prize drawing (includes an Amazon gift card, free book and other fun stuff!), plus one commenter on this post will win a Milky Way bar. Mmmm. Include your email address, if it isn't on your profile, so we can contact the winners.

Be sure to visit the other stops on the Adventure and good luck!

Note: "Getting Colder" is a story I selected to appear here--it's an engaging read--if you ask me! (Actually, all stories in the contest are top reads.) After reading, take the time to comment and I hope you win!
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Classic TV: Al Bundy vs. "Spare Tire" Dixon

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Okay, maybe Married with Children shouldn't be classified as 'classic' but during the years it aired I really enjoyed Al Bundy's humorous suffering and adventure.

Here's a classic clip from the show, where Al Bundy faces high school nemesis, Spare Tire Dixon (Bubba Smith). Give it a click and I hope you enjoy :)



As an additional note: Ed O'Neil, who plays Al Bundy, was a college football player, drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. If I recall accurately, he was the last person cut from the team during training camp in 1969.
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