Taste of the Arts Festival in Piqua

I'll be one of two dozen authors (hosted by the Piqua Public Library) participating in the Taste of the Arts festival in Piqua, Ohio this weekend (May 21st & 22nd). They have tons of fun planned.

Stop by the Piqua Public Library lobby (116 W. High Street). I and the other authors will be there to talk about writing and publishing, and signing books on Friday from 5:00 pm until 8:30 pm and on Saturday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.

Looking forward to seeing you!

"Tethered in Purgatory": My First Published Short Story

I thought I'd focus this post on a short story that I'm quite proud of, "Tethered in Purgatory." The Sword Review published it way back in July of 2006 (okay, 2006 isn't that far back). Later that year Double-Edged Publishing selected it for their annual anthology, Distant Passages Volume 2.

If you've got a bit of time, give it a read. I'd love to learn your thoughts.

...Trapped, inches from paradise. What might a desperate soul risk to reach Heaven? What will it cost him?

2010 Ohioana Book Festival Results

Had a wonderful time at the 2010 Ohioana Book Festival. Met some great authors, met a host of interesting readers, and sold all but one of my copies of Flank Hawk.

Then, after the Festival, Kathy and I attended the reception at the Governor's Mansion. It's a really interesting place, many neat paintings and a wonderful garden. It was a bit chilly outside, but great conversation with some fellow authors and their spouses and friends.

Attending the 2010 Ohioana Book Festival

I will be one of 80+ Ohio Authors attending
the Ohioana Book Festival

The 2010 Ohioana Book Festival:
Celebrating Ohio’s Authors
Saturday, May 8th, 2010
10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Ohioana and the State Library of Ohio
274 E. 1st Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43201

Look forward to seeing you there
Chat with me and other authors
Pick up a few signed books!

2010 Derringer Award Winners Announced

The Short Mystery Fiction Society (of which I'm a member) announced the winners of the 2010 Derringer competition.

The winners are:

In the flash fiction category, 1,000 words or less, the winner is: "And Here's to You, Mrs. Edwardson," by Hamilton Waymire. The story first appeared in Big Pulp.

In short fiction category, 1,001 to 4,000 words, the winner is: "Twas the Night" by Anita Page. It first appeared in the Gift of Murder anthology.

In the long fiction category, 4,001 to 8,000 words, the winner is: "Famous Last Words" by Doug Allyn. It first appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.

In the novelette category, 8,001+ words, the winner is: "Julius Katz" by Dave Zeltserman. This story first appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.

Stephen Hines' Blurb for Flank Hawk

This is what Stephen Hines had to say about Flank Hawk:

"This book has it all: Nazis, zombies, angels, elementals...It's Army of Darkness meets Lord of the Rings. Buy it or chalk it up on that long list of things you regret not doing!"

-- Stephen Hines, author of Hocus Focus

Note: Hocus Focus is in its second printing--a new perfect binding version. If you get the chance, check it out.

Mixture of a bit of Music and History: Sink the Bismarck

I remember this tune from my childhood. Heard it the first time when I was riding in the back seat of my dad's Ford Galaxie.

Sink the Bismarck by Johnny Horton

Catchy tune, even if the song's lyrics aren't 100% accurate.