As I mentioned last time, this Saturday, July 9th, 2011, I’ll be signing the latest Wild Cards “mosaic novel” at Page One Bookstore, 11018 Montgomery Blvd NE, 87111 here in Albuquerque, commencing at 2:30 PM.

Also taking part will be Melinda Snodgrass (who co-edited as well as having a story in the book), [...]]]> Fort Freak, that is!

As I mentioned last time, this Saturday, July 9th, 2011, I’ll be signing the latest Wild Cards “mosaic novel” at Page One Bookstore, 11018 Montgomery Blvd NE, 87111 here in Albuquerque, commencing at 2:30 PM.

Also taking part will be Melinda Snodgrass (who co-edited as well as having a story in the book), John Jos. Miller, and Our Esteemed Editor, George R.R. Martin. (Probably.*)

It should, of course, be swell. You should make plans to attend, yes? Also attend.

Important Public Service Announcement: George WILL NOT be signing A Dance with Dragons: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Five at this session. He wants it to be about  Fort Freak. Thanks!

In other, yet related news … please check out the nice review of Fort Freak at SFRevu Review. Also read the exclusive interview with a mess of our fine, fine Fort Freak contributors (including me.)

And last, though far from least: you’ll notice in the review, my story is listed as “…And All the Sinners Saints” by Victor Milan and Ty Franck. Now, you may wonder why, for the very first time, I co-authored a Wild Cards yarn.

You may be aware I ran into a spot of unpleasantness last year.  The two facts are not unconnected.

I was going to write a post here telling the story behind the story. But Ty himself (whom you may recognize as a sometime commenter here on Sense of Adventure, and also as George’s invaluable assistant) beat me to it. So if you’re interested, go read “How I became a freak” over at fellow Wild Carder Danny Abraham’s blog. Ty does a great job. As he did as co-author of “Sinners/Saints.”

So now I need to wrap this up and see if I can actually get some sleep tonight. I need to be brisk and bright-eyed for Saturday, after all! (Plus I got a boatload of writing to do.)

See you at the signing, Fellow Freaks!

*Full disclosure:  last I heard there seemed to be some question as to whether That American Tolkien Guy will actually be showing up. But the Page One website says he is, so that’s what I’m going with. However, please adjust your expectations accordingly.

It's gotta be great! Look at how thrilled this little guy is!

As you can see if you clicked on the image above, or the link above that, it’s got [...]]]> So commencing Friday, June 23rd (that’s tomorrow, for those as calendrically challenged as I tend to be) I shall be manifesting at the Albuquerque Comic Expo.

It's gotta be great! Look at how thrilled this little guy is!

As you can see if you clicked on the image above, or the link above that, it’s got a frog-ton of guests from comic books and other media, from Peter “Chewwie” Mayhew and LeVar “Geordi la Fram Oil Filter Visor” Burton to Bernie Wrightson and Stan “the Man” Freakin’ Lee. (The “Freakin’” is legally part of his name.) (I’m lying.) Although to see Stan Lee you have to get special tickets, and they’re probably sold out, so lotsa luck there, trooper.

Also they’ll feature a couple of media guests of particular interest to me, ’70s martial-arts movie god and tennis pro Jim Kelly and the inimitable Ernie “Ghostbusters” Hudson.

They’re also showcasing local-creator luminaries, from comics artists Andy “Firebreather” Kuhn and Aaron “Green Hornet” Campbell to indie-film mavens Kurly “Burning Paradise” Tlapoyawa and my boon pal Scott “Cheese Magnet” Phillips.

Other guests abound – too many by far for me to link – some I’ve heard of, others whom you’ve doubtless heard of if you follow comics or series TV, neither of which I do.

And last but very far from least, there are your Literary Guests, who enjoy somewhat surprising pride of place on the Guest List right below the Celebrity and Media Guests (i.e., the ones people have actually heard of): Robert E. Vardeman, who’s written even more novels than I have, and who co-edited and contributed to the indie anthology A Career Guide To Your Job In Hell (which I’m also in, and which you totally ought to buy.) And there are Wild Cards writers – and not just Wild Cards writers, but Original Wild Cards Mafia members: Melinda Snodgrass, John Jos Miller, Walter Jon Williams, and Victor “Dinosaur Lords” Milan. Who, for the confused, is me.

Also there’s one Ian J. Spector; I have no idea who he is, although he’s credited with inventing the “Chuck Norris Facts” meme, but he’s the only other Literary Guest, and I’d feel like a dick if I left him out.

So us Wild Carders will be throwing a Wild Cards panel on Saturday, June 24th, at 1:30 PM in Panel Room A. We’ll be pimping a little something we like to call the brand-spanking-new Wild Cards anthology (and start of a new triad) Fort Freak, edited by George RR Martin and Melinda. (Of which expect more anon. And on, and on.) Except Walter – he’ll be on the panel, but he’s not in the latest book. So look for him to flog his latest SF novel Deep State instead.

(Sadly, That American Tolkien Guy will not be joining us. He and his trusty assistant Ty Franck are currently gadding about Eastern Europe reaping the adulation of the masses.)

We’ll also have a Wild Cards Exhibitor Table set up somewhere in the presumably vast Exhibitors Hall, so, you know, look for us.

Also feel free to wander around and, you know, spend money.

You really ought to know that Greg Derrick and Mike Thompson, who are bravely if foolishly running this extravaganza, are seriously good people. They took Melinda, John, and me to lunch to talk about the show, which automatically puts them in the good-guy category with us (there is no such thing as an author so successful she or he will turn down a free feed.)  They are making an effort to showcase us local talents. They are also working closely with Craig Chrissinger, co-chair with Kristen Dorland of our fine local SF con Bubonicon, which they’re also supporting strongly. They have also been quick to seek advice on running a con smoothly from our local experts – and have also recruited a mess of our excellent Bubonicon volunteers to gopher for them.

They are seriously trying to put on a good show – a primo experience for both participants and attendees. I think they will.

All this crunchy goodness is transpiring through Sunday at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 2nd Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87102, where there is ample room to house the no doubt thundering throng who will attend this senses-shattering mega-event. (Exaggerate much? Me? Not in a billion trillion years!) There’s also allegedly ample parking, although I gather it’s $6 a day. On the assumption parking will be slammed as well as cost money I may park on the street a few blocks away and hoof it. Then again, given temps are allegedly expected to hover near 100° here in the Nuke City the next couple days, I also may not.

And … enough on this: I still have major Seekrit Projekt rewriting to do. More soon on Fort Freak, and also a not-so-secret little project I like to call The Dinosaur Lords. Stay tuned!

And, as always – thanks for reading!

First, I’m hustling to polish off my story for the new standalone Wild Cards anthology, Fort Freak. It’s kind of a Sidney Lumet yarn: lots of conversation and conspiracy, then somebody gets shot. But light-hearted.

No, really. Mostly. It does get [...]]]> I need to be better about updating my blog. So here’re some quick and semi-random notes.

First, I’m hustling to polish off my story for the new standalone Wild Cards anthology, Fort Freak. It’s kind of a Sidney Lumet yarn: lots of conversation and conspiracy, then somebody gets shot. But light-hearted.

No, really. Mostly. It does get a little heavy toward the end. I admit it.

It’s called ” … And All the Sinners Saints.” At least until GRRM or Melinda make me change it. George asked me not to use a rock lyric, since Steve Leigh had prior claim. Sorry, George. First, I have no power over late-Sixties/early-Seventies rock. This is known. Second: it is so totally the perfect title. Seriously. (Think, what’s the line before it?)

There’s lots of rock lyrics to go around. I’m sure I won’t be depriving Steve of any.

Anyway, it introduces two new characters: Flipper, my joker Legal Aid attorney emo kid; and NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau Detective-Investigator Second-Grade Vincent Marinelli, a.k.a. Ratboy, dreamed up by Craig Chrissinger and fleshed out by me. The good news is, while Ratboy initially got all the attention (he’s a seriously cool character, which is why I chose to buff him up and use him) Flipper, who’s also known as Charlie Herriman, is turning out to be pretty interesting in his own right.

By the way, shouldn’t we be gearing up for the smashing premier of Suicide Kings, the senses-shattering conclusion to the current American Heroes trilogy? (Since I don’t remember another collective name for the trilogy, I just decided to dub it that.) It’s coming out December 22 from Tor. Allegedly.

You might also give a look at Boneshaker, the smash-hit steampunk novel by new Wild Cards Mafiosa Cherie Priest, who’s doing the interstitial tale for Fort Freak. It’s an Amazon SF Essential Book! (Full disclosure: I haven’t read it yet, but I’m really eager to! Also check out Cherie’s Clockwork Century site, devoted to her steampunk milieu, including this excellent essay on the whys, hows and wherefores of steampunk.

In other, more personal news: I’ve been dealt some health distresses. None personal (fingers crossed.) But pain to loved ones is in ways worse. As you probably know.

A very close friend of mine may have jaw cancer, and also may be in danger of losing his job. That’s dire, although still fairly speculative. Good thoughts wouldn’t hurt.

TJ Cat quit eating again. It’s a bit hard to tell since he’s never been ravenous, and consequently has always been skinny. I’m pretty sure I was able to catch it before it went into liver failure, as happened to him and his sister Squeak a couple-three years ago. Apparently if cats can’t smell their food they won’t eat it; I’m guessing that’s what caused the problem in both cases. This time around allergies reportedly are affecting a lot of animals in Burque. Anyway, I’ve got him eating again, though I’m not sure he’s back at the Kitty Crunchies yet. And thanks to my friends for a number of good suggestions (lamb baby food, stinky canned tuna ) to get an afflicted cat to eat.

Also Emma Dog started limping badly off her left rear foot yesterday. That really concerned me, since it persisted until late at night, and indeed still does. But she’s willing to put weight on it some now, so I’m hoping it’s getting better. Poor baby.

Also, though they’re on the back burner now until the Wild Card yarn goes in: writing my current Deathlands novel Blood Oasis (think: everything’s better with what?) Also the rewrite continues on Dinosaur Lords. Not as rapidly as I’d like, but it’s well along now.

Stay warm, well,and dry, people. Thanks for reading!