Frequently, when I’m attending a convention as a writer, someone on programming will ask me to bring a puppet show. And they ask me to do it for the children’s track. I understand this impulse, I really do, because people have probably never booked a show before and there’s a fair chance that they haven’t […]
Why you almost never see me do a puppet show at an SF con. Read More »
“This is an operational spaceport…” These weren’t the first words that I heard at the NASA Social event, but they were the ones that made everything real. I was going to an operational spaceport. It wasn’t a line from science-fiction. I’m at the Kennedy Space Center as part of a program by NASA to make
Day One at the SpaceX CRS-11 Cargo Launch NASA Social Read More »
The short form: Reading fees. Don’t pay them. “What?!” You’re saying, “But… but I paid for a critique at a conference.” I know. It’s that ambiguity I want to address. Doing critiques is exhausting, but it’s also really valuable to attendees. So as a compromise, some writing conferences offer them with a fee attached. That
On reading fees, and why they are Not Done. Read More »
Apparently, when I’m not under a crushing novel deadline I write a lot of short fiction. Who knew? Anyway, I’m looking for five to ten beta readers for a 5000 word short SF story. Just comment on my site to raise your hand. I think I’m set on readers. Thanks! Here’s the teaser. ARTISANAL TRUCKING,
Beta readers for 5k short SF story? Read More »
For those of you who are Writing Excuses listeners, you might recall in season 10 that I demonstrated some ideas using a Milliner Assassin. I have actually written that story and am looking for a couple of beta readers. Here’s the teaser. A Feather in Her Cap Biantera stabbed the hat on its stand with
Beta readers wanted: 4200 word fantasy short story Read More »
Ahem. Here is where I take off my gloves, set down my fan, and jab someone with my parasol. Odyssey Con. What the fuck are you doing? When your Guest of Honor comes to you and tells you that a member of your concom has made them uncomfortable in the past and that she feels unsafe,
In which Mary takes off her gloves and discusses the OdysseyCon fuck-up. Read More »
Been awhile, eh? I wrote two novels in the last year and let short fiction slip to the side. Or back. Or under… or whatever. POINT BEING that I just finished a short story and could use some fresh eyes on it. Here’s the teaser. THE WORSHIPFUL SOCIETY OF GLOVERS Outside the window of their
Beta readers wanted for 9600 word fantasy short story Read More »
In the midst of finishing my most recent novel, I managed to forget that this weekend was April Fool’s Day, or as I like to call it, Alternate Reality Day. It’s my favorite holiday, but this time I’m actually teaching all weekend. This is disappointing, because I had done some early groundwork for this year,
This is not my cat. I’m in Utah to record Writing Excuses, to speak at the Utah Valley Writers Association, and to attend LTUE. It’s a busy week, because I’m also working on a novel. Fortunately, there’s a cat. He’s so restful, I thought I’d share. View in Instagram ?
It’s hard to get much cozier than Pinecone. Read More »
Actually, I have two party favors for you. One of the things that fascinates me is the way you can tell the same story and, depending on the audience, it will differ wildly. Back in 2013, I wrote a story specifically for audio called Forest of Memory. I used the audio medium not just as a
I’m 48 today! Have a party favor! Read More »
Well, this is awkward… But here’s the thing. When I decided to throw my hat into the ring for SFWA president, I thought Cat Rambo wasn’t running again. I think contested elections are good, because it allows members to make decisions about the direction an organization is headed. Cat and I? The fact is that
Whoops…I’m not running for SFWA president after all. Read More »
I’ve withdrawn from the race, because I didn’t realize Cat Rambo was running again. Whoops! # Dear SFWA members: I’m running for the position of President. For four years, I was privileged to work with an extremely active and committed board, first as Secretary of SFWA and then as Vice President. I stepped down because I
I’m running for SFWA president in 2017 Read More »
This really is hypothetical and not in the “secretly I have a deal” way we often use it. I’ve just been thinking about stage and theater and the adaptation of work to different media. The scripts I’ve written have largely been adaptations. All of them are a good fifteen+ years in my past, and before
Hypothetically: If I were going to adapt one of my short work for stage… Read More »
I’ve got two different short fiction workshops scheduled for January. The first is my Writing on the Fast Track, which is a seven-week course that meets once a week for two-hours. It starts on Tuesday, January 10th. This covers the same material as my weekend intensives, but is for folks who find time pressure the
I’m teaching two different January Short Fiction Workshops Read More »
I am so incredibly pleased and honored that AudioFile has picked Ghost Talkers as one of the best audiobooks of 2016. Also floored. Just to put this into perspective for folks who aren’t in the audiobook industry… The AudioFile Magazine editors maintain an archive of more than 40,000 reviews and pick the 2016 books from the list
Woot! GHOST TALKERS is one of AudioFile’s best audiobooks of 2016! Read More »