Hey folks, one of my best friends needs your help. Emily DeCola is a brilliant puppeteer and designer and I do not use the word “brilliant” lightly. She has, hands down, one of the most creative visions of puppet theater today. And she was hit by a cyclist on her way to work, resulting in
The Smell of Hope: a Fundraiser for Emily DeCola Read More »
I’m finally back in Chicago after being on the road since mid-May. Yes I came home for three days, but it still feels like I’ve been gone for months. Because our scheduling is phenomenally good, Rob is leaving town tomorrow for two weeks. He comes back on the 31st, we spend three days together and
Michael R. Underwood’s new book, Celebromancy, is ridiculous fun. For full disclosure, I narrated the audio book so I’m biased but, I have to tell you that this was the most fun I’ve had recording a book in a while. I got to make light saber noises. Seriously, y’all. Go buy this book in either
My Favorite Bit: Michael R. Underwood talks about Celebromancy Read More »
We haven’t talked much about contracts in the past. Why not? Well, we’re not lawyers and we’re not agents, so our experience with contracts has been as parties to them. But there are things we can still offer without delving into the baffling legalese. So we offer them: we talk about how we approach contracts,
Writing Excuses 8.28: Your First Contract Read More »
This is a 2300 word SF short story and I’m looking for readers who would be willing to give me their gut reaction to it. Mostly what I’m looking for are large story issues. In particular, things that: Confuse you You don’t believe You are bored by You think are cool In other words, what I’m looking
Want to read the draft of an SF short story? Read More »
Taught a writing workshop Baked a cobbler Shared a single malt with my parents Today was excellent.
Today’s accomplishments Read More »
My September workshop sold out, so I opened an Intensive in November. This covers exactly the same material as the eight week course, but over the course of a single, very intense, weekend. This is ideal for people who tend to overthink their work and never finish things. Registration opens at noon Central on Saturday,
Short story workshop in November Read More »
People keep asking me who the twelve rabid weasels are. I deliberately didn’t say, in part because the hate mail came in while I was in office and I feel like that would be a breach. Also because talking about specific people changes the conversation from being about the behavior into a personal slapfest. A rabid
Angry vs. rabid weasels Read More »
Jinx Strange is joining us today with his weekly online serial, Silent City. Here’s the publisher’s description: Silent City is a weekly online serial that follows the lives and affairs of the citizens of the eponymous underground settlement. Once a political and philosophical refuge from the magic-industrial city of Shaize, Silent City is now home to
My Favorite Bit: Jinx Strange talks about SILENT CITY Read More »
In case you’re wondering, I’ll be using Mom’s cobbler recipe.
Mm… blackberries. I sense a cobbler in my future. Read More »
Making classic literature accessible through darn fine analysis disguised as commentary. (Hat tip to Kat Richardson)
Video: Thug notes on PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Read More »
You’ve been looking for a new historical fantasy series, right? Today we have E. C. Ambrose’s new book Elisha Barber, which is the first in the Dark Apostle series. Here’s the publisher’s description. England in the fourteenth century: a land of poverty and opulence, prayer and plague… witchcraft and necromancy. As a child, Elisha witnessed the
My Favorite Bit: E. C. Ambrose talks about ELISHA BARBER Read More »
What determines our chapter breaks? How do we handle POV shifts, scene-sequel balance, and other considerations when we’re carving our stories into chapters? Dan starts with a discussion of the POV considerations in Fragments and in Ruins (from the Partials series,) and Brandon contrasts that with some of the epic fantasy methods. We argue the
Writing Excuses 8.27: Chapter Breakdowns Read More »
I am taking the weekend off, so have a cat video to amuse you.
Video: Kittehs! Being funny. Read More »
So let’s say you’re a young writer. Where can you go to learn more about crafting fiction? How about the Young Authors Conference at Michigan State University? Writers, grades 8-12, can join authors Jim Hines and Mary Robinette Kowal on July 27. The application deadline has been extended until July 12. This conference will include:
Jim Hines and I are teaching at the Young Authors Conference on July 27th Read More »