A story so nice, they're printin' it twice! Reprint accepted by the Washington Pastime

I just received word that The Washington Pastime is going to reprint my story, "Leave the Stone," which originally appeared at Frontier Tales. No disrespect to Frontier Tales, but I really liked the look of TWP and I'm glad this story is going to get a little more exposure.

RLR

"Path of Stones" to appear in Penumbra's Fractured Fairy Tales issue (May '12)

I just received word that my story, "Path of Stones," will appear in Penumbra's Fractured Fairy Tales issue out this May.

This was welcome news after a rough week of final exams (I did well on the exams, but not as well as I wanted).

This will be my third pro sale, and if Digital Science Fiction and Penumbra both eventually become SFWA qualifying venues (and I believe that is their intent), I will be able to go from from associate to active status (one more goal met).

I will be sharing a TOC with Damien Walters Grintalis and others (whose thunder I won't steal until they've had time to break the news themselves).

I'll provide additional links as they become available.

[edit] And I just realized this makes ten published stories for me (plus a reprint). Double digits, baby!

RLR

Quick update: "The Question" is now live at Dunesteef for its Valentine's Day ep.

The Question

A positive review for Digital Science Fiction's Heir Apparent anthology with a blurb about "Floaters"

Dwayne Russell (no relation) writes a nice review of Digital Science Fiction's Heir Apparent anthology and includes a brief blurb about my story, "Floaters." 

Of course, there’s also something to be said for stories that simply want to drop you into the action and let you follow along.  Heir Apparent starts with one of these, “Floaters,” in which a security agent is sent on an expedition to bring back the body of an old comrade.  There’s only one problem:  the body’s identity has been forged.

There are also good reviews of the anthology on Amazon, though my story isn't specifically mentioned.


I'm going to count this as my first positive review. Diabolical Plots reviewed my Daily Science Fiction story, "Blessed are the Sowers," but they gave me a shitty review and I hate them. I had a guy call "Blessed..." "hammy" on Daily SF's FB page. Maybe that's my first positive review. How'd he know I liked ham so much?

Two of my Nebula award nominees: "Paper Menagerie" by Ken Liu and "I Kill Monsters" by Nathaniel Lee

I don't do reviews for a variety of reasons. Mainly, I don't enjoy overthinking why I liked something (or didn't), then trying to explain it to someone else. People like different stuff, so why should they give a shit what I think? I also think BELIEVING someone should give a shit about what I like (or don't) is kind of pretentious. I know plenty of people who write detailed, thoughtful reviews, and that's fine. Whatever floats their boat. But that ain't me.

However, this year is the first year I'm eligible to nominate works for a Nebula award, so I'm tossing this blog post out anyway (so yes, I'm a hypocritical dick). First a caveat: I haven't completed all my Nebula reading yet, so my two recommendations below are by no means the only pieces I intend to nominate. And if you're eligible for the award, feel free to email me your best piece. Getting to nominate stuff (and letting people know you're doing it) is awesome. I've received so MANY amazing pieces of writing. My story, "Floaters," is the story I've been tossing around for consideration (appearing in Digital Sci Fi's Heir Apparent anthology).

Now to the awesome! (direct links to both stories provided below)

I will nominate Ken Liu's, "Paper Menagerie." There's pretty much nothing that Ken writes that I don't like, but this one moved me more than any of his other pieces. 

I will also nominate Nathaniel Lee's, "I Kill Monsters."  One of the criteria I consider when I decide if a story is "good" is whether or not I'd want to read it again. Nathaniel's story is full of fist pumping awesomeness, so you're damn right I'd read it again.  In fact, if you want a roller coaster ride of emotion, read/listen to these stories over and over, back to back.

Yeah, you're welcome.

RLR

Stupefying Stories wants to publish "Elves are Douchebags"

Just got word that Stupefying Stories wants publish my story, "Elves are Douchebags." It's a touching philosophical discourse into the human condition, self identity, and the notion of "otherness." 

:-) Not really. But there IS touching.

Cross using mild profanity in a title off my bucket list.

RLR

"Leave the Stone" out today at Frontier Tales

My story, "Leave the Stone," is now live at Frontier Tales. It is my first western (though "Floaters" was sort of a "space western.") If you go to the Frontier Tales site, you can vote for your favorite western of the month.