Tales from the Ragged Edge

In my experience, when it comes to writing novels, some of them fly by, while some drag on forever. I had hoped that Ink Calls to Ink would be of the first variety. The first 30,000 words couldn’t wait to get out. But now, as I’m about 30,000 from the END of the book, things are less smooth. And it isn’t as though I don’t enjoy the story or the new chapters I’m putting down. I’m thrilled with each new bit. But convincing myself to sit down and focus on the novel rather than short stories or a RPG sourcebook I’m writing is no easy task. At least I have a short story ready to submit to market once I get and apply feedback from my reader.

I had a goal of finishing the first draft by the end of February. Not long o go now, and I’m not certain it can be done. To be fair, those are my own goals, not ones set by an agent of publisher. But I still would prefer to be done with it now.

And once I’m done with the first draft of Ink Calls to Ink, I have a hard deadline of March 15th for the sourcebook.

Then, and only then, can I move on to the next novel. Assuming I can resolve the internal conflict over what novel that will be — the final book in my Protectorate series, or the sequel to an as-of-yet unpublished mystery novel set in the fringes of Tuscon’s musical scene. Decisions, decisions…

Yet more publication news for you, my friends!
The much anticipated anthology Close Encounters of the Urban Kind now has a release date, and is available for pre-order at a discounted rate. Edited by the phenomenal Jennifer Brozek, this collection features tales told at that fascinating intersection of Little Gray Men and the “Guy with the Hook for a Hand.” It’s an intersection that I’m only-so-happy to hang out at. My story is called “Frames of Reference” and combines my love of aliens with my deep and sometimes perverse love of film for a genuinely spooky day in Los Angeles. Also featuring “Two Out, Wendigo” by my occasional co-conspirator Rosemary Jones, and “Racing Lights” by fellow Seattlite Erik Scott de Bie, it’s a strong showing for the Emerald City.

Set to come out on the last day of Norwescon, April 4th, order your copy now and see what all the buzz is going to be about.