Wednesday, August 25, 2010

More Sad News

I bring to you folks some rather sad news. Seems to be a common trend for the last week. There are degrees of devastation. This may not rank high on that scale, but it’s a downer either way.

A stray cat, which has become sort of like a pet to us, had kittens recently. We thought she only had the one, but recent sightings suggest maybe there were more. Unfortunately, the one we knew of was killed. We are unsure as to who the murderer may be. The investigation is on going and there are a couple of suspects: one of our dogs and a visiting opossum. The dogs aren’t talking. We haven’t had any luck locating the opossum.

An autopsy could have provided some answers. However, we weren’t equipped to perform such a procedure nor did we have the right expert on the payroll. Instead, we released the body to the family. His mother and alleged brothers and sisters decided we should do the honors of playing a funeral. I will keep you updated if we ever have a suspect in custody though it’s unlikely one will ever be determined.

Hopefully, this little guy is at peace.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

RIP Jamie Eyberg

All fun and games must be put aside. Some tragic news has been making its rounds the past couple of days. Jamie Eyberg and his wife Ann died after being exposed to an unknown gas.

This is the kind of news that you have to read a few times before your brain fully understands what it's saying. Unfortunately, I can't go on and on how great Jamie was as a person and a writer. I knew of him but had very limited interaction. What I've learned from others, it sounds like he was a great guy. You know the type that makes you feel honored to have rubbed elbows with him even if it was only once. Just so sad.

Aaron Polson is kindly dedicating the first print issue of 52 Stitches to Jamie and the profits will go in to a memorial fund for their kids Brendan and Kennedy.

He will be missed....

Monday, August 16, 2010

Shroud Issue #9

Shroud Magazine Issue #9 Summer 2010 is off to the printers. I would like to say my story is among those chosen for it but unfortunately, it's still sitting in limbo (okay...this is the last time you'll hear me whine about this until I get the official yay or nay from them. I promise. Really, I mean it. I swear on the chicken nuggets.)

In the meantime, we must commence in the standard oohing and aahing of this publishing gem which includes stories, columns and interviews from the Brothers' May, Lon Prater, Robert Canipe, Marie Brennan, Alethea Contis, I. E. Lester, Debbie Kuhn, and Ty Schwamberger while the ritual sacrifice and chants are being prepared in its honor.

Or if you can bypass all the fuss and just head on over to Shroud's website and pre-order yourself a copy for $6.99. I'm sure the Gods won't be too angry with your lack of patience.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Happy Dark Day

Friday The 13th

I couldn't escape posting on Friday the 13th. I tried hiding under the bed, but the boogeyman pushed me out. Michael Myers is hogging the closet. So, I'm left here exposed to all the bad elements. I have a bulls-eye painted on my back thanks to my thirteen-letter name. Why must I be cursed? Anyway, enjoy the deliciously devious bunny and stay away from black cats, mirrors, ladders, the number thirteen, ambulances, birds in houses, lighting three cigarettes with the same match, cracks in sidewalks, crows, cutting your fingernails, stabbing knitting needles in yarn, and closing pocket knives. Happy Friday the 13th!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Getting Back on Track

As you can see, today's post is not "WIP Wednesday" related. Not really working on anything. Therefore, nothing to report. But I am trying to get back on track with editing. I have a freshly printed copy of "The Boy in the Book" cluttered with several Post-Its full of notes. I also Printed out a copy of "The Phantom House". Published only once but desperately needing a rewrite or it's being tossed in to the pit of lost stories.

In other news, Cate Gardner's newest short story collection, Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits is available for pre-order ($1.99 off the cover price if you do it now). In celebration, she's holding a contest. Onipar a.k.a. Anthony J. Rapino decided I was among the lucky ones to be dubbed strange. Now, it's my turn to bestow this honor on to seven others, but first, the rules:

The 'Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits' award is given to only the strangest of folk, and as the recipient of such you are deemed very strange indeed. Congratulations.

Now you must go forth and celebrate the strangeness of friends (and strangers - strangers are always allowed) by nominating blogs run by strange folk. *Beware, some people don't like you to refer to them as strange…Try to avoid them if possible.

Some rules:

1. Add the logo of the award to your blog post.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you (don't mess with strange people).
3. Nominate seven other blogs telling us why you think the recipient is strange enough to deserve the award.
4. Leave a message for those nominated on their blogs.
5. And, if you email catephoenix(at)gmail(dot)com and tell her you've received the award for your strangeness, she'll enter you in the biggest kick-ass Strange Men competition ever. Details over at strangemeninpinstripesuits.com (click on the award link on the home page)

1. Leah at Daily Piglet wants to be a mermaid. What's not strange about that?

2. Courtney at Haunt Jaunts I believe our two minds think alike.

3. John at Season of Shadows is all about Halloween all the time.

4. AutumnForest at Ghost Hunting Theories - what can I say about her? She's just that cool or in this case strange. ;)

5. Julie at Above the Norm - can't talk about one without the other. Her and autumnforest are two of a kind.

6. Kristi at Random daily thoughts... cuz she's alive!!!! oh and she's taking x-ray photos of her books.

7. Susie at Ghostposts - currently reading her book Dragon Creed. One can only be strange to come up with a story about a boy turning in to a dragon. :)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Apologies With Video

I would like to apologize for my insanity on Friday with a couple of videos:



Stupid Girls (Only in Hollywood) By: Saving Abel. I'm not a huge Saving Abel fan but I've come to LOVE this song.



I love spoof movies. They're so hilarious. When I heard about Vampires Suck, I thought it would be spoofing all the latest vampire movies/TV shows, but it seems Twilight is the favorite once again. Doesn't matter. If the movie is anything like the trailer, it's going to be a must see.

Friday, August 06, 2010

Banging My Head

I was doing so well with the whole waiting thing. Twelve submissions this year so far. Almost doubles my record for 2009. And yet I find myself banging my head on the wall, creating concussions and all that for only one. I was given a tiny bit of hope for good news and a month or so later, I'm still waiting. Doesn't help when you're reading about others receiving their acceptance or rejection letters from the same magazine. And I'm still waiting. Waiting....waiting....waiting. I hate this part.

Would have been better if they hadn't put that damn false hope in my head. I know what you're saying. They're busy reading hundreds of submissions. Be patient. No news is good news. Yada yada yada. I know the script but the movie still sucks.

In the meantime, I'm dumping my Nano blog from last year, Sinister Tales. I tend to worry about those who follow dormant blogs. Mine hasn't been active for almost a year and yet still managed to get 10 followers. Thanks for the support...I think. If you want to read the excerpts of my Nano project, you have til the end of the weekend to do so.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

WIP Wednesday - Recognized

I don't have anything to report. I'm beginning to think these weekly updates are pretty useless since I'm just a lazy sack of taters.

I did get an email from the the International Blogging Recognition Council. Somebody referred my blog to them. They reviewed my "I Told You So" post and decided my little slice of the internet world was deserving to be a “Recognized Blog”. I don't know if that's a bad or good thing. The psychotic bunnies may be trying to trick me in to believing I'm actually special. They're diabolical that way. Never trust a cutesy animal.

Monday, August 02, 2010

A Letter

Dear Fellow Book Lovers,

I thank you for sharing your love for books with me. I always enjoy learning of new authors and books. However, at this time, my "To-Read" pile is starting to remind me of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Unlike this infamous structure, these Jenga blocks won't hold out much longer. Could we please hold out on any new additions until next year. I was never voted "Most Likely to Read a 100 Books within a Year" in high school for a reason.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Andrea


P.S. Oh, who am I kidding? MUST HAVE THE PRECIOUS!! Tell the hobbits to stop stealing it from us!