Writer's Workshop at Pi-Con (July 31-Aug 2, 2015, Windsor Locks, CT)

Pi-Con is a diverse collection of geeks held annually in August, in the Springfield, MA area. Attendees are fans of books, movies, gaming, webcomics and print comics, tech and gadgetry, costuming, anime, and music. You’ll find people who are into steampunk, space opera, vampires, ren faires, superheroes, and dozens of other genres in various combinations.

Writerly subjects also abound. Starting at 9 AM on Friday, July 31st, Pi-Con will be hosting a fantastic Writer’s Workshop. Editors, agents and other industry professionals will be available to support and advise aspiring writers. This workshop is included in the regular full weekend admission for 9Pi-Con.

Professionals who will be presenting at Pi-Con include

	Bianca D’Arc is a former chemist, lawyer and librarian who has been published since 2006. She writes mostly sci fi, fantasy and paranormal romance and has won two EPPIE Awards, has twice been nominated for a prestigious RT Magazine Award, and had her first werewolf book, Lords of the Were, voted the Favourite Erotic Romance eBook of 2008 in all of Australia. A hybrid author, she has been published traditionally, by small press, and indie.
	Susan Hanniford Crowley is an Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance and writes science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romance, specializing in vampires and rare supernaturals. Susan is an active (professional) member of SFWA, a PAN member of RWA, and an Associate Editor with Space and Time magazine. Susan’s fantasy work appeared in Sword & Sorceress anthologies. Her science fiction “She Came to Sing” appeared in Beyond Centauri magazine. Susan founded the Nights of Passion blog and authored the Vampires in Manhattan series including The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais. Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room is her steampunk romance. Soul Mate Publishing published Vampire King of New York.
	Gordon Linzner founded Space and Time magazine in 1966 and now functions as editor emeritus. He is the author of three published novels and over a score of short stories. He resides in his naive New York City. His freelance work includes copy-editing, tour guiding, sound engineering, and heading up the Saboteur Tiger blues band.

Pi-Con will be held July 31-August 2, 2015. The registration cost is $35 until June 20, 2015. The venue is the Sheraton Hotel at Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT. A group rate of $99 per night is available until July 1, 2015, subject to availability. For more information and the link to the hotel rate, visit the Pi-Con web site at http://pi-con.org/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PiConSF?fref=ts

Boskone 52 (February 13-15, 2015)

Boskone is a regional Science Fiction convention focusing on literature, art, music, and gaming. They're not just SF, though; there's a good amount of Fantasy and some horror representation in panels and author signings.

I won't be doing any readings, signings, or panels, but you can find me hanging out with members of Broad Universe.

Boskone 52 (February 13-15, 2015)

Boston Westin Waterfront hotel
425 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210

Guests

Steven Brust, Guest of Honor
Charles Lang and Wendy Snow-Lang, Official Artists
Maya and Jeff Bohnhoff, Featured Filkers
Robert K. Wiener, Special Guest
Dave Clements, Science Speaker
Vincent DiFate, NESFA Guest

Arisia (January 16 - 19, 2015)

You're probably just getting into the swing of the holidays, but I'm thinking ahead to that quiet time when all the craziness is over and the Science Fiction/Fantasy conventions start up again.

The first on the calendar is Arisia, a volunteer-run convention that covers all aspects of science fiction and fantasy literature and media. I'll be hanging out at the Broad Universe table, signing and selling books, and also participating on two panels:

Religions, Holidays, and Rituals in Your Fiction     

Sat 10:00 AM    

Panelists discuss religions, holidays and rituals across the genres (Fantasy, Horror, SF) and their creation. What are the differences in belief systems associated with traditional holidays of our world's different cultures as compared to those in genre fiction?

Terri Bruce (moderator), Barbara Chepatis, Greer Gilman, Debra Doyle, Morven Westfield

Fortune Telling Methods

Sat 10:00 PM

A discussion of favorite fortune telling methods, their uses, and how they're portrayed in popular culture. Covering tarot cards to hydromancy and everything in-between.

Catherine Kane (moderator), Sean Kane, Anna Erishkigal, Morven Westfield

Arisia Info

Arisia (January 16 - 19, 2015)
Boston Westin Waterfront hotel
425 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210

Author Guest of Honor: N. K. Jemisin
Artist Guest of Honor: Lee Moyer
Fan Guest of Honor: Colette Fozard

Book Review: Aunt Dimity's Death

Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not a traditional murder mystery, which is fine by me. It's a story of people trying to solve a mystery in the sense of something unexplained, something hidden in the past. Well-written, refreshing, and enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the rest of her books.

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Book Review: The Halloween Tree

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Outstanding. I have the audio version, which is narrated by Bronson Pinchot. I didn't recognize his voice and had to look him up on the web to make sure he was who I thought he was! What a voice talent! From the gravely Mr. Moundshroud to the young boys of Halloween night and all Halloween creatures in between, he is absolutely convincing -- and chilling.

I'm going to make this a yearly listening adventure. Maybe next year I'll be able to catch more of Bradbury's poetic prose. This year the sheer thrill of it, and Bronson's execution, distracted me.

My only nitpick: I don't know where Bradbury came up with the idea that Samhain is a god of the dead; in all I've read, Samhain is the name of an ancient Gaelic pagan festival, not a god of the Druids, but maybe Bradbury had different source material. Doesn't matter; this is fiction, after all.

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Book Review: Book of Shadows

Book of Shadows by Cate Tiernan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a YA book, which is not something I normally read, but I wanted to see how the author presented Wicca. Would she cast the would-be witches as evil-dooers or preachy nature-worshippers? No, she cast them as human beings, alive with the excitement of the unknown and necessary trepidation.

Though I'm way past the young adult stage, I actually got a lot of of this, looking back at my high school years and thinking how I would have reacted and wondering enviously if high school kids do mostly have their own cars these days :-)

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Book Review: The Trouble with Magic

The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Often when I finish reading a book, I read the reviews of others to see what I might have missed and to refresh my memory on details.

One reviewer commented that she was disturbed by the paranormal in this book, but given that it's a paranormal mystery, one would expect that. Another reviewer commented that "more of a mystery that happened to have some magic elements than it was a fantasy book," which I agree with. I prefer more paranormal in a paranormal mystery, but since this was the first in the series and we are seeing the paranormal activity through the eyes of a character who is just becoming fully aware of the paranormal world, I think it was just the right amount.

One reader felt that there was too much "Witches good, non-witches bad" (my wording) in this book, whereas another was pleased that the writer did such "a good job about explaining this misunderstood religion." I think we have to remember that this book was published in 2006 by a large publisher, which means that it was probably written around 2003 or 2004, if not earlier. Back then people felt they had to get that message across. (I'm speaking from personal experience: Someone had the same comment about my first novel, published in 2003.)

Not mentioned very often is that there's a little romance in the background. Those who like paranormal romance will find something to like here. I prefer more mystery, intrigue, and paranormal myself, but it worked with the story.

All in all, I thought it was a good start of a series and handled the paranormal well (though I was confused about why they would shut down the power so quickly after raising it in one scene). I look forward to reading the next one.

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Book Review: The Red Tree

The Red Tree by Caitlín R. Kiernan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The audiobook was just mesmerizing and I don't know if that's a function of the reader or Kiernan's lyrical writing. I can't say I can make sense of this work, but I don't regret listening to it.

I will say, though, that the very end of the book (no spoilers here), where the voice switches to another person/characters, didn't make sense to me. Maybe it refers back to something earlier in the book that I've forgotten. And it's only because of that ending that I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5. Yes, I realize that I might have missed the point because I'm not a sophisticated enough reader, and you might read the book and find it resolves well or is unresolved in a pleasing manner, but this is just how I reacted to it.

Still, there's no doubt that Kiernan is a powerful writer with a strong imagination.

(P.S. Speaking of imagination, there's something about the tree and the otherworldly part that reminds me of King's Lisey's Story.)

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Book Review: The Pale Horse

The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted to read this because of the paranormal plot (alleged witches are cursing people to death). Much to my surprise, considering when the book was first published (1962), Christie does a good job of presenting the paranormal aspect and doesn't fall into the trap of blaming it all on the devil. A good read.

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Book Review: A Vision in Velvet (A Witchcraft Mystery #6)

A Vision in Velvet by Juliet Blackwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this series for the well-researched paranormal plots. If you've ever read much on the supernatural or studied history of magic and witchcraft, you'll find Blackwell's stories believable in that context. She gets it right.

And on top of that, her skill as a writer of a cozy mysteries series is excellent, though there were two places in this particular book where I could see things too clearly before she revealed them. (Usually I can't.) Violence is off-camera, so to speak, but not so far off-camera that you can't feel it at all.

This book involved a mystery with ties back to the Salem Witch Trials. Normally I wouldn't pick up a book with that tie because it's so often based on biased accounts of the trials that stated that all of those persecuted were devil worshipers when in fact many were innocents who were falsely accused due to mass hysteria. I don't want to reveal any details, but Blackwell picks a believable thread from that era, if you pardon the pun. That is, just because most of those accused at the trials might have all been innocent, there was still evil around.

As others have noted, you can start anywhere in the series without being lost. Blackwell gives you just enough background so you know who the characters are or what events happened in the past.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Xe Sands. She's amazing, and voices the characters well. I hope she continues to narrate this series.

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Book Review: Someone Tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead

Somebody tell Aunt Tillie She's Dead by Christiana Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you like your paranormal believable, definitely give this book a try. The level of authenticity in the beliefs and actions of the characters is excellent. Great job!

I listened to the audiobook version. I loved the voices of the main character (Mara), Lizette, and Aunt Tillie. I had a problem with the two gay male characters (too queenish) and the British accent of one of them, but that doesn't mean everyone will. They just don't sound like the gay and/or British men I know.

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Book Review: The Cat Who Saw Red (The Cat Who series)

The Cat Who Saw Red by Lilian Jackson Braun
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

People who know me would assume that I picked this book up because of the cats. Actually it was recommended as a good example of a cozy and just happened to contain cats.

The "Cat Who" mystery series actually starts with The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (1966) -- this book is number 4 -- so I didn't have much background on how the cats developed or communicated their talents, but having met many a Siamese cat (and their human servants), I had absolutely no problem accepting the premise.

Written clearly, with deft humor, and increasing tension, it was a pleasure to read.

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Book Review: Tarnished and Torn (A Witchcraft Mystery, #5)

Tarnished and Torn by Juliet Blackwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another well-crafted, action-filled mystery where traditional homespun magic is pitted against darker forces. We learn more about Lily Ivory's relationship with her father and what has happened to Sailor. (I hope that's how you spell it -- that's one disadvantage of listening to audiobooks; you don't know how to spell the characters' names.)

The magic in this episode is exciting and unusual, involving a Mayan fire demon, Xiuhcoatl. Blackwell skillfully blends in her research without making you bored.




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Witches' Almanac #34: Three New Articles

The table of contents for the 2015-2016 Witches’ Almanac has been revealed. This issue won't officially be released until September 1, but you can pre-order it from Amazon.com, which lists it as being available in both Paperback and Kindle versions.

This year's edition contains an article about the late Margot Adler who died on July 28, 2014. (And lest you think that the folks at the Witches' Almanac were just jumping on the bandwagon, the Almanac was already at the printer when Adler passed.)

I have three articles in this edition:

• “Picking Things Up”  — Do you pick up a penny when you see it on the ground? This article reveals the origin of and some variations on this tradition.
• “Walpurgisnacht”  — This article describes the German legend surrounding The Brocken and a recent visit there. According to the legend, on Walpurgisnacht (May Eve), witches gathered from the four corners of the world to attend the Witches’ Sabbat. Riding brooms and goats, they flew to a mist-shrouded mountain peak called the Brocken, or Blocksberg.
• “Fireflies”  — On a hot summer night, just as dusk descends, at the edge of a wood or marsh, something magickal happens. As the sunlight fades, small twinkles of light, faint at first, pulse in the growing shadows. As night overtakes the twilight, more flashes appear, glowing brighter against the contrast of the deepening dark. This article recounts some of the legends associated with these bioluminescent cuties.

Publishing since 1971, the Almanac is famous not just for its astrological predictions by astrologer Dikki-Jo Mullen, but also on the articles about all subjects mysterious and interesting.

Book Review: A Cast-Off Coven (A Witchcraft Mystery, #2)

I'm posting this review a little late and out of order.

A Cast-Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second in the Witchcraft Mystery series, this installment involves a mystery set in a Fine Arts school. An alleged ghost is scaring students and faculty alike and when someone dies, she must determine if it was really an accident, and if not, whether the paranormal was involved.

Good ghost story and excellent narration by Tantor Audio's Xe Sands.

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Witches' Almanac #34 Announced

The Witches' Almanac has announced that the Spring 2015-Spring 2016 (Issue 34) edition will be released soon. The theme of this issue is Fire the Transformer.

The Almanac is famous not just for its astrological predictions by astrologer Dikki-Jo Mullen, but also on the articles about all subjects mysterious and interesting. I will have at least one article in this issue, maybe two, which I'll announce when I see the final table of contents.

Amazon.com is listing this edition for pre-order, with a publication date of September 1, 2014.

Schedule change

Due to other commitments, I will not be attending either Readercon or Necon this year.

Hope to see everyone next year!

My List of Panels for 8Pi-Con (that is, Pi-Con 2014)

Billed as "the friendliest little convention in New England," Pi-Con is held at the Holiday Inn, Enfield, CT, just south of Springfield, MA. This year it's June 27-29, 2014 (next weekend) and I'll be on six panels.

Here's the list:

Fri 6:00pm     How to be a Good Panelist (mod)

Sat 1:00pm     Day Jobs for Writers

Sat 7:00pm     Broad Universe RFR

Sat 8:00pm     Vampires Past, Present & Future--Are They Morphing?

Sun 11:00am    So You Want to Write a Series (mod)

Sun 1:00pm     Kickstarter and Other Microfunding Programs (mod)



And here are the descriptions and lists of panelists.


Fri 6:00 p.m.

How to be a Good Panelist — Agawam

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert, Morven Westfield (M), Michelle Wexelblat

We’ve all been to panels where things got wildly off-topic or where a panelist or audience member hogged the panel. Sometimes it’s been a lot of fun or extremely interesting. Other times, it’s been aggravating. In this panel, experienced panelists talk about preparing for a panel, participating on a panel, being a good moderator, handling someone who’s obviously aggravating, and how different cons have different styles.




Sat 1:00 p.m.

Day Jobs for Writers — Agawam

M. L. Brennan, Ellen Larson, Kristi Petersen Schoonover (M), Morven Westfield, Trisha J. Wooldridge

What’s the best day job for a writer? Is it a writing job that helps you learn to craft a sentence, work with an editor, and meet deadlines? Or a less-demanding job that gives you time—and brain-width—to think about your current work-in-progress. Writers talk about their day jobs and how they’ve helped or hindered their writing progress.


Sat 7:00 p.m.

Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading — Suffield

Terri Bruce, Ellen Larson, Jennifer Pelland, Jennifer Allis Provost, Roberta Rogow, Kristi Petersen Schoonover, Morven Westfield, Trisha Wooldridge

Eight talented writers have six minutes each to blow you away! Broad Universe is an international organization supporting women authors of SF, fantasy and horror. Visit them on Dealer’s Row!


Sat 7:00 p.m.

Vampires Past, Present & Future–Are They Morphing? — Suffield

M. L. Brennan, Susan Hanniford Crowley (M), Morven Westfield

A serious and not so serious discussion of Vampires: Past, Present, and Future. Are they morphing into something else—worse—better? What do the legends teach us? Let’s really get into the teeth of the topic and explore where we would like to see vampires of the future go? Can science create the better vampire?



Sun 11:00 a.m.

So You Want to Write a Series — Somers

M. L. Brennan, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Allen Steele, Morven Westfield (M)

For writers who have written series of two or more books. How do you decide your plot and character arcs for each book? For the whole series? Trilogy or longer? How do you keep track of details? How do you bring new readers up-to-date, or do you put the onus on them to read the earlier books? Are series still being done the same way, or are there new trends in writing and publishing series?


Sun 1:00 p.m.

Kickstarter and Other Microfunding Programs — Suffield

David Larochelle, Jennifer Allis Provost, Morven Westfield (M)

Writers, artists, and musicians are using crowdfunding for their projects. People with experience with this booming trend this tell us how it’s done, what does and doesn’t work, and what they’d do differently.

Book Review: Hexes and Hemlines (A Witchcraft Mystery #3)

Hexes and Hemlines by Juliet Blackwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another excellent supernatural/witchcraft mystery read by an excellent voice talent. I'm really enjoying this series and am sad to see that there's only one more book for me to listen to!

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Finding Time To Read

You've probably heard the advice that to be a good writer, you have to read, but if you're a writer with a day job, you're already a bit pressed for time. If you've got the double-whammy of being a parent, as some of you do, time is incredibly short.

I listen to books while going for a walk during lunch. I subscribe to Audible, but I also get audio books from my local library or from LibriVox. Never heard of LibriVox? LibriVox provides free downloadable audiobooks read by volunteers from around the world.

The books are public domain, which means, usually, that they're very old. But there are some gems if you want something unusual. For example, search by category and enter mythology or history. Or, if you like looking back at the roots of the horror genre, search for Edgar Allan Poe or Arthur Machen. (Machen was a Welsh mystic and writer who wrote in the supernatural, horror, and fantasy genres. Apparently Stephen King called Machen's The Great God Pan "Maybe the best [horror story] in the English language" (quoted from http://stephenking.com/stephens_messages.html).

If you're outside the US, though, pay attention to this disclaimer on the LibriVox site:

LibriVox recordings are Public Domain in the USA. If you are not in the USA, please verify the copyright status of these works in your own country before downloading, otherwise you may be violating copyright laws.

Another option is to read before you go to bed. For me, that doesn't usually work out well. If I'm tired, it's only a paragraph or two before I'm out. If I'm not tired, a good book will keep me awake way too long. Still, sometimes I hit that sweet spot between the two and get in a half hour or more of good reading time.

I was listening to the Writing Excuses podcast the other day and learned of another way to get in more reading time. Mary Robinette Kowal uses her lunch time to read since you can't type much while you've got a fork in your hand.

So there's a thought for you: Bring your lunch to work. Read while you eat. And after you finish? Take that quick walk around the parking lot and "read" some more!