• Last chance to enter the Shiny Book Review contest for a free copy of Ari Marmell’s Thief’s Covenant from Pyr Books. The review is here (hint: I liked it) and you can like us over on Facebook (yes, we have a page there… call us sellouts if you like). On the Facebook page, tell us why you are the most deserving (or undeserving, for our resident future evil overlords out there) to win the book.
• I will be unable to attend Mysticon this year. I mentioned this last week and circumstances have not changed. However, I already asked them to pencil me in for 2013 (assuming the Mayans merely ran out of space and are incorrect about the world ending and all that jazz…) and I’m still a go for MidSouthCon. So… yay?
• Many works in progress. You know I’m on Twitter, right? On the right hand side of this page shows all my twits (tweets?). Pay special attention to the hashtag #Wraithkin, because that book is moving along at a steady pace while its sequels are being outlined and plotted. This is probably going to be a trilogy (though there may be expansion later, since there are other enemies out there who do not get their just desserts) so stay tuned.
• That being said, I’m also working on a short story for possible individual publication (or I may just give it away, who knows) based on the universe involving the Dominion of Man’s founder and first emperor, David, and his rise from obscure captain in the Caliphate’s army to the most powerful warlord since Genghis Kahn. That is a story of brutality, loyalty and faith (with lots of boomies interspersed). Rough title: Behemoth of Man.

I swear I’m trying to keep up here, but work, book reviews, writing (which is why most of you come here in the first place) and that little thing called sleep (of which I see less and less of lately) has prevented me from updating every day. I’ll get better as time goes on (and work becomes less stressful).

Oh, and by the way, no Hugo/Nebula thingy this year. I didn’t write a story that was strong enough (in my opinion) and I really don’t want to whore pimp sell campaign for myself anyway.

First off, I’ve informed the concom at Mysticon that I will be unable to attend this year. Work is crazy right now, and one of my fellow workers is out with a major surgery. I was anticipating on him covering for me while gone, and with him out, I’m going to have to bow out of Mysticon. I’m… ashamed, really. I’ve never really had to cancel an appearance before. I feel like I’ve let people down (you know, those four people who liked my book?). However, I have already told them that I am going to see them in 2013 (assuming they want me, that is) and I plan on having a whole slew of books with me to autograph and sell.

Now, on to the good news…

I received my panel schedule for MidSouthCon and they look fun. I’ll announce the schedule the week before, but I can promise you that I will be having an autograph session on Sunday morning (you know, when just about  everyone is hung over still?) and I’ll have copies of both Corruptor and Lawyers in Hell to sell (though with Kerlak there, they’ll be selling more books than I will be… I wonder what their royalty rates are for books sold at cons? Hmmm…).

I’ve seen the cover for Sha’Daa: Pawns (which has my hilarious action horror thriller story, Crouching Seal, Sleeping Dragon in it) and it looks awesome. It even has Kasyarna on the cover (well, sorta), which is freakin’ awesome, given as to the overall high quality of the stories in the book.

Blah. It’s 4:40 in the morning. Wow. I’m not even tired.

Time to go harass the cats.

Stupid muse.

More tomorrow. Right now, must write.

Wanna stalk me (well, discreetly at least)? Without further ado, here is my schedule:

1. Fri, 7:00 PM – Signing Table — I’ll be signing whatever is thrown my way: napkins, boobies, small pets, boobies, blank pieces of paper and oh, my books.
2. Fri, 11:00 PM – Boardroom 1 — (What Was Your Gateway Drug?): Pretty easy panel. Started off with the light stuff, the kind they say doesn’t really do any harm (Piers Anthony, Dragonlance, etc) and morphed to a full-blown addict (Ringo, Drake, Scalzi, etc).
3. Sat, 12:00 PM – Dogwood 1 — (The New SF/Fantasy TV & Film Review): This one is challenging, because I don’t really watch TV. Oh sure, I Netflix stuff like No Ordinary Family and Terra Nova but, other than that? I’m going to have to do some research beforehand so I don’t look like a bigger fool…
4. Sat, 9:00 PM – Dogwood 2 — (Small Press vs Self-Publishing): This one is going to be fun. I’m actually straddling both sides of this fence right now (self-publishingChristian Cole, looking for a small press (or bigger) for Wraithkin). I hope they don’t stick me with people who are 100% pro one side or the other. That could take away some merits of a potentially helpful panel for aspiring authors.
5. Sun, 12:00 PM – Dogwood 1 — (Gaming and Fiction Crossovers): finally! This is my panel. I mean, who better to talk about this than me?

15 Days and counting…

Or die trying.

Two books being reviewed this week: first, the biography of Edward VI, the only legitimate son of Henry VIII and eventual ruler of England. He’s passed over quite a bit in history, due to his father and his sisters (Mary and Elizabeth), but he was a severe Reformer who wanted to see the Reformation take even further hold in England.

The second is a new Bartimaeus novel, the first one in a long time. The Ring of Solomon takes place long before the original series begins, during the reign of King Solomon of Israel. It stars our favorite djinn, Bartimaeus, as he strives to fulfill his quest (and not get tormented and eaten in the process). Snarky and fun, this novel reminded me why I loved Stroud’s sarcastic stylings.

Also racing (against the clock, it seems) to get a few more books done and out to publishers. Wraithkin is getting close, with only two more edits/run-throughs until I’m remotely satisfied and can end it off to the FRC (First Reader Corps). The same can’t be said of either The Green Jewel or The Midnight Crew. *sigh*

I’m sorely falling behind schedule.

At the risk of sounding redundant, I guess I should get back to writing. These books aren’t going to write themselves, after all.

On to the infamous Cordova’s Ball State Report.

If you’re not a college football fan, you may want to skip this one.

I am pleased to see that second year head coach Pete Lembo has put together a better defensive class than his predecessor, and that he got some help for those red zone situations in 6′ 5″ WR Efe Scott-Emuakpor. Granted, the kid’s going to need to gain about 30 pounds before he’s truly effective (he currently weighs in at 180; I think my cat can tackle him), but there is a definite red zone threat right there. Nobody should beat him on a jump ball.

Down side of this year’s class? No speed. With the exception of the aforementioned Scott-Emuakpor, there is only two others on the 2012 recruiting class list who seem capable of  running a 4.5 40 yard dash or faster. One of them is a DB which, while nice, means that he’s going to get burned by those guys who can pull a 4.4 or better. Think that’s stupid? First opponent of the year for Ball State is Clemson.

Their WRs are going to run circles around the DBs unless it rains.

Like, hurricane rain. Maybe even an earthquake or three might help.

Now, I do like the size on the OL. There are some solid blockers up there with good wingspans to stop that outside pass rush. You see a lineman standing at 6’7″, you think “Feed him. Then teach him to kill the DE and anyone else who tries to come through the gap.”

Overall, I’d give this class a better ranking than anyone else. On a scale of 1-10, I’d give it a 5.2. That’s not bad, but it could have been a lot better. Coach Lembo is making some improvements, and this is definitely a better recruiting class than the one from 2010 (2011 is a push, because Lembo didn’t have a full year to recruit).

One other good thing about recruiting who they do? The egos are a lot smaller. None of these guys played reality TV with the recruiting process (nor turned down an offer because there wasn’t a Chick-fil-A around), which means they will buy into the “team first” mentality needed to win.

Fear the chirp!

(Damn it, we still need a better slogan…)

Note to self: no absinthe. Not ever again. EVER. You know it’s bad when I’m begging for some vodka to chase the original drink down with.

However, I have received a copy of the preliminary book cover for the next Heroes in Hell book, which (I may have mentioned this before) has had the title renamed from Adventurers in Hell to Rogues in Hell. I prefer Rogues, so this is actually a good change for the book overall. Here’s a copy of the book cover (preliminary; contrast will probably be brought into play, as will some more lightening I bet):

Pretty nice, eh? I like it. It’s coming out this summer, sometime. Also, Sha’Daa: Pawns will be released soon as well. I’ll have that book cover in a month or so.

2012 is shaping up to be a busy year in the publishing sense.

Sorry for the outage. I originally was leaving up the SOPA/PIPA protest for the weekend, but on Monday I lost my internet (“Lost: Reward” posters were, inevitably, a failure) and only got back online today. That means I missed my review on SBR, lots of interesting things on the ‘net…

…and the renaming of my next anthology. No longer is the title of the book going to be Adventurers in Hell. Now it’s titled Rogues in Hell which, to be honest, I like more. The cover is gorgeous (I can’t wait until I can share it) and there are more stories in this one that the last. (Note to self: go edit the bio page)

Not much else going on. Basically, this was as good of a week as any to lose the internet.

This content has been blocked in compliance with the Protect IP Act (S.968)

It hasn’t happened yet. It still can. Stop this by calling your senator and your local congress critter and tell them this is a bad idea.

Granted, Smashing Pumpkins is probably the godfather of the emo movement (much like how The Cure are for goths), but damn could they play some music. My favorite album, for those of you who may be curious (or may not but hey, my website, you’re going to listen anyways) was Gish, with Siamese Dream right behind it.

There’s not a lot of bands that can claim the ability to force me to drop everything and rock out for 3-5 minutes. The Cruxshadows are one of them, and Smashing Pumpkins is another. Maybe some classic Guns N Roses, but that’s about it (off the top of my head that I can think of right now).

Saw Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol tonight. I wasn’t blown away, but I was underwhelmed either. I’d give it a C+, since the cinematography was pretty decent and the action sequences were pretty damned good. If they’d had less Tom Cruise and more of everyone else it would have gotten a B- easily.

Wrist still hurts but not as bad. I don’t think it’s going to warrant a doctor’s visit yet.

Time for bed. Busy day tomorrow.