Category Archives: General Posts

Sports, relationships, parenting, literature, education, and more. If it catches my interest that day, I’ll write about it.

General Posts

Friday Morning Ramblings

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So the good folks at Tor, one of the largest publishers of science fiction and fantasy literature, have a Readers’ Choice Awards that is open to any author.  However, despite it being an open contest, there has been a lot of grumbling about my good friend, Stephen Zimmer, receiving so many votes because he’s an “unknown” author, and the implication has been that he has been faking the votes himself to garner attention.  The reality is that Stephen has built a pretty strong readership through hard work and networking and, through Seventh Star Press, has built a street team of supporters that help promote his works.

Somehow, this offends the defenders of the status quo.  How dare this upstart from Kentucky write a better book than an “established” writer at a major house!  Doesn’t he know that “real” writers can’t come from small presses or self-publishing?  To me, this represents where we are as a nation as a whole right now.  The ones who favor maintaining the status quo revile those of us who still believe in ingenuity and entrepreneurship and go to great lengths to keep us out of the party.  I wonder why they are so afraid of true competition and free market enterprise?

The publishing industry is at a crossroads, like the rest of our nation.  The outdated business models that reward the few and disenfranchise the majority are dying, but those in power are fighting with all their might to preserve their status.  New business models are emerging that don’t need the old infrastructure for success.  Via the internet, a publisher no longer needs a central distribution channel through New York to reach an international audience.  With print-on-demand and e-book technology, a publisher no longer needs warehousing and distribution through New York to reach bookstores.  But as in all revolutions of industry, the old powers will fight to prove their relevance for as long as they can.

For my readers, I ask you to follow the link below and nominate The Fall of Dorkhun if you believe it worthy.  I know I have virtually no chance of winning because I don’t have a large enough audience, but I would like to make a little noise myself and let the old guard know that just because we follow the new business model and are changing the industry forever, we are just as valid as and probably offer a superior product to the status quo.  Support small press and independent business!

http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/01/vote-in-the-torcom-2011-readers-choice-awards

General Posts

Thursday Morning Ramblings

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Today begins a new semester of classes, and even though I’m prepped for all my courses and have been through it hundreds of times, I always feel nervous on the first day.  I’m not certain why, either.  I could teach these courses in my sleep and know my material as thoroughly as I can.  Still, each new course brings the butterflies.  Once I get through the first meeting with each class, I’m always fine, but for some reason, the first meeting makes me anxious.  After nearly 14 years, you might think that would pass, but so far, it hasn’t.

Last semester renewed my passion for teaching, and I hope that carries over into this semester.  While I still want to leave education and write full-time, I like feeling passionate about my job again.  It makes the long, tedious chore of grading a little less painful, and not dreading each day is refreshing.  I’m good at what I do, and even though I can’t always see the immediate results of my labor, I know deep inside that my efforts do make a difference in people’s live.  That’s a rewarding feeling that not everyone gets from their day-to-day work.  I’ve learned to appreciate that and be thankful for it.

On the writing front, books one and two should be available very soon.  All of the artwork for book one is complete and will be posted on here as soon as possible.  The art for book two is nearly finished, and the prelims are awesome.  I can’t wait to share them.  Once all three books are live, we’re going into a full court press with the series.  In terms of writing, I’m knocking out a short story for an anthology and should have it complete by the end of this week.  Once it’s done, I’ll dive back into book four and get my momentum rolling with it.  I hope to get into the routine of writing every night throughout this semester so the manuscript is ready for polishing by mid-summer.

That’s all for now.  Be on the lookout for the artwork for books one and two in the very near future.

General Posts

Tuesday Afternoon Ramblings

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“Karma has a way of working. She may be slow and silent, but eventually she comes calling. And when she does, she pays back in spades. You can lie to yourself, your friends, your neighbors, and your family, but you can’t lie to Karma. And she’s a wicked bitch.”

I posted those words on my Facebook page last night and stand by them.  Personally, I’ve never once claimed to be a perfect human being.  I’ve made my fair share of mistakes and committed my fair share of wrongdoings, but one thing I know for certain is that my conscience is clear in terms of purposefully hurting others.

In my past, I’ve made mistakes, and through the years, I’ve tried to rectify those mistakes by becoming a better person.  In my career, I’ve stumbled a few times, but I’ve always gotten back to my feet and continued fighting forward.  I don’t depend on anyone for anything.

I’ve said before, my spirit has been reforged in the fires of hell, and I’ve seen myself stripped bare, naked and stark in the bright light of loneliness, and from that moment of truth, I don’t fear my Karma.  I have lived and will continue to live my life in a manner that allows me to look myself in the mirror every morning and feel good about the person I am.  I’m not perfect.  But I am a decent, hard-working person who strives to live a good life.