ArchiveMay 15, 2006More Convention Reports and More NewsHard to believe another month has gone by since my last update. One of these days, I hope to update on a more regular basis. I've got a lot to report, including two convention reports (Eeriecon and the Games Workshop GamesDay) as well as some cool news about both Kal Jerico: Cardinal Crimson and my next Kal Jerico novel - Lasgun Wedding. Eeriecon 8 ReportI attended my fourth Eeriecon over the weekend of April 21-23 and, as usual, had a great time. The weekend started on a moving note, with a tribute to my good friend, Pat York, who died tragically shortly after last year's Eeriecon. But as Pat would have wanted, we toasted her memory and then got back to work entertaining our fans. I sat on some excellent panels and had a blast during Eeriecon's traditional game show - What line's Mine. Read my Eeriecon 8 Convention Report for more details. GamesDay ReportI had heard that the Games Workshop GamesDays were big events (and Baltimore's is supposed to be the biggest), but I was unprepared for what I saw at the Baltmore convention center last weekend. Literally thousands of fans were on hand, strewn out over dozens of tables moving their armies across the most elaborate terrains I've ever seen. Not only that, but these people came to spend money. I spent most of my day at the Black Library table signing copies of both Blood Royal and Cardinal Crimson. I started the day sitting behind huge stacks of books, but by the end, I had nothing left to sign as we sold out of both books in just one day. It was amazing. For more details about this wonderful event, read my GamesDay Report. Cardinal Crimson Book LaunchPlans are in the works for a book launch event for my second Kal Jerico novel - Cardinal Crimson - at the Balticon SF convention over Memorial Day weekend. I'm still waiting to here from the programming chair about the exact date and time, but there will be an event during the convention. the books will be on sale, and I plan to read from the book, answer fan questions, and sign copies during the launch. Watch this space for more information. Date Set for Kal Jerico's Lasgun WeddingMy third Kal Jerico novel, Lasgun Wedding has been put on the Black Library 2007 schedule. It is set for an April release. My outline is done and I'm just waiting on approval to start writing. I can't tell you much about the story, but you can be sure it will include a Kal Jerico-style wedding. We're talking body count here, people. Convention Schedule ChangeI have decided to attend Readercon this year (the weekend of July 7 to 9) and so will probably not attend Confluence. While I always greatly enjoy Confluence, I have wanted to attend Readercon for years and something had to give. Check my Sightings Page for my updated schedule. April 8, 2006Convention Report and NewsI had just planned to update with a convention report from Ad Astra, which is up, but the big news this week is that I have been asked to attend the Games Workshop Gameday in May as the Star Author. More information on this wonderful opportunity below. GW GamedayVince Rospond, my U.S. contact for Games Workshop wrote to me earlier this week with an invitation. He asked me if I would come to Baltimore in May to be the Star Author for their annual Gameday (a one day gathering of fans). I will get to talk to the fans and answer questions and launch my second Kal Jerico book in real style. I was honored by the invitation and have accepted. So, come May 13, I will be in Baltimore for the GW Gameday. I will provide more info as I get it. Check my Sightings Page in a few weeks for my itinerary. Ad Astra ReportThe 25th Ad Astra convention in Toronto, Canada, was ahuge success. I got to see and talk to most of the Guests of Honor (including a wonderful conversation with my good friends Ed Greenwood). Read all about my weekend in the Convention Report. March 22, 2006Golden OpportunitiesTwo updates at this time; both of which are golden opportunities - for me and for you. First, I have had a story accepted into the Golden Age SF: Tales of a Bygone Future anthology. Second, I have my schedule for Ad Astra posted for any readers who can make it to toronto later this month. Golden Age SF Anthology
Ad Astra Panel ScheduleI will be on three panels at the Ad Astra science fiction convention in Toronto later this month. Plus I will be doing a reading from either the short story mentioned above or from my upcoming Kal Jerico novel, Cardinal Crimson. Check out my Sightings page for my schedule. On top of that, look for me in the wonderful Ad Astra Con Suite talking with fans and fellow writers. My writing Group - Thundering Word - also plans to host a party during the convention. So stop by and say hello. February 27, 2006Where Has the Time Gone?One of my New Year's Resolutions was to update my site more often. And I've done just about as well on that reolution as all of my other ones. But I promise I will update more often in the coming months. So, let's get to it. Crimson Released in Two MonthsMy foruth novel, Cardinal Crimson, will be released in May, so over the next two months expect information about books signings. I hope to have a big release bash at Balticon over the Memorial Day Weekend. Watch here for news about that. In addition, I am already in talks with my editor at Black Library about the third Kal Jerico outing, and you just might get a sneak preview of the plot of that novel when you read Cardinal Crimson. 2006 Convention ScheduleI am firming up dates for my 2006 convention season. The first two are coming up soon. I will be traveling to Toronto for Ad-Astra in May and then to Niagara Falls for EerieCon in April. Check my Sightings Page for the current calendar. Mongoose UpdateUnfortunately, I still cannot reveal the details of the project I have been working on for Mongoose Publishing. However, things are progressing. I am currently revising the outline for the novel, and I hope to have approval and a contract soon. Once that happens, I can bring you all in on the exciting secret. No Longer Dreams Nominated for AwardThat No Longer Dreams anthology published by Lite Circle books last year was nominated for the Preditors and Editors 2005 Readers Poll in the Horror category. This wonderful anthology, which includes my story "Adrift in the Maelstrom," finished in the Top Ten (at number seven to be exact). I would like to congratulate the editors of this anthology, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Lee Hillman, and Jeff Lyman, for this distinction, and also thank them publicly for all of their hard work on the book. Astronomicon DocumentaryThis is a fun one. If you read my 2005 Astonomicon Con Report, you may remember that there was a videographer (named Keith Cunningham) there doing a documentary on one of the most colorful guests at the convention - Dave Freer from South Africa. Well, the documenatry entitled, Coconuts from Above - the life and Writing of Dave Freer, is complete and you can see a teaser trailer of it on Keith's website (scroll down to find the Teaser Button). December 12, 2005Two Interviews and a Sermon
But for your enjoyment this week, I have uploaded my latest sermon as well as the raw text from my interview of the legendary Terry Pratchett from September of 2004. In addition, I got news this week that a podcast interview I did at Balticon in May 2005 is now available online. Terry Pratchett Interview
Balticon PodcastLast May, while attending Balticon, I got the chance to sit down with Paul Fischer for a podcast interview. I was then lucky enough to get to horn in on Tee Morris's interview with Paul, and we had a blast. For those of you who don't know Tee Morris, he's a busy writer with several books out in the last few years, and recently has become the SFF industry's podcasting guru with the publication of Podcasting for Dummies, which Tee co-wrote. You'll have to leave the site for this one, but it's well worth it. Go listen to the podcast now! Thanksgiving SermonOn November 30, 2005, I gave a sermon at our local Unitarian Universalist church. The theme was thanksgiving. I had planned to discuss Native American spiritual traditions for this sermon, but I got sidetracked by the truth behind the first thanksgiving. Now you can read "The Spirit of Thanksgiving" and make your own judgment. November 18, 2005Too Long AwayLate Summer and early Fall really got away from me. In fact, September and October were just a blur as I finished up my second Kal Jerico novel in a flurry of writing. My 4th novel now has a title -- Cardinal Crimson -- and a tentative release date -- May 2006. In other news, I have been asked to write a novel for Mongoose Publishing, which I have started this month. More news on that once the ink has dried on the contract. But this is a big title, let me tell you, and I am very excited about it. In still other news, I recently gave another sermon, which has now been uploaded to the site, and I attended a couple conventions, which have reports up finally. Cardinal CrimsonMy second Necromunda novel for Black Library, the fiction imprint of Games Workshop, has been titled Cardinal Crimson , so I guess the cat is out of the bag about which major character from the Kal Jerico graphic novels will show up in this novel. The good Cardinal, fanatical religious leader of the Redemptionists in Hive Primus, does figure quite prominently in this novel, which is written and off to my editor as of this update. For more info about this story, see the UK Amazon.com page for the book. This book is currently scheduled to be published next May. I'll update again when I know more (and when it has a cover illustration to share). Mongoose PublishingMongoose Publishing has asked me to help them launch a new line of fiction. We haven't inked the contract yet, so I can't say too much about it just yet. But it is a big name license, and I am ecstatic to be a part of it. I should have the contract in hand soon and will then be able to make an official announcement. For those of you who are curious, take a look at some old reports on GamingReport.Com, and you should be able to figure out which license I am working on. Albacon and Astronomicon ReportOctober found me in Albany New York for Albacon and in November I ventured to Rochester for Astronomicon. Both conventions were a lot of fun. Read about my experiences at these cons in this joint Convention Report. October SermonI gave a sermon titled, "A Light to Guide Us Through the Darkness," For the Halloween service at the East Aurora Unitarian Universalist church. The full text of this sermon, which deals with the history and true meanings of the Halloween holliday is now available on my website. I now have over a dozen sermons on the website, which can be found on my Non-Fiction Writings page. August 11, 2005A Busy MonthJuly was just too busy, which is my way of saying I'm sorry for not updating the site in the last four weeks. Along with working on my next Kal Jerico novel, I have been going to book signings, doing the convention thing, getting interviewed a couple of times, and playing a lot of World of WarCraft. Oh, and getting ready for GenCon. GenCon is Coming!GenCon is next week and I will be busy. I have four seminars that are listed on my Sightings page, and I have just added two Blood Royal book signings. I will be in the Sabertooth Games booth from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, August 19 and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 20. Blood Royal ReviewsI have recently received two quite positive reader reviews on Amazon.com. Check the Blood Royal page on Amazon to see what readers think of my latest novel (or post your own review). InterviewsIn addition to getting grilled on the Greg Sterlace show this month (check out Greg's website for pictures), I was also interviewed by a freelance writer while attending the Confluence convention in Pittsburgh. That interview should appear in the October issue of The Writer's Post Journal, which is published by the good people at LBF Books. I will post more information here as I get it. World of WarCraftIf you're into gaming at all, you have to check out this massively multiplayer online roleplaying game. And if you want to run around and kill some monsters with yours truly, look for Baraqorn in the Dalaran realm. July 11, 2005Blood Royal Book LaunchBlood Royal, my first Necromunda novel is in the stores in Great Britain and should be available in the U.S. by the end of the month. To celebrate the release my third novel, I have two book signings slated in the Buffalo area, will be hosting a launch party at the Confluence SFF convention in Pittsburgh, and will appear on the Greg Sterlace show on local cable. Book SigningsCheck out my Sightings page for more information on the following book signings:
Greg Sterlace ShowThis is a live talk show that airs throughout Western New York on Adelphia Cable's channel 20. I will be on with Greg and Sal Monaco on Friday, July 22 from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Confluence ScheduleMy schedule is set for Confluence this weekend. Check out the Sightings page for the schedule and information about the Book Launch party. I also plan to raffle off a chance to appear in my next Kal Jerico novel at the convention. June 16, 2005Great News WeekI got three pieces of excellent news this week. First, Blood Royal, my Kal Jerico novel coming out in July, has made its way to the front page of the Black Library website, with a link to a page where you will eventually be able to get a downloadable extract from the novel. Check out this Blood Royal page at the Black Library site to read a synopsis of the novel. Then check back later to download a sample from the novel, or just order your copy online. But the even bigger news is that I am being contracted to write a follow-up to my soon-to-be-published Necromunda novel, Blood Royal. I have already begun writing, and will have a busy summer to meet my September deadline. I can't say too much about this new novel (not even the title or the expected publication date). But I will say that fans of the first two Kal Jerico graphic novels should be pretty excited about the return of one of Kal's more boisterous and flamboyant nemeses in this new novel. Lastly, I found out recently that the Fantasy Writer's Companion was named as a finalist for ForeWord Magazine's 2004 Book of the Year award. ForeWord Magazine is a review trade journal devoted to covering books from independent houses. The Fantasy Writer's Companion is a writer's guide from Dragon Moon Press that offers advice, examples, and resources dedicated to helping you create your own epic fantasy adventure. I provided a chapter on writing in shared worlds for this writing guide, and I am quite pleased that it is receiving such accolades. The Fantasy Writer's Companion was also a finalist for the 2005 EPPIE award for Best Non-Fiction Ebook of 2004. June 7, 2005Back from BaltimoreMy Balticon experience was fantastic. The No Longer Dreams book launch party was a roaring success, and all of my panels were well-attended. Read my convention report to find out more about Balticon. I'm now takng a month off from conventions to focus on writing and to prepare for the launch of my next novel, Blood Royal, in July. Check out my Sightings page for information about signings and a book launch party at Confluence in Pittsburgh. May 24, 2005Baltimore BoundI'll be on my way to Baltimore later this week for Balticon. Read more about it below. Plus, the final installment of my Urza's Cycle short stories has been uploaded to the site. Phyrexian AutopsyThe final installment in my Urza's Cycle short story trilogy "Phyrexian Autopsy," has been uploaded to the site. This story first appeared in The Official Urza's Destiny Game Guide, which I also wrote. The bulk of the book was a card-by-card analysis of the Magic: The Gathering - Urza's Destiny set. But this short story served as an introduction to the main plot points of the story behind the set. Read "Phyrexian Autopsy," reprinted for the first time in six years Right Here! (Note: this is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read it.) Please remember that these stories are reproduced, with permission, from Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All text and images are the property of Wizards of the Coast and may not be reproduced without their express written permission outside of this website. May 16, 2005New Writings OnlineI presented another sermon this past Sunday, which is reprinted on my nonfiction page, and have also uploaded the reprint of my second Magic: The Gathering short story on the fiction page. In aother news, I will be attending a book launch later this month and my first hard-cover role-playing guide, Heroes of Battle, is in stores now! In Defense of MarriageThe latest in my series of sermons, presented at the Hamburg, Unitarian Universalist church, takes a critical look at the history of marriage and how that history might impact the current marriage debate raging across our country. Read the sermon right here! Scars of the LegacyMy second Magic: The Gathering short story, "Scars of the Legacy," appeared in The Official Urza's Legacy Game Guide, which I also wrote. The bulk of the book was a card-by-card analysis of the Urza's Legacy set. But this short story served as an introduction to the main plot points of the story behind the set. Read "Scars of the Legacy," reprinted for the first time in six years right here! (Note: this is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read it.) But remember, these stories are reproduced, with permission, from Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All text and images are the property of Wizards of the Coast and may not be reproduced without their express written permission outside of this website. No Longer Dreams Book Launch
Heroes of Battle in Stores Now!
Discussion ListDon't forget to check out my Yahoo Discussion List. anyone can join and converse with me online. It's easy to join and you can get the entire list through email. Check out the Discussion List page for more information. May 5, 2005Happy Cinco De Mayo!Have I had a great first week of May! I taped a Five Minute Video that will air on the Web and in three cities in the near future. I was interviewed twice. One of my books is getting translated. And I received permission to reprint my earliest Magic: The Gathering Short Stories right here on my website. A Time for RemembranceMy first short story, "A Time for Remembrance," appeared in The Official Guide to Urza's Saga, which I also wrote. The bulk of the book was a card-by-card analysis of the Urza's Saga set. But Wizards of the Coast also wanted to highlight their new storyline, and so I suggested a using a short story that would summarize the main plot points and would precede the card analysis section. That short story (along with two more for the follow-up guides to Urza's Legacy and Urza's Destiny) have not been seen in about seven years. They are coming back now. The first one is right here! (Note: this is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read it.) But remember, these stories are reproduced, with permission, from Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All text and images are the property of Wizards of the Coast and may not be reproduced without their express written permission outside of this website. The Moons of Mirrodin Translated into German, SpanishThat's right, I found out this week that The Moons of Mirrodin, my second Magic: The Gathering novel, is being translated into both Spanish and German. I don't know the time frame on either translation, but it sounds like they will be appearing in their respective countries in the very near future. Five Minute Video SeriesI was interviewed for the Five Minute Video series on Saturday, April 30. I taped two segments - one on Science Fiction and Gaming conventions and the other on my upcoming Kal Jerico novel Blood Royal. The Five Minute video series is the brainchild of Producer Richard Wicka. They air on the Internet as well as on public access television in Buffalo, New York, Los Angeles, California, and Sydney, Australia. My Five Minute Videos will will be up on the web sometime after the Release Party for the first Five Minute Video DVD, which takes place later this month. However, there is an mp3 file with a 19-minute audio Book Interview I did after taping my Five Minute Videos. Just follow the links to the Five Minute Video Page and then find the link to the Book Interviews. On the Air on WBNYI went on the air on Monday, May 2 with Sal Monaco on Buffalo State's radio station WBNY. Unfortunately, their streaming audio was down at the time, but I'm sure that Sal will ask me back again in the near future. We talked about the process of writing, working in gaming worlds, and I even did a reading on the air of my upcoming Kal Jerico novel, Blood Royal. It was a blast, and the hour whipped by. April 25, 2005Seminar InfoThis week I have two convention items to report. GenCon Seminar ScheduleMy GenCon seminar itinerary is set. I will once again be doing seminars with my good friend Tim Waggoner. Check out the seminars on my Sightings page and then go sign up at the GenCon Indy website. Eeriecon ReportI went to EerieCon this past weekend (April 22-24) and had a book signing with the guest of honor the night before. Check out my EerieCon report for all of the happenings. April 16, 2005Website OpenAfter years of putting it off, I have finally gotten my website up and running. And do I have a lot to report. Check back here for regular news updates. Kal Jerico: Blood Royal
Heroes of Battle
Two New Anthologies
Robert J. Sawyer InterviewI got a chance to interview Rob Sawyer last year at WorldCon. Unfortunately, I never found a home for that interview. But my bad luck is your good luck. You can read the entire Rob Sawyer interview for free right here! Book SigningI will be at Borders books on Walden Road across from the Galleria on Thursday, April 21 for a round-table book signing along with Allen Steele, Steven Brust, Anne Bishop, and Lynn Flewelling. See my Sightings page for more details. Upcoming ConventionsI will be at EerieCon in Niagara Falls on April 22-24, at Balticon in Baltimore (of course) over Memorial Day Weekend, and plan to attend Confluence in Pittsburgh in June and GenCon in Indianapolis in August. See my Sightings page for dates and my convention schedules. Discussion ListI have created a new discussion list for anyone who wants to converse (almost) one-to-one with me online. It's easy to join and you can get the entire list through email. Check out the Discussion List page for more information. |
Contact Will Copyright Notice |
My story, "On the Off-Ramp
of the Inter-Galactic Superhighway" has been
accepted for publication in the 
Well the big news is
that the final draft of 
I had
the chance to interview 
I will
be appearing at 
Heroes of Battle is a
hard-cover Dungeons and Dragons source book, I co-wrote
with David Noonan and Stephen Schubert, which provides
rules, settings, prestige classes, new spells, and cool
items, and some fantastic mounts (if I do say so myself)
for use in a wartime RPG campaign. The book hit store
shelves on May 6th. Check out my 
I
recently finished writing my first Necromunda novel. It
is called Blood Royal, and it's the first
novel-length outing for Black Library's smart-mouthing
bounty hunter - Kal Jerico, who has appeared in three
graphic novels. In Blood Royal, Kal has to deal
with some pressing "family" matters while
Yolanda and Scabbs track an Underhive vampire. Learn more
about it on my 
