Last year I attended the first Arse Elektronika, organized by Monochrom and held in San Francisco. I had a fantastic time and learned a lot (you can read my notes here). So it gives me great pleasure to announce that I will not only be returning to this year’s event …

but also presenting a paper, “What is the 21st Century Novel?” with my co-author Reesa Brown! This years AE theme is “Do Androids Sleep with Electric Sheep?” and covers technology, sexuality and science/social fiction. Our presentation will be part of the first track for the conference, Narration. We will be talking about the history of the novel and our ideas for its future, as well as of course how human sexuality ties into it all. We’re also working on a collaborative project which ties into the paper’s theme that we hope to announce around the time of Arse 2008.

I’m excited to be returning to San Francisco, and Arse Elektronika. See you in September.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

we just said this here...

"After all, a man with a shaven head looks like a baby, so anyone who likes them must be a pedophile."

I am so tired of this lie -- that a woman's shaven vulva looks like a child's.

Time and time again you hear this from people who don't like to shave -- that the modern craze for pubic grooming is some deep-seated, pedophilic lust for children because it makes the area look identical to a child's.

This is just plain wrong.

Now I don't think anyone should feel forced to shave -- my own pubic region stays unshaven and usually, at least, untrimmed, which is also becoming rarer in men as it is in women. I have yet to hear complaints from a partner. I might consider it if I did. I think everyone should make this choice for themselves, based on -- polite! -- input from their lovers. I have been with women who shaved, as well as women who were hairy, just as I have been with women who did or did not shave other parts of their bodies such as their legs and armpits. None of the options are disgusting, all are erotic in their own way. A shaven cunt is pleasurable, just as is an unshaven one, even if the sensations are a little different.

But anyone who says a grown woman's balded private parts look like a kids has not been around children, nor actually studied an adult woman's body. The region changes during puberty in ways additional to the growth of hair, ways which are visible to those who care.

Anyway, tired of it.

Are there post Eeyore's parties happening? Clint's bday as usual? Also are there other parties happening?

Anyone want to put me up if I need a place to sleep in Austin?

and help me get back to BCS?

My poem, “a 24th-century reflection on emptiness,” has been published by Aberrant Dreams. You can read it here.

I’m really pleased to be published in Aberrant Dreams. While you’re at it, check out some of the other works in their webzine.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

For those of you who may have attended Eposia's Crosstime Saloon at Flipside last year, we've got sad news -- a major contributor to our camp, who was going to use her truck to transport our structure to the event, has dropped out of the camp to camp elsewhere at this very late date (we found out wednesday!). Our budget is tight this year and we can't rent a UHaul.

This means that if we can't find someone with a vehicle capable of transporting our 10x20 tent and other equipment to the event in return for gas money, Eposia's Crosstime Saloon is unlikely to appear at Flipside 2008. I realize most people with such a vehicle have already committed it, but I wanted to toss this out to the universe just in case. To be clear, the equipment in question is located here at the 'Slutbarn' in College Station, Texas.

And, additionally, just like everyone else in the Flipsidiverse right now, we're looking for at least one extra ticket -- for Derek, a dedicated and valuable camp member and eposia's brother. I've already placed a listing on Bob's list but figured I'd mention it here too.

I will be in Austin for Poly First Wed. I hope to see some of you there.

I’m trying to get rid of an old Mage: the Ascension-related domain I own, without letting it go to the squatters. Know anyone who will help?

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

Not a lot of writing the last couple days — been catwaxing as well as helping Reesa catch up with some paperwork for her business. I just wrote a little post over on Words Words Words about what I’ve been up too lately, including my latest gaming obsession.

Does anyone else who reads this play Mabinogi?

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

Another day, another draft. This is probably the ‘final’ draft, barring whatever tweaks my readers suggest. I think I fixed the last flaws, including a somewhat serious one which Steve pointed out.

Funeral, 3rd draft
Microsoft Word wordcount: 1,497 words
Manuscript wordcount: 1,500 words

I hope to begin sending this story out soon.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

I finished the second draft of my short story, “Funeral” tonight. I think that I’ve fixed many of the issues Reesa pointed out to me in the previous draft and made the story stronger as a result. I’ve posted it to my writing group and printed out copies for Reesa & Steve to pour over with their Pens of Doom ™.

Funeral, second draft
Microsoft Word wordcount: 1,463 words
Manuscript wordcount: 1,500 words

It took a while to get to this stage; for whatever reason I had to sit on this story for a while before it could be revised. I’m glad I trusted the process and I’m glad to have made it to this stage. Hopefully the story can be sent out soon.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

My review of Tanith Lee’s young adult novel Indigara is now available on the SF Site. I felt a little bad turning in such a negative review of an author I have enjoyed in the past, but it’s my duty as a reviewer to share my feelings on the book I read even if I think it sucks.

Unfortunately, this is a book with serious faults that keep it from feeling like it ever gets off the ground. Most of the time when I read a book, there’s a point somewhere in the middle where I glance to the end to see how many pages are left. If it’s a good book then I am gauging how much pleasure I have left before I finish. If it’s a bad book I’m thinking the opposite — how many pages are left before I can move on to something better? Indigara was definitely a case of the latter, and that moment came a mere 80 pages into the book’s 200.

Check out my review then go looking for one of Lee’s other books; she’s a talented author, she just missed the mark this time.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

Life has left me struggling to find time and energy to write, lately.

I got my laptop back from Dell in great working order, but then I promptly managed to get it infected with some adware that neither my primitive virus checker (AVG) nor the various free antispyware programs could handle. After a couple days of struggling with it, I downloaded a trial version of Norton; this seems to have done the trick so I guess I’ll cough up the money for it when my trial period ends.

I’ve also been helping Reesa catch up with work paperwork, helped friends with their personal crisis or at least their need to relax, and been struggling with my Fibromyalgia. The weather has been fluctuating from cool to warm and back, which is always a prescripton for unpleasantness.

Today was especially draining — our fridge which has been failing for some time totally died. Dealing with building maintenance is always a drag, but today we had the added fun of arguing with them about how we’d expect them to reimburse us for lost groceries and wondering if they’d really take days to replace it as they threatened. They ended up bringing in the fridge from the empty neighboring unit, but then we had the exhausting task of unpacking and then repacking the whole fridge and freezer in a hurry. And, after sleeping, I helped Reesa at Poking You, updating the website and then manning the front during a rush of customers while she got some much needed chill time.

It pleases me though that writing work has continued, even though I’m not doing so regularly enough during busy or complicated times. While I still have to work on my discipline and routine, it is nice to know I don’t abandon my writing as easily as I did even a year ago.

In addition, I got my first unsolicited book in the mail today — a copy of Circlet Press’ new Best Fantastic Erotica. Previous books have been requested from their publisher or SF Site; this is the first time someone sought me out to send me a book, which pleases me. I am looking forward to reading it and reviewing it.

Norton just informed me my computer is still infected with a Trojan, but at least it is blocking it from acting. I still have work to do… Time to start another virus check and then wake up Reesa from her nap.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

My short story, “Becoming,” was about two months out at a fledging but high-paying horror market which has just informed the authors of all its pending submissions that it is going out of business. This is the first time that something like this has happened to me, but I realize it is something writers have to expect from time to time.

While this isn’t an actual rejection, so it can’t affect my ego, it is disappointing to wait so long (though not long at all compared to some publishers wait times) only to have the time be “wasted;” two months was the expected response time of the now deceased publication, so I was anticipating a response any day now. I’m also disappointed because the format — an advertising supported magazine distributed by email — was an interesting one. I definitely want to support the idea of making money through non-traditional venues, but perhaps the time isn’t ripe for this one.

I feel that “Becoming” is one of my best stories, so I am confident it will find a home eventually. I’ve already sent it on to a more established publisher.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

Ups and downs in my writing lately…

Slow progress is being made on Honeycutt Tales. My coauthor has been quite busy with her own life lately, but I’ve also had some good ideas about the story I’ve been working on and added a few new words. I wrote a great Heinlein-style rant in favor of sexual freedom that fits nicely into the story and can probably even be expanded in revisions.

I’m making progress on revising my short story “Funeral”. I feel inspired to keep working on it, and hope I can get it ready for another reader review and eventual submission later this month. I’ve also been working on revising some poetry, specifically a couple of my more sfinal pieces for submission to Aberrant Dreams (since they asked to see more).

Unfortunately, I’ve had to send my laptop, Mycroft, in for service at Dell and this promises to slow me down some, even though I can use Verra, the desktop machine. The setup is not as convenient and doesn’t allow flexibility of working location. I hope to keep writing even so, but I am going to be in a state of mild irritation until 5-8 business days pass and Dell sees fit to return Mycroft to me with the overheating/graphics issues repaired.

Still waiting to hear back on 11 pieces out with various publishers. Hope to make it 12 or 14 at least, this month.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

My mom, a political blogger for Firedoglake, knows about a paid short term job with another major political blog. This blog is looking for someone with project manager experience as well as experience with Wordpress and related programming to help wrangle some programmers and keep them on task. The job does not pay big money but it does pay and would be working from home and helping the liberal blogosphere. If interested post here (comments screened) or email m and I'll pass you on.

My review of Richard Dansky’s first original novel, Firefly Rain, is now available on the SF Site. I really enjoyed this book, and think it is worth at least checking out of your library. I’ve already enjoyed his RPG writing, and his work with Storytellers Unplugged so this novel was a treat. I hope Dansky keeps writing original work, and I have high hopes he becomes an author of note in the Horror genre.

Read the review here.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

"I will rise up and overthrow the government the day they discontinue apod."

I finished another review tonight, of Richard Dansky’s Firefly Rain. It still took me a while to write, but it came significantly easier than the last one. If I can stay in the habit of writing these regularly I’m sure they will come easier and easier with time.

We had Jennifer over tonight for a writing date, with some good discussion of writing, brainstorming, and a nice check-in about where we are writing-wise. Having Steve move in to the Slutbarn has created a lot of upheaval in the last few weeks; it’s been good change but change nonetheless, with a lot of energy expended on house and family. I’m pleased that my output did not drop off entirely, that I kept working even when very busy elsewhere; now I feel like I’m ready to get moving again. If I’m lucky I’ll do some more writing tonight, or at least a bit of catching up on Society of Voluptuaries critiques.

My review of Tanith Lee’s Indigara is slated for publication in an upcoming update to the the SF Site and I’ve requested several more books from their review copies. This is starting to become a bit of a habit, and I’m pleased with that.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.

I’ve decided to start writing book reviews again. I’ve been working for the last couple days on a review of Tanith Lee’s Indigara with minimal success; my review skills felt very rusty. When I complained to Reesa, she responded without a moment’s hesitation, “have you reread your old reviews?”

I had not. I did, and within a couple hours had finished the first draft of my review. My usual procedure when I finish a review is to revise it a little, then wait a day before revising it again. I find I catch a lot after ’sleeping on it.’ When I’m finished tomorrow, I’ll mail it in to Rodger at the SF Site. I really like writing for them for many reasons, and I’m looking forward to renewing our editorial relationship.

I’ll post again here when the review goes live.

Originally published at approximately 8,000 words. You can comment here or there.