New Novel finished...

Well, I've finished my latest novel. It's a departure from my previous novel which was basically a crime story. It involved cops, a serial killer, realistic New York City scenes... this new novel, which is actually a collaborative effort between my son and I is a FANTASY novel. The working title is "The Father & Son Chronicles" and I actually had a lot of fun writing it. I'm planning on making it a trilogy, but if it continues to be so much fun (and if people are actually reading it) I may keep going. It has knights, barbarians, dwarves, elves, assassins, monsters, gods, kings, queens... it just keeps going and going! Anyway, I'm hoping it gets picked up by an agent and then a major publisher like Tor. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Marketing, marketing, marketing

You know, I just LOVE beating that dead horse! I've been so busy trying to market my novel, Chickenhawk, that I haven't been able to write much of anything new. Oh, don't get me wrong, I've started plenty of things (short storys, articles, fiction and non-fiction books), but I haven't been consistant and I haven't finished anything. Three marketing things I'm doing are:

1. Participating in the L.A. Book Festival via Authorsden. They'll put three copies of my novel on their shelves at the festival, and hand out copies of my promotional bookmarks to attendees.
2. My publisher, PublishAmerica, is sending five copies of my novel to Random House. I have no illusions about the results of this, but I figure that for the opportunity to be read by someone at Random House it's worth the money I paid.
3. I'm participating in the NYC Pitch and Shop next month, in which I will have the opportunity to pitch my novel to several agents; as well as shop it around to various publishers. Again, I feel that the possibilities outweigh the costs.

Anyway, I'm going to have to cut this stuff out and get back to writing, but it's so hard...! Wish me luck!

Poor Christmas

Ah-h-h... well, this is going to be a poor Christmas for me and my family. I'm having money trouble, but in this economy, who isn't? A good thing is that my kids are all grown up now so a lot of the pressure I used to feel to buy them stuff for the holidays is minimized. This year everyone gets a card, a hug, kind words, and a warm, home-cooked meal. This all sounds so good, it's almost hard to believe that in the old days I'd go nuts with all the shopping, card mailing, decorating and stuff... not having any money can be kinda liberating - ya know? I still harbor pangs of guilt at not being to at least buy them something, but I assuage that guilt with the knowledge that it honestly can't be helped, and that it's not their or my birthday anyway. Putting the Christ back in Christmas should be the priority, and it's a shame that it took this long to better see that. It's Jesus' birthday afterall, and it's He who should be getting all the gifts... gifts of praise, love, faith, peace, harmony... and charity. Once again, please don't forget those less fortunate than you. Merry CHRISTmas and God bless.

Have a happy...

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May all of your hopes and dreams come true, may all of yours needs be fulfilled. Please don't forget those less fortunate and remember them in your prayers... and please... write!

Reflection of Me anthology...

One of my short stories, The Toll, has been included in an anthology published by AAMBC Publishing. It's a decent story, kind of a Sci-Fi/Fantasy hybrid. I enjoyed writing it and I hope readers will enjoy reading it. I encourage all who enjoy African-American/Minority literature to purchase a copy of this anthology and give it a looking over, I don't think you'll be disappointed.