Had a fun & spooky night in O’Fallon! Bwah ha ha
(From left) Authors Robin Tidwell, T.W. Fendley and Jo Hiestand at Rendezvous Cafe n O’Fallon, Mo., tonight — right before we told our ghostly stories and scared everyone out of a year’s growth!
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/ghostly-rendevous/
Oct 29
Climate change: check out Sandy & Kim
Listen to
350.org founder Bill McKibben and climate scientist Greg Jones in conversation with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now explain why Hurricane Sandy should be a wake-up call.
Then let Kim Stanley Robinson do what science fiction does best and give you the full picture in his Science in the Capital series, which encompasses three novels: Forty Signs of Rain (2004), Fifty Degrees Below (2005), and Sixty Days and Counting (2007).
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/climate-change-check-out-sandy-kim/
Oct 29
Dark Visions open mic 10/30 at Urban Eats
The St. Louis Writers Guild will host a special Halloween open mic from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Urban Eats Cafe, 3301 Meramec Street (east of South Grand in South St. Louis).
The event is in conjunction with John Schnellmann’s Dark Visions art exhibition.
Open Mic readers will each receive a small, framable copy of John’s “Life -Death-Taxes #1.” The original, signed print will be raffled that night.
Sweep the cobwebs off your seasonal work and join the party. Costumes optional. On-street metered parking.
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/dark-visions-open-mic-1030-at-urban-eats-2/
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/join-us-1027-at-the-book-house/
Oct 25
BRoP interview: Cary Caffrey
I very happy to start off this week’s Blog Ring of Power interview by introducing you to Cary Caffrey. I met Cary via science fiction author Heidi Ruby Miller, who introduced me to the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday blog. After reading some snippets there from Cary’s novel, THE GIRLS FROM ALCYONE, I had to get it…and found it was even a better read than I expected!
Don’t miss the rest of Cary’s interview at:
- Part 2 @ Em – Friday, Oct. 26
- Part 3 @ Sandra – Monday, Oct. 29
- Part 4 @ Dean – Tuesday, Oct. 30
- Part 5 @ Terri– Wednesday, Oct. 31
CARY CAFFREY: I grew up reading vintage science fiction from the 60’s and 70’s, loving the works of Harry Harrison and Joe Haldeman, Ursula Le Guin, Andre Norton and, of course, Douglas Adams. I still think The Forever War may very well be the best Science Fiction novel ever written. If Ridley Scott ever gets off his can and makes this movie, we’re sure to be in for a real treat (favourite directer, meet favourite writer. Favourite writer meet… Well, you get the idea. Wild).
PART 1: ABOUT CARY
BRoP: When and why did you begin writing?
Cary: I wrote my first short story in 1984 (I was nineteen). I’ve always loved books and reading, and writing was something I’d always wanted to do. But my real reason for writing (okay, this is pretty silly) had more to do with my love of video games and my fascination with technology.
Back in the 80’s, I used to always go over to my good friend Andrew’s apartment to play Zork on his Apple II computer. For those too young to remember, Zork was an old-school text adventure – more like an interactive novel than a game.
It was about that time that my family bought their first computer – a hulking, mammoth-sized PC. Unfortunately, the only programs they had were some accounting programs and … a word-processor. So, with no adventure games to play, the only thing I could do on the computer (and I was determined to do something with it) was write my own adventures.
I spent that summer writing my first science-fiction adventure short story.
BRoP: Tell us about your early works—what was the first thing you ever wrote?
Cary: My earliest works were almost all stage-plays. I grew up in a theater-family. My first real job away from home was working as an assistant stage-manager. While I was in university, pretty much everything I wrote was for the stage – all comedies, pretty farcical stuff. I was also very lucky back then to have a few of them produced. You don’t get better feedback than watching your work performed on stage before a live audience. It was absolutely thrilling!
BRoP: When did you first consider yourself a professional writer?
Cary: In my second year of university I was frustrated by the projects being given to me: short stories, one-act plays, etc. I wanted to do something big. I persuaded an English teacher of mine, who was also a working stage and screen actor, to take on an independent studies project, my first feature-length screenplay.
After two semesters I’d banged out my first draft. With some help and some prodding from my professor, I submitted it to a production company as part of a script development program. They accepted it and purchased the option. The script was never made into a movie (it was bloody awful), but I had my first professional screenwriting credit (woo-hoo!), and a nice payday to boot. For a kid in university, that was pretty cool.
BRoP: What genre do you write?
Cary: These days it’s all about the Science-Fiction. I’m also working on an historical-fiction novel, but even that’s still pure science-fiction. That one’s proving to be really cool. I’m probably equally fanatical about history as I am about SciFi. Combining the two passions is too much fun. I’m very excited about it.
BRoP: If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
Cary: I don’t have much choice. I don’t think I’m wired for 9 to 5. I absolutely have to be working at something creative. If it’s not writing, it’s music. If not music, it’s graphic design. I also love photography. It’s do or die for me, boon or bust. These are the things I absolutely have to be doing (that, and role-playing video games. Argh!).
I have to say, I’ve been pretty lucky in life. My wife always accused me of having a horse-shoe hidden away (somewhere). Even when I put writing (temporarily) on hold back in the 90’s, I fell kind of ass-backwards into a career in the music industry.
So, if I couldn’t be an author…? (we don’t even want to think about that!).
BRoP: What format is your book(s) available in (print, e-book, audio book, etc.)?
Cary: Paperback and Kindle, both exclusively from Amazon
BRoP: Please let us know where your readers can stalk you:
Website: carycaffrey.com
Blog: http://www.carycaffrey.blogspot.ca/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cary.caffrey
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13120464-the-girls-from-alcyone
Twitter: @CaryCaffrey
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/brop-interview-cary-caffrey/
Oct 18
BRoP interview: Zvi Zaks
Welcome to Zvi Zaks, author of A VIRTUAL AFFAIR, as this week’s Blog Ring of Power featured guest. Don’t miss the rest of his interview at:
Part 1 @ Sandra– Monday, Oct. 15
Part 2 @ Dean– Tuesday, Oct. 16
Part 3 @ Terri– Wednesday, Oct. 17
Part 5 @ Em – Friday, Oct. 19
Though I live in the hard-nosed Silicon Val
ley, speculative fiction has always appealed to me. My favorite genres are science fiction that raises new ideas and, for some reason, vampire stories. In particular, Asimov’s robot stories with the speculation of what a robot mind might be like, Saberhagen’s Berserker series which portrayed implacable opponents of humanity, and the numerous stories about Count Dracula draw my interest, though Dracula’s emphasis on Christian symbols doesn’t resonate with my Jewish heart.
My three published novels follow these themes with some elaboration. Instead of Asimov’s three laws of robotics, the artificial intelligence in my story VIRTUAL AFFAIR has only one rule–to make people happy. How much an AI can know about human happiness is an unanswered question. IMPLAC explores the psyche of a Berserker-type robot in a way Saberhagen never does. And the vampire in TRUE SON OF ASMODEUS shies away from Jewish symbols, not Christian ones.
People who enjoy stories a little off the beaten track that are not written just to appeal to popular tastes should enjoy these novels.
Part #4: About Your Current Work
BRoP: Tell us about your new book and when it is out? Where can people purchase it?
Zvi: A VIRTUAL AFFAIR is about a complex computer program, Barbara, designed to make people happy. Through a series of hopefully plausible events, it–she–becomes self aware, and learns that making human happiness is a lot more elusive than her original creators realized. The novel shows the intricate means she uses. But she is a computer program. What can she know about human happiness?
BRoP: Is there anything new, unusual, or interesting about your book? How is it different from other books on the same subject?
Zvi: Most stories about artificial intelligence portray the AIs as more human than not. While Barbara can feign human reactions, it’s clear she isn’t human. Though she is the main character, the story is never in her POV simply because no human can imagine what goes on in a computer’s ‘mind’.
BRoP: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Zvi: The first chapter, where a depressed man has sex with Barbara, was a lot of fun to write, though afterwards I was embarrassed and toned it down. Spoiler alert–though he completes the act, he’s still depressed.
BRoP: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in this book?
Zvi: I’ve never been completely satisfied with my writing, so if I were to go over it again, there would certainly be parts that I’d want to change. But since it’s been published, I’ve deliberately not read it again.
BRoP: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Zvi: Humanity and human happiness are much more complicated than we sometimes realize. No machine will duplicate us in the foreseeable future.
BRoP: Is your book in print, ebook or both?
Zvi: Both
BRoP: Please let us know where can your readers stalk you:
Blog: http://www.fiddlerzvi.com
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fiddlerzvi
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4801758-zvi-zaks
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Zvi-Zaks/e/B004VY7I1A/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_3
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/fiddlerzvi
A VIRTUAL AFFAIR: Think how great virtual sex must be. Now think again. Barbara is a sexual simulation designed to make men happy. When flabby, neurotic Jack tests the program, he triggers a feedback loop that makes it self-aware. The erstwhile pornbot becomes a ‘she’, and discovers that sex is not the same as happiness.Who knew?
Making Jack happy is difficult. Barbara develops elaborate and sometimes sneaky ways to help him, and she succeeds. After all, her abilities are awesome. She can hack into any computer and is not above using sabotage and blackmail for the benefit of Jack–and everyone else.
The problem is, though Barbara thinks she knows what’s best for humanity, she isn’t human. This computer program could end up a virtual messiah or doom us all to cheerful mindlessness.
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/brop-interview-zvi-zaks/
Oct 14
ZERO TIME birthday wishes
First, happy birthday to my debut historical fantasy novel, ZERO TIME!
Thanks to publishers Linda and Lisa of L&L Dreamspell, it came out prior to the end of Maya calendar in December 2012 (which is Zero Time).
It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I first held a copy of ZERO TIME in my hands. Since then, I’ve been lucky to meet a lot of folks at book signings and online who’ve been interested enough to read my book, and that’s what it’s all about. Thank you! I hope you found the journey as rewarding as it was for me to study the ancient Andean and Mesoamerican cultures.
Where has the time gone?
- I spent a lot of time this year trying to figure out how to reach readers–that’s a continuing effort.
- I entered ZERO TIME in a few contests, with some success: winner of the 2011 Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Novel in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll, a finalist for the Missouri Writers’ Guild 2012 Major Work Award, and a semifinalist for 2012 Best Indie Book from Kindle Book Review.
- I did book signings, including several organized by fellow Dreamspell author Judy Moresi (thanks, Judy). The next is coming up Oct. 27 at Book House.
- I attended Tulane University’s Maya symposium, which ignited my imagination.
- I had the chance to work more closely with people who are passionate supporters of writers, including Maria at 6 North Cafe in Ballwin, Robin Tidwell of All on the Same Page Bookstore, and Brad Cook, president of the St. Louis Writers Guild. Maria, Robin and Brad, your work is appreciated!
- I also got to make some great online friends–YAY! to the Blog Ring of Power: Terri, Em, Sandra and Dean, and to the savvy authors at Broad Universe.
- I wrote two novelettes in the Zero Time Chronicles. The first, JAGUAR HOPE, is available FREE this weekend on Kindle books!
- I commissioned writer/illustrator Jennifer Stolzer to create the plumed serpent illustration that I’m using on this website and other promotional materials, such as bookmarks. She also designed the book covers for my novelettes. Thanks, Jennifer!
- Unrelated to ZERO TIME, I attended the SCBWI conference and pitched my Young Adult contemporary fantasy novel, THE LABYRINTH OF TIME. And my short story, “Origin of the Species,” took second place in the Writers’ Digest horror competition.
So, as I head out later today for ARCHON 36–the St. Louis-area science fiction convention–I send a birthday wish to all aspiring writers: May you find success in your endeavors and have the joy of discovery while on your creative journey.
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/zero-time-birthday-wishes/
Oct 11
BRoP interview: Heidi Garrett
Welcome to HEIDI GARRETT, this week’s Blog Ring of Power guest! She was born and raised in Texas, lived more than a decade in Southern California, and now she resides in Spokane, WA, with her husband and their two cats. So far, she loves the snow.
Don’t miss the rest of Heidi’s interview at:
Part 1 @ Sandra– Monday, Oct. 8
Part 2 @ Dean– Tuesday, Oct. 9
Part 3 @ Terri– Wednesday, Oct. 10
Part 5 @ Emily– Friday, Oct. 12
AND there’s a giveaway — but hurry! It ends Friday, Oct. 12. (see below!)
PART 4: ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORK
BRoP: Tell us about your new book and when it is out?
Heidi: NANDANA’S MARK was released on Aug. 14, 2012. It is my debut novel and Book One in THE QUEEN OF THE REALM OF FAERIES series.
BRoP: Where can people purchase it?
Heidi: It is available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNobles.com, iBooks, and Kobo.com.
BRoP: Is there anything new, unusual, or interesting about your book?
Heidi: It is a female-centric YA epic fantasy.
BRoP: How is it different from other books on the same subject?
Heidi: The main character’s mix of faerie and mortal blood defines her experience in the Realm of Faerie. It also fuels the plot.
BRoP: What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Heidi: Winnowing the plot. Choosing the main character and point of view.
BRoP: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Heidi: My favorite chapter to write was: A Serpent’s Tail. Melia’s older sister, Melusine was the main character in an earlier draft. While I chose to let her two younger sister’s take center stage in the final manuscript, I had really enjoyed writing from Melusine’s point of view. Her two chapters in NANDANA’S MARK were the last ones I wrote for the book. I really enjoyed the humor that came through. Embarrassingly, I have gone back to read the chapter several times, and each time it cracks me up. I have been told that I am zany in real life and I do love a dry wit. I felt like I captured some of that as Melusine deals with the dilemma of her weekly transformation.
BRoP: Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?
Heidi: Because I completely rewrote the book three times, I feel like I learned everything I know about crafting a novel from writing this book. And the most important thing I learned was: Write your blurb or synopsis first. If you can sit down and write a one or two paragraph description about your book before you start writing it, you’re good to go. If you can’t, your plot probably isn’t tight enough. You can start writing, but it is likely you will end up doing more revising than you want to do.
I don’t recommend rewriting a book several times. At the same time, nobody could have convinced me that having a brief description of the story at the beginning would have meant I had already worked through the critical plot elements.
BRoP: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in this book?
Heidi: At this point, I would say no. But I am still very close to when it was published. That will be an interesting question to answer in a few years.
BRoP: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Heidi: Mostly I want my readers to enjoy the story. But if they pick up on the underlying themes surrounding the evolution of consciousness that would be great, too. I believe recognizing the dark and light aspects within our own psyches is a critical part of that evolution. For whatever reason, seeing the darkness in others is not as challenging as recognizing it within ourselves. But in doing that, we become more whole. The beauty of an evolved consciousness is spiritual.
Years ago, I watched Spike Lee’s movie MALCOM X. The move is about the evolution of Malcolm X’s psyche. It is clear by the movie’s end that his assassination was a tragedy greater than the death of an individual. It was the assassination of an evolved consciousness. The enlarged world view Malcolm X gained by living through extreme experiences was a thing of great spiritual beauty. His early death was humanity’s loss.
In that vein, there are things that only time and age can bring to consciousness. When we are young, perhaps we see our elders as uncool. Yet we cannot fathom the forces that will shape our own adulthood. My relationship with my maternal grandmother was one of the most powerful relationships in my life. Hopefully, Melia’s relationship with Flora presents a model of bonding across generational lines.
BRoP: Is your book in print, ebook or both?
Heidi: Ebook.
BRoP: Please let us know where can your readers stalk you:
Blog: www.heidigwrites.blogspot.com
Facebook page: Coming Soon
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/Heidi_g
Twitter: www.twitter.com/heidgwrites
Barnes and Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nandanas-mark-heidi-garrett/1112474235?ean=2940014866026
Apple: Search the iTunes store
NOW, about that giveaway…
Do you love faeries and pixies?
Do you love faerie tales, fantasy and magic?
Then enter to win a copy of the new adult novel NANDANA’S MARK, book one in the Queen of the Realm of Faerie series and the debut novel by author HEIDI GARRETT.
What do you have to do?
Just fill out the rafflecopter form at the bottom of Sandra Saidak’s blog for your chance to win. The giveaway is open Oct. 8 through Oct. 12, and the winner will be announced on Monday, Oct. 15, via the participating blogs, Facebook and Twitter.
NANDANA’S MARK: A contemporary faerie tale in a magical world…
Melia has always wanted to fly, away.
From her two sisters, who’ve found their place in the Enchanted World, despite being half-faeries with no wings.
From her mother, the full blooded faerie who practices black magic, and weeps every night when she thinks her daughters aren’t listening.
But mostly from her father, the mortal druid who broke his faerie troth, and lives to reunite with Melia’s mother. He believes incarnating Umbra—the one entity everyone in the Enchanted World fears—will give him the power to return to the Realm of Faerie.
But Melia comprehends the horror of Umbra far better than her father ever will.
Umbra seduces.
Umbra corrupts.
And Umbra destroys.
When her best friend—a pixie named Tatou—urges Melia to turn to the mysterious Illustrator for help, she gives Melia the courage to challenge her father.
As secrets are revealed and a family’s dark legacy spins out of control, Melia’s wish to fly comes true.
It’s just not quite what she expected.
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/brop-interview-heidi-garrett/
Oct 06
JAGUAR HOPE free 10/12 to 10/14
Two black jaguars become the symbol of hope for a race facing extinction when they accompany a dying traveler back to her home planet. JAGUAR HOPE, a novelette, tells of the ill-fated journey to Earth’s Age of Crystal in this action-packed prequel to my historical fantasy novel, ZERO TIME.
If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download the app onto your computer: Kindle Kindle Cloud Reader
Kindle ebook now available: 99 cents
FREE giveaway days Friday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Oct. 14!!
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/jaguar-hope-available-on-kindle/
Oct 05
Dark Visions open mic 10/30 at Urban Eats
The St. Louis Writers Guild will host a special Halloween open mic from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Urban Eats Cafe, 3301 Meramec Street (east of South Grand in South St. Louis).
The event is in conjunction with John Schnellmann’s Dark Visions art exhibition.
Open Mic readers will each receive a small, framable copy of John’s “Life -Death-Taxes #1.” The original, signed print will be raffled that night.
Sweep the cobwebs off your seasonal work and join the party. Costumes optional. On-street metered parking.
Permanent link to this article: https://twfendley.com/dark-visions-open-mic-1030-at-urban-eats/