Richard Lee Byers's Blog, page 11
June 27, 2016
I was a guest on the Round Table podcast
I was a guest on the Round Table podcast. You can listen here:
http://www.thetomeshow.com/e/round-table-125-the-awakened-ii/
http://www.thetomeshow.com/e/round-table-125-the-awakened-ii/
June 25, 2016
Random impressions of my first American Library Association Conference
Today I attended my first-ever American Library Association Conference in Orlando. I was there manning the Horror Writers Association table for a while. A few random impressions:
It's basically like a big SF convention dealer's room with a couple panel rooms running off to the sides, only more sedate.
There are people selling a surprisng amounto of stuff that isn't books. Furniture, bookmobiles, data systems, etc. Pretty much everything a public library system need. In other words, this event is the "business's" trade show. Makes sense, but it's not quite what I was expecting.
With regard to vendors, the saddest thing I saw was this. One booth was selling digital conversion of material preserved by older technologies, and they had a banner that basically said, "Convert your shitty old paper and microfilm records to digital." And right across from them was the booth trying to sell microfilm systems. Good luck with that.
To me, another oddity among the vendors was the publisher that exists to keep L. Ron Hubbard's science fiction in print. Granted, west central Florida is a big area for Scientologists, so their presence makes a certain amount of sense, but still, it's just odd to see anybody making a fuss over Battflefield Earth in 2016.
The library system of Qatar had a booth, which seems to me to be proof positiive that Qatar has so much money they truly don't know what to do with it all.
The most interesting-looking idnividual I saw cruising around was a fellow from the Library of Congress booth. He was a very bookish looking ectomorph in a tan suit with a plaid bowtie and matching pocket handerchief. I'm pretty sure he was actually the living god of NPR walking incognito among the mortals.
It's basically like a big SF convention dealer's room with a couple panel rooms running off to the sides, only more sedate.
There are people selling a surprisng amounto of stuff that isn't books. Furniture, bookmobiles, data systems, etc. Pretty much everything a public library system need. In other words, this event is the "business's" trade show. Makes sense, but it's not quite what I was expecting.
With regard to vendors, the saddest thing I saw was this. One booth was selling digital conversion of material preserved by older technologies, and they had a banner that basically said, "Convert your shitty old paper and microfilm records to digital." And right across from them was the booth trying to sell microfilm systems. Good luck with that.
To me, another oddity among the vendors was the publisher that exists to keep L. Ron Hubbard's science fiction in print. Granted, west central Florida is a big area for Scientologists, so their presence makes a certain amount of sense, but still, it's just odd to see anybody making a fuss over Battflefield Earth in 2016.
The library system of Qatar had a booth, which seems to me to be proof positiive that Qatar has so much money they truly don't know what to do with it all.
The most interesting-looking idnividual I saw cruising around was a fellow from the Library of Congress booth. He was a very bookish looking ectomorph in a tan suit with a plaid bowtie and matching pocket handerchief. I'm pretty sure he was actually the living god of NPR walking incognito among the mortals.
June 23, 2016
The Kickstarter for THE AWAKENED II is now live
Here's the Kickstarter for the fantasy anthology THE AWAKENED II. I have a story in it, and I hope you'll check out the campaign.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2033407677/the-awakened-ii
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2033407677/the-awakened-ii
June 20, 2016
I will be a guest on the MythWits podcast at 9:30 PM tonight
I'll be a guest on the MythWits podcast at 9:30 PM tonight. You can listen and submit questions at this link.
http://studio187.com/mythwitslive
http://studio187.com/mythwitslive
BLACK DOGS audiobook now available for preorder
Black Dogs is coming from Privateer Press!
This is the first novel in my new fantasy trilogy set in the Iron Kingdoms universe. It stars the Black River Irregulars, the merceanries who previously appeared in my novella Murder in Corvis.
Natiurally, the novel will be available In print and eBook editions, too, but Audible is first out of the gate with a solicitation.
http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Black-Dogs-Audiobook/B01GEYPV90?action_code=AUDORWS0424159DCE
This is the first novel in my new fantasy trilogy set in the Iron Kingdoms universe. It stars the Black River Irregulars, the merceanries who previously appeared in my novella Murder in Corvis.
Natiurally, the novel will be available In print and eBook editions, too, but Audible is first out of the gate with a solicitation.
http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Black-Dogs-Audiobook/B01GEYPV90?action_code=AUDORWS0424159DCE
May 29, 2016
SNAFU: UNNATURAL SELECTION now available for preorder
Now officially available for preorder: SNAFU: UNNATURAL SELECTION from Cohesion Press. New military horror stories by terrific writers like James A. Moore, Tim Lebbon, Charles R Rutledge, Christopher Golden, and Michael McBride, plus you get a new novelette by me.
https://www.amazon.com/SNAFU-Unnatural-Selection-Christopher-Golden-ebook/dp/B01GBOFMK6?ie=UTF8&keywords=SNAFU%20Unnatural%20Selection&qid=1464550888&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/SNAFU-Unnatural-Selection-Christopher-Golden-ebook/dp/B01GBOFMK6?ie=UTF8&keywords=SNAFU%20Unnatural%20Selection&qid=1464550888&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
May 16, 2016
Eight Steps to Writing Your First Story in a New Shared World
I wrote a guest post for James R. Schmidt's blog: Eight Steps to Writing Your First Story in a New Shared World.
https://mightythorjrs.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/guest-blog-eight-steps-to-writing-your-first-story-in-a-new-shared-world-by-richard-lee-byres/
https://mightythorjrs.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/guest-blog-eight-steps-to-writing-your-first-story-in-a-new-shared-world-by-richard-lee-byres/
May 15, 2016
Gen Con Event Registration is now open; here's where you can hear me speak
Gen Con Event Registration is now open. For those harboring a desperate desire to hear me run my mouth, this is my schedule in the Writer's Symposium seminars:
THURSDAY:
Business of Writing 101, noonWriter's Craft: Show, Don't Tell, 2 PMWriter's Craft: Write What You Know, 5 PM
FRIDAY
Writing Novels: Story Breadcrumbs, 11 AMWriting Novels: POV Head Hopping, 2 PMBusiness of Writing, Media Tie-IN Market, 5 PMWriter's Craft: Introducing New Worlds in Novels, 6 PM
SATURDAY
Business of Writing: Knowing When To Quit, noon. (Yes, I know, there are people who think I should have quit years ago, but I'm on it anyway, possibly to provide a bad example.)
I may have additional events in conjunction with one publisher or another,but this is it so far.
THURSDAY:
Business of Writing 101, noonWriter's Craft: Show, Don't Tell, 2 PMWriter's Craft: Write What You Know, 5 PM
FRIDAY
Writing Novels: Story Breadcrumbs, 11 AMWriting Novels: POV Head Hopping, 2 PMBusiness of Writing, Media Tie-IN Market, 5 PMWriter's Craft: Introducing New Worlds in Novels, 6 PM
SATURDAY
Business of Writing: Knowing When To Quit, noon. (Yes, I know, there are people who think I should have quit years ago, but I'm on it anyway, possibly to provide a bad example.)
I may have additional events in conjunction with one publisher or another,but this is it so far.
April 25, 2016
Stories I would like to read (or see) just once
THE HOUSE HUNTER WHO DID SOME RESEARCH
REALTOR: Of all the houses on the list I sent you, the one I think you might like best is the one at 13 Nocturnus Lane.
HOUSE HUNTER: I looked it up on the Internet. Apparently there have been several gruesome, mysterious murders there.
REALTOR: Or we could start with 1255 Bright Meadow Road.
THE TEENAGER WHO RESPECTED HER ELDERS
PRINCIPAL: So that’s why we take Tranqui-Pills, Jennifer. In the olden times, strong emotion led to a war that nearly destroyed the world. Now that you understand, will you promise to take YOUR pills every day?
TEENAGER: I sure will, Principal Davis, I sure will!
THE COP WHO PLAYED BY THE RULES
HANNIGAN: The Ace of Diamonds killer and his victim could be right on the other side of this door!
GOMEZ: You can’t go in, partner! We don’t have a warrant or probable cause!
HANNIGAN: Darn, you’re right. We have to respect the Constitution. You want to get some lunch?
THE COP WHO PLAYED BY THE RULES 2: THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL (ALTHOUGH NOT SO PERSONAL THAT HE TURNED INTO SOME KIND OF MAVERICK OR SOMETHING)
THE LIEUTENANT: You’re too close to this one, Hannigan! You’re off the case!
HANNIGAN: Okay, Lieutenant, if that’s what you think is best.
THE SCIENTIST AND THE CLERGYMAN
CLERGYMAN: Victor, you have to stop! Man was never meant to resurrect the dead! That’s the province of the Almighty!
SCIENTIST: Gee, I never thought about it that way. Shut it down, Ygor! Shut it all down!
REALTOR: Of all the houses on the list I sent you, the one I think you might like best is the one at 13 Nocturnus Lane.
HOUSE HUNTER: I looked it up on the Internet. Apparently there have been several gruesome, mysterious murders there.
REALTOR: Or we could start with 1255 Bright Meadow Road.
THE TEENAGER WHO RESPECTED HER ELDERS
PRINCIPAL: So that’s why we take Tranqui-Pills, Jennifer. In the olden times, strong emotion led to a war that nearly destroyed the world. Now that you understand, will you promise to take YOUR pills every day?
TEENAGER: I sure will, Principal Davis, I sure will!
THE COP WHO PLAYED BY THE RULES
HANNIGAN: The Ace of Diamonds killer and his victim could be right on the other side of this door!
GOMEZ: You can’t go in, partner! We don’t have a warrant or probable cause!
HANNIGAN: Darn, you’re right. We have to respect the Constitution. You want to get some lunch?
THE COP WHO PLAYED BY THE RULES 2: THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL (ALTHOUGH NOT SO PERSONAL THAT HE TURNED INTO SOME KIND OF MAVERICK OR SOMETHING)
THE LIEUTENANT: You’re too close to this one, Hannigan! You’re off the case!
HANNIGAN: Okay, Lieutenant, if that’s what you think is best.
THE SCIENTIST AND THE CLERGYMAN
CLERGYMAN: Victor, you have to stop! Man was never meant to resurrect the dead! That’s the province of the Almighty!
SCIENTIST: Gee, I never thought about it that way. Shut it down, Ygor! Shut it all down!
I was a guest on the Gods and Monsters webcast
I was a guest on the Gods and Monsters webcast. (Thanks for having me on, gang!) You can watch that here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_YoIlkcHr4&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_YoIlkcHr4&feature=youtu.be
