Richard Lee Byers's Blog, page 44

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Interesting news from Amazon. Those who write fan fiction may find it exciting. Not sure it's the best of news for pro writers who do tie-in novels.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1823219&highlight

News from Night Shade Book authors

If you pay attention to news from inside publishing, you may be aware that the Night Shade Books line is going through a transition that has slowed the release of new titles and the making of new deals. This, however, does not mean that the Night Shade authors have been idle. If you'd like to find out what some of us are currently up to, go here:

http://night-bazaar.com/what-are-your-favorite-night-shade-authors-up-to.html

I will be at Oasis 26

I will be a program participant at Oasis 26 in Orlando on Memorial Day weekend.Here's my schedule:FridayAlien Artifacts: Roadshow Edition 9 PMSaturdayZoology of Cryptids 11 AMCharity Auction (I'm the auctioneer) 3 PMMasquerade and Dessert (I MC the Masquerade) 7 PMGhost Stories 10 PMSundayAlien Invaders, Nuclear Mutants, and Now Zombies 2 PMFor more info on Oasis 26 including registration, hotel, and the complete schedule, go here:http://oasfis.org/oasis/index.php

Gen Con 2013 Writer's Symposium Master Schedule

For those going to Gen Con and interested in the Writer's Symposium programming track, here's the master schedule:http://genconwriters.com/2013GenConWritersSymposiumSchedule_05.10.13.pdf

My (preliminary) Gen Con schedule

We're still more than three months out, but just for the hell of it, here's my preliminary Gen Con schedule. I'll probably be end up doing some other programming items, too, but these are the ones that I already know for sure.
Thursday
10 AM: What Should I Write? (Writer's Symposium programming track)
11 AM: Heroes and Villains (Writer's Symposium)
Friday
8 AM: Worldbuilding 101 for Writers (Writer's Symposium)
Noon: Government and the Rule of Law (Writer's Symposium)
Saturday
8 AM Sharing Worlds (Writer's Symposium)
10 AM: Horror (Writer's Symposium)
11 AM: Urban fantasy (Writer's Symposium)
4 PM: The Fate of the Forgotten Realms (Wizards of the Coast programming track)

"Dark and Stormy Night"

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie "Dark and Stormy Night," which I'd never even heard of until recently but which apparently came out in 2009. There's a spooky old mansion on the moors. A bunch of strange characters have gathered for the reading of the will. The bridge is out, the phone is out, the murders begin, and two fast-talking rival reporters (one male, one female) and a salt-of-the-earth cabbie try to get to the bottom of it all. In other words, it's a parody of the "old dark house" mystery movies of the 1930s from the folks who did "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" and "The Lost Skeleton Returns Again." Check it out if you get a chance. (I got it on DVD from Netflix.)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1245091/

"Some people have all the luck."

I've been working away at a writing career for decades. I've always tried to write good stories, be professional, and make the most of my opportunities.

I have a friend who has dreams of being a professional writer but only writes fanfic.

I recently told her about one of my current projects. Her response was, "Some people have all the luck."

I infer that in her mind, it was a coin flip whether the gig would go to her or me, and I simply won the toss.

I think highly of my friend, and this particular exchange hasn't changed that. But I can't say I follow the reasoning that supports her point of view.

A modest proposal for solving the gun debate

I don’t usually post about political controversies. But I’m bored with the gun debate, so I came up with a solution that should satisfy everyone. It’s a three-part solution.

1. Every civilian has the absolute and unconditional right to buy, own, and carry any sort of firearm and ammo anywhere and anytime.

Why? The Second Amendment, hippie!

2. Any civilian carrying a gun has the absolute and unconditional right to shoot any other civilian who is likewise carrying a gun, anyplace and anytime.

Why? Two reasons.

First, as the NRA has explained, possessing firearms protects responsible gun owners from violence. So if you are one, and you’re carrying, you can rest easy knowing it doesn’t matter if others take the occasional potshot at you. You’ll be fine.

Second, as the NRA has also explained, only ready access to firearms protects responsible gun owners from violence. Every other conceivable measure is useless. So let’s 86 the legal prohibitions that currently pertain to this situation. Imagine how we’ll ease the burdens of the courts and the prisons. Think of the savings to the taxpayer.

3. If a civilian carrying a gun shoots a civilian who is not, it will be SOP for the police to shoot and kill him.

Why? Sportsmanship. If you have an itch to shoot someone, you have armed targets to choose among. If you instead open up on someone who can’t return fire, that’s unsportsmanlike conduct and should be penalized.

Also, it’s safer for the cops to gun you down than to try to take you alive.

There. Problem solved. Who decides who receives that Presidential Medal of Freedom? Somebody give them my email address.

A Podcast Interview

Thomas Deja interviewed me for the first episode of the Nocturne Travel Agency Podcast. You can check it out here:

http://www.tricycleoffense.com/2013/05/02/nocturne-travel-agency-podcast-episode-1-richard-lee-byers/

The "S" Stands for "Sucks"...

My new column on Airlock Alpha is about how to write a good Superman story. Or a bad one, if you must.

http://airlockalpha.com/node/9614/astrojive-the-s-stands-for-suck.html