K.T. Pinto's Blog, page 62
November 15, 2012
Look Over Here!
I started up my group "Wench with Wrench" again.
I decided to write it as a geek review group; whatever quirky geek thoughts come to mind, there they shall be!
Enjoy!
http://wenchwithwrench.livejournal.com/
I decided to write it as a geek review group; whatever quirky geek thoughts come to mind, there they shall be!
Enjoy!
http://wenchwithwrench.livejournal.com/
November 14, 2012
The Next Best Thing Meme
The beautiful and talented Stephanie Burke tagged me, and being that she is one of the few people to whom I can't say 'no', I had to do as she asked!
1. What is the title of your latest book?
Mutants on the Rocks from Dark Quest Books
It's the second book in the "Sto's House presents..." series.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
The series is based on me and my friends when I was in college. We spent most of our free time at my friend Sto's house, drinking beer and watching geek movies.
So that's what I write about. My friends from the past... with mutant powers, of course.
3. What genre does your book fall under?
It's a comedic urban fantasy... or a silly super hero novel.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Sto: a young Richard Burton
Diana: a young Elizabeth Taylor (not for the romantic allusions).
Jay: A young Tommy Lee (which is how Diana describes him in book #1)
5. What is the book blurb for your book?
6. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The Sto's House books are always a fun writing experience, and I tend to let the characters just run rampant. Unfortunately, the Sto crew tends not to run very far, and then I have to poke them with a stick...
Because I write the Sto books as comic relief while writing my darker alternate history series, it usually takes about 4-5 months to complete the first draft. Then I send it to the beta readers and a month later it goes to the DQB editors.
7. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
It tends to follow along the line of Spider Robinson's "Callahan" series, Patrick Thomas' "Murphy's Lore" series and Robert Aspirin's "Myth" series. I've also had some fans tell me it reminds them of Seinfeld, with super powers.
8. Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I started writing the Sto series as a handful of short stories to give me comic relief from the dark of my alternate history vampyre series. At one point I noticed that I had more than a dozen stories. So, for a lark, I put them together in novel form and sent it to Dark Quest Books, not expecting any real result.
Imagine my surprise when it was accepted!
9. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The pop culture references and the scenic views.
The Sto crew are geeks when it comes to movies, books, music, etc, and is seen in references during conversation, trivia games they play, shows and events they watch.
They travel to local places that are or were real at some point in recent history in Staten Island and surrounding areas, so readers get to see the part of New York City that exists outside of Manhattan.
And now I choose these five authors to also do this Meme:
First up, we have James Daniel Ross - www.RadiationAngels.com
Next, Patrick Thomas - http://www.patthomas.net
After Patrick, we have Danielle Ackley-McPhail - http://www.sidhenadaire.com
Following Danielle (and enjoying the view) is Keith Decandido - http://www.decandido.net
Last but not least, my mentor CJ Henderson - http://www.cjhenderson.com
1. What is the title of your latest book?
Mutants on the Rocks from Dark Quest Books
It's the second book in the "Sto's House presents..." series.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
The series is based on me and my friends when I was in college. We spent most of our free time at my friend Sto's house, drinking beer and watching geek movies.
So that's what I write about. My friends from the past... with mutant powers, of course.
3. What genre does your book fall under?
It's a comedic urban fantasy... or a silly super hero novel.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Sto: a young Richard Burton
Diana: a young Elizabeth Taylor (not for the romantic allusions).
Jay: A young Tommy Lee (which is how Diana describes him in book #1)
5. What is the book blurb for your book?
Join in the fun while everyone's favorite beer-drenched mutants...
...play mini-golf!
...go to the circus!
...try out paint balling!
...visit the world of steampunk!
...go to a fair!
...hang with a porn star!
...and save the world once or twice!
Want more?
How about romance? Destruction? Mechanical failure? People exploding? No more teasers!
Read the book, already!
6. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The Sto's House books are always a fun writing experience, and I tend to let the characters just run rampant. Unfortunately, the Sto crew tends not to run very far, and then I have to poke them with a stick...
Because I write the Sto books as comic relief while writing my darker alternate history series, it usually takes about 4-5 months to complete the first draft. Then I send it to the beta readers and a month later it goes to the DQB editors.
7. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
It tends to follow along the line of Spider Robinson's "Callahan" series, Patrick Thomas' "Murphy's Lore" series and Robert Aspirin's "Myth" series. I've also had some fans tell me it reminds them of Seinfeld, with super powers.
8. Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I started writing the Sto series as a handful of short stories to give me comic relief from the dark of my alternate history vampyre series. At one point I noticed that I had more than a dozen stories. So, for a lark, I put them together in novel form and sent it to Dark Quest Books, not expecting any real result.
Imagine my surprise when it was accepted!
9. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The pop culture references and the scenic views.
The Sto crew are geeks when it comes to movies, books, music, etc, and is seen in references during conversation, trivia games they play, shows and events they watch.
They travel to local places that are or were real at some point in recent history in Staten Island and surrounding areas, so readers get to see the part of New York City that exists outside of Manhattan.
And now I choose these five authors to also do this Meme:
First up, we have James Daniel Ross - www.RadiationAngels.com
Next, Patrick Thomas - http://www.patthomas.net
After Patrick, we have Danielle Ackley-McPhail - http://www.sidhenadaire.com
Following Danielle (and enjoying the view) is Keith Decandido - http://www.decandido.net
Last but not least, my mentor CJ Henderson - http://www.cjhenderson.com
Letter I just sent to Workforce 1
Will someone please explain to me why the south shore office wasn't listed on the job posting below?
I tried to call for information about this position, but no one ever returned my call.
I spent 40 minutes driving to the north shore office to apply for this position, just to be told that they were filled to capacity and to go to the south shore location, which is five minutes away from my house.
I drive more than 40 minutes back (due to construction on Richmond Ave) to the south shore location, just to find the place locked up.
So basically, what should have been a good job opportunity and possibly a job became a waste of time, gas, money and energy.
If it had said on the posting that the south shore was also an option, I wouldn't have wasted my day on a wild-goose chase.
Also, why didn't my assigned recruiter Megan contact me about this position? Or any position, for that matter, but this one especially. They were doing on-the-spot hiring. I have been unemployed for TEN MONTHS. Why didn't Megan think this might be something I was interested in? If she had called I may have been told that the south shore office was involved in the process and could have gotten there on time.
It was a frustrating and stress-filled day for me, and it also hasn't been the first time I've been wasted time with no positive outcome. It often feels like you're only out there to help those who are within walking distance of you and looking for entry level or part time work.
I do hope this isn't the case.
Sadly, because of this runaround I wasn't able to meet anyone from the Parks department and therefore am still unemployed. I am hoping things change in the future both with my employment status and my experiences with Workforce 1.
Kimberly Pinto
From: "sisalesassociates@gmail.com" <sisalesassociates@gmail.com>
To: Friend <writer_extraordinaire@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, November 9, 2012 11:12 AM
Subject: NYC Parks needs Disaster Relief Workers
[image error]Disaster Relief Workers Needed! Immediate Positions Available!Immediate opportunities are available with the NYC Parks Department to hire workers to assist with clean-up efforts following Hurricane Sandy.[image error]Eligible Candidates:
Must be unemployed and meet at least one of the following:
• Lost employment temporarily or permanently as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy• Have been terminated or laid off by previous employer• Unemployed for more than 27 consecutive weeks[image error]Position Description• Must be 18 years of age or older• Must be responsive to taking orders, as well as working autonomously• The physical demands of the position require energetic,able bodied jobseekers, willing to work in often unpleasant conditions• Indoor and outdoor manual labor will be required• Jobseekers should have compassion and sensitivity towards the relief effort experience HOW TO APPLY:Please attend NYC Parks Department Hiring event!Date: Wed. November 14, 2012
Time: 9:00am-2:30pm
Location: Staten Island Workforce1 Career Centers
120 Stuyvesant Place, 3rd floor SI, NY 10301The employer will be on site and will be doing on the spot hiring! for more information, please call: 718-285-8440EDSI, 120 Stuyvesant PL, Staten Island, New York 10301, United StatesYou may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.
I tried to call for information about this position, but no one ever returned my call.
I spent 40 minutes driving to the north shore office to apply for this position, just to be told that they were filled to capacity and to go to the south shore location, which is five minutes away from my house.
I drive more than 40 minutes back (due to construction on Richmond Ave) to the south shore location, just to find the place locked up.
So basically, what should have been a good job opportunity and possibly a job became a waste of time, gas, money and energy.
If it had said on the posting that the south shore was also an option, I wouldn't have wasted my day on a wild-goose chase.
Also, why didn't my assigned recruiter Megan contact me about this position? Or any position, for that matter, but this one especially. They were doing on-the-spot hiring. I have been unemployed for TEN MONTHS. Why didn't Megan think this might be something I was interested in? If she had called I may have been told that the south shore office was involved in the process and could have gotten there on time.
It was a frustrating and stress-filled day for me, and it also hasn't been the first time I've been wasted time with no positive outcome. It often feels like you're only out there to help those who are within walking distance of you and looking for entry level or part time work.
I do hope this isn't the case.
Sadly, because of this runaround I wasn't able to meet anyone from the Parks department and therefore am still unemployed. I am hoping things change in the future both with my employment status and my experiences with Workforce 1.
Kimberly Pinto
From: "sisalesassociates@gmail.com" <sisalesassociates@gmail.com>
To: Friend <writer_extraordinaire@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, November 9, 2012 11:12 AM
Subject: NYC Parks needs Disaster Relief Workers
[image error]Disaster Relief Workers Needed! Immediate Positions Available!Immediate opportunities are available with the NYC Parks Department to hire workers to assist with clean-up efforts following Hurricane Sandy.[image error]Eligible Candidates:Must be unemployed and meet at least one of the following:
• Lost employment temporarily or permanently as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy• Have been terminated or laid off by previous employer• Unemployed for more than 27 consecutive weeks[image error]Position Description• Must be 18 years of age or older• Must be responsive to taking orders, as well as working autonomously• The physical demands of the position require energetic,able bodied jobseekers, willing to work in often unpleasant conditions• Indoor and outdoor manual labor will be required• Jobseekers should have compassion and sensitivity towards the relief effort experience HOW TO APPLY:Please attend NYC Parks Department Hiring event!Date: Wed. November 14, 2012
Time: 9:00am-2:30pm
Location: Staten Island Workforce1 Career Centers
120 Stuyvesant Place, 3rd floor SI, NY 10301The employer will be on site and will be doing on the spot hiring! for more information, please call: 718-285-8440EDSI, 120 Stuyvesant PL, Staten Island, New York 10301, United StatesYou may unsubscribe or change your contact details at any time.
My QotD
While talking with Craig about playing the game Star Wars: The Old Republic this coming Thursday, I told him I wanted to play a bounty hunter beauty queen...
...And my name will be Honey Boba Child!
...And my name will be Honey Boba Child!
November 12, 2012
From last night's dream:
"Now stop playing with the subbies and get back to base!"
November 7, 2012
Scene of the crime:
My family has lived in the same house for over 25 years.
This was the first time a raptor (I think a hawk) decided to chow down on a kill on my walkway.
Pops unfortunately shooed him away before I could see the gore first hand.
But I was able to take a picture of the crime scene:
There's also blood smears on the white fence in the backyard, where the hawk finished his meal.
This was the first time a raptor (I think a hawk) decided to chow down on a kill on my walkway.
Pops unfortunately shooed him away before I could see the gore first hand.
But I was able to take a picture of the crime scene:
There's also blood smears on the white fence in the backyard, where the hawk finished his meal.
November 4, 2012
PHILCON 2012 SCHEDULE
*excited bouncing up and down*
Fri 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three (1 hour)
TRICKSTERS, ROGUES AND LOVABLE SCOUNDRELS (1158)
[Panelists: April Grey (mod), Stephanie Burke, Shelby Morgen, KT
Pinto, Bernie Mojzes]
An exploration of this archetype in science fiction and fantasy.
Think of Harry Harrision's "The Stainless Steel Rat", Neal
Stephenson's "Hiro Protagonist", Han Solo, Malcolm Reynolds, and
others
Fri 11:00 PM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
THE FALLACY OF A GEEK HIERARCHY (1098)
[Panelists: Jay Smith (mod), Samuel Conway, KT Pinto, Thomas
Willeford, Robert C Roman]
There are people who seem to think that there are "True Geeks", and
then there are "Posers". For example, some fans of literary SF
think seem to think that fans of certain SF shows or movies aren't
REALLY SF fans. Or attendees of comic cons may look at young female
cosplayers as not being "real fans". But IS there a "real fan"?
And who gets to decide
Fri 11:59 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two (1 hour)
"GHOST HUNTING" - SCIENCE OR CHICANERY? (1219)
[Panelists: Carl Fink (mod), David E. Christman, Anthony Selletti,
David Silverman, KT Pinto, Richard Stout]
Is modern "ghost hunting"... the kind we see on TV shows on cable...
nothing more than the trappings of scientific procedure draped over
the old-fashioned 19th century "seance"? Or is there real science
behind what we're seeing
Sat 11:00 AM in Autograph Table (1 hour)
AUTOGRAPH SESSION 11:00 - 12:00 (1274)
[Panelists: Stephanie Burke (mod), KT Pinto]
Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
THE REINVENTION OF THE VAMPIRE (1185)
[Panelists: KT Pinto (mod), Brent Monahan, Tony Ruggiero, Michael A.
Ventrella]
What can be done in the post-Twilight era? Do we look forward to a
time when vampires no longer sparkle? What new approaches can be
taken with a monster that has haunted our imagination since the
beginning of history
Sat 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three (1 hour)
WOMEN IN FANTASY (1154)
[Panelists: Oz Drummond (mod), Barbara Barnett, D.L. Carter, KT
Pinto, A.C. Wise]
Regardless of the historical period that they are borrowing from,
female protagonists
in fantasy are typically strong and feminist and having mindsets
that would be at home from the 1970s on. Is this required for modern
readers, and is this becoming a cliche?
Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) (1 hour)
WHY ALL THIS DOOM AND GLOOM? (1116)
[Panelists: Dina Leacock (mod), Mitchell Gordon, KT Pinto, Tony
Ruggiero, Peter Prellwitz]
Today, science fiction seems to be increasingly pessimistic. Why is
this? Will the readership stand for it? Will too much pessimism lose
science fiction its audience
Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) (1 hour)
DO YOU WANT TO DATE MY AVATAR? (1026)
[Panelists: KT Pinto (mod), Timothy Binder, Jo Blu Pax, Sally-Rouge
Pax]
Online anonymity allows people to speak and act freely with minimal
repercussions on their every-day lives, but the same protections
that benefit you also benefit scammers and potential predators. A
discussion of identity politics, presenting yourself authentically,
and how much of your Real World self is appropriate (and safe) to
display on internet social sites
Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) (1 hour)
MAKING IT WITH VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
(1177)
[Panelists: Victoria Janssen (mod), D.L. Carter, April Grey, KT
Pinto]
It seems like there are a lot of paranormal romances out there, in
which the main character carries on a physical relationship with
some sort of "monster". What is the psychological(and physical)
appeal of this
Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four) (1 hour)
KILLING HITLER FOR FUN AND PROFIT (1153)
[Panelists: Andre Lieven (mod), KT Pinto, Michael F. Flynn, Alex
Shvartsman, Glenn Hauman]
How have various authors treated the idea of trying to change the
past? CAN you change the past, and if so, what are the consequences
Fri 9:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three (1 hour)
TRICKSTERS, ROGUES AND LOVABLE SCOUNDRELS (1158)
[Panelists: April Grey (mod), Stephanie Burke, Shelby Morgen, KT
Pinto, Bernie Mojzes]
An exploration of this archetype in science fiction and fantasy.
Think of Harry Harrision's "The Stainless Steel Rat", Neal
Stephenson's "Hiro Protagonist", Han Solo, Malcolm Reynolds, and
others
Fri 11:00 PM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
THE FALLACY OF A GEEK HIERARCHY (1098)
[Panelists: Jay Smith (mod), Samuel Conway, KT Pinto, Thomas
Willeford, Robert C Roman]
There are people who seem to think that there are "True Geeks", and
then there are "Posers". For example, some fans of literary SF
think seem to think that fans of certain SF shows or movies aren't
REALLY SF fans. Or attendees of comic cons may look at young female
cosplayers as not being "real fans". But IS there a "real fan"?
And who gets to decide
Fri 11:59 PM in Crystal Ballroom Two (1 hour)
"GHOST HUNTING" - SCIENCE OR CHICANERY? (1219)
[Panelists: Carl Fink (mod), David E. Christman, Anthony Selletti,
David Silverman, KT Pinto, Richard Stout]
Is modern "ghost hunting"... the kind we see on TV shows on cable...
nothing more than the trappings of scientific procedure draped over
the old-fashioned 19th century "seance"? Or is there real science
behind what we're seeing
Sat 11:00 AM in Autograph Table (1 hour)
AUTOGRAPH SESSION 11:00 - 12:00 (1274)
[Panelists: Stephanie Burke (mod), KT Pinto]
Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza II (Two) (1 hour)
THE REINVENTION OF THE VAMPIRE (1185)
[Panelists: KT Pinto (mod), Brent Monahan, Tony Ruggiero, Michael A.
Ventrella]
What can be done in the post-Twilight era? Do we look forward to a
time when vampires no longer sparkle? What new approaches can be
taken with a monster that has haunted our imagination since the
beginning of history
Sat 5:00 PM in Crystal Ballroom Three (1 hour)
WOMEN IN FANTASY (1154)
[Panelists: Oz Drummond (mod), Barbara Barnett, D.L. Carter, KT
Pinto, A.C. Wise]
Regardless of the historical period that they are borrowing from,
female protagonists
in fantasy are typically strong and feminist and having mindsets
that would be at home from the 1970s on. Is this required for modern
readers, and is this becoming a cliche?
Sat 8:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) (1 hour)
WHY ALL THIS DOOM AND GLOOM? (1116)
[Panelists: Dina Leacock (mod), Mitchell Gordon, KT Pinto, Tony
Ruggiero, Peter Prellwitz]
Today, science fiction seems to be increasingly pessimistic. Why is
this? Will the readership stand for it? Will too much pessimism lose
science fiction its audience
Sat 9:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) (1 hour)
DO YOU WANT TO DATE MY AVATAR? (1026)
[Panelists: KT Pinto (mod), Timothy Binder, Jo Blu Pax, Sally-Rouge
Pax]
Online anonymity allows people to speak and act freely with minimal
repercussions on their every-day lives, but the same protections
that benefit you also benefit scammers and potential predators. A
discussion of identity politics, presenting yourself authentically,
and how much of your Real World self is appropriate (and safe) to
display on internet social sites
Sat 10:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) (1 hour)
MAKING IT WITH VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
(1177)
[Panelists: Victoria Janssen (mod), D.L. Carter, April Grey, KT
Pinto]
It seems like there are a lot of paranormal romances out there, in
which the main character carries on a physical relationship with
some sort of "monster". What is the psychological(and physical)
appeal of this
Sun 10:00 AM in Plaza IV (Four) (1 hour)
KILLING HITLER FOR FUN AND PROFIT (1153)
[Panelists: Andre Lieven (mod), KT Pinto, Michael F. Flynn, Alex
Shvartsman, Glenn Hauman]
How have various authors treated the idea of trying to change the
past? CAN you change the past, and if so, what are the consequences
QotD
Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see.
- Arthur Schopenhauer
- Arthur Schopenhauer
November 3, 2012
QotD
Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful... that's what matters to me.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs
