R.B. Wood's Blog, page 11
July 27, 2017
The #wordcountpodcast Episode 68 is now open for submissions!
Been a long and trying month. My capacity to deal with issues is so incredibly diminished that sometimes the basics are all I can get through in a day.
But enough of my #PityParty. You are here to read about, and see, the prompt for episode 68 of the #WordCountPodcast!
First the prompt:
This is a photo I took while hiking in Zion National Park in Utah in 2014. The shot is the beginning of the Narrows hike, previous hikers sometimes left their walking sticks for future hikers. That’s for your reference. The prompt will be the pic and the month of July. Make magic!
If you are reading this, we would love to hear from you, either with a story submission or via social media. We have a Facebook Page that we have a goal of reaching a thousand likes this year. So give it a like or share it with your friends. The more listeners and contributors we have, the better the shows will be.
There are nearly 400 original stories at this point—all free for your listen pleasure, all we ask is for people to help get the word out. Click the link:
The Word Count Podcast Facebook Page
If you want to listen to past (free) shows, the links below will take you to them:
or
There are sixty-seven shows available right now!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
THE WORD COUNT PODCAST – EPISODE 68 “Lost Hikers in the month of July”
GENRE: Any.
DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by Friday 5 August 2017 by MIDNIGHT Eastern time.
THE DETAILS: The work must be an original story based on the picture above and the month of “July.”
Do NOT exceed SEVEN minutes.
As this is a podcast, I need to receive a file of YOU, a friend or multiple friends reading (singing or otherwise performing) your work. MP3 FORMAT ONLY, and please attach your MP3 file to an e-mail or contact me for a Dropbox link.
Your submission MUST also contain the following:
• Your pen name
• Your latest bio (DO NOT ASSUME I HAVE YOUR LATEST)
• Links to your website(s) – Include your personal site, Facebook Fanpage etc.
• Your Twitter handle (if you have one)
• A photo of you I can use for the show notes
• At the end of your recording, please add “This is author of and you’re listening to The Word Count Podcast.”
• Permission to use your recording in the podcast.
• PLEASE Make sure you have included ALL ARTIFACTS I have asked for. Do not assume I can “Get your picture from the internet” or can “Pull your bio from your web page.”
Send your file to me@rbwood.com (or via the dropbox link I can provide) by 5 August 2017. You can also e-mail me with questions beforehand. I do reserve the right NOT to post your submission, but will communicate that to you should it be the case. I add the ‘Explicit’ tag to the ‘cast, so if your story uses adult themes or language that’s ok—but it should be necessary for the story.
***NOTE: I will NOT accept stories that are discriminatory in ANY WAY (whether it be by race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, etc.) or that include rape. ***
Peace
July 13, 2017
ReaderCON 28
This is my Readercon 28 (2017) Conference update. The latest posts are at the top, so start at the bottom to get the full picture.
No. I don’t know why I do it that way.
Thursday, July 13th 10:30 PM
This is the second year I’m actually staying at the conference. I spent two days packing and unpack then repacking. See, this year I brought some books I want to get signed.
Along with a dozen copies of Off Beat: Nine Spins on Song to dole out. If you want one, give a shout out in the comments or find me during the Con.
The ex-Marine Uber driver with the semi-automatic strapped to his waist very kindly helped me load and unload his Infinity. And he didn’t shoot me, so the day started pretty well.
Pictured: My Gear and Books. Not Pictured: “Jorge” and his Beretta.Got settled in, had dinner with Glenn Skinner, and am typing up some notes from the two free panels I attended this evening before bed.
No, I do not believe any of the panelists were armed.
Footsteps in the Dark: The Sensory Range of Horror. F. Brett Cox (leader), John Langan, Darcie Little Badger, Elsa Sjunneson-Henry, Paul Tremblay.
Horror is frequently thought of as a visual medium, and is often adapted for film and television. However, other senses are vitally important to the development of horror stories, and the experience of fear for the reader. Consider Josh Malerman’s Bird Box, which erased sight for the main characters, or the pounding in Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. Consider also the recent uptick in films with disabled characters, such as the Deaf writer in Hush and the blind antagonist in Don’t Breathe. This panel will explore these and other works of multisensory horror, and address how writers can create vivid horror experiences for readers.
This was a lively panel discussion about sensory range in horror–Josh Malerman’s Birdbox (the story of supernatural entities driving people mad and to suicide if they see them–the reader follows survivors who wear blindfolds) was discussed briefly with more emphasis on Shirley Jackson’s most marvelous The Haunting of Hill House. The point was made that only two senses can bee utilized in movies (sight and sound) while all five can be used in the written narrative. Patrick Susskind’s Perfume: The Story of a Murder and The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle (Up for a 2017 Shirley Jackson award for best novella) were also referenced.
Highway to the Weirder Zone. Samuel R. Delany, Max Gladstone, Maria Dahvana Headley (leader), Chandler Klang Smith, Marissa Lingen.
Surrealism, magical realism, paranormal romance, and other genres of the weird have different methods for getting the reader to suspend disbelief and acclimate as the roses rain down and the protagonist turns into a cockroach. Can authors of less-weird science fiction and fantasy borrow those tricks to ease reader’s dislocation, or is dislocated exactly what a reader should be? Are there different approaches that work for a phantasmagoria of ideas or a phantasmagoria of sensory impressions? And what problems arise from applying the assumptions and techniques of one genre or subgenre to another?
This intro evening to ReaderCON was a marvelous starter and tiny taste of what is to come. Back up in the room now after saying hello to some old acquaintances, eating a meal, and enjoying time at the bar with an old friend…Let’s see what tomorrow brings!
July 7, 2017
Reflecting the week before ReaderCON 28
Next week is ReaderCON 28.
It’s amazing how quickly a year goes by.
In the picture above, there are seven badges–seven years since I started on this writing journey. First as a hobbyist, more recently taking the curveball life gave me and turning it into something new and marvelous.
My first ReaderCON (Readercon 21) is sort of my starting point for my writing exploits. I had no idea what I was doing back then. Still don’t, but I’m learning all the time.
So before the conference each year, I like to take stock of where I am as a writer, refresh the short & long term goals and reflect on the generally positive things that have happened since last year’s (and my first) ReaderCON.
First, I’ve published six short stories since last year’s conference. Ink Washed Cat as a part of the Once Upon a Cursed Time anthology, Poison Pen in The Unforgiven Anthology, The Glass Bauble in Christmas Nightmares, Thanksgiving in the Park as a part of Off Beat: Nine Spins on Song, and Fine Print–a story I wrote for Richard Thomas’ Contemporary Dark Fiction class was picked up by Sick Lit Magazine a couple months ago.
I currently have nine stories out for submission…wait. Eight. Just got a rejection from Apex. I’ll put it in the file with the other 2 dozen.
Second, I’ve been accepted by Emerson College into their MFA program for Popular Fiction…and they threw a lot of money at me to attend. The online program is for three years, but I’m going to finish it in two.
Third, while I’m only up to short stories at this point…I have ideas for full-length novels. Continuations of my series (I plan on revisiting the first book as a task for my MFA and using that as a stepping stone to seek out the right agent), and a couple new ideas rattling around. More on those at a later date.
Fourth, I continue to meet some amazing, talented writers in the past year who are more than willing to not only read/critique my stuff, but help with general writing craft tips and shoulders to lean on occasionally. Specifically I’m talking about Richard Thomas, Becca Borawski Jenkins, S. L. Coney, Dona Fox, Matthew Munson, Emmett Spain, Maria Haskins, Eden Baylee and Bill Kirton among many, many others.
Most importantly, the limitless support of my partner and best friend, Tina Lampropoulos.
I think that is a lot of wonderful things to focus on, don’t you? Writing continues my rehabilitation post strokes…and I’m learning work-arounds for this cognitive functions that have been permanently lost.
It has been a hard few years–but I am blessed. Something I’ve very recently come to understand and embrace.
Which brings me full circle to ReaderCON.
I will be seeing and catching up with friends I’ve made through the years at the con. There are amazing panels that I’m planning on digging into. There is a stack of books I want to get signed.
There is fiction to read.
My normal daily updates will be posted as usually. Look for them to start next Thursday (July 13th).
Until then,
Peace, love and hair grease.
RB
Past ReaderCON Posts:
July 2, 2017
The Word Count Podcast-Episode 67
Four stories and six guests this week! That means we have two tag-team stories for your listening pleasure!
Plus a regular “Word Count Irregular” and a returning Irregular!
It’s ALL so exciting!
The prompt for this merry month of June was:
This was a shot from the Jones Beach Theater on the south shore of Long Island. As a LI native, I spent many a summer evening was spent enjoying concerts here in my youth.
A reminder that we are looking to increase the number of likes on the show’s Facebook Page, so hope on over there and tell you friends about us (use the #WordCountPodcast hashtag).
We have a cracking good show this time around. As always, it’s FREE to download and listen via iTunes or Libsyn. Here is an embedded player, if you prefer:
So to Episode 67 (“Concert at the Beach in June”), shall we? Our guests this month:
Cameron Garriepy “
The Comeback”
Cameron Garriepy is a rock star in her own car. Even when her 4th grader rolls his eyes. In April of 2015, Cameron released Damselfly Inn the first full-length novel in her Thornton Vermont series. The sequel, Sweet Pease is coming in October from Bannerwing Books.
Eden Baylee & Bill Kirton “In Two Minds” 
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to write and is now a full-time author of multiple genres.
She has written three collections of erotic novellas and flash fiction ~ SPRING INTO SUMMER, FALL INTO WINTER, and HOT FLASH.
In 2014, she launched the first novel of her trilogy with Dr. Kate Hampton—a psychological mystery/suspense called STRANGER AT SUNSET. In addition to working on her next novel, Eden created Lainey Lee for the Lei Crime Series, a feisty divorcée who finds adventure and romance in Hawaii. Her novellas are available on Kindle Worlds.
An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often! To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.
Website: http://edenbayleebooks.com
Blog: https://edenbaylee.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee
Twitter: @edenbaylee
Before taking early retirement to become a full-time writer, Bill Kirton was a lecturer in French at the University of Aberdeen. He’s written stage and radio plays, short stories, novels, skits and songs for revues, and five non-fiction books aimed at helping students with their writing and study skills. His five modern crime novels, Justice, The Darkness, Shadow Selves and Unsafe Acts are set in north east Scotland and his historical crime/romance novel, The Figurehead, is set in Aberdeen in 1840. The Darkness won the silver award in the mystery category of the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards and his spoof mystery, The Sparrow Conundrum, was the winner in the humor category.
He’s published a novel for children called The Loch Ewe Mystery, and his latest publication is a satirical novella about online gaming and the real and virtual worlds.
He’s had radio plays broadcast by the BBC and the Australian BC. His short stories have appeared in many anthologies, including three of the CWA’s annual collections, and one was chosen by Maxim Jakubowski for his 2010 anthology of Best British Crime Stories. It’s also been optioned by a film company in Los Angeles.
He’s been a Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at universities in Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews.
Website: www.billkirton.com
Twitter: @carver22
Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “The Love of the Last Tycoon”
Jack Gwaltney was born in Virginia, went to the University of Virginia and lives in New York, fortunate to perform as an actor on stage, television and in film. Collaborating with John McCaffrey is one of the wisest things Jack does. Thanks to The Word Count Podcast!
John McCaffrey grew up in Rochester, New York, attended Villanova University, and received his MA in Creative Writing from the City College of New York. He is the author of The Book of Ash and Two Syllable Men. He lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Maria Haskins – “A Song for Hugo”
Maria Haskins is a Swedish-Canadian writer and certified translator. She writes speculative fiction and poetry, and debuted as a writer in Sweden. Since 1992 she lives in Canada, just outside Vancouver, with a husband, two kids, and a very large black dog.
Website: https://mariahaskins.wordpress.com
Twitter: @mariahaskins
June 15, 2017
The #wordcountpodcast Episode 67 is now open for submissions!
The new format this year seems to be going over pretty well. Certainly our #WordCountIrregulars seem to enjoy writing for the new visual prompt. And the advanced format for the show seems to be going over well with our listeners.
We would love more in the way of both authors and listeners.
Because the #wordcountpodcast is a free show, and due to the fact that I have thus far self-funded the show, we have a small but loyal following. The “loyal” stems from the quality of the stories my wonderful author friends (the “irregulars”) contribute each month.
If you are reading this, we would love to hear from you, either with a story submission or via social media. We have a Facebook Page that we have a goal of reaching a thousand likes this year. So give it a like or share it with your friends. The more listeners and contributors we have, the better the shows will be. Perhaps we can get those pesky advertisers to notice us–I will gladly trade some advertising space to receive monies to pay our authors!
There are nearly 400 original stories at this point—all free for your listen pleasure, all we ask is for people to help get the word out. Click the link:
The Word Count Podcast Facebook Page
So, then. Episode 67.
Our prompt is the picture below and the month of June:
“Summer Concert at the Beach”
What happens next, dear sinners, is entirely up to you!
All submissions are welcome!
If you want to listen to past (free) shows, the links below will take you to them:
or
There are sixty-six shows available right now!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
THE WORD COUNT PODCAST – EPISODE 67 “Summer Concert at the Beach”
GENRE: Any.
DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by Friday 30 June 2017 by MIDNIGHT Eastern time.
THE DETAILS: The work must be an original story based on the picture above and the month of “June.”
Do NOT exceed SEVEN minutes.
As this is a podcast, I need to receive a file of YOU, a friend or multiple friends reading (singing or otherwise performing) your work. MP3 FORMAT ONLY, and please attach your MP3 file to an e-mail or contact me for a Dropbox link.
Your submission MUST also contain the following:
• Your pen name
• Your latest bio (DO NOT ASSUME I HAVE YOUR LATEST)
• Links to your website(s) – Include your personal site, Facebook Fanpage etc.
• Your Twitter handle (if you have one)
• A photo of you I can use for the show notes
• At the end of your recording, please add “This is author of and you’re listening to The Word Count Podcast.”
• Permission to use your recording in the podcast.
• PLEASE Make sure you have included ALL ARTIFACTS I have asked for. Do not assume I can “Get your picture from the internet” or can “Pull your bio from your web page.”
Send your file to me@rbwood.com (or via the dropbox link I can provide) by 30 June 2017. You can also e-mail me with questions beforehand. I do reserve the right NOT to post your submission, but will communicate that to you should it be the case. I add the ‘Explicit’ tag to the ‘cast, so if your story uses adult themes or language that’s ok—but it should be necessary for the story.
***NOTE: I will NOT accept stories that are discriminatory in ANY WAY (whether it be by race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, etc.) or that include rape. ***
Peace
May 28, 2017
The Word Count Podcast-Episode 66
I took the shot above while on a ferry in Boston Harbor near Georges Island. It was chilly that day–typical of late spring in New England. So I thought it would make a great visual prompt (along with the month of May) for this episode of the #WordCountPodcast.
And the Irregulars came through beautifully.
With regard to the competition for episode 65…I received no entries. Zero. I want to thank Bill Kirton for coming up with a delicious story idea to try out this new twist in the show.
Perhaps we should do something different to build our audience.
Be that as it May (Month of may–get it?), we have a cracking good show this time around. As always, it’s FREE to download and listen via iTunes or Libsyn. Here is an embedded player, if you prefer:
A reminder that we are looking to increase the number of likes on the show’s Facebook Page, so hope on over there and tell you friends about us (use the #WordCountPodcast hashtag).
Onto the show!
Show Notes:
Bill Kirton – “The Island”
Before taking early retirement to become a full-time writer, Bill Kirton was a lecturer in French at the University of Aberdeen. He’s written stage and radio plays, short stories, novels, skits and songs for revues, and five non-fiction books aimed at helping students with their writing and study skills. His five modern crime novels, Justice, The Darkness, Shadow Selves and Unsafe Acts are set in north east Scotland and his historical crime/romance novel, The Figurehead, is set in Aberdeen in 1840. The Darkness won the silver award in the mystery category of the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards and his spoof mystery, The Sparrow Conundrum, was the winner in the humor category.
He’s published a novel for children called The Loch Ewe Mystery, and his latest publication is a satirical novella about online gaming and the real and virtual worlds.
He’s had radio plays broadcast by the BBC and the Australian BC. His short stories have appeared in many anthologies, including three of the CWA’s annual collections, and one was chosen by Maxim Jakubowski for his 2010 anthology of Best British Crime Stories. It’s also been optioned by a film company in Los Angeles.
He’s been a Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at universities in Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews.
Website: www.bill-kirton.co.uk
Twitter: @carver22
Maria Haskins – “Hungry Beasts”
Maria Haskins is a Swedish-Canadian writer and certified translator. She writes speculative fiction and poetry, and debuted as a writer in Sweden. Since 1992 she lives in Canada, just outside Vancouver, with a husband, two kids, and a very large black dog.
Website: https://mariahaskins.wordpress.com
Twitter: @mariahaskins
Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “The Power and the Glory”
Jack Gwaltney was born in Virginia, went to the University of Virginia and lives in New York, fortunate to perform as an actor on stage, television and in film. Collaborating with John McCaffrey is one of the wisest things Jack does. Thanks to The Word Count Podcast!
John McCaffrey grew up in Rochester, New York, attended Villanova University, and received his MA in Creative Writing from the City College of New York. He is the author of The Book of Ash and Two Syllable Men. He lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.
C. Thomas Smith – “Darlings”
C. Thomas Smith is the author of hundreds of short stories (99% have never left his hard drive) and over half a dozen unpublished novels (50% cowardice / 50% self-doubt). He is a fan of common sense, free speech, noticing the truth in the absurd and caffeine. He sort of likes cats. He lives in Ireland with his partner, two and a half children, a mortgage and a cat he doesn’t trust.
At present, Chris is writing a series of novels (adult dark comedy set in medieval Ireland that may include a token Leprechaun) and editing a second series (Dark Fantasy). Along the way, he hopes not to starve to death or be mauled in his sleep by a shifty-eyed cat.
Website: www.infinity-forge.com
Twitter: @KRSTVR
Eden Baylee – “The Fury of Poseidon”
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to write and is now a full-time author of multiple genres.
She has written three collections of erotic novellas and flash fiction ~ SPRING INTO SUMMER, FALL INTO WINTER, and HOT FLASH.
In 2014, she launched the first novel of her trilogy with Dr. Kate Hampton—a psychological mystery/suspense called STRANGER AT SUNSET. In addition to working on her next novel, Eden created Lainey Lee for the Lei Crime Series, a feisty divorcée who finds adventure and romance in Hawaii. Her novellas are available on Kindle Worlds.
An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often! To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.
Website: http://edenbayleebooks.com
Blog: https://edenbaylee.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee
Twitter: @edenbaylee
R.B. Wood – “Calliope”
R. B. Wood is a technology consultant and a writer of Speculative and Dark Fiction. His first novel, The Prodigal’s Foole, was released to critical acclaim in 2012. Mr. Wood is currently working on multiple stories and his MFA (Emerson College Class of ’19). Along with his writing passion, R. B. is host of The Word Count Podcast – a show that features talent from all around the globe reading original flash-fiction stories.
R. B. currently lives in Boston with his partner, Tina, a multitude of cats and various other critters that visit from time to time.
Around the web:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon’s R.B. Wood page
May 13, 2017
The #WordCountPodcast episode 66 is NOW open for Submissions!
I can’t believe it’s May already! Where did the time go?
On the personal writing front, I’m working feverishly to tweak four short stories all with submission dates in the next 30 days or so. I’m plowing through all the college requirements so I can hit the fall semester running, and I’m prepping for Readercon in July.
Along with those things, life stuff (like finding mold in the house, getting that sorted, having a new roof put on and visits from my children and my father-in-law, ongoing rehab) is happening, as it does for all of us. It’s gonna be a busy rest of year.
That all being said, I’m enjoying reading the Dark Tower series by Stephen King and rereading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. And, of course, I have episodes of the #wordcountpodcast to devise.
Which brings me to the true purpose of this post. We’ll be opening up Episode 66 for submissions this weekend. But first, if you wouldn’t mind, give the show’s Facebook page a like, and get your friends to check it out as well. There are nearly 400 original stories at this point—all free for your listen pleasure, all we ask is for people to help get the word out. Click the link:
So, then. Episode 66.
I’m supplying the picture this time around. I took this off a boat in Boston harbor near Georges Island where the missus and I go a few times a year with friends.
I feel this picture has many stories to tell, so I ask out Irregulars (as well as any aspiring writers who would like to join us) for their own take on this scene. Include the month of May as well.
What happens next, dear sinners, is entirely up to you!
All submissions are welcome!
If you want to listen to past (free) shows, the links below will take you to them:
or
There are Sixty-five shows available right now!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
THE WORD COUNT PODCAST – EPISODE 66 “May in the Harbor”
GENRE: Any.
DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by Friday 26 May 2017 by MIDNIGHT Eastern time.
THE DETAILS: The work must be an original story based on the picture above and the month of “May.”
Do NOT exceed SEVEN minutes.
As this is a podcast, I need to receive a file of YOU, a friend or multiple friends reading (singing or otherwise performing) your work. MP3 FORMAT ONLY, and please attach your MP3 file to an e-mail or contact me for a Dropbox link.
Your submission MUST also contain the following:
• Your pen name
• Your latest bio (DO NOT ASSUME I HAVE YOUR LATEST)
• Links to your website(s) – Include your personal site, Facebook Fanpage etc.
• Your Twitter handle (if you have one)
• A photo of you I can use for the show notes
• At the end of your recording, please add “This is author of and you’re listening to The Word Count Podcast.”
• Permission to use your recording in the podcast.
• PLEASE Make sure you have included ALL ARTIFACTS I have asked for. Do not assume I can “Get your picture from the internet” or can “Pull your bio from your web page.”
Send your file to me@rbwood.com (or via the dropbox link I can provide) by 26 May 2017. You can also e-mail me with questions beforehand. I do reserve the right NOT to post your submission, but will communicate that to you should it be the case. I add the ‘Explicit’ tag to the ‘cast, so if your story uses adult themes or language that’s ok—but it should be necessary for the story.
***NOTE: I will NOT accept stories that are discriminatory in ANY WAY (whether it be by race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, etc.) or that include rape. ***
Peace
May 3, 2017
The Word Count Podcast-Episode 65
Cool picture, isn't it?
This was donated for the Episode 65 prompt by Bill Kirton, one of our dear Word Count Irregulars. And SPEAKING of Bill Kirton:
COMPETITION ALERT!!
There is a mystery to solve at the end of Bill's story. Solve it, e-mail your answer to me (me@rbwood.com), and you will be put in a drawing to win a $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD!
Competition ends May 26th, 2017!
The Picture above and the month of April. That is the basis for four new stories'
The duo of John McCaffrey & Jack Gwaltney return as do Maria Haskins, Eden Baylee and the aforementioned Bill Kirton.
Feel free to download and listen to the latest show (or previous shows) via iTunes or Libsyn. Here is an embedded player, if you prefer:
A reminder that we are looking to increase the number of likes on the show’s Facebook Page, so hope on over there and tell you friends about us (use the #WordCountPodcast hashtag).
Onto the show!
Show Notes:
Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “The Man Who Was Thursday”
Jack Gwaltney was born in Virginia, went to the University of Virginia and lives in New York, fortunate to perform as an actor on stage, television and in film. Collaborating with John McCaffrey is one of the wisest things Jack does. Thanks to The Word Count Podcast!
John McCaffrey grew up in Rochester, New York, attended Villanova University, and received his MA in Creative Writing from the City College of New York. He is the author of The Book of Ash and Two Syllable Men. He lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Maria Haskins - "Magpies and Moonshine"
Maria Haskins is a Swedish-Canadian writer and certified translator. She writes speculative fiction and poetry, and debuted as a writer in Sweden. Since 1992 she lives in Canada, just outside Vancouver, with a husband, two kids, and a very large black dog.
Website: https://mariahaskins.wordpress.com
Twitter: @mariahaskins
Eden Baylee - "The Cottage Life"
Eden Baylee left a twenty-year banking career to write and is now a full-time author of multiple genres.
She has written three collections of erotic novellas and flash fiction ~ SPRING INTO SUMMER, FALL INTO WINTER, and HOT FLASH.
In 2014, she launched the first novel of her trilogy with Dr. Kate Hampton—a psychological mystery/suspense called STRANGER AT SUNSET. In addition to working on her next novel, Eden created Lainey Lee for the Lei Crime Series, a feisty divorcée who finds adventure and romance in Hawaii. Her novellas are available on Kindle Worlds.
An introvert by nature and an extrovert by design, Eden is most comfortable at home with her laptop surrounded by books. She is an online Scrabble junkie and a social media enthusiast, but she really needs to get out more often! To stay apprised of Eden’s book-related news, please add your name to her mailing list.
Website: http://edenbayleebooks.com
Blog: https://edenbaylee.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee
Twitter: @edenbaylee
Bill Kirton - "The Coming of Night"
Before taking early retirement to become a full-time writer, Bill Kirton was a lecturer in French at the University of Aberdeen. He’s written stage and radio plays, short stories, novels, skits and songs for revues, and five non-fiction books aimed at helping students with their writing and study skills. His five modern crime novels, Justice, The Darkness, Shadow Selves and Unsafe Acts are set in north east Scotland and his historical crime/romance novel, The Figurehead, is set in Aberdeen in 1840. The Darkness won the silver award in the mystery category of the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards and his spoof mystery, The Sparrow Conundrum, was the winner in the humor category.
He’s published a novel for children called The Loch Ewe Mystery, and his latest publication is a satirical novella about online gaming and the real and virtual worlds.
He’s had radio plays broadcast by the BBC and the Australian BC. His short stories have appeared in many anthologies, including three of the CWA’s annual collections, and one was chosen by Maxim Jakubowski for his 2010 anthology of Best British Crime Stories. It’s also been optioned by a film company in Los Angeles.
He’s been a Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at universities in Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews.
Website: www.bill-kirton.co.uk
Twitter: @carver22
April 25, 2017
Life Finds a Way
It has taken me nearly 18 months to make peace with the fact that my brain has permanently, and irreversibly changed.
It has also taken me 18 months to realize how truly blessed I am because of the changes.
Weird. I feel blessed because of 30 strokes.
Well, I'm still around. And I have most of my physical abilities. My cognition when it comes to things like strategy, numbers and logic has been annihilated, however.
Blessed. Truly.
I can no longer do the work I've been doing for thirty-two years. That career has been shattered. I won't lie to you, I was in a pretty bad funk about that fact. But life finds a way.
I started writing again in rehab back in November 2015 at the insistence of one of my therapists. I could barely walk or speak, let alone hold a pencil.
I hated her for making me write, back then. My first journal entry was three words, scrawled almost illegibly:
"Fuck this shit."
Now? Eighteen months later? Well, let me quote Stephen King:
“Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life.”
And so it goes.
Last Friday, I was surprised and shocked to receive an acceptance letter to Emerson College--to their MFA program in Popular Fiction writing. They also threw a massive scholarship at me, to which I am eternally grateful.
The application was a bit of a lark--and like everything else lately, I had a load of help with the admission process. My wife, who is the most exquisite human to ever walk this earth, has been at my side--always encouraging, always helping.
I received four brilliant references from wonderful authors who I both respect and admire ( Matthew Munson and Dr. Bill Kirton from my show The Word Count Podcast, my friend, instructor and mentor, Richard Thomas, and World Fantasy and Nebula award-winning author, James Morrow). I submitted samples of my published work and an essay (the story of my writing rebirth after surviving trauma).
Four days after submitting my application, I was accepted.
This has been the culmination of recovery, acceptance, and a desire to take this "new cognitive me" out for a spin.
For all those who have helped me, I am forever in your debt. Know that I will do you proud during this next adventure.
Welcome to the class of '19, you brain-damaged old man. You are truly blessed.
April 15, 2017
The #WordCountPodcast Episode 65 is Now Open for Submissions!
For April, the picture selected for our prompt was from our own Bill Kirton, Word Count Irregular par excellence.
But before revealing the prompt, I must beg you all to get your friends to like the #WordCountPodcast Facebook page. I'll be posting some new content there shortly, exclusively for fans of the show who liked the page.
Telling you what I'll be posting would be playing fair. Stay tuned!
But here's the link to the page. Spread the word won't you? We have a goal of 1000 likes this season!
So, then. Episode 65.
Bill sent in the following:
I thought it was beautiful, a little haunting, and perfect for writers to sink their teeth into. You must also use the month of April in your setting.
What happens next, dear sinners, is entirely up to you!
Thinking of writing something for the show? Please do! All submissions are welcome!
If you want to listen to past (free) shows, the links below will take you to them:
or
There are Sixty-four shows available right now!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
THE WORD COUNT PODCAST - EPISODE 65 “The Woods in April”
GENRE: Any.
DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by Friday 28 April 2017 by MIDNIGHT Eastern time.
THE DETAILS: The work must be an original story based on the picture above and the month of “April.”
Do NOT exceed SEVEN minutes.
As this is a podcast, I need to receive a file of YOU, a friend or multiple friends reading (singing or otherwise performing) your work. MP3 FORMAT ONLY, and please attach your MP3 file to an e-mail or contact me for a Dropbox link.
Your submission MUST also contain the following:
Your pen name
Your latest bio (DO NOT ASSUME I HAVE YOUR LATEST)
Links to your website(s) – Include your personal site, Facebook Fanpage etc.
Your Twitter handle (if you have one)
A photo of you I can use for the show notes
At the end of your recording, please add “This is author of and you’re listening to The Word Count Podcast.”
Permission to use your recording in the podcast.
PLEASE Make sure you have included ALL ARTIFACTS I have asked for. Do not assume I can “Get your picture from the internet” or can “Pull your bio from your web page.”
Send your file to me@rbwood.com (or via the dropbox link I can provide) by 28 April 2017. You can also e-mail me with questions beforehand. I do reserve the right NOT to post your submission, but will communicate that to you should it be the case. I add the ‘Explicit’ tag to the ‘cast, so if your story uses adult themes or language that’s ok—but it should be necessary for the story.
***NOTE: I will NOT accept stories that are discriminatory in ANY WAY (whether it be by race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, etc.) or that include rape. ***
Peace
