R.B. Wood's Blog, page 12
April 3, 2017
OFF BEAT: Nine Spins on Song
Inspired by favorite songs, nine fantasy and science fiction authors spin tales of adventure, intrigue, mystery, and horror.
I love release days!
And I adore the authors at Wicked Ink Books.
Last year, after WIB's award-winning anthology TICK TOCK was released, the seven authors opened up submissions for their next anthology. I submitted my story, Thanksgiving in the Park inspired by the Guns 'n' Roses song November Rain.
Months of edits, proofing and communications later, you can now read what we have all been working toward.
I hope you will pick up a copy--and look into other works by these talent folks.
A little blurb about each story
A boy follows his girlfriend’s suicide note to its disturbing conclusion.
A man must pass on an ancient curse of immortality before his time finally runs out.
Two lost beings fight for life, for each other, and to find a way home.
A serial killer from the future, banished to present day, must control her homicidal urges in order to survive.
A thief and a sex worker find their paths unexpectedly entwined in ways that threaten both of their lives.
For a caged girl, one hand gives, but the other takes away all she’s ever known.
To gain their freedom, quarreling townsfolk must find a way to cross a bottomless ravine.
A man interrupts a monster at work and is determined to entertain the creature long enough to stay alive.
When his father’s ghost appears, a businessman is forced to reflect on his life.
The eBook is available right now at AMAZON, and the paperback will be available shortly.
In the meantime, here is a bit about my 8 compatriots:
Calypso Kane
Calypso Kane lives in the cooking heart of Texas. She writes fantastical fictions about the fey, the fanciful, and the fiendish. Her short stories have been published in anthologies such as The Odd and the Bizarre, Strange Little Girls, and Her Dark Voice 2. Between submissions she enjoys picking absently at her own stories, hibernating, and telling herself she’ll get around to her growing tower of unread new books eventually.
Corinne O'Flynn
I am a native New Yorker living in Colorado, and wouldn’t trade life in the Rockies for anything. I love writing fantasy and mystery, and experimenting with short fiction. I am a self-proclaimed scone aficionado, a professional napper, and I have an entire section of my kitchen devoted to tea. When I’m not writing, I can be found hanging with my husband and our kids, playing board games, knitting, reading, or binge watching some fabulous shows (while sipping tea).
A.G. Henley
A.G. Henley is a contributor to Wicked Ink Books' anthologies, OFF BEAT: Nine Spins on Song and TICK TOCK: Seven Tales of Time, and the author of the Brilliant Darkness series. The first book in the series, THE SCOURGE, was a Library Journal Self-e Selection and a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award. A.G. is also a clinical psychologist in Denver, Colorado. She promises not to analyze you... much.
Sue Duff
Sue Duff was born in Chicago, IL but grew up in Phoenix, AZ. She dreamed of dragons and spaceships before she could read and combines Fantasy and SciFi in her breakout series, The Weir Chronicles. When she's not saving the world, one page at a time, she's walking her Great Dane, getting her hands dirty in the garden or cooking up something delicious in her kitchen.
Wendy Terrien
Wendy Terrien received her first library card at age two, and a few years later started writing her own stories. Her debut novel, The Rampart Guards (February 2016), earned a Kirkus starred review and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2016. The novel is a #1 regional bestseller, and is the first in her intriguing urban fantasy series.
Wendy graduated from the University of Utah (go Utes!) and transplanted to Colorado where she completed her MBA at the University of Denver. She focused her marketing expertise on the financial and technology industries until a career coach stepped in and reminded Wendy of her passion for writing. Wendy began attending writers conferences, workshops, and retreats.
She regularly participates in two critique groups and is the Secretary of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and a member of Pikes Peak Writers. In 2014, Wendy was a finalist in the San Francisco Writer’s Contest.
Wendy lives in the Denver area with her husband, Kevin, and their three dogs: Maggie, Shea, and Boon. All of her dogs are rescues, and Wendy is passionate about promoting shelter adoptions. If you’re in Colorado, you may even be able to spot her by her “Adopt a Shelter Pet” license plates.
Kristi Helvig
Kristi Helvig is a Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist turned sci-fi/fantasy writer. You can find her musing about space monkeys, Star Trek, and other random topics on her blog. Kristi resides in sunny Colorado with her hubby, kids, and behaviorally-challenged dogs.
Rebecca Taylor
Rebecca Taylor is the indie author of ASCENDANT, winner of the 2014 Colorado Book Award and a Library Journal National Self-e Select title; MIDHEAVEN; THE EXQUISITE AND IMMACULATE GRACE OF CARMEN ESPINOZA, and her latest release, and RWA RITA Finalist, AFFECTIVE NEEDS.
She obtained her BA in psychology and sociology from the University of Colorado, Denver, and her Ed.S in school psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. In addition to writing, she works as a school psychologist and teaches at Regis University in their MFA program.
She lives with her husband, two children, three dogs, and two tortoises in Denver, Colorado. She loves to travel and spends probably too much time on the interwebs planning trips. When she’s not planted in front of her keyboard, she likes to watch movies on Netflix, camp, read, do jigsaw puzzles, hike, drink tea, snow ski, swim in the ocean, watch people, eat peanut butter, run miles to nowhere on a treadmill, troll bookstores, stare into the abyss, and worry that she should probably be writing instead.
Shawn McGuire
Colorado-based author Shawn McGuire started writing after seeing the first Star Wars movie (that's episode IV) as a kid. She couldn't wait for the next installment to come out so wrote her own. Sadly, those notebooks are long lost, but her desire to write is as strong now as it was then. Her young adult novels deal with harder issues—dating violence, death of a family member, bullying, and teen suicide. Since those topics can be hard to handle, she infuses a good bit of humor as well because she believes that laughter can help you get through just about anything.
March 26, 2017
The Word Count Podcast-Episode 64
Watson Lake, AZ - Photo by Becca B. JenkinsThe Picture above and the month of March. That's the prompt for this month's show.
A huge “thank you” to Ms. Becca B. Jenkins who graciously let me use one of her photographs for this month’s show. Along with her writing talent (and I’d check out her website when you get a sec: Hunt, Gather, Brew), she is a talented photographer.
Four new stories this time around. Two wonderful partners-in-crime return (Maria Haskins and Bill Kirton) along with relative newcomer to the show, John McCaffrey (in a collaboration piece with Jack Gwaltney) and long time absent friend Julia Mae Staley returns as well with a lovely tale.
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:
Maria Haskins - "Lost"
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
Bill Kirton - "The Lochan"
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
Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “Seldom is Heard”
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.
Julia Mae Staley – “When on Fire”
Julia Mae Staley is a singer/songwriter, rock harpist and author from Bucks County, PA. Her music has taken her many places, and even to the silver screen. She will be releasing her first indie rock album this year.
Websites: http://www.juliamaestaley.com ; http://www.facebook.com/rockharpist
Twitter: @juliamaestaley
March 10, 2017
The #WordCountPodcast Episode 64 is now Open for Submissions!
There’s a story behind this month’s prompt.
First, 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 64.
The photo to be used in the prompt this month is one taken by writer, adventurist and all around good person—Ms. Becca B. Jenkins. Along with her writing talent (and I’d check out her website when you get a sec: Hunt, Gather, Brew), she is a talented photographer. When I saw her pictures, I immediately asked to use one for the show.
She said yes… and then made me pick one. Damn it. I HATE making decisions.
So go thank Becca for this month’s visual prompt, which is:
Watson Lake, AZ - Photo by Becca B. JenkinsYou must also use the month of March in your setting.
Oooooh! What happens next! That, dear sinners, is 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-three shows available right now!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
THE WORD COUNT PODCAST - EPISODE 64 “March at the Lake”
GENRE: Any.
DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by Friday 24 March 2017 by MIDNIGHT Eastern time.
THE DETAILS: The work must be an original story based on the picture above and the month of “March.”
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 24 March 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
March 7, 2017
Off Beat:Nine Spins on Song – COVER REVEAL!
Oh, this is delicious! Been waiting a while to tell you guys about this one.
Last year, while at ReaderCON, I read a few books, one of which was an anthology called TICK TOCK: Seven Tales of Time. It was published by Wicked Ink Books. Most of the authors in the anthology I hadn't heard of (shame on me--I've since corrected that) but I read all seven stories in about an hour.
Very different, but very, very good.
For 2017, the good people at WIB were putting together another anthology. There would be seven stories from the original authors (Corinne O'Flynn, Kristi Helvig, Rebecca Taylor, Sue Duff, Shawn McGuire, Wendy Terrien, and A.G. Henley) plus two additional stories picked from a series of submissions.
The theme for the "new nine" would be stories inspired by song.
I decided to send in something that I'd been toying with since the 90's--a story called "Thanksgiving in the Park."
Long story, short: My story and one by Calypso Kane were accepted.
So. The cover. May I introduce OFF BEAT: Nine Spins on Song available for preorder on Amazon:
FOM THE BACK COVER:
Inspired by favorite songs, nine fantasy and science fiction authors spin tales of adventure, intrigue, mystery, and horror.
A boy follows his girlfriend's suicide note to its disturbing conclusion.
A man must pass on an ancient curse of immortality before his time finally runs out.
Two lost beings fight for life, for each other, and to find a way home.
A serial killer from the future, banished to present day, must control her homicidal urges in order to survive.
A thief and a sex worker find their paths unexpectedly entwined in ways that threaten both of their lives.
For a caged girl, one hand gives, but the other takes away all she’s ever known.
To gain their freedom, quarreling townsfolk must find a way to cross a bottomless ravine.
A man interrupts a monster at work, and is determined to entertain the creature long enough to stay alive.
When his father's ghost appears, a businessman is forced to reflect on his life.
I'm excited about this one...proud to have a story of mine picked to stand with some very talented authors. I would be much obliged if you decided to preorder a copy today. And while you're at it, check out Wicked Ink Books.
Peace
February 21, 2017
The Word Count Podcast-Episode 63
The Picture above and the month of February. That's the prompt for this month's show.
The feedback I've been receiving on the "enhanced" podcast format and the new prompts for 2017 has been pretty good. And I think this month's show will be very enjoyable.
Except for the host. He has a bit of a cold and is recovering from a weekend hanging out with other writers and fans at #Boskone54.
Feel free to download and listen to the latest show via iTunes or Libsyn. Here is an embedded player, if you prefer:
Show Notes:
Bill Kirton - "George"
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
Eden Baylee - "Love and Death"
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
C. Thomas Smith - "Fecking Direction"
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
Maria Haskins - "Wolves and Girls"
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
February 18, 2017
BOSKONE 54
Note that older posts under this thread are further down. Look for the time/date stamps for section breaks.
Also note that there are all sorts of Typos. Sorry about that. Typing on an iPad with large fingers is rather difficult.
17FEB 8:15 PM
Long day--and I left before half of it was done (There was a late night screening of Deadpool. I was SO tempted...but I never would have made day two)
So. Where was I?
Yes. Panels, Readings and such.
First, let me say that the logistics around Boskone were handled superbly. There are way more things going on here then at ReaderCON. The Dealer room is massive. There is a game room where hundreds of board games, card games and video games can be played. There are video screening rooms. There are art exhibitions. This felt more like one of the bigger conventions--not quite a ComicCON, but still quite large.
Yet, somehow, it felt less crowded. Maybe today it will be different, but Friday was pretty tame, professional and fun!
Wizards, Warlocks, and Witches
E.J. Stevens, Jane Yolen, Cerece Rennie Murphy, Adam Stemple, Bruce Coville (M)
So, the strike-thoughs are not typos. Only Jane (who I adore), Adam (Jane's son and who is a bit of a kindred spirit) and the lovely Cerece Rennie Murphy were at the panel.
And it was awesome.
There was some talk about witches and how women who have power were thought to have been way more evil then warlocks, Yoda, writing, politics and general stream of consciousness. I laughed for an hour--then more when I chatted with Jane and Adam in the lobby later. And even more when I caught up with Cerece in the dealer room.
Using History in SF and Fantasy
Bradford Verter, Jo Walton, Mark L. Olson (M), Dana Cameron, Ada Palmer
From alternate history to vaguely familiar settings in a unique story world, history is a great resource for inspiration. What are some of the most creative uses of history in fiction? How much research is needed before writing and fleshing out the story? Panelists discuss examples of how history has enriched some of our favorite novels. But can sticking to history hobble your creative instincts? When should we deviate from historical truths and strike out into the creative unknown?
More of a traditional panel--and was rightfully crowded. I must admit I left part-way through as the crowd was a bit much.
Some of the artwork on display
Ok. Here is a picture of Brandon. Quiet down, you heathens. Milton was WAY more accessible!At 5-ish or so, I wandered down to the dealer room where Brandon Sanderson and Milton Davis were signing autographs. As you can imagine, the line for Brandon, as guest of honor for Boskone, was huge...I was never going to get to meet him in time to make CSE Cooney's reading--and there was no way I was going to miss Claire (although Carlos wasn't there---hopefully I'll see him on Saturday)
But I digress.
Milton was at a table near Brandon, but there was no line for him--so I took the opportunity to speak with him What a charming, intelligent and funny author! I'm going to make time on Saturday to pick up a book or two of his and chat some more--fascinating man who writes fantasy series NOT based on white European cultures. Great stuff.
Reading by C.S.E. Cooney
There are a lot of writers I have met through the years whether via writing groups, conferences of classes. Claire Suzanne Elizabeth (CSE) Cooney and her partner in crime Carlos Hernandez are two of my favorites that I was introduced to as a part of the whole Mike/Anita Allen Clockwork Phoenix/Mythic Delirium team of AWESOME.
Claire's Bone Swans collection of stories have won lovely awards and is worth a read. Or two. Just amazing stuff and she was good enough to sign my copy!
She read a short story last night--the name of which I can't remember 9DESPITE asking for the title specifically--then I refused to write it down, apparently) that was so funny my sides hurt from laughing. I love the way Claire paints such surreal worlds in her writing.
AND she left us hanging! Somebody better pick up the story soon because I need to find out how it ends!
I know it's early...but I head back to the train and home. Day two awaits and I must prepare to deal with the crowds...
17FEB 1:45 PM
Boskone Day One.
A Train ride. A mile walk in freezing temperatures.
An Irish pub (And those of you who know me KNEW I’d find an Irish pub).
Panels. Laughter. Lines. New People. Old friends.
I photoshopped out the frostbiteThat’s the summary for day one at Boskone. This conference is wicked awesome, to use a Boston colloquialism.
I got to the Westin Waterfront in Boston and picked up my badge with 3 minutes to spare before the first panel. No chances to explore until later—I dove right in.
Steam’s Rising: A Proliferation of Punks
James Moore, KT Bryski (M), Victoria Sandbrook, Melanie Meadors
I arrived, breathless, and sans coffee (despite the fact that it was mid-afternoon, my body was craving caffeine). As it was the first scheduled panel of the free portion of the day, there weren’t, as of yet, a lot of people milling about. I knew that would change.
My friend, writer, and former Ragnarok associate editor Melanie Meadors was on this panel and I wanted to be there to support her. Moderator KT Bryski kicked it all off with introductions and the discussion began.
Steampunk, of course is the most well known of the “punks” (transgressive stories about rebellion with technological aesthetics of Victorian-era London). The integration, technology and cosplay typical of fans in this space were discussed. “Gaslamp” Punk, Deco (or “Flapper”) Punk, Diesel Punk, Solar Punk, Cyber Punk, and Dread 
punk were all touched upon with one question hanging over the panel—when do all these “punks” merge to be labeled just so?
Extra points for Melanie for wearing a 1920’s hat and costume to the panel!
February 16, 2017
Boskone 54 -The Pregame
So.
Tomorrow I will be attending the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA) Boskone convention for the first time. Normally, I just do ReaderCON each year...but I've been told by many a folk that this convention is a good one.
I shall dutifully document my experience at the con right here over the next few days. Will it be worth it? Has my stroke-induced crowd anxiety subsided enough to enjoy the experience? Will they have cake?
We'll find out, dear sinners.
Check out the program here: Boskone 54
Peace
February 2, 2017
THE #WORDCOUNTPODCAST EPISODE 63 IS OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS!
Well. The new prompt and podcast format was rather fun last month, wasn't it?
I know the "Irregulars" liked it!
First, 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 63.
Since it seemed to work well, we shall once again split the prompt thusly:
A Picture (below)
Use the month of February in your setting.
So the visual prompt:
Oooooh! What happens next! That, dear sinners, is 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-two shows available right now!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
THE WORD COUNT PODCAST - EPISODE 63 “February Rose”
GENRE: Any.
DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by Friday 17 February 2017 by MIDNIGHT Eastern time.
THE DETAILS: The work must be an original story based on the picture above and the month of “February.”
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 20 January 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
January 22, 2017
The Word Count Podcast-Episode 62
Well, it's a New Year. Time to sober up from the holidays and get on with the next season of the #WordCountPodcast!
In the off-season, a few of the irregulars (what the participants of the show call themselves) and I discussed were a few tweaks to the show. I thought we'd try them out to see how things go.
Don't worry! The podcast is still free and free of ads!
The first change is that we will be using different sort of prompts for the show. First, is a picture. For this month:
Next we will be using the month the show is produced in, in this case January.
Now for the last bit. I'm trying out a new format for the recording of the show. I'm using AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) in stead of the old "Audio-Only" MP3 encoding for the podcast. This allows me to add photos and chapters (among other things) to the podcast. I'll still post the audio-only version on the site, but I want to see what the feedback is. After all...we are using a visual prompt.
So please, give the show a listen and let us know what your experience is. I'm still getting the "technology hang" of this new format...so apologies in advance for any growing pains.
You can listen to the show via iTunes or Libsyn. Here is an embedded player, if you prefer:
Show Notes:
Episode 62: Tidal Pool in January
Maria Haskins - "The Weight of the Sea"
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
C. Thomas Smith - "The Wasteland"
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
Cameron Garriepy - "By the Sea"
Cameron Garriepy thinks Eartha Kitt was the best Catwoman, and misses Hampton Beach on days like today. In April of 2015, Cameron released Damselfly Inn, the first full-length novel in her Thornton Vermont series. The sequel, Sweet Pease is coming soon from Bannerwing Books.
Website: http://camerondgarriepy.com
Twitter: @camerongarriepy
John A. McCaffrey - "Clamming in January"
John A McCaffrey grew up in Rochester, New York, attended Villanova University, and received his MA from the City College of New York. His stories have appeared regularly in literary journals and anthologies. He is also a playwright, an original member of the Lone Star Theater Troupe, and a creative writing teacher. His published works include The Book of Ash (October, 2013) and Two Syllable Men (April 2016).
Website: http://jamccaffrey.squarespace.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.mccaffrey.984 and https://www.facebook.com/twosyllablemen/
Twitter: @jamccaffrey
Bill Kirton & Eden Baylee - "Selfie Love"
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
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 stories--A SNAKE IN PARADISE and SEAL OF A MONK can be found on Kindle Worlds.
Website: http://edenbayleebooks.com
Blog: https://edenbaylee.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenbaylee
Twitter: @edenbaylee
January 6, 2017
The #WordCountPodcast Episode 62 is OPEN for Submissions!
A New Year. Let’s hope 2017 is less traumatic, shall we?
It’s time to dust off the recording equipment, practice my vocalizations, and update all my studio software.
It’s time for a new #WordCountPodcast.
You know we have a Facebook page, right? I’m guessing not as we have over 1500 downloads per episode and only 93 followers. To you 93, I say “Huzzah!” Now that I have scared my cat, I will actually post the link for the Word Count Podcast Facebook page. Give it a like?
We get to a 1000 likes this season and one lucky follower with become the subject of a future show! Weird? Yep. Aggressive? Yep. We like it weird and aggressive here.
So, then. Episode 62.
We are going to do things a little bit different to start the year. Yes, we are soliciting stories as usual. But for the January podcast, we ask that you write a story based on TWO (2) criteria:
A Picture (below)
Use the month of January in your setting.
So the visual prompt:
Oooooh! What happens next! That, dear sinners, is 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-one shows available right now!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
THE WORD COUNT PODCAST - EPISODE 62 “January”
GENRE: Any.
DEADLINE: I must receive your submission by Friday 20 January 2017 by MIDNIGHT Eastern time.
THE DETAILS: The work must be an original story based on the picture above and the month of “January.”
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 20 January 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
