Gordon Dymowski's Blog, page 6

I've Been Published: AKA THE SINNER - COVER OF NIGHT

Last month, I was working on a novella....and now, it's a Kindle-only release via Pro Se Productions. Don't worry - there will be an installment of Where Stories Come From  on this shortly....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRO SE THRILLER OF THE WEEK THIRD SERIES DEBUTS! ‘AKA THE SINNER: COVER OF NIGHT’ AVAILABLE FOR $1.49

Pro Se Productions presents the debut of its third series in the Future of Digital Storytelling-THE PRO SE THRILLER OF THE WEEK.

Each week, a new 'episode' of one of four rotating...

My Life As Professional Hack..I Mean, Writer

All I have to say is that....well, right now I'm putting the "work" into "Working Class Creative."

My primary source of income (when I'm not seeking social media work as a freelance consultant) is doing contract writing for an agency. (I'm going to rather discrete...no, seriously, stop giggling...because the contract outlines certain things I can and cannot discuss). As part of my day, I am regularly producing both web page and blog content focused on one specific industry...and it's an industry you normally wouldn't associate me with, but it's one that I have expertise in handling.

You would think that a New Pulp author like me would have no problem cranking out text...after all, I've spent five years blogging for Chicago Now, and I'm flexing my writing muscles enough to rebuild this blog. My writing portfolio has some really impressive entries.  I've also started on two passion projects (one has a contract, but it's a really sweet contract). I've even been running a Chicago Coworking Meetup and Freelancers Union group so that I have more opportunities to network while performing basic copy writing for a field that I may not love....but I sure as hell like a lot.

But I'm finding myself fighting off the inner voice that says, "You're not a writer, Gordon, you're a hack."

Now I don't mean "hack" in terms of my fiction - after all, I just finished my first novel as well as another novella. Cranking out almost 70,000 words of prose in just under six months is a pretty significant achievement. But writing working text - nothing emotionally engaging, or telling a fictional story - should not feel as annoying as it does. It doesn't hurt me (and hasn't stopped...

My Cyber Security Chicago Wrap-Up for Chicago Now

Last week, I was fortunate to acquire a complimentary pass to Cyber Security Chicago, a new tech show, and I covered it for Chicago Now's One Cause at A Time.

This past week, I spent four days writing up everything I learned (both in sessions and in private interviews), and in an effort to be complete (as well as bolster search), here are all four parts
Part One - Kevin Mitnick of Mitnick Security on How Hackers Operate Part Two -  Rotem Katsir of Votiro on Security Basics Part Three - Mark L...

Where Stories Come From: TIME LORDS & TRIBBLES, WINCHESTERS & MUGGLES

I know what you're thinking....Gordon, why are you including something that looks so....academic? And what's the deal with calling it "Where Stories Come From" because they're scholarly papers?

My answer: my blog, my rules. 

I can't talk about my two essays in Time Lords & Tribbles, Winchesters and Muggles  without talking about Paul Booth. Paul and I met at Chicago TARDIS during 2012 (At least, I think it was 2012...either my memory is failing or I drank too much te...

I Know Cool People: ARTISTS AGAINST HATE Puerto Rico Benefit Compilation

Back in January, Artists Against Hate (organized by friend/fellow Whovian Dawn Xiana Moon) held an Inauguration Day protest performance.

I'm glad to say that Dawn and Artists Against Hate have assembled United After The Storm to benefit Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

There is also an October 27th fundraiser at Uncommon Ground in Edgewater.

For more details, check out Chicago Now's One Cause At A Time. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you can see this, that m...

Buy My Books and Stop Digital Piracy!

One of the great ways I get a charge out of my day is when I see a Google Alert in my e-mail. As a published pulp writer, I'm always glad to see my name in print...especially since it means that I've either published a new blog post or have had a book published.

However, this past weekend I received an e-mail that my books had been featured on a site....and well, let's just say that I was not happy...especially since I have ranted about online piracy in the past.

(I'm including screen...

Donate An Item to the Chicago TARDIS Charity Auction

(Photo by Gordon Dymowski) Yes, it's that time of year again...I'm running the Chicago TARDIS Charity Auction, and I'm looking for donations! Two of my friends have already made their intentions clear (and they know who they are), so I thought that as a public service I would highlight (via my personal blog) exactly what you need to do!

So in other words, here are the donor guidelines for the Chicago TARDIS charity auction:


2017 CHICAGO TARDIS CHARITY AUCTION DONATION GUIDELINES

DONATIONS 

Note: Chicago TARDIS will no longer collect canned or non-perishable food items during the convention. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please donate directly to Northern Illinois Food Bank via http://bit.ly/ChiTARDISAuction and send the receipt to auction@chicagotardis.com



Chicago TARDIS must receive notification of donations by November 18th, 2017 at 11:59 pm. Walk-in donations without prior registration will not be accepted Arrangements for delivery of donated items must be made by November 23rd, 2017. Incomplete items will not be listed or displayed.Donations may be delivered to the convention site starting the evening of November 23rd at the Auction Director’s discretion.When registering donations online, please clearly list any restrictions, such as expiration and blackout dates as well as total retail value.Tax information will be mailed to all donors following Chicago TARDIS upon request. Items that meet a minimum retail value under $200 will be included in the silent auction, and those over $200 will be included in the live auction. Some items under $15 retail value may be categorized as “Buy Now” by Chicago TARDIS Auction staff. All displays included with donations will be kept by Chicago TARDIS (and/or the high bidder) unless the donor notifies Chicago TARDIS in writing that they wish to have the display returned. If the donor wishes to have the display returned, they must pick up the display onsite after the close of the silent auction  Photo by Gordon
Dymowski
DONATION ITEMS - GUIDELINES

To maximize your exposure and bidding, below are a few tips and types of donations that have been popular in the past: 

Items related to Doctor Who, related media from cast and crew, spin-off media, and British science fiction (Blake’s 7, Red Dwarf). Memorabilia from other science fiction franchises like Star Trek may also be considered.Tangible items that a bidder can touch, feel or smell can market themselves and are good ideas to in...

Cruising Around the Internet

As you can see, I haven't been keeping out of trouble; in fact, there are several really cool opportunities where my name's been out in the spotlight.

I'm really proud of this podcast interview for Working Class Creatives.  It's one of the more in-depth interviews I've given as a writer....and I'm really proud that I participated.

I've also hit a semi-hot streak on Chicago Now's One Cause At A Time , and in that spirit, here are two posts that suggest that fear and hope are the same sides o...

5 Reasons to Watch STAR TREK: DISCOVERY

Like many other Star Trek fans, I was eagerly awaiting the debut of Star Trek: Discovery. Although Sunday night's debut was delayed with a variety of technical glitches, I was able to catch both episodes....and here are five reasons why you should watch Star Trek: Discovery.


It never feels like a pastiche - it feels like Star Trek: I know many friends who feel this is too close to the "movie-style" Trek are missing the point: Trek has always been about the now. Take away the high-gloss effect...

Remembering Grant Hart and Husker Du

It's one of the few times when an artist's death has absolutely gutted me...even if I wasn't surprised.

When I read about Grant Hart's passing, I was....well, on the one hand, I was watching a recent news item involving a music festival he was running. He...didn't look too well. But hearing of his passing was just gutting.

Husker Du and the Replacements helped me survived my twenties. Their music helped me through breakups, angst...and they still do. I'm one of those people who find loud,...