Just a reminder that tomorrow is my Reddit AMA starting at 7PM EST. For those who don’t know, AMA stands for Ask Me Anything and that’s what I’ll be doing. If you want to ask me something, just log onto the site and ask away. The site address is: http://www.reddit.com/r/books

Of course the question I’ve been asked most since the release of Falling Sky happens to be, “Will there be a sequel?” Now that contracts have been signed, I can say definitively that yes, there will be a sequel. Pyr has bought a follow-up to Falling Sky continuing the story of Ben and his companions in their post-apocalyptic future. The sequel is currently called Rising Tide and will hopefully throw readers some thrills and surprises.

I still have to turn in the completed manuscript so no release date yet but I will update here and on social media as soon as there is one.

I’m excited to continue the story of Ben Gold and I hope you’ll be excited to read it.

After a long absence, my website is back! After repeated hacking attempts, I have a new web hosting service and, better still, a brand new site! The site was designed by Matt Kressel who is, without hyperbole, a wizard. If you’re in need of a new site, especially if you’re a writer, definitely get in touch with Matt (contact me directly for contact info).

We’re back just in time, too. I have some new announcements to make about the novel, Falling Sky, which will be out on October 7.

Stay tuned…

In only a couple weeks, I will have the honor of reading at the NYRSF reading series in New York along with Fran Wilde. I’m very excited.

The reading will take place at the SoHo Gallery for Digital Art –
138 Sullivan Street (between Houston & Prince St.). Doors open at 6:30.

I’m looking forward to hearing Fran read. I hope you’ll come check it out if you’re able.

Earlier this month I celebrated my 39th birthday. Not the big one that everyone makes a huge deal out of, but the one before. Only I realized that I was celebrating the completion of my 39th year, the start of my 40th.

My birthday has always been a useful divider for me, and recently has become what New Year’s Day is for others, a day to kick off the next year or so of time, redefine goals, start a new path.

This year’s path is quite a doozy.

Due to various reasons which I won’t get into, this year brings with it some massive changes. For one, I’m moving out of my apartment. I’m moving out of New York City. This may not seem like that big a deal, but it’s been my home for the past seven years, and New York is among the short list of places (London, Seattle, parts of California) that have felt like home to me. I’m heading back to my home town, where my family still lives, to figure out my next move. I once told myself I would never go back, but sometimes you have to take a step backwards in order to find sure footing for the sprint ahead.

Distance-wise, it’s not that far from Manhattan, but it feels far. Especially without the benefit of NY public transportation and lacking a car. It will be…an adjustment. But it’s not forever. And it’s a safe place to be.

There will be some advantages. I will get to write more. I will be closer to job opportunities. The rest…well, we’ll see. But I’m optimistic that this is a step that will ultimately help me.

The path stretches out before me. Wish me a bon voyage and I’ll be on my way. But I’m pretty certain I’ll be back before too long. I’ll keep you all posted along the way.

It may seem a bit late for a recap of last year, but I’ve been meaning to do one for a while now and I think there’s use to be had from such an exercise. Besides, yesterday was my birthday and that always felt like a more personal milestone in judging accomplishments and goals.

Last year was a mixed bag in many ways. On a personal level, it was a year filled with heartbreaking events for the people closest to me. Additionally, it was the year I lost my job and had to learn to deal with being unemployed for the first time in my life. On all of those levels, 2011 was disappointing.

On the other hand, a lot of great things happened last year. I moved into a new apartment in Harlem with N. Eight of my friends got married in four weddings.

On the writing front, I only had one publication last year (“Holes”) and one sale (The Last Gorgon to Beneath Ceaseless Skies). Looking back on that, it felt like too little. However, most of my writing effort last year went into my middle grade novel. And considering that my agent was happy with revisions and it went out on submission shortly before the holidays, I suppose I can live with my output.

As for 2012, I am looking forward it to being a year of change, not only on the personal front (I’m hoping I’ll find a job I’m happy with this year), but also on the professional front. It was brought to my attention by my fine writing group, Altered Fluid, that I was retreading a lot of old ground when it came to my writing. So I’ve committed to avoiding the familiar and easy when it comes to writing, and trying new things, pushing the boundaries of what I do. I may fail, but I’d rather fail spectacularly at something new than fail with something old and boring.

So, here’s to a great 2012 (and my 39th year of being alive). I wish you all success and happiness (and a distinct lack of apocalypses).