If you’re a Clarion West alumni (teacher or student) and will be in the New York area the week of July 15, or you know a Clarion West alum who will be in the area the week of July 15, will you please let me know? Or have that person contact me? I’m working on something…

I mentioned this before, and at the risk of being shameless in my self-promotion, the Pirate Issue of Shimmer Magazine, edited by John Joseph Adams, is still available (apparently) as a free download on the Shimmer website. Hey, it’s free fiction. If you don’t mind reading on a screen.

I’m in love with one of my own stories.

I dreaded this day. I worry that I won’t be objective enough to see its flaws. Or receptive enough to suggestions for revision.

But damn it, I really love this story. I think it’s one of the best I’ve ever written.

For those who are interested, I will definitely be attending World Fantasy this year (in just a few weeks) in Calgary. It’s the only con I can attend this year and I’m looking forward to it.

But looking ahead to next year, it looks like a more con-a-licious year. If it all works out. It’s dependent on my job and money and time, of course. And who knows what the economy will allow for. But this is the current plan:

Early Feb: NY Comicon – it’s local, it’s easy, and it’s my birthday weekend. I missed last year, so this year I plan on going.

Mid Feb: Boskone – it’s drivable and my CW friend Kristin encouraged me to come, so I will try.

May: Wiscon – a mini Clarion West reunion perhaps? And one of the better cons in the annual lineup. Plus I love Madison.

July: Readercon – again, I missed it last year, and I like the con a lot (and it’s driveable), so this year I want to make it.

November: World Fantasy – in San Jose! If I’m lucky, I’ll get to go and then drive up to wine country for a few days.

Not on the list right now is Worldcon – Montreal is not too far away, so I can probably make it, but I’m going to think about this for a while.

That’s the plan, of course subject to change, but that seems like quite a bit. But I will definitely be in Calgary in a few weeks. Hope to see some of you there.

I should also mention re: the last post that my friends and fellow members of Altered Fluid, E.C. Myers and N.K. Jemisin also were Honorable Mentions in the Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror. Because they are wonderful and talented people. And my Clarion West classmate, Carlton Mellick III, was mentioned several times in its pages. He is brilliant as well, so it comes as no surprise.