To date my writing group, Altered Fluid, has appeared on Jim Freund’s most excellent radio show, Hour of the Wolf, on WBAI, five times. Three times since I’ve been with the group. But today was the first time I’d read one of my stories on the air and had it critiqued. The show started at 5 AM, which I call an obscene hour, but I felt remarkably rested and invigorated thanks to my own coffee and that brought in by fellow Fluidian Mercurio Rivera.

The show went even better than I’d hoped and while my reading wasn’t everything I wanted it to be, I didn’t think it sucked. The critique was lively and insightful and from the discussion I’ve already got some ideas on how to proceed. Additionally, we were able to take a few phone calls and it was great to be able to interact with the listeners*.

I had a great time and I feel good about the experience. If you’d like to check out the broadcast without having to get up at that ungodly hour, you can check it out here.

A few months ago, a teacher friend of mine (hi, Jim) introduced me to the concept of “rubber rooms”. Now this article from Yahoo News explains and talks about them. I find the concept fascinating. And because I might steal from this idea for a story in the future, I’m parking it here.

I found this Washington Post article to be fascinating, especially after seeing Food Inc. a couple of weeks ago. I’m used to seeing meat contamination, and more recently spinach and other vegetables (most likely from the runoff of feed lots where cows walk around in their own feces), but cookie dough IS an unlikely suspect. The good news is that the government is finally moving to increase their regulatory power in the food industry. While this is bad news, particularly for those infected with e.coli, I hope that it helps push through the legislation needed to ensure that the industry is regulated. There’s something wrong when the USDA knows that there is e. coli-contaminated beef sitting on store shelves and can’t do anything about it (for that particular example – see Food Inc.).

This year I am participating in the Clarion West Write-a-thon. Starting on June 21, I’ve committed to finishing a story a week to parallel what the current class will be doing in Seattle. My goal is to raise a minimum of $100 for Clarion West, though more is always acceptable. The workshop gave a lot to me, both in improving my writing and in introducing me to some really amazing people and experiences and so I’m happy to give a little back in this way.

Please, if you can, sponsor me in the write-a-thon to help me meet my goal. Or, if you’d prefer, sponsor one of the other amazing writers taking part. Anything helps. Five dollars if you can manage it. One dollar, if that’s more your speed. Think of it as an investment in future entertainment.

For anyone who sponsors me, I’d be happy to send you a copy of the completed stories (or novel chapters) to look at when they’re done.

Thanks.

My short Twitter poem-ish piece just went up on Outshine. This is my first time trying something like this, but I was happy with the way it turned out. The idea was to try to come up with something that was near-future and optimistic SF, and that also fit into 140 characters or less. What will likely be my highest paying (per word at least) gig.