After a tip from Mike, I sent "Wake Up Call" to Jay Lake at Polyphony 2. Then after getting a copy of the most recent North Carolina Literary Review, I realized I hadn't sent them anything yet. So I'm going to submit "Little Miracles" and "Going Home". I also realized I hadn't sent "Wicked Game" to F&SF yet, so off it goes. By Monday morning, I'll have nine stories out for consideration at various publishers, a personal best for me. If you're interested, head over to my fiction page to see which stories are up for consideration where.

I got the official acceptance from C.W. Nelson at ICFA, and found out that I'd be paying for everything at the conference. IAFA membership, conference registration, plane ticket, hotel room, meals. Guh. Apparently, the only ones who get comped are the guest authors and scholars. Oh well. It'll be an expensive five days, but I think it'll be worth it. I'll be nervous presenting the paper in front of people, but it should be a really good experience. Plus, I'll get to meet Charles de Lint, the guest of honor and one of my favorite authors.

After getting back all the copies of "One Big Crunch" from my new writer's group (officially named Cup-a-Prose), I'll rework it one more time then send it to Tim Mullins for The Dream Engine. I'm also going to send him "Shiny Diner Blues", since he's looking for an "adventure" story for his next issue. I wouldn't really consider it adventure, but it does have some pretty exciting bits.

And if you happen to be in the Raleigh area, stop in at Quail Ridge Books on Thursday night, November 14, at 7:30 PM for the Jonathan Carroll reading. He's in town on part of his US book tour to promote White Apples, of which you've heard a lot about in this journal. In fact, as you walk in the door, look at the Upcoming Authors shelf immediately in front of you, and next to the numerous copies of White Apples you'll see my review of the book. I asked if they wouldn't mind posting it somewhere in the store, and not only did they say yes, but they put it right up front. How cool is that?

My thanks to everyone who sent good wishes about my ICFA acceptance. I appreciate the support from friends and colleagues.