I just got an email from the Literary Coordinator for Trinoc*con 2003 inviting me to be a literary guest at this year's convention! Woo! Trinoc*con is the local skiffy convention in nearby Durham, NC, and they have always done a great job. The focus is on fantastic literature and art more than anything else, though they have a room off in the corner for the gamers. My pal Jamie will be one of the art guests again this year as well. Hee!

I suggested a few panels, though I have no idea if they'll take my suggestions. I thought panels on Clarion and writers' groups would be interesting for those at the beginning of their writing careers. I certainly would have liked that information when I was first starting out.

Not much else going on. I actually had to miss work yesterday, either from the drop in temperature or because of my allergies acting up. I felt like utter crap all day, with a pounding headache that just would not go away. I took my car into the dealership to get the wipers looked at again, and they agreed that the motor needed to be replaced. But since they don't normally stock something like that, of course, they had to order it. So I have to take off more time today to go back over there and have them switch out motors. Guh. At least they aren't charging me for labor.

I finished Veniss Underground yesterday, and whoa man. Phenomenal. VanderMeer is one talented dude. His style was like Gene Wolfe combined with Samuel Delany with a dash of Hieronymous Bosch. Really powerful. I haven't read VanderMeer's City of Saints and Madmen yet, but it has just jumped to number one on my wish list. I can easily see Veniss being nominated for all the major awards this year. Good good stuff. Not for the squeamish, but oh so worth it.

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Now Reading:
Emma Who Saved My Life by Wilton Barnhardt

Stories Out to Publishers:
12

Stories Sold This Year:
3

Novel Word Count:
7500