New Apex Magazine Issue Out

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Okay, forget the cheesy and inaccurate lead-in. Just know that Apex issue 16 is out there in cyberspace for your reading pleasure. Check out more information here: http://www.apexbookcompany.com/2010/09/apex-magazine-issue-16-available/.

What's been keeping me from posting here lately? Well, aside from the daily grind, I've just finished up the first round of edits on "Maze," a new bit of mindbending science fiction from J. M. McDermott that Apex is releasing next year. Between now and then, we have Gary Braunbeck's nonfiction book on writing horror, "To Each Their Darkness" (and yes, the plural pronoun is intentional in that), coming in December 2010, as well as several other goodies on the way.

Full of Apexy Goodness

Yes, it's time to do a bit of an Apex plug, since my editing duties there are never done. I'm excited to report that the very first Apexology is now available in ebook format (many ebook formats, in fact) for your horror pleasure. Apexology collects works from Apex authors and editors into a themed electronic anthology. This volume is horror themed, with sci fi and fantasy to follow. It also represents the first reprinting of "Powered," my flash fiction "toolpunk" story first presented at Wiscon, since Shadowed Realms sadly went under a few years ago. If you have any affection at all for power tools, give it a read. The ebook collects 21 tales, including Jennifer Pelland's fabulous "Big Sister/Little Sister" and Mary Robinette Kowal's chilling "Cerbo en Vitra Ujo." For only $2.99, that's pretty impressive in my book. Check it out here.

And if three bucks is a little too rich for your blood, consider this your official reminder to check out Apex Magazine issue 15, the inaugural issue with our new magazine editor, the esteemed Ms. Catherynne M. Valente.

Write-a-thon Wrap-up

Here's a quick wrap-up for anyone who followed the Clarion West Write-a-thon this year:

I failed miserably at meeting my stated goals, but I got my new website up and running right before my latest story came out, so I don't see it as a complete failure. I'm still trying to find the writing groove again after changing jobs early this year, but I find myself slowly working my way back to it, little by little.

Congratulations to those who fulfilled or even came near their goals for the Write-a-thon. If you're an aspiring writer, I urge you to check out Clarion West and its sister workshops, Clarion and Clarion South. If you're a reader, please consider sponsoring a writer during next year's Write-a-thon. Information can usually be found on the website starting in May, and your donations help keep the workshop alive and kicking, helping aspiring writers reach their goals and hone their craft.