That’s right, once more I am available for purchase.  Michelle Witte, formerly of Gibbs Smith, is showing much greater ambition and courage than I could ever muster by daring to start up her own indie children’s bookstore in Springville, Utah.  How fantastic and gutsy is that!  To help her get things off the ground, she’s holding an auction with a number of books and services and other odds and ends (stress the odd, such as Wendy Toliver’s bracelet). 

If anyone is interested, I am one of her odd wares.  Likely the oddest.  I’ve offered to critique a proposal package consisting of a cover or query letter, a synopsis, and the first ten pages of a manuscript.  The current bid is $50.  If you’re interested just see the list of auction items by going here. 

There are a lot of other things worth bidding on as well.  Books, all signed I believe, by my old friends James Dashner and Jessica Day George, newer friends Bree Despain, Kristen Chandler, Shannon Hale, Mette Ivie Harrison, Mike Knudson, Janette Rallison, and Sydney Salter, and many others—they even have a book signed by Neil Gaiman!  Services include everything from critiques to an interview for marketing opportunities to lunch with Bree Despain (who, yes, is very lovely, but is also happily and healthily married, so don’t bid too much on that thinking it’ll be THAT kind of lunch). 

A few things that caught my eye: the manuscript critique and phone call by Molly O’Neill from HarperCollins; the picture book critique by Rick Walton (who is described as all-knowing not as propaganda but as a matter of documented and undeniable fact); the manuscript critique by Sara Zarr (I believe my last post made clear my thoughts on her abilities); two admissions for the Teen Writers Conference, which could very well be a life changing experience for teen who is interested in writing; and, especially, Wendy Toliver’s bracelet (as readers of my blog, I assume you have some familiarity with the magical and fantastic, and so should know the power a personal item like that can give over you; her daring magical enslavement to help a children’s bookstore is truly heroic).

I believe bidding on most items (all except those with no current bids) ends this Saturday, so if you’re interested you’d better take a look quick.

Kids are cool.  Some adults are as well (the child-like ones), but, frankly, it’s kind of hit and miss once people have had time to ferment. 

So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that my recent visits to Farnsworth and Jordan Ridge Elementaries were greatly enjoyable.  I was more experienced at the assembly I give, which made me both more comfortable and more effective at the presentation.  I think everyone involved got something from the experience.

On Thursday I went to Farnsworth and did the assembly for several grades, 3rd-6th, I think.  That ended up being a few hundred students.  We experienced some technical problems that almost had me doing the assembly without any visuals, but a number of technical wizards got together and willed my laptop to work with the school’s projector.  Things went smoothly from then on and we told a story about two heroes mining for cheese on the moon when a villain, bitter at their success, ate all the cheese and was thereafter blown up, spraying previously injested cheese all over the kids.  In spite of the mess, teachers and administrators all seemed happy I’d come, and I spent longer than I anticipated signing books for students, teachers, and even one parent.  Special thanks to everyone at the school, especially Principal Kissell for the invitation. 

The next morning I drove to Jordan Ridge Elementary for their first ever author day.  This was a surprisingly big event that the school pulled off flawlessly.  There were a number of authors there in addition to myself: Ann Cannon, Kristen Crow, M’Lin Rowley, Virginia Smith, and my friend Jessica Day George, who is completely deserving of the reputation of red-headed women (in all good and scary ways).  We each addressed two grade levels, one at a time in two sessions.  I got third and fourth graders, which I think is very suitable given my maturity level.  It was quite a shindig with breakfast and a catered lunch and everything.  I’m sure that those of us fortunate enough to be invited to participate had far more fun than the students, but hopefully they enjoyed it too.  This event was so complex that there are more people to thank than I even know their names, but I can’t leave out Pam Onederra, organizer and the school’s literacy specialists.  She went above and beyond with this, believe me. 

And, of course, I must thank my wonderful guide Meridenne (let me know if I spelled this wrong!) yet pronounced Meredith, a very sharp girl who wants to be an editor when she grows up.  A decade from now some writers are going to be awfully lucky to work with you, and when you’re famous in writing circles I’ll tell all my friends, “Hey, she showed me around her school once.  Yeah, I know you’re jealous.”  And they will be.  Very.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a substantial post, and, as my part in CONduit is over, I find I have some time on my hands.  As time has become a very valuable commodity in my life, I’ve been thinking about ways to spend this sudden surplus.  I thought about going to a movie, finding a new and unexpected book to read, even taking a nap.  I decided not to take a nap because I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to feel rested and, frankly, don’t care to recall during the next year as I work at the college, write, and promote via two-day weekly tours (which I’m responsible for scheduling myself).  I think it’s a good idea for me to pick up a new book, and I will—only that seems too constructive for my present mood.  When one never has time it creates this ravenous need to be wasteful, at least in this busy body.  So that left seeing a movie but then I remembered seeing Wolverine and that put me off the entire cinematic industry for at least another two weeks.  (For any who couldn’t tell, I hated it.  Loathed may be more appropriate, actually.  Yes, loathed.)

Then it struck me: I’ll do a blog post and generouslly allow others to waste their time reading it!  I feel quite magnanimous at the moment.

So, what is it like to hold your first published book?  I said before that I couldn’t explain it, and now that a few days have passed I don’t feel that has changed, though I’ll give it a go.  The first thing that struck me was a strange sense of appropriateness.  There’s no other way to say it.  It was like, Oh, of course.  I’ve known about the cover for months, and the text for years.  I’ve held other books in the series that possessed the same texture and so on.  So the tangible artifact that is my book struck me as, well, expected.  That isn’t really good or bad; it was just as I anticipated.

Then I thought about everything I’d done in order to hold that utterly expected book in my hand, and everything it had taken to create the expectation.  That’s when I really started to feel something.  And you know, it wasn’t pleasure or joy or celebration, or anything like unto them.  It was relief.  I’d finally reached a point, after all the years and millions of words, where I had something substantial enough that it couldn’t evaporate.  Whether GDC is good or horrible, it’s there and it’s staying, and so won’t be denied.  I finally feel that I have something to say, “You want to evaluate what I’ve done in my life?  There, read that, then you tell me.”  If nothing else, it proves that all this time and effort has resulted in something.

Now to see what impact that something has—great or small, positive or negative.  The question is a little daunting, and I’m eager to start getting answers.

*****

With my part in this year’s CONduit finished, I can say that it was enjoyable and perhaps mildly productive.  I am a touch dissatisfied with my workshop, if only because it was the first time I’ve done this one in an hour form, and I discovered it just isn’t enough time.  I really need at least an hour and a half to give attendees the one-on-one feedback the workshop is designed for.  People came up to me afterward and complimented me on the workshop, so it can’t have been awful, but I wasn’t satisfied with it.  My panels, on the other hand, went pretty well.  It’s always fun to give and take with other writers who really know their stuff, especially with those you’ve come to know and like personally.  Dave Wolverton/Farland was on both panels with me, which was cool because he’s a great writer and a better guy who I’ve gotten to know a bit over the years though we’ve never been on the same panel before.  Jessica Day George was moderator on my panel today, and she’s always a lot of fun—as long as you can keep up with her energy.  Dan Willis, a friend and fellow Dragonlance writer, was on my panel yesterday.  (That was my first time moderating, by the way.  Thought I did okay, but if anyone reading this was there, I’d like your opinion—honest and carefully worded please.)  That was the extent of my events. 

Went to a few other panels, but mostly I did my events and looked to get signed books to the people who really helped GDC come about, namely Stacy Whitman, initial editor for the book (and the brave soul who took a chance on me in the first place); Rebecca Shelley, another writer in the Codices line who first recommended me to Stacy (which took a huge leap of faith); and James Dashner, who was courageous—or foolish—enough to give a cover blurb for the book, and so proved himself a great and perpetually friendly guy, even if he is not a Jane Austin character.  Saw some other old friends, met one or two new ones, talked about Shakespearean super villains, heard Michael Collings make a good case for grammar being fun, met my first Jawa (and I mean a real Jawa, glowing gold eyes and all, which threw a few if us on my last panel; I have met plenty of stormtroopers and even Darth Vader once, but until today no Jawas) and in general enjoyed myself.  If any of you were there, tell me how you enjoyed it.  As always, I welcome comments about my contribution (just please don’t draw arterial blood; a few welts are okay). 

Oh, and yesterday I was interviewed live on Dungeon Crawlers Radio.  The hosts were a couple of Dragonlance fans, so that worked out pretty well.  Anyone interested in the interview should be able to hear it in the upcoming days, as they’ll be posting excerpts from their live coverage on their web site.  Simply check Dungeon Crawlers Radio.  I’ll also post here when I know the interview is up.  

Just received my (possible) schedule at CONduit next month. This is only a first look, but I thought I’d share. What the… I’m doing a workshop? Better decide on a topic, huh. (After a month-long point of view essay, that sounds a likely prospect.) Anyway, expect this list of events to narrow. I’ll probably end up doing 2 and 3 panels and the workshop. The more the better. Oh, and it’s unlikely I’ll be there Sunday. Sorry to be such a tease, not doing everything, everytime, (for or to everyone, take your pick)—though I really am more palatable in small doses.

Anyway, here are the possible panels and their times (all subject to change, of course):

Fri @ 1:00—My Workshop. (Likely on point of view and triple duty writing. Come ask me what that means in person.)

Fri @ 2:00—Writing Evil Overlords. (Sounds fun.)

Fri @ 3:00—Culture-Building in F&SF: How Do You Create a Viable and Consistent Culture. (The must have of every speculative fiction convention.)

Fri @ 4:00—It’s Not Your Parents’ Fiction:Writing for the YA/Children’s Market. (It’s still weird to be speaking about this as I only started writing for kids on a kind of desperate fluke.)

Sat @ 10:00—How Real Should Historical Fiction or Fantasy Be? (A better question is how real should reality be, and why can’t it ever manage to pull it off.)

Sun @ 1:00—Worldbuilding 101: What Do You Need to Know to Create Your Own Fictional World? (Hoping I don’t get this one and culture building. That would be like coloring two items blue-green and green-blue; I’d have to pretend they aren’t the same thing.)

Sun @ 4:00—Aspiring Writer’s Q&A. (Always has the potential of being interesting.)

Also, here are just a few names of other attendees you should know, and probably do:

Michael R. and Judi Collings: Michael is a retired professor who taught at Pepperdine and one of my favorite panelists. From poetry to Stephen King (and yes, he’ll cover both at CONduit), he ranges as widely as any academic I’ve met without a hint of arrogance. The only nicer person you’ll ever meet is his wife.

Dave Wolverton/Farland (whose doing a special presentation Sat at 1:00, by the way—I’m not sure as whom, but we’ll see). Dave is one of those writers so nice they named him twice.

Jessica Day George, writer of arguably the best embroidery-based novel ever!

James Dashner, who is a great guy but nowhere near as impressive as his name, so don’t be disappointed. He is not, despite the sound, a Jane Austin character.

Rebecca Shelley, fellow assistant scribe in the Dragon Codices.

Julie Wright, who is not a bubbly and adorable sixteen-year-old, though you’ll never believe me when you see her.

Paul Genesse, a friend who is having a book release Fri from 3:00 – 6:00. Get a signed copy or four.

Kathleen Dalton Woodbury, another favorite panelist of mine who happens to have impeccable taste in bracelets/bracers/gauntlets and the like.

Eric Swedin, writer, professor, and friend from Weber St.

Howard Taylor, guest of honor and newly minted Hugo nominee, whose book launch will be Sat at 4:00.

Brandon Sanderson (Sun only), the man brave enough to dare Robert Jordan’s shoes—who has, incidentally, discovered a way to rejuvenate the body completely through writing, thus eliminating all need for sleep.

And Dan Wells (Sun only), who is not a serial killer, and least if you ask him.

Hi everyone.  Back from my anything but relaxing three day hiatus from posting.  It’s nearing finals week at SLCC, which means constant chaos at the writing center.  Without the odd moments between sessions to post, I didn’t find time to even consider my blog yesterday.  So I’m posting early and trying to ignore the fact that I’ve still got to run for a half hour before work. 

So I must be brief: J. Scott Savage, known as Jeff in certain of his other lives, is a total rock star—at least for ten year olds.  Wednesday he kindly invited me to observe a school visit he did at Cherry Creek Elementary in Springville, UT, and I’ll tell you, those poor teachers would have preferred all their kids be injected with pure sugar rather than the state Scott left them.  It was nuts.  I’ve seen several very good school visits, but Scott Savage is without doubt the best I’ve witnessed.  Anyone who has gone to Brandon Mull’s release parties (roughly 5 million kids packed into a darkened auditorium waving glowsticks and screaming), picture that only with 400 students.  If he gets that reaction at every visit he does, soon Scott Savage will be a real person to reckon with, seeing as he’ll be at the head of an army of 4-6th graders who do anything and everything he tells them—except be quiet.  They tried, they really did, but it was too much for them.

Thanks as well to Jennifer, who is the force behind the Savage School Machine.  I learned a ton about how to do school visits effectively and hope I’m ready to start scheduling them next month.  Also met YA author Janette Rallison, who is a very nice lady.  (A school that will remain nameless treated her not so nicely when they cancelled her visit because her book had three kisses in it.  Apparently this qualified as “content problems.”  No, it makes perfect sense; vampires hungering for seventeen-year-old girls who are actually succubi and having undead children together is so much more appropriate.)  Together Scott and Janette, along with Jessica Day George, did a signing/reading in the evening, which confirmed my decision never to do a reading for kids.  They were all good readers with good stories, but it’s just asking too much of 8-11-year-old kids to sit through those things (unless you’re a truly great reader of your own work, like Neil Gaiman or David Sedaris, which I most certainly am not.) 

So, the short and long: learned how to do school visits, was reminded how silly censorship can really be, ate some good Mexican food, vowed never to do a reading for kids, and am now anticipating J. Scott Savage taking over at least one of the smaller states with his army of giant-chocolate-pudding-incensed children.  Oh, and here’s my two cents on Jessica’s and Janette’s conversation on the relative discomfort of bearing children or eggs: I’m heartily glad I’ll never do either (that I can foresee), for I’m far too big a wuss to be a mother. 

Next time: Just got info on my schedule at CONduit, which I’ll share with all of you baited-breath waiters.