While there are still a few particulars being wrapped up, the “new” site is now on line.  Those who are familiar with this place (friends, family, people gathered in from the far corners of the Bermuda Triangle, the odd UFO abduction, and spontaneous teleportation, I’m guessing) will see most things haven’t changed.  Here’s a rundown of what has:

The members only sections should be standardized in a few days, and I think I may add a new members only area with free access to some of my short stories.  For those new to the site, I have essays on writing and publishing, annotated chapters from my books, and (soon to come) creative pieces I’ve written that are only accessible for site members who register with a password.  It just takes an e-mail address, and if you’re worried about me cluttering your virtual mailbox with junk, consider that I have thus far failed to mail a single notice to the members of my site.  I may in the future, notices about new books and other major announcements, but I may not just as likely.  Mostly, I have the private section because of the ambiance it gives.  It makes me feel cool to have a members only section on my web site, sophisticated in a potentially naughty and elitist way.  I am a great aficionado of factitious coolness.

Also, I can’t swear to it, but I believe registration via RSS feed and by e-mail is now working or very shortly will be.  Hey, it only took me a year and a half.  Is that tortoise speed?  Unlikely, as the tortoise won the race.  It’s more like slug speed.  How does a slug beat the hare?  Pay someone to go all Tanya Harding on his fury leg, that’s how.  What was I saying?  Oh, yes, RSS and e-mail registration are new features.

Also, a new widget my design guy’s writing should make it much easier for me to keep up to date on my calendar, so it should be coinsidingly easier for everyone to keep an eye on where I’ll be and when.  Come meet me and expand your understanding of things by deepening your concept of “underwhelming”.

Um, check out the new search bar at the top right of the site’s sidebar.  Easy way to find answers to the great questions of the universe, in theory.

Over the next few days I’ll be going over the entire site updating information and adapting a few things according to new options I have with this newest version of WordPress.  I’ll also try to post often on this blog in an attempt to make up for my prolonged absence, which I’m certain shook the very foundations of reality for many of you who read this for guidance in your lives.  Fear not, for I’m back dispensing pearls of wisdom like bricks of sugar from the mouth of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

What would the world be like without Pez and the receptacles that dispense them?  And bad similes?

No, I don’t want to know either.

First off, tonight I’ll be talking to Rick Walton’s BYU class on children’s publishing again. The class is about breaking into the business, and having one book out for roughly nine months I’m sure qualifies me. I really enjoyed the last time I visited the class, and expect to do so again tonight.

Next up, I’ll be taking part in a pair of events next week. The first will be a visit to East Sandy Elementary school on Thursday, March 4th. I’ll do an assembly for 3rd-6th grades at 1:30 p.m. Should be fun, as always.

The next day, Friday, March 5th, I’ll be presenting at UELMA’s Spring Conference (the Utah Educational Library Media Association), which is being held at Mountain View High School (665 West Center Street, Orem, UT). I’m slated to present at noon (as is James Dashner, who somehow always seems to follow me around. I will need to think of a particularly biting joke about him to use in my presentation to teach him a lesson). The presentation is called Goosebumps, Great Expectations? Tomato, Tomaeto, Potato, Potaeto…: Why the only poor story is a story not read. I’ve put together what should be a really fun workshop on archetypes in narrative, why they exist, and how they undergird the importance of libraries as a place where children can develop narrative literacy without the impositions on reading that come from other areas of their lives. We’ll talk about archetypal theory and see it in action in a wide variety of texts, learn who fills the Darth Vader role in Pride and Prejudice, and stuff like that. Any school librarians considering me for a visit to their school are encouraged to attend the breakout session. It will give you a good idea of what I have to offer as a teacher and presenter.

Finally, a pair of events on May 15th. In the morning I’ll be conducting a two-hour workshop on characterization and triple-duty writing (come to the workshop to see what that is) for the League of Utah Writers’ Spring Workshop. I’ll be holding the workshop from 9 – 11:00 in the morning. The event is free for League members, though I promise the experience will be worthwhile even if you have to pay. (Joining the League for $24 a year is cheaper, and well worth it for any local writer.) I’ll give more information about venue and other contributors when I learn more.

After the workshop, I’m driving to Provo to take part in the Provo Library’s Annual Provo Children’s Book Festival. I believe that I will be reading from Green Dragon Codex in the afternoon, but I’m not sure when. Of course, I’ll let you know as soon as I do. This is a great—and FREE—event, so anyone interested in children’s literature really should be there. The list of participants is just fantastic. When you start with names like Brandon Mull and Shannon Hale and don’t go down much at all from there, you know it’s going to be a quality experience. Also, those who know me are aware that I don’t do many readings, especially of my work for children. (Though I’m not too shabby at it, if you’re worried about that.) If you want to hear me read from GDC, this may be your only chance in the near future.

Finally, I try to announce other writing events in my local area when I hear about them (and when I remember to pass along the message). I’m not participating in this one this year, but the 2010 Teen Writers Conference is being held on Saturday, June 5th, at Weber State University. This is a really cool conference focused on encouraging teenage writers between the ages of 13 to 19. Josi Kilpack is kind of the driving force behind this conference, and she and other organizers have lined up a fantastic list of presenters and instructors, many of whom are good friends I respect a lot. If you’re a teen who writes or is interested in writing, or if you know such a person, please let them know about this event. It’s really a great opportunity for professional level instruction very early in a person’s development as a writer.

If my tidbit ethos alone is insufficient bait then don’t forget the main courses: Brandons Sanderson and Mull, L.E. Modesitt, James Dashner, Howard Taylor, Mette Ivie Harrison, Lisa Mangum, ad infinitum.  (Well, maybe not that long.)

And here, once more, is my schedule:

Thursday, Feb. 11th

2:00 pm: Putting Romance into Your Fantasy—Do you have to have a love story in Fantasy?  Why or why not?  If you do, how do you balance it with the action and adventure?  Other panelists will be Mette Ivie Harrison, Ami Chopine, Lesli Muir Lytle, and Anna del C. Dye.

4:00 pm: No More Dead Dogs (or Moms)—Why do mothers and dogs always die in children’s literature?  How do we pull at the heartstrings and give child characters independence without killing off dogs and moms?  Other panelists will be Julie Wright, my old editor Stacy Whitman, and Paul Genesse, all good friends so this should be fun.  Also, Stacy andI kind of invented this panel last year.

Friday, Feb. 12th

9:00 am: How to Become an Idea Factory—Where do you find ideas?  How do you go from an idea to a story?  Other panelists will be Brandon Sanderson, Howard Taylor, James Dashner, Larry Correia, and Karen Hoover.  There are some heavy hitters on this panel, so don’t miss it.

12:00 pm: I’ll be having a book signing.

2:00 pm: Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction for a Discerning Audience—How to write believable child characters.  Other panelists will be Julie Wright, Laura Bingham, Laura Card, and Bron Bahlmann Wilcox.  Just a heads up, I think I may take this one in two different directions.  It seems the panel is asking two questions: how to make speculative elements feel authentic, and how to write authentic children characters.  If you’re interested in either question I think you’ll get some interesting insights.

Saturday, Feb. 13th

9:00 am: A Guy’s Take on Writing Romance.  Other panelists will be L.E. Modesitt, Dan Willis, Aleta Clegg, and John Brown.

Random other news: My wrist seems to be getting better at such a lethargic pace, I swear, it’s healing just enough for me to estimate the amount and get frustrated. So I’ve started lifting weights again. That should show it: go ahead, taunt the bear with the kamikaze look. (No lectures, please. I’m doing my heaviest lifts at 60% weight, which has been cleared by my doctor.) Also, I’ve decided to take Rick Walton upon on his offer and drop in on his Children’s Literature Publication class at BYU tomorrow evening. I’m sure he’ll be able to use me as some sort of object lesson, perhaps in reference to things best avoided. Finally, I’m debating a post about a few movies I’ve seen in the last month. When the debate is over I’ll post or not depending on which faction wins. (Yes, I’m made up of factions, disparate and contentious all.)