J.A. Pitts

World Fantasy: Day 1

Survived the first day, but it really felt like it was later in the con.  Totally wiped out already.  Hopefully it’s more a matter of having flown that made me so tired.  We’ll see how today goes.

As is usual for these types of events I’ve already chatted up some amazing people.  Saw a ton more I just couldn’t get to in the crowded parties. 

Breakast soon, then a couple of planned events.  Dinner is spoken for tonight, as is lunch.  But the rest of the time is free to mingle and talk.

San Jose is interesting.  Looking out at the hills reminds me of the few outside shots you got to see from Doom (first person shooter by ID games).   Interesting landscape.  We are definitely down in a large valley.

More as I find the time.  Ya’ll play nice.

Girl Scouts — Western Washington Council

My daughter is a cadet this year and growing up so fast, it’s making my head spin. Right now, her troop is going through a two year process to become certified canoe instructors. The wife and I went out to Camp River Ranch on Sunday to pick up the girl and a bunch of her troop since they’d been camping all weekend.

We arrived a little early and got to watch them on the water in their canoes. The day was crisp and clear, with a startling blue sky. The lake reflected the trees that were showing off their fall colors, as well as the evergreens. The contrast was startling. The smell of everything from the trees, the loam, the water and the dock took me back to those few times I’ve gotten to camp in my life.

I mentioned to the wife how amazing it all was, and how I wish I’d done some real camping. She mentioned that the troop and the council in general are always looking for camping specialists to take the girls camping.

So, I’ve decided to become a Girl Scout.
Tonight I took my online orientation, and I’m researching the classes I’ll need to take to make this happen. I’m a bit nervous being a city kid and having little experience with all this, but I’m also excited and looking forward to the adventure.

Just being out on that one afternoon spawned several short story ideas, as well as a new novel idea. That was only two hours on a single afternoon. It was like learning to breath. I’m very much looking forward to this.

Hopefully I’ll get to take my overnight camping class/trip in November. Won’t that be great?

Internet Review of Science Fiction

I have an essay up at this month’s issue of IROSF. I hope you find it entertaining.

I have another major milestone in my writing career as of yesterday. The Internet Review of Science Fiction has published an essay I wrote. It’s called Danger Will Robinson. I hope you find it worth the read.

I strongly encourage you to sign up for their email notification about new issues. This is a smart magazine. Give them a look, and if you are so inclined and like the content, perhaps you could toss them a few bucks. Never hurts.

Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies goes live.

Wow, what a lot of hoopla a cover can make.  I have a story coming out in the new anthology Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies.

This is a DAW anthology which you can find at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powells Books, or your favorite independent book seller.

Some folks like John Scalzi and Jeff VanderMeer find the cover so hideous, they felt the need to comment on it on their blogs instead of ignoring it.

Me, I have a story in there that I’m quite proud of.  Now, neither of these fine fellows had anything negative to say about the writing, or the authors since they hadn’t read them yet.  As a matter of fact, they are more than willing to give the authors the benefit of the doubt.  They and others (read their comments) are holding the publisher to task for the cover which is awash in the kitsch and horror of everything from the animal juxtaposition, to the font selection.

I hope you will find it in yourself to look beyond the vision of the cover artist, and pick up this anthology to see if the stories inside are worth your time.  I’m positive you will be pleased.

Lovely quiet weekend at home

No obligations this weekend.  Kathy is double booked.  She’s going to see Wicked today at the Paramount Theatre for the matinee, then later she’s going to the movies with a different friend.

Me… I’m staying home with my daughter and chilling.  I’m thinking we’ll read more of The Hobbit, which I’m recording as we read.  Kathy and the kids all wanted to have a recording of me reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, so we’ve begun.  Emily is enjoying the story so far.  Nice to get her interested in something other than the Harry Potter series.  We love the HP books, but she’s listened to them on cd so many times, I’m not sure there is anyone on the planet who could beat her in a Harry Potter quiz.

Also today, more work on HEARTH AND HOME.  Book two in the Black Blade series is coming along great.  Work has been more intense lately, and it’s impacting my writing time, but this weekend is a chance to make some excellent headway.

All in all, life is grand.