Great news. I just got an e-mail from Rhonda Parrish of Niteblade Horror and Fantasy Magazine, and she’s interested in running my short story “Shop Talk” in her December issue.

I’ll post a link once the story appears.  

LAZING ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON: Hanging with Michael Moorcock (left) and John Picacio (center). Photo by Linda Moorcock.

I returned Sunday from my weekend in Austin attending Armadillocon 30, and I’m still in a sleep-deprived daze. Drove up early Friday with San Antonio S.F. artist extraordinaire John Picacio, and between a writers workshop, myriad panel discussions and some late-night carousing, I didn’t get much sleep.

It was well worth it, though. Got to meet a ton of wonderful folks including Author Guest of Honor John Scalzi, Editor GOH Sheila Williams, Artist GOH David Lee Anderson and Special Guests Joe and Gay Haldeman. Hung with familiar faces like Scott A. Cupp, John Denardo, the Lansdales, Chris Roberson and the Moorcocks. And also got acquainted with some new ones, among them San Antonio horror writer Joe McKinney, Austin horror writer Lee Thomas and Lone Star Stories’ Eric Marin.

This was my first Dillocon, and it certainly won’t be my last. Great to see an S.F. convention where books, not toys, are the focus.

I will be at Armadillocon this weekend. Should be fun to get my geek on at Texas’ foremost literary S.F. con.

If any of you are attending, please say “howdy.”

I’ve been working on a short story that at this point I can only describe as postmodern Western fantasy. I can’t tell whether it’s brilliant or just silly, but for some reason, it’s really got me trucking along. I banged out 2,000 words yesterday morning and 2,000 more this A.M.

After having a slow writing period this weekend, it feels good to be producive again.

I just received word that my 100-word short story “Feels Like Love” placed 6th in online horror magazine Nectrotic Tissue’s 1st Annual 100-Bite Contest. My story and the nine other winners will appear in NT’s October issue.

I’m excited to finally land something in Necrotic Tissue. First, because the mag is quickly building a rep for itself as a great place to find dark, disturbing fiction. Second, because it’s nice to see a paying market that buys and prominently features 100-word pieces. Third, because the editors send you a nifty t-shirt if they buy one of your stories. I’ll wear it with pride.