Tuesday, January 8, 2013

What's Coming Up in the Future

I am taking a much-needed break from filling out retirement paperwork, transitioning my replacement, and getting the house ready to sell.  Right about now I'm thinking that surviving a zombie apocalypse would be easier.  But in a few weeks, this will be all behind me and I can concentrate full time on my writing.

So what is on the writing front for the foreseeable future? 

My copies of Hunger Pangs: Dark Confessions will be arriving soon, so be on the lookout for a give away.  I will also be bringing copies of the anthology with me to the conventions I'll be attending.  If you can't wait, you can still purchase a copy on Amazon.

Publication of Machina Mortis, the steampunk horror anthology, has been delayed because the original publishing house has closed.  However, I was assured that another publishing house has picked up the rights to the anthology and will soon be distributing the book.  I'll keep everyone posted.

I'm getting into the groove again with the sequel to Rotter World, and hopefully will have the first draft done by spring.  This novel is much darker than the first book, and will deal more with the negative effects of a societal breakdown.  But for you zombie purists, don't worry.  There will still be plenty of gut munching action and terror, as well as a sick new twist to the Zombie Virus. 

I have my beta edits back for Hell Gate and will begin the final edits on that once I've completed the sequel to Rotter World.  I am really excited about this book; I think it's my best work yet.

As for conventions and book signings, those are pretty much up in the air because of my hectic schedule.  Me and fellow author/fiancee Alison Beightol will be attending the SpookyMayhem Convention in Orlando this May.  I am also planning on returning to Infect Scranton and ZombiCon in Fort Meyers in the autumn.  Plus, once I get settled in Florida, I hope to do some book signings in the local area.

And finally, I will have a special treat coming up in the next few days, something I have not done before and that will add a touch of class to my blog. 

That's it for now.  My New Year resolution is to try and post more, but I think we all know what happens to such resolutions.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The Beginning of More Than a New Year

Today marks the beginning of a new year, but for me it's more than just a calendar event.  In 2013, I am going to undergo a series of significant events that will completely change my life, all for the better.  By this time next year, almost everything that has been familiar and routine in my old life will be behind me, and I will be well on my journey to a new and exciting life adventure.

I know that sounds like hyperbole, but it is true.  As of 31 March, I will be retiring from the federal government after more than twenty-three years of service, the last ten years of which have involved my making like difficult for our nation's enemies, especially the Axis of Evil -- Iraq, Iran, and North Korea.  I have worked with some of the finest men and women this nation has to offer, have visited and served in locations that I only dreamed about as a nerdy college student, and have participated in activities that most people only read about in novels.  I have greatly enjoyed my time working to protect this country, and would like to think that as I walk away from it I've left the world a safer place.  This career has been one of the driving forces for almost half my life, and I will leave it behind with a sense of loss but with no regrets.

Why?  Because on 1 April, I will be heading down to Florida (along with the rabbits) to join my fiancee, Alison Beightol, where we will begin our lives together.  In Alison I have found the most amazing woman I have ever known.  I have been acquainted with her for less than three years, but she has become the most important person in my life.  Alison is a colleague (she is also a vampire writer), fellow history enthusiast, best friend, and, most importantly, my soul mate.  I am thrilled and honored that she is willing to not only be my wife, but wants me to be step-father to her charming daughter. 

In addition to following my heart down to Florida, I will also be pursuing a life-long dream -- to become a full-time writer.  I am fortunate enough to be in a financial situation that allows me to do this, and fortunate enough to have a fiancee who is pushing me to chase my rainbow. 

Three months from today, everything I have known for the past twenty-three years will be behind me.  Am I scared about the future?  No.  Am I overwhelmed by all the changes that will be happening soon?  Definitely.  But I am also more excited and content than I have been in decades.  Today means not just the beginning of a brand new year for me.  2013 also marks the beginning of a brand new life.  Not many people are as lucky as I am.

Happy New Year to all my fans.