“Big Diehl,” the Novella in eBook form from MLR Press

My novella, “Big Diehl,” included in the anthology “Esprit de Corps,” (to be issued shortly by MLR Press), is now available at the MLR site.

The character, Big Diehl, was first given life in a short story, kindly published by the ezine, Nossa Morte. From there, the character was placed in a novella that deals with gays serving in the the military. Specifically–in this case–Big Diehl finds himself serving in the U.S. Army, as well as being part of the first contingents of American troops to go to Iraq in 2003.

And, not leaving well enough alone… A novel, “Big Diehl,” will be forthcoming from MLR Press, in winter/spring 2010, that follows Big Diehl’s return to his roots, after serving for six years in the U.S. Army.

So, yes, from short story, to novella, to ebook, to anthology, to novel… Big Diehl is getting around. Hope you follow his travels and travails.

An Hornorable Mention for “Big Diehl”

My short, “Big Diehl,” received an honorable mention in Ellen Datlow’s Best Horror of the Year (Vol. 1, Night Shade publications). First time I’ve received an honorable anything from anybody with regard to my writing. The short appeared in the November 2008 edition of the ezine,  Nossa Morte is and continues to be a quality ezine, picky about what they publish. They’re a PAYING market besides.

May bask in this little achievement for a while…white wine, a few puffs on a cigar.

NOTE: The short, “Big Diehl,” that appeared in Nossa Mortre, provided the basis for the character, Big Diehl, who appears in a novella over at MLR Press. The novella and the short share the same title and main character, but are distinctly different in content.

The Cow – Nossa Morte

My short story, “The Cow,” is included in the August edition of Nossa Morte.  This is the third time the good folks at Nossa Morte have picked-up one of my shorts.  They have been very kind.

“The Cow,” is one of my favorites. Perhaps because it’s about the land, the critters–horses, cows (one cow, in particular), and men who live off the land and rarely question the caprice of seasons, or the flow of a dry cloud against the persistent rush of the forever wind.

Enjoy.

Fixing Fence

Rope and Wire was kind enough to accept my little short, “Fixing Fence.” It can be read here.

“Drogan’s Things” in the February Issue of Nossa Morte

My little story, “Drogan’s Things,” is included in the February issue of Nossa Morte.

This story was written for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers 2007 anthology. It didn’t make the cut. But, Nossa Morte was kind enough to pick it up.

Esprit de Corps – Gays in the Military

My yet to be named novella will hopefully be published by MLR Press next month in May June? July? August? September? October?  Hell if I know! (HOOAH! The anthology is at the printers, as of mid-October!)  This anthology specifically address gays in uniform, their honorable service, their devotion to Country. MLR publishes well-written erotica. So, amidst the trappings of uniforms, war and the deadly paraphernalia of the American military, there will also be explicit depictions of men loving men, soldiers who, in spite of the American military’s institutionalized discrimination against gay men and lesbian women, somehow find their way, their loving way, through the morass of it all.

Joe the Plumber can write? Ahem…

Borrowing from a post on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Yahoo site, an op-ed piece in the New York Times strikes pretty close to home for most writers.

To quote, in part: “The unlicensed pipe fitter known as Joe the Plumber is out with a book this month, just as the last seconds on his 15 minutes are slipping away. I have a question for Joe: Do you want me to fix your leaky toilet?

I didn’t think so. And I don’t want you writing books. Not when too many good novelists remain unpublished. Not when too many extraordinary histories remain unread. Not when too many riveting memoirs are kicked back at authors after 10 years of toil. Not when voices in Iran, North Korea or China struggle to get past a censor’s gate.

Joe, a k a Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, was no good as a citizen, having failed to pay his full share of taxes, no good as a plumber, not being fully credentialed, and not even any good as a faux American icon. Who could forget poor John McCain at his most befuddled, calling out for his working-class surrogate on a day when Joe stiffed him.

As I said, ahem…

Writer Critique Groups – Yes? No? Maybe?

I recall an interview with C.J. Box that appeared in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW) newsletter some time ago. Box is the author of the Joe Pickett series,  and the 2007 winner of the Writer of the Year award from the RMFW…not to mention a whole slew of other awards and acknowledgments. He is a practiced, successful writer with the accolades to prove it. The part of the interview, however, that I recall most vividly was when he was asked if he participated in a writer critique group. His answer was instructive. He said, yes, he had participated in a group, but the experience was “painful.” And, I can only paraphrase here, but he then went on to say that his critique partners just didn’t get it; just didn’t understand where he was going with his writing. He also went on to say that writer critique groups are great for some, and, yes, painful for others.

I’ve participated in both face-to-face and on-line critique groups sponsored by the RMFW.

My first reading before a face-to-face critique group, huddled in an alcove formed by three bookshelves within a book store north of Denver, is memorable not so much because I had never done such a thing, but, rather, because first principles of critique were then revealed.

A Circle of Magic

This novel, “A Circle of Magic,” was written in about six months and published through a vanity press, iUniverse. Over the years since its publication, I’ve realized that it provides a pretty good story, but the writing suffers from not only haste, but sloppiness as well. Of course, undertaking something like this–actually paying to have your writing published–provides several lessons, not the least of which is to be careful what you wish for. In this case, of course, the wish was to see my name on the cover of a book. The lesson learned was that it’s not the cover that matters. It’s what’s in between the covers, back and front, that ultimately endures as something worthy of the effort. Yeah… Duh! Still, I am proud of this first effort–120,000 words or so. But, as I continue to write, this book continues to provide the conclusion: I can do better than that.

A note of caution: The novel includes erotica! Yikes!

A snippet is available at Amazon.

Apollo’s Lyre – Ezine Publication – “Lovely Rita”

My flash fiction piece, “Lovely Rita,” appears in the November issue of “Apollo’s Lyre.”

This was my first attempt at flash fiction. The little story is less than 600 words. Yes, sometimes less is more.

Note: Drill down, once you’re arrived at the link. The content is below the masthead.