Well Done, Dave...Another Reason To Go To A Bookstore

 My son and I visited a Barnes & Noble today. I think I speak for many when I say I didn't appreciate bookstores when there used to be so many. They were in every mall, and several other places across this great nation. Now, they're like water sources in a literary oasis...few and far between.

There was something different back then, too.

I did not personally know anyone who had written a book in those stores. Times have changed.

Like any author, you dream of one day entering a bookstore, either a local or national chain--it makes no difference--and going to a specific section of the store and causally spotting a book with your name on it. I've thought about it. It's still a dream/goal. And if I work hard and keep going, it can happen for me.

Just like it's happened for my friend, Dave.

It's normal for me to enter a book store and see Dave's books, as well as other authors I know. I thought they might have more of his titles...he's a machine when it comes to output. And, I still need to read those titles, not only for support, but because he's a fantastic writer.

Yes, it's fun to go into a bookstore. Now, I have another reason to enjoy the experience.

You Can Always Spot A Reader...

Last week I met a reader. Now, I didn't know she was a reader when we first met...there are so few around nowadays. However, after talking with her for a minute or two, it became evident.

She loves to read.

What gave it away? My friend told her I was a writer. I've been introduced as a writer before. Most of the time the news is met with indifference--not disrespect, but they might think it's cool to be a writer. The written word isn't that important to them. No, she stopped and asked some follow up questions. 

"What do you write?" 

"What are your favorite genres?"

"What do you like to read?"

That last question is interesting. It's assumed writers are also readers. I have been more of an active reader in the past--it's something I need to do more. She is correct, though. To be a successful writer you need to be an active reader.

I told her I got my masters degree in English and to do so, I read a lot of book, mostly classics. She is currently reading some classic literature. I asked if she liked reading fantasy or speculative fiction. She said she's not read all that much, but would like to read more.

I had the perfect book for her.

The next time I saw her, I dug up my copy of D.H. (Dave) Butler's amazing Witchy Eye. If you've read it you know the level of writing found in its pages. 

I don't know if she'll like it--she may hate it. I hope not. Since she's a reader I'm almost certain she will appreciate the writing, even if it's not her cup of tea. I've never met anyone who has read Dave's books who didn't respect Dave as a writer and craftsman and wordsmith.

Hopefully, she'll finish the book soon. I'm anxious to know what she thinks. If she likes it, there's two more book waiting for her in the wings.

For a reader, that'a heaven.

Writers Cantina Presenter Spotlight: D.J. (Dave) Butler...Esquire

 Sure, it's months away, but why not get excited about the event now?

Exactly.

On July 8th, 2023--a mere 127 days from today--authors will gather, stories will be swapped, relationships formed and strengthened, and most important, knowledge will be both given and received. That's where D.J. Butler comes in. He, along with others, will be presenting at the Writers Cantina Utah writers convention.

One of many,

And they're looking for more.

Click: HERE to access the event's webpage. Click: HERE to read more about the amazing Mr. Butler. Yes, it is the conference's inaugural voyage. I remember hearing about the Salt Lake Comic Con's inaugural show. They booked a hall, then booked William Shatner...

Then they booked the state's biggest vendor space to handle all the people who wanted to attend. It was nuts. Now, will the same thing happen to this little gathering? Possibly. I mean, once the masses hear that they booked D.J. (Dave), well...who knows what can happen?

Exactly.

Give Thanks...For Book Giveaways! Now's Your Chance To Win Mine--And Other--Books

 If you want a chance to pick up FIVE books for free, check out my friend's July 2022 Five-Book Giveaway.

Click: HERE to participate.

The five books to the winners include:

The Witcher Chime, by Amity Green

Paternus, by Dyrk Ashton

Mako, by Ian J. Malone

The Kidnap Plot, by D.J. Butler

Chaser, by Scott William Taylor

The Details:

Books will be shipped to winners from the individual authors, which means that if you win, it rain books on you in August, as five separate packages full of signed goodness come your way. Note that if you live outside the U.S. and shipping to where you live is prohibitive, some authors may send you ebook copies rather than physical books.

Enter here for a chance to win! Enter your email address, and you have one entry in the drawing.

BUT CHECK THIS OUT: In addition, you’ll be sent a confirmation email (check your junk or spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox). The link in that email will send you to a page of social media sharing buttons. If you share the giveaway via those buttons, then for each person who enters the giveaway through your shared links, you get more entries in the giveaway.

We would REALLY like people to reshare this, so we’re upping the referral bonus from the standard 3 to 7. In otherwords, IF YOUR FRIEND ENTERS THROUGH A LINK YOU SHARED VIA THE SOCIAL MEDIA LANDING PAGE, YOU GET SEVEN MORE CHANCES TO WIN.

(PLEASE NOTE: Entering the giveaway will enroll you in the mailing list of each author. Being on the mailing lists means you’ll get notifications about more giveaways, appearances, and publications. It’s easy to unsubscribe if you don’t want to be on any or all of the lists, and we won’t be offended.)

So, here's your chance to pick up free reading! Doesn't get much better than that!

I'm grateful for my writer friends. Seriously, a better group of people is hard to find. And I'm grateful for Dave for including my little story about a boy who smuggles his dog aboard a spaceship headed to an animal-less planet (you know you want to read that one...).

Check out the site, sign up, win books, become more enlightened and a better person--all guaranteed.

The Writing Retreat That Was...

 I survived the week. I didn't write everyday--today, we put in half our sprinkling system, though I could do a little writing tonight. I did not write 50k words, like Husberg (the guy's a machine...), or even 28k like Ritchey (another machine...), or the many many pages produced by the grand marshal Butler himself.

Mine was more modest output.

I was in the 5-6k rang.

When it comes to word count, maybe size doesn't always matter.

I had several first with this writing retreat. I--for the most part--finished a story that I have tried to finish at least two times in the past, at two previous writing retreats. The story contained three storylines told by three main characters. I've never done that before. And I wrote a battle scene involving werepigs (sort of like werewolves, but with pigs...).

I've got to clean it up, tie up some loose ends.

I've had a good couple of months, writing-wise. And I had a good writing retreat week, writing-wise.

Time To Vote Early...For Dave And Michaelbrent At Dragon Con!

Almost seven years ago, to the day, I walked into the Salt Palace Convention Center excited and a little nervous. It was Day 1 of the very first Salt Lake Comic Con (later, Salt Lake FanX Comics Convention...). I arrived early, having picked up my "Special Guest" pass. I was a panelist and I didn't know what the crap I was doing or what was about to happen.

I ran into a friend, Blake, who was on the executive committee. It was Blake that signed me up as a panelist. While he and I chatted, a distinguished gentleman approached. I recognized him immediately.

Michaelbrent Collings.

Best-selling Horror author.

I met both Blake and Michaelbrent years earlier at a writing convention. They presented a panel on screenwriting. I attended their panel because a few years earlier, I won a screenwriting contest and my script was turned into an award-winning short film. Blake and I kept in touch.

Blake left and so Michaelbrent and I chatted. "There's an author you should meet," he said. "He's here from Boise."

"Sure," I said.

I had no idea that what came next would sort of change my life.

I met Dave Butler. He had spent the previous few years writing several books that he published himself, but you could tell he was destined for bigger and better things. Fast forward seven years and now both Michaelbrent and Dave are finalists for the Dragon Awards. According to Wikipedia (the fount of all surface knowledge...): 

The Dragon Awards are a set of literary and media awards voted on by fandom and presented annually since 2016 by Dragon Con for excellence in various categories of science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels, movies, television, and games.Wikipedia

Both of these amazing authors are up for awards this year, Dave for Witchy Kingdom, and Michaelbrent for Scavenger Hunt. You can help them out. The rules are such--click: HERE to register. Once you register Dragon Con will e-mail you a ballot. Follow the instructions and, BOOM! You've done your part to help humanity! Is this voting as important as the votes America will cast next November?

Of course!

But seriously, the Dragon Award is a highly respected recognition of science fiction and fantasy voted by you, the readers. It's a chance for us nerds to have our voice be heard, and counted.

Seven years ago, I met two former attorneys turned writers. Now, they're being recognized for their hard work and talent. If you have a moment, vote. It's a good thing.

A New Book...And The Author

This picture is one of the most unique I think I've ever taken. It's not spectacular or full of action. Quite the opposite, really. It's a picture of my computer screen. In the picture I have Facebook open to a friend's post. The post is proclaiming to the world that a new book is available. It's launch day for David Butler's In the Palace of Shadow and Joy from Baen Books.

If you can't see the blurred image above my computer screen, I captured the author of this new book hard at work on his next project. Yes--that's D.J. (a.k.a. Dave...) Butler, the author of the book on my screen. Now, I've taken many pictures over the years of authors proudly holding up a book or books they've written. I think this was the first time I snapped a photo of an author and their book on the first day of that particular book's availability.

If you're interested in Dave's newest offering, click: HERE. From the Amazon website, here's what this book is all about:

Indrajit Twang is the four hundred twenty-seventh epic poet of his people, the only person alive to carry their entire epic history and mythology in his head. His people are dwindling in number, and if he can’t find a successor in the great city of Kish, their story will disappear with them.

Fix grew up a foundling on the ancient streets of Kish and is making his living as a mercenary. The woman he loves married someone else, and Fix has turned to buying and selling risk on the black market—but is he trying to impress her, or prove something to himself?

Indrajit and Fix have been hired by a powerful risk-merchant to protect the life of opera star Ilsa without Peer for the duration of a risk contract he’s taken on. When an attempt is made on Ilsa’s life, Indrajit and Fix find themselves hunted by multiple mercenary squads and targeted by some of the most powerful men in Kish. Will they be able to save themselves, not to mention protect Ilsa, in the Palace of Shadow and Joy?

So, there you go--a new book and its author. If you've read anything from Mr. Butler, you know the story will not be average or ordinary. And, when you're finished, you'll be able to answer the question; Will they be able to save themselves, not to mention protect Ilsa, in the Palace of Shadow and Joy?

Get the book and find out!

Doing Kind Things...Even While Quarantined

Last month, a group of writers were supposed to gather at a house on the hill...

To write.

But, it was not meant to be. 

There's a lot of things that weren't meant to be, our annual retreat being one of them. When this is over, everyone will have a story--or stories--about things they did, or didn't do, adjustments they made, and experiences that will be "once in a lifetime" events. 

I guess for us, missing out on writing will be one of the things we'll talk about (then again, maybe we won't talk about it...). The retreat has been rescheduled for a later date--hopefully, we'll meet up then.

So, when the time came when we would have been all gathered under one roof, one of the participants had a great idea. He proposed we send flowers to our host as an act of kindness, and also as a reminder of what we were missing and how we all wanted tto be somewhere else.

I wish I looked for more opportunities to be kind.

Some people just seem to be wired that way. They'll hear of something that happened to an individual and their mind goes to, "how can I help out?" It's a wonderful trait to have. I'm working on it and maybe one day I'll be there.

Our host (also, thinking of others by providing incredible entertainment to the masses during the lockdown...) took to Facebook everyday and gave us all a mini-concert. One of the writers ordered flowers and a card to be delivered mid-concert on a day we would have been there writing our little brains out.

Yes, there are people everywhere doing kind things for others, even while quarantined. And all you have to do is look for them...or better yet, be the one doing the kind deed. That's the best.

A Little Inspiration...A Little Practice...A Little Advertising

Since my day-to-day hasn't changed much because of all this insanity, I'm finding it very interesting to see how people are coping. I have many friends from the theater and boy, are they filling the web with incredible music. I have writers who are are sending out word games and chances to enhance their creativity.

And I have one particular friend, Dave Butler, who does both--creates words and music.

As I was working, I noticed Dave doing a mini-concert on Facebook. He sang a couple of songs, complete with commentary. I had a break coming up so I dug out my guitars from storage and strummed a bit--just enough to cause irritation to my non-calloused fingertips. 

No sooner had I placed the guitars on their cases when I saw an e-mail pop up from Fender. Last year I signed up for a free one-month trial of Fender Play so they have my e-mail information. Actually, I enjoyed the program and had I the disposable income, I'd have stuck with it.

So, as I worked Thursday, I was hit with inspiration, concentration, then manipulation...

In that order.

Spotted A Super-Shelf Yesterday...It's Holding Up A Lot Of Awesome!

Yesterday afternoon, just after 5pm, I drove down to the city's newest (and only...) bookstore. An author friend, Frank Cole, was having a book signing and since I don't see my author friends very much and since he was in town, I thought I'd stop by and say, "hi." It took a while for a lull to open up in his line (dude's popular among his target audience...), but once there was, I said, "hi." We chatted. I wished him well. 

On my way out, I saw a bookshelf, and to be honest, I was amazed at the strength of that particular bookshelf because it held so much awesomeness! It must be a super-shelf to successfully hold up such super-literature.

The shelf highlighted three local authors, and an author from Colorado. Each I know personally (some better than others...), each have had a positive effect on my writing. The display was set up in anticipation of a book signing. On Saturday, December 14th, at least two of the four authors will be in town to mingle and pitch their wares. I thought all three Utah authors were to be at the signing, and maybe they will, but the store's website only announced two.

Don't let that dissuade you from attending if you're in the area--the two authors, D.J. Butler and Brad Torgersen, are loaded with talent. And, as good of authors that they are, they've proved to be better people. And who knows...Mr. Larry Correia might be there, too. I don't believe Aaron Ritchey will be able to make it, and that's too bad--he's a character.

I've tried to highlight authors I've met and who have helped my on my literary journey. I'm constantly amazed at the quality of people I meet. Maybe I'm just lucky and have not encountered the jerks. Anything's possible, but my batting average of quality writers/people vs. jerk writers/people has been pretty good.

If you're close and you'd like to pick up some fantastic reading material and chat with the writers of said material, stop by the new, shiny (it really is...) Barnes & Noble store in Farmington, Utah a week from Saturday. You can access the store's website with information about this and all their signings by clicking: HERE. It'll definitely be worth your time.

Writing Retreat...Day Three...The Ending

My writing retreat came to an end today, sort of an abrupt end as I departed from the House on the Hill and traveled home.

Actually, I went to an InstaCare before I went home. Turns out I've got a little infection on my face, so I had that looked into.

So, because I left early and have been resting most of the day, my writing count went from several thousand words a day to none. I'm okay with that. Had I not attended the writing retreat, my writing word count may have been hundreds or none. 

So, another year has come and gone. I'm excited about the project I'm working on, and interest usually translates to me continuing to work on it. There's so many projects I've stopped working on because the interest just wasn't there. Hopefully, this particular story will be in the can (and maybe a publishing contract...) so if I'm invited to another writing retreat, I'll have something else to write.

Love the writing retreats! Thanks to Dave and Emily for their incredible hospitality. Glad I could attend.

Writing Retreat...Day Two...On Every Road, A Speed Bump Must...Bump

I watched as the clouds rolled in, bringing with it a sense of dread, of the unknown. I can understand why early man feared storms. There's no way to really know what effect it will have on you, your loved ones, your crops, animals, etc.

Of course, we live in a modern society with Doppler radar and satellite images beamed instantly from space. Even with all that, we never know for sure what the weather will do.

Nor do we know just how much work we'll be able to get done, even when we have to time. For, on every road, a speed bump must be, or exist, or cause you to slow down.

Don't get me wrong--today was great in many ways. I have an assignment to help out the good people of FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention. It's getting close--it's actually ten days away. Last night I was contacted and asked to finish up the assignment. Luckily, I can do that remotely so this morning I got up and started scheduling. It's actually fun to help out and to be a part of such an amazing organization. I'm very excited for the event to start a week from Friday.

But, to do one thing, other things cannot be done.

Since Monday morning, I calculate I've written just over 10k on my little story. I began this story years ago and when I went back and read what I had written, it was not good. In fact, it was crap. But, it gave me an outline to start over. I'm not a big "outline" writer. I know I should do more of that. The stories would be easier to write if I did. Maybe this week has taught me that. Time will tell.

I'm not sure how much more writing I'm going to get to this week...maybe a lot, maybe none. I would be sad if I had to stop, but also I'm grateful for the work I've put in. And the best thing is, I like the story. That helps, helps a lot!

The clouds have engulfed the base of Y Mountain. A group of writers clacked away at their keyboards as if nothing unusual was happening outside. That, my friends, is how you become a writer. You can choose to slow down at the speed bumps, or you can hit the gas and fly over them, experiencing a new adventure!

Of course, you'll probably ruin your car doing it.

A Free "Chaser" Audiobook Giveaway...Hurry And Sign Up!

If you love books with a great message for your kids and your kids love stories about dogs, space, and adventure, now's your chance to sign up for a free audiobook! The incredible author Dave Butler (and he's a better person than author...) is holding a giveaway on his website for a chance to win an audiobook copy of Chaser: an Interplanetary Tale of a Boy and his Dog!

Both the novel and the audiobook were released in 2018 through Immortal Works Press. It's gotten fantastic reviews and is a great book for your reluctant middle-grade reader, or anyone who loves an exciting story.

Here's a taste of what the story's about:

How far would you go to be with your best friend? Would you give up a chance to travel to a new planet? Would you disobey your parent? How important would it be? 

Twelve-year-old Kennedy Barnes and his dad are on an interplanetary mission to transfer Earth’s animals to Planet X489-B, a habitable world without animal life.

But one animal not on their spaceship’s manifest is Kennedy’s dog Chaser. Unable to part with his beloved Chaser, Kennedy smuggles the Labrador Retriever onto his father’s ship.

What follows is a story of strength, deception, harrowing escapes and painful lessons learned.

Join Kennedy, Chaser, and the entire crew of Trinity Base as they travel billions of miles from home on an adventure as big as the universe, and find out just how far one boy will go to save his best friend.

The audiobook is narrated by the über-talented Mark Sanderlin who captures both the fun and the seriousness of the story.

If you'd like a chance to win, go to Dave Butler's website by clicking: HERE or HERE. And while you're at it, please check out any of Dave's amazing books--you can find them by clicking: HERE.

Hurry--this giveaway will only be available until the 6th of January! And if you want to order the audiobook yourself, you can go to the Audible website: HERE and just order it. It's a great book, and you'll be glad you did. Start 2019 with an amazing story! Check out Chaser today!

The "How To Turn Your Non-Reading Child Into A Book-Loving Machine" Panel At FanX...Likely The Most Important Panel I've Ever Attended

I've been on several panels since Salt Lake Comic Con (and now FanX...) rolled into town. I've met amazing artists and authors, entertainers and performers. I've made good friends and even forged relationships that have led to professional advancements in my writing career.

But I think the panel I'm on this Saturday might be the most important one I've ever been on.

It's entitled:

How to Turn your Non-Reading Child into a Book-Loving Machine

It's more important now than ever.

When I pitched the panel idea, I hoped it would be chosen. I remember when I attended public school, especially jr. high when books and reading became a joy and not a drudgery. Back then, there were many distractions that took kids away from books. And this was in the 1970s. Kids nowadays have distractions we couldn't even imagine back then.

Just how important is reading--or the lack thereof--to our society? The effect of a generation of no-readers scares the daylights out of me. Reading connects us as people. Our histories are written down, but if no one reads them, no one will know them. Our laws, policies, customs, traditions--everything--are found in books or online. Without readers, they disappear.

Except for one person, CK Johnson, I know all the other panelist. Holli Anderson, Dave Butler, Paul Genesse, John Olsen--I've interacted with them and have read stories they've written. I was excited when the panel schedule came out and found out who will be there.

If you're worried about how to get kids to read, or you have children of your own that would rather do other things than read (and if you're attending FanX this weekend...), please consider attending our panel. It's Saturday, 9/8/18, 1pm to 2pm in room 151A. We may not have all the answers, but we'll do our best to give the topic the respect it deserves. I'd love to see you there.

To The Person(s) Who Left A Note On My Car...Please Be More Specific!

Saturday night my wife and I went for a drive, something we haven't done for years. My friend was hosting a party at his house complete with a lecture on typography as well as the opportunity to record on an album.

We saw our chance and took it.

The trip down was uneventful--light traffic by Utah County standards and we zipped to his house at the base of "Y" Mountain in good time. After being intellectually edified and laying down a voice track, it was time to depart. As we crossed the street to our car, I spotted a note taped to the driver's side window. Written in blue Sharpie were the words:

Rude! Never Again

I don't get a lot of notes on my car so it was an unusual thing for me. Instantly I thought back at when I could have been rude to the point where someone felt compelled to write not only a possible description of my actions as well as a charge to never do whatever it was I did again.

I wish they had been more specific. I really do.

I thought about the drive down. It's unlikely, if I offended someone so badly, that they would have followed my minivan all the way through Orem, into Provo, passed BYU and the MTC, beyond the Provo LDS Temple to our destination. I would think that had someone followed me, they might have confronted us when we got out of the van.

Then I thought perhaps I had parked in an inappropriate spot. I looked around and that didn't seem likely. I didn't park in front of a driveway or a fire hydrant, or a mailbox (even though it was passed mail-delivery hours...). My friend walked across the street with us and I showed him the note. He was perplexed as to why I would have gotten such a note as well. 

"It might be some kids--we've got a lot of kids around here," he said. I considered that, but sort of dismissed it. Kids nowadays (my age is showing...) seem to lack the gumption to take the time to write a note and tape it to the window of a generic mid-2000s Toyota Sienna minivan.

The worst thing is I hope I didn't offend, or was rude to anyone, and if so, I apologize. Since I don't know what I did, I can't honestly promise to never do it again. I quickly forgot about the note as my wife and I enjoyed the way home. I do know this, the next morning when I left our house, no note was on any of our cars. I guess if I did offend anyone on the way home or during the night, they didn't let me know about it.

Hanging Out...With My Immortal Works Family

  

Last night I, along with a couple dozen other people, gathered at a home in Provo, Utah and we discussed the world of publishing. At least, our little corner of it. The Publisher: Immortal Works. The fact that I'm involved, albeit in a small roll, is an honor.

The purpose of the gathering was to celebrate Aften Brook Szymanski's book, Cheat Code. I haven't read it yet--one of the ones I have on my list. Seeing the book and listening to the author are testaments to the hard work and determination of several people at Immortal Works, most notably Jason King, James Wymore, Holli Anderson, and many others who are working hard to do all they can to make this new publishing concern a success.

I have experience with small press publishers. I had several short stories chosen by Xchyler Publishing. It's hard for me to express just how grateful I am to Penny Freeman and everyone at Xchyler who took chances--not just with my stories--but with taking on the world of publishing in general. They're the reason I almost jumped out of my skin when I found out the first short story I ever submitted was chosen for publication. That's a moment I hope to never forget.

Immortal Works is almost two years old. They've already published almost a dozen books with several in the pipeline. Listening to Aften talk, I heard in her voice and her words that excitement and amazement you get when someone believes in something you've created, so much so, they put in time and resources to create a way for others to experience the art, too.

A few of us spoke about Immortal Work's future. No one knows what is to come. Everyone in that room hopes the company has a long and healthy life, but if it doesn't, Immortal Works has given me and several other authors a feeling of pure joy knowing that our words, our stories, our worlds and characters will live on, from our minds and become part of our readers. Last night I got to hang out with those people. It was an honor.

I'm An Edward M. Kovel Winner...

This week I participated in a writing retreat. It ran from last Monday to yesterday, but I believe if people arrived on Sunday and stayed until tomorrow, no one would be upset. I missed last year, but attended the year before. That was the first time I went.

Spending a few days there this week became my second time at the retreat.

It's hard to explain how amazing spending time with a bunch of writers can be. Many of you--especially those who spend a lot of time with one writer--might think multiplying that experience sounds like a terrible idea. They'd be wrong, at least, the writers might thing you're wrong.

There's only a couple of rules. 1--you're expected to write, because when you're writing, you're not a distraction for the others who are expected to write. 2--you're responsible for at least one meal. It's like a weeklong potluck. A few years ago, I brought a meal for everyone. This year, there were so many participants already signed up for meals, I just paid each time, and boy--we ate good! 3--after dinner, you can continue writing, or play boardgames with the group. Two years ago, I played games (and had poor showings...). This time, I decided to keep writing.

Since I wrote Chaser back in 2016, I haven't dedicated a lot of time toward my writing, and that's a shame. Sure, we've had issues to deal with at work, at home--just like everyone else. It's amazing anyone who is not a writer full-time writes anything at all (and that can be said for some of the full-time writers as well...). In the 2 1/2 days I was at the retreat this week, I wrote just under 10,000 words. It's been a long time since I wrote that much, and it felt good.

Of course, the retreat wouldn't be possible with the amazing Butler family. They literally open up their home to a bunch of dudes. They put up with our corny jokes, our unusual places to write, our quirky personalities. And we're the better for it. At the conclusion of the event, awards are given out. They're named for Edward M. Kovel. I don't know who that is, but it doesn't really matter, like the awards. The important thing is not the particular award you get, but what you were able to accomplish, the things you learned, the friendships you made and strengthened that matter most.

This year, I got a hat--all of us winners did. I got 10K words. I got great advice about writing and the publishing world. I got to spend time with wonderful people. And I am a 2018 Edward M. Kovel winner. A very good week, indeed.

Be Your Better Self...

I'm on Twitter. Apparently so are a few billion other people. Usually it's mindless stuff, really. And there is a lot of stuff on Twitter that's less than mindless. But if I can stay above the mire, it's interesting to see things people post. The day before Valentine's Day, I logged on to Twitter and the first thing I saw were two posts, one from my friend Dave, and another from a University of Utah football fan who goes by "Whitt's Calves."

I found the two posts together interesting.

Dave Butler, author, musician, all-around good guy, isn't the most active Twitter-er, but I've noticed lately he's posting positive things, perhaps as a response to several negative things in the news lately. His post, "Be your better self," is great advice, be it in your writing, or music, or making friends, or making dinner. If we all were our better selves, the world would be a much better place.

Then we see a picture of two football players, one from the University of Utah, the other from Brigham Young University. On the day before Valentine's Day, it had been 2,999 days since the Y's program beat the U's.

And the U fans can't get enough of it. To make matters worse (or better...), the two university football teams will not play each other until the last weekend of the regular season, November 24, 2018. If Utah beats BYU again, that number will just keep rising, and rising, and rising.

When I saw the picture and read Dave's thought, I wondered. Can the positive thought apply to the picture? Are both players being their better selves? And if so, is one just plain better than the other?

Let's hope we're all our better selves, including those up on the hill next November.

The Joy Of Receiving A New Hat...It's Witchin'!

I like hats the way some women like shoes. I don't mean to sound sexist, but I do know many women--more than an average man--who love shoes, almost to an obsession. Maybe I like hats because for most people--men and women alike--they are used to having something atop their heads, be it a hat, a hood, or hair.

Me...what once was there no longer is.

I do the next best thing--I wear a hat almost everywhere I go.

There are a couple of practical reasons I wear hats. In the winters it keeps rain/snow off my head and helps keep me warm. In the summers it shields my unshielded head from the sun. Those who've experienced sunburns on their scalp know it's extremely unpleasant. A hat protects me from that. And I wear hats in the spring and fall because you just never know.

Earlier this month I was made aware that I won something in Dave Butler's Twitchy Eye drawing. Those of us who posted reviews of his phenomenal book were eligible for the drawing. I won a hat! Today my hat was delivered to my house and the moment I got home, I donned the black and gold chapeau (in keeping with the New Orleans vibe of the book...).

Even though I like hats, I do not have as many hats as some have shoes. I probably have twenty or so hats, most of them being baseball caps. I try to wear hats that will match with whatever I'm wearing. My Witchy Eye Pistols cap is black. Most of what I wear goes with black, so theoretically, I'll be able to wear this particular hat with most of my wardrobe. That's a win-win-win in my book.

Like new shoes, I'll need to break in the hat. It's stiff right now--some might say like Dave's book when you first pick it up. It's a little ridged, unyielding, stubborn. However, like Dave's book, it adjusts, conforms, yields to the shape of my head. For me, Witchy Eye was an exciting yet daunting book. It's a good read--reading it is sort of like eating a Thanksgiving meal--once you're done, you know you've finished something weighty, something substantial.

So thanks Dave for the hat! I'll wear it with pride and all those who see me coming and wonder about the crossed guns will hopefully see me pass and know from whence the pistols came...from a great book written by Dave Butler titled Witchy Eye.

Dave Butler's "Witchy Eye"...A Book Review

Imagine an America where, instead of states governed by a central government, you have kingdoms rules by kings. Oh, and there's magic, too. Throw in a dozen or so colorful characters, an army of human/animal hybrids, and a few undead assassins and you have Dave Butler's Witchy Eye.

Of course, I'm not doing the book justice. It's an amazing alternative history set in 1800s America. The book's hero is Sarah Calhoun, fifteen, growing up in Appalachia embarks on a journey to New Orleans to find a soldier, a man who fought with Sarah's father. Sarah, who wears a patch over her eye, is not only the daughter of a famous general, but also a queen.

Butler weaves the Sarah's story, the story of those vowed to follow her, and those in her company seamlessly. One aspect of the story I especially liked was the lack of an organized and well-defined magic system. I've heard the author speak several times on the topic. The magic in Witch Eye is always understandable. Butler uses magic the way a cook used different spices to flavor the meal, or in this case, the story. Too much and it ruins everything.

This is not then end of Sarah Calhoun. More books are on the way, which makes me happy. There are so many small details interwoven into the storylines, I could read it again and again and get something new each time. Butler created a world full of wonder, intrigue, goodness, and horror. where good battles evil, power and pain. And he's done a masterful job of it.