Visiting Friends...At The Tremonton Library

In another episode of New Life Is A Lot Like The Way Things Used To Be, I visited the Tremonton Library last week, and once again I was reminded of how life used to be. The library's not the largest collection of books I've ever seen, but it contains many treasures.

I saw many books written by friends.

The library is not big. Of course, in a modern world, you can order books to be delivered to even the smallest of libraries, plus, there's always digital downloads where you can get almost any book ever written. You don't need a big building for that...just a Kindle.

As we browsed, I spotted a book written by a good friend, Scott Tarbet. Scott and I sort of began our literary adventure together, both with Xchyler Publishing. I loved seeing Scott's first novel, A Midsummer Night's Steampunk. I've always loved that cover.

Then, I spotted Dan Willis's The Flux Engine. I met Dan at the first convention I ever attended--also the first time I met Scott Tarbet. The Flux Engine had been released and Dan was pushing it.

I spotted Margot Hovley's Glimmering Light next. I've been friends with Margot for a long time. She's a great author and a better person--so glad to see that book.

Before we left I saw Sara Larson's Warriors of Wing and Flame, I believe it's her latest. I've been fortunate enough to be on a few FanX writing panels with her and she's been kind enough to sign several books for my daughter, books I've read.

I'm sure there are more books from my friends in the library--didn't have time to check them all out. I hope to return many times, and I hope one day my book/books will be among those of my friends.

Even though it's a small building, it contains many treasures.

Xchyler Publishing...Dare To Dream...What A Ride!

I received a notice today that royalties from Xchyler Publishing were sent out.

What a ride!

I hope I don't imply the small publisher is gone or non-existent. As far as I know, you can still order their books. You can go to their website: HERE. I also just checked on Amazon--they're good. But, things have changed. In the past, I've written dozens of blog posts about Xchyler, their books, and their authors and even though none of us will get rich from those royalties, and I'll put Xchyler's stories and covers up against anyone's any day.

I can't fully express how important this imprint has been on my literary career. Without Xchyler Publishing, I don't know if I'd ever publish a novel, or get involved in writing conventions, or been an assistant program director at the Salt Lake FanX Comics Convention.

And this doesn't include all the amazing people I've met along the way.

Xchyler published my first short story in anthology titled, Mechanized Masterpieces; A Steampunk Anthology. They published two more of my short stories. Because of this, I was considered a published author--even though my contribution to the writing community was small. This opened doors for me that may never have opened. This led to meeting other authors and being on panels and allowing me fantastic experiences.

I may never have  another thing published--I hope this isn't the case, but as an author you never know what the future will bring. I'd like to personally thank those at Xchyler, especially Scott Tarbet and Penny Freeman. Scott sent out today's royalties--it's truly a labor of love.

Xchyler Publishing--they created so much more than stories.

Dare to dream.

Gangrene Comedy Film Festival Presents "Full Steam"...Pure Awesomeness!

Last year I couldn't attend. Before that I missed the previous fourteen Gangrene Film Festivals because I knew nothing about it, except it had a great name. 

Then I met one of the coolest guys I think I know, Craig Nybo, and I promised myself this year I'd be going. What a party!

Each year, a new theme. This year--steampunk! There's so much potential when steampunk's your topic. Nybo and Company not only realized this, but took full advantage. With a live band and dancers up to the task, they put on a great show, the kind of show that relies on punched music and raw emotion oozing from horns, guitars, accordions, drums (conventional and adapted metal drums...) and a played saw. Add a vocal battle between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, and you have a great show.

And that's just the opening act! Following the music are the films. I had a previous appointment so I couldn't stay for the films. Looks like I've got something to look forward to for next year. Here's some of what I saw tonight. It was a lot of fun.

The Wise POLAIK...Scott Tarbet

 "So, you're Scott?" people would ask me when they see our Xchyler Publisher signs. "Yes," I would answer, but then I usually need to add. "But, I'm not Scott Tarbet. I'm Scott Taylor."

You see, during Xchyler's relatively short history, there's been two Scotts, Scott Tarbet and myself. Of course, I don't mind being mistaken for the other Scott. The man can write.

I met Scott at the first themed convention I attended, the 2013 Salt City Steamfest. Scott and I were Facebook friends before we met. My short story, The Little Boiler Girl had been released in Xcyler's Mechanized Masterpieces, A Steampunk Anthology only a few weeks before, and Scott had his first published short coming out in a Xchyler anthology a few weeks later.

Since then Scott and I have attended have attended a lot of conventions together. He's had many many shorts published with Xchyler and has even written a novel, A Midsummer Night's Steampunk, which I have not yet read.

Like many of the Profile Of Local Authors/Artists I Know (POLAIK), Scott is not a full-time writer, unfortunately. If you want a definition of a man of many talents, he's your guy! He's an award-winning barbecue chef, and he is a regular with the Utah Opera Company. Plus, the man's got many college degrees, which tells me that he never stops learning, never stops expanding that knowledge base.

Once again, as I'm prone to do with my POLAIK posts, I recommend you seek out Scott and get to know him better if you find yourself at one of these conventions. If you do, Scott will be as engaging and entertaining as his stories. No, I don't mind people thinking--albeit temporarily--that I'm Scott Tarbet. It's quite a compliment.

Utah Winter Faire, 2014 Edition...

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My publisher, Xchyler Publishing, rented a space at the 2014 Utah Winter Faire. It opened today and I was there.

And the best thing about the event is that it's basically in my backyard.

Okay, so it's a mile or so away from where I live, but I LOVE that, even though I haven't really traveled far to attend a conference. Here's some pictures of just some of what I saw today!

The event goes from today, December 5 through Sunday, December 7. You can access their website: HERE. It's in Farmington. If you're in the area, drop by! Be sure to check out TexaSmoke BBQ (delicious!), Art by Sean Ricks and Xchyler authors, Candice Thomas, Sarah Seeley, Scott Tarbet, Jay Barson, and your's truly! And, if you're lucky, you might even run into the Talking Rat Lady!

* Photo used without permission from: http://www.utahwinterfaire.com/

Salt City Steamfest, 2014 Edition...

It's late, my feet are killing me, and I lost my eye glasses. Still, I had a blast at this year's Salt City Steamfest. It's a two-day event, but tomorrow I'm busy with a tech day. Here's a few pictures of just some of the atmosphere found within its walls.

And, I met three Xchyler writers I had not met before. I would mention that had those authors been in attendance for my Steampunk throwdown panel (and they had picked my argument that the Clockwork Tinkers were superior to both the molemen and the airship pirates...), I would have won the competition. But since I'm not that kind of person, I won't mention it.

It was a good day!