Except for the occasional blog post discussing why, as a writer, I don’t want to talk about politics, I don’t blog about politics. Why? Because I’m a reader. I was a reader before I was a writer. This means I read author blogs. I generally go there for the entertainment value. Some blogs are interactive enough that I go there for the conversation. I check a few now and then to find out about new releases–the ones that are most valuable in this sense discuss books other than the author’s books. Why? Because I’m a reader and no single author puts out books fast enough that I am going to need to visit very often if the only books talked about are the author’s releases.

I complained earlier about authors that blog about politics (and any blog that isn’t generally a political one turning rogue). I already talked about how it alienates me on several levels. But here’s the bullet point reason I hope I never make the same mistake as an author:

As a reader, when I see political articles on an author blog, I cease to send readers there. I don’t know the political persuasion of everyone–I don’t want to insult or make anyone uncomfortable by sending a reader to an author site that harps, even occasionally, on politics or specific political issues. This doesn’t mean I go back and delete previous links to interesting articles, but if a conversation comes up on a blog and I’d generally say, “Oh, you should read so-and-so’s blog” … I don’t say it. This happened to me two days ago. An author I read almost daily has put up two or three political posts in the last month. One was particularly…passionate and on a sensitive issue. During a recent blog discussion, his books would have been perfect recommendations, but I kept my mouth shut. Didn’t mention the author or the blog. Just didn’t want to go there.

If the political flaming on a blog is bad enough or frequent enough–I stop reading the blog altogether. I may delete previous links that I had to the blog because I don’t wish to send people looking for book news and entertainment to Politics Rants and Raves by mistake.

If I love the books, I usually keep reading them…but. I’ll be perfectly honest here. I might buy them. But I might not. I might not read them at all or I might put it off. It’s not really punishment of the author that is intended. It’s avoidance of an aura/atmosphere that made me uncomfortable. I now associate the book/author with a vague uncomfortable feeling. It’s almost identical to the feeling when I finish a book that I liked…but…maybe didn’t end the way I hoped. If it’s by a favorite author, I’m going to read the next one…just not right away. Maybe it’ll be in the library, and I’ll pick it up there if I’m in the mood.  I’ll get it later, rather than sooner.

If I don’t love the books, guess what? Yup. That vague uncomfortable feeling turns into: I don’t read the book at all. This generally doesn’t happen on a completely conscious level. I realized it happened to me two weeks ago when in a book discussion online someone said to me, “Oooh, you read so-and-so. Have your read X or Y?” Except…I hadn’t read so-and-so for some time. In fact, as I thought about it, I had stopped reading so-and-so’s blog because he harped on political issues. The books I had read were good, perhaps nothing I would have searched out, but something I would have read had I come across them. The blog by the author was often humorous. But after a few too many political posts that probably started…6 months to a year ago I stopped reading the blog.  Granted the author tried to be funny with his politics–but it wasn’t very clever. The jests were all about one party or one candidate.  They were often mixed into what started as a perfectly innocent movie discusion. End result? I still can’t be bothered to read the book or the blog.

I’m not alone in this feeling either, although many readers make the decision based on intellectual disagreement with the author’s political leanings. I’ve read enough forum posts to know, because this topic is often discussed. 

I understand that people feel passionately about the issues. But I also understand that by blogging about these issues they are trying to sway me to their point of view or at the very least defend their position from on high. I read blogs to engage intellectually and emotionally in characters, plots, publishing news, books and author news. When I get an emotional or intellectual appeal on voting a particular issue or candidate, I feel more than cheated. I’m dismayed. Sometimes embarrassed. Any way you look at it, I don’t feel good.  That feeling stays. 

I recently read a blog that said something along the lines of: “Well as long as the political discussions are civil, it’s okay.  These things can generate a lot of traffic and good discussion.”  That made me smile because while those that spoke up and participated might have thought it was all okay and everyone left feeling good, I could have told him–that wasn’t the case.  It may generate traffic–but it might also be diminishing traffic.  Trust me on this.

Put in probably the last row of onions.  I plant them a few weeks apart so that I don’t have all the onions ready at one time.  I usually get between 30 and 50 onions total, not counting the green onions.  I love green onions and plan on planting them all winter if they cooperate.  

The lettuce finally came up.  I tried to plant two sets, one week apart–looks like only the last batch came up (sprinkling the area with coffee grounds did seem to keep the ants away long enough for the seeds to germinate and get started.) 

Junior decided that one end of the garden that I just tilled was a litter box.  ARGH.  This type of thing isn’t usually a problem with cats once they stay around long enough–they don’t want their yard smelly, so they go elsewhere and then come back.  He’s still small enough that he doesn’t wander very far away to do his thing.  Thankfully he picked an area not in use by the plants.  Let’s hope it stays that way…

Books:

I finished John Levitt’s New Trick–the review will be posted at www.BookSpotCentral in about two weeks.  Sneak preview?  This book was fabulous!  It’s going to be the book of the month, easily.  It’s going to make best reads of 2008, easily. 

Finished and reviewed Mark Van Name’s Slanted Jack over at BookspotCentral.

Finished and reviewed Joshua Palmatier’s The Skewed Throne over at bookspotcentral.

Finally–it was a good reading month.  The first 6 months I think I read 3 books total that I enjoyed.  The second half of the year, I’ve found several new authors that I really, really like!

I’ve been playing with recipes for Alfredo Sauce for years. I found one that I liked in the cold section of my grocery and relied on that until recently when the price went way up and they slashed the size of the container. So this is my recipe so far. Subject to change. And it may be a bit hard to follow because the measurements are somewhat inexact at this time. Boil the noodles and have them ready before you begin the sauce. If you want grilled chicken in the dish, grill and dice it ahead of time. Mushrooms should always be cooked ahead of time, separate from the sauce. If you add uncooked or slightly cooked mushrooms to alfredo sauce it gets very thin and watery.

Okay, here it is, the almost masterpiece:

1/4 cup butter melted in heavy-duty sauce pan

To the butter add:
2 ounces cream cheese

Stir constantly with a wire wisk while melting the cheese/butter over low heat.

When the cream cheese is melted, it will result in a somewhat thick sauce. Slowly add half and half, about 1/4 cup at a time, up to about 3/4 cup. Continue stirring with the wire wisk as you add. You want the mixture to thin before you add the “real” cheese.

Begin adding shredded parmesan or romano cheese, about 1/8 cup (not packed) at a time. Add and stir with the wisk slowly to give it time to melt into the mixture. I used between 4 and 5 ounces total. If the mixture gets too thick while you’re adding the cheese, add a little half and half (drizzle some in–I’d guess about 1/8th cup) and then more cheese until the consistency is right. You don’t want it too thick–it will thicken as it cools and adheres to the noodles. I like mine just a little thinner/runnier than pancake mix.

The above amount easily serves two people as a main course (with chicken) with plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. If you serve salad and bread, I’d say the above can accommodate four people.

The first few times I made this dish with cream–it results in a thicker sauce that doesn’t reheat as well (tends to separate). The half and half is also marginally better for me.

When the sauce is the consistency you want, toss the noodles and chicken in the dish. Grilled shrimp, crab and/or grilled scallops go very well in this dish also.

It’s Christmas again!!! (Thankfully, not really, although soon enough.) Two beautiful books on tap, signed  by the author Joshua Palmatier:

I’m in the middle of writing my own WIP, but I took a sneak peek at The Skewed Throne…that peek turned into the first 74 pages. Oh, there’s some loose writing in that some of the emotional descriptions go on too long (such as descriptions of hunger) but the plot is *quite* good! I’m enjoying the book and looking forward to getting back to it. So far it’s about a little orphan girl living in the streets. She shows some sort of strange talent to sense and catalogue danger and filter people.  I like that the “Magic” is worked in.  The girl doesn’t waste time pondering whether anyone else can or can’t do what she does; it’s just a part of her survival, like stealing an apple.  I like that her focus is single-minded.  When choices appear it’s all about surviving and the odds involved–not thinking about how she’ll get out of this or that, not a lot of delay.  She shows just enough compasion, but takes into account danger and reality. So far, it’s been a very interesting read.

When I’m done with The Skewed Throne I have….The Cracked Throne, also by Joshua Palmatier!  It’s the second in the series.  The third in the series, The Vacant Throne is available in hardback, but will be available in mass market January 6, 2009 (I always wait for the paperbacks, and it’s very nice to have a series near completion when I get started because I hate waiting for the next book!!)

I love both covers (I have come to expect that from DAW books)–they are really quite excellent! Cover art by Steve Stone in both cases.  My cover of The Cracked Throne in mass market is a little different–it’s like it’s the same picture from a different angle.  I wonder why that is…

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Well, I know I’ve been waiting. Junior finally engaged with us–he played for a good half hour. We were forced to go buy a new cat toy–the one we had is from a previous stray and was pretty worn out. After BMHusband played with Junior, I played with him a little later. He forgets to be wary. We were both able to grab his tail and shake it a bit. I patted him on the butt–he turned right around to try and figure that out!!!! After a great and successful day as this, the cats disappeared for two days. Mom came by briefly, ate a few quick bites and left immediately during the two days. We wondered if Junior was okay, but we just can’t know those things.

Finally this morning, they showed back up on their more regular schedule. Junior played again, but it was pretty half-heartedly. I grabbed his tail and shook it a few times. We left the back door open. He did come in and out, testing things. He doesn’t roam far, but he did check out a hiding place under a chair (not safe if we were to sit down) and behind the couch.

This means that we’re going to have to nab him and get him some flea drops delivered. Luckily, I think we’re close to that point, at least with the little guy. Mom, well, she took a very half-hearted swing at the toy once or twice. She still keeps her distance and her guard up. We’ve a lot more work to do there.

I’d like to say I’m encouraged, but I fret a LOT about whether they have worms, whether we can get a vet to fix them on the cat’s schedule (meaning, will they take them with a last minute call when we have the cats in hand–most vets want to examine the cat, give them shots AND THEN spay/neuter them on a different visit. With strays, we’ll be lucky to catch them once. ) So I’m working on a lot of angles. I did order some flea stuff that will also deworm them. We thought we had mom dewormed, but it’s been a while now so it would be great make sure that is under control!

Now and then I post cool technology stuff over at BearMountainBull and I decided to cross-post here. I love Bond-type gadgets, new inventions, clever discoveries. Some of these things are more useful in real life than others, of course. This one…well, I wouldn’t mind it in place of say, a motorcycle. I’m not sure I’d want to drive 800 miles across Texas (where the speed limit is 85 in some places!). But to get groceries or a short commute–it would work. In Austin, it would even work for a long commute, because the traffic in the morning rarely moves faster than about 30 miles an hour anyway.

I’m a great believer in technology solving our problems–even as they sometimes create new ones, in the search for answers, or the goal to better ourselves and our condition, inventions are the way to go!!!

I don’t talk about writing much.  Can there be a less exciting subject?  Describing the process takes real talent:  I type words.  I edit them.  I type some more. The hardest part about writing is often keeping my butt in the chair and typing more words. There are more interesting things to do. Like eat–especially eat. If I’m having a real procrastination day, I’ll even clean to avoid working on my writing.

I got to thinking about writing though, when reading Jim Hine’s blog. He’s been working with his editor a lot lately (see the posts before and after the one I linked to for more details.) His posts worry me. They tell me quite clearly that writing doesn’t get any easier. Jim has already had three books published (A series of funny stories about Jig the Goblin; an underdog, if there ever was one.) Jim is working on a new series, something about Princesses that kick ass, take names…and something about mermaids. Some days he mentions how his plot is falling apart. Or he doesn’t know what to write next. Okay, I guess that part didn’t get any easier. It would be nice to believe that by the time you’re writing book 4, your plot is golden. The words just flow. Editing–well, you only have to edit once or twice by that time, right? Instead of 60 times (my current record is somewhere around 900). But then this week he’s been talking about his editor finding mistakes. Making suggestions. Having ideas for improvement or subplots–after he turns it all in.

So…not only is the book not finished when you find an editor…the subsequent books don’t automatically hit their stride and come out perfect. This is bad news. Not surprising really, but still, bad news.

Of course, it’s better than the alternative, some of which we’ve all seen when a book comes out. Rushed, little or no editing…

The first book I wrote took me…well let’s skip to the first book that I wrote that I thought might be publishable. It took me a year to write the first draft. I’ve been editing that same novel every single year since I wrote it. At least once a year. I won’t tell you how many years, but every year I learn something new from the current work in progress. So I go back and take a look at 3 or so of my older works and change things to put in things I’ve learned.

Overall, one of the things that I have learned is to take more time on the first few drafts–makes for less editing later. It now takes me two years to complete a first draft. The other drafts go faster, but there are still a number of other drafts. So instead of the writing process getting faster, it’s actually gotten slower. A lot slower. I just better hope it’s actually getting better. Because from what Jim writes, it isn’t ever going to get any easier.

Little Junior is getting brave. We sat outside while they were eating. It’s the first time they’ve let us go out and sit without running away. Junior wandered over our way. He’d sit and watch and watch. Then he’d SNiiiiff as hard as he could trying to smell us. I thought he was going to collapse a rib, he was sniffing so hard. He finally came under the chair next to me and peeked around the leg. I dangled my fingers (good way to get them clawed, I know). He didn’t run, but he didn’t try to get me either.

We played this “bravery” game for a little while before he decided he had risked enough for one day. He went back to mom. She was calm through the whole episode, just lying on a rock, watching. She pretends nonchalance, but we know we are being watched. 

We’re really hoping that once Junior gets used to us, mom will too.  But she’s a Scamp.  It could take a while.

I’ve been planting lettuce and onions lately, but it’s been impossible to keep the ants from carting the seeds away. It’s that time of year when they are dragging everything into their storage bins to make it through the very short winter. I can’t bait because it’s a garden for crying out loud and I don’t want to end up eating that poison.

My latest trick is to cover the seeds with a light dusting of coffee grounds. I have noticed that ants and bugs don’t like coffee grounds. I do not know why. Maybe they can’t smell seeds when the coffee grounds are around. Maybe coffee grounds get in their joints and annoy them. Maybe they are just under the coffee grounds and I don’t know it. So we’ll see if this latest plan hatches, er, germinates. This will be my third try, but not my last. I’m pretty stubborn when it comes to gardening.

I should have some more pictures of the kitties soon. They’ve been posing and playing a little closer to the house lately. I called our old vet…they aren’t really that excited about possibly fixing a pair of feral cats. Imagine that. They referred me to our local Emancipet service…which is supposed to be an inexpensive service for spaying and neutering (it still runs about 50 per cat). The biggest problem is that it’s a mobile unit. You have to bring said animal to them on a certain day of the month between the hours of 8 and 8:30. Yeah, pretty easy to capture cats on that tight of a schedule. We tried it with the last cat we were trying to “help.” Let’s just say we didn’t stand a chance in hell of making the appointment.

This weekend there was a coin show in town. I’ve only been to one other coin show, but they are a lot of fun and don’t take up much time, especially in Austin–the shows aren’t very big. Larger ones can be had in the Dallas and Houston area or other major cities.

These days there’s a lot of interest in old coins–not just for their age and collectibility but because of their silver content (dimes, quarters, halves and dollars pre-1964) or gold content (eagles and double eagles, etc.) Then there’s the bullion coins from all the different mints around the world. The picture is of the American Eagle–from the US mint, of course. These bullion coins are most often minted in one ounce sizes–meaning, that despite whatever face value is assigned, their value tracks the price of silver or gold. In these economic times, an ounce of silver is fluctuating like a kite in a windstorm, but the bullion coins weren’t down much at the show (for example, silver closed at about 10.15 an ounce on Friday, but the silver bullion Eagles were 18 dollars an ounce at the cheapest.)

There’s some beautiful coins to see (or buy) at the show including Roman coins, foreign coins, bullion from all over the world–just a neat thing to walk through. It didn’t hurt my feelings any that I won a 20 dollar door prize either!!! Some of the prettiest bullion coins (IMO) come from Australia–the Perth Mint puts out a koala collection (just started in the last couple of years), the national bird, the kookaburra collection; the Chinese lunar calendar collection–there are some stunning designs in this collection; and the kangaroo collection (gold). China has a panda collection that has some gorgeous designs in both silver and gold, Canada has the maple leaf and a few wildlife coins and so on. It’s always interesting to see the coins and the prices. The older US coins (ones that used to be circulated) offer some interesting history and a lot of the old guys selling these things tell stories and oh, you can get stuck for a time when they get talking!

All in all, it was a lot of fun. We went out to our favorite Mexican restaurant afterwards. Not a bad way to spend the weekend!

I’m not much for games. Or rules. Or following directions (there’s three things about me–does that count towards this game?)

Anyway, I was tagged by Enchante for the following:

First, the random rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on the blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post. I don’t like this rule.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged. I don’t like this rule.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I like to change rules.

2. I often change birthdays to a better day (move it to a weekend so that I have ALL day to be spoiled. Have it span an entire week. Whatever it takes. ).

3. I always move Valentine’s to a date when no one else will be going out to dinner. Roses are cheaper too, especially just after Valentines. Flower bulb plants are a steal.

4. I have tried for a few years to move Christmas by visiting my parents/brothers on off-days. This drives my little brother batty. He insists that holidays cannot be moved. Bah! It’s cheaper to fly two weeks before Christmas or two weeks after.

5. I am told that you can’t plant tomatoes (or other plants) before about April in Texas. I plant them in February. Sure, sometimes they freeze. Mostly they don’t. Mostly I have to cover them a couple of times, but hey, I can work with that!

6. I have heard that it’s impossible to get a novel published. Okay, this one is probably true. But it doesn’t stop me from writing. And submitting. I’m stubborn that way.

Rules are Random.

The orginal plan was to get a cat tree and put it out under the eaves. Have you seen what cat trees cost??? We are still considering making our own. I’ve seen several plans that I like. The trouble? Well, who is to say that Scamp and Junior will give one whit about a cat tree? They live outdoors. They have a lot of trees to choose from.

The idea is to give them a shelter than they will use so that they stay in the yard longer, get used to us and so on. I’m still looking for a cheap cat tree on craigslist or at a garage sale, but in the meantime, we built them a temporary castle. Junior likes to play around the side of the house in the cinder blocks that are holding up my rain barrels. I decided to put the extra cinder blocks to use.

So far, he seems to like the idea. I’ve seen him shoot in there like a little bullet when I come out with the food. The other night, an opossum showed up to steal his food. I turned on the porch light (hoping to scare the opossum–no such luck. Damn thing didn’t even look up.) Junior was peering out from one of the concrete block tunnels, watching the affair unfold. He was no help at all in chasing off the rat with a tail.

I’ve seen Scamp chase little Junior into the castle when they were playing.  She also sent him there one time when I came out with food (she hisses and distracts me while he makes a break for it.  — Never mind he has to cross right in front of me to get to the castle; cats aren’t very good with minor details.)

We’ll see how it goes. I’d like to figure out a solution before it gets cold. Yes, I realize this is for my own peace of mind. The cats don’t actually care. I’d also like to get the both of them to the vet…yesterday, but they really don’t care for that idea.

I’ve finished up a round of manuscript editing, which means…a round of reading!  I’ve got a couple of books that I need to review for www.Bookspotcentral.com– one of which is a total coup.  Out from under the greedy hands of my colleagues, I am the proud holder of the ARC for New Tricks by John Levitt.  *VERY Happy jumping about*  I loved the first book in the series, Dog Days.  If you haven’t read it yet, go find it–you will love it! New Tricks is out in November. I am soooo looking forward to this book!!!

The other book is one I waited for anxiously.  There was one other person at BookspotCentral that wanted it for its cover–and one that would have snatched it except for the wonderful fact that he hadn’t yet read the first in the series, One Jump Ahead.  Yes, I have obtained Mark Van Name’s Slanted Jack!!!!  Yippee!!!! 

I’ve had these books for a week and have had to lock them away so that I could get work done.  Truth is, I have taken a peek at both, and they are going to be soooo good.  I just love that happy anticipation when an author I like comes out with another gem.   It’s better than Christmas because the gems are all for me, and I don’t have to go shopping, wrap anything or decorate!!!

I also have the series, The Dragon Quartet by Marjorie B. Kellogg.  There are four books in this fantasy series–dragons and castles on the covers, a fabulous thing.  I started the first in the series.  Truthfully, it was a bit slow out the gate, with a lot more detail than I generally like, but I checked with one of the reviewers over at bookspotcentral–MattD assures me that the books are fabulous.  He’s quite jealous that I have book four already and he didn’t even know it was out yet!

It’s that time of year, isn’t it? I’ll be reading along on my favorite blogs and wham! There it is. A political slam, sometimes an entire thesis, sometimes an article riddled with a minefield of political shots. I don’t really understand why blogs that aren’t generally about political rants turn into them this time of year. Sure, there’s about to be an election. Sure, everyone has an opinion and is entitled to it (and to vote for whomever they want. Or not vote. Or whatever.)

What I don’t get is why ordinary, friendly people…have to insert ugly politics into otherwise readable, friendly blogs. It’s not so bad when the blogger just says, “I’m voting for x because I love…whatever.” It’s the cheap shots. Instead of raving about who they love…they love to rave about who they hate. Oh, I hear the excuses: “I’m blogging for what I believe in. I’m helping my candidate. I’m all-American…” Except…it’s one thing to be an advocate for someone or something, it’s another thing to rag on the “other” side, to tear down the person, their viewpoint, their sentences, their beliefs.

It bugs me whether the rant is about a person I’m voting for or not because it’s just plain bad manners. It makes the person ranting look worse than the political candidate and that’s quite often hard to do. It alienates me as a reader if I don’t happen to agree with the viewpoint of the blogger, leaving me feeling unwelcome at a particular blog.

People rarely discuss politics over dinner with neighbors or friends for a good reason. I think that reason is because when you’re socializing you respect that those sitting at the table with you might not share your opinion. You’re careful to respect that and not be insulting. Again, it’s one thing to say, “Oh I love x and I’m voting for them.” It’s quite another to slam a candidate throughout a meal.

Politics are particularly unflattering on professional blogs–writing blogs, author’s blogs, soap blogs, cooking blogs–blogs that are trying to either sell a person or a product. I really don’t care who anyone votes for and this includes authors.  I promise you–I don’t want to know.  Knowing is not going to influence my vote.  It’s great that you vote. But I generally am not looking for political opinions when I read blogs that cover authors, fiction, books, daily topics, and entertaining rabbit trails.

Like anything else, there’s a time and place for politics. I don’t mind political discussions on financial sites when a financial policy is being discussed. That means an actual bill or policy–not a particular candidate and how he or she wore her hair that day. If someone wants to discuss an environmental policy that passed or didn’t and how it affects salmon fishing, that’s great. Just try not to turn it into hate-mongering against the people that may have voted for or against it. Talk about the good, bad and ugly–but preferably concerning the fish, not the people.  Keep in mind, everyone is entitled to vote, even politicians.

I don’t mind political articles on yahoo news. It is the news and I can read the headlines and determine whether I want to read the article or not. There’s sites galore and forums where people go when they want to have an open-minded (or not so open-minded) discussion about politics. But when I’m wandering through blogs, I really hate it when the snideness starts. It’s no different than any other bashing. It’s ugly and only those that happen to agree with the viewpoint will feel welcome. The rest of us have to leave.

Okay, okay.  I’m leaving now.  Rant over. 

WrongWorld has its Halloween Short Story collection available for purchase. 24 spooky stories for 99 cents via PDF file! The DVD delivered to your home is 2.99. I ordered a DVD to try it out. The DVD is crafted to be shown on your tv or computer. There’s some audio–introductions to the stories, blurbs by the author, and the the text is done for ease of reading on screen. I have read the downloaded PDF on my computer screen; I’m not sure how the two will differ, but I’m giving it a try just to see what they are up to. As always, you can listen to the intro for free and also read some of each story to get a feel for what is in the issue. From a pricing standpoint, you can’t beat the number of stories for the low cost!!

Update And get this–I just heard from the editor at WrongWorld–if you order the PDF or the DVD, you can use my name (Maria Schneider) in the “Discount” code box (scroll down to the bottom of the checkout page to find it) and you’ll receive a 10 percent discount! (Okay, the truth is that their products are so cheap anyway a 10 percent discount isn’t going to save the bank…but it beats a kick in the head!)

Here is the link to the FAQs which explains in detail the differences in their various products: FAQ.

Here is a list of all the authors in the collection: (My story “Haunting Clues” is one of the selections –I know you were wondering!)

• Sara Joan Berniker • Mort Castle • Ralan Conley • O’Neil De Noux
• JG Faherty • Bruce Golden • John Grover • Jane Gwaltney
• Brian A. Hopkins • Michael Kelly • Michael Keyton • John Kuhn
• Barton Paul Levenson • Norma Jean Lipert • William Meikle
• Scott Nicholson • Maria E. Schneider • Kristi Petersen Schoonover
• Jacqueline Seewald • Martin R. Soderstrom • J.J. Steinfeld
• Bev Vincent • Kaaron Warren • Donald P. Willard

Some of you may recognize a semi-famous name in there–Ralan Conley. He’s the guy that runs www.Ralan.com the great website that lists every known speculatuve fiction market and a great many other markets as well. I’m really looking forward to reading his story.