Sunday, June 5, 2011

Busy Week Part 2

I’m working on two different anthos in various stages of completion. The first I’m co-editing with two masters who have been kind enough to involve me and allow BEAT to a PULP to publish it. We’re looking to have it completed by Bouchercon. John Hornor Jacobs has done an excellent cover and the writing talent involved is tremendous. The other collection is ROUND TWO which will be appearing much later in the year. I'm excited that many fine authors like Vin Packer, Vicki Hendricks, Dave Zeltserman, and Bill Pronzini, to name a few, are contributing top stories. Matthew P. Mayo is co-editing this beast and James O'Barr is once again providing the art.

ADVENTURES OF CASH LARAMIE AND GIDEON MILES eBook will be arriving next week. Little d and I are formatting and adding illustrations. Chris F. Holm provides the foreword to this seven-story collection featuring two new tales.

Which brings me to my part in Naomi Johnson's Watery Grave Invitational. I have had two weeks to begin, write, and polish a short story which has been a hard but rewarding experience for me. Hard because I don’t write and complete stories in that kind of time. Rewarding because a tale called "Reflections in a Glass of Maryland Rye" sprang from Ms. Johnson's invite. The story is only about 1200 words and continues to follow Cash Laramie down the path he's forging for himself, adding a nice wrinkle to the proceedings. BUT, I couldn't complete the story in time. Well, I could have but it would not have met with my final approval. I felt as low as a snake's belly writing to Naomi yesterday but she graciously allowed me to bow out. I've promised her the finished story for THE DROWNING MACHINE when I'm done. Naomi is a sweetheart and I hope everyone supports the contest.

12 comments:

Paul D Brazill said...

I JUST made it, with my WGI story!

Evan Lewis said...

Lots of good news here, including that fact that still another Cash Laramie story is in the works.

David Cranmer said...

I rally wish I could have, Paul. But I will sit back and enjoy the others.

Cash just won't go away, Evan. Maybe he needs to.

Chris Rhatigan said...

Wow, you're one busy guy! Too bad about the WGI story. That is a very tight turnaround.

Mike Wilkerson said...

Commendable, David. Very much so. You were able to look at your work and say "it's just not ready." Not too many people can critique themselves like that.

And you are right- Naomi is a sweetheart!

David Cranmer said...

Chris, I'm bummed about WGI but will get that story to Naomi. Scout's honor.

Mike, Thank you. Sometimes I really wish I could speed up the process.

Chris said...

David, thought your story was well underway; disappointed you pulled the plug. But hey, if you aren't happy with it then that is what matters, so I'm behind you 100%. Looking forward to reading it when you are satisfied!

Naomi Johnson said...

Two weeks is a tough time crunch, for sure. And between a beautiful daughter and full workload, David's schedule is way more than I could handle! A good story, like the best wine, is worth the wait, every time.

Sabrina E. Ogden said...

You've got lots of great news in this post.

You've been on twitter for an entire week and I know just from reading your tweets that you have plenty on your daily "to do" list. I look forward to reading your story when it's completed.

David Cranmer said...

And thanks for taking an early look, Chris. But each time I go back another aspect pops up or goes wrong. The story is there but just needs some caressing.

You're the best, Naomi. And Cash's "Reflections in a Glass of Maryland Rye" will be at TDM.

Thanks, Sabrina. And Twitter is loads of fun. I'm having a blast seeing the larger writing community.

Charles Gramlich said...

I wish I could write faster myself. I just take so damn long to get anything done it seems.

David Cranmer said...

But when you deliver its good, Charles.