Happenings

Two new items happening in my corner that may be of interest. First up, there's a new BEAT to a PULP webzine short story called "Clean" by Zakariah Johnson. A horrific gem that begins tantalizingly with, "Swish-swish-swish. Swish-swish. Swish-swish-swish ..." I met Zakariah on Twitter and he kindly answered my call for some new BTAP tales.

And then there's my latest article for LitReactor, "In Defense of The Soft Machine's Cut-Up TwistedLandscape." I've taken up the mantle of defending this, most would conclude, indefensible novella by Beat legend William Burroughs. Doubtful I change anyone's mind but I had a lot of fun trying.

Not much, but there you have it. Now I'm heading out for a walk, put some miles on the pedometer. Enjoy yourselves, friends.

The Month That Is

A Blogger friend asked where I've been and that tells me I'm long overdue for a post. 

Well, let's see. Little d bought a pedometer for me to better track my high stepping, and, so far, I'm up to 66.25 miles for January. Not bad, though I'm looking to more than double that number by the end of the month. Been working a day job for a few weeks to enhance the coffers since taxes are due and Amazon keeps taking from our bottom line. Not complaining but it's a reality that hinders other activities. Even with the job, I have managed to make headway on two BEAT to a PULP projects and completed a review for Criminal Element on Scott Adlerberg's Jack Waters. And published a new BTAP webzine story from Keith Rawson.

My reading has slowed down on purpose, looking to savor—quality over quantity and all that. Still working through Ulysses at two pages a day, and besides Jack Waters have finished Thomas Paine: A Political Life by John Keane and James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time. Currently on the nightstand: Joan Didion's South And West.

Biggest news on the writing front: an indie publisher wants to release a collection of my short stories (very thrilling for this kid!) so I'm taking another look at some crime and Western stories that stretch back a decade and looking to add a few more. I need to get all that tidy by June. 

Add in Sudokus, recreational math, Backgammon, and, above all, family time, then you are caught up to date. Peace to you all!