A Kind of Announcement

This is a cross-post that originally appeared on my website and my LiveJournal.

So I mentioned in several tweets that I was writing a 'very cool story'. I can tell you now that it's a new series for Actionopolis but there's an official announcement coming later on as to the title and content of my work so we'll keep that under wraps for now. Here is a press release that was picked up by a lot of folks, including Publisher's Weekly.

I'm REALLY excited to be doing this. I'll continue keeping you updated on my progress at Twitter. I can tell you that I've made several rookie mistakes that the editor is guiding me through. The first batch of notes stung a little, but once I got over it (about ten minutes later) I started learning and made my writing BETTER. With each batch of notes I learn more about structure, about plotting and about tension.

So, even though for a year I put a story each month up at my website for you to enjoy and haven't put anything up for a while now, I've been busy and you'll get to see the fruits of it in (I hope!) not too long a while. Stay tuned for more.

Stop Bullying - You Can Help

I know this sounds a little too Sally Struthers, but there's a worthwhile program that's in the running for $50K worth of funding from Pepsi that would run in Lawrence. You can vote every day between now and the end of July, though it requires a registration at the site. I haven't gotten one email from them, so I think it's altruistic message is really true.

Anyway, all it costs is a couple of minutes to click and register and it's a worthy program. Help if you can. Bullying is a rotten thing and these kids want to do something about it.

Here's the link: http://www.refresheverything.com/fyipeereducation

Esquire Fiction Contest

Well it's over and I didn't win, as I expected.

What did I get out of it? A four thousand word story I wouldn't have written otherwise. Not a bad thing to have, and certainly a cool exercise.

I'm disappointed, to be sure, but not so much I wouldn't do it again. What I'll do now is pick that story up after I finish NaNoWriMo and seriously edit it in December, then see about submitting it elsewhere, perhaps to Ellery Queen or Alfred Hitchcock or somewhere else.

Why not?

I'll put the submitted version in my next 'zine for your perusal, but I recommend you do check out the winning story here.


Was this misleading?

Prizes and Approximate Retail Values: One (1) Winner will receive $2500.00 and have his or her entry published in a future issue of Esquire (ARV: Priceless). Total Approximate Retail Value: $2500.00. Winner will be notified via phone, e-mail or postal mail, at Sponsor's discretion, on or about December 31, 2009. Winner's List: For winner's name, send a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to Esquire Fiction. 300 West 57th Street. 21st floor. New York, NY 10019 by January 31, 2010.

I'm not complaining, but I didn't expect the winning story to be published in mid-October after an August 1 deadline. Seems like they might've decided on September 1, actually.

I applaud the winner who got the $2500 and the publishing credit. Me? I got a story I wouldn't have written otherwise.

Teller is halfway through

So Teller part 3 (of 4) posts just after midnight tonight, central time at www.jasonarnett.com. It's a pretty well-revised version that you might've read in Pulp Legacy, and if you haven't read it you can still catch parts one and two on the site. Do me a favor and tell your friends?

Xpostfacto

Actual content on what I think of the social media phenomenon that is Twitter.

More on my plans

A bit about the stories I'm writing (which I am sharing in PL) and what I hope happens with them.

Happy New Year

Neil Gaiman says it best:

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't to forget make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

Here's my resolution for the year:

Frame managed environments towards sustainable futures.

And it can be explained if you click through to Chateau Ajasont today. If you're reading this later than January 1st, then here's the direct link to the post.

Hope you all had a great 2007, and are looking forward to 2008 as much as I am. I'm glad to know you all.

All the Cool Kids are doing it

So won't you please click here to visit my mini city, Ajasontville?

I got this from my livejournal friend Jens Altmann whose minicity is here (and please click to visit his city, too!) and he got it from some other LJers... you know how these crazy internet things go.

Anyway, please just click through and help me build a bit of population. Then visit every once in a while to see how it's going.

Meme

Your results:
You are Magneto

Magneto 77% Dr. Doom 73% Lex Luthor 73% Kingpin 70% Apocalypse 70% Juggernaut 69% The Joker 66% Venom 58% Mr. Freeze 57% Riddler 56% Poison Ivy 52% Dark Phoenix 51% Green Goblin 49% Catwoman 46% Mystique 37% Two-Face 21%

You fear the persecution of those that are different or underprivileged so much that you are willing to fight and hurt others for your cause.

Click here to take the Super Villain Personality Test


And you are ---?

Tentative Toe in the Water

Here's a teaser for the latest thing I'm working on:



(I think the sound is better on this one, to be sure...)

You vets of PL may recognize the title, and if you do, great, you already know part of what's coming. If not, you'll find out soon. I'm combining so many styles of delivery and influences, it's not even funny.

Last night I began inking the illustrations, and will paint or color them over the coming week. This video will only be up for a couple of days, so if you miss it, sorry. Be advised the next version of it will be up before T-day, I think.