A damsel with a dulcimer

   In a vision once I saw:

   It was an Abyssinian maid

   And on her dulcimer she played,

--From Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Weave a circle round me thrice and close your eyes with holy dread, for I have been to Writers Cantina and on Oreos have fed.

Although there was a marked dearth of damsels on dulcimers, this writers' conference did have much in common with the caves of ice--being too cold for comfort most of the time. We've been assured that that will be remedied next time.

I moderated a short story panel and participated on a three others where I had great fun. I know because one of the other panelists told me that I was a lot of fun. Naturally, I had to agree.

I got reacquainted with some friends from previous years and made some new ones, although I didn't get to spend as much time with some as I wanted. Two other important things happened. First, I signed the contract for my adventure book for boys, and we came up with an appropriate title for it. Second, I decided that I will submit a novel for a contest. However, the highlight was when Nick Nethery of Raconteur Press told me how much he liked my wyrd western stories featuring Whip and Truth; he dad really likes those characters. I was not immune to his consultations and let him know that that was the best moment of the conference for me. The first of those stories can be found here.

After signing the contract, I was contacted about information that may be used for publicity when the book is released. As a result, I created several memes. Here are a couple of throwaways:

I may not be the best meme maker. I'm learning.

Back to the conference: It was great, with lots of interesting presentations, panels, and side conversations.

Don't forget, all my books and my short stories that have published so far can be found here.

I was going to relate the comedy of errors that was the hotel I stayed in, but I may save that for the blog.

History Bite: Enough for Porcallo

Let's revisit Hernando De Soto's expedition: In June 1539, Capt. Juan Ruiz Lobillo sent out 40 men on foot. They came on some Indian settlements and captured two women. The Indian men took the matter poorly and nine of them pursued the Spaniards, killing one and wounding others. The Indians were a match for Spaniards on foot. De Soto sent General Vasco Porcallo to a certain town where he heard the Indians were gathering, but when Porcallo arrived, the Indians were all gone. Being a practical man, Porcallo torched the village and then threw the Indian guide to the dogs for having badly led them. Porcallo had another bad experience when his horse slipped and fell on him in a swamp, pinning him beneath the animal in full armor and putting him in danger of drowning. His men extricated him and shortly thereafter, he decided that he had had enough of De Soto's excellent adventure and took the slaves and servants he had brought with him to return to Cuba.

As you can tell, I'm still reading Knights of Spain, Warriors of the Sun. I've also taken a detour into Tarzan the Terrible by ERB. I remember reading it in jr. high or high school. It's a fun romp with the ape man through a prehistoric region. Is he looking for Jane? Yes. Is he having adventures and rescuing others along the way? Yes.

My latest song purchase is "Something" performed by the Beatles and written by George Harrison. It's a very pleasant love song.

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