This year has been one long and rough run around here. Between family and life in general, spare time to actually sit down and punch anything of significance out has been lacking.
But, here we are. Sunday morning with a good cup of joe, getting an easy start to the day.
For those who hadn’t seen my other posts on Facebook, we’ve been helping to care for my Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law since the beginning of this year. Between her Multiple sclerosis attacks and his Chemotherapy treatments, it has kept us on our toes around here.
I will say that Meg, (the beloved Word Witch for Three Ravens Publishing), has went above and beyond the last few months helping to run them to appointments, visit each other in the hospital and helping them to take care of bills, paperwork, etc. And helping the sister-in-law with everything, from hospice paperwork to funeral arrangements for my brother-in-law and getting things arranged to move her back to Ohio
She’s been one hell of a superwoman through the whole thing.
I’m blessed and proud to have one hell of a shield maiden by my side.
Just a bit more left to pack and sort before we move the sister-in-law back north and we can get ourselves a little breather.
But anyone who’s been wondering why there hasn’t been more word count out of me or more new stuff coming out of Three Ravens in the last few months, this would be the reason. Life get’s busy sometimes.
Now, on to some regular stuff.
A quick run Around the house
The household critters are as spoiled as ever.
Our small flock tasty butt nugget factories at Fort Cocks has unfortunately been reduced to Pip and three hens. That major heat wave this year took out three of our main laying hens.
Even though the garden is an absolute neglected disaster, we are still managing to get a bit of produce.
DragonCon Bound!
Yup, you read that right. next weekend, I’ll be attending DragonCon in Atlanta for the first time. And, instead of just going to go, I’ll be there as an Attending Pro, working a few panels and otherwise just hanging out getting to know some new folks.
Anyone interested in catching me on a panel, my schedule is below, otherwise I’ll be hanging out at the Westin bar after hours.
| Title: Anthologies Everywhere! |
| Time: Fri 10:00 amLocation: Embassy AB Hyatt (Length:1 Hour) |
| Description: A lot of anthologies have been popping up these days. We discuss the allure. |
| Panelists: William Joseph Roberts(M), James Palmer, Christopher Ruocchio, David Afsharirad, Anne Sowards |
| Title: Military SF: Portraying Accurate Military in SF |
| Time: Fri 01:00 pmLocation: Embassy AB Hyatt (Length:1 Hour) |
| Description: Military SF is a integral part of the sf landscape these days. How accurate is the portrayal of the military in these books? What changes, if any, get made and why? |
| Panelists: Marc Edelheit, Jack Campbell, Kacey Ezell, Kevin Ikenberry(M), William Joseph Roberts, David Afsharirad |
| Title: Blasters and Blades Podcast Goes Fantasy Fan Favorites Talk Books |
| Time: Fri 05:30 pmLocation: Embassy CD Hyatt (Length:1 Hour) |
| Description: Blaster and Blades Podcast fan favorites team up to talk about what they are reading and why you should check out these books too! |
| Panelists: William Joseph Roberts, Katie Cross, Small, Cisca(M), Jay Boyce, Gini Koch |
| Title: Vikings: Valhalla Fan Panel: Fact vs. Fiction (Leif Ericsson had a SISTER?!) |
| Time: Fri 07:00 pmLocation: Macon Sheraton (Length:1 Hour) |
| Description: How much of the story of Erik The Red’s son and daughter was fact and how much was fiction? Did you know Leif Ericsson had a sister? Come listen to some academic and fan experts debate what was fictional license vs historical fact. |
| Panelists: KD Williams, Heather Kravagna, William Joseph Roberts, Philip Greco(M) |
| Title: Fantasy Gather: Welcome Home |
| Time: Fri 08:00 pmLocation: Hanover C-E Hyatt (Length:5.5 Hours) |
| Description: The best Gathering around of authors and fans! Who knows what surprises and treasures are to be found. We have more authors than the app will allow us to list, so you will be sure to find some great books to take home with your amazing Con stories. 8pm -Midnight |
| Panelists: Gini Koch, John G. Hartness, Hank Schwaeble, Charles E. Gannon, Milton Davis, William Joseph Roberts, Cisca Small(M), Philip Ligon, Quincy J Allen, Marc Edelheit, Clay Griffith |
| Title: Just Getting Started? Here’s a Boost for You |
| Time: Sun 08:30 pmLocation: Embassy EF Hyatt (Length:1 Hour) |
| Description: Beginning writers make all kinds of mistakes. These panelists have been there. Let them explain the pitfalls that will hold you back. |
| Panelists: Vanessa Guinta(M), D.B. Jackson, Tamsin L. Silver, Stephanie Mirro, William Joseph Roberts, Michael R. Miller |
| Title: Classic Sci-Fi Roll-A-Panel: Movies of 1982 and 1987 |
| Time: Mon 10:00 amLocation: M103-M105 Marriott (Length:1 Hour) |
| Description: Too many classic sci-fi movies is the problem. Roll-A-Panel is the solution. At this crowd participation panel, the audience decides the topic by rolling a giant d20. |
| Panelists: William Joseph Roberts, Gary Mitchel, John Hudgens, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Stuart Jaffe, Bill Mulligan |
| Title: Battle of the Fictional Bands: This One Goes to 11 |
| Time: Mon 11:30 amLocation: M103-M105 Marriott (Length:1 Hour) |
| Description: Be part of the discerning audience of music connoisseurs who decides the winners in a tantalizing tournament of bands from Josie and the Pussycats to Spinal Tap. |
| Panelists: John G. Hartness, Michael Falkner, Chris Cummins, ToniAnn Marini, William Joseph Roberts |
Side gigs related to writing
Anyone that saw my posts yesterday evening might have caught a glimpse of myself and Philip Booker recording our parts for the upcoming audio book for the Corner Scribblers “Children of the Corner” Halloween special.
And on the book side of things.
The audio is live for my Post Apocalyptic novel, Wildcat: Foreclosure of a dream though Podium Audio.
And for the native German speakers out there who love science fiction and the 80’s, you’re going to love the German version of Smuggler’s Run that is climbing up the new release charts.
Now, as for the writing side, expect to see a few new short stories coming out in a number of anthologies over the next couple of months, including a new Braxton story in “It Came from the Trailer Park” Vol2.
Beyond that, I’m working on my next JTF-13 novel, “Black Toothed Grin”, which will be a modern take on the Widowmakers squad as well as putting down notes for the first Draven Novel, “The Ravens of Power”
Other than that, it’s back to the grind. Now that things will soon be returning to something a bit slower and not as time consuming, things should pick up on the word count front and I’ll have time for more regular updates.
Until then, y’all take it east. Keep your heads up and your pens sharp!
~William Joseph Roberts
I’m very sorry for your loss, William. My sincere condolences. You both have been brave and strong. Thank you.
I love the photos you always post. The apples and figs, the flowers, they look gorgeous. I miss our orchard and gardens at the huge house we had in the mountains, 25km only from Barcelona city but you didn’t notice the nearness, every time I see your lovely photos. Our neighbours had chickens, one even had lambs and goats! I only had 4 dogs, a cat and a very talkative parrot. Lol.
I have Chronicles of The World of Guilt downloaded through KU, hope to read it soon.😄
Thank you, William. Loving hugs for all at home. Stay blessed.
Love and Light.
Meenaz. 🧡🌟🙏
Love and light to you. I hope you enjoy Guilt.