Name That Blog Contest

I keep getting free books from publicists and authors who want me to review them here at Bitter Water Blog. That's not what this space is all about, so I'm starting a new blog that will feature reviews of crime/mystery novels and anthologies, author interviews, guest posts and other writerly bullshit. But it needs a name. That's where you people come in. If you have a good idea (hell, even a bad idea's better than what I've come up with so far), post your blog title suggestion in the comments section here. I'll choose the winner (by which I mean the one I think sounds coolest) on November 30.

Now don't worry...I wouldn't ask you to wrack your brain without due compensation. The lucky winner will receive a copy of Sam Millar's latest Karl Kane novel, The Dark Place. If you dig Irish noir, you'll love this guy. If you don't dig Irish noir, there's something wrong with you.

Bitter Water Blog will still be the place to come for all my blatant (if sporadic) self-promotion.

Okay now: start thinkin'.

Feero Goes Feral: THE FERAL PAGES is Now Live (Or, A Little BSP for PSB)

The debut issue of Lyman Feero's cross-genre e-zine The Feral Pages is now online and ready to kick you upside the head (in, y'know, a good way). This issue's features include:

"The Cove" by Patrick Shawn Bagley

"A Better Life" by Chris F. Holm

"A Fine and Private Place" by David Dvorkin

"The Devil with Bavarians" by Maren Foley

"Kicking Sand Across the Line: Blurring the Genres" an editorial by Lyman Feero

Poetry Readings

I want to tell you about a couple of exciting poetry readings happening this month.

On October 22, the KGB Bar at 85 East 4th Street in New York will host a reading of work from The Lineup: Poems on Crime from 7 to 9 p.m. Karen Peterson, Gerald So, Jennifer L. Knox, R, Narvaez, Carol Novack and Anthony Rainone are the featured poets. In addition, I've just learned that Anthony will be reading my poem "11o M.P.H. in a Stolen Pickup" (from The Lineup's first issue).

On October 24, The Bangor Public Library (145 Harlow St., Bangor, ME) presents a 350 Poetry Reading: 13 Poets and a Chemist from 12 to 3 p.m. This reading is part of the International Day of Climate Action.

From the press release: "The world has only a very narrow window of opportunity to undertake a dramatic shift towards a low-carbon society and prevent the worst scenarios of scientists from coming true. In anticipation of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen thisDecember, an International Day of Climate Action has been spearheaded by 350.org, the brainchild of environmental writer Bill McKibben. More than a number, 350 signifies the safe upper limit of CO2 in our atmosphere. Join an impressive gathering of Maine poets for readings that reflect their concerns for the environment. The afternoon will be hosted by Kathleen Ellis & will include live jazz, a closing reception, & book sales & signings."

Featured poets include Christian Barter, Henry Braun, Linda Buckmaster, Cheryl Daigle, Kathleen Ellis (with chemist Francois Amarleonore Hildebrandt), Gary Lawless, Kristen Lindquist, Carl Little, Dawn Potter, Candace Stover, Elizabeth Tibbetts and Jeffrey Thomson.

Call for Submissions: The Feral Pages

Lyman Feero is taking submissions for his new cross-genre e-zine, The Feral Pages. The October/November issue goes live on 10/15. Featured stories include Chris F. Holm's wonderfully disturbing "A Better Life" and my own "The Cove." Submission guidelines can be found here. I hope all of you writers and readers will help support what promises to be a unique new venue for short fiction.

What I've Been Doin' Lately

I just submitted a short story called "The Cove" to Lyman Feero for his forthcoming e-zine The Feral Pages. I don't know if my story will make the grade, but I'm interested to see the debut issue of this new cross-genre 'zine. "The Cove" is, of course, just the sort of heart-warming tale you've come to expect from me. Just messin'. Don't panic. It's another down-and-dirty Wesserunsett story.

Jed Ayres is posting a series of narratives about crime songs on the Hardboiled Wonderland blog. He's going to run them over the next few weeks. I wrote a piece about Robert Earl Keen's song "The Road Goes on Forever." When I told my wife about it, she said, "Big surprise there." So maybe I do play that tune a bit too often.

On the novel front, there's bad news and good. The bad news is that Bitter Water Blues hasn't found a publisher. The good news is that Bitter Water Blues hasn't found a publisher.

Huh?

That's right, I'm happy with rejection because it made me take a serious, critical look at the manuscript. Right now, I'm working on a complete rewrite, including the removal of one of the major characters and his entire storyline. Hey, I've told you people before that revision doesn't scare me.

I'm also working on turning some previously-trimmed sections of BWB into a short story. We'll see how that goes...

I Do Miss The Little Buggers, But...

Just as Dawn Potter predicted, my writing output has shot right up since the kids went back to school. I'm working on two new manuscripts (one short, one long), revising an older short story and finishing up a nonfiction piece. It's nice to just put on some tunes and work straight through the morning with no distractions.

Muckle Onto a Free Copy of UNCAGE ME

Want to win a free copy of Uncage Me? Of course you do. Who wouldn't? Well, Terrie Farley Moran has one to give away at the Women of Mystery blog. She also says some nice things about my story, "Welcome to Wal-Mart, Motherfucker." Go on over there for all the details. The entry deadline is this Saturday.