Jean Marie Ward

SynDCon Schedule

As you probably guessed from my silence on the blog-waves, I’m lost in the writing cave again. But I’ll emerge for two days this weekend to participate in the seminars and wonderfulness that is SynDCon, the Washington DC area’s premier gaming convention.
My schedule comprises three panels in the auditorium of the con hotel, the Hilton Conference Center in Rockville, MD. (It really is only steps away from the Twinbrook Metro!)

Saturday, April 2
Noon – 2 p.m.
Getting Published in Fiction
Four crazy writers tell you how they convinced people to pay them for doing what they’d do for free. I suspect there will be some funny rejection stories, too. After all, misery does love company.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail (moderator), Vonnie Winslow Crist, Jean Marie Ward & Diane Whiteside

6 – 8 p.m.
The Literary Handyman Mini-Writer’s Workshop
This is where Dani puts on her editor’s hat and gets to the guts of what makes a good, saleable story, with Vonnie and I sharing our scars–er, learning experiences.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail (moderator), Vonnie Winslow Crist & Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, April 3
Noon – 2 p.m.
Broad Universe Rapid-Fire Reading
Join the women writers of Broad Universe for a selection of small yet tasty bites of fiction. The current plan calls for each of us to read twice. I’m planning a selection from “Personal Demons” (my contribution to Hellebore & Rue) and the first unveiling of a Sooper Sekrit ProjeK, which will not be mentioned in paper or pixies–er, pixels until the anthology table of contents is announced…by somebody else. But I can tell you this: There will be cats. And of course, chocolate. Can’t have an RFR without chocolate!
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Kelly A. Harmon, Jean Marie Ward (moderator) & Diane Whiteside.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Outer Alliance Podcast featuring Hellebore & Rue

The Outer Alliance Podcast featuring HELLEBORE & RUE is now live. Host Julia Rios did a great job of interviewing editor Catherine Lundoff, contributor Lisa Nohealani and me last Sunday. Particularly fascinating are Catherine’s insights into the story selection process and Lisa’s discussion of her wonderful story, "And out of the Strong Came Forth Sweetness". And oh yeah, I talk about and read from "Personal Demons", too.

A peek inside a book restorer’s workshop

Last month I had the chance to visit the workshop of the book restorer working on the 18th century bible on display in the Carlyle House. Since we’re all book lovers here, I thought the results might be interesting, especially since there’s bacon involved. You can read all about it in today’s Samhain Publishing blog. Enjoy!

St. Patrick’s Day Thursday 13

Well, technically, the blog is over at Beyond the Veil, but that won’t stop you from visiting, right? After all, everybody’s Irish today.

Of Anthologies & Podcasts

I knew from reading my co-contributors’ stories, that I lucked out placing “Personal Demons” (aka The Little Story That Could) in Hellebore & Rue. But I didn’t realize all the fascinating stories behind the anthology until I sat in on an interview with Catherine Lundoff and fellow writer Lisa Nohealani Morton this Sunday. Host Julia Rios plans to post the interview this weekend. I’ll share the link as soon as it goes live. In the meantime, I think you’ll enjoy Tracy S. Morris’s interview with Catherine and co-editor JoSelle Vanderhooft.

You’ll also enjoy Tracy’s Tranquility Series which really is The Beverly Hillbillies meets The X-Files, but that’s a different blog entirely.

On the podcasting front, it was my privilege to host the March edition of the Broad Pod, a monthly selection of short readings from the members of Broad Universe. Broad Universe is an international organization dedicated to promoting, celebrating and honoring women writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror. March is Women’s History Month. In honor of the occasion, the selections of this month’s five featured authors focus on the many aspects of Woman Power:

- Charged with treason, Gail Z. Martin’s pregnant queen Kiera must wage a war of words to save herself, her friends and her unborn child.

- In Larissa N. Niec’s selection, the goddess Rhianna’s high priestess embarks on a dangerous spirit quest to seek help for her dying land.

- Theresa Crater introduces her heroine—and us—to the legendary Morgan le Fey in the land beneath the hallowed hill.

- Then journey with Diane Whiteside to present-day Virginia, where a psychically gifted homicide detective learns just how powerful a woman working for the FBI can be.

- Finally, soar into the future with Danielle Ackley-McPhail and a squadron of hell-raising women fighter pilots led by the infamous Scarlet Jay.

And this is only the beginning of the week’s entertainments. If I’ve been quiet on the blogosphere of late, it’s only because so much will be happening this week. There will be blogs at Beyond the Veil and Samhain, as well as Julia’s interview for Outer Alliance.

To say nothing of lots of green beer. Cheers!

Author Interview: Clay & Susan Griffith

Deadline madness is a dangerous thing. Caught in its stranglehold, I forgot to post a link to my latest interview at Buzzy Multimedia. Clay and Susan Griffith are the authors of the wonderful novel, The Greyfriar, the first book in their Vampire Empire series. The interview covers the inspirations behind their unique blend of steampunk and vampires, and helps answer the age-old question: How do you write with your spouse without crashing your marriage? Hint: the answer involves caffeine. Lots of caffeine.
A Buzzy Multimedia Author Interview with Clay and Susan Griffith.

Shameless Interview Promotion

Not an interview with me (hey, I heard that sigh of relief!) but the latest in my six-part series of interviews with vampire authors at Buzzy Multimedia. Today’s victim–er, subject is Jeri Smith-Ready, author of the WVMP series about vampire DJs and lots more. You’ll like it. Jeri’s as much fun as her books.
Cheers!

Saturday Six: Snapshots of CapClave 2010

Jeri Smith-Ready (left) and Mindy Klasky sign autographs at CapClave 2010.

I know, I’ve been a bad blogger.  I’ve been lost in the Revision Cave.  But I couldn’t let the month past without a report on CapClave 2010.  It’s all here. Enjoy!

Smiley’s Song

(To the tune of “The Volga Boatman”)

I’m a sad spy. (Uh.)

Such a sad spy. (Uh.)

I’m a gloomy twisted mother,

Fated to betray my brother.

I’m a sad spy. (Uh.)

Such a sad spy. (Uh.)

#

Blame Greg. He was the one watching a spy movie when I woke up this a.m.
Happy voting!

New reads on the “And Stuff” page

Just in time for Halloween, I’ve updated the JeanMarieWard.com “And Stuff” page with links to two real life ghost stories:

“Everyday Haunts” — You think you know your neighborhood? Maybe it’s time to talk to the resident ghosts. (And check out the great cover J.C. Wilder found for the story. Is that a great door to mystery or what?)

“Real Weird” — More spooky stories from the most ordinary house on the block.

Happy haunting! And don’t forget, I’ll be signing Dragon’s Lure and Fantasy Art Templates at Tea With the Authors at Constellation Books in Reisterstown, Maryland, from 3-5 p.m., Saturday, October 30. Looking forward to seeing you there.