Update on the writing group.

So the group leader of the writing group I joined a few Blogger posts ago, stepped down as leader. We hadn't any meetings in a few months, so I wasn't surprised. Several members (including myself) were sent e-mails to step up as the new leader. I would love to do it, but I would have to pay $15 / month to upgrade my membership. I just can't do that right with all of my other expenses. Time is also a bit of an issue, but since I'm currently teaching college writing courses, I could actually put this on my Curriculum Vitae (which I'm about to update, as a matter of fact).

So anyway, today I received a message from another member offering to step up as group leader, but she has transportation trouble and wants to hold them near her home in Norfolk. So I'll work with that, and replied and said I would try to show up for the group meetings if she held them on Friday afternoons. We'll see how this works out.

In the meantime, here's a picture of me coming out of the grave at a previous year's Monster Fest.

Monster Fest past

Monster Fest has come and gone. I had a great time and made only one purchase, a Bride of Frankenstein action figure. I saw a King Kong action figure I was interested in, but when I returned to purchase it was already gone. Such is the way things work out for collectors. It was only $5 too. It had very few points of articulation though, but I still liked the way it looked.

Mr. Lobo returned to Monster Fest this year. That's me with Mr. Lobo in the picture above, although that picture is from a few Monster Fests ago. I'll try and get a few current Monster Fest pics up soon.

Anyway, I did a presentation on Ed Wood, and that went pretty well. You can read more about this whole event when I write a complete story about it in Wormwood Chronicles. Their website is here.

Oh yes, and I got three short stories published! Whoo hoo! Before anyone gets too congratulatory, it is self published. At some point I'll post my opinions on the whole self-publishing vs. traditional publishing thing. If anyone it is an anthology of several science fiction and horror short stories from a variety of authors, and it can be purchased here.

That's all for now. If you like what you see here, please friend me here on Google+. I promise I won't bite, unless you're into that sort of thing. 😈

Monster Fest

Now that I finally got around to posting about Fantasci, it's time for Monster Fest already! This year, I will be presenting a paper I once wrote about Ed Wood, titled "Your Stupid, Stupid Minds." It should be a lot of fun. I spent all last night watching Ed Wood films in preparation to refresh my memory on those films. The paper takes somewhat of a scholarly look at Ed Wood's life and career. It is very timely with transgender issues being all over the news these days. Ed Wood was not transgender, but he was sympathetic to their rights.

I come on right after Dillzilla is large main room. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. If you live in the Chesapeake, Virginia area feel free to come join us, not just to see me, but to see the whole spectacle of Monster Fest. Many horror hosts will be on hand, including Dr. Madblood, Mr. Lobo, and Karlos Borloff. Here's the link, and be sure to check out the schedule. Wish me luck.

Monster Fest