Yesterday I calculated and completed my annual tax filings (and got them in the mail today). And though, like everyone else, I’m disappointed by the result, there’s something appealing about doing my taxes. It’s a feeling I get three days a year: royalty calculation day in January, tax day in April, and royalty calculation day in July. In general, I’m a words person: writing, editing, designing, publishing… but those three days a year, I’m a numbers person. And though I don’t have any desire to become a full-time accountant, I do enjoy those days of playing with numbers: lining them up, combining them, seeing how the results come out as they should. And—at least for royalties—it’s always gratifying to be able to pay all the authors, artists, and editors on time and still see that the company is solvent and growing (however slowly). Now, back to the letters.

I’ve been a little busy this week, so I’m a bit late mentioning that this weekend is another convention weekend. I’ll be at Heliosphere April 5th to 7th. As usual, I’ll be spending most of my time in the dealers’ room (open Friday from 4 to 8pm, Saturday from 11am to 6pm, and Sunday from 11am to 3pm). I’ve also got three panels (well, two panels and one other thing):

Friday, 3:30-4:45pm in Ballroom 5: “What would immortals care about?” with April Grey, Lorraine Schein, and Hildy Silverman.

Saturday, 9:00-10:00pm in Ballroom 6: Books N Brews (akin to a typical convention’s kaffeeklatsch)

Sunday, 10:00-11:15am in Ballroom 4: “Useless Superpowers” with Charlie Boatner, Christopher Burke, Andre Lieven, and Gordon Linzner.

Hope to see a bunch of you up in Tarrytown!

It’s an embarrassment of… well, not exactly “riches,” but…

I just signed and returned a contract for another short-short story. This time, to the British science journal Nature, for their one-piece-of-fiction per issue “Futures” section. The story is called “It’s all my fault, or, the beanstalk sucks,” and I’m thrilled to have stories in inventory at two separate magazines at the same time!

Now I have to find some time to write some more….

There comes a time, some indeterminate length of time, after my last contracted story appears in print, when I start to feel like a fraud if I say “I’m a writer.” It’s a cross between guilt over not having written more, and envy of those who do write and sell regularly (though I know I’m working hard as an editor and publisher; can’t do everything at the same time).

I don’t imagine many of my writer friends can relate to this, because they all seem to be writing far more frequently, with far greater productivity, than I. (A lot of what would be my writing time is spent editing and publishing the works of others. Nevertheless…)

However, I don’t have that feeling today! I signed and returned a contract to Analog for my newest appearance in that magazine. If my count is correct, it will be my 12th story and 15th paid appearance in that venerable bastion of science fiction. It’s another of my short-shorts—titled “Bulkheads Make the Best Neighbors”—so nothing deep or involved (so I’m not going to tell you about it, because that would take longer than just reading the whole thing when it appears).

Don’t yet know which issue it will be in, but until it does, I’m once again an active, professional writer… and it feels good!

#analogsf #shortfiction #amwriting

The Kickstarter campaign has been a success, and just ended, fully funding the publication of Fantastic Books’ anthology Across the Universe! In fact, of the $6,000 we needed to make the book happen, we raised $8,010 from 258 backers, meaning the book will be four stories longer than originally planned. Editors Michael Ventrella and Randee Dawn are now reading submissions to get the absolute best stories of alternative Beatles into the book, and if you’re a writer, check out the guidelines at http://www.fantasticbooks.biz/fantasticbooks/other/atukick.html .

And now, you probably won’t be hearing much from me on this book until later this year, when it comes closer to publication date. But thanks for all your support!

There are 46 hours left in our Kickstarter campaign for the alternative Beatles anthology Across the Universe (to be edited by Michael A. Ventrella and Randee Dawn). As I’ve already announced, we hit our goal, so the book will be funded, will exist, and the editors have already announced guidelines and are reading submissions.

But in those scant 46 hours, there are still opportunities for you to get involved, to reserve some of the “only available to Kickstarter supporters” rewards, the make the book even bigger and better. As of right now, we are a mere $37 away from our first stretch goal, which will add even more stories to the book!

So, once again, thank you all so much for your early and enthusiastic support. Michael, Randee, and I are thrilled with the response we’ve had to this anthology, and we know you’ll love the book when it comes out later this year.

#beatles #acrosstheuniverse #kickstarter #anthology #fantasticbooks

I’ve just sent the following message to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, State Senator Simcha Felder, and State Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz. Does anyone else share my concern?

I’m opposed to congestion pricing in Manhattan, but you seem to have sewn up enough support that my opinion doesn’t matter. However, as a resident of Brooklyn who sometimes has to drive to New Jersey or upstate New York, I want to know how your congestion pricing will affect me and those like me, who aren’t trying to drive into Manhattan, but must drive through Manhattan to get to the Lincoln or Holland Tunnel or the George Washington Bridge. Will there be a non-tolled option for us, or are we restricted to our home borough? For instance, will I be able to drive over the Brooklyn Bridge and onto the West Side Highway or the FDR Drive without paying a congestion toll? Or are those who are geographically required to travel through lower Manhattan on our way out of town going to be forced to pay for all the cars actually stopping in Manhattan?

#andrewcuomo #billdeblasio #simchafelder #stevencymbrowitz #congestionpricing

With nearly a week still to go, the Kickstarter campaign has hit its goal, fully funding publication of the anthology Across the Universe: Tales of Alternative Beatles, so the book will be appearing from Fantastic Books this December. Thank you, all, for your incredible support!

If you haven’t yet gotten involved, now is the time. The campaign runs for another few days, and we’re only $406 short of our first stretch goal (which will result in an even bigger, better book).

And for the more than a few people who asked: yes, the book is open to submissions of more stories. Editors Randee Dawn and Michael Ventrella have announced the writers’ guidelines, which are available on this page.

Again, thanks!

As of March 21, 2019, Jimmy Carter (born October 1, 1924) is now the longest-lived US president. He eclipsed George H.W. Bush’s record of 94 years, 171 days (Bush died November 30 of last year, setting the mark). Bush had originally taken the title about a year before his death, from Gerald Ford, who had set it at 93 years, 165 days.

The Presidency is usually considered an older person’s job, but Carter has been retired from the Presidency for more than 38 years, since January 20, 1981. He holds the record of longest-retired President, having eclipsed Herbert Hoover’s record of 31 years. Ford was retired for just shy of 30 years.

Carter has been senior living President since Ford’s death twelve years ago, and the oldest living President for the 111 days since Bush’s death. Carter is the oldest person to become the oldest living President.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter married on July 7, 1946. Their 72 years of marriage is the second longest in Presidential history (George and Barbara Bush married on January 6, 1945, and remained married until her death on April 17, 2018, setting the record at 73 years, 101 days.

The list of longest-lived US presidents is now:

Jimmy Carter: 94 years, 171 days-plus
George H.W. Bush: 94 years, 171 days
Gerald Ford: 93 years, 165 days
Ronald Reagan: 93 years, 120 days
John Adams: 90 years, 247 days

I saw author David Gerrold this weekend at the Big Apple Comic Con, and while he was supposed to be signing comic books, he couldn’t keep himself from telling me all about the alternative Beatles story he’s planning to write for Across the Universe, just as soon as the anthology is funded. The Kickstarter campaign has been live for just over two weeks (half the campaign’s scheduled time), and it’s nearly two-thirds funded, so things are starting to look exciting.

The time to join in has never been better, and due to public clamoring, we’ve added two new pledge levels (based on the two least-used denominations of American currency). Please check them out, join in the fun, guarantee you receive one of the first copies of this exciting anthology in the works, and tell your friends! Thanks.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/667435382/across-the-universe-tales-of-alternative-beatles