Here’s the schedule for the author readings at Blood of the Bean II.  I hope you can make it.

5:00 ­ 5:15 Denise Broussard
5:15 ­ 5:30 Ethan Nahate
5:30 ­ 5:45 Frank Summers
5:45 ­ 6:00 Stina Leicht
6:00 ­ 6:15 D.B. Grady
6:15 ­ 6:30 Rhodi Hawk
6:30 ­ 6:45 Hank Schwaeble
6:45 ­ 7:00 Robert Stikmanz
7:00 ­ 7:45 Dear Lioness
7:45 ­ 8:00 Skylar White
8:00 ­ 8:15 Gabrielle Faust
8:15 ­ 8:30 Joe McKinney
8:30 ­ 8:45 Nate Southard
8:45 ­ 9:00 Lee Thomas

 

I’ll be appearing for an author reading at Blood of the Bean 2 in Austin for the 2nd annual Blood of the Bean 2 author reading.

Here’s the official press release:

Aug 13, 2010 – AUSTIN, TX – For the second year in a row some of central Texas’ most intriguing authors will gather once again to share their recent work. From 5pm to 9pm at Kick Butt Coffee in Austin, Texas the thirteen writers will each perform fifteen minute dramatic readings from short stories to novel excerpts, that will be certain to chill the hearts and minds of all attending. Participating authors include Lee Thomas, Joe McKinney, Gabrielle Faust, Nate Southard, D. B. Grady, Ethan Nahate, Stina Leicht, Skyler White, Robert Stikmanz, Rhodi Hawk, Hank Schwaeble, Denise Broussard and Frank Summers. The wide variety of styles and influences from the collaborative of literary voices represents a distinct cross-section representation of the strength of today’s Texas writers in the horror and dark fantasy genres. All authors will have copies of their current and past work on hand for purchase and signing.

Blood of the Bean 2

“Wow!  Usually, one would have to visit the maximum-security wing of a state penitentiary to find so much imaginative energy dedicated to violence and mayhem gathered in one place.  Who could resist such a treat?” Hank Schwaeble, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of “Damnable”

, replied when asked about his participation in the 2010 event.

“My original intention in the creation of the BLOOD OF THE BEAN event in 2009 was to give local dark genre authors an additional opportunity to reach a new audience they might otherwise not had access to. Kick Butt Coffee provides a relaxed, yet highly creative atmosphere that is conducive to facilitating the promotion of indie arts in Austin. The meshing of the horror/dark fantasy genres with an already integral venue was a natural fit and after a successful debut event, the demand was there, not only from the audience, but from the authors as well, to make it an annual gathering.” Remarked BBII founder Gabrielle Faust, author of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic vampire series “Eternal Vigilance”.

As aforementioned, BLOOD OF THE BEAN II will take place at Kick Butt Coffee on October 16, 2010 from 5pm to 9pm. 5775 Airport Blvd. More information on Kick Butt Coffee can be found at http://kickbuttcoffee.com/. Kick Butt Coffee not only serves some of the best coffee Austin has to offer, but also provides a full bar and limited, but delicious, food menu. Happy Hour is from 4:15pm – 7:15pm with $4 Mocha Martinis and $1.50 Lone Stars. As author Rhodi Hawk said herself, “Scary stories and mocha martinis! Witching season has gone civilized!” Or has it?

For more information on the thirteen participating authors:

Lee Thomas: http://www.leethomasauthor.com/
Joe McKinney: http://joemckinney.wordpress.com/
Rhodi Hawk: http://www.rhodihawk.com/
Hank Schwaeble: http://www.hankschwaeble.com/
Gabrielle Faust: http://www.gabriellefaust.com
Nate Southard: http://www.natesouthard.com/
D. B. Grady: http://dbgrady.com/
Ethan Nahate: http://nahteboy.tripod.com/
Stina Leicht: http://www.csleicht.com/
Skyler White: http://www.skylerwhite.com/
Robert Stikmanz: http://www.robertstikmanz.com/  
Denise Broussard: website coming soon!
Frank Summers: https://www.franksummers.com/

***

I hope to see you there!

 

[Title Goes here ]My story “Desolation Springs Eternal” will appear in Allegory, The Triannual Online Magazine of SF, Fantasy & Horror.

Also, I will be a guest at two upcoming conventions: SoonerCon and FenCon. Hope to see you there!

 

It is amazing to me the things a person can do by following their passions. Great Britain’s amateur astronomer Peter Shah has taken some amazing photographs of our universe from his garden shed.  

His set up set him back about 20,000 (that’s about $32,000 in USD)

He has some really amazing photos.  

The Leo Triplet The Pleiades M31-The Andromeda Galaxy

Check them all out at his web site and gallery.

Well done, Peter.

 

Oren Lavie’s Her Morning Elegance video is quite a treat.   The music reminds me of a cross between Nick Drake and Michael Franks.  The video is reminiscent of Peter Gabriel’s Steamroller from the 80’s, rich with nonsensical imagery rendered by stop action photography.  The images are presented within the context of a young lady dreaming in bed.  Give it a watch, if you haven’t seen it.

lady_on_stairs

Oren Lavie's "Her Morning Elegance"