A lesson learned

Back from ConDFW. Things went very well. Strangely enough, in the end I signed more copies of "Fantastic Texas" individuallly than at the autograph session. I think I made a mistake by scheduling the signing when I did. It was too soon after I arrived and I don't know that a lot of people knew I had made it. There were many no-shows because of the weather.

Both book sellers who were peddling "Fantastic Texas" seemde to be happy. One sold out completely and the other only had two copies left and said he'll have to reorder.

At ConDFW

Arrived at Con DFW just before noon, attended first panel at noon, then had my signing at 1 p.m. Visited with some folks and then headed on down I-35 to Waxahachie, where I had my book signing at the local Hastings from 5-7 p.m. Book sales have been going well, although strangely enough I think I may have sold at Hastings than at the Con.

While in Waxahachie I had some old friends from the newspaper business visit; Gabe Smith, who was a reporter for me in the 1980s in Midlothian, and who now lives in Mansfield, and Charlie and Sheila Hatfield, who run the paper in Ferris.

Ready for Waxahachie

Got a phone call from the book manager at the Hastings in Waxahachie to confirm everything is on for Saturday evening. That's the first time someone from a book store has called me. She said they've got their copies of "Fantastic Texas" on the shelf.

With Edge Books stocking "Fantastic" at ConDFW, and this news, everything seems to be set for the weekend. The Hastings in Paris, where I will have a signing on the 20th, says they would rather take copies on consignment, but the store in Longview - there I will be Feb. 28th - say they are getting their own stock.

Here is a photo from last Saturday's signing here in Mount Pleasant.

"Fantastic Texas" publicity

The Ennis Daily News in Ellis County ran a story today in anticipation of my visit to Waxahachie Saturday:

Journalist, author to appear for book signing
Corrie DiManno, Staff writer
02-09-2010

Journalist by day, and science fiction author by night, Lou Antonelli is living a double life.

However, Antonelli is able to draw inspiration where the two worlds collide for his first book, Fantastic Texas.

Antonelli is going to be at Hastings in Waxahachie signing his book on Saturday from 5-7 p.m.

Fantastic Texas is comprised of 12 reprinted short stories that are all set in Texas, or in some cases, a secret, magical, alternative Texas-like the second story in the book, The Witch of Waxahachie which was originally published in Baen’s Universe magazine in April 2008.

That is all that's available on-line.

Scribble, scribble

Things went very well at the book signing yesterday at the Hastings book store here in Mount Pleasant. I was at my table from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and we sold enough books that the store's stock ran out and I had to delve into my wholesale supply that I brought as a backup. I sold one book as I was walking out the door; I had to turn around and sign a book that was on the shelf.

This was the first formal book-signing I have ever had. I knew some of the people who stopped by - to be expected, I guess, in your hometown - but there were many other people I had never seen before in my life.

Patricia was there most of the and helped out a lot. Afterwards we ate out and celebrated.

Next weekend I will be having a signing at 1 p.m.at ConDFW, and then I will be at the Hastings in Waxahachie from 5-7 p.m. Patricia and I will overnight in Waxahachie and drive back to Dallas Sunday morning.

Zane Melder with Edge Books has stocked "Fantastic Texas", so it will be available in the Dealer's Room.

I wish I could have made AggieCon this weekend, but I just don't feel up to two cons in two weeks. They had invited me as a panelist, but after I had accepted ConDFW. The line-up looks impressive this year, I will try to make it next year.

Got the TOC for the next issue of Abandoned Towers magazine, which will be out March 1. It features my story "Across the Plains".

Here's a little taste of what's you'll miss if you don't get a copy:

Table of Contents

Zap Zachary Returns by Stoney M. Setzer
Gold by Arthur Mackeown
Ray Guns by Doug Hilton
Othan, Debtor by Kurt Magnus
The Horrors of War by Chris Silva
Mindforms by Dal Jeanis
Jeffrey's Story by Guy Belleranti
Final Score by Brad Sinor
Riding to Hounds by Thomas Canfield
Copper-bottom's Downfall by Arthur Mackeown
The Last True Gunslinger by Y.B. Cats
The Empty Chair by Malcolm Laughton
'ware the power by Jack Mulcahy
Call of the Northern Seas by Norman A. Rubin
Hobocop by Kevin Bennett
The Grave of Armond Balosteros by E.W. Bonadio
The Last Saguaro by Doug Hilton
Odds Are by Kevin Brown
Grief, father dead, bathroom adrift with manta rays of green towels by Harry Calhoun
Black Bird by Thom Olausson
Searching for my Dream by John William Rice
Proudly Stupid by Christopher D. York.
Night Walk Demise by Carl Scharwath
Dimuendo's by Thom Olausson
Android Attack coloring pagey by Richard H. Fay
Interview with Poet and author, Alex Ness
The Man-Thing by Eric S Brown
Fantasy Artist Johnney Perkins
Nexus Point Recipes by Jalea Clegg

Frustrating

If I get back another rejection that says a story is well-written and lots of fun, but not right for our publication, I'm gonna scream!!! I refuse to suffer for my art - and then foist it on my readers! If I want unhappiness, depression, cynicism and crushed dreams, I can watch the television news. Sheesh!

Looking forward to Saturday's signing at the local bookstore. Also laying plans for more signings, including one in Waxahachie Feb. 13. Facebook fans are up to 77. Everyone who's on board as a fan by the end of the week will be entered in the drawing for a free copy.

My schedule for ConDFW

The panels have been set for ConDFW (Feb. 12-14). I am happy with my schedule, which runs as follows:

Saturday:
Canterbury, 12pm - Tropes and How to Avoid Them.
Panelists: Bill Fawcett (M), Patrice Sarath, T.M. Hunter, Linda Donahue, Lou Antonelli
Ever groan while reading a story? Does seeing a ghost telling the hero he has a quest make you retch? The ever-present cliché will pop up when you least expect it, and ruin all the dramatic potential your story has. Our experts go over some popular ones…and show you how to avoid them.

Autograph Session (in front of the Dealers’ Room), 1pm – Lee Martindale, Kevin Hosey, Lou Antonelli

Sunday:
Churchill, 11am - Escape from the Slush Pile
Panelists: Chris Roberson (M), Lou Antonelli, Ciara Gold, Michael Finn, Selina Rosen
As the number of hopeful writers increase, the number of submissions increase. Piles upon piles of stories overwhelm every publisher and editor, and they have to make decisions on what makes it…and what is tossed in the slush pile. Our esteemed panelists discuss how to avoid being buried in the pile, and the mistakes to look out for.

Churchill, 1pm - Publishing 201: Publishing Novels
Panelists: Lou Antonelli (M), Ciara Gold, Richard Weber, Selina Rosen, Jack McDevitt
Putting together a novel is an exhausting business, but getting it out into the cold, cruel world is the next big step. Our experts talk about how to get your novel read, who to go to, and what to say. And watch out for rogue contracts!

Canterbury, 2pm - Self-editing Err0rs
Panelists: Lou Antonelli (M), Richard Weber, Julia Mandala
Last year our panelists discussed ways of catching those pesky errors. Now they tell you how to do it again, but with corrective ink.

I don't have anything scheduled later on Saturday because I will be doing a book signing in Waxahachie from 5-7 that night. I will probably overnight in Waxahachie instead of Dallas.