Buzzy Mag ready to roll out

Got word today that Buzzy Mag's premiere issue is slated for March 26. It will include my short story "The Centurion and the Rainman". I sent them a bio and my mug shot for publication.

If you are not familiar with the project, here's a little background from when they made the original announcement a year ago:

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"Buzzy Multimedia, a longtime publisher of science-fiction/fantasy audio books and specialty t-shirts, announced a year ago it is expanding into print fiction publishing on the Internet with the new Buzzy Mag.

"Buzzy Mag will debut science fiction and fantasy short stories, between eight thousand and ten thousand words, from both new and established authors. The magazine will also feature interviews with notable actors, writers, producers and other entertainment industry figures."

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They paid me a nice pro rate, and provided a very professional edit. I can't offer anything but the highest praise for them, they're a class outfit. I hope everyone reads Buzzy Mag when it comes out.

No new words

No new writing in the past week or so; I have been recovering from a bad cold and it's been all I can do to keep up with the work at the job. The pace there has also been impacted by a combination of vacations and medical leaves.

I have been able to keep up with subbing and resubbing stories; I think I only have one or two back, with eleven still out in slush piles.

I take heart that I have an especially good list of story ideas and lot of outlines just waiting to be gestated.

Taking stock

Right now, I have 13 stories in various slushpiles; none came back this week, which I suppose is positive. I also have seven stories slated to be published later this year. Just wanted to remind myself I'm at least a good writer; nothing like interacting with writers' groups to make you feel small.

Class advertising prepared

The local community college has begun advertising my Cont. Ed class on "The Art & Practice of Speculative Fiction Writing. The director of the department sent me this copy of the poster being distributed around campus.

I have to admit, I thought of the idea after reading that my opponent in the SFWA Vice-Presidential race taught classes. That reminded me that I had a course proposal that had been previously approved by the college. I called the department head up and we set the plans in motion.

I will enjoy the experience, and maybe help a few aspiring writers.

Call me "Perfesser Lou"

I'm following up on a plan I've had for some time, and I am going to try my hand at teaching. I've spoken enough times and participated in enough panels that I think I'd like to try to teach a class myself. Since I don't have the appropriate academic background to teach a for-credit class, I approached the continuing education department at the local community college. They approved my class. Here is the course description:

The Art and Craft of Writing Speculative Fiction:

Lou Antonelli - whose short fiction has been published in the U.S., England, Canada, and Australia - will share writing tips and techniques designed to help students become published authors themselves. Lou, who has two short story collections, "Fantastic Texas" and "Texas And Other Planets", is also a journalist and Editor of the Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune. In his course, the student will discover reasons to write, writing fiction versus non-fiction, how to write science fiction, fantasy, and other genres, and how to "peddle the final product." Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn the Art and Practice of Writing Speculative Fiction! Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:00 p.m. beginning April 12. BT Building, Room 109. Tuition/Fees $75.00 Instructor: Lou Antonelli

Another story

Got word after some edits by editor Shelby Vick that my story "Accidental Witness" will be published in the pulp-homage ezine Planetary Stories in June. This is my sixth story slated to be published this year.

Planetary Stories published my story "Fermi's Fraternity" in Sept. 2007. I later included it in my collection "Texas & Other Planets".

Planetary Stories is one of those ezines done as a labor of love that helps encourage writers. I especially like that they purposefully try to emulate a "pulp" feel, and I'm happy to contribute.

Campaign Update

Last Wednesday night I made a short three-minute video by way of introduction of my campaign and posted it on the SFWA discussion board as well as as Facebook. I have not been able to post it here so far - there seems to be some technical issues. I'm still working on it.