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The pollen is flying fast and furious in Central Park and sunbathing is in full effect. The files for A Darkness Forged in Fire are off to the printer and my focus, and that of the publisher, has turned to publicity and marketing…and running, but I think that’s mostly me. I’m really looking forward to all of it. At the same time I have several big books coming out from my authors which have me equally excited. There’s everything from the media and the military in Iraq to the thorny issue of the US-Mexico border to the Sherman tank in WWII. I knew this year would be busy, and now that spring is in bloom I’m starting to appreciate just how busy (but I’m not complaining.) The great thing about spring is that everything seems possible at this time of year. All the gray and dull has been washed away and replaced with color and vibrancy…and sunbathing in Central Park…which makes running while not running into things a bit more challenging.

Some time in the near future I’ll be shooting my very first podcast. Not quite sure what it’s going to entail, but it’s being set up by my publisher. I’m thinking of going with an accent, either New Jersey mob or Nova Scotia fisherman.

The final cover, copy and blurbs (quotes from other authors) are now up on Amazon for A Darkness Forged in Fire. It made me realize just how close the book is. Final revisions are done, everything has been signed off and the files have, or are in the process of being, transmitted to the printer. The laydown is June 2 or 3. In less than a month my first book will be in my hands.

I signed up for a speed training course to improve my running. The idea being you run faster for a shorter distance to build up your muscles…I think. All I know is it was fun to get out of my comfort zone and run faster. It also helps that the instructor is amazing. She could motivate me through a brick wall…so I’m hoping she doesn’t read this.

In my recent (and first and only so far) interview I was asked what am I reading right now. The question threw me at first. As an editor I’m in a constant state of reading. Then there’s the reading (research) I do for my writing. The number of books that fall in that category are dozens at any one time. But what about reading for pleasure? In many ways the submissions and research are very pleasurable, albeit with a purpose. The more I thought about the question the more I realized I don’t do a lot of reading just for pure enjoyment. Much of that has been supplanted by my writing. I think it’s a fair trade, and I do still find a way to fit in my favorite authors. I’ve been debating about trying Kindle or some other form of e-reader, but thus far I’ve resisted the urge. I don’t think this is a technological issue. For that matter, I’m not sure it’s an issue at all, but the question did get me thinking.

Still achy and a bit wobbly, but seeing my first interview online definitely got today off to a great start. If you’d care to look inside the mind of a fevered, dizzy author check out fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com

Ok, there aren’t any, but I did lose three pounds in twenty-four hours. And I did find myself saying ‘this is great research’ as my body convulsed and I vomited for the fifth time. It’s not often my body is in that much agony and I was fascinated by every facet of the experience. Naturally – as I wished for someone to shoot me – I made all kinds of vows, everything from eating healthier to being a nicer person. I feel better this morning, albeit weak, achy, a bit disoriented, and in constant fear that the next burp will be more than a burp. Still, I’m hoping the worst has passed.