There is nothing that inspires me more than being in the presence of other authors, especially those likeminded. I received that very opportunity this month at BizarroCon. I got to hear about their projects, run ideas by them, and dip my fingers in this well of creativity. I emerged more motivated than I’ve been in years.

BizarroCon

Last week, I attended the 15^th BizarroCon. My plan was to have a post recapping the convention. But unfortunately, I had so much fun that I didn’t take a single photo. This was my fifth time going down to the Edgefield Hotel in Troutdale, Oregon for this event. And quite certainly, it was the best.

I knew about two-thirds of the attendees and tried to make friends with the other third. There were panels and readings and performances and awards. I attended John Skipp’s High Concept workshop where we submitted anonymous synopses for bizarro books and spent imaginary money on our favorites.

My good friend Charles Chadwick has asked to collaborate on my idea for the workshop. So who knows, it might become a real thing. I’ve never collaborated on anything, but I think our styles gel. Excited to see where this goes!

So much fun happened, but it was over all too soon. I tried to convince Rose O’Keefe, the event planner, to make it two weeks next year, instead of four days, but I don’t think I succeeded. Still, I’m hoping to see some of my bizarro friends before next year’s event.

Zonk

Last month, I mentioned I was excited to start editing an old novel called Zonk, a surreal, literary endeavor. I read through the manuscript twice and I still believe it has potential. Unfortunately, my voice back then was quite different than my current voice, so syncing it up might be a little difficult.

It follows a group of hard-partying twentysomethings whose supposed invincibility is shattered when they discover a strange new drug. I must admit that these are some of my favorite characters I’ve written. I’m eager to get their story out there.

The Autobiography of M

I said I was done with horror, but it pulled me back in. I recently got the markups back for my horror novel The Autobiography of M. My editor said a magical sentence: “You can find a home for this.” If he believes I can publish it, then I’m going to try my hardest to do so.

At BizarroCon, my friend Danger Slater asked why I didn’t have a book out yet. After all, I’ve written six novels in the last decade, but only submitted one. I tinker around with them a bit before setting them down and working on something else. Thus, nothing gets done.

I’m changing that. There are only a month’s more edits left in this novel. I plan to finish the darn thing and start sending it out. A break from horror bedamned. I’m getting this published.

One thing that will be changing is the title. At the convention, I attended an incredible panel on book titles (one of my favorites panels ever). Calling it The Autobiography of M is boring. Next week, my editor and I will be sifting through some potential options that will hopefully grab a publisher’s attention.

Short Stories

I didn’t accomplish as much when it came to short stories. In fact, I’m still working on the short story I mentioned in my “Back to Bizarro” post. I’ve started it several times, but I just can’t get it right.

It should be fun to write: a bizarro story set inside the bloodstream about a renegade white cell that must fight the leukemia threatening the bone marrow he calls home. After writing so much horror, I’ve forgotten how to write a non-horror story.

I’ll keep at it. The due date for the story’s anthology isn’t until December 15^th so I still have some time, though I’m tempted to chalk this up as an exercise and move on to something else. Whatever the case, it’s nice to be back in bizarro land.

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Tchau,

Zé