seasecrets!fossils!fictions!

For those of what haven't been watching facebook the past few days, my sister's EP, seasecrets!fossils!fictions!: the dragon tree, is available now from her bandcamp page. That link will take you there where you can download the record for free right now. Pretty soon, it will be available at Prospero Records, if you'd like a hard copy.

Mandy recorded this in her garden apartment with Justin Turner, Lindsay Southern, and myself. A couple of things about this record: these are Mandy's finest songs to date (and she had some excellent songs in our former band, Root Shoot Leaf); "Backyard" has my favorite bassline that I've written for a song; though the dragon tree is only 5 songs, the songs flow together seamlessly, and even tell a story of sorts.

In Root Shoot Leaf, Mandy and I collaborated on a lot of songs and a lot of records in a short period of time (something like 5 full-lengths and 3 EPs in 4 years), but this is Mandy's first release since Root Shoot Leaf's demise in 2008. It was worth the wait.

Above and below is the awesome artwork (also by Mandy) for the record. Enjoy.

Writing & Music: Your Wednesday Update

I'm proud to announce that my story, "Shiny Things," will be published in the Spring Issue of the new literary magazine, Prime Mincer. "Shiny Things" was my final Clarion week story and it took me almost two weeks to write, so I'm particularly happy it has found a home. The inaugural issue of Prime Mincer will be available soon in print mid-March, as well as through itunes and for the nook and kindle.

And for those of you who haven't read it yet, my story "Galilee" was published last September in Aphelion Magazine. The editor thought it was an incredibly dark Heinlein juvenile story; and several comments mention how totally depressing the story is. Well, what can I say? I guess I was in a mood.

A few friends have exciting news on the horizon, too:

Clarion chum and rock climbing fiend, Gregory Norman Bossert's novelette, "Slow Boat," originally published in the April/May issue of Asimov's, is being translated into Russian and will be featured in Russia's oldest science fiction and fantasy magazine, ESLI. I don't know that it gets any cooler than this. There are a few of you from Russia out there reading this blog (I see you!) and as more details become available I will let you know.

In case you missed the last signal boost, Karin Tidbeck's story is available in Weird Tales, Tamsyn Muir's story is now available at Fantasy Magazine, Kali Wallace's story is out in the current issue of F&SF, Adam Israel's story is online at Crossed Genres, and John Chu's story is upcoming at Boston Review. How's that for links galore? And, can I just say, Clarion 2010 is taking over the literary airwaves? Yes, I can. Clarion 2010 is taking over the literary airwaves!

Michael Martello, multi-instrumentalist for Tin Tin Can, has released a new solo record, titled Sheep Numbers & the Canine Psychology. Though I don't think this is available online as yet, he will be selling cds at upcoming Tin Tin Can shows and it is well worth a buy. Mike recorded the songs over a week while he was dogsitting.

My sister Mandy, talented artist that she is (that's her art up top), is also an awesome musician. She's working on an EP that should be available soon through Prospero Records. Mandy and I used to perform together in Root Shoot Leaf and I can tell you that her songs were always the audience's favorites. Be looking out for her EP!

I hope I haven't missed anyone. Leave a comment if I have and let me know what you're up to.

END TRANSMISSION.