The Journal of Michael Merriam

Originally published at Michael Merriam. Please leave any comments there.

Here is the video of my performance at the Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers Word Brew event at Acadia Cafe on November 20th, 2016. Enjoy!

 

I had a pretty good Minicon this year. The two panels I was on were well attended and had both excellent panelists and thoughtful audiences. I played music three nights in a row, which was a little tough on my hands, but worth it. My reading was reasonably well attended and I sold a few books and signed a few more.


*Photo courtesy of Baron Dave Romm

The three panels I attended were pretty good as well, though I had to sit on my hands and bit my tongue a couple times at the first one. I only made it to one reading this year, Cat Valente's, but I loved her story and reading-style. Made friends with some visiting musicians and got to help take them out for Malaysian food. On Saturday, three different people gave me three different types of cupcakes. It is a mystery as to why this happened, but I am not complaining. I mean, cupcakes!

But mostly what made it a great convention was hanging out with people--too many to name here--but Minicon felt more like a family reunion this year, maybe because I learned how to make my own fun at conventions. I am planning to return next year for the 50th Minicon celebration.

I didn't hardly work at all at the convention, which says something about how engaged I was, but I did work a little and even a little more yesterday.

1. Completed the first draft of the 1979 section
2. Added small scenes to the 1979 section to seed other sections
3. Made notes and started outlining 1929 section
4. Search for and added 1920s music to playlist.

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Ghosts Of the Places We Live

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Originally posted at michaelmerriam.net. You can comment here or there.

I am taking it much easier at Minicon this year than in years past.
SAT - 3:00-4:00 Veranda 1/2
READING: Michael Merriam
Michael will read from his new short story collection, "Whispers in Space."
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SAT - 5:00-5:30 2nd floor foyer
SIGNING: Jane Yolen, Adam Stemple, Michael Merriam
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SUN - 2:00-3:00 Veranda 1/2
Rapid-Fire Readings - MINNSPEC
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I will also probably bring my bass guitar and sit on the music circle Saturday night. For the most part, I plan to hang out, go to readings, and chat with friends.

I will be reading at DreamHaven Books - 2301 E. 38th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406 - on February 20th. I plan to read from my forthcoming short story collection, Whispers in Space, as well as from The Curious Case of the Jeweled Alicorn, and possibly something not yet published. Reading starts at 6:30 pm and runs for about an hour. We will probably go out to Parkway Pizza afterwards. Come out and see a SF writer in the wilds!

This is my tentative schedule for Convergence. This is, off course, subject to change.

Thursday, July 5

11:30pm - Escaping the Slush Pile - Bloomington Room - A panel of experienced slush readers will take the first five pages of manuscripts submitted by audience members, and identify the point at which they would stop reading, if any, and why. Panelists: Adam Whitlatch, Michael Merriam, Scott Lynch, Jennie Goloboy, Patrick Tomlinson

Friday, July 6

11:00am - Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Michael Merriam and Dana Baird Signing - Autograph Table - Bryan Thomas Schmidt, author of "The Worker Prince," will be available to sign his work. Dana has just released "Broken Legacy." Michael's newest release is "Sky Tinted Waters." Panelists: Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Dana Baird, Michael Merriam

3:30pm - Geek Partnership Society Writing Contest Ceremony - Vista Suite - Past winners of the annual GPS Writing Contests read from their winning work. This year’s winners are announced. Panelists: George Richard, Hilary Moon Murphy (I’m not officially on the panel, but I am judging this contest, so I will be there)

5:00pm - Minn-Spec Meeting - Cabana 201 - Come and learn about the Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers, a 280+ member-strong organization. Panelists: Michael Merriam (mod), Hilary Moon Murphy, Tyler Tork

8:30pm - Diversity in Steampunk - Atrium 4 - Does all steampunk have to be Victorian England? Certainly not! And it isn’t. Join a discussion of race, gender, class, and religion in this diverse genre. Hosted by the Red Ribbon Society (a.k.a Steam Century). Panelists: Alexandra Howes, Sarah McDole, Michael Merriam, Amy Williams-Scott, Kevin Borchers

10:00pm - So You've Sold a Novel: Now What Happens? - Atrium 7 - Congratulations --you sold your novel. Now comes the hard part: rewrites, editorial comments, cover art, marketing, promotions, and making sense of the royalty statement. Come ask established novelists questions about what happens after the sale. Panelists: Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Michael Merriam, Doug Hulick, Kelly McCullough, Dana Baird

Saturday, July 7

12:30pm - Is Urban Fantasy just Romance for Geeks? - Atrium 7 - Of course it isn't. Discuss the breadth of work that fits into this popular sub-genre. Panelists: Lyda Morehouse, James Turnbull, Michael Merriam, Paul Cornell, Brandy Snyder

Sunday, July 8
11:00am - Michael Merriam Reading - Cabana 201 - The author of "Last Car to Annwn Station" reads from his newest release, "The Curious Case of the Jeweled Alicorn." Panelists: Michael Merriam

careswen and I traveled back to Oklahoma over the Christmas holidays to visit with family and friends. This was the first time we had been back since 2009, and careswen had the lovely idea that I should do some public readings and storytelling events in our old home state. It was a great idea. None of our family or friends in Oklahoma had been to one of my readings, and I was incorporating my storytelling-as-performance into what I was doing.

( Long Entry With Pictures )

Catherine Lundoff, (catherineldf) award winning author of A Day at the Inn, A Night at the Palace and Other Stories (Lethe Press, 2011) will be reading at True Colors Bookstore with Special Guest Michael Merriam, author of Last Car to Annwn Station (Carina Press, 2011).

True Colors Bookstore: http://www.truecolorsbookstore.com/
Saturday, November 12 · 4:00pm
True Colors Bookstore
4755 Chicago Ave S
Minneapolis, MN

* The reading will take place downstairs in the bookstore, which has no elevator and is unfortunately not accessible for people with wheelchairs or walkers.

I will be interviewed this Saturday, September 17th on “Readings in Lesbian & Bisexual Women's Fiction." The discussion will focus on my novel Last Car to Annwn Station, including the "incongruity" of a straight male writing lesbian fiction. I will also do a short (one to three minutes) reading from the novel.

The Details:
Date: Saturday, September 17
Time: 3:00pm Central
URL: http://blogtalkradio.com/readingslab

There is a guest line at phone number (646) 929-1909 for anyone who might want to call in and/or ask questions live on air during the show.

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Last Car to Annwn Station. Available in ebook format at Carina Press, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and in audio format at Audible.

Should We Drown in Feathered Sleep. Available in ebook format at Carina Press, Amazon, B&N, and in audio format at Audible.

Wow. I haven’t updated since the first of the month. Things have been busy around here, and I’ve been (unsuccessfully) fighting off the ick. Like I said, though, things have been busy, so here is a little catch up post.

MarsCon was a great success. I had a good time, the panels were smart and well attended, and the convention big enough to be interesting and have energy, but still small enough not to overwhelm me. My reading went well, even if it was sparsely attended. All the panels I sat on were good, solid panels, with “Ask a Writer” probably being my favorite, though it turned into “Ask an Editor” for a long stretch, since all the panelist had editing experience. I was able to manage the dealer’s room at MarsCon, and able to move around on my own pretty well. I call it a success.

We left the con on Saturday night for ladysea’s birthday, which was also a success. It was good to be around great friends, and there was good food and conversation. Also, we got to pitch MarsCon to most of them. They are almost all of them in fandom in one way or another, so I’m hoping to have a few more of my friends at MarsCon next year.

We went to Catherine Lundoff’s (catherineldf) reading at DreamHaven Books. She is an excellent reader and her material was quite enjoyable. Afterwards we went out to Merlins Rest for food and drinks. The food and drinks were good, and it was great hanging out with everyone after the reading, but Merlins was too crowded and noisy for my taste. I would be willing to try it again on weeknight, maybe.

The Stoll Baby Shower was also a great success. More good friends, good food and good times. The expectant parents seemed pleased with the gifts and the out pouring of friendship and love from their friends.

The City of Hopkins hosts “The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade” and they are not kidding. I think it took the whole parade about 5 minutes to pass. After, we went down to the VFW Post for free hotdogs and soda, but not before walking to the Elk’s Lodge by mistake. Luckily Hopkins is small and the two locations were only about four blocks from each other.

We bought new bedding. It is lovely.

Made a trip to Uncle Sven’s Comics Shoppe in St. Paul to spend a gift certificate I’ve had for years. Picked up two collections and one card game. The shop itself is small, cute, and well-stocked with friendly and knowledgeable staff.

This weekend I have Paganicon (http://tcpaganpride.org/paganicon/). I will be doing a reading/storytelling event on Sunday, where I plan to present “Four Minnesota Fantasy Tales.” Hopefully I am over my sick and my voice holds out.

Just a reminder that MarsCon (http://marscon.org/2011/index.php) is coming up this weekend.

This is my schedule:

Fiction Reading: Michael Merriam – Krushenko’s Lounge (13th Floor) — Friday 06:00 pm

The Woods Are Lovely – Re(a)d Mars/Taylor (2nd Floor) — Saturday 06:00 pm
How do we create modern fairytales and myths? How do we tap into the primal emotions of fairytales in a modern era? With: Michael Merriam, mod.; Eleanor Arnason, PMF Johnson, Naomi Kritzer

Ask a Writer – Re(a)d Mars/Taylor (2nd Floor) — Sunday 11:00 am
Always wanted to know how a novel is born? How does a writer structure their day? Is it all glittering parties and intelligent company? Come ask a panel of working writers anything!
With: Michael Merriam, mod.; Roy C. Booth, Catherine Lundoff, Anna Waltz

The Western as Fantasy – Krushenko’s Lounge (13th Floor) — Sunday 01:00 pm
Myths about the Old West began before the West was old, making it one of the first shared fantasy worlds in American culture. We’ll discuss the rise and fall of the Old West mythology, and how it has influenced and lent its energy to current genres including fantasy and science fiction. With: David Christenson, mod.; Eric M. Heideman, Michael Merriam Sponsored by Con-Sarnit, a Western convention

Writing in a Series: Harmonies and Discords – Krushenko’s Lounge (13th Floor) — Sunday 02:00 pm
Writers who have done multiple novels or stories about continuing characters and/or a linked world share their experiences, positive and negative, and their advice to aspiring series writers.
With: Lois McMaster Bujold, Michael Merriam, mod.; Naomi Kritzer

I'm not quite sure how I ended up moderating three panels, but there you have it.

If you see me, please come up and say hello. I'm the 6'2" guy with the 56" white mobility cane. It makes me pretty easy to spot.