Arg, I do need to pimp out Kismet more! I've read it at least twice since I bought it (possibly three times). It's very good and the fact that there might be a sequel is very exciting! Same for Going Concerns! :)

Any chance of a print/ebook edition of the two Revar novellas? I don't even know how many times I've read those over the years, but I would absolutely pay for an ebook/print version. :) You could probably do $1 ebooks for some of your short stories, too. These days, that seems to be what sells a lot and it's made some authors a surprising amount of money.

Thank you!

There's a chance of an ebook of the two Revar novellas, at least, but I'm just not sure when. There's a revised version of the story on my personal web site and I think here on FA, too, from a few years ago, but I haven't made time to look back at "The Lighthouse," which in my memory really isn't nearly as solid as "Gift of Fire" was, and I don't want to have to figure out what to do with it. :)

"Going Concerns" is available as an ebook, and it has sure not made a surprising amount of money. :) But I think it will probably do better if it has a companion, ironically. So. That is also way overdue. But coming. I hope.

I've definitely read the revised version of "Gift of Fire" on your site a couple times by now. :D Can't blame you for not wanting to do a revision on "Lighthouse" right now. XD I remember that one fondly but not as well as the first novella.

Oh I've got a copy of "Going Concerns"! :) I think I grabbed it and "Why Coyotes Howl" while I was recovering from surgery last summer. :) I have an unfortunate suspicion that the price on your ebooks may be turned away a lot of potential readers. It's frustrating, but people are almost never willing to pay even half of what a physical book would cost for an ebook. I knew your writing and knew I'd like the books, so I did when I had the funds, but a lot of people won't pay more than $5 or $6 at most for an unknown writter. It might be worth it to put up some $1 shorter stories to try and gain more of a following in the ebook market, if you have the time/material. Even ebook versions of older stories might be a good backlog to consider posting.

That's why Going Concerns is a 99¢ ebook, yeah. Assuming I finally get going on the sequels to that, they're going to stay cheap, although probably go up to $2.99.

My other book prices aren't necessarily set by me, though! I have the ebook rights to Why Coyotes Howl, and dropped its price to $2.99 a couple years ago (which isn't moving it, but short story collections are always kind of a tough sell). Indigo Rain and Kismet both have prices set by the publisher. Kismet is doing all right at $5.99—I'd love it to be doing better, of course, but I'm not sure whether the price is really the blocker. I may convince the publisher to run a 50% off sale later in the year, though, and we can see what happens.

Consider a review coming from me! I've enjoyed it highly, learned quite a bit from it, and looking forward to reading more of your works.

As soon as College is back in session and free of all this I've done this summer I'll be posting and buying a print copy for my personal library.

Thank you! And I'm very glad you liked it.

Representing the FWG is neat. I still think the FWG should put on a spin-off convention that's literary / creation focused (rather than identity/fursona focused) :) That'd be a con I'd try to make it to.

That's very much in my list of dreams, so I'm glad to see someone else is having those, too! Been thinking about it for ages, but maybe ought to dig into the reality.

I think it's one of the things needed for the fandom. A split. It can sound harsh, but when I feel so disconnected from the modern identity-biased culture, it makes me not want to be a part of it. I'm here for the science fiction, the fantasy, the creativity and originality driven by conceptual themes, not on the basis of sexuality or individualism. I've taken to terming it being a sci-fur versus being an identity furry.

But to really set such a convention apart, there'd have to be rules, there'd have to be focus. It would likely have no fursuit track or accommodation for such, the dealer's room would have to consist only of those with webcomics, games, and other creations. Panels structured like workshops, with a goal of teaching in mind. Reduced hours on the dealer's room to focus on the teaching aspects of the panels. Exploration of truly non-human themes and approaches. An atmosphere that could be considered approachable to those who wouldn't want to attend a 'furry' con normally. Guests of honor like world designers for Zootopia, or the designers for games like Dust or The Tenth Line. Something aimed at the masses more than the niche. *shakes his head*

Who knows. I just get it from a lot of the oldblood that things feel different these days, and it would be neat to try to have a sub-group type convention with a real focus or goal to it. But I admit that the only people I see capable of truly accomplishing this are those in the FWG. Mary and Renee and Fred and Watts, etc...

Pardon the rambling. ^_^;

There's a lot of good thoughts here! It doesn't come off as rambling :)

There is a furry writers' workshop, called RAWR (because we're weirdly fixated on four-letter acronyms). It's a workshop, though: one must apply, have specific goals and a thing to work on, etc. Workshops are wonderful, and I hear nothing but good stuff about RAWR. Still, it sounds like what's desired is a writing con, rather than a specific workshop like RAWR or a general convention like FC. A place to sell things, to market, and to attend panels, but all focused on writing.

I'll have to give it some thought and see how feasible it'd be. Will start poking the Guild too, and see what they think.

I admit I am not signed up at FWG, simply because my writing inspiration is very rare, even though I understand largely what ~makes~ for good writing. So I haven't had a chance to share this idea with others prior to now. I just have been looking for a change in atmosphere compared to what current 'furry' cons are. They don't feel like home anymore, but a literary, creation-focused convention might be more my style in my older age.

I have a big reply for you, but I feel guilty clogging this unrelated journal. *waves to Mr. Martin* :) So I'll note it to you instead.

"Or just tell a friend, even if they're not a furry!"

I have done just that, when asked what I was reading on a game forum for a relatively niche science fiction IP coming out "sometime this year". Not sure how many took me up on it, but hey, I recommended it.

Thank you! And I'm glad you (presumably) liked it. :)

It was so atrocious and terrible I read it twice, left a good review on Amazon, and considered sending a second copy to my parents.

Finally got around to purchasing Kismet, phew. Hopefully it won't be too long until I get to unpile it. :)