After what seemed like hours of tense waiting, Officer Chris Marzullo comes out of the burgled house, waving me over. He explains that we’ll wait for me to go in until officers en route have a chance to go over the scene for evidence. Frankly, I’m surprised they would let me into a crime scene […]
Read MoreSome time ago I applied to participate in a police ride-along with the police department of the City of Madison, Wisconsin. I was finally accepted, and took my ride in a squad car on April 26. I primarily wanted the experience as research; I’m working on a novel right now, the story for which involves […]
Read MoreDramatic title aside, it’s disappointing to be left off the credits for a book on which I’ve worked. It’s happened to me twice — once two years ago, and again in the last six months. In both cases these omissions were clearly not intentional, but they present a couple of major issues for me. First […]
Read MoreFor the third year in a row, I’ve been a guest judge at Waunakee High School’s Game Design and Theory classes. Taught by long-time friend, colleague, and gaming buddy Aaron Pavao, the class teaches students the elements of game design, and the dizzying array of ways to employ them.
Read MoreI’ll be at OdysseyCon over the weekend of April 8-10, and will be speaking and/or moderating on a number of panels. Here’s my full schedule: Saturday, April 9 10 AM: Artisanal RPG Design: Threat or Menace? — With Margaret Weis 11:30 AM: Will Horror Fiction Ever Get Respect? — I’ll be moderating, with panelists Paul […]
Read MoreTwo fannish acquaintances of mine passed away recently. By Fannish, I mean people who are part of the science fiction fandom community. I first met Fred Duarte at an Armadillocon back in the late 1980s. Later, when I moved to Austin, Texas in 1993, he and his wife Karen Meschke were two of the people […]
Read MoreA few people don’t know this: I am the inspiration for a comic book character. In John Kovalic’s Dork Tower, he occasionally features a fellow named Bill Blyden who manages Pegasaurus Games, a local game shop. If you know much about me, it isn’t a stretch to figure out that the character is based on […]
Read MoreIn an effort to increase my visibility (self-promotion can be a real bear), I’ve been hitting the convention circuit a little harder this year than in the past. For a semi-introvert like myself, this can be both a terrifying and exhilarating experience. And also tiring. First up was Origins, back in early June. Held each […]
Read MoreGeek.Kon is HERE already! This weekend (August 21-23) will be the celebration of all (okay, MOST) things geeky at Geek.Kon. Here’s my schedule for the weekend: Friday 6:00 to 6:50 – Conventions on a Budget – La Crosse We all love going to conventions, but they can be expensive. How can you make your dollar […]
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