Dulcet tones will never describe my voice, but it’s probably not the most grating instrument either. If you’re curious, you can have a listen here. Just scroll toward the left bottom of the page and hit the link that says download podcast and in a few moments you’ll hear a wonderful voice…then when he’s done talking you’ll hear me.

Not really sure what to expect, although I have been to the one in New York and a few World Cons. I gather this one, however, is the big one. I have a few commitments for the book, but otherwise I want to do a little sight seeing and check out everything else going on at the Con and the city itself. All the times I’ve been to California I think this will be my first time in San Diego. I was going to say something about street cars, but that’s San Fransisco.

Oh, there’s a new website out there called suvudu.com Its aim is to be THE site for all things SF&F. Still early stages, but they are going to be filming interviews (wait, I keep assuming film and then find out it’s only audio) with authors and posting them. I will be one of many to have a chat with them. Should be fun.

If you run any kind of distance in the summer, or just sweat profusely, you know what I’m talking about. I was out doing a loop this morning in Central Park and it was hot and humid. Naturally, I started to sweat. Well, the sweat had to go somewhere, and in a truly horrifying nexus of human anatomy, particle physics, and poorly designed running gear, it seems every blasted drop of sweat pooled down the front and back of my shorts. The only real cure is to keep running until your shorts are totally soaked, but I swear these things only show water in the most embarrassing places. Maybe if I buy vertically stripped shorts or really long shirts…

Ok, when they said podcast I thought they meant video and audio. I went into S&S today to do the interview and due to the heat I thoughtfully brought along an extra shirt and comb so that I wouldn’t look all sweaty and disheveled for the interview. Brilliant. I was shown into the recording booth and sat down in front of a mike on a table. I didn’t actually ask ‘where’s the camera?’ but I came close before I clued in. It was a lot of fun. Amre of S&S audio asked me the questions while Terry, the sound engineer, handled the technical side. And I managed to answer everything in one take…maybe two…ok, no more than five. Terry assured me he’d make it sound great, so I imagine they’ll bring a voice actor in later to redub the whole thing.

Just got back into the city a couple of hours ago from my trip to Stackpole. Three days of meetings, lunches, dinners and my first official book store event. Huge thanks to Jeff Young, the asst store manager, for setting everything up and giving me a wonderful reception. Thanks, too, to my many co-workers at Stackpole who came out to see what I’d been up to in my spare time. Col. Robert Black and his wife, my second mom, Carolyn, were kind enough to put me up, feed me (glorious home cooking!) and treat me like family and for that I am touched and honored.

I wish I knew how to post photos here because OMG (yeah, I said it, OMG) Janelle Bender and Mark Zug created the t-shirt of all t-shirts and IT ROCKS!

There’s tons more, but I’ve got to get some rest so that I look halfway presentable for my podcast tomorrow. I think it will wind up on S&S’s site, but I’ll find out for sure tomorrow.