It’s like less than a week away. I’ll be in spot number three with Melanie Deer. She’s been in an anthology with me, and is a great scribe. You should come by to get some of her stuff. It’s this Saturday, January 31st from 10-3. The 11th annual FanCon is at the Tempe Public Library 3500 S Rural Roar Tempe, AZ 85282.
I had a combined twelve requests for The Gates of Dawn and Red Rock Renegades from agents today following a pitch event I participated in. The Gates of Dawn was a story I started way back in 2014. I finished it this year after losing my Job in higher ed. Red Rock Renegades is the 1894 biker gang of witches I wrote the first draft while going through my first infusion back in March.
I was putting the finishing touches on my query letter, and my phone chimed with email notification. I was pretty excited about another request, only it wasn’t. It was the notification of my blood test results from yesterday.
For the first time since 2016, my WBC is in the normal range. It peaked in the beginning of March at 510.7. It was probably higher, since when I started infusions, my WBC result exceeded the testing range. I still have about 6-9 months left to go on the Calquence–a BTK inhibitor, and the statistic is a 70-80% chance of remission at the end of that regimen.
Anyway, I’m excited there’s more interest in The Gates of Dawn and Red Rock Renegades. I’m working on rewrites for America 2076, since the deadline is right around the corner. For you Caroline Collins fans, the rough drafts of books five (Time and Again) and six (Means Most Foul) have been done since last year. I’m about half way through rewrites on book five. I’m bringing back Ben Pitt and finishing the story arc with Dr. Roxanne Forrest from Tally of Debt.
This is a short one, because I can’t talk about it until the official announcement next month, but I’ve signed the contract for one of my unpublished short stories to be in an anthology. I really wanna give you all the details and let you know the publication date for the anthology, but I hafta wait :(
I totally stole this from the Ps and Qs Publishing website.
Your boss is a demon?
Your job haunts your sleep?
You can’t seem to escape, no matter how hard you try?
You’re pretty sure that your co-workers are not quite human?
Gonna need more than one lifetime to get through all the work you have?
Clock in, get your PPE in order, ignore the copier talking to itself and the flickering lights, and dive into these ten haunted stories. They might just be the best thing the next few shifts have to offer.
Hey, I’m in an anthology that released today!
A couple retailers have special promotions for the anthology:
Today was my third infusion to treat my CLL. Smooth sailing. But this story is from last week. Not smooth sailing.
This will start out frustrating; move to scary; and finish with hope. If you’re triggered by medical stuff or cancer, it’s time to stop reading.
The recap for those of you who’re new: I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in 2015. Aubrey was born in 2016, and we bought our house a few months after Aubrey was born.
My WBC started going bonkers in 2024 and started doubling every test. At 300k, you start to have a serious risk of stroke due to the blood thickening with all the white cells cruising around. Also, the pressure from the white cells in my bones causes pain.
In the beginning, it was a “wait and see” approach—the deciding factor was my white blood cell count (WBC). The average person has a WBC from ~4,000 to ~8,000. Mine was creeping up at around 10k every quarter, so no big deal.
Anyway, as of December 2024, I was over 300k, so it’s time to start treatment. I started an oral BTK inhibitor in January, and infusions were to start in March. WBC of 450k in February, and 510k on March 6th.
Now for last week. Erika was on spring break, and grandma could stay at the house to care for Aubrey. My oncologist and the infusion center is up in Flagstaff, so it’s a 90-minute drive up.
Erika and I are about to embark on our first “just us” getaway in years. I think the last one was all the way back in 2009! But this trip to Flagstaff isn’t going to be a relaxing retreat. We’re heading up for a more serious reason—so I can begin infusions to treat my Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).
I’ve shared about my CLL before, but for anyone who may be new to this journey, here’s a quick update. I was diagnosed with CLL nine years ago, and at that time, we were told that, since this type of cancer mostly affects people in their 70s and 80s, I had 20-30 years before treatment would likely be needed. For years, my condition was progressing slowly. But in 2025, things changed fast. My white blood cell count spiked, and we had to start treatment immediately.
I’ve started taking a pill, and when combined with weekly infusions, there’s a 70% chance this will put the CLL into remission over the next 14 months—or at least get my white blood cell count, which is dangerously high right now, under control. I’m beyond grateful for our insurance, as the medication alone costs about $17,000 per month, but it’s fully covered. The infusions are over $5,000 each, and we’re still waiting to find out what our out-of-pocket costs will be.
This week marks the start of my infusions, with treatments on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by weekly sessions for the next several weeks. Erika and I will be staying overnight in Flagstaff because the treatments start early and can last up to 8 hours. While I’m trying to stay as calm and focused as I can through all of this, I know Erika is struggling with the uncertainty. She’s not great with the unknown, and everything about this process is full of it. Infusion reactions can be intense, and we’re both feeling the weight of the unpredictability.
I’m part of a horror anthology that came out on Halloween. My story, Memento Mori, is a slice from the Days Until Home universe. Old writer friend, Aaron Frale, as well as, new writer friends have stories in this anthology. There are awesome chapter art and cover art. As you can see by the promotion, AI bad, humans good, etc. The anthology is on sale for $2.99 this month (I’m telling everyone it’s a birthday present from me). be sure to get your copy and spread the word.
Macabre Multiverse: https://books2read.com/macabremultiverse
In the music industry, only a handful of bands have truly left their mark. Linkin Park is at the top of that list. Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter about their new singer. It’s a mixed bag of excitement and criticism. While some fans are worried about throwing shade, I see this as a thrilling opportunity for growth and fresh sounds. As someone who’s been rocking out to Linkin Park since the early days, I can’t help but feel pumped about what’s coming next.
Linkin Park has always been ahead of the curve, mixing genres and pushing boundaries in a way that resonates deeply with fans. From the groundbreaking, Hybrid Theory, to the experimental vibes of A Thousand Suns, they’ve always redefined what rock could be. They’ve faced incredible challenges, especially with the heartbreaking loss of Chester Bennington, but through it all, they evolve. Their new single, “Emptiness Machine,” perfectly captures that spirit. It feels like a nostalgic nod to the past while echoing the powerful vocals and nu-metal sound I love. Erika even rolls her eyes when I whistle it around the house. Listening to it, I can’t help but think of other incredible female-led rock and metal bands like In This Moment, Icon For Hire, and Evanescence. It’s got that same energy—fresh yet familiar.
But let’s be honest for a moment. The chatter around their new lineup reveals a darker side of fandom. I’ve read seriously negative comments about Emily Armstrong. It’s disheartening. Much of the negativity stems from outdated ideas about what a rock band should look and sound like, often tied to some pretty toxic attitudes. It’s frustrating because we’re in a time that celebrates diversity and inclusion, yet some people still cling to those old beliefs. And let’s face it—what random users on the internet think really doesn’t matter in the end. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but it shouldn’t dictate the narrative. True music lovers know that the opinions of the masses, especially those who hide behind screens, shouldn’t overshadow the artistry.
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