Nerds Giving Back--Patrick Rothfuss' World Builders charity

I caught an interview with writer Patrick Rothfuss on NerdNighters recently and he was talking about his charity WorldBuilders. I went to the sight and found his blog and a store with all sorts of goodies for sale, from autographed copies of his books (what fantasy lover wouldn't like an autographed copy of The Name of the Wind?) Rothfuss supports Heifer International, one of the best organizations out there for empowering individuals and communities.

Best Overheard Comment Ever!

I eavesdrop.
I do.
I'm not just talking about listening in to the phone conversation someone's having while in line at the bank/supermarket/drug store/ movie theater. I mean I will unabashedly and unapologetically listen in on conversations while I'm riding the bus, or eating lunch by myself, or grabbing a quick caffeine fix at Starbucks. I get some great ideas from overheard conversations.
Today while shopping at Trader Joe's I heard a 20-something guy comment to his friend, "I don't like water. It tastes like mouth." I'm not sure how. I'm not sure when. But one of these days I'm going to work that line into a story.

Free fiction--L.A. Nocturne II

I'll be publishing MISBEGOTTEN early in the new year and I'm giving away my collection of short stories, L.A. NOCTURNE II to get in the mood. You can get it here. There are ten stories of urban fiction inside, some of them first published on A Twist of Noir and Eaten Alive. Cover by the talented Joy Sillesen of Indie Author Services.

Snow on the Sphinx

I love this photograph.

Going Beyond Etsy

Yes, it's getting down to the wire on ordering Christmas gifts online, but I just stumbled across a couple of great sites where artists are marketing their wares directly to buyers. I found the sites through Artsy Shark, and this handy listing of more than a hundred places where artists are selling their work worldwide.

Who doesn't like some fantasy fiction freebies?  Now's your chance to explore new books, meet new uthors and fill your need for read.

Among the participants is friend of the blog Christine Pope, who'll be giving away a copy of Ashes of Roses, her newest book in her "Tales of the Latter Kingdoms" series. 

You can join the blog tour here.

And don't forget to sign up for the rafflecopter giveaway.  You can win some books and an Amazon or B&N gift card (your choice).  Sign up here.
 

 

Coming Wednesday!