Just got back from a super trip to New York City, my old hometown—though these days I go as a tourist. I made a great discovery there for those who find fascination with Native American culture, which I’ll detail in a future post. For now, in my jetlagged state I’m headed up to Anaheim today for the Rolling Stones concert. How could I not love a band whose members are older than me!
I did return home to a bit of cool news from the San Diego Book Awards Association. My Native American-themed ghost story, The Burning Ground, is a finalist for their 2013 award in the category of SciFi, Fantasy, and Horror. Needless to say, I am honored. The awards will be presented at a ceremony later in June. And no, I will not wear a tux.
And speaking of Native American-themed horror novels, The Modoc Well will be available for free Kindle download on Friday, May 17th, and Saturday, May 18th. Like the Maidu in The Burning Ground, the Modoc people roamed a broad area of northern California, though closer to the border of Oregon. I drew upon some of their 
mythology to create a rather nasty demon that, after being dormant for well over a century, has risen again to cause its share of havoc. Enjoy!
Congrats! And welcome back. 🙂
Thanks. I’m still dragging, but Mick and Keith said they wouldn’t perform if I wasn’t there, so I can’t disappoint them. 🙂
Congrats, Mike…..hope you take home an Oscar or a Beelzebub or what ever they hand out for your category. Bet you visited the Indian Museum Branch of the Smithsonian down at the old US Customs House at Bowling Green. Used to pass by that building every day coming out of the subway. I think it was a warehouse at that point…early ’60s.
All the best…
Yep, you got that right. Great old building, and super exhibit. Stay tuned…
San Diego is worth the trip even if you didn’t get the prize. Have a great trip and congratulations. I’d look forward to your Kindle offering, but I’ve got a Nook. Rats!
Sorry about that, Bill. 🙂
Just an FYI. For those who don’t have a real Kindle, you can download a free Kindle reader from Amazon to your regular PC, which is what I have. Amazon also has an option to keep your Kindle books in “the cloud” so you can access them from any PC. So…not having a Kindle shouldn’t stand in the way of taking advantage of such opportunities.
Congrats on the award nomination. I like the fact you’re writing about Native American folklore, it’s fascinating from what I’ve read of it. So much material to draw from.
Thanks. You’re right about Native American folklore. I never get tired of reading–or writing–about it.
I can only imagine how satisfying it must be to receive such acknowledgement for writing about something for which you have so great a passion. Whether or not you win, it already means that your words have touched others deeply. What better motivation is there?
OK, money and fame would be welcome icing on the cake, right? 😉
Fortune & Glory, my dear, so sayeth Short Round. Nothing wrong with that. 🙂