My New Favorite Show: Sleepy Hollow

I didn't have high hopes for Sleepy Hollow on the Fox Channel, Monday nights. Let's face it. The whole Sleepy Hollow thing sounded a little too over-the-top for me. At most, it would last about ten episodes before getting its plug pulled.

Boy, was I wrong. If this show gets canned, I'll be picketing all over Fox's network. This show is phenomenal! First, we don't have the stereotypical, militant African American woman. She's completely down to earth and nicely balanced with some skepticism and a healthy level of open-mindedness. As for Ichabod, I think he's awesome. Last night's episode with the post-it notes around his motel room to guide him were priceless. His reactions to certain things are right on point, given that he lived well over two centuries years ago. Oh, and did I mention how much I liked how they wove the Headless Horseman into the whole Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Now there's all of this freaky stuff that seems to be awakening in town and scaring the crap out of the residents. The only drawback that I find to the series is that they all know they live in Sleepy Hollow and they're very familiar with the whole Headless Horseman thing. Now, granted there are some discrepancies between the story and the way Ichabod tells it and he even admits to this. But even if I were living in that town and heard stories about people getting their heads cut off, I might be inclined to leave. Just a thought. But at the same time, there's so much good stuff going on here that I've found the perfect substitute while waiting for all of my other shows to start back up their new seasons. Next stop American Horror Story: Coven.

Rating: A-

Schedule Change? Already?!

Yeah. I should've known that I'd jinx myself as soon as I put up the schedule on Wednesday. Anyway, my promotion plans have fallen into a deep dark abyss, and I've spent this past weekend trying to come up with an alternative while refining a few things at the same time.

At this point, let's just say that my new schedule is going to look something like this until I can nail down specific dates. Worse case scenario, if I have to push everything out by a month, I still want to get the series out by the end of the year.

So for now, here you go. Again, the same rule applies. This is subject to change, but I'm hopeful it won't.

Section 51 - October 2013
Department 51 - November 2013
Unit 51 - December 2013
Station 51 - After Christmas 2013*

*That last date is iffy. If I can get it out sooner rather than later, I will. I hate letting projects linger over the holidays.

R.I.P. Ann Crispin

I've never read any Ann Crispin books or met her in person. Nevertheless, I still feel like a friend die today.

I love what io9 wrote about her because it captures her influence throughout the sci-fi world and beyond, including the start of Writer Beware. Anything and everything wrong with the publishing business, she and Victoria Strauss brought it to light, and they did it all for the sake of writers everywhere. No matter where you are in your career, you can't afford not to know about Ann Crispin. In fact, any blog or book or sticky-note should be required reading for those who are looking at a career in writing. Her lessons are invaluable.

As for her fans, I envy that you got to know her and her writing. The good news is I can change that starting with Starbridge. The bad news is, it'll be short lived for an author who's life was cut way too short.

Rest in peace, Ms. Crispin.

Release Dates

I've been mulling this around for a while now in my head and I think I've come up with a release plan for my Project Solstice series. But before I say anything, let me put up the usual disclaimer.

These dates are subject to change.

There. I said it. So without further ado, here we go...

Section 51 - October 1st
Department 51 - November 1st
Unit 51 - December 1st
Station 51 - January 1st*

*That last date is iffy. If I can get it out sooner rather than later, I will. I hate letting projects linger over the holidays.

What would make the dates change, I don't know. Honestly, it might simply be me being scared to death about what people will think or wondering if I might have wasted my time writing this series like I have with other things I've written. Although, you'd think with the number of beta readers and critique partners I've had over the years, I'd be use to the scrutiny by now. It could also be the fact that the editor I have lined up might get busy with other work before I can get the next book to him. Anything is possible.

I guess this means I should put up a cover soon for Section 51, which I will. I've also discovered somewhere along the way that a series bible might come in handy so I can keep things straight. Sadly, I've been in denial about creating more work for myself since the end of the second book. *sigh*