| Success with my DragonCON Campaign |
[Jun. 4th, 2009|12:58 pm] |
I've sent in my application and am just awaiting approval, so I should at the con in September. I just received word from my friends Scott G. Browne, author of the wonderful zombie novel BREATHERS and Joshua Gee, author of the ENCYCLOPEDIA HORRIFICA that they will both be applying for guest status for DragonCON.
Whenever I go to another convention and I meet a professional who has never been to DragonCON, I tell them about the con and advise them to come. I attended World Horror Con in Winnipeg back in May where I met these fine fellows. Well, it seems that DragonCON would not go away. Scott ran into Johnathon Mayberry and Joshua Gee in New York and DragonCON came up again. I'm so excited. Both Scott and Joshua are absolutely awesome and will be a wonderful addition to the con. When I heard Scott read at WHC, my ribs were hurting from laughing so much. I bought Joshua's book for my 12 yo son, but soon found myself engrossed in it. It is a very cool book and I learned horror tidbits that I didn't know. |
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| My Website |
[Apr. 27th, 2009|02:10 pm] |
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Don did an overhaul on my website. I'm still adding links. If you would like for me to add your site, just let me know. www.tonistauffer.com |
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| DragonCON |
[Sep. 2nd, 2008|02:06 am] |
I'm exhausted right now, but I did post some pictures over at my blog on Blogspot: http://tstauffer.blogspot.com/
I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted. I'm going to post my blog about what happened the rest of the weekend tomorrow.
Highlights:
I partied with Dana Snyder aka Master Shake
I got to hang out with Mickey Dolenz in the VIP Suite
I got to meet and talk to Lance Hendrickson. We have a friend in common.
I got to hook up with old friends and made a ton of new friends.
There will be more in the update. I hope you guys enjoy the pics.
Toni |
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| John Cusack Interview About War |
[Apr. 30th, 2008|07:31 am] |
I don't normally spout my political views on blogs and such, but I honestly don't understand why the American people have put up with the war profiteering, the ineptness, the lies, the torture, etc. I think Bush should be impeached and brought up on criminal charges, along with others.
Here's a video from MSNBC: John Cusack Interview |
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| Writer's Block: Ghost Story |
[Apr. 28th, 2008|02:00 pm] |
No, but I've heard my name called by a phantom voice, and sometimes my bed will shake for no explained reason. |
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| Acceptance!! |
[Apr. 25th, 2008|11:19 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  bouncy | ] |
Got an acceptance notice from Necrotic Tissue Magazine (www.necrotictissue.com) for my flash story "Paying the Dark Man." It will be appearing in issue #4, October 2008. I get $25 and a t-shirt. Not bad for a story that is around 600 words. I did rewrite that one like three times at least. I'm stoked.
I sent "Green Water Blues" off to Heliotrope. I hate that title. I even got out the thesaurus in an attempt to find a better title. It had been "Green Girl." I also titled it "Fantasy Girl." I usually don't have a problem with titles.
I updated my Sonar submission tracking program and sent a letter to editor of NT telling him I accepted the terms of the contract. And I updated my bibliography.
Sometime soon I hope to get back to work on my website. Don't expect much, since a first-grader could probably design a better web page. But it should have relevant information.
Now, off to get some food and maybe watch a horror movies. |
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| Getting to Know Me |
[Apr. 23rd, 2008|12:51 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  amused | ] |
Apparently my hubby posted a list of questions, so here it goes.
1. What is your occupation? Wife, Mother, Writer
2. What color are your socks right now? I hate socks. I wear them when I have to.
3. What are you listening to right now? The cat scratching at the window wanting in.
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Cottage cheese and pineapple.
5. Can you drive a manual car? Yes
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Electric Blue Right now? Orange Crush
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My husband
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Copied it off CJ's blog, so yes :)
9. How old are you today? 43
10. Favorite drink? Coke first thing in the morning
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? Bass Fishing
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, but only a lighter blonde than natural shade. I've
wanted to experiment, but know it will look bad, so don't. I went through a manic phase
when I wanted to die it pink. Luckily, my hubby held me down.
13. Pets?
Yoda the orange tabby. He's eleven now. He's toothless, so we have to feed him
wet food. He's senile and forgets he's been fed five minutes after we feed him. He's
cantankerous most of the time, lovable some of the time. Even toothless, he can still
catch and kill rodents, which he enjoys bringing in and leaving in my bedroom floor.
Luna the black lab mix. She's nine, I think. Her face is almost all white and she's
getting cataracts. She has really bad arthritis in her lower back, but the spring
whether has made her feel frisky. She loves milk bones and she doesn't bark, but bays.
Coffee II the hamster. He's quite adorable, but now that he's going on two, he's slowed
down some. They don't live but two or three years and I'm dreading the day when he dies
because my 8 year old still cries over the demise of Coffee I.
Hammy the hamster. She's very very cute and quite the acrobat. I actually got her free
cage and all from PetCo. A little girl brought her back when she got a cat for a pet.
She now belongs to my 11 yo. She loves people and begs to be let out. She also loves
her hamster ball and runs all over the house in it.
Magic the betta fish. When I brought him home from Wal-mart (rescue), he was so
depressed. In less than an inch of water, he dropped and hardly moved. I bought a
lit one gallon tank with a filter, but in some dark blue rocks to match his color
and some nice green plants. He's so happy and vibrant now. When its feeding time
he does this lovely dance for me. And when he eats, he's like a shark. He dark-blue
with electric blue and a little blood red.
14. Favorite food?
Anything without onions, but I especially love sushi. Really, though, it varies as
to my mood.
15. Last movie you watched? Krull. Did you know that Liam Neeson is in it as one of the
henchmen?
16. Favorite Day of the year? Any day I get presents. :)
17. What do you do to vent anger? Yell at the people who pissed me off. Talk to myself.
Walk. I don't stay mad long and I don't hold grudges...unless it is someone who
intentionally hurts me. Then its on.
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? Rick Baker Monster Makeup Kit
19. What is your favorite season? Spring and Summer
20. Hugs or kisses? Hugs for friends, Kisses from my hubby.
21. Cherry or Blueberry? Blueberry. I can't stand cherry. Reminds me of medicine.
22. Do you want your friends to post this? Fine with me.
23. Who is most likely to respond? Don
24. Who is least likely to respond? Karen
26. When was the last time you cried? Last week, I think. Bad flare up from the fibro.
27. What is on the floor of your wardrobe/closet? Some shoes, a box, a small suitcase.
28. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Webrat.
29. Who is the friend you have had the shortest that you are sending this to? Not sure.
30. Favorite smells? Honeysuckle, Sandalwood, Lavendar, and Gardenia
31. Who inspires you? Satan. Just kidding. :) Anyone who isn't afraid to be themselves and
to tell the truth as they see it.
32. What are you afraid of? Since I've been living with fibro the past nine years, nothing
much. I think going blind would be horrid. Being buried alive is up there, along with spiders, and large flying insects. I'm afraid of mirrors at night, but no longer have to cover them. I'm sometimes afraid of open closet doors at night, but no longer have to close them. I'm afraid that someone in my past will escape and find me. I'm afraid that something
could happen to one of my kids. I'm afraid of my husband dying. I'm afraid that we are
going to go into an economic depression. I'm afraid that we're going to run out of air, or food, or water. I'm afraid that I'll never finish my novel. I'm afraid that I'll wake up
and this will all have been a weird, beautiful dream. I'm afraid that I will lose control and
do something weird enough that I get locked up. There's more, but this is enough for now.
33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? cheese with bacon
34. Favorite car? Anything that runs, but if I could, an old retro Subaru wagon.
35. Favorite cat breed? Maine Coon
36. Number of keys on your key ring? Four
37. How many years at your current job? 13?
38. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
39. How many counties have you lived in? Counties? Was this supposed to be countries? Counties, four, I think. Only one country, though I'm ready to go anytime.
40. Do you think you're funny? I'm a riot. Just ask my husband. :) |
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| She Lives |
[Apr. 22nd, 2008|06:36 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  crappy | ] |
I went into a period where I'd stopped writing, blogging, etc. I gradually came back to life, but in other venues. Then my husband reminded me of LJ and I remembered all my LJ friends. How could I forget you guys? I'm sorry. But I'm back now.
News?
Currently have 11 stories looking for homes. Working on my novella VENDETTA. Still working on DYING MOON (novel), but have pretty much put it on hold for the moment. My story "Family Reunion" will be appearing in Werewolf Magazine #8 in May and Blood Tales Rising Magazine #36 in September. I actually have a literary flash story called "Liberty Takes Inventory" coming out sometime this spring in the Thereby Hangs a Tale literary magazine.
I'll be at HyperiCON 4 in Nashville late June, but just as an attendee. If anyone is going and wants to talk to me, I won't be hard to find. It's a small convention. If anyone wants to go, I'll probably have room for at least two people in my van. You must take care of your own lodgings, food, etc. Just e-mail me at tonidotstaufferatcomcastdotnet. I live in northwest Georgia, so you'll need to come to me unless you are close or on the way to Nashville.
And of course I'll be at DragonCON as always.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Davey aka JackZodiac.
I currently am dealing with an intestinal flu, so I'm heading back to bed. But I'll keep an eye out for any messages. I'm also on Twitter.
Later peoples. |
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| Writing Update |
[May. 7th, 2006|07:29 am] |
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My story entitled, "The Satchel" is now finished at 3,500 words. Now I just need to figure out where to send it. It's not a horror story, more like a modern fantasy. I'll worry about it tomorrow. Got to go to work. bleh. |
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| Doctor Visit |
[May. 6th, 2006|06:55 am] |
Doctor was pretty well incensed by what the school had done. He said that they must cooperate and he wrote instructions. The only thing they have to do, besides being patient about the accidents, is to make him sit on the toilet for 10 to 15 minutes after lunch. It turns out that the first laxative we tried with the 'specialist' didn't work because the dose, instead of being 1 heaping teaspoon was 1-2 tsp before. He simply was not getting enough of the medicine. I am feeling hopeful about this situation now and I like the new doctor (not just because he agreed with me).
I had a talk with his teacher and the principal. The principal was like, well, he can raise his hand to go to the bathroom at any time. I had to explain to her that Zane doesn't know when he needs to go. This problem has caused his bowel to distend and he has lost sensation. I told both of them that I was angry and upset and that the only reason my claws were sheathed is that I know they were only trying to act in Zane's best interest. They still would not give me his bookbag, saying I needed to take that up with the counselor. Sheesh. The counselor was unavailable but at the school, so I said for them to have her call me. That was three days ago and she still hasn't called me back. So, I'm going to call Monday to set up a meeting on Tuesday so I can tell her just what I think of all of what she has done and get this settled.
They were telling me they were just following protocol. Is talking to the parent not one of those protocols? I am sickened by the politics of this and am ready to fire back of they keep up this rediculous treatment.
Now I just need to get my hours cut back at work so I can actually get some work done. I am considering going back on my pain meds. The pain level has been fairly agonizing lately. I'm thinking it is a combination of the full time work load (on my feet all day walking, bending, etc) and the stormy weather.
As for writing, it is going slow, but I am getting work done. I'm working on completing a new story. I still can't find the two chapters I have some how lost to my novel which has kept me from continuing. I suppose I just need to rewrite them.
Got to be at working at 8:30 this morning and the same for tomorrow. I miss my weekends with the kids. |
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| Seriously Pissed |
[May. 1st, 2006|07:18 pm] |
Those of you who know me know that I adore my children and do the best I can for them. Today I got a call from DFACS. The school reported me for child neglect.
My youngest son has a medical issue called encopresis that I have been dealing with for quite some time now. It is a type of stool blockage. I talked to my doctor who referred me to a developmental pediatrician who referred me to a gastro guy. Gastro guy said lets try this laxative. Laxative didn't work, but I didn't go back because said doctor is like an hour away, I didn't have a working vehicle then, and he gave me the creeps. I am still not sure what it was about him, but I just didn't really like the guy. He might be a fine doctor. Maybe I'm just nuts. Anyhow, I went back to my family doctor who said try this laxative. I tried that laxative, didn't work. I tried suppositories, but my son cried and I don't blame him so I stopped that although those were actually helping. Castor oil didn't help either. During all of this, my family doctor relocated and my insurance changed.
When I enrolled my youngest son in school I explained what was going on. They said to put extra underwear in his bookbag and he can clean himself up. No problem. We did that. My husband had a stroke and scared about what might happen if things went bad and I didn't have a job, I got a job. My first week at work, the boys got strep throat. I did have them in ASP. The antibiotic gave Zane diarrhea. I explained this to ASP, but they said they didn't have the staff to deal with it and kicked him out.
They finally said they would form a panel to see what they could do to help with the situation since I can't very well make Zane sit on the toilet when he is in school. I need them to make him sit on the toilet after lunch for at least 10 minutes, but they refuse to do this. I got a letter from them on the 25th saying that they needed the medical paperwork by the 28th so that they could do this panel. I left a message with the counselor explaining that I couldn't do it by then, but that my son had an appointment on the 4th with his new pediatrician and that I would get them the paperwork on that day or soon after. Then today I get the call from DFACS.
They also reported that my son had left his backpack at school and that I didn't go pick it up. Hello? I work. Also, I didn't know about it. He told me he lost it. I was going to buy him a backpack the next day when he showed up with one and said his teacher gave it to him. I figured they must have extra backpacks for such an occasion and shrugged it off. I got other stuff to deal with. Like trying to walk from the bed to the bathroom after I get home from being on my feet all day. I still have the fibromyalgia which makes my life hell.
The DFACS worker was like IF you take him to the doctor, then I will call the doctor and get confirmation and all this can be resolved. I said there will be no IF because he will be going ot the doctor. What the hell?
I am so fucking pissed off right now that I am shaking. All I need is for them to listen and to do what I need without me having to jump through flaming hoops. I didn't even get a warning on this. No, we will have to report you to DFACS. No nothing.
I am feeling hurt over this. I know I'm no June Cleaver, but I love my kids. I don't abuse them. The worst they go through is that occasionally they may have to wear a pair of socks twice because I'm behind on laundry.
Okay, I'm done now. Thanks for letting me vent. |
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| Story of the Week at The Late Late Show |
[Apr. 25th, 2006|11:21 am] |
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My story "Feeding Time" is the story of the week at www.latelateshow.net and is available as a podcast. Check it out if you have the time. |
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| Checking In |
[Apr. 18th, 2006|08:49 pm] |
FroliCON has come and gone. The panels and reading with Eugie and Davey (sorry, too tired to fool with code) went great, despite the fact I was seeing double by the end of the second one thanks to Guervo Especial. I only let loose and drink like twice a year and last year I kept it in moderation. I had to be at work the next day, so my plan was to get a nice buzz then quit so that I could go home and get some sleep and wake refreshed. Heh. I was feeling no pain at the MobiCON party. I was having a great time, but made a major mistake. I grabbed a couple of cherries that had been soaked in vodka for two months and ate them. Twenty minutes later I couldn't walk or see straight. I vaguely remember trying to scrawl my signature in the anthologies I donated for the charity auction. Vodka apparently doesn't mix with Tequila. And work the next day was torture.
On the writing front. It seems that Dream Goblin Press, who was going to publish my story "Vendetta" as a chapbook, has disappeared off the face of the earth. My e-mails to bouncing and no one on Shocklines knows what is going on. I think I might try the podcast route. Dunno. Thinking on it.
The story I sent to Carnifex Press for the Vermin anthology has made it to the second round of reading, so maybe that will be one I don't have to worry about.
With my new work schedule, I haven't been getting much done. I just can't seem to stay focused long enough.
I'm looking forward to Hypericon in June. If you are going, come say hello. |
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| Made It Through Hell Week |
[Mar. 18th, 2006|09:59 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  accomplished | ] |
Let me say that I have never worked so hard at any job in all my life. Monday began with two trucks back to back full of heavy totes of books coming in through the back door. We formed two lines of people down the back aisle and the books were passed from one person to another. Some totes were light, but most were heavy as hell. I was told 40 lbs, but it felt more like 80lbs to me. I never realized how deconditioned I had become until this experience. We managed to empty two full trucks in one and a half hours. The totes were by category: pets, gardening, etc., Once all the totes were in, we worked with our team leaders to get the books on the shelves. We learned how to read the label on the back of the book. There were categories and sub-categories that all went into a particular order. The next day we got two more trucks and then the day after that one truck. That one wasn't sorted and like a usual shipment.
I worked 3:30 pm to 11:30pm on Tuesday with just a few minutes break for pizza. When I say work, I mean WORK. My fingers hurt from carrying totes and handling books. My arms, legs, knees, feet, shoulders...all of it, hurt. That first night, I couldn't sleep and only managed to get four hours. Wednesday I worked from 8am to 5:45pm. I was scheduled to work until 9pm, but I just couldn't do anymore. I asked to leave and was told it was clear. I had determined if I was told no, that I was leaving anyway. I took a tylenol PM that night and slept like a baby.
I think Thursday was from 8am to 8:30pm and Friday was from 8am to 4pm. I get today (Saturday) and Sunday off. The hard part is done. The store is almost done. The books are on the shelves. They have been categorized, alphabetized, balanced on the shelves, and displayed. This week we will get the registers and hopefully the cappuchino machine. This week will be normal hours. Thank god.
My team leader told me she picked me because she thought I would be the first one to go. That kind of hurt my feelings, but I could understand it. She just didn't know how stubborn I am. I am half Irish afterall. |
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| My Story is Up! |
[Mar. 14th, 2006|01:07 pm] |
My story "Feeding Time" is now up at The Late Late Show (www.latelateshow.net). Check it out, if you can.
I haven't been around much due to the new job. Working 3:30 to 12am today and 8am to 9pm or later the rest of the week including Saturday. It gonna be work/sleep for the next five days. |
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| Show Me The Money ! |
[Mar. 7th, 2006|01:42 pm] |
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Beginning March 13th, I will officially be employed full-time by Books-a-Million as a Bookseller. Whoopee! |
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| Job Interview |
[Mar. 6th, 2006|12:07 pm] |
I haven't held a job other than mom/housewife for like eleven years. I applied for a job at Books-A-Million (they are building one down the street from me and I've always wanted to work at a bookstore). They called me yesterday. I have a job interview with them Tuesday for the Bookseller position, i.e., cashier.
I'm nervous. They asked if I considered myself disabled on the application and I answered no. Legally, I'm not disabled, but there are many things I can't do. Not to mention the pain I deal with on a daily basis. I'm just hoping it won't affect my job performance. I really want this job though. It would be nice to be able to save money for a vacation and to have money to do the home improvements I want done.
I'm freaking out. Don laughs at me. He says it is the equivalent of interviewing for a job at 7-eleven, that I'm worried over nothing. He hasn't been out of the work force for eleven years. I'm feeling somewhat intimidated by it all, not to mention I'll have a boss. Bleh.
Anyway, wish me luck. |
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| Publisher Changes Format |
[Mar. 6th, 2006|12:01 pm] |
My story "Vendetta" is being published as a chapbook by Dream Goblin Press, but today I was told it would not be a traditional print chapbook, but would be in pc/cdrom format. They wanted to know if this was okay with me. To me it depends on a few factors. I know the content will look nice. They do nice work. But will it have a case or just one of those flimsy covers? Will the artwork be on the case? How does this affect my payment? Before it was going to be 10 copies of the chapbook, plus a 50% discount toward future purchases. How much will the product cost? Normally chapbooks are an easy sell at conventions because they are low cost.
They think this is the future of publishing and want to go this route. They are the publisher. I'm just concerned it will be hard to sell, not to mention easy to pirate. Hard to copy a print publication.
Anyone ever published this way? |
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