And the drama continues.

While I can appreciate how people feel about my previous post, (which I had sent to the mailing list that exploded today,) I think things are going overboard. Sending nasty emails to anyone over the issue isn’t going to make things right for anybody. If any of my readers are doing so out of some sense of loyalty to me, I’d prefer it that they stop.

The woman who spoke so eloquently an that list (and quoted my blog,) is one of my friends. She was only doing what she honestly thought was the right thing – defending the bards she loves. Not just me, but everyone other writer who had the misfortune to be dumped by Fortitude. She doesn’t deserve the crap that’s being heaped on her via private emails.

And with THAT, I’m going to try and get some sleep before work tomorrow.

It has come to my attention that one of my blog posts has been sent to a mailing list without my permission. That person has been chewed out by me, (and virtually strangled,) but the damage has been done with someone I consider a friend.

1) I do not believe Cindy Cresap is out to rip off the authors.

2) My blog entry about the Fortitude Inventory Sale was public and I won’t apologize for trying to clarify things for my readers. But I will state that I did not have all the facts at the time.

3) Cindy did contact me before she posted announcements about the sale.

4) Legally speaking, the books are abandoned property. Cindy’s actions are legit, and she wouldn’t have done this if they weren’t.

5) I would much rather have found some other way to relieve her of the hassle, but them’s the breaks.

6) See number one above.

7) Any questions of morals and ethics were never raised by me, only the legalities. Which, if you see number four, you’ll realize I have my answer.

My assumption that she was an officer of Fortitude was wrong. She never was.

and, most importantly,

I will hire Cindy Cresap in a hot minute for any book I write even after this fiasco. She’s one of the best damned editors I’ve worked with and I would work with her again if she’ll have anything to do with me after this.

Take that to the bank.

The move went extremely well. In three days we were completely unpacked and put away. I still have some doodads to hang on the balcony, but other than that, we’ve settled in.

Been without DSL for almost a week, then had to spend an hour on the phone with support to get it back up and running. Sheesh. I’ve spent the last two days doing nothing but wallowing on the web. Now I know why relapsing heroin addicts invariably OD . . .

Yesterday, I read a couple of online fics that were . . . fantastic! I’m gobsmacked! (And I ain’t English!) Go! Read! Both of them! (And thanks, ! Your review is what sent me there!)

It occurred to me this morning that Castle Walls is due to be sent to the publisher by August 1st . . . and I haven’t even touched it since we negotiated the contract. Oops! Guess what Redhawk’s doing this morning?

And lastly, I’ve uploaded the next to chapters of the Iditarod tale. Enjoy!

We signed the lease today. We’re moving today and tomorrow. I’ll be without DSL access until later next week.

To that end, I’ve uploaded the next installment of Iditarod, since I won’t have computer access on Monday. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!

ORLANDO BARDCON IN A NUTSHELL
(A breakdown of all the events planned for a fun-filled weekend in Orlando)

Website: http://www.bardcon.com/

WHAT: Orlando BardCon
WHERE: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Orlando, Florida
WHEN: October 21-23, 2005
COST: $75 (includes Friday Meet & Greet; Saturday Con; Saturday Lunch; and Saturday Night Talent Show)
A LA CART EVENTS: Sunday Brunch with the Bards ($30)—Sunday Evening Epcot IllumiNations Show & Dessert Party ($25+)

Read Continue Reading…

Spent the morning pulling things off the walls and ceilings – tapestries, hanging baskets, Yule lights – in preparation for tomorrow. As soon as the office opens in the morning, we’re going to be there to get the lease signed! YAY!

An announcement has been put out on the ‘verse about a former employee of Fortitude selling off the abandoned stock of titles. The books have been stored in her basement almost from the beginning of the company, and it will cost three or four hundred dollars to have the local waste management company haul them away.

I can see her point, honestly. Fortitude didn’t pay her for storage and, when the company folded, ignored the legal notices sent to them to take care of the remaining product. The woman does have a valid reason for doing this to receive some sort of compensation since the former CEO appears to have washed her hands of the issue.

But let’s get something perfectly clear. Several months ago, I was told by this person that she would be discussing various avenues with the authors involved in liquidating the stock once all legal hoops were jumped through. Then, last week, I received an email telling me the same thing she’s posted on various lists in the ‘verse – that she was selling it off on her own, to defray costs of storage and in lieu of paying another company to haul it to the landfill. There was no discussion to be had.

According to my contracts with Fortitude, royalties will not be paid in the event that the company dissolves. So what she’s doing is legal (which I never doubted.) Unfortunately, all three of my titles are going to be republished through PD Publishing . . . both Tiopa Ki Lakota and Warlord Metal will be coming out by around Orlando Bardcon. Castle Walls will be out sometime next year.

So, if you absolutely must have those first two titles, knock yourself out. Or you can wait a few more months and see them in all their shining glory with the nifty new covers done by Steph Solomon-Lopez. (I think you know which I’d prefer! LOL!) I know that Tiopa hasn’t changed significantly from the second edition, but haven’t begun editing Warlord, yet.

Edit to add:

I’ve been reminded that no agreement between Fortitude and the individual in question was made regarding storage of product. It was only after the company folded that storage fees were demanded and refused.

Additionally, this person was a corporate officer of the company, not an employee. Her actions do represent the company (and our contractual agreement) as opposed to someone trying to see compensation for money spent.

So . . . legal or not? I don’t know. It’s in the gray area. Technically, Fortitude no longer exists, my contracts are defunct, and no royalties are due. But she’s not selling second hand books – she’s selling unsold copies – and she was a corporate member of the company.

Anyhow, just thought I’d clarify the muddy waters for folks. We all do what we need to do in life. You make your own choices.

1038. Apparently the kids have stumbled upon the house of a living history enactor. Specifically, the Society for Creative Anachronism. It was the luck of the draw, really. I listed out the houses of ten of my friends, keeping in mind their interests and what they might have there, and rolled a ten sided die. Walt’s house won! LOL!

Off to continue reading At All Costs, the Honor Harrington advanced reader copy. I’m only on chapter 32, which means I have 40 more to go! WOOT!

and a dollar short.

1677 words yesterday, chapter 13 finished. My characters are scavenging a house, and Gwen’s getting a first hand lesson on what’s important to townies (as opposed to the city kid that she is.) Paper has replaced gold after five years, at least in the Loomis clan, and finding a lawyer’s home office has caused young cousin Terry to rise to the heights of ecstasy as he digs an almost full box of printer paper from a storage cabinet.

Loomis is a bit less stern as she gets used to Gwen’s presence, though there are still sparks flying over their differences. Hope she doesn’t get too complacent, because Gwen’s got a streak of inquisitiveness a mile wide and she’s got a lot of questions about Loomis.

On the apartment front, we were notified yesterday that we’ll sign the lease on Friday, and move in over the weekend! YAY! There’s only one major hitch involved, however, once we started calling our utility companies . . .

No DSL for a week.

• whimper *

So, I’ll put out the next section of Iditarod Friday or Saturday. After that, I’m S.O.L. for checking email or cruising the web. My ISP charges for dial up, so I don’t have that option. (We’ll have the regular phone line by Monday.) I’ll use the computer at work, maybe, and my future neighbor has a computer I might be able to access, and the apartment complex has a business center where you can use the computers to access the internet. But my blog reading and web research is going to be sorely curtailed for the duration.

The next installment of Iditarod is posted. Don’t shoot the messenger for the cliff hanger ending! I’m only posting two chapters at a time, people . . . I can’t help it if this installment ended where it did!

No writing yesterday due to the morning shift. Well . . . I lie . . . actually, I left early with the intent of hitting Coffee People for a Moroccan Mint tea and some quality writing time only to discover my Palm keyboard was at home.

I’ve gotten sucked into the Honor Harrington series again. Primarily Echoes of Honor. I personally love that book above all others. Now I’m on to the sequel of that one, Ashes of Victory.

1166 words today and chapter twelve finished. Dealing with death and dying as well as the wide chasm of difference between Loomis’ and Gwen’s response to same. One is treating the discovered corpses with dignity while the other is pretty jaded. Not only do they clash against each other, but they both find something in the other to understand. Gwen hopes her parents were found by someone like Loomis; Loomis comprehends why Gwen’s POV is so callus.

Now it’s time to get ready for work.

2289 words written and two chapters completed. Tomorrow’s my last day off from work, so I’ve got to keep my nose to the grindstone and get what I can. I work day shift on Thursday and that always messes me up for writing.

Gwen’s being her usual acerbic self . . . and butting heads with the Loomis household brat, Terry. It was decided that a scavenging trip to McCall needed to be made to get more supplies for the added members. Gwen horned in on the trip and Loomis didn’t want to have a fight in the middle of the living room. I’ve used the last two chapters to show the continuing education of kids that were homeschooled before the plague as well as some of the rules and regulations regarding salvage that the townies have come up with.

Some conflict between Loomis and Gwen, but it’s time to give Gwen some reason to soften toward Loomis that has nothing to do with power and position. She honestly hasn’t met a decent, caring individual since Orphan Maker swept through the country. In the city, only the strong survive, and decency isn’t a point of strength.

It’ll be an interesting ride.

Yesterday. Almost 300 today. Late start due to checking the office about the apartment.

IT’S OURS!! Some stuff to do between now and move in, but it’s definitely ours!

WOOT!

Over 1100 words. I’m getting dressed and heading out to Coffee People. Supposed to be a very nice day out (and it’s looking it.) I’ve been in the house for two full days and need the fresh air and exercise.

Tomorrow we find out if we get the apartment we’ve been drooling over. . . wish us luck!

And at least I’m on time! Here’s the next installment of the Iditarod tale!