Retro Futurism

Blog no. 343

/ˌretrōˈfyo͞oCHəˌrizm/

noun

noun: retro-futurism

1. the use of a style or aesthetic considered futuristic in an earlier era

So, recently, I bought a minidisc recorder. It’s a Sony model from the early 2000s, used, with some cosmetic wear—but it works. It didn’t come with and discs, though, so I had to buy a pack from Japan. (Did you know Sony still makes new minidiscs, because I didn’t). Because it would take close to a month (three weeks at least) for that shipment to get here, I scoured the local used goods marked for anything minidisc related and found that someone in the city was selling a partially working model with a disc. I talked him down to $20, and then I had two recorders (they are players too) and a single, used disc. Mostly, I wanted the disc so that I could confirm that the first player I bought worked (it does) but having the backup player, even for parts, at such a low price was worth not getting lunch one day. (Also, if I can get it to work (which would be neat) I’d have two players with slightly different abilities and styles that I could go between depending on what I want or need). The problem is that it didn’t stop there.

Cyberpunk Novella

Blog No. 283

The Thinking Machine is here! You can get it right now at Anchor Coffee House on Huron Church, Anchor Bakery and Espresso Bar on Lincoln, at Biblioasis, or in person, from me. I still have a bunch of events (one a week from now until the end of May) so there are a bunch of chances to get your hands on a copy. And believe me, when you see it, you are going to want to pick one up and hold it. I’m going to do a whole behind the scenes at some point in the future, but for now, the idea to have a pocket sized novella seems to have worked. Everyone’s reaction so far has been exactly what I hoped for. Plus, Anchor letting me sell the book at both their locations is beyond what I’d hoped for. Between the two, that’s a pretty big part of the city covered. Also, since I wrote it there, it seems fitting that you can buy it there.

First Update of the Year

Blog No. 269

Even though it’s just the start of 2018 and admittedly, I didn’t have a stellar 2017, I am happy to say, I think I have enough on the go to do a proper update. The dust hasn’t quite settled on the last book (though, I pray it will finally be over this week) I am hard at work on the next one. This may all be old hat to avid readers of my blog (namely my folks) but it may be new to you. Either way, this may be the definitive rundown and I have some concrete things to say about it. I can’t give a specific date for when it will be out (not only have I been burned with that before, but I’m already waiting for some things that are out of my control before I can get it finished) though, I hope it will be out in the next couple months.

Under a Pile of my own Doing

Blog No. 230

The other day I was listing off all the things I had to do in the next couple of months to my friend and my brain almost broke. I know I have no one to blame but myself, but I had to go on an overnight trip to get far back enough to see it all. And that’s not including editing Pilot (which I haven’t started) or my day job. I’m starting to get a little stressed out. Easter was a nice distraction, but come hell or high water, this week has to be one where I work until my fingers fall off. It may be a struggle though, because I’m working every day already. I’ll just see how much I can get done after dinner and before bed. It’ll be like having homework again. Thrilling.