Links of Writers
Abra Staffin-Wiebe : A multifaceted writer, photographer, and narrator. Abra is a key member of MinnSpec and the author of the fabulous Circus of Brass and Bone.
Adam Stemple: Writer, musician, producer, professional poker player, anti-hero.
Beth Bernobich: Author of the River of Souls series from Tor Books, as well as many wonderful short stories.
Caitlin Kittredge: Her Nocturne City and Black London series are two of urban fantasy’s finest. Her young adult series, The Iron Codex, promises to be amazing.
Catherine Deziel: A rising Canadian artist. I’ve written a couple of stories based on her artwork. She provided the cover art for Shimmers & Shadows.
Charles Coleman Finlay: One of the most talented new writers in science fiction.
Charles de Lint: The Master of Urban Fantasy.
Cherie Priest: High Priestess of Steampunk literature and animal rescuer.
Dena Landon: Writer and dancer in the Twin Cities.
Elizabeth Bear: One of the best new writers in science fiction and fantasy today. Go read her books.
Emma Bull: The Godmother of modern urban fantasy. If you are not reading her books, you really should. Seriously. Right now.
Hilary Moon Murphy: Writer of some fantastic short fiction. She had been one of my biggest cheerleaders.
Joel Arnold : One of the most versatile writers of short fiction working today, Joel writes science fiction, fantasy, horror, mysteries, thrillers, and crime drama.
Kelly Barnhill: Young Adult author, teacher, and funny, funny blogger.
Laura Bradley Rede: Emerging YA author of Darkride.
Marissa K. Lingen: One of the best short fiction writers working today, and is one of the nicest people I know.
Michael Stone: Top-notch horror and dark fiction writer. Fellow traveler on the journey through RP.
Neil Gaiman: As if he needs an introduction.
Rae Carson: One of the hottest new talents in young adult fantasy fiction.
Roger Zelazny: The late Mr. Zelazny is the main reason I started writing. He is my model and hero.
Sara McDonald: Runs and writes Ms. Snarky’s Awesometastic Comics Blog, which is indeed Awesometastic!
Scott Lynch: World Fantasy Award nominee and all around good guy. Watch this guy’s career.
Sherwood Smith: A wonderful writer, she’s given me much needed encouragement and advice, for which I will be forever thankful.
Stacia Kane: Urban fantasy and paranormal romance author. Her works are some of the best written and most entertaining books in the business.
Words from the Herd: A blog run by the members of the writing group I recently joined. It is still under construction, but we will have new content soon.
Wyrdsmiths: The shared blog of one of the most successful writing groups working today. They are smart about the business and craft of writing.
Links for Writers
Critters Writers Workshop: I’m not a member, but I’ve heard good things about this workshop.
Duotrope : Searchable market listings with submission tracking utility.
Encyclopedia Mythica: The definitive source for all things myth on the web.
Online Writers Workshop: I am a former member of this group. It has made me a better fiction writer.
Ralan’s Webstravaganza: Market links, lots of market links.
SFF Net: Home to authors, publishers, media pros, and consumers of genre fiction.
Organizations
The Minnesota Speculative Fiction Writers: I am an assistant organizer of this helpful local networking group.
Horror Writers Association: Organization for professional horror writers.
Mystery Writers of America: Organization for professional mystery writers.
The Outer Alliance: The Outer Alliance is a group of SF/F writers who have come together as allies for the advocacy of LGBT issues in literature.
Romance Writers of America: Organization for professional romance writers.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America: Organization for professional SF&F writers.
Science Fiction Poetry Association: Organization for professional SF&F poets.
Steampunk Artists and Writers Guild: Interdisciplinary organization for artist and writers working in the steampunk genre.
Western Writers of America: Organization for professional western writers.
Conventions
4th Street Fantasy Convention is a convention for people who are serious about good fantasy and good stories: reading them, writing them, appreciating them in all their various forms, featuring a single track of programming.
Arcana is a long-running horror convention that bills itself as “a convention of the dark fantastic.” Arcana is held annually in late September or early October in St. Paul, Minnesota. The presentation of the Minnesota Fantasy Award is a key feature of each year’s convention.
Con of the North: The Twin Cities’ longest running games convention.
CONvergence is a 3000+ member speculative fiction/fan convention held annually on the first weekend in July in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Diversicon is an annual speculative fiction convention held the first weekend of August in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Diversicon provides programming and social opportunities to encourage the multicultural, multimedia exploration and celebration of SF by those within and outside of the traditional SF community.
Marscon is a science fiction convention held in Bloomington, Minnesota. It is a mid-sized convention with a wide variety of events.
Minicon is a science fiction and fantasy convention in Minneapolis, usually held on Easter weekend. Started in 1968 and running approximately annually since then, it is one of the oldest science fiction conventions in the Midwest. It is run by the Minnesota Science Fiction Society, a non-profit organization that is “dedicated to furthering the appreciation of science fiction and fantasy literature”.
World Fantasy Con is an annual convention of professionals, collectors, and others interested in the field of fantasy. It places emphasis on literature and art, while de-emphasizing dramatic presentation, gaming, masquerade, and the like. The World Fantasy Awards are presented at the event.
Magazines
Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine
Locus: A must read for anyone writing Speculative Fiction.
L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest: A contest for new writers, offering substantial prizes.
Tales of the Unanticipated: An excellent Speculative Fiction magazine published in my own hometown of Minneapolis.
Publishers
Carina Press: Ebook publishing wing of Harlequin. They have published my novel and one of my novellas.
Musa Publishing: New ebook publisher raised from the ashes of a fallen small press. They have a very professional acquisitions and editorial process.
Sam’s Dot Publishing: Small press publisher of many of my works.
Cool Stuff
Sherry Merriam Counseling
Dead Gentlemen Productions
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Walking Shadow Theatre Company
Blindness
American Council of the Blind
American Foundation for the Blind
John Wenberg’s Retinitis Pigmentosa Page
Retina International
Vision Loss Resources
