Blog - Page 4 of 31 - Gary David Gillen

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Introduction

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson is Book #1 of the Secret Books of 2023. Tress barely survives on an island set on a sea that is not a sea of water. It is a sea of deadly spores. When her close friend Charlie takes a trip and goes missing, she must face deadly perils to rescue him from certain death. Will Tress succeed in her quest or perish herself?

Summary

[Insert Summary Here]

Recommendation

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson is a wonderful and sweet book. I loved the idea of twisting the Princess Bride. What if Buttercup as Tress must rescue Westly as Charlie? That’s the question posed by this novel. Tress must face pirates and environmental catastrophes to rescue her one true love.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60531406-tress-of-the-emerald-sea

My review of Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson. Wax and Wayne must foil a plot started by the terrorist group called the Set to destroy their home and people.

Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson

My review of Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson. In book 3.5 of the Stormlight Archive, Rysn and Lopen must uncover the secrets of the lost island of Akinah, or it will doom Roshar.

Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson

My review of Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson. In book four of the Stormlight Archive, the war between humans and Voidbringers intensifies.

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson

My review of Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson. In book three of the Stormlight Archive, Dalinar learns the truth of his past through his flashbacks.

Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson

My review of Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson, a collection with nine stories that are part of the cosmere universe. An overarching plot, which he calls the cosmere interrelated many of the author’s works. He set the stories of the cosmere on a group of worlds that are connected through magical means. He set six stories on the worlds of his published novels, and three stories are about worlds that have not had a novel-length story treatment. All the stories in this collection are excellent.

Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson

Writing Progress Report August 2023

This is my Writing Progress Report August 2023.

the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel in Coraopolis, PA.

I attended the Confluence Conference near Pittsburgh, PA, from July 21, 2023, to July 23, 2023. They held the conference at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel in Coraopolis, PA.

Writing Progress from July 2023.

I wrote two blog posts for my website, garydavidgillen.com. One post was my writing progress report for July 2023, which is linked below.

Writing Progress Report July 2023

In July 2023, I did not submit a story to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call.

I submitted my short story, named Google Chat, to the Fiction Writing Workshop at the Parma, Ohio, library in July 2023.

Writing Progress from July 2023 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in July 2023.

In June 2023, I started an account on the submission grinder.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

The seven Flash Fiction Stories I submitted in 2020 and 2021 were Space-Dog Confession, Sleeping Sickness, Caliburnus, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, Wormhole Generator, Runs with Scissors, and Principled Rogue.

Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023.

Events from July 2023.

I attended the Confluence Conference near Pittsburgh, PA, from July 21, 2023, to July 23, 2023. They held the conference at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel in Coraopolis, PA.

Recap for the Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh on July 30, 2022, at the Sheraton. I also attended the Confluence in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. I attended 3 panels, two readings, an improv comedy show, a concert, and the guest of honor presentation.

Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh 2022

Writing Goals for August 2023.

In August 2023, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for August 2023.

I plan to submit a story to the Fiction Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library in August 2023.

In August 2023, I plan to submit a short story to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop at the Parma, Ohio, library.

In August 2023, I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. I plan to split Chapter 1 into two chapters and add a scene to the new Chapter 1.

Submit the stories Space-Dog Confession, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, LARP Film Noir, Sleeping Sickness, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, and Caliburnus. to other short fiction magazines.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for August 2023 continued.

In August 2023, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Put the novel Assassin in New Marl City into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for August 2023.

The next event I plan to attend is the Cleveland Inkubator at the Cleveland Public Library on September 10, 2023. Literary Cleveland sponsors it. It is a one-day writing conference.

https://www.litcleveland.org/

Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson

Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson, Book #7 of the Mistborn Saga.

Introduction

Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson is Book #7 of the Mistborn Saga. It is also the four and final novel featuring the characters Wax and Wayne. Wax and Wayne must foil a plot started by the terrorist group called the Set to destroy their home and people.

[insert image here]

Summary

[Insert Summary Here]

Recommendation

Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson is a rousing conclusion to the series of novels about Wax and Wayne. He wrapped all the evil plots from the previous novels up in one huge plot to destroy the world. This novel contains many connections to the greater story in the Cosmere than any novel that Sanderson has published up to now. The Cosmere is the overarching narrative that connects most of his works. I enjoyed the way he wrapped this series up. It was a satisfying ending. I’m looking forward to the next section of Mistborn novels.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23947089-the-lost-metal

My review of Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson. In book 3.5 of the Stormlight Archive, Rysn and Lopen must uncover the secrets of the lost island of Akinah, or it will doom Roshar.

Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson

My review of Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson. In book four of the Stormlight Archive, the war between humans and Voidbringers intensifies.

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson

My review of Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson. In book three of the Stormlight Archive, Dalinar learns the truth of his past through his flashbacks.

Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson

Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson

Writing Progress Report July 2023

This is my Writing Progress Report July 2023.

I attended the Proud to be Slovenian Day at Slovenska Pristava in Harpersfield, Ohio on June 25, 2023. Great food, performances, and fellowship.

Writing Progress from June 2023.

I wrote two blog posts for my website, garydavidgillen.com. One post was my writing progress report for June 2023, which is linked below.

Writing Progress Report June 2023

In June 2023, I submitted Chapter One of Four of my novelette Chemithurgy, to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call.

I did not submit a story to the Fiction Writing Workshop at the Parma, Ohio, library in June 2023.

I did not submit a short story to the Critters.org online workshop in June 2023.

Writing Progress from June 2023 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in June 2023.

In June, I started an account on the submission grinder.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023.

Events from June 2023.

The next event I plan to attend is the Confluence Conference near Pittsburgh, PA, on July 21, 2023, to July 23, 2023. They will hold the conference at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel in Coraopolis, PA.

Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh 2022

Writing Goals for July 2023.

In July 2023, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for June 2023.

I plan to submit a story to the Fiction Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library in July 2023.

In July 2023, I plan to submit a short story to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop in July 2023.

In July 2023, I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. I plan to split Chapter 1 into two chapters and add a scene to the new chapter 1.

Submit the stories Space-Dog Confession, Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, Grognard, LARP Film noir, Sleeping Sickness, Popular Mechanics Re-brewed, and Caliburnus. to other short fiction magazines.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for July 2023 continued.

In July 2023, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Put the novel Assassin in New Marl City into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for July 2023.

Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh 2022

The link to the Confluence website.

http://parsec-sff.org/confluence/

T-shirt for Confluence 2023.

Winters Heart by Robert Jordan

Winters Heart by Robert Jordan, Book Nine of the Wheel of Time series.

Introduction

Winters Heart by Robert Jordan is the ninth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows four main plot arcs. Rand tracks the assassins who tried to kill him in the previous novel. Mat seeks to escape the Seanchan in Ebou Dar. Perrin must return Masema to face Rand, but he finds out that the Shaido captured Faile. Elayne takes over Andor, but the Borderlander’s armies besiege her. Rand’s chapters were the best ones of this novel.

Summary – Prologue

The prologue has four point-of-view characters, and each point of view sets up a plot arc for the novel.

Seaine is an Aes Sedai in the White Tower. Seaine with the help of Pevara and others are tasked with discovering the members of the Black Ajah. This is the Black Ajah Hunter Arc.

Elayne is the Queen of Andor and must protect her realm from within and without. This is the Andor Arc.

Toveine Gazal and about 50 other Aes Sedai were sent by Elaida to capture the Black Tower and gentle the Aha’man found there. They don’t succeed. This is the Black Tower Arc. Rand is on the hunt for revenge against the channelers that attacked him in Cairhien at the end of the previous novel. This is Rand’s Revenge Arc

Summary–Groups of characters

Winters Heart by Robert Jordan has four main plots.

Rand bonds with Elayne, Aviendha, and Min. He has a special night with Elayne. He tracks the assassins too Far Madding tries to kill them. Rand and Nynaeve accomplish something with far reaching consequences.

Mat seeks to escape from Ebou Dar. The plot involves freeing Aes Sedai trapped as damane by the Seanchan. He captures Tuon but realizes that she is the Daughter of the Nine Moons and will become his wife so he takes her with him.

Perrin starts bringing Masema back to Cairhein to see Rand, but he finds out that the Shaido have taken Faile.

Elayne maneuvers herself to rule Andor. She faces the threat of the Borderlander’s armies besieging Caemlyn.

Summary–Best Chapters

Four Chapters stand out in Winters Heart by Robert Jordan.

Chapter 12 A Lily in Winter. This is the chapter where Elayne, Avienda, and Min bond with Rand. Then Rand and Elyane have their special moment.

Chapter 22 Out of Thin Air. This is the chapter where Rand tracks the Asha’man assassins to Far Madding. At the end of the chapter the reader learns more about Isam.

Chapter 33 Blue Carp Street. Rand gets a clue to the assassins location. He thinks it is a trap and brings along Lan. There is a fight. Lan and Rand have an awesome moment.

Chapter 35 With the Choedan Kal. Rand and Nynaeve do something awesome and a dozen characters reflects on that action.

Recommendation

Winters Heart by Robert Jordan has some brilliant scenes but misses conclusions to many of the plot arcs explored. There are two exceptions, and they are the best parts of the novel. Both involve Rand. Rand tracks down the Asha’man assassins that tried to kill him at the end of the last novel. Rand and Nynaeve do something awesome. The reflections of a dozen characters in the last chapter were excellent.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Winters Heart by Robert Jordan.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13891.Winter_s_Heart

Review of Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan. When Rand fights the Seanchan, will they defeat him, or will he win across the Path of Daggers?

Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan. When Rand forces the hand of one of the Forsaken, will the Forsaken defeat him or will he earn a Crown of Swords?

Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, Book Six of the Wheel of Time. Chaos reigns in the Westlands. They push Rand to the edge of insanity. Will he survive the box?

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan, Book Five of the Wheel of Time.

Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, Book Four of the Wheel of Time.

Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan, Book three of the Wheel of Time.

Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Great Hunt by Robert Jordan, Book two of the Wheel of Time.

Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

This is the link to my review of Eye of the World by Robert Jordan, Book one of the Wheel of Time.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Writing Progress Report June 2023

This is my Writing Progress Report June 2023.

I attended the Marcon conference in Columbus, Ohio, from May 26, 2023, to May 28, 2023. This picture is from the panel discussion concerning the TV show Babylon 5.

Writing Progress from May 2023.

I wrote two blog posts for my website, garydavidgillen.com. One post was my writing progress report for May 2023, which is linked below.

Writing Progress Report May 2023

In May 2023, I submitted my story, Mixtape, to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call.

I submitted a short story, the care, and Training of your new space dog, to the Fiction Writing Workshop at the Parma, Ohio, library in May 2023.

I did not submit a short story to the Critters.org online workshop in May 2023.

Writing Progress from May 2023 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in May 2023.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023.

Events from May 2023.

I attended the Marcon conference in Columbus, Ohio, from May 26, 2023, to May 28, 2023. They held the conference at the downtown Columbus Hyatt after holding the conference the last few years at Crowne Plaza North Hotel in Worthington, Ohio.

This is a link to the Marcon website.

https://www.marcon.org/home

This is a link to the Marcon Conference Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/MARConOH/

Writing Goals for June 2023.

In June 2023, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for May 2023.

I plan to submit a story to the Fiction Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library in June 2023.

In June 2023, I plan to submit a short story to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop in June 2023.

In June 2023, I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. I plan to split Chapter 1 into two chapters and add a scene to the new chapter 1.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for June 2023 continued.

In June 2023, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Start an account on the submission grinder.

Put the novel Assassin in New Marl City into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for June 2023.

Confluence SF Conference Pittsburgh 2022

The link to the Confluence website.

http://parsec-sff.org/confluence/

T-shirt for Confluence 2023.

Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold

Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold, Book #3 of the Vorkosigan saga by publication order and #7 by chronological order.

Introduction

Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold is the third published novel of the Vorkosigan saga. It is also the seventh novel of the internal chronology of the saga. It is one of the few novels in the series where Miles Vorkosigan is not the protagonist of the novel. Dr. Ethan Urquhart is a reproduction specialist on the planet of Athos. This is a very important job because the population of Athos is only men, and they grow babies in uterine replicators. Without the doctor’s efforts, the population of Athos could dwindle and eventually expire. The cultures he received in the last shipment were unusable. Will Ethan go off the planet, risk being corrupted, and solve the mystery of the unusable samples, or will he doom Athos by doing nothing?

Summary

Dr. Ethan Urquhart is a reproduction specialist on the planet of Athos. Athos was populated only with men, with a monk-like society. They have demonized women as a corrupting force and will not let them in the colony. To continue the colony, they must produce babies by using uterine replicators. Ethan is one of the doctors who monitor the babies’ growth. His latest batch of ovarian tissues is unusable, so he must discover what went wrong to save his planet. The problem is, he must go off the planet to discover the truth and risk corrupting himself by encountering the corrupters, women.

Ethan goes to Kline Station, where the tissues came from, to find answers. Early on he meets Elli Quinn, who is a commander in the Denarii Mercenary Fleet. (Commanded by Admiral Naismith aka Miles Vorkosigan and Elli’s love interest, but that is another story.) They encounter Cetagandians who are looking for the missing tissue samples for their reasons. Reversals occur and Ethan must make hard choices to accomplish his mission of getting ovarian tissue samples to continue the breeding project.

Recommendation

Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold is a nice, short, fast-paced spy adventure that comes to a satisfying ending. I appreciated Bujold’s treatment of the colony of Athos. She has taken a thought experiment of how a one-sex colony sustains itself without adding outside members and giving it a face in Ethan. The frank treatment of his sexuality was refreshing, especially since it was published so long ago and in the science fiction genre. Elli Quinn was an excellent character, and I can see why the author goes back to her in subsequent novels. Another novel featuring Ethan would have been interesting, but I am satisfied in thinking that his life in the future was quiet and productive rather than needing a stressful adventure intruding on him.

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/990093.Ethan_of_Athos

In Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold, they send Miles Vorkosigan and his cousin Ivan to Cetaganda on a diplomatic mission. Miles becomes involved in a complex mystery. Will Miles foil the plot to destroy Cetaganda and save his home planet of Barrayar?

Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold

In The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold, they accused Miles Vorkosigan of treason. Will Miles play The Vor Game well enough to escape the treason charges made against him and secure the assignment he desires?

Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold

In Warriors Apprentice (Book #2 of the Vorkosigan Saga) by Lois McMaster Bujold, Miles Vorkosigan gets involved in another planet’s war. Can he escape the mischief he started?

Warriors Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold

In Barrayar (Book#7 of the Vorkosigan saga) by Lois McMaster Bujold, Lady Cordelia Vorkosigan faces an assassination and the birth of her son. Will she survive the regency and give birth to her son?

Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold

In Shards of Honor (Book#1 of the Vorkosigan saga) by Lois McMaster Bujold, Barrayaran Captain Aral Vorkosigan takes Betan Commander Cordelia Naismith as a prisoner. They take a hike in the jungle. What happens when they fall in love?

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

In Falling Free (Book #4 of the Vorkosigan saga) by Lois McMaster Bujold, space engineer Leo Graf must decide between retiring or risking his life protecting his students. The novel is a fun, self-contained space opera romp.

Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold

Writing Progress Report May 2023

This is my Writing Progress Report May 2023.

I attended Ice and Fire Con at Deer Creek Lodge in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, from April 27 to April 30, 2023. The conference covers all things Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.

Writing Progress from April 2023.

I wrote two blog posts for my website, garydavidgillen.com. One post was my writing progress report for April 2023, which is linked below.

Writing Progress Report April 2023

In April 2023, I submitted my story, Catfish, to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call.

I did not submit a short story to the Fiction Writing Workshop at the Parma, Ohio, library in April 2023.

I did not submit a short story to the Critters.org online workshop in April 2023.

Writing Progress from April 2023 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in April 2023.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023.

Events from April 2023.

I attended Ice and Fire Con at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, from April 27 to April 30, 2023. The conference covers all things Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.

This is a link to the Ice and Fire Conference website.

http://www.iceandfirecon.com/

Writing Goals for May 2023.

In May 2023, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for April 2023.

I plan to submit a story to the Fiction Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library in May 2023.

In May 2023, I plan to submit a short story to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop in May 2023.

In May 2023, I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. I plan to split Chapter 1 into two chapters and add a scene to the new Chapter 1.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for May 2023 continued.

In May 2023, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Put the novel Assassin in New Marl City into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for May 2023.

The next event I plan to attend is the Marcon conference in Columbus, Ohio, from May 26, 2023, to May 28, 2023. They will hold the conference at the downtown Columbus Hyatt after holding the conference the last few years at Crowne Plaza North Hotel in Worthington, Ohio.

This is a link to the Marcon website.

https://www.marcon.org/home

This is a link to the Marcon Conference Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/MARConOH/

Zoes Tale by John Scalzi

Zoes Tale by John Scalzi, Book #4 of The Old Man’s War series.

Introduction

Zoes Tale by John Scalzi is the fourth book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel tells the events from the previous novel, The Last Colony, from the point of view of Zoe Boutin Perry. She was adopted by John Perry and Jane Sagan and is now seventeen years old. They leave their home, the only home that Zoe knew, to settle in a new colony on the planet named Roanoke. What they find at Roanoke is not what they expected. Will they protect the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?

Summary

[Insert Summary Here]

Recommendation

[Insert Recommendation Here]

Links

This is the link to the Goodreads page of Zoes Tale by John Scalzi.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2102600.Zoe_s_Tale

Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry and his family colonized a new planet. Can he protect the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?

Last Colony by John Scalzi

Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi is the second book in the Old Man’s War series. Jared Dirac is a clone with another man’s memories. He must save humanity from three allied alien races determined to destroy humanity.

Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi

Old Man’s War is the first novel in the Old Man’s War series. This is the link to my review.

Old Man’s War by John Scalzi

Writing Progress Report April 2023

This is my Writing Progress Report April 2023.

I attended the Cleveland Concoction, from March 17, 2023, to March 19, 2023, at the Bertram Inn and Conference Center, Aurora, Ohio.

Writing Progress from March 2023.

I wrote two blog posts for my website, garydavidgillen.com. One post was my writing progress report for March 2023, which is linked below.

Writing Progress Report March 2023

In March 2023, I submitted my story, Catfish, to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop on a Zoom call.

I did not submit a short story to the Fiction Writing Workshop at the Parma, Ohio, library in March 2023.

I did not submit a short story to the Critters.org online workshop in March 2023.

Writing Progress from March 2023 Continued

I made five posts on my Goodreads account in March 2023.

In the past, I submitted the stories; Four Humors, Space Station Sunyata, and Grognard to magazines.

Magazine submissions for 2021 were 4 unique stories submitted 4 times, with 0 accepted, 0 pending, and 4 rejections. No submissions for 2022. None for 2023.

Events from March 2023.

I attended the Cleveland Concoction, from March 17, 2023, to March 19, 2023. They held the conference at the Bertram Inn and Conference Center at 600 North Aurora Road, Aurora, Ohio.

This is a link to the ConCoction website.

http://www.clevelandconcoction.org/

I attended the Western Reserve Writers Conference at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Lyndhurst, Ohio on March 25, 2023.

This is a link to the Cuyahoga County Library website.

https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/

Writing Goals for April 2023.

In April 2023, I plan to write four blog posts for garydavidgillen.com including my Writing Progress Report for April 2023.

I plan to submit a story to the Fiction Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library in April 2023.

In April 2023, I plan to submit a short story to the Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio, library.

I plan to submit a story to the critters workshop in April 2023.

In April 2023, I plan to work on third draft edits for Assassin in New Marl City using comments from the Novel Writing Workshop at Parma, Ohio. I plan to split Chapter 1 into two chapters and add a scene to the new Chapter 1.

Polish and submit the stories White Bracer, Mage Squad, I Shall Not Return, Prisoner of Tarnal, and Kay-Eye for submission to short fiction magazines.

Writing Goals for April 2023 continued.

In April 2023, I plan to make five posts on my Goodreads account.

Put the novel Assassin in New Marl City into the writing program, Scrivener.

Buy an e-book cover for Assassin in New Marl City from Fiveer.

Planned Events for April 2023.

The next event I plan to attend is Ice and Fire Con at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, from April 27 to April 30, 2023. The conference covers all things Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.

This is a link to the Ice and Fire Conference website.

http://www.iceandfirecon.com/