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Showing posts from 2017

VIDEO: THREE GREAT THINGS ABOUT GODZILLA with Matt Betts

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VIDEO Matt Betts shared three great things about Godzilla for my YouTube interview series . He was the final guest for the Uniontown Public Library 2017 Author Series .

EVENT: Uniontown Public Library 2017 Author Series: Jason Jack Miller

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EVENTS UNIONTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2017 AUTHOR SERIES JASON JACK MILLER JASON JACK MILLER "Fiction and the Power of Belief" Saturday November 4, 2017 4:00 - 6:00 PM Jason Jack Miller knows it’s silly to hold onto the Bohemian ideals of literature, music, and love above all else. But he doesn’t care. His own adventures paddling wild mountain rivers and playing Nirvana covers for less-than-enthusiastic crowds inspired his Murder Ballads and Whiskey series. The first three books are currently available: The Devil and Preston Black , Hellbender , and The Revelations of Preston Black . The next installment, All Saints , is due out in February 2018. Hellbender was Jason's thesis novel for Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction Graduate Program , where he is now a mentor and guest lecturer. The novel won the Arthur J. Rooney Award for Fiction and was a finalist for the Appalachian Writers Association Book of the Year Award . His career got

VIDEO: THREE GREAT THINGS ABOUT NEW PULP with Fred Adams

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VIDEOS I interviewed award-winning author Fred Adams, Jr. , about New Pulp for my YouTube series Three Great Things About. Fred will be presenting at the Uniontown Public Library tonight, Monday, October 23, 2017 from 6-8 PM as part of the UPL 2017 Author Series.

INTERVIEW: Heidi Ruby Miller by Shara White at Speculative Chic

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INTERVIEWS I share My Favorite Things with Shara White over at Speculative Chic . Do we have any in common? "Growing up I just assumed all my friends, whether male or female, liked what I liked. It’s a conceit of youth that I admit still surfaces in me today. Back then, I figured everyone had watched MacGyver and later X-Files , that they designed lasers and read G.I. Joe comics. (You know, the usual.) Imagine my surprise when one of my best girlfriends said, 'I don’t really like that sci-fi stuff.' I took her statement as anyone would — riotous laughter then sobering shock. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read my collection of Robotech books or stay up late to watch Battlestar Galactica (the original one where Muffit was a supporting character), or take a bunch of extra computer classes during the summer?" READ MORE AT SPECULATIVE CHIC.

PODCAST: ArtsReviews's: Heidi Ruby Miller Readings

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PODCASTS Thank you to Art Sippo for recording my readings at Pulpfest/Farmercon 2017 on his wonderful podcast Art's Reviews . I read short excerpts, which included complementary chapters from Greenshift and Starrie , which I have always wanted to do because this particular bad guy from Greenshift doesn't get his comeuppance until Starrie . And, of course, I read from Man of War in honor of its launch that weekend. Enjoy!

Good-bye, Puddahs. You Were the Best Kitty.

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Last week we lost Puddahs, and I'm still trying to deal with the heartbreak. Some of you knew her from visiting our little home, some of you knew her from Instagram, Twitter, and this blog. She was sweet and never judging. Always consoling, always the presence that Jason and I needed when life was tough. We named her Francesca after Frances Mayes because I watched Under the Tuscan Sun constantly when we first got her. The movie and Francesca were a type of therapy for me because I had been assaulted in the classroom where I taught and never returned to the profession after that day. There were many dark days to come as I healed, and Puddahs was right there. Then last year when the migraines debilitated me, she was also there, comforting, just being. (I miss you, Puddahs.) Jason and I still feel her in the house, but the emptiness is slowly creeping in. Thank you to my mum for staying at her side during those last days as we rushed home from Lisbon to say good-bye. I belie

COVER REVEAL AND PRE-ORDER: MAN OF WAR by Heidi Ruby Miller

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COVER REVEALS ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT TO PRE-ORDER a signed, limited edition of this beautiful hard cover (BY ARTIST MARK WHEATLEY) of Man of War, my new book from Meteor House. It is a sequel to Philip José Farmer's Two Hawks from Earth. Foreword by Christopher Paul Carey.

VIDEO: SMALL SPACE BIG LIFE: Paris!

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VIDEOS This is a transfer of a Windows Movie Maker project Jason did back in 2014. It was our second trip to Paris. Some of the quality is old school, but that's part of what we like about it. You can check out our other lifestyle and travel videos on our YouTube channel SMALL SPACE BIG LIFE .

INTERVIEW: Heidi Ruby Miller by Tee Morris and Philippa Ballentine on The Shared Desk

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INTERVIEWS I was chatting with Tee Morris and Philippa Ballentine on The Shared Desk podcast during the 2017 SFWA Nebula Awards Conference . Here's a partial from the transcript: We get a visit from Heidi Ruby Miller who is rocking this cool retro sci-fi pattern… And just like that Heidi’s on the podcast. Yes, there is a ball app and Tee travels with one. Heidi has snuck away from the Pennwriters Conference to hang with science fiction authors. What was Heidi up to at the Pennwriters Conference ? What Heidi and her husband, Jason Jack , are up to on social media? Check out Small Space, Big Life on YouTube . Listen to Episode #75 in its entirety at The Shared Desk .

VIDEO: SMALL SPACE BIG LIFE: Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise

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VIDEOS For my parents' 45th Wedding Anniversary all the kids took them on a Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise at Walt Disney World and we captured the highlights over at our YouTube channel SMALL SPACE BIG LIFE . This was our second specialty cruise at WDW and it was just as magical. If you'd like to book your own cruise, visit the Disney site .

INTERVIEW: Heidi Ruby Miller by Hilary Hauck at Pennwriters

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INTERVIEWS I was recently interviewed by Hilary Hauck for my upcoming appearance at the 30th Annual Pennwriters Conference in Pittsburgh May 18-20, 2017. Here's a peek: What is the most challenging aspect of your work? Migraine headaches. I was so debilitated by them last year that I had to take a hiatus. Worst of all, I had to tell a publisher for the first time ever that I might not finish a contracted book. Lucky for me, said publisher was quite understanding and gave me a year’s extension. I’m happy to say the book, Man of War , is coming out this year from the wonderful people at Meteor House . Though I am back to writing, I have slowed down considerably and may never be able to reach the word counts I did before. But I’ll do what I can because even a little is better than nothing. Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career. Man of War . Simply because I truly didn’t believe I would ever finish it, let alon

VIDEO: THREE GREAT THINGS ABOUT POETRY with John Edward Lawson

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VIDEOS I video interviewed author and editor John Edward Lawson for my Three Great Things series . His latest work is SuiPsalms . John was the May guest for the 2017 Author Series at Uniontown Public Library .

EVENT: Heidi Ruby Miller at 2017 SFWA Nebula Mass Autographing

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EVENTS I'll be signing my books at the 2017 SFWA Nebula Mass Autographing on Friday, May 18 at 8:00 PM, alongside 100 other authors, including Phillippa Ballentine, Neil Clarke, Lawrence C. Connolly, Gardner Dozois, Scott Edelman, Timons Esaias, Laura Anne Gilman, Joe Haldeman, Larry Ivkovich, Mary Robinette Kowal, Rhonda Mason, Seanan McGuire, Jason Jack Miller, Connie WIllis, and Jane Yolen. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the SFWA Nebula Conference website .

BOOK SPOT: Starrie in Boston

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BOOK SPOT Fellow author Mike Mehalek of Boston holding his copy of Starrie (From the World of Ambasadora) . Thanks much for the support, Mike! Check out his urban dragon fantasy, Only Human .

EVENT: Uniontown Public Library 2017 Author Series: John Edward Lawson

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EVENTS UNIONTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2017 AUTHOR SERIES JOHN EDWARD LAWSON JOHN EDWARD LAWSON "Poetry: As a Writer, As an Editor" Saturday May 13, 2017 4:00 - 6:00 PM Join us as John Edward Lawson shares a multi-media presentation about his award-winning poetry collections and being co-owner of a successful publishing company with four imprints, a myriad of awards for its works, and an upcoming movie by Ridley Scott. John Edward Lawson is an author, editor and poet living in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. He is the author of 16 books of fiction and poetry, and numerous chapbooks. Over 500 of his poems, stories, and articles have been published in magazines, anthologies, literary journals, and newspapers worldwide. John was a winner of the 2001 Fiction International Emerging Writers Competition; in addition to being a finalist for the Stoker Award (2006, Superior Achievement in Poetry) and the Wonderland Award for Bizarro Fiction (2007, collected

VIDEO: SMALL SPACE BIG LIFE: Montreal

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VIDEOS Here's one from Montreal from SMALL SPACE BIG LIFE , the travel and lifestyle blog I share with Jason Jack Miller .

EVENT: Heidi Ruby Miller at 30th Annual Pennwriters Conference

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EVENTS Here is my tentative schedule at the 2017 Pennwriters Conference . The organization is celebrating its 30th conference and I'm happy to be a guest. This time around I'll be team teaching some long sessions which focus on using media, social or otherwise, to gain exposure and have some fun. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017 2:30 - 3:30 In Case The Tonight Show Calls with Heidi Ruby Miller & Matt Betts (PART ONE) Charm interviewers and audiences on TV, radio, online, and in print with help from two creators who have sat on both sides of the couch. Attendees will have a chance for interviews on YouTube and a podcast with Heidi Ruby Miller and Matt Betts. 3:45 - 4:45 In Case The Tonight Show Calls with Heidi Ruby Miller & Matt Betts (PART TWO) Charm interviewers and audiences on TV, radio, online, and in print with help from two creators who have sat on both sides of the couch. Attendees will have a chance for interviews on YouTube and a podcast with Heidi Ruby Miller

VIDEO: THREE GREAT THINGS ABOUT HORROR with Michael A. Arnzen

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VIDEOS I video interviewed Bram Stoker and International Horror Guild Award-winning author Michael A. Arnzen for my Three Great Things series . His latest work is Proverbs for Monsters . Mike will be the April 1 guest for the 2017 Author Series at Uniontown Public Library .

EVENT: Uniontown Public Library Author Series: Michael A. Arnzen

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EVENTS UNIONTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2017 AUTHOR SERIES MICHAEL A. ARNZEN MICHAEL A. ARNZEN "Humor in Writing" Saturday April 1, 2017 4:00 - 6:00 PM Join us to celebrate April Fool’s Day with Dr. Michael A. Arnzen for a look at the power of comedic writing to disturb, disrupt and delight. A short talk, followed by an upbeat reading of his strangest and silliest stories and poems, will get you giggling. Michael Arnzen holds four Bram Stoker Awards and an International Horror Guild Award for his disturbing (and often funny) fiction, poetry and literary experiments. An expanded, 10th anniversary edition of the “best of Arnzen,” his Stoker-award winning story collection, Proverbs for Monsters was recently published by Dark Regions Press. Other recent titles include his novel, Grave Markings , a non-fiction study, The Popular Uncanny, and helpful books for writers, including, Instigation: Creative Prompts on the Dark Side and, as co-editor, Many Genres, One C

BOOK: Man of War by Heidi Ruby Miller

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BOOKS I can't tell you what an honor it is to write a sequel to a Science Fiction Grandmaster's novel. Thank you to Meteor House and the Philip José Farmer estate for this incredible opportunity. Thank you also to Christopher Paul Carey for writing the introduction and to Mark Wheatley for such beautiful cover art. And, of course, thank you to Michael Croteau and Paul Spiteri at Meteor House for their skills as editors. Man of War: A Two Hawks Adventure by Heidi Ruby Miller In Philip José Farmer’s novel Two Hawks from Earth , Native American pilot Roger Two Hawks flew through his first “gate” while on a bombing run over Romania during World War II. The gate brought him to Earth 2, a world where the Americas never existed. Since then he has continued to fight battles on Earth after Earth, each more strange than the next. In Heidi Ruby Miller’s short story “Dakota’s Gate” ( Worlds of Philip José Farmer 3 ), set on Earth 3, North America never advanced past stone tools an

EVENT: Carrie Gessner at Uniontown Public Library (Photos)

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EVENTS Here are some photos from Carrie Gessner's talk and signing for the Uniontown Public Library Author Series 2017 :

VIDEO: THREE GREAT THINGS ABOUT PITTSBURGH with Nicole Peeler

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VIDEOS I video interviewed urban fantasy author Nicole Peeler for my Three Great Things series . Her latest novel is Jinn and Juice . Nicole was the March guest for the 2017 Author Series at Uniontown Public Library .

EVENT: Pennwriters Conference 2017 Registration is Open

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EVENTS Registration for the 30 th  Annual Pennwriters Conference is now open:  http://bit.ly/2l7oOos Join us  May 19-21, 2017 , at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott for the 30th Annual Pennwriters Conference. Our Friday evening keynote speaker will be CHUCK SAMBUCHINO, a bestselling humor book writer, a freelance editor, and a former editor for Writer’s Digest Books. He was named by  Forbes  as one of the top influencers in publishing. Our  Saturday  luncheon keynote speaker will be ANNETTE DASHOFY, the  USA Today  bestselling author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series. We are also pleased to have the following agents and editor as conference participants: Noah Ballard, agent, Curtis Brown, Ltd. Louise Fury, agent, The Bent Agency Mark Gottlieb, agent, Trident Media Group Liz Kossnar, editor, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Eric Myers, agent, Dystel and Goderich Literary Management Roseanne Wells, agent, The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency In additio

EVENT: Uniontown Public Library Author Series: Nicole Peeler

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EVENTS UNIONTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2017 AUTHOR SERIES NICOLE PEELER NICOLE PEELER "Setting My Series in Pittsburgh" Saturday March 4, 2017 4:00 - 6:00 PM Join us for an afternoon with Dr. Nicole D. Peeler , who writes urban fantasy for Orbit Books and, in her spare time, is a professor at Seton Hill University , where she co-directs their MFA in Writing Popular Fiction . Having recently finished the final book of her award-winning Jane True series , she is working on the second book of her jinni series. The first is Jinn and Juice , about a cursed jinni living in Pittsburgh. Nicole also lives in Pittsburgh, although she’s neither cursed nor a jinni. UNIONTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2017 AUTHOR SERIES Throughout 2017, the  Uniontown Public Library  will showcase the talent of novelists, short story writers, and poets. Each month, a writer will visit the Library to share their experiences as published authors. They will offer a short talk on a subject r

WORKSHOP: UPL Writers Workshop with Heidi Ruby Miller and Jason Jack Miller

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WORKSHOPS This week ( Wednesday, February 8 ) at the UPL Writers Workshop, we'll be learning how to format a manuscript and do a critique of another writer's work. Hope you can join us! ~~~ The  Uniontown Public Library  offers a Writers Workshop led by authors  Heidi Ruby Miller  and  Jason Jack Miller  each Wednesday afternoon . The weekly meetings will include a short writing lesson, writing tips and advice, and a discussion about members’ work.  We'll be using lessons from  Many Genres One Craft .  Each lecture and activity will be self-contained in case you can't attend every week.   This is a great opportunity to meet fellow writers, talk about your ideas, and explore your creativity. The UPL Writers Workshop is a free program and writers of all genres and experience levels are welcome! The Writers Workshop will meet every Wednesday from 4:30 – 6:00 PM in Meeting Room A. If you have any questions, please contact UPL at (724) 437-1165. Heidi Ruby Miller  a

VIDEO: THREE GREAT THINGS ABOUT ROMANCE with Lee McClain

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VIDEOS I video interviewed romance author Lee Tobin McClain for my Three Great Things series. Her latest novel is The Soldier and the Single Mom . Lee was the February guest for the 2017 Author Series at Uniontown Public Library .

BOOK: The Best of Farmerphile

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BOOKS I am very honored to have my essay about Philip José Farmer's Tongues of the Moon selected for this collection. You can preorder it from Meteor House now in two editions: trade paperback (shown with a collage of the covers making up Farmer's portrait) and hardcover (shown with Farmer as Sherlock Holmes). The full table of contents is available if you scroll down on the preorder page. ABOUT Farmerphile: The Magazine of Philip José Farmer was a quarterly fanzine that ran fifteen issues from July 2005 to January 2009. Michael Croteau served as Publisher for all fifteen issues; Christopher Paul Carey and Paul Spiteri coedited the first ten issues, while Spiteri and Win Scott Eckert coedited the last five. Thanks to the generosity of Philip José Farmer and his “Magic Filing Cabinet,” Farmerphile published—for the first time anywhere—short stories (mostly not science fiction), excerpts, articles, speeches, and letters written by Farmer. It even serialized the novel Up fr

EVENT: Uniontown Public Library Author Series: Lee McClain

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EVENTS UNIONTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2017 AUTHOR SERIES LEE TOBIN MCCLAIN LEE TOBIN MCCLAIN "How Romance Grows" Saturday February 11, 2017 4:00 - 6:00 PM Join us for an evening with Dr. Lee Tobin McClain , professor in Seton Hill University's Writing Popular Fiction MFA program and author of numerous books and stories, including her latest The Soldier and the Single Mom . Lee will discuss how the romance genre has grown since its Regency days, but how love always remains the central theme. Perfect Valentine's topic! Refreshments will be served and a Q&A session with the author and book raffle will follow. FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE MAIN DESK! UNIONTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2017 AUTHOR SERIES Throughout 2017, the Uniontown Public Library will showcase the talent of novelists, short story writers, and poets. Each month, a writer will visit the Library to share their experiences as published authors. They will offer a short talk on a su

EVENT: Lee Tobin McClain at Uniontown Public Library (Photos)

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EVENTS Here are some photos from Lee Tobin McClain's talk and signing at the Uniontown Public Library 2017 Author Series :

WORKSHOP: UPL Writers Workshop with Heidi Ruby Miller and Jason Jack Miller

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WORKSHOPS Jason and I are excited to be involved with this free writers workshop! We'll be using lessons from Many Genres One Craft , beginning with Gary A. Braunbeck's "You Have to Start with SOMETHING, So It Might As Well Be Something Like This." Each lesson will be self-contained in case you can't attend every week. ~~~ Beginning on Wednesday, January 25th , the Uniontown Public Library will offer a Writers Workshop led by authors Heidi Ruby Miller and Jason Jack Miller . The weekly meetings will include a short writing lesson, writing tips and advice, and a discussion about members’ work. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow writers, talk about your ideas, and explore your creativity. The Workshop is a free program and writers of all genres and experience levels are welcome! The Writers Workshop will meet every Wednesday from 4:30 – 6:00 PM in Meeting Room A. If you have any questions, please contact UPL at (724) 437-1165. Heidi Ruby Mi

PHOTOS: Seton Hill Writing Popular Fiction MFA Residency January 2017

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PHOTOS Just a few photos from the January 2017 Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction MFA residency. It was a cold one this year, but fun and inspiring, as always. Shiny new faculty name tags Congratulations to this term's graduates! Waiting for graduation with Jason Jack Miller

VIDEO: THREE GREAT THINGS ABOUT FANTASY with Carrie Gessner

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VIDEOS I video interviewed fantasy author Carrie Gessner for my Three Great Things series. Her debut novel is The Dying of the Golden Day . You can see her live at Uniontown Public Library on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM as part of their 2017 Author Series .

EVENT: Uniontown Public Library 2017 Author Series: Carrie Gessner

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EVENTS UNIONTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2017 AUTHOR SERIES          Carrie Gessner “Creating a Fantasy World” Saturday, January 21, 2017 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM Join us for an evening with Carrie Gessner, author of The Dying of the Golden Day . Carrie will discuss how a rich setting built on magic, culture, history, and more can enhance speculative fiction. A Q&A session with the author and book raffle will follow. Free tickets available at the Main Desk! ~~~ UNIONTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2017 AUTHOR SERIES Throughout 2017, the Uniontown Public Library will showcase the talent of novelists, short story writers, and poets. Each month, a writer will visit the Library to share their experiences as published authors. They will offer a short talk on a subject related to their genre, do a reading from their work, and participate in a question and answer session with the audience. A meet-and-greet and book signing will follow. These events are free and open to the public — you do not have to

VIDEO: SMALL SPACE BIG LIFE: Year in Review 2016

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VIDEOS It was a wonderful travel year for us that started with Occoquan on New Year's Day, then saw us through DC, Louisville, San Francisco, Columbus, Walt Disney World, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Florence, Chianti, Sienna, San Gimignano, Paris, Cincinnati, Lewes Beach, and Broadkill Writers Resort. You can see it all condensed into 2 minutes with this SMALL SPACE BIG LIFE video below and on our Instagram feeds: @heidirubymiller @jasonjackmiller @smallspacebiglife . HAPPY 2017!