Author Introduction: Anton Strout

I'd like to introduce Anton Strout, the next author in my "Author Introduction" series. And once again, this is a first novel, so it really is an introduction. The official release date for his book Dead to Me isn't until February 26th, but I've already seen it at the bookstore, so with his approval I decided I'd post the entry early. And now I'll hand it over to Anton. Say hello everyone!

“Alright, everybody freeze! I know you is expecting some sweet Josh-y action around these parts, but any one of you mofos reaches for the Refresh button and things around these parts are gonna turn real ugly real quick!

Ok, now . . . good . . . everyone sit tight. It’s time for me to tell you a bit about the first book in my new urban fantasy series, Dead To Me [Amazon; Mysterious Galaxy], on sale 2/26.





If you like Jim Butcher and Joss Whedon, I think you should love me because Dead To Me is as if the two of them had a baby. . . .

Here’s the book description: A new urban fantasy featuring a man working on the right side of law--with talents that come from left field.

Psychometry--the power to touch an object and divine information about its history--has meant a life of petty crime for Simon Canderous, but now he's gone over to the good side. At New York's underfunded and (mostly) secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, he's learning about red tape, office politics, and the basics of paranormal investigation. But it's not the paperwork that has him breathless.

After Simon spills his coffee on (okay, through) the ghost of a beautiful woman--who doesn't know she's dead--he and his mentor plan to find her killers. But Simon's not prepared for the nefarious plot that unfolds before him, involving politically correct cultists, a large wooden fish, a homicidal bookcase, and the forces of Darkness, which kind of have a crush on him.

So far my fave prepub quote, the one I’m proudest of so far, is this one from Sookie Stackhouse writer Charlaine Harris.:

"Simon Canderous is a reformed thief and a psychometrist. By turns despondent over his luck with the ladies (not always living) and his struggle with the hierarchy of his mysterious department (not always truthful), Simon's life veers from crisis to crisis. Following Simon's adventures is like being the pinball in an especially antic game, but it's well worth the wear and tear."

I’ll be honest here… I grew up on Douglass Adams and I also really miss Buffy.. or anything Joss Whedon does for that matter. So I have a lot of fun writing quirky, humorous paranormal fiction and if you pick me up and give Dead To Me a chance, I think you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

And if you like it, you’ll be pleased to hear that I’m just about to turn in book two of the series.

We now return you to his world of epic fantasy, where the books are thick and the women are scantily clad!

Again, thanks for letting me hijack yer space here, Josh!”

You can find Anton Strout at www.antonstrout.com.

Norwescon Schedule--Disaster in the Making

OK, here's my Norwescon schedule. I think I'm going to be a little busy. If you intend to attend the con, let me know. And make certain you stop by at least one of these panels and/or the authographing session and introduce yourself. I'd certainly like to meet anyone from the west coast who's also watching my LJ. I don't get to that coast as often as I'd like, so take hold of the opportunity while it's here. Although I do intend to make Norwescon one of my regular cons. In any case, check it out:

The Muddle in the Middle Friday 10:00 a.m.

You’re half, two thirds of the way through your novel and .... Nothing’s Happening! Is there something structurally wrong with your book? Do “real” writers have a secret technique to bridge this mess? Do you just consign this novel to the hole where your other 23 unfinished novels rot? Panelists will share their experience with this beer-belly, hanging-over-the-belt middles of books syndrome and offer some suggestions… we hope.

Craig English (M), Joshua Palmatier, Gordon Van Gelder



Writers Workshop: Tim Killen Friday 11:00 a.m.

Chris Bodan (M), G. David Nordley, Joshua Palmatier, Amy Thomson



Reading: Joshua Palmatier Friday Noon

The Vacant Throne

Joshua Palmatier



The Liars’ Panel: A Guarantee Way to Sell That 1000 Page First Manuscript of Yours Friday 2:00 p.m.

Yes, they guarantee it! Come, listen to these simple, easy steps, and you too can join the throngs of happy published writers, hawking their novels at the local Safeway. Sorry, no recording devices or lawyers will be allowed in the room.

Jay Lake (M), Joshua Palmatier, J.C. Hendee, Barb Hendee



Writers Workshop: Joyce Holt Saturday 10:00 a.m.

Renee Stern (M), J. C. Hendee, Caitlin Kittredge, Joshua Palmatier



Autograph Session 1 Saturday 11:00 a.m.



Why We Want Magic and the Paranormal Sunday 10:00 a.m.

Panel discussion on why Fantasy fiction prevails in the age of Science and why logical people still seek fictional magic and the supernatural.

Joshua Palmatier (M), Yasmine Galenorn, Andrew Dolebeck, Lisa Mantchev


Inventing a Religion: How and Why Sunday 11:00 a.m.

Writers discuss religions they have invented for works of fiction, why they invented them and how they relate to real religions.

G. David Nordley (M), Joshua Palmatier, Janine Ellen Young, Kathy Watts, James H. Cobb



My Mage Can Beat Up Your Mage Sunday 3:00 p.m.

Fantasy writers compare fictional magical systems and why they chose them. (Not a discussion of actual comparative magic or religion.)

Andrew Dolbeck (M), Caitlin Kitteredge, Joshua Palmatier, Irene Radford

And OMG! Look! I'm on a panel with lisamantchev!!!! The other panelists will so not be prepared for us at all. And *gulp* I'm actually moderating that panel!! Well, there just asking for disaster now. Me, moderating, with Lisa . . . I see the zombie-apocolypse happening already.

So who else is going to be there? Hmmmmmmmmm?