Hello all,
Just wanted to point anyone who might come looking for me toward my new blog McAfee Land. I started a new blog to go along with the book deal. I will still post here, but I'll be more active over there. :)
Enjoy!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Scott Sigler's INFECTED
Howdy, all. I'm back in the blogosphere after ...wow...6 weeks? Man, time flies!
OK, if I have any readers left, I want to apologize in advance if the language in the following review upsets anyone. One thing about this book, it definitley cranked up my Swear-O-Meter. It's a guy thing...I posted pretty much the same review below on Amazon, but I toned it down because I'm not sure if they have a No Bad Word policy. But here in McAfeeville, I figured, hey...it's my blog, and I'll say what I want, right? Right. OK, so here goes:
The first thing I have to say is Wow! Really. W - O - W. I've been a Sigler fan for a while, and this guy just keeps getting better. Having emailed him a time or two, I can also say he's a decent sort. (Even if he does *seem* to express a rather unfortunate affinity for the Detroit Lions...so sad, that.)
This is one seriously bitchin' thrill-ride of a book. Very fast and furious, and some really freaky shit! I especially liked Perry Dawsey; a huge, monster of a man with some major emotional issues, I even felt sorry for him for a little while. The book starts with these microscopic little seedlings that land on him and cause a maddening itch. From there, Dawsey's whole world goes downhill so fast you wonder how the guy manages to live through it.
Then there's Dew, the government lifer. You gotta love that guy, hunting for a live victim of these seedlings and trying to reign in his own temper with his years of training and dedication to duty. I can't tell you what happens when those two meet, but it surprised me.
And that's not all; There is some really sick, twisted shit along the way that will catch your attention and keep your eyeballs glued to the page. Two Words: Chicken Scissors. 'Nuff said!
INFECTED is a fantastic, Ferarri of a novel that speeds along so fast you'll get to the end long before you're ready to stop. Read it, it's brilliant!
OK, that's all for now, folks. Next up in the TBR pile, SAINT, by Ted Dekker. :)
See Y'all!
OK, if I have any readers left, I want to apologize in advance if the language in the following review upsets anyone. One thing about this book, it definitley cranked up my Swear-O-Meter. It's a guy thing...I posted pretty much the same review below on Amazon, but I toned it down because I'm not sure if they have a No Bad Word policy. But here in McAfeeville, I figured, hey...it's my blog, and I'll say what I want, right? Right. OK, so here goes:
The first thing I have to say is Wow! Really. W - O - W. I've been a Sigler fan for a while, and this guy just keeps getting better. Having emailed him a time or two, I can also say he's a decent sort. (Even if he does *seem* to express a rather unfortunate affinity for the Detroit Lions...so sad, that.)
This is one seriously bitchin' thrill-ride of a book. Very fast and furious, and some really freaky shit! I especially liked Perry Dawsey; a huge, monster of a man with some major emotional issues, I even felt sorry for him for a little while. The book starts with these microscopic little seedlings that land on him and cause a maddening itch. From there, Dawsey's whole world goes downhill so fast you wonder how the guy manages to live through it.
Then there's Dew, the government lifer. You gotta love that guy, hunting for a live victim of these seedlings and trying to reign in his own temper with his years of training and dedication to duty. I can't tell you what happens when those two meet, but it surprised me.
And that's not all; There is some really sick, twisted shit along the way that will catch your attention and keep your eyeballs glued to the page. Two Words: Chicken Scissors. 'Nuff said!
INFECTED is a fantastic, Ferarri of a novel that speeds along so fast you'll get to the end long before you're ready to stop. Read it, it's brilliant!
OK, that's all for now, folks. Next up in the TBR pile, SAINT, by Ted Dekker. :)
See Y'all!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
MySpace, Facebook, and A Couple of Other Things
Well, it finally happened. After months of cajoling by friends and family, in addition to months of procrastinating by yours truly, I have finally thrown my hat into the MySpace and Facebook rings. I’m easy to locate on Facebook as David McAfee in Knoxville, TN. There’s even a very bad picture of me there. I’m not so sure about MySpace, where my name is David L. I’m not sure how that happened, but that’s OK. I can always edit the account later on, or so I’m told.
I really haven’t done much to either account except for add a few friends. There are no pics or blog entries yet, but there will be. Probably in the coming weeks.
I have sold another short story to Necrotic Tissue magazine. This makes 4. This particular sale is especially interesting because it is slated for their July issue. Why is that interesting? Well, up until now, Necrotic Tissue has been strictly a free, downloadable e-zine. However, starting in July, they are moving to print. That’s insanely cool to me for some reason. This will be my first print publication, and I’m excited about that. Go, me! Yeah, I know…I’m a dork.
It’s also interesting because they are the only market I have sent any of my short stories to, and they have accepted 4 out of 6 of my submissions. Makes me think I should start peppering the market and expanding my short story horizons. I am going to begin work on more short stories in the near future, possibly as early as next week.
But right now my spare time (what there is of it) has been devoted to editing and formatting an existing novel that may just end up self-published (I refuse to hang this one up, even if I have to release it myself). I’m gearing up to print a few private copies just to see how they look.
Lastly, a pity moment. I’m beat! I was sick with a nasty bug for two weeks, and that was right after we got back from vacation, so I missed three weeks of the gym. I never would have guessed that those three weeks could hurt so much, but I guess once you get used to going to the gym on a regular basis any extended time away can set you back. Now I’m sore, and tired. Again. Feels like starting from scratch.
Ugh. I was just beginning to get used to it, too.
I really haven’t done much to either account except for add a few friends. There are no pics or blog entries yet, but there will be. Probably in the coming weeks.
I have sold another short story to Necrotic Tissue magazine. This makes 4. This particular sale is especially interesting because it is slated for their July issue. Why is that interesting? Well, up until now, Necrotic Tissue has been strictly a free, downloadable e-zine. However, starting in July, they are moving to print. That’s insanely cool to me for some reason. This will be my first print publication, and I’m excited about that. Go, me! Yeah, I know…I’m a dork.
It’s also interesting because they are the only market I have sent any of my short stories to, and they have accepted 4 out of 6 of my submissions. Makes me think I should start peppering the market and expanding my short story horizons. I am going to begin work on more short stories in the near future, possibly as early as next week.
But right now my spare time (what there is of it) has been devoted to editing and formatting an existing novel that may just end up self-published (I refuse to hang this one up, even if I have to release it myself). I’m gearing up to print a few private copies just to see how they look.
Lastly, a pity moment. I’m beat! I was sick with a nasty bug for two weeks, and that was right after we got back from vacation, so I missed three weeks of the gym. I never would have guessed that those three weeks could hurt so much, but I guess once you get used to going to the gym on a regular basis any extended time away can set you back. Now I’m sore, and tired. Again. Feels like starting from scratch.
Ugh. I was just beginning to get used to it, too.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Totally Bummed Today....
Here's why.
OK, I get where my lack of previous publishing credits is a hindrance to sales figures, but if new authors are such a big deal to a publisher, why have a slush pile at all? Barring that, why request the full manuscript written by an unknown author if you are not publishing first time authors to begin with?
This really, really made no sense to me.
But I'm not here to judge; I'll leave that the the 500 million disappointed Dallas Cowboys fans who want Jason Garrett (their savior only a year ago) fired. Sheesh. Give the guy a break, would ya? No one is perfect on the job every day. He'll probably skip town at the first opportunity, anyway. Yeah it sucked that the Cowboys lost that last game (it sucked A LOT!), but the world, somehow, kept turning. It's totally inexplicable...even if it DOES suck.
Man...how do you like that? I managed to fit TWO pitiful whines in one post!
Two for one. Y'all got your money's worth today.
See ya!
OK, I get where my lack of previous publishing credits is a hindrance to sales figures, but if new authors are such a big deal to a publisher, why have a slush pile at all? Barring that, why request the full manuscript written by an unknown author if you are not publishing first time authors to begin with?
This really, really made no sense to me.
But I'm not here to judge; I'll leave that the the 500 million disappointed Dallas Cowboys fans who want Jason Garrett (their savior only a year ago) fired. Sheesh. Give the guy a break, would ya? No one is perfect on the job every day. He'll probably skip town at the first opportunity, anyway. Yeah it sucked that the Cowboys lost that last game (it sucked A LOT!), but the world, somehow, kept turning. It's totally inexplicable...even if it DOES suck.
Man...how do you like that? I managed to fit TWO pitiful whines in one post!
Two for one. Y'all got your money's worth today.
See ya!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Woohoo! Timothy and the Dragon's Gate is out today!
Wow. Has it really been since August of 2008? My, how time flies when you have so little to say. :)
A lot has happened in the last 4 months. A lot, and not enough. But all that is another story. This blog entry isn’t about me; it’s about the oh-so-lovely-and-talented Adrienne Kress. More specifically, it’s about her sophomore MG novel, Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate.
Having read and loved Adrienne’s debut MG novel, Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, I have been waiting patiently for Timmy and his dragon to leave the mysterious world of Coming Soon and emerge into the delightful land of Available Now.
That day has finally come!
Yes, folks, Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate is available now through all normal book-buying avenues, and I for one will waste no time acquiring my very own copy (yay!). I’m looking forward to curling up with Adrienne’s prose, should be a treat.
Anyway, I’m just passing this along to anyone who may stumble onto this blog from the Netherworld of Lost Bloggers (I’m not lost, I’m just very, very slow!). If anyone is around and reading, do stop and grab a copy of Timothy for yourself. And if you haven’t already read Adrienne’s first book, Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, you really should. It’s great.
To quote my favorite character from Alex, the book is “Jack. Jack. Jack. Jack. Jack.”
‘Nuff said.
A lot has happened in the last 4 months. A lot, and not enough. But all that is another story. This blog entry isn’t about me; it’s about the oh-so-lovely-and-talented Adrienne Kress. More specifically, it’s about her sophomore MG novel, Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate.
Having read and loved Adrienne’s debut MG novel, Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, I have been waiting patiently for Timmy and his dragon to leave the mysterious world of Coming Soon and emerge into the delightful land of Available Now.
That day has finally come!
Yes, folks, Timothy and the Dragon’s Gate is available now through all normal book-buying avenues, and I for one will waste no time acquiring my very own copy (yay!). I’m looking forward to curling up with Adrienne’s prose, should be a treat.
Anyway, I’m just passing this along to anyone who may stumble onto this blog from the Netherworld of Lost Bloggers (I’m not lost, I’m just very, very slow!). If anyone is around and reading, do stop and grab a copy of Timothy for yourself. And if you haven’t already read Adrienne’s first book, Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, you really should. It’s great.
To quote my favorite character from Alex, the book is “Jack. Jack. Jack. Jack. Jack.”
‘Nuff said.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Ooooh, I Got A Trophy!
This weekend was the 19th Annual East Coast Regional Z Car Show. I entered my car, a 1991 Red 300 ZX (non-turbo). It was up against a few very nice cars, too. Well, I didn't win 1st place, but I did take 2nd. I've never gotten a trophy in a car show before, so this was pretty darn cool. Here's a few pics:
Um....did I mention (and this was NOT my doing, just so y'all know) that the local Hooters donated a couple of waitresses to the trophy ceremony? They did:
Ok, now that the sexist photo is out of the way (no...of course I didn't enjoy that! It was required. You win a trophy, you take a pic with the Hooters girls. Really. It's a rule), here's a pic of the trophy:
Oh, I also won this T-Shirt (it was a door prize):
Aside from the car show, my wife and I also started doing some remodeling in our house. We've been planning it for some time, so it was nice to get it under way. This weekend we painted the dining room. During the week we'll be putting the baseboards back on and touching up a few things. Fun!
We aren't going to make it on one of those cable channels where everyone cries and talks about how their new house is going to change their lives, but it'll still be a nice improvement, anyway.
Unfortunatly, it means I didn't get any writing done this weekend. Going to have to crank out some verbiage over the week to make up for it. Oh, well, there are worse things that could hapen than spending more time writing.
See Y'all!
Um....did I mention (and this was NOT my doing, just so y'all know) that the local Hooters donated a couple of waitresses to the trophy ceremony? They did:
Ok, now that the sexist photo is out of the way (no...of course I didn't enjoy that! It was required. You win a trophy, you take a pic with the Hooters girls. Really. It's a rule), here's a pic of the trophy:
Oh, I also won this T-Shirt (it was a door prize):
Aside from the car show, my wife and I also started doing some remodeling in our house. We've been planning it for some time, so it was nice to get it under way. This weekend we painted the dining room. During the week we'll be putting the baseboards back on and touching up a few things. Fun!
We aren't going to make it on one of those cable channels where everyone cries and talks about how their new house is going to change their lives, but it'll still be a nice improvement, anyway.
Unfortunatly, it means I didn't get any writing done this weekend. Going to have to crank out some verbiage over the week to make up for it. Oh, well, there are worse things that could hapen than spending more time writing.
See Y'all!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Sorry For The Long Silence - I Do Have Some Good News, Though...
It's been an...interesting..couple of months. My birthday has come and gone (35...how did that happen?), and another year ahead. I'm feeling good about the upcoming year, though. Confidence is high. Here are some of the cool things going on over in McAfee Land right now:
I'm reading for a small start up press. This is really neat, I get to see some of the stuff that comes in. I don't get the slush, which is even better. I get stuff that has already passed the first tier or two. In one case, I was the tie-breaker (I passed on the project, btw). This is a good opportunity for me to see what else publishers get and it gives me a chance to separate myself from the pack, so I'm thrilled to do it.
Also, I got an email from one publisher that said so far everyone there who has read my book has loved it. I haven't gotten an offer from them yet, but this is just about the closest I've come so far. With luck it will turn into an offer. I'm not holding my breath, of course, but it's a nice thought.
Lastly, I finally have a pub credit to my name. OK, it's a small one, but I'll take it. The small horror e-zine Necrotic Tissue publishes an issue every quarter. For their October issue, they asked for 100-word stories (100 words exactly...not 99, or 101, etc.) for their first annual 100-word horror story contest. The winners would be published in their October issue, paid a flat fee of $25.00, and receive a few other prizes.
My entry was not only selected for publication, but it won first place! I got a Help anthology (The P&E book), an Abominations anthology (Shroud Publishing), a Necrotic Tissue T-Shirt, a Necrotic Tissue hoodie, and of course, the $25.00. That was nice. A paid credit. Wheee! So be sure to check out the October issue for my short story. It's great, of course. ;) Here's a few pics of me in the T-Shirt:
I tried on the hoodie, too:
This is...after I put on the hoodie, something started happening to me. I'm not sure what, but I felt...different...
I found out later the hoodie is cursed. So, uh...I only put it on now when the Met Life guy knocks on the door...
Anyhoo, sorry about the long silence, folks. Personal stuff. :(
I'll be sure not to let it happen again.
See Y'all!
I'm reading for a small start up press. This is really neat, I get to see some of the stuff that comes in. I don't get the slush, which is even better. I get stuff that has already passed the first tier or two. In one case, I was the tie-breaker (I passed on the project, btw). This is a good opportunity for me to see what else publishers get and it gives me a chance to separate myself from the pack, so I'm thrilled to do it.
Also, I got an email from one publisher that said so far everyone there who has read my book has loved it. I haven't gotten an offer from them yet, but this is just about the closest I've come so far. With luck it will turn into an offer. I'm not holding my breath, of course, but it's a nice thought.
Lastly, I finally have a pub credit to my name. OK, it's a small one, but I'll take it. The small horror e-zine Necrotic Tissue publishes an issue every quarter. For their October issue, they asked for 100-word stories (100 words exactly...not 99, or 101, etc.) for their first annual 100-word horror story contest. The winners would be published in their October issue, paid a flat fee of $25.00, and receive a few other prizes.
My entry was not only selected for publication, but it won first place! I got a Help anthology (The P&E book), an Abominations anthology (Shroud Publishing), a Necrotic Tissue T-Shirt, a Necrotic Tissue hoodie, and of course, the $25.00. That was nice. A paid credit. Wheee! So be sure to check out the October issue for my short story. It's great, of course. ;) Here's a few pics of me in the T-Shirt:
I tried on the hoodie, too:
This is...after I put on the hoodie, something started happening to me. I'm not sure what, but I felt...different...
I found out later the hoodie is cursed. So, uh...I only put it on now when the Met Life guy knocks on the door...
Anyhoo, sorry about the long silence, folks. Personal stuff. :(
I'll be sure not to let it happen again.
See Y'all!
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