tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80968261511921742502024-03-13T11:12:00.316-07:00Mason BundschuhThe blog for author Mason Ian Bundschuh. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll watch ninjas fight pirates.Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-348145667844797472015-01-10T20:28:00.001-08:002015-01-10T20:28:25.568-08:00Hanging ToughOk, so the tail end of 2014 kicked my creative butt.<br />
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You know how it goes: the bills roll in, the car breaks down, the kids need jail bonds, and you find that 9-5 job turns into 6-8.<br />
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But 2015 is a year to punch all that in the face. I'm looking at entering a new decade and by golly I think I'm a big boy now. Big enough to make a schedule that fits my wild and crazy creative exploits nicely alongside my worky-work money-making exploits.<br />
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(Work has been really good. My wife, looking over our bank account, asked me recently whether I had started cooking meth in the home office. "No," I said, "I just was really darn productive and got some new clients." Looking back I should have told her I'd become a professional bear wrestler.)<br />
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So, 2015. Let's do this.<br />
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To start this thing off right, we must look to an inspiring hero to really set the tone of butt-kicking to follow.<br />
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I give you: Bat-Viking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpCUo3te69coP3ktfbPo7ZxPMmvwCwmyrc6NiKTa-9mUK_7glATyyPcHPK2SHZJhepWqpzZlldxpqKDBLeBPnqRDVJgrjQhzAGmZbYN0LE2k79d9IYHwzWDxM12UWsfBtYvlckEkfyxME/s1600/Bat-Viking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpCUo3te69coP3ktfbPo7ZxPMmvwCwmyrc6NiKTa-9mUK_7glATyyPcHPK2SHZJhepWqpzZlldxpqKDBLeBPnqRDVJgrjQhzAGmZbYN0LE2k79d9IYHwzWDxM12UWsfBtYvlckEkfyxME/s1600/Bat-Viking.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-70528761038105464592014-10-22T16:42:00.000-07:002014-10-22T16:42:03.370-07:00Vegas Valley Book Fest Promo CardAttention humans: I've heard reports that some of you are experiencing problems with the download promo cards I was slinging around at Vegas Valley Book Festival.<br />
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If so, let me know! I apologize for any inconvenience too.<br />
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I've notified my publisher, Samhain Publishing, to see if somewhere on the webstore a checkbox didn't get checked or something. That sort of stuff happens.<br />
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Stay tuned.<br />
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The masonMason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-82184721044022075042014-10-13T15:48:00.001-07:002014-10-13T16:12:42.453-07:00Illiterati in Desert Companion magazineI totally spaced on the fun news:<br />
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Probably, oh, all of you know that I belong to a super secret writers group called The Illiterati.<br />
We are very serious. (see pictures demonstrating our seriousness below)<br />
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We meet every week, critique each other's stories and novels, have word wars, bake cookies, act very <strike>silly</strike> serious, and make plans for world domination through synchronized finger-snapping whilst walking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhF9xGbY170gIRGJ2yw9bHsfZA-3nAxYHrsRl2KBFooh0Q1lkY-qGHraYDtyDDx6XFZVhjP1GVOZ-yEx3RmcfN4Yyd3zlhFTbCk6hlKKqdoTgilEWT9cpMzdiXT4dzsI_p407X3RUgmhb/s1600/desert+companion+oct+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhF9xGbY170gIRGJ2yw9bHsfZA-3nAxYHrsRl2KBFooh0Q1lkY-qGHraYDtyDDx6XFZVhjP1GVOZ-yEx3RmcfN4Yyd3zlhFTbCk6hlKKqdoTgilEWT9cpMzdiXT4dzsI_p407X3RUgmhb/s1600/desert+companion+oct+2014.jpg" /></a>All this to say, Desert Companion, a really great arts and culture magazine, sent an intrepid journalist by the name of Scott Dickensheets to sit in on one of our weekly Illiterati critique sessions.<br />
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We had loads of fun, we critiqued each other's stories (even made Scott bring a piece so we could make him cry), we played banjo and ukuleles, and no one got hurt! All in all a successful night.<br />
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It's in the October issue of Desert Companion! (<a href="http://www.desertcompanion.com/article.cfm?ArticleID=978" target="_blank">read it online here</a>)<br />
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The Illiterati is: Ryan Bridger, Billie Bundschuh, Mason Ian Bundschuh, Matt Czarnowski, Mercedes M. Yardley<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9XhSEh42FbenG3pqdemOy9q5dBTWQ4g8F_f4oD0WJUEszsDLts7rU4e9knb0UmE-s3XQlUtJQtahH1puizJzEbOHudOwiK-wkHEsEvQg3hqo53CGnWcsAK0iqG28_6WZQJ2PgVG1Xu-K/s1600/Illiterati+9-2014+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9XhSEh42FbenG3pqdemOy9q5dBTWQ4g8F_f4oD0WJUEszsDLts7rU4e9knb0UmE-s3XQlUtJQtahH1puizJzEbOHudOwiK-wkHEsEvQg3hqo53CGnWcsAK0iqG28_6WZQJ2PgVG1Xu-K/s1600/Illiterati+9-2014+2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 - still serious after all these years</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HM_R8LxCsYKtXEJxPJ44u75KqFNb0k_efFOB6zM7BsCEIAQTw1ijjuHu4esOURZPgHg4fAOfZzrqUwaVl-ZJpP1w2w7yudIgQ2iEByOeSxJ0knvTQz_Bn0-HtSdar6DLrnZmgvszLgkp/s1600/illiterati-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HM_R8LxCsYKtXEJxPJ44u75KqFNb0k_efFOB6zM7BsCEIAQTw1ijjuHu4esOURZPgHg4fAOfZzrqUwaVl-ZJpP1w2w7yudIgQ2iEByOeSxJ0knvTQz_Bn0-HtSdar6DLrnZmgvszLgkp/s1600/illiterati-2013.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 - very serious</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNqhjrSLogeykIoyZ9m4vTlXZ2AvqsYC7_ljPporInlGYvldgoCSAJ1dLuwk3Yw4Y8ETCTBsKn1N7Yly1KFMK4bFttxn7STDVp-TVYogmFgZwcPdbrZDMIrqRGdnA2xDV-yEbLFLWJnVg/s1600/Illiterati+MMORPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNqhjrSLogeykIoyZ9m4vTlXZ2AvqsYC7_ljPporInlGYvldgoCSAJ1dLuwk3Yw4Y8ETCTBsKn1N7Yly1KFMK4bFttxn7STDVp-TVYogmFgZwcPdbrZDMIrqRGdnA2xDV-yEbLFLWJnVg/s1600/Illiterati+MMORPG.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that time we were in an MMORPG together</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSaa4LSJllgcFkPLdTdH3vGxAXWqKYvyJYv2yfQzXPRPMmG6ueEZ7SV3qJKosdXkT5_HVzgZDlqOwWNcXYelA4o_5vZoWiNalYRoAKNyPyoKPSPjw5yc8OhQxRtbAiwJliGH2JszhmdaC/s1600/DSCF3266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSaa4LSJllgcFkPLdTdH3vGxAXWqKYvyJYv2yfQzXPRPMmG6ueEZ7SV3qJKosdXkT5_HVzgZDlqOwWNcXYelA4o_5vZoWiNalYRoAKNyPyoKPSPjw5yc8OhQxRtbAiwJliGH2JszhmdaC/s1600/DSCF3266.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010 - super incredibly serious</td></tr>
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<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-13506945677457831152014-10-12T22:24:00.001-07:002014-10-12T22:24:35.913-07:00Vegas Valley Book Festival 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
If you like book things and live in <st1:city w:st="on">Las Vegas</st1:city>, then you ought to know about the
annual Vegas Valley Book Festival. <a href="http://vegasvalleybookfestival.org/">http://vegasvalleybookfestival.org/</a></div>
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Honestly, a book festival in Las Vegas. Didn't you know? We're cultured bro.</div>
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There is free food, so writers come out of the woodwork for
it. And have I mentioned there are lots of books?</div>
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This year I’ll be on the “Las Vegas Writes” panel with a few
other local authors such as fellow Illiterati-member <a href="http://www.mercedesyardley.com/" target="_blank">Mercedes M. Yardley</a>, Scott Dickensheets, <a href="http://davidarmstrongfiction.com/" target="_blank">David Armstrong</a>, <a href="http://heidikyser.com/" target="_blank">Heidi Kyser</a>, Joseph Langdon, <a href="http://launcerake.com/" target="_blank">Launce Rake</a>, Moniro Ravanipour, <a href="http://geoffschumacher.com/" target="_blank">Geoff Schumacher</a>, and T.R. Witcher.</div>
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The panel is 11 AM on Saturday Oct 18<sup>th</sup> (in the Auditorium)</div>
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Come by and heckle!</div>
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Here’s the deets:</div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Vegas</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place> Book Festival<o:p></o:p></div>
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Historic <st1:street w:st="on">5th
Street</st1:street> School</div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">401 S. 4th Street, Las Vegas NV 89101</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD58nFV7VO91zPezNKLFOJYLotH4_ANzut4jiPQP0wM3WmSD7ZhdQmwPCzzvu8Iu2svsAXwfnI8DOUcZITegA2CEdwyy3-RvfTAqL3EQ22_qi_TTCCqeYONKrkTIZ_ay2W3PnFQo8WtdFf/s1600/VVBF_Logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD58nFV7VO91zPezNKLFOJYLotH4_ANzut4jiPQP0wM3WmSD7ZhdQmwPCzzvu8Iu2svsAXwfnI8DOUcZITegA2CEdwyy3-RvfTAqL3EQ22_qi_TTCCqeYONKrkTIZ_ay2W3PnFQo8WtdFf/s1600/VVBF_Logo.gif" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-4829260525840611682014-10-01T22:19:00.004-07:002014-10-01T22:24:05.252-07:00Lost and Found in Las Vegas AnthologyMore publication news!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUOES1dXs89YZ-s22XtPWDo8AxpjIItJ0e8HzaXLELW6ntZO-0_KrEeEnMf-yRoow6DzYKTZmw3URpelq2QuXqkacbnj1re5W5IiSedxdp70ifCYRTCOBugLkDuXTTmIH1pcPn1DsM1TT/s1600/Lost+and+Found+in+Las+Vegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUOES1dXs89YZ-s22XtPWDo8AxpjIItJ0e8HzaXLELW6ntZO-0_KrEeEnMf-yRoow6DzYKTZmw3URpelq2QuXqkacbnj1re5W5IiSedxdp70ifCYRTCOBugLkDuXTTmIH1pcPn1DsM1TT/s1600/Lost+and+Found+in+Las+Vegas.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a>My short story <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Las-Vegas-Reveals-ebook/dp/B00N5AODT6" target="_blank">Strip Away</a></b> recently came out in the anthology "Lost and Found in Las Vegas: What the City Hides and What It Reveals" Edited by Scott Dickensheets, Huntington Press (August 28, 2014)<br />
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It's a Twilight Zoney twisty tale of creepiness.<br />
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Jacob has a problem. He's late for work slinging cards at one of the ritzy casinos on Las Vegas Strip. But that's not really his problem. Instead it's that no matter where he turns and no matter which exit he takes he can't seem to find Las Vegas. It's as if the whole city no longer exists on this plane.<br />
Strip Away.<br />
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All the authors in this anthology will be having some panelist fun this year at the Vegas Valley Book Festival (more on that later) so make sure you're planning on attending.<br />
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The super fun thing about this anthology is that I share the table of contents with my Illiterati pal <a href="http://abrokenlaptop.com/" target="_blank">Mercedes M. Yardley</a>! Fun times. The writing group that stays together gets published together.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EhlrUyP1tD31eZkP9j23ixPaGNzp-39X6swmhYF4Y6nVia17n0eEA02OKpTtFyBBlJOAA_b1lj_JojIY93VTpNjDH-e8rSYpROfYeceufciP182PNpUFX5ZeK_rm757i_djPh_baH_5Z/s1600/Illiterati+9-2014+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EhlrUyP1tD31eZkP9j23ixPaGNzp-39X6swmhYF4Y6nVia17n0eEA02OKpTtFyBBlJOAA_b1lj_JojIY93VTpNjDH-e8rSYpROfYeceufciP182PNpUFX5ZeK_rm757i_djPh_baH_5Z/s1600/Illiterati+9-2014+2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are very serious writers (photo credit Brent Holmes)</td></tr>
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<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-75268719848873459412014-09-29T21:00:00.001-07:002014-09-29T21:00:10.733-07:00I Wonz teh Awkward Author Photo ContestI can finally tell my mom that I'm a winner.<br />
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Wild and crazy novelist, screenwriter, blogger, and game designer, Chuck Wendig <a href="http://terribleminds.com/">http://terribleminds.com/</a> had a very serious and thoughtful contest to solicit the most awkward author photos of all time (well, of at least those readers of his blog who were silly enough to enter).<br />
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Here's where he <a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/09/29/awkward-author-photo-contest-the-results/" target="_blank">scientifically tallied the votes</a> (complete with snazzy info-graphic)<br />
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And here's my winning entry:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DYNytSjpFZGR5udnz8FUjwq2GI3-IYqJLD7LFrnZG6p3kA1I6w1FsFNjQdYsUjsLMgijWdaqsQLmU9PIP9dnoVF4E5Y3KEp7uPLAB3CTMO-zEG35Sx9WXCCOrXoSKAGt3L0RtyWsQmwB/s1600/Mason_Web-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DYNytSjpFZGR5udnz8FUjwq2GI3-IYqJLD7LFrnZG6p3kA1I6w1FsFNjQdYsUjsLMgijWdaqsQLmU9PIP9dnoVF4E5Y3KEp7uPLAB3CTMO-zEG35Sx9WXCCOrXoSKAGt3L0RtyWsQmwB/s1600/Mason_Web-1.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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Let that sink in.<br />
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And here's my reaction when I found out I'd won this prestigious award:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tmmATTrutPMrkokEgxqDMEg14KxfjtrEaoQdgMg65JcR2VLKufnu4yFwib7Kw5Po1elnlpWdrczSksYfBaKPgsBepd7o2NV30-URTaU_dCGsg77Hf6s3i71IXZtGFSYbyQJBomPCAC31/s1600/Mason_Web-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tmmATTrutPMrkokEgxqDMEg14KxfjtrEaoQdgMg65JcR2VLKufnu4yFwib7Kw5Po1elnlpWdrczSksYfBaKPgsBepd7o2NV30-URTaU_dCGsg77Hf6s3i71IXZtGFSYbyQJBomPCAC31/s1600/Mason_Web-3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hagrid learns he's been accepted to Hogwarts</td></tr>
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good times.<br />
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<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-86842414824625794322014-09-04T17:00:00.000-07:002014-09-04T17:00:03.172-07:00Qualia Nous Released Into the Wild<div class="MsoNormal">
Ladies and gentlefrogs, my short story “Breathe You in Me”
is contained within the pages of QUALIA NOUS.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPLJeAnWgB3ZmbKg6SNCs5WOCZcVg7rt6bh31BRrJ6HOCALn0RPaoqHVkJ9YGPW1kiWi0N826WE6ck4S25ELtdNFt1ZFlEIrPl14nfBOmGIo0YTGvrALtTUiEIL8_2WDEIx06FHfVa6vM/s1600/qualia+nous+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPLJeAnWgB3ZmbKg6SNCs5WOCZcVg7rt6bh31BRrJ6HOCALn0RPaoqHVkJ9YGPW1kiWi0N826WE6ck4S25ELtdNFt1ZFlEIrPl14nfBOmGIo0YTGvrALtTUiEIL8_2WDEIx06FHfVa6vM/s1600/qualia+nous+front.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Go buy it. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Qualia-Nous-Michael-Bailey/dp/0578146460">http://www.amazon.com/Qualia-Nous-Michael-Bailey/dp/0578146460</a></div>
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QUALIA NOUS is a collection of short stories
billed as “a literary blend of science fiction and horror.”</div>
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I can dig it.</div>
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“Breathe You in Me”, was one of those
sit-down-with-nothing-in-mind-then-all-of-a-sudden-write-in-a-fury-to-finish-it-in-one-sitting
things. Those of you who are writers will have had that elusive experience.
It’s a weird form of possession, or so it feels. You’re merely the channel for
an idea that must strike the earth like verbose lightning.</div>
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It’s the only thing I ever wrote in 2<sup>nd</sup>
person—and only because the narrative <i>demanded
</i>it. I managed to combine the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1326187/Las-Vegas-tunnel-people-How-1-000-people-live-shimmering-strip.html" target="_blank">sewer city under <st1:city w:st="on">Las Vegas</st1:city></a> and the flesh-eating drug Krokodil and fungi.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, there is a sewer city underneath <st1:city w:st="on">Las Vegas</st1:city>.</div>
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As a <st1:city w:st="on">Las Vegas</st1:city> writer I find that there is no end
to potential material here. This place is full of some crazy stories. You just
have to listen.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyhow, I’m honored to share the QUALIA NOUS table of
contents (TOC for us fancypants types) with some amazing writers. Editor
Michael Bailey has a real knack for putting together dynamic and potent
anthologies—featuring seasoned veterans and up-and-coming authors you need to
know about NOW.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And Stephen King’s in it. Even my mom knows who Stephen King
is.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So that’s pretty cool.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m trying to start the rumor that ole Stevey and I have
been having BBQ’s at one another’s summer homes, clinking glasses and toasting
to obscure rock’n’roll bands.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My wife suggests that I’m taking the fanboy thing a little
too far. The restraining order from Mr. King would tend to support this
observation, except I know that only means he wants me to pursue our friendship
even more ardently…</div>
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<br /></div>
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;)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p> Here's the table of contents. Mucho kudos goes to those who typed and linked all this out. (if it was you, take credit!)</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Jaunt” by <a href="http://stephenking.com/"><span style="color: black;">Stephen King</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Vaporization
Enthalpy of a Peculiar Pakistani Family” by <a href="http://usmantm.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">Usman Tanveer
Malik</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Shaking Man”
by <a href="http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?10491"><span style="color: black;">Gene O’Neill</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Dyscrasia” by <a href="http://www.thedamningmoths.com/"><span style="color: black;">Ashlee
Scheuerman</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Rondelium Girl of
Rue Marseille” by <a href="http://emilycataneo.com/"><span style="color: black;">Emily B. Cataneo</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Angel Chaser”
by <a href="http://www.eriktjohnson.net/"><span style="color: black;">Erik T.
Johnson</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Psychic Shock”
by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chiral-Mad-Michael-Bailey/dp/1479152439"><span style="color: black;">Ian Shoebridge</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Peppermint Tea in
Electronic Limbo” by <a href="http://cockburndj.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: black;">D.J. Cockburn</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Second Chance”
by <a href="http://www.johnrlittle.com/"><span style="color: black;">John R.
Little</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Effigies of <st1:street w:st="on">Tamber Square</st1:street>”
by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jon-Michael-Kelley/e/B008N4FZ8W"><span style="color: black;">Jon Michael Kelley</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Shades of Naught”
by <a href="http://www.lorimichelleauthor.com/"><span style="color: black;">Lori
Michelle</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Price of Faces”
by <a href="http://www.jameschambersonline.com/blog/"><span style="color: black;">James Chambers</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Simulacrum” by <a href="http://www.jasunni.com/"><span style="color: black;">Jason V Brock</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Shutdown”
& “Tomorrow’s Femme” (poetry) by <a href="http://www.margesimon.com/"><span style="color: black;">Marge Simon</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Lead Me to
Multiplicity” by <a href="http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?119951"><span style="color: black;">Peter Hagelslag</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Cataldo’s Copy”
by <a href="http://exlibrislarsen.com/losing-touch/"><span style="color: black;">Christian A. Larsen</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Neighborhood Has
a Barbecue” by <a href="http://exlibrislarsen.com/TalesFromTheBooth.com"><span style="color: black;">Max Booth III</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“The Jenny Store”
by <a href="http://whatdoesnotkillme.com/"><span style="color: black;">Richard
Thomas</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Night Guard” by Erinn
L. Kemper<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“A New
Man” by <a href="http://www.williamfnolan.com/"><span style="color: black;">William F. Nolan</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Voyeur” by <a href="http://www.johneverson.com/"><span style="color: black;">John Everson</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Kilroy Wasn’t There”
by <a href="http://patsteiner.com/"><span style="color: black;">Pat R.
Steiner</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“In the Nothing-Space,
I Am What You Made Me” by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Anderson/e/B00H8R8ABE"><span style="color: black;">Paul Anderson</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Dura Matter” by <a href="http://lucysnyder.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">Lucy A. Snyder</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Ruminations” by <a href="http://www.renamasonwrites.com/"><span style="color: black;">Rena Mason</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Good and Faithful
Servant” by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-F.-Monteleone/e/B000AP5O92"><span style="color: black;">Thomas F. Monteleone</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Twelve Kilos”
by <a href="http://patrickfreivald.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">Patrick
Freivald</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“Breathe You In Me”
by <a href="http://www.masonbundschuh.com/"><span style="color: black;">Mason
Ian Bundschuh</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“18P37-C, After Andrea
Was Arrested” by <a href="http://www.elizabethmassie.com/"><span style="color: black;">Elizabeth Massie</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->“No Fixed
Address” by <a href="http://www.garybraunbeck.com/"><span style="color: black;">Gary A. Braunbeck</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-59286914425770219002014-06-24T16:30:00.000-07:002014-06-24T16:30:01.314-07:00Quick Update and some Reviewer LoveHey kids, just a quick update:<br />
<br />
I'll be at the American Library Association Conference this weekend hanging with Stan Lee, Lois Lowry, B.J. Novak and Jane McGonigal. (Not to mention my pal <a href="http://johnpalisano.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">John Palisano</a>, who literally rocks.)<br />
<br />
I'm wrapping up the new novel and fielding beta reader notes.<br />
<br />
My super secret writer's group, The Illiterati, will be heading out of country for our annual writer's retreat. If I email you requesting bail $, it's a scam. I'd just call you.<br />
<br />
Last year my short story "When We Change" was <a href="http://masonbundschuh.blogspot.com/2013/10/whispers-from-abyss-anthology.html" target="_blank">published </a>in the WHISPERS FROM THE ABYSS anthology (<a href="http://01publishing.com/" target="_blank">01Publishing</a>) Not only has it gotten some great reviews (Take, for example this <a href="http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/blog/review-whispers-from-the-abyss/" target="_blank">one from Innsmouth Free Press</a>, and my story in particular <a href="http://www.sffworld.com/2014/01/whispers-abyss/" target="_blank">gets some love from SFFWorld.Com</a>) but the publishers are coming out with a print edition for Fall 2014. Huzzah. Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
CHIRAL MAD 2, which features my story "Another Man's Bones" has been garnering a bunch of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/writtenbackwards/posts/746262642070878" target="_blank">awards</a>.<br />
<br />
Also: my short novella / long long story <a href="http://store.samhainpublishing.com/Piercing-the-Veil-p-73296.html" target="_blank">PIERCING THE VEIL</a> (Samhain Publishing) has been getting some nice reviews over on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Piercing-Veil-Mason-Ian-Bundschuh-ebook/dp/B00HWX1VUG" target="_blank">Amazon </a>and elsewhere.<br />
<br />
Dark Eva has this to say:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"[PIERCING THE VEIL] has a lot of depth and intriguing layers that highlight not only the author’s skill but also a story with substance."</blockquote>
Read the whole review here: <a href="http://thedarkeva.com/2014/05/17/book-review-piercing-the-veil-by-mason-bundschuh/">http://thedarkeva.com/2014/05/17/book-review-piercing-the-veil-by-mason-bundschuh/</a><br />
<br />
And Horror Novel reviews says:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A genuine story switch here, I have read quite a number of tales but this one most certainly traveled in an atypical direction. And I must say I am quite enthused with the unique qualities offered forth by Mason Ian Bundschuh. </blockquote>
Read the whole review here: <a href="http://horrornovelreviews.com/2014/03/01/mason-ian-bundschuh-piercing-the-veil-review/">http://horrornovelreviews.com/2014/03/01/mason-ian-bundschuh-piercing-the-veil-review/</a><br />
<br />
I'm tickled that nearly every reviewer loves to hate the protagonist, Simon. My nefarious plans have come to fruition.<br />
<br />
And that's all the news I can think of at this moment.Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-68703406293791272702014-03-07T13:20:00.000-08:002014-03-07T13:20:00.715-08:00Shock Totem Issue 8.5Hey all you people that live on the internet:<br />
<br />
My short non-fiction piece "<a href="http://www.shocktotem.com/03/05/2014/shock-totem-8-5-now-available/" target="_blank">Unlearning to Lie</a>" is in Shock Totem Magazine <a href="http://shocktotem.bigcartel.com/product/shock-totem-8-5" target="_blank">Issue 8.5</a> (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shock-Totem-8-5-Holiday-Valentines-ebook/dp/B00ISBMGXM" target="_blank">Amazon link</a>)<br />
<br />
This makes me all giddy and stuff like that. Support this amazing magazine while getting a glimpse into the dark corners of my mind.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUt7FJW6eX5SxEEhred4KQNxn_O5Cv0znYIHBbf4dD4s-0SlNTcN-fPLDvw5s1PqmYDBpEqr5WOv0bcPgfMM0zFbQ2tmryEIACasepTVuoBDMQ4KYtE1KV4BfVmYJoAyN11YwdFIUisAO/s1600/shocktotem+valentines+issue+cover+v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUt7FJW6eX5SxEEhred4KQNxn_O5Cv0znYIHBbf4dD4s-0SlNTcN-fPLDvw5s1PqmYDBpEqr5WOv0bcPgfMM0zFbQ2tmryEIACasepTVuoBDMQ4KYtE1KV4BfVmYJoAyN11YwdFIUisAO/s1600/shocktotem+valentines+issue+cover+v1.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-71221908649334910932014-03-04T07:00:00.000-08:002014-03-04T07:00:12.655-08:00Piercing the VeilLadies and Gentlemen,<br />
<br />
I give you my brand new short novella/long long story: <span style="font-size: large;">Piercing the Veil</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTL_4eCd1c8cmxfdwgZEixELZbTnO6RYxyIX0_1dxzbfRlxCw2BcTGtBiYvs0DJ5g4zsYYxiBQnzsXH4a2seIay_h1tBXO554THsT_YlX9xH2Xjmd7dXMwVOC3cCMLQN02Clqiv1t0SMR/s1600/Piercing+The+Veil+-+Mason+Ian+Bundschuh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTL_4eCd1c8cmxfdwgZEixELZbTnO6RYxyIX0_1dxzbfRlxCw2BcTGtBiYvs0DJ5g4zsYYxiBQnzsXH4a2seIay_h1tBXO554THsT_YlX9xH2Xjmd7dXMwVOC3cCMLQN02Clqiv1t0SMR/s1600/Piercing+The+Veil+-+Mason+Ian+Bundschuh.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"She's electric, boogie woogie, oogie..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Get yerself over to my publisher's website to grab a copy <a href="http://store.samhainpublishing.com/piercing-veil-p-73296.html" target="_blank">Samhain Horror</a><br />
Or if you're more traditional and like the Amazon thing, go <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Piercing-Veil-Mason-Ian-Bundschuh-ebook/dp/B00HWX1VUG" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
What's it about?<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Simon, a brilliant but narcissistic grad student, will do anything to get a position at a nearby cutting-edge particle collider. So when a bitter and discredited professor offers him the chance at a secret research position on the cusp of proving an impossible theory, Simon thinks it’s a dream come true. But the math doesn’t quite add up and the other technicians working graveyard at the collider give him the creeps.<br />Meanwhile, students are disappearing from his university at an alarming rate. When Simon becomes the prime suspect he realizes there may be a horrible link to the erratic and impossible research at the collider. Simon is learning that his coworkers may not entirely be human after all. And the disappearances are getting closer to home.</blockquote>
<div>
Throw in the sci-fi paranoia of Philip K. Dick and a healthy dose of Lovecraftian cosmic horror and you're getting close.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And check out this "first-peek" review by the people over at Horror Novel Reviews:</div>
<br />
<a href="http://horrornovelreviews.com/2014/03/01/mason-ian-bundschuh-piercing-the-veil-review/">http://horrornovelreviews.com/2014/03/01/mason-ian-bundschuh-piercing-the-veil-review/</a><br />
<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-45251342303582652202014-03-01T23:05:00.000-08:002014-03-01T23:05:05.461-08:00More Chiral Mad 2 love<a href="http://desiwriterslounge.net/blog/2014/02/book-review-chiral-mad-2-edited-by-michael-bailey/" target="_blank">Desi Writers' Lounge</a> had insightful and good things to say about CHIRAL MAD 2, and this in particular to say about my story "Another Man's Bones" which opened up the anthology:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"...from the get-go, you are thrown headfirst into an opening story that embodies the essence of all that is to come: a spy-versus-spy style story about time-travel and the creation and destruction of the narrator’s various selves. It introduces the readers to the existential soup of time, memory, mirrors and consciousness that defines this collection."</blockquote>
Awww shucks.<br />
<br />
Now get out there and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chiral-Mad-2-Michael-Bailey/dp/1494239973" target="_blank">buy a copy</a> to see for yourself. :)Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-30205792120746884942014-02-19T17:00:00.000-08:002014-02-19T17:00:02.257-08:00Some Chiral Mad 2 Review Love<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hellnotes.com/chiral-mad-2-book-review" target="_blank">Hellnotes had this to say</a> about my short story "Another Man's Bones" in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chiral-Mad-2-Michael-Bailey/dp/1494239973" target="_blank">Chiral Mad 2</a>:</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
[Chiral Mad 2] opens with “Another Man’s Bones” by Mason Ian Bundschuh. The perfect piece to motivate the reader to hungrily devour the remaining 27 stories. The storyline is not only unique, but delivers the creep factor. In doing so, Bundschuh baffles and eludes, until you reach that final well-structured sentence. This essentially is a story of one man’s quest to eliminate the ultimate foe. He is a writer this reviewer recommends you seek out beyond this anthology. What a treat, dear readers!</blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is some love right there. Wow!</span><br />
<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-60503697213632193992014-02-12T15:30:00.000-08:002014-02-12T15:30:01.727-08:00Rainmaker - Story up at Horror d'OeuvresI'm such a slacker.<br />
<br />
My short story "Rainmaker" went up a monthish-or-so ago on Horror d'Oeuvres (a DarkFuse flash fiction site) and I TOTALLY FORGOT TO MENTION IT.<br />
<br />
Face. Palm.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, you needz to go to <a href="http://www.horrordoeuvres.com/rainmaker/">http://www.horrordoeuvres.com/rainmaker/</a> and get your read on.<br />
Ok, it's a subscription-based site, but dude, it's worth it for a bi-monthly flash fiction story from some amazing authors (and me too).<br />
<br />
Get over there and pony up.<br />
<br />
And while you're reading that, I'll be driving off to a secret writing shindig with my writer's group, The Illiterati.Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-85550211322676670072014-01-25T00:11:00.001-08:002014-01-25T00:11:44.752-08:00When Procrastination is GoodProcrastination hits all of us.<br />
<br />
It doesn't matter if you're a bohemian creative-type, or a motivated power-drive type... some days you end up burning hours on facebook, youtube, wikipedia, IMDB, or just pictures of cats.<br />
<br />
Sure you may have learned something about the Lost Roman Legion (which bunny-trailed you to Military Use of Elephants, then to Efforts to Clone the Mammoth, then to Mitochondrial DNA), but DANGIT that really important thing you really know you ought to do didn't get done.<br />
<br />
Whether it be that book you're writing, the songs you mean to write or record, or that shell of a car moldering in your garage (that you keep telling your spouse will someday resemble a motor vehicle with tires and engine and everything!) -- if you don't do it, it doesn't get done.<br />
<br />
Easy, right?<br />
<br />
And every minute you're NOT doing the thing that must be done, you beat yourself up and guilt out, then drown your guilt in a bowl of apathy-ice-cream.<br />
<br />
Or is that just me?<br />
<br />
But sometimes we gotta take a break to do something that is worth doing. Something that recharges you, rather than something that just eats up time.<br />
<br />
Play with the kids. Read a book. A paper one. Remember those? Go to that durn park that's been nearby the whole time you've lived here but you've never been. Built a rocket. Learn to play ukulele.<br />
<br />
For each of us there are different things that recharge you.<br />
<br />
For me it's playing music. Ask my wife, I pretty much have a stringed instrument in my hands at all times.<br />
<br />
And recently I've gotten into BUILDING guitars. Or at least modding and assembling guitars from random parts, trying out custom wiring tricks, etc, etc.<br />
<br />
Here is my baby. It's a 1990 "Partscaster" an old blues surfer guy in Hawaii made and sold to me. It was my first real guitar. But somewhere several years ago the electronics failed. Sad times.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oQgxipSfyIR01RWr4OdGij7ZfS4SoTGYmeMMCmo5doPVSq1AIEERH3QNNgGwB7dF7ec0rOFNMSQ-0smDwWuHSfBuQNITK5No4mEGXZShKkihWJRSRp4TyN9P3c_ba_HGlVJp86a8Bnts/s1600/1990+Partscaster+REBUILT+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oQgxipSfyIR01RWr4OdGij7ZfS4SoTGYmeMMCmo5doPVSq1AIEERH3QNNgGwB7dF7ec0rOFNMSQ-0smDwWuHSfBuQNITK5No4mEGXZShKkihWJRSRp4TyN9P3c_ba_HGlVJp86a8Bnts/s1600/1990+Partscaster+REBUILT+2014.jpg" height="640" width="359" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1990 Partscaster, rebuilt 2014</td></tr>
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But if I had made one, my new year's resolution would be "Learn to fix and build guitars." Because no guitar should sit in a closet unplayed.<br />
<br />
Sometimes you need to put off doing the thing that requires huge amounts of brain energy and creative mojo... if only to have recharge time.<br />
<br />
What's something you do to recharge?Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-37233022932988394172013-12-30T13:30:00.000-08:002013-12-30T13:30:02.204-08:00Quick Guitar Mod: Upgrade Your Strat Tremolo Block<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m going to digress on my blog
and talk about a quick upgrade for any Stratocaster type-tremolo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I play lots of guitar for work
(and bass, and banjo, and mandolin, and ukulele, and whatever), but I’m also an
inveterate tinkerer and modder. Usually I mod/upgrade small stuff like tuning keys and
knobs or bridge/saddles, but I know how to fix the big stuff (like electronics) too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was in the market for a fun and kooky guitar so
I bought one of those Fender Modern Player Marauders. They’re 25” scale (like a Stratocaster), have a
Strat trem, and a nifty offset body. They’re also cheap and made in <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region> so I
wasn’t really sure what to expect quality-wise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First of all: I really really
really like it. It feels good, and better yet, what really makes it a
formidable working-musician’s axe is that it has all three major pickup types
on tap (P-90, single-coil & humbucker) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve already put a lot of gigging
hours on it and the Marauder delivers the goods.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, if you’ve ever bought a
non-American-made Stratocaster, chances are if you look under the hood you'll find that the
tremolo block is not your normal solid chunk of steel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It probably looks more like
the one on the left below: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaMw0XDMDcQHZ_RcZJaZInvaBqPJx2laK-JHdrhzn1qhouXhtcrt1WyQk2csbiNQjuzrLwaETijkdti-dGuz1VAS5bfqCvyIBugcDV5U1u-gr3WpXUxwkNAfrE2vTLcwJuBwCJza-OpHo/s1600/2013-09-02_13-15-30_303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaMw0XDMDcQHZ_RcZJaZInvaBqPJx2laK-JHdrhzn1qhouXhtcrt1WyQk2csbiNQjuzrLwaETijkdti-dGuz1VAS5bfqCvyIBugcDV5U1u-gr3WpXUxwkNAfrE2vTLcwJuBwCJza-OpHo/s400/2013-09-02_13-15-30_303.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheap original on left, solid steel replacement (standard size) on right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is called pinching-pennies.
It is a lightweight piece of some sort of crappy alloy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And you know what? I kind of got
angry. I stamped my feet. I crossed my arms. I wasn’t going to take it any more. I was going to fight for my right to
party. (er…)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyhow, I did a little research
and bought a solid steel replacement tremolo block from <a href="http://www.guitarfetish.com/" target="_blank">Guitarfetish.com </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t sure how much of an actual difference it would
make. But, hey, the solid steel block was only $25 bucks, so why not give it a
shot? (They also offer solid brass)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
IT MADE A DIFFERENCE.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I noticed first and foremost how SOLID the guitar felt even
when playing it unplugged.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I always set up my trem bridges flush-mounted, so it wasn’t
some sort of “play” in the tremolo. It just felt more solid when I played and
bent notes all over creation. It was noticeably heavier, less “toy-like” in
weight. It now weighs a fraction more than my American Strats (which if I’m not
mistaken makes sense, the offset body being a little larger).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I plugged it in, I perceived a sonic difference in the
sustain (the notes decayed less quickly) and in a snappier response. Before I
changed the tremolo block, the guitar had strings that were a few weeks old, so
I won’t declare “Dude, it totally increased sustain by 50%!” But I perceived a
difference… and I’m pretty darn skeptical about these sorts of things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, if you’ve got non-American Fender/Squire (or cheap
knock-off) with a Synchro Tremolo, why not upgrade?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before you get started, remember to take pictures of each
step BEFORE you remove things so you know how the go back together. And
consider numbering or tagging or otherwise separating/organizing each component
you remove so you don’t end up with a pile of mystery screws afterwards.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok, here’s how you do it:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1) Start by removing the strings
and the string saddles</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB4AHeOceN3fM3w8iebY4SMwPCiSR-7p7kiVqulvMpEOt8gu2W0BIJauh5-ssqnKD4XLquBrieGbKiu1RE0ercRFM3I65SJ_VknJhxFrVe7MmpM5k6_RKmUkoc2P8ZIxZTkY8k8_GmQn7/s1600/2013-09-02_13-11-55_138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB4AHeOceN3fM3w8iebY4SMwPCiSR-7p7kiVqulvMpEOt8gu2W0BIJauh5-ssqnKD4XLquBrieGbKiu1RE0ercRFM3I65SJ_VknJhxFrVe7MmpM5k6_RKmUkoc2P8ZIxZTkY8k8_GmQn7/s320/2013-09-02_13-11-55_138.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for Pete’s sake find a little dish or jar or something to put all your parts and screws in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2) Remove the tremolo back plate
and the tremolo springs (careful not to make them snap out at you)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejfPnF1-_8BsWnCL7bNMlIlpouDNhf-PxOPxHhTLX0y5yJn4nvuc8RQjKAodW6eyHkYc2hyphenhyphencmhLgHjSoX4GmOj3FRAM6J4fEon8eDDS3XSWmbkpenMn7FQ8NyDHxyzX59bB04BCMKwlkG/s1600/2013-09-02_13-13-05_873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejfPnF1-_8BsWnCL7bNMlIlpouDNhf-PxOPxHhTLX0y5yJn4nvuc8RQjKAodW6eyHkYc2hyphenhyphencmhLgHjSoX4GmOj3FRAM6J4fEon8eDDS3XSWmbkpenMn7FQ8NyDHxyzX59bB04BCMKwlkG/s320/2013-09-02_13-13-05_873.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3) Unscrew the three flush-mount screws connecting the bridge plate to the
tremolo block (not the six screws attaching the bridge plate to the body)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4) Slap in and secure the new tremolo block of super powers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAahNqEe0PJZHBEXbtEThvCLR1E1_MJAD5Dgbavm3NzTqcs7jbprriOo6rzLenF8fWBbpEiV9SFmhP6oQE7A2oBAmYM6bKbsSe7dQY_tRl_qW4BMKpUxmqAJdaTUCLzs-MOcH-k6iKZuG/s1600/2013-09-02_13-17-13_945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAahNqEe0PJZHBEXbtEThvCLR1E1_MJAD5Dgbavm3NzTqcs7jbprriOo6rzLenF8fWBbpEiV9SFmhP6oQE7A2oBAmYM6bKbsSe7dQY_tRl_qW4BMKpUxmqAJdaTUCLzs-MOcH-k6iKZuG/s320/2013-09-02_13-17-13_945.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5) Check that the hole for the tremolo arm lines up. Feel free to facepalm if it
doesn’t, and reorder a different config.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB9x2P6a_6wqbPrVF4a2u_9ftX3aae2AeolFdjHm_tdm4yZo0Xo-J_HGsqRpffXFBzzrMrVfK7Dxp6fjF0l48Ky-Z-IUN5FjXmxLpu1f8r-955stTe6BGxUTQky3M9pY1EN6xTAJsSkeq/s1600/2013-09-02_13-25-25_669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB9x2P6a_6wqbPrVF4a2u_9ftX3aae2AeolFdjHm_tdm4yZo0Xo-J_HGsqRpffXFBzzrMrVfK7Dxp6fjF0l48Ky-Z-IUN5FjXmxLpu1f8r-955stTe6BGxUTQky3M9pY1EN6xTAJsSkeq/s320/2013-09-02_13-25-25_669.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">misfit... boo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6) Reattach the springs. (careful now, and put them back the
way you found them. Or rearrange to your heart’s content. You’ll be adjusting
the spring tension anyways)</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMK2OR_tSnlMQh5MGjbjQKaT9buKwW18sCBFc5tLcNzwYAWufDv6EZjq2gN1lO0y7MTY2E773ZMGD57HAYZjzQq8-NO5myen0SAyBF3BDSi5TfkJ9c79aucJF2qfHvKyGXSrezJ0Xigxe/s1600/2013-09-02_13-21-52_434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMK2OR_tSnlMQh5MGjbjQKaT9buKwW18sCBFc5tLcNzwYAWufDv6EZjq2gN1lO0y7MTY2E773ZMGD57HAYZjzQq8-NO5myen0SAyBF3BDSi5TfkJ9c79aucJF2qfHvKyGXSrezJ0Xigxe/s320/2013-09-02_13-21-52_434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7) Reinstall string saddles. (you’re going to adjust intonation
later, right? RIGHT?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvLPSygBqQTauLxc-Bha3OelSoeZ-9xYaZX0_HpzYv7aVRjBbl4R5J8bagxg6XY0-tVR-vjfr-NDa2kivtYHUh3O80evS6MKCE6_WRJ4y32NwAQrC8hdGK45fqWw5LL5njOqjowt5EevL/s1600/2013-09-02_13-06-59_961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvLPSygBqQTauLxc-Bha3OelSoeZ-9xYaZX0_HpzYv7aVRjBbl4R5J8bagxg6XY0-tVR-vjfr-NDa2kivtYHUh3O80evS6MKCE6_WRJ4y32NwAQrC8hdGK45fqWw5LL5njOqjowt5EevL/s320/2013-09-02_13-06-59_961.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Put on some new strings and tune up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Adjust tremolo spring tension to taste (I like my tremolos
flush mount with no backwards play) and reattach back plate.*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you do it, report back whether you think it made a
difference or not, and with any technical glitches, tricks, or advice from your
experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*One strange glitch was that the claw of the springs where
they attached to the new block were a half millimeter higher than the level of
the guitar body, so the backplate couldn’t be mounted flush—and more
importantly the end of the springs would rub/press against the tremolo block.
(not the block itself, mind you, just the claw of the springs)</div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">UNACCEPTABLE! So I got a file and grooved out the
inside of the backplate to accommodate the height discrepancy. One could also,
theoretically groove out the tremolo block so that the spring claws sat lower.
But I didn’t want to bother filing steel.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBXHaAKiO7HHYZHyvJ6Y-srKHQvNIAWXMErq0DciKFb1DBICvsk9RFvgGGWEebAEXu2A28hTzjjgzzdaYF5ymkSRs4IzKnHQS0OA6E3ojCbFazOEC4KV8rabF0ytVlpRtMCw9vqjALI8d/s1600/2013-09-02_13-31-58_140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBXHaAKiO7HHYZHyvJ6Y-srKHQvNIAWXMErq0DciKFb1DBICvsk9RFvgGGWEebAEXu2A28hTzjjgzzdaYF5ymkSRs4IzKnHQS0OA6E3ojCbFazOEC4KV8rabF0ytVlpRtMCw9vqjALI8d/s320/2013-09-02_13-31-58_140.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The springs are sticking up! Drats!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-45702948311938325182013-12-16T17:30:00.000-08:002013-12-16T17:30:02.706-08:00Chiral Mad 2 ReleasedLadies and Gentlefrogs, Chiral Mad 2 is out so get thee to Amazon and order yourself a copy.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chiral-Mad-2-Michael-Bailey/dp/1494239973" target="_blank">Chiral Mad 2</a> on Amazon<br />
<br />
My short story "Another Man's Bones" opens up the collection (a big honor for me)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8Ay5PnSPQDh7z8CULzcnShLRU9mqADYIJ3VVQZpBjyz70QwyC55mBqZiLQVeDviK2iZJeE7aQl8gau8lTxhiDHv0YwiQEquuqdxQ0grxYBSPAZnmfNS4S53VaZIoTDgh-XKg8PtcJ6ke/s1600/Chiral+Mad+2+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8Ay5PnSPQDh7z8CULzcnShLRU9mqADYIJ3VVQZpBjyz70QwyC55mBqZiLQVeDviK2iZJeE7aQl8gau8lTxhiDHv0YwiQEquuqdxQ0grxYBSPAZnmfNS4S53VaZIoTDgh-XKg8PtcJ6ke/s1600/Chiral+Mad+2+final.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I know I've mentioned it before, but the people I share the table of contents (TOC) with are AWESOME.<br />
Some serious luminaries and all-around great people.<br />
<br />
One aspect of this publication which may be of interest to other hungry writers out there: my story had been rejected by dozens of other markets before being accepted. I had several really positive personal rejections, but all rejections nonetheless.<br />
I knew the story was solid. This isn't just vanity, I can tell when I write a stinker (usually after a few days of perspective). This story I knew was good. And I'd also put it through the wringer of my writer's group (The Illiterati) and it got their stamp of approval.<br />
Point being, if you've got a story you believe in, keep submitting it! Every editor is looking for something different. Eventually you'll find a home for it.<br />
<br />
The key word of the day is PERSISTENCE.<br />
<br />
For us writers, with our perennial vacillation between soaring ego and crushing self-doubt, it is persistence and plain-old dogged cussedness that drags us through.Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-4311765709494889102013-11-02T14:04:00.000-07:002013-11-02T22:50:07.593-07:00You Used Song Lyrics in Your Self-Published Book?Some things you never want to hear. That your best friend was swallowed by a Kaiju. That your mom won the lottery, but decided to disown all of you and retire to Fiji with the pool guy. That your little brother is now a world-famous dub-step dj.<br />
<br />
Add to that list, "My self-published book contains song lyrics."<br />
<br />
Some of you may be asking “You mean I need permission to use song lyrics in my novel?”<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC13mjwgn2v7kdS6kwLb_awVuG8jxTzW74lRF__ttgoxRh3_-U2aYW0ndqb9_-FPjuVLcX6sinIsVWfvdQMJroZPsIZTMD4qEBmzSmUxi_yhCVXbNiCkrf3Slu6MGnA7ddHX3i4XOf3AqG/s1600/Land-Shark-lawyer-writer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC13mjwgn2v7kdS6kwLb_awVuG8jxTzW74lRF__ttgoxRh3_-U2aYW0ndqb9_-FPjuVLcX6sinIsVWfvdQMJroZPsIZTMD4qEBmzSmUxi_yhCVXbNiCkrf3Slu6MGnA7ddHX3i4XOf3AqG/s1600/Land-Shark-lawyer-writer.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(my awesome graphic design skillz)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was speaking at a conference recently, and during one panel the topic of using brand names and trademarks in fiction was in full swing when somebody asked the above question.<br />
<br />
The short answer is: Yes, you need permission. Song lyrics are copyrighted material. You need legal permission from the copyright holder to reprint copyrighted material--even a line or partial line of song lyrics.<br />
<br />
The problem was that this individual had self-published their novel… and apparently there were scenes where the protagonist sang in the shower.<br />
<br />
OMG. He illegally used real lyrics to a popular song right there in his self-pubbed opus.<br />
<br />
He didn’t know it was illegal.<br />
<br />
The record label doesn’t even need to win the lawsuit, they just need to sue you with deeper pockets. You’ll capitulate and then move your family down to the homeless shelter where you’ll cry over your garnished wages for eternity.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLSj3-L8ydmjLB7MexCBFmPmE7NcMQEHBe7vEYSPWY8DDGetPF11nNrsOASP5ZUncLmSakgJM55u-BfBEYdEtEs-yXMB2GJgozRPVyxPU_LVRhkxywiIn3MWBdkaY77xtvVl4sBssU-vL/s1600/293homeless-laptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLSj3-L8ydmjLB7MexCBFmPmE7NcMQEHBe7vEYSPWY8DDGetPF11nNrsOASP5ZUncLmSakgJM55u-BfBEYdEtEs-yXMB2GJgozRPVyxPU_LVRhkxywiIn3MWBdkaY77xtvVl4sBssU-vL/s1600/293homeless-laptop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hmm, this scene could use a popular song lyric..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This alone is a strong case for having an editor. A real editor (hint: not your mom) would have caught this. Just like they would catch you using a brand name, and tell you to genericize it.<br />
<br />
Ladies and gentlemen, don’t reprint song lyrics in your novel. Not unless 1) you wrote the darn song and have every legal authority to use it, or 2) you’ve gone through all the legal hoopla to reprint the excerpt by permission of the copyright holder.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-44787044321508039502013-10-24T11:30:00.000-07:002013-10-24T11:30:43.894-07:00Acceptance and Contest Win: Dark Fuse & Vegas Valley Book Fest 2013Well, it's been a productive past few months.<br />
<br />
While I've been neck deep in the heavy rewrites and revisions of my current WIP (work in progress for all you not yet in the know), I've also been throwing my proverbial hat into the ring by submitting short stories all over the place.<br />
<br />
1) My short story "The Resurrectionist" won 2nd place in the 2013 <a href="http://vegasvalleybookfestival.org/" target="_blank">Vegas Valley Book Festival</a> Flash Fiction contest. (I'll be reading my winning entry at the VVBF on Saturday Nov 2nd at noon in the small courtyard of the old 5th street schoolhouse in downtown Las Vegas)<br />
<br />
2) My short story "Rainmaker" was just picked up by <a href="http://www.darkfuse.com/" target="_blank">Dark Fuse</a> for their <a href="http://www.horrordoeuvres.com/" target="_blank">Horror d'oeuvres</a> flash fiction outlet. Fun stuff. Rainmaker was my entry in the Killercon 2013 Creative Fiction contest, judged by the peerless <a href="http://www.datlow.com/" target="_blank">Ellen Datlow</a> and <a href="http://www.christopherricebooks.com/" target="_blank">Christopher Rice</a> (a rising star to watch).<br />
<br />
Both stories were written on the same day (within a few hours of one another) in two timed contests. The first contest allowed 90 minutes to write, edit and submit, the second only 20 minutes.<br />
<br />
Most of you know that I have a super-duper writers group. The Illiterati.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HM_R8LxCsYKtXEJxPJ44u75KqFNb0k_efFOB6zM7BsCEIAQTw1ijjuHu4esOURZPgHg4fAOfZzrqUwaVl-ZJpP1w2w7yudIgQ2iEByOeSxJ0knvTQz_Bn0-HtSdar6DLrnZmgvszLgkp/s1600/illiterati-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HM_R8LxCsYKtXEJxPJ44u75KqFNb0k_efFOB6zM7BsCEIAQTw1ijjuHu4esOURZPgHg4fAOfZzrqUwaVl-ZJpP1w2w7yudIgQ2iEByOeSxJ0knvTQz_Bn0-HtSdar6DLrnZmgvszLgkp/s400/illiterati-2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><i>Watch out, better hide your kids, hide your wife.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the best things about having a group in this solitary life of a writer is that you roll together. Any triumph for one is a triumph for all. Life is better when you travel as a pack.<br />
<br />
In September the Illiterati as a group entered two short story contests in a row: The Killercon 2013 Creative Fiction contest and the 2013 Vegas Valley Book Festival Flash Fiction contest.<br />
<br />
We won both.<br />
(Congrats to Matt Czarnowski for his Illiterati-representing Killercon win!)<br />
<br />
I credit as much to our own (growing) writing ability as I do to the sense of friendly competition of "outwriting" one another. I admire and enjoy the unique writing voice and style of each member of my group, and to go head-to-head with them is both an honor and a real challenge.<br />
<br />
What are you waiting for? Find some like-minded writers and start yourself a writers group. You won't know what you're doing at first, but you'll learn.<br />
<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-27227358250725106472013-10-15T20:10:00.001-07:002013-10-15T20:10:04.224-07:00Whispers From the Abyss Anthology<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_klKI2Vd720ZS-Qoi26W-Xvk6n1B50gc682yi41Uq7xBszjIkPIdPa75Ca5uc75rDBE104BTtTo7TPSdtFiN0nMPRnHPFVruMYueOXy0uw4cYA0z2enkvARed-AnI8ZmnMRiNy3bzTHnx/s1600/whisperscover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_klKI2Vd720ZS-Qoi26W-Xvk6n1B50gc682yi41Uq7xBszjIkPIdPa75Ca5uc75rDBE104BTtTo7TPSdtFiN0nMPRnHPFVruMYueOXy0uw4cYA0z2enkvARed-AnI8ZmnMRiNy3bzTHnx/s640/whisperscover.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey dude, you've got something on your face...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hey there kiddos, you can read my latest short story "When We Change" in the WHISPERS FROM THE ABYSS anthology.<br />
<br />
This is the story that <a href="http://www.jackketchum.net/" target="_blank">Jack Ketchum</a> deemed awesome enough to be declared <a href="http://masonbundschuh.blogspot.com/2012/10/killercon-2012-debriefed.html" target="_blank">winner </a>of the 2012 Killercon flash fiction contest.<br />
<br />
Snatch it up on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Whispers-from-the-Abyss-ebook/dp/B00FU0M3ZU" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon</span></a>!<br />
<br />
Check out the table of contents <a href="http://01publishing.com/2013/10/15/the-stars-are-right-and-whispers-from-the-abyss-is-now-available/" target="_blank">here</a>.Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-46565279956981556642013-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:002013-09-26T17:00:05.322-07:00Ukulele MadnessOthers have done great Killercon 2013 debriefs (such as <a href="http://johnpalisano.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/killercon-v-2/" target="_blank">John Palisano</a>), so I won't rehash any of that.<br />
<br />
Instead I'll tell you that <a href="http://abrokenlaptop.com/" target="_blank">Mercedes</a> and I brought our ukuleles to the convention.<br />
<br />
Now, just so's you know, my ukulele super-powers are well documented. (example 1: <a href="http://www.shocktotem.com/09/23/2013/jamming-at-world-horror-con-2013/" target="_blank">World Horror Con with Mort Castle</a>, example 2: <a href="http://masonbundschuh.blogspot.com/2013/06/new-orleans-jam.html" target="_blank">audio/video proof</a> ) But on with my blog...<br />
<br />
Ukuleles bring joy wherever they go.<br />
Joy. And astonishment.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwoMFqe3QoOQBOpg2JUyhgipJCyNTq5AMwy_1ZqZKuQIwVyKJzgnPVRRxEMSToK-EWXk6wSN-NkfNfsUMjVTgbTgJmpvjClYRYsXNhoDODo6WQqkpg77ET-M3MVAtumsPP4ONZg25yki8/s1600/ukulele+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwoMFqe3QoOQBOpg2JUyhgipJCyNTq5AMwy_1ZqZKuQIwVyKJzgnPVRRxEMSToK-EWXk6wSN-NkfNfsUMjVTgbTgJmpvjClYRYsXNhoDODo6WQqkpg77ET-M3MVAtumsPP4ONZg25yki8/s400/ukulele+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher Rice totally amazed by our AC/DC rendition</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And sometimes violence.<span id="goog_736859590"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-mHM0jUHAaNrf1kN7pYMSi0KRRCm7XcjeQDdrlDrN_2eFkywQUB3eQZJzQ8wXbszVMgbiUKDi48bD8v_ngsVEJHkosk76gn9lf3MxfolythqU-LtPqBwxPkMb0EGvg7EtbbSUVmjqdlS/s1600/ukulele+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-mHM0jUHAaNrf1kN7pYMSi0KRRCm7XcjeQDdrlDrN_2eFkywQUB3eQZJzQ8wXbszVMgbiUKDi48bD8v_ngsVEJHkosk76gn9lf3MxfolythqU-LtPqBwxPkMb0EGvg7EtbbSUVmjqdlS/s400/ukulele+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Bailey and Mercedes M. Yardley remembering The Clash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But the important thing is that ukuleles bring people together.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4y8Vn_9ErwUqKOzMm8e9Jw7kim2qRzTbiGhiWrior80NhVBt5_0hsXrHrsN-0mjGZ4QP0QMlvruJJtyupeY6kvqJ6TLhxu_MgpXZIFKJo4MoO5HZ5HhdmuhvC5XX_FWUucy6x_ExLbUi/s1600/ukulele+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4y8Vn_9ErwUqKOzMm8e9Jw7kim2qRzTbiGhiWrior80NhVBt5_0hsXrHrsN-0mjGZ4QP0QMlvruJJtyupeY6kvqJ6TLhxu_MgpXZIFKJo4MoO5HZ5HhdmuhvC5XX_FWUucy6x_ExLbUi/s400/ukulele+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing the ukes around with John Skipp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One thousand million pounds of love go out to my pals who shared and shredded the humble four strings of fury (meaning, my ukulele)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blog.nettirw.com/" target="_blank">Michael Bailey</a>, Matt Czarnowski, John Skipp, John Palisano, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/speed317" target="_blank">Sarah Peed</a>, <a href="http://www.mikemccarty.net/" target="_blank">Mike McCarty</a>, <a href="http://www.stacyscrantonphotography.com/" target="_blank">Stacy Scranton-Morgan</a>, Edmund Colell, and the half dozen I probably also forgot... (oops)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So everyone should go buy themselves an ukulele. I'll wait right here while you do.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
And a few of you will be able to view this video of me playing "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails on the ukulele.<br />
(That's John Palisano on wall drums and Mercedes M. Yardley on chocolate chip shaker)<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="1280" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10200540283851543" width="720"></iframe>Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-62418822885703927572013-09-18T18:00:00.000-07:002013-09-18T18:00:02.663-07:00Chiral Mad 2 and Heading to KillerconHello boys and girls.<br />
<br />
Got some good news, my short story "Another Man's Bones" has been accepted in the awesome anthology CHIRAL MAD 2, the follow-up to the award winning <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chiral-Mad-Michael-Bailey/dp/1479152439" target="_blank">CHIRAL MAD</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgvSsUa2vLEJIYjJN4eXOBTLoMWrT98lQuuhQ3HkiZc2ofSakp6KHYgj8kjN_sA59KP2A3_lfqAExVN2ITxFKuErTximwQkNiglknCDP_u4UMeK1cmT8Sh4VPEQFHJeDnMqGTqxWm1l72/s1600/chiral+mad+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgvSsUa2vLEJIYjJN4eXOBTLoMWrT98lQuuhQ3HkiZc2ofSakp6KHYgj8kjN_sA59KP2A3_lfqAExVN2ITxFKuErTximwQkNiglknCDP_u4UMeK1cmT8Sh4VPEQFHJeDnMqGTqxWm1l72/s400/chiral+mad+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://blog.nettirw.com/2013/08/27/chiral-mad-2-contents-part-1/" target="_blank">Check out</a> some of the great names I'm sharing a ToC with!<br />
<br />
Jack Ketchum, David Morrell, Mort Castle (MORT!), Ramsey Campbell, Gene O'Neill... that's just the first reveal. (also P. Gardner Goldsmith and John Skipp via Written Backward's FB page)<br />
<br />
There are also some awesome rumors floating about, but we'll go there if they happen. M'kay?<br />
<br />
So with this great news, I'm off to Killercon 2013 held right here in Las Vegas NV.<br />
I love writer conventions. And I love the people who put on and attend <a href="http://killercon.com/" target="_blank">Killercon</a>.<br />
<br />
It will be a fun fun fun weekend. I'll fill you in on the deets later.Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-70296176943701223952013-07-17T22:16:00.002-07:002013-07-17T22:16:51.080-07:00The Illiterati World Domination Tour 2013My writer's group, The Illiterati, will be speaking this Thursday night at the Las Vegas Writers Group monthly meeting. We're kind of a big deal (at least my mom says so).<br />
<br />
Thursday July 18th, 7:00 PM at the Tap House<br />
(5589 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146)<br />
$5 at the door. Food and drinks and fun!<br />
<br />
We are talking about Critique Groups: How to form one and run one without going insane.<br />
<br />
When we started The Illiterati 5 years ago, only one of us had ever been published before. Since then we've all made multiple professional sales including novels, non-fiction essays, and many many short stories.<br />
<br />
We have been featured on panels at World Fantasy Convention, World Horror Convention, KillerCon, and have caused much general mayhem.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in taking your writing to the next level, join us.<br />
<br />
Also, we are very serious and you should listen to us.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSJ_z-xsGR1SRb7sJXNQMT2LhfHl0bkovCHJa5qKXos5iiPrdEgZyNLolQlWj8IktJip0mAp55TTPNUV17Lz61xs7cwpi0v1pvrnLcX4GRlkLsytV-zBIbDAbqIgvNe1W-WlH_5Yx-Txf/s1600/illiterati-2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSJ_z-xsGR1SRb7sJXNQMT2LhfHl0bkovCHJa5qKXos5iiPrdEgZyNLolQlWj8IktJip0mAp55TTPNUV17Lz61xs7cwpi0v1pvrnLcX4GRlkLsytV-zBIbDAbqIgvNe1W-WlH_5Yx-Txf/s400/illiterati-2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billie the Girl, Mercedes M. Yardley, Ryan Bridger, Mason Ian Bundschuh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-74395382364627394202013-06-28T17:00:00.000-07:002013-06-28T17:00:07.272-07:00New Orleans Jam<div class="MsoNormal">
I meant to write an insightful post about my amazing
adventures in <st1:city w:st="on">New Orleans</st1:city>
for World Horror Convention 2013.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But instead I wrote this song. It’s on the ukulele, so you
know it’s probably heavy metal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jqZU9WyUuNw" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But you can read a little about my experience by surfing
over to these blogs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://brad-hodson.com/2013/06/20/the-ballad-of-blaine-at-the-world-horror-convention/" target="_blank">Brad C. Hodson</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://abrokenlaptop.com/2013/06/17/a-safe-warm-house/" target="_blank">Mercedes Yardley</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(any of you jokers reading this, link drop those I am too lazy to remember in the comments)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What you need to know boils down to this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">I
travelled with my great friends Mercedes M. Yardley and Matt Czar. Bailey
Hunter and Harley May joined us. And we explored the city like champs.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">We
rented a house instead of staying at the hotel. Best. Idea. EVAR. Way to
go <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/" target="_blank">AirBnB</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Bats
fly around the city. This is awesome to me.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Horror
writers are far more cuddly and friendly than they have any right to be.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">I met
with my publisher. Yes. <a href="http://www.samhainpublishing.com/horror.htm" target="_blank">My publisher</a>. I’ll spill the deets when we have
the cover, promise.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">I ate
alligator and it really did taste like chicken. I wonder if bats taste
like chicken too.</li>
</ul>
Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-56379180384055333682013-06-20T16:00:00.000-07:002013-06-20T16:00:01.488-07:00Friday Funny: Best Hamburger On Earth, EvarrrrrHave you ever asked yourself: "Self, how can I tell the difference between a burger that is weak, and one that has strength?"<br />
<br />
Well ask no more, because Daym breaks it down for you.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DcJFdCmN98s" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
There is something so magnetic and delightful about this guy's profound enjoyment of his food. I personally think more people should get this excited about what some might call "mundane" and "everyday" things.<br />
<br />
But maybe not THIS excited...<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OQSNhk5ICTI" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
(Unless you're also riding a dinosaur while filming this rainbow)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8096826151192174250.post-7201593755873279902013-06-13T16:00:00.000-07:002013-06-13T16:00:01.302-07:00World Horror Convention 2013 PreshowAs this post launches itself into the waiting arms of the interwebz, I'll be halfway to New Orleans for World Horror Convention and the 2013 Bram Stoker Awards.<br />
<br />
I like writers' conventions. My personality type is energized by people. As stated by one online personality test (always so accurate!) "Strangers are just friends that Mason hasn't met yet."<br />
<br />
However, I am doubly looking forward to this convention.<br />
<br />
Not only will I be hanging out with some really incredible people whom I've met at recent conventions (whom I've blogged about <a href="http://masonbundschuh.blogspot.com/2012/10/killercon-2012-debriefed.html" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="http://masonbundschuh.blogspot.com/2011/11/world-fantasy-con-2011-debriefed.html" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="http://masonbundschuh.blogspot.com/2011/09/killercon-3-new-convention-on-block.html" target="_blank">here</a>) but we're renting a party house.<br />
<br />
Ok, maybe not like, raging parties. But my dear pal Mercedes Yardley of Illiterati fame, and Matt C (a writer friend and coincidentally my neighbor!(and who is in our rival critique group that has yet to come up with a name)) and the ever graceful and sly Bailey Hunter (<a href="https://twitter.com/Slave_To_Coffee" target="_blank">@Slave_To_Coffee</a>) are renting a house in the French Quarter from which to launch our midnight attacks.<br />
<br />
Well, we might be reading and writing lots. That's kind of like a midnight attack, right?<br />
<br />
Kind of like how these are really cute stuffed beavers... right? Right? RIGHT?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvZom0-Arr1yjV8NlkvYEu2Pqc19DPTQsW1jknnVy24AimVv2GRK-lKWQxGTT0Xdb-00Oz8GUjIdVmpB4lmttPKgEfRDjGDS9-NfrZX1AsB6WfKWA6vkZP91WG3pFY8PQc5QL2qIqjH8s/s1600/devil+beavers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvZom0-Arr1yjV8NlkvYEu2Pqc19DPTQsW1jknnVy24AimVv2GRK-lKWQxGTT0Xdb-00Oz8GUjIdVmpB4lmttPKgEfRDjGDS9-NfrZX1AsB6WfKWA6vkZP91WG3pFY8PQc5QL2qIqjH8s/s400/devil+beavers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These devil beavers were for sale on Craigslist...<br />They haunt my dreams with their beady eyes.<br />No really, they have beads for eyes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Plus, when I get back I'll have some exciting news to share with you peoples.Mason Ian Bundschuhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07628735155845163346noreply@blogger.com0