What?? What?? What?? One Murder More = Finalist for 2016 Silver Falchion award in THREE categories: Best First Novel, Mystery/Crime Novel and The Judges’ Choice Award!  Past finalists for the Silver Falchion include Stephen King, John Sanborn, John Lescroart and Robert Dugoni. I’m headed to Nashville this weekend for the awards banquet at the incomparable #‎KillerNashville  conference! Will I see you there? (C’mon, use those miles, it’s Nashville!) "Killer Nashville is one of the most popular conferences in the country for writers and readers... Established by writer and filmmaker Clay Stafford in 2006, the conference assists authors in the craft of mystery, thriller, suspense and crime fiction writing. Stafford and American Blackguard, Inc. also work to further various literacy programs throughout the year. As a part of both encouraging and rewarding writers in their varied fields, the Silver Falchion Award is given to outstanding books published in the previous year." Thanks for taking this journey with me, and thanks to Inkshares for an incredible partnership! Kris    www.kriscalvin.com

Well, we’ve reached another Monday.

Just a few, brief, early week tidbits before my day starts in earnest.

First off, holy shit! The WHY SO SERIOUS? Syndicate has selected A Beast Requires as their 1st selection!

I’m blown away, and incredibly honored that two amazing humor writers think A Beast Requires is not only funny, but a great book as well. Writing humor is a game of rough shot, and going in, you know that not every joke is going to land. The greatest joy I get from my readers is when they tell me about all the inopportune times they burst out laughing.

Secondly, I will be doing another awkward author video this week, talking about the world building that went into A Beast Requires. I mentioned it briefly forever and a day ago, but I feel it deserves a bit more of an in depth conversation. So stay tuned for that, and hit me up with any questions you have about A Beast Requires, or me, on Twitter @EremiticFool

And the last tidbit, my newest article is up on Killer Moose. This month I’m talking about Guardians of Order’s Game of Thrones RPG, GURPS Discworld, and the Dresden Files RPG. Yea, I go deep into settings, discussing if a game can stay true to its fandom while bringing in new players. So if you’re into tabletop RPGs, definitely check it out.

Also, can I mention how awesome the word tidbit is? So freaking glorious.

- Jay

SEDS & The Oldest Space Science Student Member in the US

Students for Exploration & Development of Space (SEDS) is the largest space science student organization in the US. Most members are under 25. Some are under 30. You might be able to count any over 40 on one hand.

As of this year, SEDS had one single member over 50. And that member is me.

I have been an enormous fan and supporter of SEDS since attending the organization’s annual SpaceVision conference in 2013. Seeing as SEDS was not an opportunity when I first went to university–hello, 1983–and seeing as the only way to belong to SEDS is to be a student, I made a bold move this past year: I went back to school.

Like the saying goes, it’s never too late to be a kid. Considering the high regard I have for SEDS, being able to forever more own being an actual bona fide member of SEDS really meant the world to me.

Believe it or not, it just got better.

SEDS’ At-Large Board Members (there are two) support the SEDS Board and the SEDS organization by spearheading new projects and new initiatives. For one reason or another, of the two At-Large Board Members one had to resign midterm. A call went out to members for a fill-in At-Large. And I put my name in the hat.  Interviews of the candidates, including me, took place last week. Results were posted last night.

Needless to say, I was absolutely blown away to learn I am the newly elected At-Large Board Member for SEDS!

When I was a kid, I imagined the world to be a certain way. I imagined it is awesome and filled with infinite possibilities and life gets better and better everyday. 

Now I am a grown-up who has lived and put those ideas to the test. Through fire. And they are true!

So, this year’s SEDS Spacevision conference is in November at Purdue University.* While I may not be on the moon (yet), when you see me at SpaceVision this year I’ll be easy to spot.

I’m the guy walking on air.

Keep up the good work, what a ride,
Mike Mongo

* BTW Purdue University is where astronaut & first human being on the moon Neil Armstrong studied engineering. 

I’m sending you a small excerpt from the chapter called "Full Moon." I hope you enjoy it!