CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-21 18:28:44 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Sorry, but locking a Spielberg-produced HALO live-action series as viewable only on your new console as a way to drive sales? Doesn't really speak too highly of your confidence of the product as a games console....

http://variety.com/2013/digital/news/spielberg-to-produce-halo-series-for-xbox-1200485716/

2013-05-21 16:56:52 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Spruce up your Google+ cover with this promotional image for FAR WEST, my Wuxia-Western Mash-up.   More information available at http://intothefarwest.com

2013-05-21 15:10:18 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Oklahoma's Republican Senators Coburn & Inhofe tried to cut funding for Hurricane Sandy victims.

We'll send relief to OK anyway, because that's who we are.

2013-05-21 14:45:46 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

I hear the refrain all the time: Why don't content providers make this easier to get? 

It's  invariably about a film, a digital book, a piece of music … content. 

The party "holding" things up is always the content provider. 

While it seems obvious to everyone on the planet that the content owners are best served making their content easily available for a fair price with no impediments, they put all manner of obstacles in the way of interested parties at every turn. 

Idiotic DRM schemes (which never work),  lack of availability, cable subscription to watch a single show, higher prices, or the content not being available at all in digital format are the most common issues.

Content owners don't do this because they are stupid (for the most part), they do it because they want to control what you see, read and hear. 
Not in... more »

2013-05-21 14:35:02 (16 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

BREAKING:  GOP preparing hearings to investigate why Obama called severe storm a "tornado", claiming he avoided calling it a "twister."

2013-05-21 14:27:40 (14 comments, 2 reshares, 7 +1s)

A 12 minute nostalgia pit for folks of a certain age...

Remember 1986:

REMEMBER 1986

2013-05-20 18:54:43 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Official confirmation of a Christmas Special and Series 8 following the November 50th Anniversary special...  plus this statement:   " Big plans are being put in place that will well and truly celebrate the Doctor’s half-centenary.  Make sure you check back for some exciting announcements! "

Curious.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/Doctor-Who-A-New-Series-and-More

2013-05-20 16:51:22 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Huh.  Turns out if you make a 1200-mile round trip between Friday and Sunday, it's kinda exhausting.   Good to know.

2013-05-20 03:52:17 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Mad Men: Apparently, jumping a shark in a period piece pretty much looks just like regular shark-jumping.

2013-05-20 01:05:01 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Back home, and finally got to watch "The Name of the Doctor."

Um... Wow.

2013-05-19 19:09:04 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Watch this for 7 hours. Congratulations. You've now experienced Kansas. https://vine.co/v/b9meUDteMzz

2013-05-17 17:22:54 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

Western Kansas: Creepy Wheat Jesus. Very "He Who Walks Behind The Rows." #GetMeOuttaHere

2013-05-16 16:09:53 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Announcing the first year of support products for the FAR WEST Adventure Game line:

http://intothefarwest.com/2013/05/16/adventure-game-support-revealed/

2013-05-15 22:35:17 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Well, I'm officially old.  My youngest had his last day of high school today.  Holy crap.

2013-05-15 22:32:57 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

The Lords of Gossamer and Shadow patrons bought my dignity and self-respect. 

2013-05-15 21:34:29 (13 comments, 2 reshares, 7 +1s)

I like the new layout here, but I understand that some don't.

But see, here's the difference between Google + and Facebook -- Google gives you the option.   If you don't like the new layout, go to the "More" tab at the top of your page, and you can switch back to the single-column view.

2013-05-15 15:52:21 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Something for the new folks who have circled....  Here's a link to my latest book, a collection of short stories from a Kung Fu Spaghetti Western fantasy world, featuring me and folks like Scott Lynch, Chuck Wendig, Matt Forbeck, Tessa Gratton, Ari Marmell and more.   Available in softcover and kindle format.

TALES OF THE FAR WEST

Imagine: A fantasy world, but not one based on Medieval/Dark Ages European culture and myth, but rather on the tropes of the Spaghetti Western and Chinese Wuxia. Add steampunk elements. Mix well.

A fantasy world that mixes the inspirations of Django and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon... The Good, The Bad & The Ugly and House of Flying Daggers... Fistful of Dollars and Fist of Legend.

A fantasy world that's explored through a book series, a constantly-updated website, a tabletop role-playing game, comics, artwork,w... more »

2013-05-14 23:03:36 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Before 11am this morning, I talked about how shocked I was that I had 10,356 people who have circled me here on Google+.

Doing a little digging, I found that Google recently altered its Suggested Users engine, which they use to recommend people to others:
http://alremetch.com/how-to-get-on-a-suggested-user-list/

It seems evident that I must be on some Suggested User list, because now, barely 7 hours later, my circled-by count is at 10,483.  I'm getting a new person circling me every 3 minutes or so. 

So, uh...  Hi there, new folks!    Please drop into the comments below and say hi -- I'd love to know how you discovered me, and please tell me a bit about yourself!

2013-05-14 21:20:24 (13 comments, 4 reshares, 13 +1s)

Yeah, I'm pretty much sold on the concept.

2013-05-14 17:02:07 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

My friend Matt Forbeck's new mystery thriller, DANGEROUS GAMES: HOW TO PLAY is out today.   A murder mystery taking place at the largest tabletop games convention in the US!   Thrill to my cameo appearance (in a bar, no less)!

More info (and a free look at the first five chapters) here:   http://www.forbeck.com/product/dangerous-games-how-to-play/

2013-05-14 16:13:52 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Audiobook excerpt of THE LOST SUN, the first of my friend +Tessa Gratton's  alt-history UNITED STATES OF ASGARD here:  

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/mm/audio/4s_9780804121729.mp3

2013-05-14 15:46:02 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

When I think about promotion, I tend to think of Twitter.   I currently have somewhere around 1400 followers.   

I just looked at my profile here on Google+.

"10,356 have you in circles."

O_o

2013-05-14 03:28:44 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

I have no patience for bad writing.

"I get the job in DC, I’ll never see you. That's the end of the relationship."  Really, Castle writers?  Never heard of the Acela?

You know who can take extended weekends? Self-employed writers.  You know who can write on trains?  Writers.   NYC to DC is 2 1/2 hrs. #cmon.

This ranks right up there with "The Hamptons P.D."

2013-05-13 22:22:43 (14 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

If Bush's Justice Department had done this, we'd have lost our goddamn minds. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/05/13/us/politics/ap-us-ap-phone-records-subpoena.html?_r=0

2013-05-13 19:11:01 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Reading this, and thinking about how awful the effects of people's hate-hobby can be. I can sometimes barely stand the relatively small amount that I have to deal with in my little niche level of fame... I cannot comprehend the staggering amount of negativity somebody like Collins has to endure.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/phil-collins-last-stand-why-the-troubled-pop-star-wants-to-call-it-quits-20110304

2013-05-13 17:38:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

A new Insurgent Creative blog post:  
Required Reading: "Let's Get Visible" by +David Gaughran  

http://gmskarka.com/2013/05/13/insurgent-creative-required-reading-lets-get-visible/

2013-05-11 21:57:59 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

I currently don't have the money to help my friend get home to his terminally ill father, so I'm doing what I can to spread the signal.  Please consider helping if you can.  

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/please-help-me-look-after-my-mum-and-dad

2013-05-11 19:43:49 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I've noticed that I've gotten quite a few new folks Circling me here on Google+ over the past couple of weeks.    So, this is for the new folks:

Hi there!   Step up and introduce yourself!    I don't auto-circle back, as I prefer to know a bit about folks (helps me know what circles I should put them in).    What brings you to my doorstep?   

2013-05-11 17:21:23 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

Best review of Dan Brown EVER.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10049454/Dont-make-fun-of-renowned-Dan-Brown.html

2013-05-11 17:09:48 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Let's Get Visible: How To Get Noticed And Sell More Books is out!

Click here for Amazon - http://smarturl.it/Visible - or check below for other retailers.

Apple: bit.ly/VisibleApple
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/VisibleBandN Kobo: http://bit.ly/VisibleKobo

2013-05-10 23:13:32 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

The sole drawback to my choice to request banning at RPGnet -- when threads come up about my products where people have questions, and I cannot answer them.

For example:  This thread:  http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?688303-Far-West-goes-to-Cubicle-7/page4   -- where people are criticizing the decision not to do a Limited Edition of FAR WEST (not taking anything away, just making the general edition full-color and hardcover too, now that we have C7 behind us) -- would probably be well-served by people being aware of my statement here:  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/Adamant/far-west-western-wuxia-mashup-adventure-game/posts/476292  -- where I say that I didn't realize that having it be limited was that important to people, and I obviously misjudged -- and here:  http://intothefarwest.com/forum/discussion/122/non-limited-edition#Item_2  -- where I confirm that I've beentalking... more »

2013-05-10 20:34:10 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 4 +1s)

Oh HELL yes.  Hammer Films is launching an audio series, called "Hammer Chillers" -- http://www.hammerchillers.com/ 

2013-05-10 19:58:08 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

FFS, people! Hate the playah, not the game.

Really, I feel a bit silly coming to the "defense" of a sitcom, but I'm annoyed by all of the finger pointing, in largely the wrong direction. Yes, I'm talking about THE BIG BANG THEORY. 

There has been a theme for a while now (exhibit 1 here: http://tinyurl.com/8pfd2n3), that TBBT, in a variety of flavors (sexist-to-misogynist/gay-hating/disability-hating/perpetuating sterotypes/just plain MEAN), picks on geeks and our "culture", such as it is. And just last night, I saw people complaining about the awful representation of women playing D&D. 

Here's the thing. Yes, the show does poke fun at geeks, but not as horribly as some people would have you believe. Because it is a situation comedy, and the formula for situation comedies is to do what comedy in general does: Examine our foibles byblo... more »

2013-05-09 17:08:06 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Big News!  Cubicle Seven Heads Into The Far West!  

http://intothefarwest.com/2013/05/09/cubicle-seven-heads-into-the-far-west/

2013-05-09 02:28:04 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Good thing here's horrible officiating AND constant diving by Seattle, otherwise we might have run the risk of a soccer match breaking out.

2013-05-08 00:59:29 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Half-success for dinner tonight. Managed to make fairly passable Nargisi Kofta, but failed on the sauce, so made due with a pre-made curry.

2013-05-07 20:19:04 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

Pleasedontsuckpleasedontsuckpleasedontsuck...

http://variety.com/2013/film/news/shane-black-will-write-direct-doc-savage-at-sony-1200471249/

2013-05-07 19:03:22 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

You know you're a nerd when you don't buy this shirt, because it should have Kitty Pryde, not Psylocke.  

http://www.welovefine.com/5588-united.html

2013-05-07 17:57:56 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

My entire social-media feed of writers, game designers and filmmakers have already posted about this, but I must add my voice to the chorus:

Harryhausen was a huge influence on my childhood, and I am ever thankful that I was of an age that not only got to see his early seminal works on TV, but was also able to see his later work in the 70s and into the beginning of the 80s -- in a darkened theatre, on a movie screen, as intended.

2013-05-07 16:22:28 (3 comments, 17 reshares, 18 +1s)

This is wonderful.  Nimoy vs Quinto.  3-D chess, lens flares, f-bomb, & more.   Zachary Quinto vs. Leonard Nimoy: "The Challenge"

2013-05-07 14:27:42 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Insomnia has me up until 3:30.  Skype conference with the UK has me up & online at 8:00.   So I guess today is going to be wghaffl&*$hxaphph.

2013-05-07 00:58:40 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Hey, wow -- Nearly 15 year old  electronic music from me, stored on the Internet Archive:   http://archive.org/details/iuma-nubis

2013-05-06 21:08:04 (15 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

I don't understand the freak-out that I'm seeing some folks have over Adobe's move to Creative Cloud exclusive from here on out. 

I update, on average, about every 3 years. The subscription cost ($49.99 per month) over three years is cheaper than a full purchase of the Suite.

If you're not a heavy user, go with the single-app subscription ($19.99 per app) just for the one or two you use.

http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/05/06/adobe-launches-new-creative-cloud-only-apps-and-services-photoshop-cc-indesign-cc-illustrator-cc-dreamweaver-cc-and-more/

2013-05-06 16:24:12 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

In my day, we didn't get our cat memes from the internet.  We got them from Kliban.

2013-05-04 18:05:12 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

I'm finding that with the news that's been coming out of Disney since purchasing Lucasfilm, I've recovered more of my life-long STAR WARS fandom than I ever thought possible after the craptastic prequel films.

This May the Fourth, I'm finding that I'm actually hopeful.

2013-05-04 17:52:12 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

The news that Penguin is to aggressively expand the operations of Author Solutions was accompanied by a now-familiar phenomenon: no mention of the fact that Author Solutions is a universally reviled vanity press that has cheated 150,000 writers out of their savings. The publishing business has a Penguin-shaped problem, and it doesn't want to talk about it.

2013-05-04 02:46:50 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

For those curious, here are the Ross covers of the first three issues of the new BSG series from Dynamite (which is being written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, as if I needed more reason to grab it).

2013-05-04 02:25:43 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Alex Ross' cover for the third issue of Dynamite's forthcoming classic Battlestar Galactica comic is an awesome reference.   

http://westfieldcomics.com/wow/art/large/MAY131048.jpg

2013-05-03 22:02:54 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Well done, NYC.

@NYCMayorsOffice:“Born and bred in Brooklyn the U.S.A./
 They call me Adam Yauch but I’m M.C.A.” 

http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/adamyauchpark

2013-05-03 18:14:50 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Another entry of Friday Music has just been posted.  Go!  Listen!  Enjoy!

http://gmskarka.com/2013/05/03/friday-music-230/