I’m sure my old buddy Jana was happy to see Texas A&M beat Texas yesterday, seeing as how she’s an Aggie alum. But what really made it sweet was when the Soones squeaked by Oklahoma State today to earn a spot in the Big 12 Chamionship Game against our old rival, the Nebraska Cornholers. Err, Cornhuskers, I mean.

I can’t remember if I already wrote about this, but the publisher I wrote Little Graveyard on the Prairie for wanted between 15,000 and 25,000 words. Not 10,000. So, it’s now “Little Graveyard on the Prairie” and is ready to make its way to The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction as a short story. I’m not sure it’ll be what they’re looking for there, but … maybe. It would sure be a sweet market to crack if it works out.

I’ve never heard back from Wither Sin magazine on the status of my story “New Moon.” However, they’ve announced their first three table of contents and I’m not listed. Add to that my shock at seeing a certain well known but insane personality named as a regular columnist for the magazine and I wouldn’t be caught in their pages, anyway. “New Moon” will be off to Cemetery Dance.

Did I mention that Cemetery Dance told me that “Noodlers Nab Nekkid Nymphs” was both too silly and too bloody for them? haha Well, I knew it was a stretch sending it there. Frankly, I was surprised to get a personalized note with the rejection.

Scrybe Press news. I was told he started working on the layout of Seven Days in Benevolence this week. Yes, that does mean the Nov. 22 date with the printer was missed. Today I got some of the books I ordered for the Dec. 16 signing at Full Circle Bookstore, but not all. And no payment or royalty statement. I really hope I can move out of the small press sometime soon.

Speaking of which, the editor at a major NYC house still hasn’t responded regarding Amara’s Prayer. At four months my part-time agent sent her an e-mail asking about it, and she didn’t respond. Earlier this month I sent her an e-mail, and she didn’t respond. So, six months and … nothing. Plus, it’s been over 20 weeks for a certain other publisher that specializes in hardcover library editions. They’re looking at The Prometheus Syndrome and have a stated response time of eight to 10 weeks. Hopefully the delays will mean good things. Hopefully.

My Amazon.com Shorts “One Night in Benevolence” was back up to the No. 12 spot today on the Shorts’ horror list. Interesting. Amazon doesn’t pay out until you earn at least $25. That story has been up since June 30, has almost always been in the top 20 of the horror list, and yet it hasn’t earned enough to trigger a payout. Makes me wonder how many downloads I actually have and how few it takes to make the top 20.

Finally, yesterday was the last time I will EVER try to take advantage of day-after-Thanksgiving sales. I went to a few stores trying to snag a cheap laptop computer and missed out every time. On top of that, it just amazes me how aggressive people will get over shopping. That must be why shopping is a female sport.