Of all things my wife I met him and his wife on a train from Fort William in Scotland on the way back to Glasgow. We’d both recently attended WorldCon there. More later.

I started podcasting for a reason. To promote a science fiction convention. I did it to promote Conestoga in Tulsa. I interviewed quite a few guests and I tried to interview not just the authors and artists but the fans as well. Without the fans there’d be no conventions. I did a total of 40 podcasts for the convention. They are currently offline as I handed over the convention website to another maintainer. I do plan to repost those podcasts for archival access because I think there are some interesting ones to be heard. We interviewed Glen Cook, James P. Hogan, Laurell K. Hamilton, and John Picacio to name a few. There are some other well known and lesser known names that are worth listening to as well.

When I started Escape from Cubicle 17 I thought I’d continue in that tradition but not focus on just one convention. I’d record interviews at conventions I attend or guests I could lure over to the home studio or via the intertubes. I know there are at least a few more people I’d like to interview at conventions I’ll be attending this year. However to do it right and not just for my own fanboy interests I would like to build a listenership. This means podcasting on a regular schedule. This means promoting it. It also means I need to have a reason. It’s not to promote a convention. It’s to share my love for science fiction. Why I think it’s a vital art form. Who the creative people behind it are and the people who help make it possibe to share that love with others in the world of fandom. There are few arts where the artists can mingle with those who appreciate their work. Also within fandom new artists do emerge. It’s been that way in fandom since the 1930’s and I hope to make a small contribution to that world to keep it going.

When can anyone expect new podcasts? Realsoonnow, sorta.

I still have two podcasts from FenCon V to post and they will be posted soon. I’ve recently moved from Tulsa to Tucson and am still settling. I should have more time for podcasting in the near future. I know that unless you post on a regular basis you cannot build an audience. Without an audience of feedback it’s hard to be motivated to do more of them. I enjoy recording and talking to people. It’s the posting them part I’m lax on.

So keep an eye on this podcast. I’m may broaden my horizons to cover more than science fiction fandom. It’s why I chose the name Escape from Cublice 17. I think it has a nice ring to it and doesn’t sound to specific. So check back, but not too often.

I will be at Fen Con V next weekend (Oct 3-5, 2008; Dallas/Ft. Worth) and will be recording a few interviews.

So check back in September to see what’s up. I may have something up sooner, but don’t expect much before then.

Is also a broadcaster. Music director of Radio Kansas.

We talk about his writing

Half-Life series

All about Chris Cséjthe

Habeas Corpses

Dead Easy

books standalone

Pathfinders

demos a filk song

filk circles take on many different forms.

closes with a filk song.

Links

http://www.sff.net/people/wm.mark.simmons/

I would like to make a note of some changes coming down the pike. I also do the Conestoga Podcast. Since both of these podcasts are basically the same I will be combining them. I’ll be posting most if not all of the remaining Conestoga Podcasts recorded at Conestoga 11 here on EFC17. Eventually, I’ll create an archive of all the ones from Conestoga on a separate page. If I do record any podcasts at Conestoga 12 – July25-27, 2008 in Tulsa, OK they will be under the EFC17 name.

So check back but not too frequently.

Update 10-8-2007 — Unfortunately, I’ve been a little busy since I’ve returned from Fen Con. I should have the first podcast up by next week.

Update 10-29-2007 — October has been a very busy month and alas some hobbies have had to be delayed including this one.  I do have new interviews on the way. Until then have a great Halloween (Oidhche Shamhna).

2nd of the 3 interviews recorded at Archon 31.

Show Notes

Joshua Bilmes, proprietor of Jabberwockey Literary Agency, http://www.awfulagent.com/.

What brings him to Archon 31 (aka 9th NASFIC, aka Tuckercon)

Visits lots of bookstores

Fairview Heights Borders one of the best in the nation for science fiction & fantasy

How he became an agent

Stan Schmidt and Betsy Mitchell were instrumental

had no grand plan to be an agent but had the connections to get him started.

last nights panel: Here Comes the Pitch
What to do when an aspiring author has that manuscript

It isn’t just what you know. It’s who you know.

going to cons to meet other authors, editors, agents and going towriters conferences too

Why does an author need an agent?

Needs a good agent. Bad agent can cause more harm.

Some publishers don’t look at unsolicited manuscripts. Helps author get thru doors
Agent more attuned to what editor, publisher needs.
Agents are familiar w/ ins and outs of contracts.

An agent wants to build a lasting relationship. Can be like a marriage

Some of the most successful authors have had the same agents for decades

Has an impressive stable of authors
Host has met a few:

Elizabeth Moon
John Hemry
John Moore
Alexis Glynn Latner

Books coming out

During the week of Archon 31 (out now)

Brandon Sandernon’s Mistborn

Violette Malan Sleeping God (trade paper) Mirror Prince (mass market)

Steve Mancino (Joshua’s agent partner)

Kat Richardson’s Poltergeist

Future books Fall 2007 and 2008

Simon Green The Unnatural Inquirer: A Novel of The Nightside (1st hardcover)

Charlaine Harris 8th Sookie Stackhouse novel

Tanya Huff bloodties

biggest success selling a first novelist
peter bret del rey title 1st

Elizabeths Moon’s final book in the Vatta’s War Saga Victory Conditions will be out February 2008. She turned in the final manuscript just before Archon 31.

Hasn’t seen a lot of changes in the publishing industry

Has seen a lot of changes in the retail side. Mid-80’s lots of mall stores. Now lots of superstores

You can’t stumble across a book anymore. You have to go to a big store with intent to buy bookLots of changes in distribution to non-book stores: pharmacies, grocery stores, etc. Fewer distributors. Less variety.

Word of mouth is important
Joshua encourage clients to get out and meet people.

I mention podcasts have changed my non-fiction buying habits These are usually radio shows released as podcasts. And I hope podcasts will help change fiction buying habits.There are more outlets for book reviews available now, especially on the Internet.

Such as Sci Fi Weekly

I mentioned I interviewed TM Wagner of http://sfreviews.net/

Joshua’s recommended websites for SF publishing news

http://www.sfscope.com
http://www.locusmag.com

andrew wheeler at comicmix.com

Wants query letters on a piece of paper

Commandments when talking/writing to an agent