SorcererCon, San Jose - Thanksgiving Weekend

I'll be a guest of SorcererCon in San Jose the Friday after Thanksgiving, through Sunday, and will update soon with final panel schedule. I'll also be doing private Tarot consultations with some clients at the con - if you'd like to book some time with me and have had a reading before (or not), drop me a line via email to schedule.

The Real Horror Show: SF in SF Reading & More 10/23!

Saturday, October 23rd - San Francisco's SF in SF Presents (at the Variety Reading Room)

The following information is from Rina Weisman at SF in SF:

THE REAL HORROR SHOW: GET YOUR BLOOD CHILLED FOR HALLOWEEN!
Horror writers John Shirley, Ray Garton, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and Rain Graves will scare you good and proper...and in case you still have some lighthearted idea that Hallowe'en is all about candy and costumes, we'll finish up with a screening of CHANGELING to knock that idea out of your head...

RAFFLE:
We'll be raffling off some spooky schwag before the film - Raffle tix $5! Win:
--a signed limited edition of John Stanley's THE CREATURE FEATURES MOVIE GUIDE STRIKES AGAIN
--a set of Rotting Zombie Clings (You TOO can be a Zombie!)
--Special BLOOD Orange Candy Corn
--Grand Prize - a Graveyard Book promotional TOMBSTONE signed by NEIL GAIMAN (truly a one-of-a-kind item, courtesy of Kepler's Books)
--Buy four tickets and get a free drink at the bar!!!

Lounge and cash bar open at 6PM
Party snacks courtesy of Charles and SF in SF
Readings begin at 6:30PM, followed by booksigning in the lounge
Film begins about 8:00PM (when author event is over) Seating is limited, and first come, first seated. We will try to get everyone inside before we shut the doors and abandon you to your scary fate!

Books will be for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books.

October Reading at SF in SF & the Monster Bash for Literacy

Remember that reading I promised you for October 23rd? Yes, well...your illustrious host is Mr. John Shirley, and I'll be reading with Ray Garton, and some others to be announced for your pre-Halloween horror fix, thanks to the nice folks at SF in SF, at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building, 1st Floor. The entrance is between Quizno's & Citibank at 582 Market St., (at 2nd @ Montgomery) in San Francisco. Start time is 7pm; Movie to follow.

Not in San Francisco on 10/23? Michigan, you say? Well - you can help the also-nice-folks of The Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers at their 3rd Annual Monster Bash for Literacy, and bid on some autographed books, including one by Dean Koontz...(and me, and all the other authors who are not Dean Koontz. Yes, we know you'll go for the Koontz...but stay and show your love for literacy when the bidding gets too high on the Koontz, and win us instead. ;-)

Proceeds benefit the Dominican Literacy Center and the Sienna Literacy Center, and they are proudly the MBFL's permanent charities, ensuring that people of all ages discover the magic and power of reading, as well as improve their lives with a strong educational foundation. View the immediate details on their Facebook page. Authors, if you've something to donate, you can do so via the information from MontiLee on THIS page.

Moving on towards Halloween is my birthday on 10/28. w00t!

Haunted Mansion Writer's Retreat, VettedWord Poetry, & Halloween

Lots going on here...and tis the season, or so they say, for what I do best: being spooky. I'll keep this short and sweet, so you can get back to your Halloween decorations.

September, 2010

I'll be hosting the Haunted Mansion Writer's Retreat next week in Mill Valley, CA with 9 other horror writers and 5 paranormal investigators. They'll all have blog access to post on the afore mentioned link, so if you are interested in seeing what everyone's experiencing all in one place, keep that link handy.

My newest poem, For My Mother - At Her Funeral (Someday) can be read for free at VettedWord.

Stay tuned for Halloween Reading information - a fun event John Shirley is putting together. That's all for now, folks! See you soon!

Haunted Mansion Writer's Retreat, 9/16-19

I'll be playing hostess for the Haunted Mansion Writer's Retreat 2010 this September. Expanded slots are still available for those who wish to attend - it's sure to be an amazing experience, packed full of ghost hunts, lots of writing time in an inspiration-rich environment, and good experiences with great friends.

Beyond that, I'm booked for Dallas/Fort Worth later this year, and Austin, TX next year for World Horror Convention 2011 in the spring.

Your Guide to the fab "Stuff" at our Victorian/Steampunk Wedding

We laughed, we cried...we did naughty things in the church, which got my photographer yelled at as she took pictures. So many baubles, shiny things, and deep, dark colours...

All of you asked us where we got them. I promised to post links in the aftermath, and here they are. I was going to wait until photos began to surface, but I keep getting emails and such, so...

1. The custom bridesmaid dresses, as you saw them, were a deep dark burgundy/red taffeta with lace trim. They were made by Maria of 1880 Victoriana on eBay. I took one of her previous designs and she allowed me to alter it to fit my needs. I took off the mutton sleeves and capped them at the elbow, adding the lace trim. I took off the high Victorian neckline, to a more saucy (cleavage-friendly) square with trim. That's pretty much all I asked to be changed; the bustle and skirt are similar to her other dresses. She currently has the design in a striking blue satin (with black lace trim) up for auction at a mere $149 - custom size to fit you.

2. The frickity-frackin' AMAZING flowers were done by Mandy Scott of Mandy Scott Flowers on Union Street. She is very affordable, and took my simple traditional victorian vision above and beyond fruition. I asked for jewel tones...she gave me colors that popped amazingly. Blood red orchids, roses that were so deep and dark they were almost black, black dahlias, deep dark red peonies, and some unassuming lilacs for contrast here and there in the smaller bridesmaid bouqets (which had bright pinks and purples in roses along with the dark reds too). Even in their wear and tear from Saturday, they are still alive in water all over the house today (Wednesday). Unfortunately the gardienias she left for my hair after the veil came off got left at the church. But they were part of the original plan.

3. The FOOD. Oh gods, yes...the food. It was done by the ever-amazing Kass Kapsiak of (the same name) Catering. She doesn't have a website, but I can give you her number if you ping me. She and her crew worked tirelessly for us, and even made sure we had a left over sirlion roast (as she told me I would forget to eat, and I did). The phenominal oysters and oyster shucking was courtesy of Bill Callahan, also known as Bill the Oyster Man. Another wonderful friend and amazingly cool person (with amazingly cool oyster-ju-ju. I met him while doing a performance reading of 25 commissioned poems for Bonny Doon Vineyard's Albarino and Oysters wine release party almost two years ago. He's one awesome guy.

4. The Wine... St. Supery 2006 Virtu (White Bordeaux Blend), St. Supery 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (Jeraboam), Domaine Coulange 2003 Cotes du Rhone, Domaine Chandon Brut Classic (Magnums), Bonny Doon Angel Paille (dessert white), Bonny Doon Bouteille Call (Raspberry Port).

5. The magnificent CAKE! Chef Earl of Lotta's Bakery and Antique Shoppe on Polk made our three-tier blackstrap molassas gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting. It went so fast...and there wasn't a person at the party who didn't love this cake.

6. The vintage reproduction Victorian Bustle Gown wedding dress was made by Julius Bridal of New York, though I don't see the gown available any longer on their new and improved website. If you ping me for the style number, I'll email it to you. The mens tuxedos were tails with waist coats and cravats, done by (believe it or not) Men's Warehouse. I'm pretty sure you can find that link yourself. tee hee.

The striped can-can stockings I wore were white/black by Leg Avenue, and the bridesmaids wore nude/black. The shoes are discontinued, but they were Poetic License "Forever Mine" in hot pink velvet. They also come in teal blue and black, which ARE available in select sizes. The stunning custom blue brocade waist-cincher was made by Dark Garden Corsetry. The coffin-box motif crystal and sterling silver jewelry was Givenchy (purchased at Macy's a month or so ago...so probably still available).

The black velvet chokers the bridesmaids and mothers wore I made myself, but the glass hearts came from Terrasol. Their feathered hair pieces with attached black peridot veils were also custom made by me. The dresses the mothers of bride and groom wore were the Velvet Sparkling Gown from Recollections.

7. Our beautiful wedding rings (as well as my engagement ring) were made by Simayof.

8. The neo-gothic church was Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, which is pro gay and pro female ministry.

9. Photography by Ayda Meisami - Camera Obscura Photographic Arts (with a lot of help also by Dawn Colvin).

If I'm missing something you asked me about, feel free to drop me a line. I'll post photos as they come in.

Featured Performance - Vetted Word, May 5th at Project 1

VettedWord's one year anniversary party is on May 5th - One year of Actors, Poets, Musicians, and Storytellers performing at the VettedWord monthly events. I'll be reunited with the other features from the past year, as we perform once again for your listening pleasure. 7pm, Project One - 251 Rhode Island St., San Francisco.

Dark Wolf's Fantasy Review

Have a look at Dark Wolf's Fantasy Review Blog, and read two questions answered by Bram Stoker Award Nominees, including me.

BARFODDER makes Final Ballot for 2009 Bram Stoker Awards

Cemetery Dance Publications is pleased to announce that BARFODDER: Poetry Written in Dark Bars and Questionable Cafes by Rain Graves has made the final ballot for the 2009 Bram Stoker Awards in the category "Superior Achievement in a Poetry Collection". Here is a link to Locus Magazine Online's list of all the nominees.

BARFODDER makes Bram Stoker Awards Preliminary Ballot

Here is the list of wonderful books and stories currently nominated for the 2009 Bram Stoker Awards Preliminary Ballot, courtesy of Dark Delicacies. Thanks to all the HWA Members who nominated BARFODDER: Poetry Written in Dark Bars and Questionable Cafes, and to those voting for it to get on the final ballot. I'm surprised and delighted - there are so many good poetry books out there (many of which are *also* nominated on the preliminary ballot, too).

Interview and Book Review at Black Glove

Though the photograph is old, there is a "Featured Poet" interview with me by Karen Newman up at Black Glove Magazine in the Stabbed In Stanzas section, followed by a book review of BARFODDER.

New Flash Fiction Story at Freezine for Fantasy and Science Fiction

I have a flash fiction story up at Freezine for Fantasy and Science Fiction called "Mau Bast," which hasn't been previously published, though it did take second place in one of the many WHC flash fiction contests (Ellen Datlow was a judge that year, I recall). Here is the direct link to Mau Bast, but make sure you check out the other stuff up. Johnny Strike (of CRIME fame) has a story there too.