What I'm Reading

I've begun to collect recent reads online at the addictive LibraryThing and Shelfari sites; see a few random authors and books from my reading below. Or, click the "Recent Reads" block in the left-hand column for a list of the last several books I've read.

What I'm Listening To

{ CURRENT PLAYLIST } { CURRENT ARTISTS }

Playlist for My Current Novel

If you've read one of my books, you know music is a big part of the writing process for me--I list what I've been listening to in the "acknowledgments" section of each novel. Here's a sampling of what I've been listening to while writing and editing my latest book, "The Unseen" (coming Fall of 2008).

Alaska Cruise Photos

Photos from a family cruise to Alaska in 2004; see them starting here.

Pixies Concert Photos

The Pixies are one of my favorite bands of all time. And during their 2004 reunion tour (affectionately titled "Pixies Sell Out"), I saw them at their stop in Spokane, Washington. Here's photographic proof.

Links to Other Folks

Links to Other Folks

I've tried to semi-categorize this list, but it's a work-in progress. If you have a link to add (to yourself or another site), why, use my contact form to send me a handy-dandy email and let me know all about it.

{BOOKS, PUBLISHING & SUCH}
Bethany House Publishers - Home of WAKING LAZARUS, THE DEAD WHISPER ON and other fine reading.
Thomas Nelson - Beginning with THE UNSEEN (coming in 2008), my new publishing home.
International Thriller Writers - Hey, look! I'm a member!
Mystery Writers of America - Also a member.
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers - For writers in the, you know, Rocky Mountains.
Absolute Write - Always fun to kick around in the forums.
Zoetrope Studios - An online writing workshop, but I mostly go there to gab.

{WRITERLY FOLK}
Stephen King - The man who made me want to write.
F. Paul Wilson - When I grow up, I wanna be Repairman Jack.
James Lee Burke - Please, God, help me to write half as well as this man.
Michael Prescott - NY Times bestselling author of some wicked-good page turners.
C.J. Box - His Joe Pickett mysteries are honest and real. (As is C.J. Box.).
Chandler McGrew - Deliciously horrifying reads.
Chris Well - Crime fiction with a redemptive twist.
Victoria Gaines
Eric Wilson - Author of the supernatural thrillers "Dark to Mortal Eyes" and "Expiration Date."
Robert Liparulo - This man knows how to set a blistering pace.
Brandilyn Collins - As Brandilyn says: seatbelt suspense.
Melanie Wells - Creepy/fun supernatural fiction (I LOVE the cover for her first book)
Joseph Nassise - Be sure to download the HERETIC podcast.
Justine Musk - Dark Fantasy that manages to be lyrical and meaningful.
James BeauSeigneur - His CHRIST CLONE TRILOGY is the best End Times series on the shelves.
Joe Clifford Faust - Pembroke Hall books = advertising + evil. What's not to love?
Craig Johnson - Author of THE COLD DISH and one of 25 residents of Ucross, Wyoming.
JA Konrath - Mystery/horror novelist with lots of advice--and energy.
Deeanne Gist - Shhh. Don't tell anyone I've read inspirational romance and enjoyed it.
Thea Atkinson: users.eastlink.ca/~wondershed
Myfanwy Collins: www.myfanwycollins.com
Marcus Grimm: www.marcusgrimm.com
Beverly Jackson (Literary Potpourri): www.literarypotpourri.com/
Steve Kane: steve-kane.co.uk
Kathryn Koromilas: www.kathrynkoromilas.com
Darby Larson: http://www.darby.tv
Richard Lewis (The Flame Tree): www.theflametree.com/
Matt St. Amand: matthewstamand.com/
Julie Ann Shapiro: www.gotdot.com
Jensen Whelan: www.jensenwhelan.com
Roger Wehage: home.insightbb.com/~rawehage/
Wayne E. Yang: www.financeprofessional.com/

{IPOD FODDER}
Better Than Ezra - In my book, better than just about anybody
Waking Lazarus - Yes, there's a band named "Waking Lazarus." How could I not link to them?
David Crowder Band - "A Collision" gets my vote for most innovative praise album
The Pixies - There will never be another band like them
Foo Fighters - In my office, every Friday is Foo Fightin' Friday
The National - One of my current faves
Silversun Pickups - Pretty darned close to my new favorite band
The Ramones - OneTwoThreeFour!
Hillsong - Um, okay. They may look oddly out of place in this list, but I love Hillsong worship
Wilco - Always inventive, always intoxicating
These musicians and others are on my "Waking Lazarus" iMix--songs I listened to whilst writing and editing the book. Look for an iMix for The Dead Whisper On soon.

{MONTANANS & OTHER NEIGHBORLY TYPES}
Ed Kemmick - City Lights blog at the Billings Gazette
David Crisp Blog - Billings Outpost
A Secular Franciscan Life
An Offering of Myself to the World
Better Living Through Blogging
Big Sky Blog
Downtown Billings Blog
Goatopolis
Hollywood & Montana
Karbon Kounty Moos
mtpolitics.net
Sarpy Sam

{BLOGGIN' FOOLS}

Life With Lymphoma

In May of 2007, I was diagnosed with Follicular Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma--which didn't exactly fit in with my plans. After a journey of several months, I received an innovative treatment called radioimmunotherapy (specifically Bexxar), and as of January 2, 2008, I'm officially in remission.

I've chronicled my journey on a separate web site I call The Lymphoma Files, with somewhat-regular musings on how that journey has changed (and continues to change) me.