I'll admit it, here in cyberspace.....I'm a little frustrated. You know that Thomas Donaldson, William Svitavaky and I have pulled together a collection of essay based on a both a conference panel presentation and a targeted call for papers. The collection, dubbed Ages of Heroes, Eras of Men is less lit crit in approach than much of what is written about comics, but more interdisciplinary than a standard history. The latest feedback from prospective publisher talk about how much they like it, but it was really the lit crit approach they favor. Other publishers have talked about the market not being right for a "collection" versus single author manuscript. Of course, there also have been statement that basically equal out to, "You didn't write what I would have written...." The problem here is that any day of the week I can walk into a bookstore or turn on the news and see something about a new book that looks stupid. Wow, that felt good...yes stupid and crazy and ___________( fill in the blank). Still, life gives you lemons, make lemonade. We submitted a proposal and got accepted to the 31st annual meeting of the International Association for Fantastic in the Arts. The organization is devoted to study of the fantastic as it is expressed in literature, film, and other arts. Given the economic of the situation, not many people will be able to come, but the fact our work was accepted on its merits gives me a good feeling. We will make some good contacts and interact with people interested in exactly what we are doing. It makes a lot of sense to attend and we will see what comes of it. I'm betting, in the coming months, some other poor soul will walk into Borders or Books-A-Million and see this book and ask themselves, "How did this get into print!?!"
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