Christopher Vera’s Mystic Nebula

I’ve just begun my poetry editorial debut at Prick of the Spindle. Its a load of work, but quite rewarding. Editing is for me a humbling experience. I used to view it as a position of power (as a poet constantly rejected), and I suppose in some ways it is, but from the editing perspective, it is the poet that has the power to make their work known or unknown. The editor is only there to help that potential be realized.

Feel free to browse the poetry selections (not to mention the great articles and fiction) and if you’re in the mood, why don’t you submit a few poems?

My recommendation: Send only your best work only and pay close attention to the submission guidelines.

San Diego writers now have San Diego Writer’s Online, a new forum in which to collaborate and discuss their passion of writing.

Moderated by JeSais, an upcoming writer and marketing guru, this forum is a great way to learn about the craft of writing and meet other writers in the San Diego area. You don’t have to be located in San Diego to join.

I have been invited to speak as part of a panel discussion at the American Council for Technology (ACT) Technology Leadership Conference in San Diego on March 23rd on the topic of NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection.

Gary Gygax passes away at 69:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/03/04/obit.gygax.ap/index.html

Gary Gygax was a major influence for why I learned to read. When I was in the 6th grade, I stood in a bookstore staring at a strange book entitled “Monster Manual”. I picked it up and the first monster I turned to was the Trapper, with a picture of an off-balance fighter surprised to see the floor rising up to attack him. I was instantly hooked on AD&D. I still love it.

Dungeons and Dragons opened up a new way for geeks to socialize under the context of “gaming”. It tempted all but the most anti-social from their darkened hovels and into the light to spend time with others of their kind.

I’ll bet he and J.R.R. Tolkien are rolling up new characters right now. I’m ready to play back here on Earth. The Trapper is still my favorite monster. Let me tell you about the time my 3rd level thief pulled the lever of a magical machine and was transformed into a pseudo-dragon…

Just pulled down some new beats from the dark matter. Find them here.

This year at ConDor 2008, the Southland Poets of the Fantastic will host a speculative poetry workshop, 3-5pm Saturday March 1st. Multi-dimensional visitors welcome. A few of us plan to read. See you there!

The Southland Poets of the Fantastic (SPF) met at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego on December 8th, 2008.

I was 45 minutes late and missed the whole thing! Well, almost. The air was cold but clear and I could see a storm coming from miles out from the Pacific. Rays of sun burst through the clouds lighting giant spotlights of ocean. Beautiful.

I looked all over for my fellow SPFers. I found out later they were down at the tidepools – too far to walk to from the monument to go check. I spent my time learning more about Cabrillo’s trip and the tidepools from some brief films in their auditorium.

The park closed at 5pm. My ride wasn’t there to pick me up. It’s three miles from the monument back to the gate. I had to walk in the rain…in the dark…through the Roscrans Veteran’s Cemetery. The road was dark – there are no street lamps on the path. The rows of bleached markers rose from the earth like whales’ teeth.

The walk was peaceful: The wind, the water, the sound of the ocean crashing far below. The view of the harbor lights while I walked gave me the feeling I was descending from the sky on a stairway of vapor into the city.

I loved every minute of it. Can’t wait for the next one! If you are speculative poet looking for like-minded folk in Southern California, be sure to drop a note and say hi. And consider joining the SPF.

The Magee Park Poets will publish “Those Four Little Words”, one man’s perspective on abortion, in their 2007 Anthology.

A reading party for the anthology will take place on December 5th at the Dove Library in Carlsbad, CA. Contact the library for more details.

See you there!

Terrie Leigh Relf, friend and editor, published a pair of poems for her poetry section of the Moonlit Path Halloween 2007 edition.

“The Kelpie” describes the tragic life, death, and new life of a sad girl. “Horsemen” is my Mystic Nebulean take on one of my favorite of Earth’s natural phenomena.

These poems are some of my very oldest. Thanks to Terrie for helping me share them!

You can find both poems here.

Randy Schimka, a good friend and co-worker, sets up a fantastic light display every year around the holidays. His two boys have been diagnosed with autism and he has found this project is a great way to connect with them. This year looks to be the biggest yet!

View his web site here, and be sure to stop by his display in San Diego: http://www.belardolights.com/