Fantasma Malvado

Tiburcio Vasquez, bandit

 My Fantasma Malvado was a finalist in the recent Arcanist short story competition and has just been published in the contest anthology. “Malvado” is one of my Joaquin Murrieta stories, based on Central Californian history and legend.  I had great fun introducing Joaquin to Tiburcio Vasquez and having them team up to go after buried treasure. I used this story most successfully with Chalone Peaks students for several years, so I’m especially pleased that it’s been published. I hope it will find many new friends through this fine anthology! Here’s the Kindle link:

https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Mayhem-Monsters-Collection-Magical-ebook/dp/B07QBQWJG4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=magic%2C+mayhem+%26+monsters&qid=1554849907&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

 

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A Literary Evening!

I thought I’d mention again that two of my stories will be presented at this event. I won’t be able to attend, but I’m sure curious about how they’ll be received!

Sunday, October 8, 2017

The New Short Fiction Series, Los Angeles’ longest running spoken word series, present our 6th Annual Northern Writes evening with new fiction by novelist Rod Williams and modern folklorist Robert Walton, Sunday, October 8, 2017 at The Federal.  The performance stars spoken word artist Sally Shore,with guest cast Patricia Belcher (Bones, The Guest Book), Kevin Brief (Supernatural, Criminal Minds) and Holger Moncada, Jr. (Futureman, Jane The Virgin).

The Federal is located at 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood 91601.  Performances begin at 7:00 pm, doors open 6:00 pm. for your dining and drinking pleasure.  Admission is $10.00-$15.00 with advance purchase, $20.00 same day cash only at the door.  Advance discount ticket sales close today at 5 pm! For tickets and program information,

Here’s a link to the tickets :  https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/10199331

Have a couple or drinks first!

My “Dogwood Dream” and “Black Maggie’s Secret” are to be dramatized and presented at a literary evening in Hollywood on October 8th. If you’re in Southern California and are interested, I’ve put the official announcement containing pertinent details above. I won’t be able to make it, but I’m most interested in how this turns out. Both stories are personal favorites of mine.

P.S. If you know somebody in L.A. who might like to attend, please send this link to them!

 

Principia Ponderosa is out!

Principia Ponderosa (Third Flatiron Anthologies Book 18) just came out today. “Welcome to the “Principia Ponderosa,” land of wide-open spaces and
dark dreams. This new anthology from Third Flatiron features 17
stories that combine elements of the Western with other literary
genres, including steampunk, fantasy, occult, and horror. We invite
you to mount up and ride with us into the sunset.” My “La Loca” is included, though it takes place somewhat after sunset!

Big Kitty is published in Frontier Tales

One of the best things about writing is sharing friendships with your characters. Joaquin Murrieta is a friend of thirty years standing and we’ve shared nine adventures together, five of them published. I’ve got almost enough stories to make a book now, though nobody seems interested. The latest to achieve print is “Big Kitty”, in which I poke a bit of fun at the Western genre. Take a peek at Frontier Tales:

http://www.frontiertales.com/2016/06Jun/big_kitty.php

Mission Days 2016

Photo by Phyllis Walton

“Mission Days” at San Antonio de Padua both celebrates the early history of Central California and raises funds for restoration of the Mission buildings. This year’s event took place on April 2nd and was a great success. Gold-panning, brick-making, black-smithing, cowboy-singing, acorn-grinding, candle-making, wildflower-hiking were – among many others – activities one could engage in. All was topped off by Rosa Pacheco’s BBQ and a concert by the New World Baroque Orchestra. I squeezed in some story-telling – Ask me how the kangaroo rat got its paint brush of a tail! – and some book signing.

 

Tarantula and Black Maggie!

I spent a good part of yesterday telling tall tales at Mission San Antonio de Padua.  It was Mission Days – time for music, food, stories, remembrance and laughter!  If that sounds like a fiesta to you, then you’re absolutely in tune with what was going on.  If you weren’t there, you missed a great time, but there’s always next year! My bit was to tell Native American and early settler stories.  I had a good audience (even if I dragooned a couple of them, though without the help of the dragoon re-enactors outside) and worked a new story into the mix. Catch me sometime for a rendition of “Tarantula”. It’s not what you think, but it’s okay if you think it anyway.

P.S. Phyllis and I were married in this wonderful room exactly 43 years ago.