Ageless Authors Award

I was most pleased to receive this in the mail today!

“Llorona” is one of the best!

 Bewildering Stories just included “Llorona” in its Third Quarterly Review, a collection of the best stories from all its summer issues. I’m most pleased that Joaquin Murrieta’s encounter with the famous ghost was so honored!

http://www.bewilderingstories.com/anthologies/anthos2020/861-872_antho.html

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

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!

Little Big Man Speaks

Little Big Man Speaks just won the Fall 2016 Three Cheers and a Tiger short story contest. I thank Ana George and the folks at Toasted Cheese Literary Magazine for choosing to honor my story. I’ve long believed that Native American cultures and values will contribute to the saving of our planet. That the pernicious tar sands Keystone Pipeline still threatens Native American lands is an indication that their wisdom has yet to reach corporate America. I hope that Little Big Man Speaks will offer a small push toward environmental sanity. Here’s the link: http://tclj.toasted-cheese.com/2016/16-4/little-big-man-speaks-by-robert-walton/

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

My Darling Clementine

Phoebe Cheney and I before the 4th graders arrived – Photo by Joan Ungs

San Lorenzo County Park near King City is an underappreciated (at least by many) treasure and the Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum is its crown jewel. The museum took a really big hit on May15th, literally so. A hundred year old, seven feet in diameter eucalyptus tree tried to take the roof off the barn at about six in the evening. It failed – by a little – and nobody was around to be hurt. The folks at MCARLM had scheduled a big, three-day historical event for local kids beginning on the 16th. Everyone pulled up their bootstraps and we went ahead with the presentations. Local 4th graders put their hands (tongues, ears, stomachs, feet and everything else!) on the history of our gold rush. I got to be a 49er and introduce them to Clementine’s boyfriend. You know the guy: “How I missed her! Until I kissed her little sister!”