I'm delighted to announce that my new short story, "Last" (with a nifty illustration by Marco Megrati), has just appeared at Seat14C.com, an online science fiction anthology and writing competition presented by XPRIZE. XPRIZE, as you may know, is a non-profit organization that designs and manages public science competitions intended to encourage technological development that could benefit all of humanity. (No small goal, there.)...| William Shunn
Returnable books are what enable brick-and-mortar stores to maintain an affordable inventory. But they also put a huge burden on small publishers—like me.| William Shunn
The new Ella calendar for 2018 is available now from Lulu.com. It features thirteen months of all your favorite Ella photos from from the past year, and for a limited time you can get it for the discounted price of only $11.99 plus shipping and handling. Ella-tivity 2018 13-Month Calendar. But that's not all! If you just can't get enough of Ella, she's created...| William Shunn
The question of when and how to use numerals in your manuscript is a complicated one, no 2 ways about it. Wait, 2? Two? Let’s dive into these murky waters and try to find some clarity.| Proper Manuscript Format
In days of yore, the accepted rule for estimating word count was 250 words per manuscript page. Is that still the case today? If not, how should it be done instead?| Proper Manuscript Format
When it comes to indentation, keeps things as simple and uniform as possible. Don’t take your cues from the way published books look.| Proper Manuscript Format
Sometimes life (or a diabolical puzzle editor) throws you a curve you know is coming, and it still beans you in the brainpan. Bee alert!| William Shunn
Is it mandatory to include one’s personal pronouns on a manuscript submission? And is it acceptable to obscure one’s gender when submitting to certain publications?| Proper Manuscript Format
The top-rated audio series returns with stories adapted from the XPRIZE anthology Seat 14C, following the lives of hapless air travelers who find themselves transported to a world twenty years in their future.| William Shunn
If you’re in or near Manhattan tonight, I hope you’ll drop by KGB Bar to hear fiction by me and a few other excellent writers, in support of an excellent cause . . . Wednesday, October 2: 7:00-9:00 pm. Liars’ League NYC presents Accident & Emergency. KGB Bar, 85 E. 4th St., Manhattan. At this long-running series, original short stories are read by professional actors. My new...| William Shunn
If you’re in or near Brooklyn tonight, I hope you’ll drop by Branded Saloon to hear personal essays by me and some other excellent writers and storytellers . . . Monday, September 30: 7:30-10:30 pm. Write This Down: A Creative Nonfiction Reading Series. Branded Saloon, 603 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn. At the “Back to School” edition of this new nonfiction series, I’ll be reading “Words and Phrases You...| William Shunn
New Yorkers! I’m participating in two events next week that I hope you’ll be able to come out and see: Monday, September 30: 7:30-10:30 pm. Write This Down: A Creative Nonfiction Reading Series. Branded Saloon, 603 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn. At the “Back to School” edition of this new nonfiction series, I’ll be reading “Words and Phrases You Must Never Use in Utah,” a personal...| William Shunn
Today is America's day, and what's more American than Coney Island? I have a poem for Coney Island, so, by the transitive property, this poem is also for America. And like America, it perhaps contains some bad words. [ click here to play audio file ] (It’s also for Throwback Thursday, since it was recorded live, complete with rhythm section, at the HiFi Bar...| William Shunn
Cast a Cold Eye, the ghostly novella I wrote with Derryl Murphy, appeared ten years ago as a limited-edition hardcover to exceptionally kind reviews. Now it's coming back to life as an ebook.| William Shunn
Bill will be one of more than half a dozen artists appearing at the upcoming edition of the Lyrics, Lit & Liquor perfomance series, at 2A Bar in Manhattan's East Village. He will read an excerpt from a new short story, "This One's Easy." Also appearing are Colin Dodds, Stacy LeVine, Christie Grotheim, Ron Kolm, Cassandra Nemzer, and Becca Bernard & Ian Goldstein. Admission...| William Shunn
Last January. I staggered and collapsed. I landed flat on my back, snapping my scapula. But I can't be that mad. After all, assonance will happen.| William Shunn
Larry Eisenberg, science fiction writer and biomedical engineer, passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 99. Despite his accomplishments in those fields, to readers of the New York Times online comments section he was best known as a prolific versifier, whose more than 13,000 posts since 2008 came mostly in the form of limericks. Dr. Eisenberg's passing inspired a host of tributes...| William Shunn
Ella the Wonder Dog2003 - 2018In Memoriam. Ella's calendars have been an annual tradition for many, many years. Even though she's gone now, and sorely missed, the tradition continues with a collection of photos drawn from throughout her life. In honor of Ella's memory, the new calendar is sold at cost, with no markup. Goodnight, Little Bear. Ella-gy 2019 Calendar.| William Shunn
I'll be one of more than 150 scheduled performers at the 25th Annual Alternative New Year's Day Spoken Word/Performance Extravaganza, which takes place on January 1, 2019, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Greenwich Village. This year's theme is "Before the Dawn." (Note: My 3-minute slot on the program will take place at some point between 7 and...| William Shunn
I dreamed of you last night. but it wasn’t you. it was another dog. who looked just like you. but I was only borrowing her. at the whim of some unseen and uncaring entity. sometimes the dog was there. and sometimes she wasn’t. and I could not predict when. I wanted to protest the unfairness of it all. but there was no one to...| William Shunn
