I'm making this a static post, just for anyone looking for Taste Test info.

I've created a journal for editing news, both Torquere and Phaze related. If you have editing questions, you're always welcome to email me at: mychaelblack@gmail.com

If you're looking for current Taste Test calls (or other submission calls), check out: mblack_editor.

...watch Spongebob.

It's the first time I've laughed to the point of tears in about a week, and it's all because of ONE line from Patrick:

"Fishy go bye-bye."

Nadia: "Is Mommy a plot bunny?"

Just...right out of the blue. Had me and the roommate nearly in tears, we were laughing so hard.

Talkative Muse. Check.
Caffeine. Check.
Goldeneye on DVD. Check.
Chocolate. Damn. Need to run to the store. Then check.
VERY inspiring Colton Ford vids on Reb's LJ. Check.

Time to write. Something.

:) Got an email from Carwyn (my Welsh friend). It's been a good while since we talked, and he had some awesome news. He and his partner just bought their first house in the country, though he did mention wanting to head to Manchester. And with the wonderful help of a close female friend, they have a son! He's 13 months old now and I'm so incredibly happy for them. :D

No matter how tired I get from sitting here doing countless edits (in this case, reviews), fan mail always makes me smile. :)

That's all. :)

For my fellow pagans...

(And no, this is NOT worksafe, for the lyrics. Thank gwydion78 for this.)

How I love thee. Or better yet--y'all can blame Syd for this bout of "time to read!!!"

*grins*

This is what I found outside my front door when I left to get dinner.

Thanks, Syd!!!!!!

When you've been with someone for seven years...

Alana: Is this you right now?



Mychael Black: yup
Alana: Thought so. *tiptoes slowly backward*
Mychael Black: lol

My Featured Author spotlight is live on FAR! :D (Scroll down.)

http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/Newsletter/2008/FARNews-April.htm

April 26, 2008: Mychael Black Live @ FAR Chat Room (9pm Eastern)
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/ChatCalender.shtml

...come from the strangest places for me. Anyone else watch this and immediately see two brothers who become lovers while touring with their band? Seeing Barry and Robin does it for me. *head.desk* (For those who don't know, they're all brothers: Maurice (keyboard), Robin (vocals only), and Barry (guitar).)

Remember my book rec for Alyx Shaw's A Strange Place in Time? Well... It's a FAR Recommended Read!!! Congrats, hun!!!

Jeremy's story, that is. You know, the guy who claimed Robbie Sexton's virginity way back when? Well, he's got the serious hots for a certain dark-skinned hunk at Seven Nations Tattoos. So...story is started. :D

Jason Scott is at the top of the bull riding game, on his way to a winning season. Along with his traveling partner, Andy Baxter, he's riding hard on the circuit, working around the country with all of the other bull riders and bull fighters, living the good life. The only thing he wishes he had is Bax, but he's afraid to take the step that would make them more than friends, worried that it will ruin everything.

When a terrible accident leaves Jason unable to see, his whole life goes south. Jason decides to chuck it all, determined to go home and hide at his momma's ranch. Bax has other ideas. He wants to make sure his best friend doesn't give up, and he hatches a plan that stuns Jason and makes their friends and family think he's crazy.

With the help of the other bull riders and a very persistent bull fighter named Coke, Bax convinces Jason to give life one more try. With Jason cautiously learning to hope, and his relationship with Bax going to the next level, life gets pretty complicated. Everyone gets in on the project, from Jason's strong-willed mother to an entire ranch full of children, all of them working to help Jason do what he loves.

Will Bax be able to convince Jason that he can still ride, even if he's blind to everything the world has to offer?

Get your copy here!

***

Now, I love Sonny and MJ and Galen and Shane. But I do believe, when it comes to BA Tortuga characters, Bax and Jason just topped the list.

I can't begin to say how much I loved this book. Hell, I stayed up til nearly 12:30 am reading, then finished the last 49 pages this morning. One of the biggest pluses, for me? God, where do I start? Plot? Best friends? Hot sex but not too much of it? Angst? Humor? This book has it all!

If you love cowboys (especially bullriders), read this book! I'm seriously contemplating ordering the print right now.

The page hasn't been updated yet (since the powers-that-be are recovering from RT), so here's the info for those interested:

Taste Tests are small collections of two to three stories ranging from  3000-7000 words each for a total of 10000-20000 words. We'll post themes  that we'd like to see, and authors can submit one story or a whole  collection. Those who submit whole collections may suggest their own  theme, but it needs to work together, with all stories relating to that  theme.

Our standard submission requirements apply as far as formatting and  cover letters. Please send all submissions to  submissions@torquerepress.com care of Mychael Black.

Payment for this line is standard royalty rates, split equally amongst  all authors.

Label the subject line of your email as: Submission - TASTE TEST - Attn.  Mychael Black - Title.

Follow our general guidelines and send your submissions in to  submissions@torquerepress.com attention Mychael Black.

Please label your file(s) as: STORYTITLE_PENNAME.doc (or .rtf).

Please send only .doc or .rtf formats.



Current open themes are:


Boy Next Door: due June 15; published September 2008

Horns & Halos: due July 15; published October 2008

Current Playlist:
The Bluest Eyes in Texas - Restless Heart
Past the Point of Rescue - Hal Ketchum
Take Me Down - Alabama

Okay. So. I missed my weekend update. LOL

To-Do List (revised):
Do edits on "Release" - Bend Over, Big Boy antho story (WORKING)
Edit Summer Solstice Taste Test stories
Finish Breakdown 2 (WORKING)
Read novel for yay/nay for TQ
Schedule TQ chats
Start edits on novel for TQ (as editor)
Finish Dreams & Desires story for Freya's Bower (WORKING)
Read novel for review
Write BDSM novella for Beth Wylde's antho for Phaze

***

Right now, I'm playing the "how many open tabs does it take to crash FireFox" game. 7 for research on coronary artery disease. 1 for LJ. James is home today, too (teacher work day), but he's being fairly good. Had to make a quick run to the store, though--we were out of Spongebob Crackers (Spongebob Cheezits). Now we have Spongebob Crackers. All is well in the world.

Working on Jack and Ty (or at least trying to). Jack's grumbly, though. I'm trying to stave off Robbie and Seth. They're getting pushy about their novel. *sighs* Damn men.

***

Have a live chat Saturday night, too:

April 26, 2008: Mychael Black Live @ FAR Chat Room (9pm Eastern)
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/ChatCalender.shtml

***

I think that's it. For now. Back to the grouchy cowboy.

The winners have been announced! Congrats to everyone!

List of winners here!