Life, she is busy and good. Here's a bit on what's come my way:

What I Didn't Expect - All about how creative types and freelancers have to do things like provide their own contracts for work.

SFRevu - A great review on my DAW anthology Human for a Day.

Gruntz - You like war gaming? You like a little bit of story with your war games? You'll like this.

Also, here's a picture from A Celebration of Anthologies reading that I hosted at the University Bookstore on May 10. Image taken by Shelly Rae Clift. Brenda Cooper, Erik Scott de Bie, Dylan Birtolo, Shannon Page and John A. Pitts.

Hey everyone, my non-fiction book, INDUSTRY TALK, just appeared on Amazon and DriveThruFiction. I know the ePub and Nook versions aren't far behind and the hard copy book will be out in a few weeks. I'm pretty happy with it. Cover design by ivanewert.

Before I start this little story—everything is fine. I’m fine. For a bit there, I wasn’t sure but now it is official and all.

Right, back to the beginning. Back in October, I had my first mammogram. Ow. It sucked AND they found an anomaly. It was only 2.8 millimeters across and they weren’t really sure what it was but I had to come back in about six months to get it rechecked.

Yes, I know it is May and that makes it eight months. I can’t help it if I don’t like doctors and the thought of having “something bad” found made me even more gun shy. But two reminder letters later and here I am.

This time, it was only one breast and it still sucked. But this time I really know why. I got to see how much pressure they were putting on my delicate bit. For the two views I saw the pressure per square inch. It was 286.1 pounds on the angle and 436.2 pounds not on an angle. Let me tell you that’s a lot of pressure.

In any case, the blip was bigger. 3.6 millimeters. And big enough to see if it was just a fluid filled cyst... or the big C word.

Having had friends die from cancer, I can tell you I had my private freak out last night. Today, I was just waiting for the shoe to drop or to not drop.

This time, fluid filled cyst for the win. Sometimes, everything is okay.

Oh, hey. I didn't realize so much time had passed. When we last left Flash (assuming you don't read the pro blog), I was talking about being down. I'm better now. That "no" turned into a couple more "no" answers that, instead of depressing me, made me angry (for various reasons not worth going into without a libation in hand) and made me that much more determined to do better, to find better work partners, to fucking succeed when the rest of the damned world was trying to keep me down because I, by Gan, was not going to let ANYONE tell me I couldn't succeed at what I wanted to do. Close a door? Time to break down a wall. Broken elevator? 10 flights of stairs is nothing to climb to get what I want. I will succeed. Even if I have to made my own road to do it.

Yeah, I'm a little riled up.

I got an email yesterday that has me really down. It was basically a "No." when I really wanted a "Yes." Such is the life of my chosen profession. However, this one hit me hard. Everything is harder right now. I'm not depressed, really. I'm just sad. I won't say apathetic or that I have writer's block. I know what I need to write next but all I want to do is go stare at the ocean for a while.

Fortunately for me, Jeff has planned another small get away for our wedding anniversary that includes a really nice view of the ocean. Though, I hope I'm out of my funk in two weeks. I've got a contract to finish.

I'm not really sure what to do about this down swing. Maybe let it run its course for the rest of the week and do everything I need to do around the business of writing until I have nothing left to do but write. Maybe.

Sometimes I do this thing where I choose a fear and face it. I don’t do it consciously at first. I usually realize what I’m doing about the second or third time I’m facing something that makes me uncomfortable and ask myself what the heck I’m doing.

It seems, my subconscious has decided to tackle my fear/uncomfortableness of being alone in public in a social way. I’m not talking about running to the bank or going grocery shopping, or even clothes shopping. I’m talking about going to a movie or going out to lunch or going to a book reading by myself.

I’m not sure where this fear of being alone has come from but I’ve managed to take myself to lunch and to go to a book reading by myself so far. I guess going to the movies alone is next.

I do know, after I have gone out and done something social by myself, I wonder why I was so uncomfortable with the idea of it. No one yelled at me or sneered at me being alone. I suppose it is one of those things that is somehow wrapped up with your self esteem. An older woman out alone. No one must love her. Such a sad soul to be pitied.

All such silly and stupid thoughts. I know many a happy hermit and being alone does not mean anything other than the fact that you are alone at that point in time. Nothing more, nothing less. And yet… and yet, I am still screwing up the courage to go to that movie by myself.

Sometimes, my brain is a funny place.

I've had better conventions.

I've had worse conventions.

Awesome things happened.

Annoying things happened.

It evened out in the end.

More later when I have a brain.

Isis is fine and frisky and as meowy as ever. I'm very happy to have her home and well.

I am healing as well as can be expected. Which is to say... not fast enough for my liking. The thing I most need to be concerned with right now is making sure I don't overdo it.

I will be at Norwescon with copies of my latest release The Lady of Seeking in the City of Waiting. I also have 6 panels and 2 readings. Come out and see me. Here's my planned upon schedule.

My poor kitty, Isis, has had something bothering her. She got chipped on Friday. Ate some treats afterwards and then stopped eating at all on Saturday. By Saturday night, we started seeing vomit. But we didn’t know from which cat. Ditto on Sunday. Monday morning, Isis walked into my office looking distressed, gave two rusty meows and barfed on my floor. Okay then. My baby was telling me she was sick.

Off to the vet for a drop off appointment. She didn’t like that at all. I mean, at all. She had to stay overnight and they gave her fluids because she was dehydrated, did blood work, couldn’t find anything and Jeff brought her home yesterday.

All of this was complicated by the first of my two surgeries. This first one went really well. At first, I was more nervous about Isis than me. But then I had 2.5 hours of waiting before my surgery and a woman, Debbie, came out of her surgery 30 minutes before mine. She disturbed my calm in a big way with her loud moans and cries of “I’m in pain. My stomach! My stomach!” Yeah… you just had outpatient surgery on your stomach. Laparoscopic or not, it’s going to hurt.

So, I got all tense but the nurses quietly assured me that some patients are overdramatic and with the inhibition of sedation, are louder than normal. Still, I really didn’t want to be like Debbie. It was weak and unseemly. I think that’s my own neuroses talking.

When I come out of sedation, it is very important that I know everyone’s name. I don’t know why. I can’t remember people’s names in general. It’s a failing of age, I guess. I used to have a great memory. I know faces, though. Just not names. Thus, I usually ask people their names about 5-10 times after surgery while recovering. Apparently, this amuses the nurses.

I’m home now. Isis is home. She needs reassuring that we love her after sending her out to that noisy place of strangers. I’m doing a lot better than I thought I would be after my surgery. I am sore and still a little nauseated but I have medicine for both.

Last night, I dreamed of Aeselin mice and time traveling "sisters."

I know I was on the run and I was traveling with someone who was pissing me off about my Aeslin mouse--I only had one. I remember yelling, "I'd rather have my single Aeslin mouse than your entire cache of weapons!"

Later, I started meeting my time traveling sisters. Or maybe that was dimensional traveling sisters. One of the first things we did was compare our cheese graters for preparing cheese for our Aeslin mice.

That's all I remember and I have no idea what it means. But it seems that the Aeslin mice from seanan_mcguire's Discount Armageddon really struck a chord in me.

I’ve had two trips in the last two weeks. The first trip was personal, for my “first” anniversary with Jeff. Yes, we did elope on Feb 29, 2008. Yes, we then got formally married before family and friends on May 1, 2008. It was a way of having our cake and eating it too. The reasons for the elopement are many and varied.

While we do acknowledge the elopement right around the time of it, we only really celebrate it on leap years. Otherwise, we stick to the formal wedding ceremony date. (And celebrate on April 1st,too, because it is halfway in-between the two dates—any reason to celebrate our love is a good one.)

This year, Jeff planned a short trip to Orcas Island. It was lovely from what I remember. Problem was, I got sick on the way to Orcas, and things just got worse. We basically had one queasy day there, and then I was out for the count with a stomach flu that had symptoms too yucky to detail. By the next day, I asked to go home. I then spent the next three days in the comfy chair in Jeff’s office watching him play SW:TOR or napping. That got me well enough for my next trip.

The Rainforest Village Writers Retreat is always the start of my convention season. 38 authors, 5 days, writing, 2 daily panels, writing, socializing, and more writing. It is absolutely a wonderful, productive time. I love it. This year, I was one of the speakers and, of course, I spoke on all things anthologies related. Which is good because I’ve just signed contracts for four more semi-pro anthologies this year.

I also wrote about 7700 words (66 pages) on The Ghost’s Talisman, the script for the photo graphic novel that Amber Clark and I will be producing later this year. Officially, I have Draft Zero of the first three issues and will finish the final issue this week. Then, I will let it stew while I complete Alpha Reader edits on YA novel #1.

By the end of March, I want to be back on the graphic novel to make it Draft One and then hand it off to Amber for her thoughts.

Also, April brings with it Norwescon where I will be a panelist. And you can find my schedule here.

"I'm a giant ball of whine. Which is stupid because I feel better than yesterday."

"I know what you need: Tea."

"Tea?"

"That way you'll be a giant ball of twine."

"Oh."

"You want some chai tea?"

"Yes, please."

My trip away with the husband got cut short because I contracted a stomach flu. The details of it are supremely yucky and I'm a giant ball of whine and pain. Despite all this I am starting to feel better and should still make it to Rainforest.

Four years ago today, Jeff and I eloped on the day that did not exist, Feb 29. Yes, we also married in front of friends and family on May 1st. Every leap year, Jeff and I celebrate. This year, our first "elopement-anniversary," I made him a book of all of our "Conversations with the Husband," added pictures, and bound it. If you want to see the book I made, "Conversations with the Husband" for my anniversary, look here: http://www.bookemon.com/book-profile/conversations-with-the-husband/177698

Last night, our D&D group got dumped from the Dark Sun universe to the Forgotten Realms universe. We all knew it was coming out of character. Jeff (the GM) and I talked about who would meet us. The question, if it was Elminster, what would he say?

I wrote Ed Greenwood and asked.

Thus Elminster said, while we were all on the ground and somewhat dazed...

"Ah! Worldwalkers tired of frying pans and seeking fires, I see! Well met, and welcome to the Forgotten Realms!

"As adventurers always seem to get themselves into verily TERRIBLE trouble if I leave them to what the saying is pleased to call 'their own devices,' prudence - - and thy preference to retain thy lives, heads, and various other important appendages - - demands I steer thee. As in, head ye into an adventure or task that will have ye marauding over selected parts of the Faerunian landscape, not ALL of it, at random.

"Harken, then, for thy might and daring is needed in the back rooms of coin-crazy Athkatla, where doppelgangers have begun to replace and impersonate the wealthier, greedier, and less scrupulous of that city's grasping merchant princes . . . and 'tis also needed in the wilderlands nigh Secomber, where one of the stupider of those Zhent dolts has decided to hide a deepspawn in a cavern somewhere hard by the High forest, and it's begun spewing out a steady stream of lesser monsters that will overrun the countryside if no one slaughters it soon! Beware the ghost-mage, mind! Has a habit of turning thy own spells back on thee!

"Have fun - - mind ye, adventurers always do - - and neglect not what I've told thee, for 'tis the doom of men ( and a few women, too, from time to time) that they forget. Which reminds me, I nigh forgot what I myself must be about, this even! Dancing with a dragon; all those sharp claws; 'tis like being married, I tell thee! Well, fair forays 'til next we meet, gentles!"

Then he disappeared.

My novella, The Lady of Seeking in the City of Waiting is available today! http://amzn.to/ysNkJk

Welcome to the City of Waiting. Welcome to Shadeside. From the moment Jane enters Shadeside, she is a pawn in a dangerous game between rivals. With no real memory of who she is or where she came from, Jane embarks on a quest to discover her past as well discover who it is she promised to meet. Along the way, she is protected by guardsman Derax, counseled by Lady Ellowyn, and warned of plots and betrayal by the most powerful oracle in the city. Through her travels, Jane meets a myriad of strange, wonderful, and terrible people. By the end, she believes the city itself has a stake in her quest—as if there was any doubt.

"A grand tour of the city of Shadeside. From the screaming Ghost Clock to tribes of roof-running messengers to the silent warriors of the Black Watch, Shadeside is a fascinating setting, and Jennifer Brozek brings it to life." – James L. Sutter, author of Death's Heretic


"In Lady of Seeking in the City of Waiting, Brozek spins a fantastic tale in every sense of the phrase, layered with vibrant characters, touching drama, and intriguing themes. Read it." – Matt Forbeck, author of Amortals


"An intriguing novella with an unusual premise and a spirited heroine who insists on weaving her own path through an tangle of intrigue, despite that she cannot remember who she is. The layering of present and past mysteries gives the story a richness that helps draw the reader on toward the unexpected but satisfying conclusion." – L. Jagi Lamplighter, author of the Prospero's Daughter series

Remember when I said I didn't miss TEoP and I wouldn't miss it for a while?

That while has come. Last night I updated the front page to reflect the end of the magazine and put all of the archives front and center. There was a pang as I listed out the fourteen different universe stories for people to wander.

This isn't the end of the Edge of Propinquity but it will be a while before the two projects in progress come into fruition.

In the meantime, visitors have six years worth of archives to read.

I never mean to slack on journaling. It just sort of happens. In the last week, I have red lined the YA novella, put out two anthology proposals, had a round-robin phone call/email conversation about another anthology, answered a bunch of questions for the SFWA Board Elections (I'm running for Western Regional Director) and done a ton of pays-the-bills work.

Still in the pipeline:

* Taking those red line edits and applying them to the manuscript.
* Looking at the edits to my non-fiction book about writing.
* Contract work on someone else's book.
* Write the outline to the graphic novel ghost story.

And that's just in the next four weeks.

So, busy. But content. Remember, you can always check out jennifer_brozek to see what I'm writing about there.

Lately, life has been about making decisions and finishing stuff.

I just turned in two manuscripts for edits--Colonial Gothic: Popham and a non-fiction book on the publishing industry. That's taken most of my time. I've just started red line edits on my YA novel. That's going to take the next couple of weeks.

Other than that, pondering my schedule and getting ready for the next 6 weeks: red line edits and a new contract.

Boring from the outside but believe me, the gears are spinning on the inside.

Also, thanks to Amber, I'm about to write a really messed up monologue called, "A Message From Mommy" for her.

What's new with you?

First up, the charity auction for Worldbuilders is still going on. Information about it here. My eBay auction to critique your manuscript ends on the 25th of January.

Second, I am eligible for the Hugo for Short Form Editor. If you enjoyed any of the anthologies I edited last year and/or enjoyed working with me on them or The Edge of Propinquity, please consider nominating me for the Short Form Editor Hugo award.

To vote for 2011 Hugo Awards, you need to have been a member of WorldCon 2011/Renovation SF, be a member of WorldCon 2012/Chicon 7, or become a supporting member of WorldCon 2012.