Last Updated Februrary 6, 2010!
(Short Stories and Novels)
Short Story Sales and Booksigning (October 6, 2007)!
Two short stories are being published, the first is a reprint of a previously published story, called "Blondie's," in the Sethnet Journal, and the second story is "Dark Was The Hour," to soon be published on Apollo's Lyre.
I will also be participating in a en masse booksigning for one of the writers' groups I belong to, at Poor Richard's bookstore, in Colorado Springs, CO, Nov 1, 2007, from 6 p.m. to whenever. Please note: In the event of a World Series Game seven, the event will be postponed to January 10.
Hope to see you there!
Interesting & Weird! (July 28, 2007)
Again revisited the UFO Watchtower, this month (July). This marks our third trip there in three years. We always enjoy talking with Judy Messoline (and this time we met and talked with Stan)--and she was, in fact, interviewed in the Gazette, the July 22, 2007 Travel Section, FRONT PAGE! Was just very dissappointed the article never mentioned her book, That Crazy Lady Down The Road, ISBN 0-944851-14-2.In fact, this very weekend (July 28 and 29th) she is hosting what she is calling the 2007 UFOlympics, in cooperation with Colorado MUFON. You still have today to get there!
On this trip, Stan took my wife and I on a tour of their home and cattle ranch. They are--simply--very nice, down-to-earth people. I still have not seen any UFOs, however. Always do manage to see many odd, gnarly clouds around Mt. Blanca, however....
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Revisited the UFO Watchtower July 2006. No sightings, but had fun talking to "that crazy lady down the road"....
I'd recently been down to visit quite the unique spot in Colorado: the UFO Watchtower, north of Hooper, CO. I visited it for research for an upcoming novel (see March 9, 2006 "Novel" entry, below).
Interviews (July 25, 2009)
7/14/04: Interviewed on the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) Internet radio show, hosted by Paul M. Carhart, about Sleepwalkers. Had a great time!
Miscellaneous (October 20, 2009)
Attending the Mile Hi Con, in Denver, Colorado, October 24. Participating in a Using Your Dreams In Writing panel, along with Laura Deal, Carol Berg, and several others.
Attended the Read, Colorado! literary event at Denver's INVESCO Field, November 6, 2004.
5/10/08: I published an article in the November 2007 issue of RMFW's newsletter about ghosts. See link (click here).
5/18/05: Wrote It's Been an Honor for The Rocky Mountain Writer newsletter, about my friend and writing mentor, Moe (M.E.) Morris, who died April 2. Moe's wife, Virginia, died 18 days earlier.
11/12/04: Wrote Read, Colorado, Read! article about the November 6, 2004 Read, Colorado! literary event at Denver's INVESCO Field, for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' The Rocky Mountain Writer newsletter.
5/18/05: Wrote Buoy Made, Sir! for PPW newsletter, about my friend and writing mentor, Moe (M.E.) Morris.
I've written a couple articles for the PPW newsletter. One, titled, The Wonder Years (about keeping the "heart and soul" in our writing), appeared in the September 2003 issue, and another, titled, Hitchin Up To That New Draft Horse (about buying printers for writers), appeared in the January 2004 issue.
I attended the April 2008 PPWC again. I blogged about it, and it may be viewed at this link (click here).
Attended the April 2007 PPWC. Yes, it was great! But, rather than recreate all I wrote in my new blog, please check out its link (click here).
Attended the April 2006 PPWC. This time just attended as a Conference Goer, though I did give a driving and walking tour to several agents and editors at the Garden of the Gods park. Was a bright, beautiful day!
Read and pitched before editors, sold some books, had a great time hooking back up with those I only see about once a year.
Attended the April 2005 PPWC, and was a PPWC panel, with Charlie Rush and Paul Carhart, discussing Alternate Publishing Options, in Colorado Springs, CO. As always, had a great time, and met some great people (sold more Sleepwalkers books). Helped out in the Agent and Editor Pitch Sessions; found this very interesting, watching all the interaction from both sides of the table (I also pitched). An alien could have materialized in the midst of all these people, and NO ONE would have noticed! Jimmie Butler (PPWC founder) and I performed a tribute to Moe Morris, at the end of the Saturday evening banquet, reading some words then dimming the lights and extinguishing all the banquet table lights in his honor. Moe (M.E.) Morris died April 2, 2005, with his wife, Virginia, preceding him in death by 18 days. To read the PPWC Steering Committee tribute to Moe, posted at the conference (not read at the Saturday Banquet), click here.
I attended the April 2004 PPWC, and was kept quite busy assisting with running the conference. I met and made some more good friends, sold two more books than last PPWC, and had a blast!
I attended the April 2003 PPWC (11th year, and I've attended ten) conference, in Colorado Springs, CO. Had a great time, met some friends I only get to see about once a year--and sold all my books! I'll have to bring more, next time...two years in a row where they've sold out, and people still came by looking to buy more. Thanks for all your support (and I really mean that)-- even those who didn't buy one. It's always great to talk and give-and-get support, even if "just" verbal.
I also had my first book signing (finally got that out of the way). You know, though it's awkward for me, when I'm in this situation at a book signing for someone else, I really don't mind if someone comes up to me, looks at my book, and doesn't buy it (I mean, sure, I'd prefer you buy it), but just come over and talk...take a look...if it appeals to you, feel free to contribute to my retirement fund, but if not, maybe my next will--or you'll know someone else it might appeal to, and you can pass the word. Just come over and talk, give me something to do, other than just sit and look at the passing crowds. I don't ever want anyone to ever feel like they just can't come over and talk without having to buy something. Find out who I am, why I wrote it, what it's about--what I'm about, and if you feel the need to buy it, at another time, then so be it. There're are all sorts of outlets for that, later!
Anyway, I had a great time!
Short Stories (Feb 6, 2010)
1/25/10: I completed a new short story about a WWII tail gunner and submitted it to Glimmer Train. It's very Twilight Zoneish. See my blog.
5/10/08: I have had some new short stories published. Please check out my Literary Credits link!
7/28/07: mainly working novel mss; no new short story work.
10/30/05: Denied...Black Ocean (www.blackocean.org) rejected all three of my stories in possibly the BEST rejection letter I've ever received. Sigh. I've reprinted the letter below (with Black Ocean's permission). Two of the stories I am not revealing their titles, because they are still unpublished, but one is about a Twilight Zoneish story of a Marine returning home from Fallujah, and the other a ghost story I'd written about radio station personnel after an interview I'd had with them last year (used their real names--with their permission), and one of them told me about a real-life ghost story she'd experienced growing up. The end result...apparently Black Ocean just liked other people's work better--but what a great rejection....
Black Ocean rejection:
"Dear Mr. Dorchak:
Thank you for your patience. I am sorry that I have chosen not to include (story titles) in The Colorado Collection. That being said, I thought all of them were well-written stories. The 'World's Greatest Writer' was my favorite of the three, and as I indicated in my e-mail, the reason it has taken me so long to get back to you is that I really struggled to make up my mind about this piece. This story made it down to the absolute final cuts and I really did not find anything 'wrong' with it. It was funny and unique. I also thought you did a great job of developing tension, because the entire time I was reading it I was wondering how you were going to end it. The transitioning space breaks in (story title) were also particularly interesting. I am sorry that I have chosen not to include these stories in the collection. Than you for allowing me the opportunity to read them.
Sincerely,
(Black Ocean)"
5/3/05: Submitted three short stories, including the already published "The World's Greatest Writer," to Black Ocean (www.blackocean.org), a literary publisher with an office in Boulder, Colorado, putting out a Colorado anthology the end of this year.
5/3/05: "Etched in Stone" published by Apollo's Lyre! There were, however, issues with the second, and last, installment. Apollo's Lyre is working on it....
2/25/05: The online e-publication Apollo's Lyre picked up "Etched in Stone," scheduling it for an April 2005 serialization release. Stay tuned!
11/14/04: Wrote a short story about a soldier's return from war.
10/30/04: Wrote a short story about a real-life ghostly encounter Kina Foster, the News Director of The Peak, 95.1, had as a child growing up in California. Currently looking for a local market for the story.
4/28/03: I've written four new short stories, which I'm currently shopping around.
7/26/02: "The Death Of Me" is published in BLACK SHEEP #48, for the August-September 2002 issue.
6/22/02: I'm a little late in updating this (!), but Madelon published "Blondie's" in BLACK SHEEP #45. It's a love story that can't physically be possible. Stretch your mind a bit with its ending....
6/22/02: Madelon is looking to publish "The Death of Me" in an upcoming BLACK SHEEP, maybe #48, in August-September, 2002. It gives new meaning to getting SCUBA "certified"....
3/14/02: My NightSearch (www.nightsearch.net) Internet Broadcast interview has been canceled, and the website unexpectedly terminated. No reason was given. Such is life....
1/28/02: "Blondie's" has been published in BLACK SHEEP #45 (Feb - Mar 02). See BLACK SHEEP "subscription" info, below.
5/30/01: I completed "The Wreck," and sent it off to THE WAKING MUSE. It's about a mysterious wreck, discovered off the island of Bimini (and no, I can pretty much bet you don't know how it ends...).
4/21/01: "Etched In Stone" has been accepted for the premier issue of the new magazine THE WAKING MUSE, out of Manassas, Virginia! Publication is due for September 2001. "Etched" is a supernatural tale about the Civil War's Second Battle of Bull Run.
Catch issue #40 of BLACK SHEEP, from 3868 Centinela Avenue, #12, Los Angeles, CA 90066-4431, editor Madelon Rose Logue (she takes donations for copies...like $5, or whatever one can afford). It's a cozyily eccentric publication dealing with Seth-related-philosophy musings, of which my first entry into her pages is "Saint Vincent," starring one confused hombre on the run out in the middle of the Arizona desert. You'll find it back on pages 14 and 15. It is also my second-ever check for publication! Yee-ha!
Novel Updates (Februrary 6, 2010)
2/6/10: Three novels are still out on submission with my agent. Am currently trying to finish up research reading for my next effort. Reading First Man, about Neil Armstrong.
7/28/09: My agent read and gave comments on my remote viewer conspiracy thriller manuscript--and I am working updates!
6/09/09: My agent read my updates to her redlines to my supernatural murder mystery, and she's accepted it for agenting. Hopefully we'll have better luck in placing this one (my UFO novel is still out on submission)! Been working on this manuscript for eight years....
5/29/09: My agent read my supernatural murder mystery, liked it, and gave me some comments to work on. I completed her comments and sent it back her way. I am now awaiting her verdict--did I make the cut?!
12/07/08: I have finally gained representation by an agent! Last week I signed on with her, but unfortunately, her client list is so full that she is not taking anyone else on, so I cannot release her name. But she's been in the business a number of years and is now representing my UFO manuscript!
10/17/08: I have my manuscript with an agent, who originally read it and asked that I cut some pages and fix a couple things. I've done this and have resent it. Awaiting word....
5/10/08: I completed my UFO manuscript (ms) but am having it reviewed by another right now. I met an agent at the PPWC 2008 this year, and she request this ms as well as my supernatural murder mystery. Since my UFO ms is still being reveiwed, she now has the other one. I should hear from her by the end of July 2008, she tells me.
8/4/07: Here are some quotes I've collected regarding my supernatural murder mystery, currently under consideration at a small press:
“I get the chills...a most impressive work.”
Rob Butts
Facilitator, the Seth material
“At some point in our lives we contemplate, among numerous things, the demise of past souls and the inexplicable "natural" comfort (or immediate aversion) we feel with some upon first meeting. F. P. Dorchak's (title removed) presents the possibilities through an ominous tale that explores and may provide reason for such sensitivities, while explaining the evil borne (and perpetrated) by society's sinister few.”
Jan C.J. Jones, CoExecutive Producer - Researcher/Writer
Forest Rose Productions, LLC
“(Title removed) is a dynamic, intense novel. F. P. Dorchak weaves his story adeptly, with skill and precision. He easily intertwines the worlds of reincarnation and quantum physics to create a powerful, suspenseful experience for the reader.”
Sydney Heflin, Ed. D. Former Research Chair, International Association for Regression Research and Therapies.
“If psychological and even physical characteristics can follow us from lifetime to lifetime, can revenge and retribution be far behind? In his chilling novel, (title removed), author F. P. Dorchak explores the dark side of Reincarnation. It's a good read. Hard to put down.”
Dr. Robert T. James, author of Passport to Past Lives. The Evidence.
“I found I could not stop reading this thriller. I became totally fascinated by the depth of Dorchak’s exploration into the many influences beneath the hostilities performed. I was especially delighted with his reference to the modern pioneer in metaphysics and philosophy, Jane Roberts--right there beside the famous psychic Edgar Cayce. Today’s police and lawyers need this novel!”
Madelon Rose Logue
Editor/Publisher The Black Sheep
A Seth/Jane Roberts Fanzine
7/28/07: Sorry about the lack of updates--I have been VERY busy with working out structural issues on my new UFO fiction manuscript (ms), and my new blog. As to my other manuscripts (mss), you can find an update to some of them at my April 2007 Author's Den link.
9/23/06: Paranormal thriller, below, denied (it's all a conspiracy, I tell you!), but submitted to a publisher. Awaiting word.
Also submitted my Florida supernatural murder mystery/suspense to another publisher today, so awaiting word on that, too. That which does not kill you....
4/22/06: Attended the 2006 Pikes Peak Writers Conference and interested an agent who requested a partial on the paranormal thriller involving government psychics and government conspiracies.
4/6/06: Agent passed on the 11/5/05 entry, below. As a friend of mine says: "Onward!"
3/9/06: Began, in earnest, a new novel manuscript dealing with UFOs, satellites, and a confused covert analyst.
11/27/05: Completed the final draft to the manuscript mentioned below and in 6/1/04. Have begun sending out queries....
11/5/05: I have been continuing to send out queries to agents and publishers for my latest manuscript. The below-mentioned (10/16/04) film producer informed me earlier this year that his partners weren't near as enthused as he was, so they were all going to pass on it. One agent currently has this novel manuscript, but no word back, yet....
I am working steadily on my latest project, and am nearly complete with the third draft of the 100K-word manuscript. It is a manuscript I'd put off to do the one just mentioned (the story just wouldn't stop bugging me!) I'd originally started it in 2000, and I should have it complete the first half of next year. I'd love to tell you what it's about, but can't....
10/16/04: Have both the novel manuscript and the film script of the supernatural murder mystery in review by a publisher and a film producer.
6/1/04: Began second draft of a manuscript I'd put off for three years to work on the below-mentioned supernatural murder mystery manuscript and it's film script conversion. It's a darker "prequel" to Sleepwalkers, and deals with the origins of the Man With No Name, but much, much more. You think you know conspiracy theories...?
4/17/04: Completed the final draft of the below-mentioned novel manuscript. I am currently shopping around both the novel manuscript and its feature-film script.
2/28/04: I decided to convert my current metaphysical/supernatural murder mystery into a script, temporary detouring completion of the novel. I've spent the past almost six months converting and working it, and finally have the completed project! More, as the situation develops (I'm working with an agent)!
As for the novel manuscript itself, I am--finally--continuing work on its fourth draft. I hope to have it completed by the PPWC April 23-25, 2004.
4/28/03: I've completed the second draft to my metaphysical/supernatural murder mystery. Am working on the third draft, and verifying the "law aspects" of the story with story legal advisors.
Still shopping around my "supernatural erotic thriller," below.
7/26/02: Still shopping around my 1/30/02 entry (below)....
6/22/02: I've complete the 1/30/02-mentioned (below) polishing, and am now trying to convince agents and editors that this is the best thing to come across their desks, since the invention of the novel....
6/2/02: I've completed the first draft to my Gulf Coast Florida metaphysical murder mystery.
1/30/02: I am polishing (I have received comments back from my freelance editor), my next novel manuscript, a 115,000-word erotic tale of nonphysical love, about a guy who falls in love with a voice in his head, and deals with ensuing paranormal, metaphysical, and relational issues.
