Michael Merriam

You can get it here from Amazon in both a physical form or as an e-book.

I will have new book coming out soon. Probably later this month. I will get you a buy link as soon as I have one. This is Book 4 in my Sixguns & Sorcery series, though it is actually the first book chronologically. But for now, just look at my lovely cover!

Follow the link to read the angriest thing I’ve ever written.

Bang Bang Apple Pie

New story up at All-Worlds Wayfarer, in which I once again show my love of all things public transit.
Now Arriving on Track Four

I will be part of a virtual steampunk reading and discussion on the 24th at 2:00 pm as part of virtual CONvergence.

CONvergence Online brings CONvergence squee to you—wherever you are! All CONvergence Online events are FREE. Panelists will read from and discuss steampunk.

Panelists:
Catherine Lundoff, publisher of swashbuckling steampunk adventure Wireless and More Steam-Powered Adventures by Alex Acks

Michael Merriam, author of Weird West steampunk novella in the Sixguns & Sorcery universe.

Abra Staffin-Wiebe, author of post-apocalyptic steampunk novel A Circus of Brass and Bone

Tyler Tork, author of newly released steampunk mystery The Deep End.

(Free) Registration Here: https://convergence-con-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sz53PUPiSFulsXmrogwI-Q

I am a last minute addition to Cream and Amber’s Fall Mini-Market this Saturday from 10am to 2pm at Cream And Amber 1605 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343! Come out and buy items from local crafters, authors, etc in a safe and socially distanced event. I will be there wearing a mask and selling my books! There will deals and specials just for this event. I am sure Cream and Amber will have coffee and food and of course books inside the store. Check the website for how they are handling book shopping (I think it’s limited numbers in the store at one time)

Since I’m pretty sure last night’s show was last thing happening this year and nothing else will shake loose this late, I think it is okay to do my annual artist year in review post and close the books on 2019.

Of course, I once received 4 rejections on Christmas Eve while sitting in a shitty hotel room, so maybe I shouldn’t tempt the universe. But since I’m not traveling this year and it’s no fun for the universe to kick a guy if he can just go home, hug his cat and his wife, and pour himself a stiff drink, I think I’m pretty safe.

First, the basic stats –

Submissions: 36
Sales: 1 (a piece of flash fiction)
Rejections: 32
Publications: 0
Productions: 0
Performances: 8 (6 Literary readings and 2 spoken-word performances)
New Pieces Written: 12 (1 novel, 1 screenplay, 1 flash fiction piece, 2 spoken word pieces, 7 poems)

On the surface it isn’t one of my best years, but I did complete two large projects with that novel and screenplay, and most of my rejections are for the novel I have out on agent submission. I also did appearances at Twin Cities Book Festival, Midwest Comic Book Association Fall Comic Con 2019, The Loft Word Play Event, GPS Holiday Emporium, and 13 Gears Steampunk Expo, and book and reading events at Bingley’s Teas, Cream and Amber Books and Coffee, and DreamHaven Books and Comics, which were all fun events.

I think the two most important things this year brought were that I joined a new writers group with some really strong and talented writers who I feel I can trust, and for the first time since the car accident in 2017, I felt like I was getting back to normal/settling into the new normal. The writing seemed to going at a solid pace and my public appearances were progressively stronger as the year wore on, culminating with last night’s performance where I felt in command on stage again after over 2 years of feeling shaky at best and disappointed at worst with my readings and spoken-word performances.

So there’s the year in review.

This is your reminder that I will be a special guest performer at the Not-So-Silent Planet SpecFic Open mic tonight. This also your reminder that, due to some heating issues at Red Stag, tonight’s Not-So-Silent Planet is moving out to:

Strike Theater
824 18th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418

I know it still says Red Stag on the graphics, but trust me, we will be at Strike Theater. FYI – I don’t know if there is food and drink available at the Theater (I think there are vending machines in the building), so plan accordingly.

The evening’s theme is “Celebration!” Open-mic sign-up starts at 7:20 pm. If selected, performers have up to 7 minutes of stage time. Anything goes as long as it’s speculative fiction. First-time performers are guaranteed stage time. For December’s Sentence Challenge, the performer who can most seamlessly or creatively fit the following line into their performance, as determined by the audience, will win a prize: “We couldn’t remember anything.” Or, alternatively: “They couldn’t remember anything.” Like the theme, this challenge is also optional.

I hope to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/454390995261545/

Hey Everyone! It is Small Business Saturday. Because I hand-sell my small press and Indie book titles, as well as hand out promotional material for my two Harlequin/Carina Press titles at various bookfairs, conventions, readings, and other events (such as the upcoming GPS Holiday Emporium! Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/872963226437877/), that makes me a Small Business.

If you are interested in my books, stories, plays, poems, and other art career endeavors, you should head on over to my website at http://michaelmerriam.com/. My books for sale can be found in my bibliography (http://michaelmerriam.com/bibliography/) where they are listed by what setting. All full book titles are also available for Kindle and other e-readers. Physical and electronic books make great Christmas gifts!

If you are a producer or director looking for short one-act plays, they’re listed here (http://michaelmerriam.com/storytelling/playwright/) and I’d be happy to discuss sending you a copy of the script and my licensing fees.

If you’re not sure about any of this, you can get a taste at my Free Stuff page (http://michaelmerriam.com/free-media/) where you can find stories to read online, audio of select spoken-word performances, links to videos of readings at DreamHaven books, and stories that have appeared in podcasts or as radio dramas.

If you want to see me in person and buy a book directly from me, come out to the GPS holiday Emporium I mentioned above. I’d be happy to chat and sign your book.
Finally, like me, many of your favorite authors and storytellers also are small business, so if you have a favorite, I suggest you also stop by their websites and show a little love.

#SmallBusinessSaturday

This Saturday I will be appearing at MCBA Fall Comic Con at the same table as Catherine Lundoff and Queen of Swords Press. We will have books for sale, specials on said books, free chocolate, and good cheer! Come by and see us. $10 admission, $1 off with a donation of a non-perishable food item.