Wednesday, May 16, 2012

As always, I've had my nose to the grindstone. I'll have more to announce soon, but in the meantime I'd love to share some of the things I've recently written and published:

For the SF Weekly:

SFPD's Ugly History with Pepper Spray (Nov. 30, 2012)

Fare Hack: Exploting a Clipper Card is Easy (Feb. 1, 2012)

Meet Heather Meader-McCausland, Whose Alaskan Photos Make SFO Less Depressing (Feb. 7, 2012)

Bread SRSLY's Bicycle-Based Bread Distribution System Is Almost as Cool as Its Actual Bread (Feb. 22, 2012)

School Lunches: Study Recommends a Joint S.F.-Oakland Kitchen (March 7, 2012)

For the San Francisco Examiner:

Book captures Bay Area's thrash heyday (Dec. 29, 2011)

More San Francisco women choosing home birth despite the higher cost (Jan. 29, 2011)

Smartphone thefts give wake-up call (April 6, 2012)

For Poynter:

The hot sauce trial: 5 ways journalists can improve coverage of research (Feb. 20, 2012)

How journalists can stop the spread of misinformation when reporting on the occult (April 2, 2012)

5 ways journalists can overcome shyness during interviews (April 23, 2012)

For Invisible Oranges:

Interview: John Dyer Baizley of Baroness (Feb. 28, 2012)

Interview: Jenks Miller of Horseback (April 18, 2012)

As I said, there's more on its way in the near future. Stay tuned!

Friday, November 25, 2011

I've been really busy this summer and fall, which means I have lots and lots of news to report!

My novel, "Beloved," is now available in a number of ebook formats for a very low price. If you've been holding off reading it because of the print price, now's your chance to check it out. You can download just about any format you like at this link. In addition, "Beloved," "Read the Music," and "Sacred Sonoma" are all available in the Apple iBookstore for iPad and iPhone, and at the Barnes & Noble online store.

I have a poem in the new anthology from Native West Press. The book is called "What's Nature Got to Do with Me? Staying Wildly Sane in a Mad World," and you can read more about it or buy a copy here.

I've been freelancing and guest-blogging quite a bit. You can click the links to read a view of these pieces, below:

San Francisco's special education classes disproportionately filled with minority students (SF Examiner)

Metal Monday: When heavy metal becomes linked with crime (USAToday.com)

The Bay Bridge Doesn't Move, But You Can Follow It (and Other S.F. Landmarks) on Twitter (SF Weekly)

Why Those Apparent Animal Sacrifices Probably Aren't the Work of Real Satanists (SF Weekly)

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Supreme Court has issued its long-awaited ruling on California's law banning the sale of violent video games to buyers under 18. The court ruled that the law violates the game companies' First Amendment right to create and sell such games freely -- and buyers' rights to purchase and play those games, also protected by the First Amendment.

In light of that decision, I contributed a piece to Wired.com about teens who play violent video games (and parents who knowingly let them). It's also about the importance of such games for young minds. The piece was also syndicated to Ars Technica, and both Wired and Ars have thought-provoking comments from readers.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

There's some new stuff online from me this week. First, check out my guest post for the heavy-metal blog Invisible Oranges: "Are You Talking To Me? Respecting women in metal." This piece encompasses a number of things I've wanted to say for a long time. Judging by the comments, a lot of others felt it was overdue, too.

In addition, writing coach Lynette Benton interviewed me for a series of posts called "When You Hate The Book You're Writing." Check out my thoughts on the subject here.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

I have a new article, "Gluten- Free Gastronomy in San Francisco," online today at SFGate.com. It was published in Thursday's edition of the San Francisco Chronicle. For those keeping track at home, it's the first time in about 12 years that I've had something published in the Chronicle.

Also this week, a guest piece I wrote went online at The Bird Sisters blog. It's called "The Never Ending Re-Write." The blog is hosted by author Rebecca Rasmussen, whose new novel, The Bird Sisters, is due out April 12.

I've also started taking questions at Backward Messages. I'm looking for inquiries from parents who are concerned about their kids' media or spiritual interests, and will answer questions on the blog. Click here for all the details.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

One of the best resources I've discovered is Radical Parenting, a site where teens write articles about adolescent life so parents can learn more. The manager of the site asked me to write a guest post, which is now online. The piece provides a taste of what I'm working on in my book. It's called Frightened By Your Teen's Interests? Get Involved!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Happy New Year!

Just in time for 2011, I have kicked off a new blog: Backward Messages. The blog is devoted to debunking the "common wisdom" that the occult, violent video games, heavy metal music, goth culture and RPGs are turning our teens violent. My hope is that it will spark discussion, particularly among parents of teens, and act as a companion to the book.

Speaking of the book, the first draft is FINISHED and I am currently revising it.

Monday, October 4, 2010

An essay I wrote about my daughter's nascent language skills -- and my thoughts, as a writer, on early language -- was published online today at The Bees' Knees. Of course, now that it's published, two months have passed and my daughter's language skills are in a different place, but that's how it goes. Enjoy.

Friday, September 17, 2010

If you haven't had enough of interviews with me, there's some good news: two more appeared online this week. The first is over at the LA-metal blog City of Devils, and relates to the book I'm working on. The other is at IdeaMensch and explores the realm of ideas and how they become reality.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Two more interviews with me went online this week. The first is with the very awesomely named Musical Warfare metal blog, a site devoted to extreme metal. The second is with Invisible Oranges, a really thoughtful blog also devoted to all things heavy metal. Many thanks to Chris and Cosmo for giving my book some attention.

You may have noticed a new category on the left-hand side of the page, "Journalism." If you click through, you'll find a site where I am posting some of my favorite articles from my years as a reporter. I'm just starting to post material there; going through my 11-year backlog of news articles is going to take some time.

Last but not least, one of my poems, "Mother Opossum," will be published next October (2011) in an anthology of work related to encounters with wild animals. Native West Press is producing the book. Of course, I'll let you know when it's available for purchase.

Monday, August 30, 2010

You can read a new interview with me at Giant Fire Breathing Robot, a site dedicated to geek culture of all kinds. Many thanks to Andrew & Darci for supporting and publicizing my work.

Monday, August 16, 2010

For the past six months I have been hard at work on my new book. I'm about halfway finished writing the first draft, and it's coming along very well. I'm starting to get really excited about the shape this book will take, and have been happy with the support I'm getting from others as the writing progresses.

While I'm writing, I'm also raising money to help cover costs associated with writing via an online crowd-funding site called Kickstarter. Please visit my page over there and donate some money. It would be a huge help. You can also check out the video I put together in which I explain what the book will be about:

There will be more to say very soon!

Friday, February 5, 2010

The February issue of Centaur, a literary magazine devoted to writing on the subject of horses, published my poem "Death and His Horses" in the February 2010 issue.

Also, I failed to post this at the time, but Muni Diaries published my poem "On the 26-Valencia" in this roundup of obituaries for the line, which was discontinued in December of 2009.

Monday, September 21, 2009

The new issue of Terrain, "A journal of the built and natural environments," includes two of my poems, , "Fatherland" and "Fading in Desperation." The theme for the issue was borders and bridges. I am especially pleased to see "Fatherland" in print (or in electrons, at least) -- it's one of my favorite things I've written in recent years. Enjoy.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Issue #2 of a new online magazine, Eat Your Words, includes a poem of mine called "Fat Land." I'm looking forward to seeing how this site develops in the coming months; a 'zine devoted to food poetry is almost too perfect.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Coincidentally, another recent poem I wrote about the local transit system was published today in Muni Diaries, an award-winning blog to which I contribute on a regular basis. It's called "Is That Guy Doing Crack?" Enjoy. :)

Sunday, August 2, 2009

I certainly did not intend to go so long without updating, but it's been a quiet (and busy-with-family) time in my life. I'm writing a lot, and planning a lot more writing, but very little of it is seeing the light of day just yet.

However, New Verse News has just published a new poem from me called "Wreck." It was inspired by surveillance tapes from a recent San Francisco Municipal Railway crash that injured several dozen people. In one of the tapes, you can see a woman wheeling her baby away in a stroller just as the accident happens. What I imagined in her is probably pure fiction, but she inspired me nonetheless.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Justin St. Vincent is the editor of a series of books called The Spiritual Significance of Music. Last spring he approached me about doing an interview for his next edition, which would focus on input from authors of all stripes. (The other editions sought input from metal musicians, Christian-rock musicians, and world-music composers; his contributors have included Michael Franti, Vangelis, Billy Gould of Faith No More, Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse, and Michael Sweet of Stryper.)

As someone who has long written about music -- and occasionally explored its ritual or spiritual aspects, as I did in two of my essays in "Read the Music" -- I was happy to be invited to participate.

"The Spiritual Significance of Music (Authors Edition)" was released today. It includes a broad range of writers. You can check out my contribution by downloading the PDF pages here.

Much of 2008 was packed with behind-the-scenes activity -- much of it not related to writing in any way (outside of my day job), I'm afraid. I still have plans to write another book in the coming 1-2 years, and am still keeping those plans tightly under wraps for the time being. I'll be in touch again when there's more news. :)

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Just a small update today: one of my poems, "The Uninvited Guest," was published in this month's edition of Tertulia Magazine. It was written during the total lunar eclipse that took place August 27, 2007. Enjoy.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Sorry for the quiet; I am slowly cooking up plans for a new book. :)

Those of you who take a deep and personal interest in the sites in "Sacred Sonoma" may be interested in the fight to keep parks open, despite Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to close 48 in California to save money. Two areas in the book, Amstrong Woods Reserve and the Austin Creek area, may soon be off-limits, despite the fact that taxpayer money is used to protect and maintain them. I have already written to my representatives and said that I would be happy to pay more to continue to be able to use them. There are many efforts in the works, but perhaps the simplest is here:

http://www.savestateparks.org

You may also be interested in getting involved with the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods:

http://www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org

Another site in the book, the Bohemian Gove, could be significantly logged (under the guise of "fire risk reduction," though redwoods protect themselves best from fire when they are denser) in the coming years if its owners get their way. For now, the Bohemian Club's timbering proposal is stuck in an administrative pipeline, but you may be able to keep up with its progress by checking this site:

http://bohemiangrovelogging.org/

All right, enough politics. Get out there and enjoy the coming springtime.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Spiral Nature offers a new review of "Sacred Sonoma: Sacred Sites and Alignments in Sonoma County, California." Follow the link for the full review, or check out this excerpt:

Winegarner describes three ley lines, Goat Rock Ley, Joy Woods Ley, and Bohemian Grove Ley, illustrated with maps and notes the key points along the leys. From there more detailed histories are divided by region, such as the volcanic and seismic regions, North County, Santa Rosa and vicinity, West County, and the Coastal Regions, within which specific points are detailed, especially as they related to the Pomo history and culture and the given area's -- often colorful -- local history.

The text is illustrated throughout with beautiful photographs, accompanied by evocative text. I've never visited Sonoma County, but I can imagine that this would be an excellent guide to explore it with. Local historians and ley hunters alike will find it a useful and engaging aid.

"Sacred Sonoma" is now available everywhere; look it up in your local bookstore and, if they don't already have a copy, ask them to order one for you.

As promised, here are a couple of photos from my June reading. They were taken by Victor Maccharoli:

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

I have plenty of good news to share. The first item to report is that last week's reading of "Beloved" went well; many people turned up, seemed to like what I read (Chapter One: Firstlight) and bought many books from the fabulous Bird & Beckett bookstore. My continued thanks to those who came out, and I should soon have some photos from the event to share.

Second, Stuart Moses has kindly posted his review of "Read the Music" over on Hard-Wired. Check it out.

Third, several of my poems are published in the Spring 2007 issue of Hot Metal Press, so head on over there to see their latest poetic roundup.

Also, "Sacred Sonoma" is beginning to show up in online bookstores, which should mean it's available with brick-and-mortar sellers by mid-July.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

I have officially launched the new Sacred Sonoma Web site, where you can find out more about the book and read three excerpts, describing the Austin Creek Area, Haystack Landing and the Petaluma Adobe. Haystack Landing is one of the brand-new sites I've added to the updated edition of the book, so think of it as a sneak preview of the new material.

In addition, Sacred Sonoma is now on sale via the publisher's Web site, and should be coming to Amazon and other online sellers within the next month or so. If you've been waiting to buy a copy, now's your chance!

Friday, April 27, 2007

I will be reading from "Beloved" and selling and signing copies of the book in June. Please join me!

WHEN: Thursday, June 7, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Bird & Beckett Books
              2788 Diamond Street
              San Francisco, CA

To find out more about this fabulous bookstore, visit their Web site.

Tuesday, March 26, 2007

Karl dealership: "After a charismatic, tyrannical king takes control" of the mythical city of Damas, reads the press release for UC Berkeley grad Beth Winegarner's novel Beloved (Lulu.com, $11.04), "capitalism and slavery are forced on its people." The heroine is "a young girl nearly orphaned" -- nearly? -- who "watches as her peers are sold into forced labor." Which, dammit, always seems to happen under capitalism, but luckily she has a magical dagger. Winegarner will give a real dagger to the first reader who can solve a puzzle embedded in the story; send guesses to beth@bethwinegarner.com. "My novel takes its name from the VNV Nation song," explains the author, an ex-Chronicle music critic. "The sociopolitical material is almost straight Karl Marx. ... Marx predicted that capitalism would someday break down because the people who worked in the factories and the fields would eventually come to hate 'the machine,' the powers that controlled their workload, their hours, their pay. When that happened, Marx said the people would rise up and destroy the machine. ... He called this communism. I liked the idea that you could show a society where that had already occurred." You can! It's called Cambodia, circa 1975.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

The promotional push for "Beloved" has begun in earnest. To that end, I am making the the press release and the Q&A available on the site. Check it out.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

"Beloved" is beginning to show up at online sellers such as Amazon. This means you can buy a copy through traditional online sellers or you may order it from bookstores.

Readers who have read the book since it was released are saying it's a compelling, gripping book they could not put down.

I want to highlight the fact that readers can participate in the contest to win Kirin's dagger.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

In conjunction with the release of "Beloved" I am announcing a contest to win the dagger that belongs to Kirin, "Beloved"'s main character. Follow the link for complete details.

Friday, March 9, 2007

A short item about "Read the Music" is posted on the news page today at Obskure.com, a French Web site that tracks music news related to goth/industrial/darkwave/metal/punk etc. bands. Check it out.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth -- I've spent much of the past few months putting the finishing touches on "Beloved," my new novel which will be released later this month.

In the meantime, my new Q&A with New York performer Brian Nash is now online over at Undented, the news site for all things Tori Amos. I expect to return with more news soon.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

The Winter 2007 issue of Dispatch is available in downloadable PDF format; it includes my poem "Persephone Sees Her Reflection." Head on over, download a copy, and check it out.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

I have spent much of the past two months finalizing the text and graphics for "Beloved," my novel that will be published in early 2007. Today I launched this Web site's "Beloved" page, with the front cover image and back-cover blurb, the latter of which includes a key excerpt from the story.

In recent news, some of my poems have been accepted to the Hot Metal Press and Dispatch literary magazines. I will let you all know when they are published.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

My poem "Inanna Thinks" appears in today's New Verse News, an online literary magazine that publishes poetry about current events.

I wrote the poem nearly two years ago. I wish it weren't still so relevant.

Monday, September 18, 2006

"Read the Music" is now showing up at a variety of online sellers, including Amazon and Powells. If it's not available through your local bookstore now, it should be available soon.

If you haven't already, click the "Read the Music" link on the right to read the book description and an excerpt from one of the essays, "What You Couldn't See: Days of the New."

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

As of tonight, "Read the Music" is available through the publisher's Web site at the following address:

http://www.lulu.com/content/382660

On that page, you can see the cover, read a description, and preview the table of contents and introduction.

In the coming weeks, the book will also begin showing up at online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and you should soon be able to order it through your local bookstores if you prefer to buy books that way.

Enjoy "Read the Music!"

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

I got this site's/Kirin Books' mailing list up and running this week. To sign up, click the link.

Wednesday, August 9, 2006

Welcome to my site! I'm planning a number of new books in the coming months. The first to be released will be "Read the Music," a collection of essays on music. Click the link on the right-hand side to find out more about the book. Meanwhile, this page is where you will find further announcements about upcoming projects, release dates, and other related items as they come to light. Enjoy, and happy reading.