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When I checked the post on Saturday I saw a familiar A4 white envelope with the address written in my own handwriting. Now usually this means one thing another rejection. Well it was in a way – it was the short story assessment from Writer’s Forum magazine. The form is broken down into different sections including opening, title, characters, language and ending. Then there is a choice of description that the reader can pick with a score next to it. For example title: Suited the story – 10, room for improvement 5, and try again 0. There are also four sections for the reader to add more detailed comments. Finally there is a page of typed general hints that are not specific to your entry and then a total and explanation as to what the overall scores mean. My story ‘Ninety nine per cent’ about the space chimp programme scored 150 (out of a maximum out of 230.) Ham the space chimp This meant it qualified for second read and there was also a tick next to highly commended (130+) . The form explains: “After an initial assessment the manuscript is either rejected or passed to another reader for a second opinion. At that stage it is either rejected or short listed for the attention of the editor and publisher. My story scored better for the early parts but the reader felt it needed a more exciting finish. This seemed a very fair comment to me as I can struggle with the endings of some short stories and I may well take another look at my story. They also said: “Confident writing, great premise for story, good characters in the chimps, lots of research and accurate detail.” But they went on to say: “But what is the theme? Too ambiguous for short story,” with some suggestions as to what needed fixing. Overall I was pleased with the comments and thought they were excellent at showing where improvements could be made. Writers’ Forum run a writing competition every month in their magazine including the application form – which can also be downloaded from their website at www.writers-forum.com Entry is £10 (£7 for subscribers) including a critique like mine. It did take a little while for them to reply. You also need to include biographical details (50 words maximum) and if chosen they will need a photograph of you. Stories should be between 800 and 3000 words. The Prizes are: £300 1st prize, £150 2nd prize and £100 3rd prize.

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Well, it's better late then never, right? I was in Madison, Wisconsin all weekend for a short getaway from life here in ol' Woodbury. Anyway, no one cares about that. You know as well as I know that this is NERDERY WEEK here at Tappity Tappity and other blogs around the country/world/block.

Here, if you will, is a shot where 'all the magic happens.' Yep. This is my desk.


While I won't spend this entire post detailing everything there, I wanted to point out some items of interest and see if you can find 'em. Think of it like those 'Hidden Pictures' things like they've got in Highlights magazine for kids. You know, except for awesome.

See if you can find:

- the fridge
- the short bus
- Boba Fett getting pulled into the Sarlaac Pit
- Goodhalo manuscript
- The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks
- 2 cans of Caffeine Free Diet Coke (that's how I roll)
- 1 green slipper

That's all I'm givin' you for today/tonight Tappers. Think of it as a peek into the nerdy, nerdy nerdery of your favorite zombie children's book author. Tomorrow we'll peel away another layer and take you deeper into the place where you can feel 12 again...even if you're 35.

Can't get enough nerdery action? Check out some of these nerderies!

Dan @ This Man's World
Matt @ Blue Birdland
Caryle @ Caryle's Corner

More as they come in.

Hint: This is where you, dear reader come in. Shoot a quick shot of your place of blogging/nerding/writing/whatever, slap it on your blog place or LiveJournal and let us know about it. It's going to be beyond cool.

Speaking of beyond cool, check out this picture I snapped whilst in Madison, WI. This was in a Ragstock on State Street. I'm sure the woman changing in the room two doors down was wondering what I was up to.


Don't mind me, lady. I'm just documenting the zombie apocalypse.

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Nerdery Week - It's been decided, so mark your calendars. Nerdery Week shall take place on February 17th - 23rd. Seven days of complete nerdiness interconnected through this world we like to call the internet. You'll meet new people! You'll see where they sit! You'll see all the garbage they keep in their respective workspaces!

But TKT, I'm still confused and a bit scared and there's that thing with the paste. How do I get involved in NW?

Simple, friend:

1. Take a picture or two (or eighteen).
2. Post it on your blog.
3. Write about your workspace.
4. Slap 'Nerdery Week' somewhere in the post's title.
5. Link back to other people engaged in complete Nerdery nerdism.

On paper this may sound boring as all get-out, but I really don't think it'll disappoint. I'm endlessly fascinated when I see the places where people do their thing (writing, blogging, playing video games, losing auctions, etc). It's an extension of a person's character and I think it'll be fun to celebrate that which makes us all nerdy.

Yes. Even you over there folding your arms and pretending that you're not a nerd. You are. Deal.

Power Up - I know there's nothing people love to read more than what game I'm playing on Xbox 360 these days, so I think I'll just come right out and say it. I'm completely taken by Call of Duty 4. In a word: WOW. After completely dominating The Simpsons Game it's a crazy change of pace. One week I'm trying to get the Krusty Koupon off of a billboard high above Springfield, the next week I'm carrying a wounded soldier across a radiation soaked amusement park. Sweet mother of invention, this is the stuff dreams are made of.

Eels - I know I don't need to plug the world's greatest band, but they just recently released two albums that are perfect for those of you wanting to see what they're all about. For the uninitiated, might I suggest: Meet the Eels? It's a collection of their best stuff from their first 10 years and it's like a primer into their fantastic world. There is some potty-mouth on there, but hey...that's what those parental advisory stickers are for. As a bonus, you get a DVD with a bunch of their music videos. Now that's value!

Their other release is called Useless Trinkets and it's two discs (2!) of b-sides and songs they've done for soundtracks. As if that weren't enough, there's also a DVD with their 2006(?) Lollapalooza performance on there. What more can you ask for?

Answer: Nothing. There is nothing else to ask for.

Goodhalo - Well, it's getting there. I'm hoping to have this monster edited and in enough of a fighting shape to begin submitting to my Top 5 agent-types sometime next month. Ambitious? Yes. Necessary? Most definitely. Plus, I'm itching (itching!) to get working on the second book in the series. It's going to be like 85 pounds of awesome in a 3 pound bag with handles.

Travis: Celebrating 3 Years of Quality - It's going to be my little guy's 3 year mark on Monday, so we're having a party for him on Saturday. Therein lies the problem... Family from out of town are crazy sick. We're talking antibiotics sick. Also, there's supposed to be a major snowstorm hitting us...oh, say Saturday or so. Even though we're not doing a full-scale dinner/activities/all day event, we're worried that people won't be able to make it. Regardless, we've decided that no matter what, this kid is going to have a party that will tear the socks right off of his little Fred Flintstone feet (like I have) and make him explode with happiness. Thy will be done, lil' TKT. Thy will be done.

Dave Attell - I get to go see stand-up comedian Dave Attell tonight at the Pantages in Minneapolis. Holler!

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Hello friends of blog-reading!

Sometimes an idea strikes you and you have no choice but to pull off the side of the road, hop out of the car and shout to the heavens:

"BY JOVE! THAT IS BRILLIANT!"

Sometimes the ideas aren't that great and you kind of shrug a little bit and say 'eh' while you make a left hand turn into the parking lot of the local coffee barn for a steaming cup of pulverized bean juice. You can decide which category the following fits in.

A blogging pal (it's Dan over at This Man's World) and I are in the formative stages of dedicating an ENTIRE week to...(wait for it)

OUR NERDERYS!!!

It's going to be double deluxe awesome. We'll show you scenes from our respective nerd lairs. You'll see the places where we keep our you're-too-old-for-that action figures! You'll see trinkets that would've been best left at Target (or any other value superstore), and all kinds of stuff. Heck, there might be videos! There might be pictures! There might be carelessly crafted haikus about my autographed Selma Hayek picture.

Who would want to miss that???

Wow, TKT. I've got a nerdery/study/office/shack in the back where I dry out animal skins that I would like to share with the blogging world, too. Can I get in?

My answer: Heck, yes friend. You can get in on the ground floor.

While it's still in the formative stages, I'm planning on linking back and forth to other nerderys/offices/etc. so that we can all see where the magic happens.

But TKT, I just have a cubicle. Also, I like to eat paste.

That's okay, fella/fellete! Any nerdery will do. Any. Nerdery. Will. Do.

Stay tuned, party people. We're about to blow the lid offa this one.

Owwwwwwwwwww!!!!

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