http://kcoffman.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Ken C. en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:17:18 GMT 2009-12-30T16:17:18Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977956923 For those who feel the need to vent, can I politely suggest this is the place? Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:53:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977956923 Ken C. 2009-12-21T13:53:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977955669   I spent about $10,000 on advertising over the last 10 years or so. As I build up a publishing business (I prefer to think of this venture as an artist’s cooperative), I have thought . . . Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:34:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977955669 Ken C. 2009-12-20T16:34:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977954563 I know, it’s not like the world really needs another writing group, but here we are. With no fanfare or kettle drums, please allow me to introduce TAWB, The Apt Writers’ Bloc. The purpose . . . Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:56:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977954563 Ken C. 2009-12-19T14:56:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977954007 Jill was kind enough to allow me permission to feel fatherly pride in her accomplishment! A paid gig in Woman's World magazine for her charming story Peach-Flavored Kiss (or Kisses now, I guess). A . . . Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:25:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977954007 Ken C. 2009-12-19T03:25:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977953811   Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition. -           . . . Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:39:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977953811 Ken C. 2009-12-18T23:39:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977943986   The other day, I had lunch with three of my engineering buddies. In the course of the conversation, I mentioned that Al Gore recently said the earth’s core was two million degrees. Okay, . . . Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:11:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977943986 Ken C. 2009-12-12T16:11:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977938959 I've been quietly staying out of the fray and watching with interest as the human-caused global warming theme completely falls apart. However, I can't resist putting a spotlight on this letter . . . Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:06:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977938959 Ken C. 2009-12-09T15:06:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977936872 I like the feeling of traveling to the edge of the civilized world. Of course, I’m going to Calgary and not Edmonton, which is a few hours north and even closer to the fringe, but still… . . . Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:58:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977936872 Ken C. 2009-12-08T13:58:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977920524 We’ve talked about this from the first days of Wombatia: the publishing business is changing. There will always be the bestsellers like Stephen King, Dan Brown, Dean Koontz and Stephanie Meyer…they . . . Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:37:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977920524 Ken C. 2009-11-27T19:37:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977920465   Hugh Grayson had a keen eye for the way they moved. He wasn’t seriously on a hunt, but believed in being ready in case opportunity smiled. At the corner of Broadway and 27 th on Capitol . . . Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:50:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977920465 Ken C. 2009-11-27T18:50:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977874461 I got a call from a publicist yesterday and here’s how it went…   MK: I got your book in the mail and it looks very interesting. We could build a very effective campaign. I love . . . Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:24:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977874461 Ken C. 2009-10-28T18:24:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977841700 This is a little scattered and there is commentary mixed for the stories (Three-Minute Sex and The Pain Killer) we were "reading", but it will give you a flavor for the event if you missed it. . . . Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:41:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977841700 Ken C. 2009-10-06T23:41:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977834072 This is our third episode of dissecting and mocking Dan Brown’s work. Just to be clear, Dan has a degree in English and he obviously has a marketable skill for creating fast-paced, puzzle-oriented . . . Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:38:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977834072 Ken C. 2009-10-01T16:38:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977832537 The secret is…what was the question, again? Robert “Britni” Langdon, newest pledge to the Delta Mu sorority, squeezed his once muscular, now slender five-foot-eleven-inch body into . . . Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:38:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977832537 Ken C. 2009-09-30T19:38:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977832276 Fool! Awash in a world of unimaginable privilege, dressed in handmade Italian shoes, custom suits, and every demand fulfilled the weak were broken. Another fine mess, 2009 was turning out to show . . . Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:38:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977832276 Ken C. 2009-09-30T16:38:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977831243 With his shiny red, patent-leather shoes scraping across sticky tile, his red and white striped socks undulating like tackily dressed sea snakes, and his yellow jumpsuit billowing in the nonexistent breeze, . . . Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:04:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977831243 Ken C. 2009-09-29T23:04:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977831230 Benjamin Langdon, grandson of the frighteningly talented Robert Langdon was, like his grand sire, a master of symbology and cryptology, famous in his own right. Right now however, he was a frightened . . . Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:58:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977831230 Ken C. 2009-09-29T22:58:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977828824 They glance at me. Furtively. When they think I don't notice. They look at my eyes. Look at my mouth. Look at my face. They see their fears, their desires. They don't see me. I'm unseeable, hidden from . . . Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:28:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977828824 Ken C. 2009-09-28T04:28:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977827651 The hooded figure slinked darkly through the stygian night, melting into the fog. He had to find the Chapel. It must be nearby. He began to run, over hill and dale, And then there it was, surrounded by . . . Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:22:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977827651 Ken C. 2009-09-26T22:22:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977827518 Was he too late?   The smell of blood was strong warring with the crisp musty smell of books. He had to have the medallion and it’s encrypted chain; the weight of the world was on his . . . Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:42:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977827518 Ken C. 2009-09-26T18:42:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977827007 Father John McNeary slipped through the wrought iron gate of Trinity College just after nine. Five minutes later, his borrowed keycard unlocked the door on the second floor of the old library. The ghostly . . . Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:23:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977827007 Ken C. 2009-09-26T04:23:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977827002 Luc Pentacle lifted the bottle to his mouth. Missed. Damn. Cheap rotgut wouldn’t have opportunity to rot his gut. Using both hands, he aimed again. Much better. He burped. Rot gutting—gut . . . Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:17:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977827002 Ken C. 2009-09-26T04:17:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977826163 The little known, though highly regarded, senator, Integrity strode with purpose down the halls of Freedom to the once great room of Wisdom. His walk belied his fragile, broken step. Survival was in peril. . . . Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:38:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977826163 Ken C. 2009-09-25T14:38:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977825465 Debonair dealer of arcane artifacts Roger Loodikrus stood stunned.   “You must protect the shroud,” the friar with the slashed throat gasped with his dying words.   “The . . . Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:56:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977825465 Ken C. 2009-09-24T22:56:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977819924 There is an lame attempt at humor at salon.com--a “Go Galt” pledge. It’s a classic example of lefty illogic, take a look:   http://letters.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/09/19/sirota_deficits/permalink/5945cb33a8983d91cf57161ab5b45f3f.html . . . Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:47:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977819924 Ken C. 2009-09-20T23:47:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977819816 I don’t know much about Lyndon LaRouche, but you guys know me…I’ll talk to anyone. You never know when you’re going to uncover a personality quirk to add color to your creative . . . Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:32:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977819816 Ken C. 2009-09-20T21:32:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977819501 The Qui Key Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris 9:53 PM The streets of Paris were busy this night. Perhaps not more than any other night, but to Daniel Rembeau, they were . . . Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:19:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977819501 Ken C. 2009-09-20T14:19:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977819320 A loon sounded in the ink-black night, jerking Michael awake. The tendons in his forearms ached from strain. His enlarged knuckles had grown increasingly numb from the icy river water. He rowed the boat . . . Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:21:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977819320 Ken C. 2009-09-20T05:21:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977818659 The secret is how to live. Since the beginning of time, the secret had always been how to die, or rather, how to make others die -- and he’d learned that secret well. Now he needed to learn . . . Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:02:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977818659 Ken C. 2009-09-19T13:02:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977818135 Larry Langdon keenly eyed the Departures display at O'Hare International Airport. Why were all the planes always so late? His thoughts turned sharply to his brother Robert's God-given ability to fly . . . Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:29:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977818135 Ken C. 2009-09-18T22:29:06Z