I am writing about aliens and pirates today. Metaphorically, I suspect. Thanks, unconscious mind.
Lawrence M. Schoen
Award-winning Author of BARSK and THE AMAZING CONROY. Psychologist / Klingonist / Hypnotist / Neurodivergent / Chimeric Cancer Survivor • The Universe is not yet done with me • (he/him)
During chunks of each day (and frequently in the wee hours of the night) I am beset with chills. My oncology team believes this is most likely just a vague manifestation of GVHD (thanks, Dave) & that I will quite probably have these random things for years to come.
On the other hand, I'm not dead.
Today my Patreon supporters at the $5+ level received freebies & sale links, a bonus snippet from the WIP, and updates. I also shared my hope that, despite the chaos that seems inevitable following the election, we all manage to be kind to one another.
Despite my recovery and the progress I've been making, I still hit bad patches—more of them than I would like. The kindness shown me by my supporters is critical to my daily motivation. Your support reminds me I need to keep writing. Thank you.
Monday's labs included a quick chimeric test to check the status of indicators of Multiple Myeloma in my bone marrow (in this case the ratio of Kappa Light Chains (the cancerous ones) to Lambda Light Chains).
In September 2019 my ratio was 1607 to 1.
Monday's ratio: 1.33 to 1.
MM is generally described as incurable. Not so. The cure is to get Leukemia, get very lucky and score a perfect transplant donor, and then slowly recover.
In case you forgot, we're currently in the midst of the IASFA'S monthly event of free and discounted books.
The theme this month is Urban Fantasy Short Stories.
Among many others, you can pick up my own "The Game of Leaf and Smile" at no cost.
I want to tell you about a friend's Kickstarter:
Dreidel of Dread: The Very Cthulhu Hanukkah Board Book
It's a charming story with brilliant artwork. You will want multiple copies for the children of all your friends.
go.ufopub.com/dreidel
It's the summer solstice and by way of celebrating I have joined an incredible book promotion. I encourage you to check it out today (because it will be gone tomorrow).
Among hundreds of other free books, you can pick up a copy of SLICE OF ENTROPY, my first Pizza in Space novel.
My newest book is THE RUNEMASTER'S DAUGHTER, a novella in my Tales of Gorsk Mountain series.
You don't have to buy it, but I hope you'll check it out:
Dwarves, beer, trollblight, beer, dead goblins, beer, a dragon, and did I mention it's about beer?
I don't normally do group promos two months in a row, but I have a new Reader Magnet out today and I want you all to check it out. It has bears and dwarves. Who doesn't like bears and dwarves?
So make with the clicky-click.
https://bit.ly/4aXZfjm
https://bit.ly/3xZLodL
https://bit.ly/3JHM7mp
https://bit.ly/3UlUsB9
https://bit.ly/4aZkMYR
To my own amazement, all the different reward levels due to the supporters of my Patreon account have gone out, and it's not even ythe last qy of the month. Woo hoo!
My sincere thanks to these supporters, all 48 of you. In addition to the financial help (because beating cancer ain't cheap), the moral support you give me and my work inspires me to keep writing.
Here are links to the free Fantasy and Science Fiction indie ebook promos I'm involved in this month.
Today marks the one year anniversary of the bone marrow transplant that effectively cured both of my cancers.
Happy Re-Birthday to me.
I am a chimeric cancer survivor!
All supporters of my Patreon account receive a monthly photo of my dog, Gej, because life is just better with dogs in it.
@Temrin, sometimes I feel like I am on a one man quest to use furry fiction as a vehicle for writing literature. It's a great opportunity to sneak in discussions of the human condition.
I have some notes for another Bronjo story somewhere down the line, one which involves Lirlowil post-Barsk, an exploration of a life that goes from the peak of privilege to rock bottom. But probably not until late in 2024.
@Temrin, so pleased you enjoyed it. Feel free to share it far and wide, and leave a review.
It was only as I was finishing the writing of it that I realized I was using it therapeutically myself. A writer's mind can be a funky place. :)
Curiously, I recently learned orange is the color for Leukemia ribbons, so an orange Amazon flag for #1 in Social Work for this new novelette from BARSK is especially nice.
Get a free copy here: https://bit.ly/BARSK-Panda
Give a Nebula Reading list nod here: https://bit.ly/2023-Novelette
I am at the hospital awaiting the report of the morning's bloodwork. There is serious concern that the cGVHD has moved into my liver. If so, they'll be admitting me to the inpatient oncology ward. If not, I will back home by noon
Since I first got cancer, I've had a Patreon account to help cover my medical costs.
All my patrons, at any level, receive a monthly photo of my dog, Gej, because life is just better with dogs in it.
It's 6am. I am awake. Time to start my ablutions and then set out on my pilgrimage to the House of Waffles, receive their blessing, and continue on to face my destiny at Capclave.
I have a Patreon account. It helps with my absurd medical costs.
Every month, Patrons at the $5+ level receive a video reading. I just posted September's video, me reading chapter 1 of my novel ACE OF CORPSES.
For the price of a sandwich at your local burger joint you can join my Patreon, contribute to my medical bills, and let me know you value my work as a writer. It's that last one that really matters.
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