Googling

Ever Google yourself? I did this morning because I was searching for an article, profile actually, I wrote that was translated into Polish I wanted to show a friend. I found more than I expected--much more.

I found out there are a few notable scientists and literary characters who share my nom de plume. I found out that I had won honorable mention in a contest with one of my stories, Daytona Summer. I found out some of my work has been republished without my permission or notice. I found lots and lots of links to stories and articles and essays I've written. But the most surprising bit of all, besides the contest, was finding out that I have been quoted in a book in the very first paragraph. I was called a biographer.

Granted, I have written lots of profiles, but I've never been called a biographer. This is also the first time a book has even openly referred to me or to my work even though I know some books have taken their inspiration from articles I have written.

If this is the tip of the iceberg that's going to hit my life this year, it's a bloody big one.

I was contacted last night by an Indian publisher (in India of course) about publishing some of my work, a couple of novels in fact. I was also given some information about a Canadian publisher who is interested as well. Pretty good. An American writer who will be published internationally before I'm published here in the States. Being translated into six different languages is one thing, but a novelist read by millions of Indians and translated into Bengali is pretty interesting. I guess this newborn year has lots of surprises in store for me. I love surprises, don't you?

I'll shut up now.