All for Fall

Happy birthday wishes go out to tiny_antares and dormannheim. May you both have a fantastic day and a brilliant year to come!


The Fall 2010 semester is here.

* This time around I'll be focusing on my Native courses:

For my usual Belmont University Liberal Studies rotation, I'll be teaching my undergraduate class on the Trail of Tears.
( Here's the course description. )

I'm also going to be teaching a graduate course for Lenoir-Rhyne University's brand new Graduate Program in Liberal Studies: "Native American Identity in the U.S. Context."
( Here's the course description. )

* I have a new writing/publishing project in the works, as well. I've accepted a kind invitation from Udolpho Press to edit its forthcoming edition of the captivating Australian Gothic novel The Demon of Brockenheim; or, The Enchanted Ring, which was first serialized in The Australian Journal in 1877. The author remains anonymous. This new edition, which is slated for 2011 release, will be illustrated by fantasy artist Jef Murray.

Here's the AUSTLIT synopsis of the novel: "In the town of Mayence, Germany a dark foreigner who speaks an unknown language is to be hung for the murder of Baron Von Brockenheim. A mysterious pilgrim attempts to bribe the gaoler to see him but fails. In his search for the prisoner he sees alchemical flames in a distant tower of the castle, and knowing thus that the Baron still lives he utters the terrible summoning cry of the Secret Tribunal, warning the Baron that he has been detected and justice must bedone. For the Baron had been due to appear before an ecclesial commission to answer charges of evil and illicit activity. The foreigner, emissary from Grenada's king, is executed and the pilgrim - his father - swears he will have the blood of the Baron's daughter in revenge. He is unaware that she had tried to save his son who had given her the magic ring of Mahmound in return..."


* A combination of factors has sidelined the previously planned Tolkien-L'Engle-Rowling project for the time being. No one's at fault, and I have more than enough on my plate to compensate, so it's all good.


* Speaking of Gothic novels edited by yours truly and illustrated by Jef Murray, you can still sign up to win a free copy of The Magic Ring: The Deluxe Illustrated Edition here at Goodreads through the end of August!



"We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while."
- Montag in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury