IMP Profile - John Urbancik

John Urbancik was traveling when I caught up with him again in July 2006. He was gracious enough to take time out of his schedule to answer the questions I sent out to IMPs far and wide (the IMPire being as large as it is, some messengers may still be crossing vast territories before reaching their destinations).

Michael:  Where are you living now?

John Urbancik: Inside a Marriot. In transit. Destination unknown. Probably will be in the southeast US. Taking bets now.

Michael:  Still writing? If so, what's your current/next project?

John Urbancik: Definitely. WINGS OF THE BUTTERFLY, my stand-alone novella, is expected in just a few weeks, and my next novel will be a limited edition from Delirium Books called ONCE UPON A TIME IN MIDNIGHT, which is part dark fantasy, part crime novel, part travelogue.

John wrote to update me in October 2007: John Urbancik: Definitely. Bad Moon Books put out my stand-alone novella, WINGS OF THE BUTTERFLY, in early 07, and I have another thing or two planned with them, and my next novel will be both a trade paperback and limited edition from Delirium Books called MIDNIGHT, which is part dark fantasy, part crime novel, part travelogue.

Michael:  Do you have a Web site?

John Urbancik: http://www.darkfluidity.com.

Michael:  Do you have a current bibliography?

John Urbancik: Bibliography is on the website (click my name).

Michael:  Are you still active with the IMPs?

John Urbancik: Not really. I stick my head in now and then. Played a 7-in-7 not too long ago.

Michael:  When did you join the IMPs?

John Urbancik: Joined early, I think it was 1992 or early 93. I was relatively active until CompuServe was consumed by AOL, and then slipped slowly away.

Michael:  Do you have a Mike Resnick-and-the-IMPs anecdote to share?

John Urbancik: No. {wicked grin} But I met him a few times at various conventions.

Michael:  When did you publish your first story? What was the title?

John Urbancik: First published story was "Portrait in Graphite", something of a ghost tale, in an anthology called CEMETERY SONATA in 1999, and I believe there are places still selling that book.

Michael:  Do you recall that IMPs is short for "Informal Association of Writers Impatiently Waiting To Be Published"? But there was an older name. Do you recall what it was? Take your best guess.

John Urbancik: Had something to do with "Waiting for Sasha's On-Line Writer's Workshop", I believe.

Michael:  Of all the IMPtales you critted, which one do you remember most vividly? Who wrote it?

John Urbancik: I really couldn't say. It's been too long, I read too much, and I've been involved in off-line crit groups, as well.

Michael:  Of all the IMPCritters who shredded your beloved words, who had the most impact on your subsequent writing?

John Urbancik: Again, couldn't say for certain, though Derek Patterson still prompts me when a 7-in-7 is starting up and I will forever be in debt to Josh Langston for his help in getting me to WHC 1999.