Gaelic, I like a slow seasoning for all hardwoods in a cool dry place. Luckily my wife does mind so I have a wire shelf in the living room were the temperature is constant, cool and has great air movement as we always have fans on. This has always worked for me... my grandfather used to dry wood until it was at a stable 10% MC and then he would move it the rafters in his smoke house. This process would take a year to a year and half but it would yield some of the hardest wood that you could imagine. As I imagine that you don't have the time or smoke house, I like to suggest that wood be boiled, left to cool in said water, then removed, allowed to dry for 12-24hrs, then wrapped in newspaper or a paper bag and allowed to dry for a few months. This has always given me great results.
You can choose to microwave, I do with smaller pieces. You have to keep in mind that moisture becomes steam and needs a way out so it looks for the easiest path typically resulting in an explosion of sorts when one gets careless. Typically, only pieces from 1x1 up to 3x3 get 15 seconds, then allowed to cool to room temp, 10 secs, cooled, 10 sec, cooled... for a few cycles until you don't see any signs of moisture, IE, steam, bubbles, or any other sign. Also, make sure you find a cheap microwave that you can designate for wood drying as the smell it produces will never leave your microwave and its not pleasant at all. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.