Upon returning from Worldcon I got about halfway through writing a post detailing all the fun I had and cool people I met, plus my thoughts on some of the less good things that happened at the con (such as the infamous short story panel trainwreck). Sadly, my task load is such right now that I fear that post will never be finished, since I'd far rather spend my scant moments of writing time on actual fiction.
Ah well! Suffice it to say I had an excellent time overall, and I was delighted to see N.K. Jemisin's Fifth Season win a Hugo, because I thought it was a damn good book. Oh yes, and at my reading I did not get to eat all those tasty cupcakes myself, since a good 20+ people showed up. (I let them vote on which story they'd rather hear. Lizaveta won over Cara--it seems people like blood mages.)
But as I've said, my time is short, so here's a quick round-up of news that I've been meaning to post:
1) I'm writing a four-part series on under-read SFF books for a new feature on the Lady Business blog they're calling "Readers of the Lost Arc" (how cute is their title?). I'm doing one post per decade, for the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. My 1980s post is now up and ready for your reading pleasure. I just turned in the 1990s one, so that one should be up sometime in the next few weeks.
2) On r/Fantasy somebody was asking what books we'd suggest as a beginner's guide to the fantasy genre. Here's a fantasy sampler list I put together to show off the range of the genre, just in case the Readers of the Lost Arc posts aren't offering enough book recommendations.
3) In other r/Fantasy news, they're about to start a group read of Sherwood Smith's excellent epic fantasy Inda. I highly recommend the Inda series, and the group read looks to be extremely well organized and should be a lot of fun, so if you enjoy epic fantasy, consider joining in! Oh yes, and for extra group read fun, in September the Goodreads r/Fantasy group will be reading the equally terrific standalone sword-and-sorcery novel To Ride Hell's Chasm by Janny Wurts.
4) If you're a Colorado local, I'll be attending the RMFW Colorado Gold writers conference Sep 9-11, and participating in their group author signing at the Renaissance hotel on the evening of Friday the 9th. (I love this conference. I always come back newly energized and ready to work hard on whatever I'm writing.)
5) I will NOT be attending World Fantasy this year as I'd originally planned. Partially because I'm traveling a lot already this fall, and partially because I'm a bit frustrated with the con's inability to join the 21st century (in terms of ensuring disability access and protection against harassment, as well as the focus of their programming). I've donated my membership to a newer Colorado writer who can hopefully benefit from the networking opportunities, since WFC is terrific for that. While I personally have always had a wonderful time at WFC, I figure I can have just as much fun at a different con that's more responsive to member concerns. (Right now I'm thinking of giving ConFusion a go.)
6) Shattered Sigil short story update: progress continues on the Cara novella, albeit slowly due to family and day job needs. The Lizaveta story is headed off to the anthology editor this week, and the three other stories I promised you awesome Labyrinth of Flame kickstarter backers wait in the wings.
That's it for now! For those of you in the US, hope the upcoming holiday weekend is a good one. We're supposed to fly to Orlando on Thursday...right when a tropical storm is forecast to cross over Florida. That seems to be a metaphor for my entire week right now. All I can do is take things one day at a time.
Showing posts with label World Fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Fantasy. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Saturday, November 15, 2014
World Fantasy Convention wrap-up
So World Fantasy was a lot of fun. It really is my favorite convention. Big enough that I get to see folks I never would otherwise, yet small enough it's not overwhelming. It's got a mellow, relaxed feel that I just love (as I am in sore need of relaxation these days!). This year the venue was excellent, too. The hotel was easy to navigate and had a nice central bar & lounge area with tons of comfy couches - essential for World Fantasy, where the experience is often far more about the socializing than the programming.
Not that the programming isn't cool too! I won't do a total rehash of everything I enjoyed, but here are a few highlights:
1) Pre-convention crowdfunding workshop with Ron Garner of Silence in the Library: I'm so glad I went to this. Ron shared a wealth of tips and advice about kickstarter that I found very helpful. Talking with him afterward also sparked some ideas for my Labyrinth of Flame kickstarter that I'm pretty excited about (can't share them yet, but I really hope they work out!). Robin Sullivan and Brad Beaulieu were also extremely generous in sharing their kickstarter experience and advice with me, for which I can't thank them enough. Publishing is such a crazy business and yet it is full of really wonderful people.
2) Kaffeeklatsch with Michael Whelan (aka 15 lucky people sitting around a table chatting with Michael Whelan): this was a huge highlight for me because Michael Whelan has been one of my favorite SFF artists since I was a kid. I used to buy books solely because of his covers. One of the first gifts my husband ever got me was an art book of his, and we have prints from several of his covers (The Stone of Farewell, The Snow Queen, The Summer Queen) on our walls. I thought I wasn't going to get into the kaffeeklatsch - the signup was only for 15 people, and I didn't make it to registration in time, so was on the wait list. I showed up anyway, in case a spot opened up last minute. None did, but then the organizer asked Michael if it was okay for those few of us who'd come from the wait list to join in, and he said "Sure, the more the merrier." Hooray! It was a wonderful hour; he had tons of interesting stories from his career to share in response to questions, and overall it was just really neat to get a view into the man behind the art I've loved for so long.
3) The mass autographing on Friday night. This is where every author at the con (and there are MANY of them) sits down in one big room and signs books for anyone who comes by. I never expect to sign many books (though I'm always delighted when somebody asks me), but I always end up having some really great conversations, and this year was no exception. Evie Manieri and Doug Hulick and I shared a table, and it was lovely chatting with them and the folks that stopped by.
4) My reading! My awesome brother brought many donuts, and my critique group and roommate and various friends and even a few people I didn't know showed up despite the early hour (THANK YOU all!), so I'm totally calling it a win. I read the first scene from Ch 2 of Labyrinth of Flame, and gave away a signed set of Whitefire Crossing and Tainted City.
5) Other people's readings! Attending readings is one of my favorite parts of World Fantasy. I'm a sucker for getting sneak peeks of what people are working on. This year I got to hear the first part of Carol Berg's Valen story for Ragnarok's Blackguards anthology (we hadn't seen it in critique group so I was very eager!) - she of course stopped at a point that left us all dying for the rest. Brenda Carre read an excellent short story that I hope sees publication very soon. Patricia McKillip (a long-time favorite author of mine) read from a forthcoming novel she said she just turned in to her editor - don't know when it'll be out, but I'll be snapping it up the moment it releases.
Doug Hulick read from his upcoming 3rd novel of the Kin, Brad Beaulieu read from his upcoming Twelve Kings in Sharakhai, Evie Manieri read from her debut Blood's Pride, Shaun Duke read a short story that was accompanied by an interpretative dance from Michael Underwood (sadly not in person), Heidi Ruby Miller had a fun reading where she had friends act out the character voices, Leah Petersen read from an SF tale with some cool near-future biotech...oh, I had so much fun.
6) Hanging out with friends - I'm not even going to attempt to list off all the people whose company I enjoyed, because they were both awesome and legion. The parties were good too - had some great conversations at Ragnarok's party, and Laurey (L.F.) Patten's launch party for her new novel The Talent Sinistral (a great book, by the way). A special shout-out to my wonderful roommate Karen Bovenmyer, because WFC just wouldn't be the same without her, and my fractionally-Hugo-nominated brother, Matt Hilliard, whom I don't get to spend enough time with. Oh, and Megan O'Keefe and Joey Hewitt, who introduced me to a whole host of fascinating folks from Codex.
The only downside to all the fun is that after my lovely little 5 day vacation, I am SLAMMED with day job work. But I am soldiering on in my revision of The Labyrinth of Flame as best I can, pushing ever closer toward the finish. I'll reappear here in December to post the second chapter.
Not that the programming isn't cool too! I won't do a total rehash of everything I enjoyed, but here are a few highlights:
1) Pre-convention crowdfunding workshop with Ron Garner of Silence in the Library: I'm so glad I went to this. Ron shared a wealth of tips and advice about kickstarter that I found very helpful. Talking with him afterward also sparked some ideas for my Labyrinth of Flame kickstarter that I'm pretty excited about (can't share them yet, but I really hope they work out!). Robin Sullivan and Brad Beaulieu were also extremely generous in sharing their kickstarter experience and advice with me, for which I can't thank them enough. Publishing is such a crazy business and yet it is full of really wonderful people.
2) Kaffeeklatsch with Michael Whelan (aka 15 lucky people sitting around a table chatting with Michael Whelan): this was a huge highlight for me because Michael Whelan has been one of my favorite SFF artists since I was a kid. I used to buy books solely because of his covers. One of the first gifts my husband ever got me was an art book of his, and we have prints from several of his covers (The Stone of Farewell, The Snow Queen, The Summer Queen) on our walls. I thought I wasn't going to get into the kaffeeklatsch - the signup was only for 15 people, and I didn't make it to registration in time, so was on the wait list. I showed up anyway, in case a spot opened up last minute. None did, but then the organizer asked Michael if it was okay for those few of us who'd come from the wait list to join in, and he said "Sure, the more the merrier." Hooray! It was a wonderful hour; he had tons of interesting stories from his career to share in response to questions, and overall it was just really neat to get a view into the man behind the art I've loved for so long.
3) The mass autographing on Friday night. This is where every author at the con (and there are MANY of them) sits down in one big room and signs books for anyone who comes by. I never expect to sign many books (though I'm always delighted when somebody asks me), but I always end up having some really great conversations, and this year was no exception. Evie Manieri and Doug Hulick and I shared a table, and it was lovely chatting with them and the folks that stopped by.
 |
| Me, Evie Manieri, and Doug Hulick, ready to autograph |
4) My reading! My awesome brother brought many donuts, and my critique group and roommate and various friends and even a few people I didn't know showed up despite the early hour (THANK YOU all!), so I'm totally calling it a win. I read the first scene from Ch 2 of Labyrinth of Flame, and gave away a signed set of Whitefire Crossing and Tainted City.
 |
| Reading from The Labyrinth of Flame |
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| Patricia McKillip reading from her forthcoming novel, which is a contemporary take on Grail mythology, set (it would seem) in the Pacific northwest |
6) Hanging out with friends - I'm not even going to attempt to list off all the people whose company I enjoyed, because they were both awesome and legion. The parties were good too - had some great conversations at Ragnarok's party, and Laurey (L.F.) Patten's launch party for her new novel The Talent Sinistral (a great book, by the way). A special shout-out to my wonderful roommate Karen Bovenmyer, because WFC just wouldn't be the same without her, and my fractionally-Hugo-nominated brother, Matt Hilliard, whom I don't get to spend enough time with. Oh, and Megan O'Keefe and Joey Hewitt, who introduced me to a whole host of fascinating folks from Codex.
The only downside to all the fun is that after my lovely little 5 day vacation, I am SLAMMED with day job work. But I am soldiering on in my revision of The Labyrinth of Flame as best I can, pushing ever closer toward the finish. I'll reappear here in December to post the second chapter.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Read the first chapter of The Labyrinth of Flame
In celebration of my writing anniversary - and excitement over nearing the homestretch of my revision! - I'm offering up a first look at The Labyrinth of Flame. The first chapter is up on my website: hope you enjoy.
The 2nd and 3rd chapters will follow in Dec & Jan. Hey, and if you're going to World Fantasy, you won't even have to wait for Dec for Ch 2. I'll likely share the first scene of Ch 2 at my reading, which is at 10am on Sun the 9th.
And now, back to picking out which books I'll get to read while traveling to WFC (yay for airports and reading time!)...
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Next up: World Fantasy!
I had a wonderful time at MileHiCon last weekend. My panels were fun, particularly the "bad geology" one - I've got a whole new list of mockworthy movies now, thanks to my fellow panelists. Such as Asteroid vs. Earth, which is a strong contender for Worst Geophysics Ever. (We had a geophysicist on the panel who worked out calculations to show exactly how moronic the movie's "science" is. His combo of dry wit and mathematical savaging of the premise had the audience rolling with laughter.) Ring of Fire is another gem of stupidity that sounds like it deserves the MST3K treatment. However, Pompeii got the geologist stamp of approval...sort of. Except for the pyroclastic flow that put the brakes on to allow a melodramatic scene between lovers ("Are you done now? Okay, I can start destroying things again!"), and the size of the tsunami. And the terrible plot before the volcano started erupting...the panel recommends you fast-forward to the part where everybody starts dying.
My week since returning from MileHiCon has been less fun. I threw out my back (OUCH) and my day job's workload abruptly increased to insane levels. A temporary thing, brought on by end-of-year deadlines. But during the next month or so it'll be more difficult than ever for me to carve out writing time, which leaves me a frustrated, unhappy, advil-chowing camper.
But! All is not sadness. Next week I'm off to the World Fantasy Convention in DC, a trip I'm eagerly anticipating. I love the laid-back "family reunion" feel of WFC, and hanging out with friends is just what I need right now. (That, and sleep, and writing time, all of which I shall have. Yay for WFC!)
I've got a reading slot at 10am on Sunday Nov 9, so if you'll be at WFC, please come! Otherwise, I'll have to eat all the donuts I bring myself. Wait. That doesn't sound so bad...except for the part where I can't exercise them off until my back is better. Darn.
Oh, and in sympathy for those of you who've been waiting ages for The Labyrinth of Flame but can't come to the con to hear me read a scene or two, before I leave I'll be posting the first chapter of the book. Just in case you're like me and enjoy a taste of what's coming. (I know, I know, some of you prefer to wait until the book's complete and in your hands. I admire your self-control. As a reader, I have none.)
My week since returning from MileHiCon has been less fun. I threw out my back (OUCH) and my day job's workload abruptly increased to insane levels. A temporary thing, brought on by end-of-year deadlines. But during the next month or so it'll be more difficult than ever for me to carve out writing time, which leaves me a frustrated, unhappy, advil-chowing camper.
But! All is not sadness. Next week I'm off to the World Fantasy Convention in DC, a trip I'm eagerly anticipating. I love the laid-back "family reunion" feel of WFC, and hanging out with friends is just what I need right now. (That, and sleep, and writing time, all of which I shall have. Yay for WFC!)
I've got a reading slot at 10am on Sunday Nov 9, so if you'll be at WFC, please come! Otherwise, I'll have to eat all the donuts I bring myself. Wait. That doesn't sound so bad...except for the part where I can't exercise them off until my back is better. Darn.
Oh, and in sympathy for those of you who've been waiting ages for The Labyrinth of Flame but can't come to the con to hear me read a scene or two, before I leave I'll be posting the first chapter of the book. Just in case you're like me and enjoy a taste of what's coming. (I know, I know, some of you prefer to wait until the book's complete and in your hands. I admire your self-control. As a reader, I have none.)
Saturday, November 3, 2012
The Whitefire Crossing FREE today for Nook!
Checking in briefly from the World Fantasy convention to share a couple bits of exciting news:
- The Whitefire Crossing is today's "Free Friday" selection over at the Barnes and Noble Nook Blog! Quick, snag a copy and tell your friends to grab one too!
- The Tainted City got an absolutely wonderful review from Kristen Bell of Fantasy Book Cafe. ("I think The Tainted City is one of the most enjoyable, well-executed novels I’ve read this year. After reading it, the third book in the trilogy has moved to the list of forthcoming books I am most excited about.") Kristen did an interview with me discussing everything from worldbuilding in the Shattered Sigil novels to my goals in writing a character like Ruslan - and she's also holding a worldwide giveaway for signed copies of both Whitefire and The Tainted City.
- And just in case you'd like some free books that aren't mine, Night Shade is offering up free e-copies of Kameron Hurley's God's War and Infidel - don't miss out, these are incredible, intense novels.
And continuing the theme of "free"...check out this haul I got from the bag o' free books provided to every World Fantasy attendee:
I've already read (and greatly enjoyed!) a few of these, like Mazarkis Williams's The Emperor's Knife, Peter Brett's The Warded Man, and Robert V. S. Redick's The Red Wolf Conspiracy. But I'm looking forward to trying Nick Mamatas's Bullettime, Ekaterina Sedia's Secret History of Moscow, and Adrienne Kress's The Friday Society - and the George R. R. Martin calendar is pretty sweet, too. I love this con.
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