Philippa Ballantine's Blog, page 13

Release day!

For authors release day is a bit like a birthday. Something that you have slaved over for untold hours, and waited impatiently for it to make its debut into the world is finally here!

Hunter and Fox has been out in the wild for some little time, but today is its official release day—so you should be able to go out and find it in stores, online and as ebooks.

However, you can also win a copy. Over at Goodreads.com you will find a giveaway listed (sorry only for US or Canadian residents).

I love the cover, I love working with the team at Pyr, including the powerhouse that is Lou Anders, and I hope you will enjoy the results. So please, go, buy, and review!

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Hunter and Fox
by Philippa Ballantine

Giveaway ends July 06, 2012.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

Hunting the Hunter

Back from the excitement of BEA and giving away lots and lots of books. Meet a ton of authors I admire, bookbloggers, librarians and social media folks. Also saw a man with a giant teddy riding in his motorbike sidecar. Ahhh the joy of New York City. Also had some fantastic Russian food, and maybe a couple too many of their fine vodkas.

But I return renewed, ready to finish some series, and start new things.

However first off the block (and slightly earlier than anticipated from me) is Hunter and Fox. This is the book I wrote before Geist, and it will always have a special place in my heart as this was the book Laurie McLean my fabulous agent, read, loved and took a chance on me based on it.

It has been polished to gleaming wonder by Lou Anders and his team, and his a wonderful cover by the talented Cynthia Sheppard.

So go grab it in paperback—for now. The team at Pyr are committed to making fine ebooks, so that means they take the time to produce a quality product. That means the ebooks are not yet available. However you can go grab your paperback right now from any fine bookshop.

Here’s what people are saying so far

 

Maybe it’s the Anthropologist in me, but I couldn’t get enough of the peoples and cultures of Conhaero and the mystery of the White Void from which they came. As I read Hunter and Fox I found myself scrutinizing the details and always yearning for more. Imagine an outdoor market filled with cultures from around the world. The scents, sounds and colors would be intoxicating. Hunter and Fox is all that and more. Philippa Ballantine is easily a master world builder but it’s the richness of her characters too that held my gaze, pulled on my emotions and kept me up all night….It’s like an episode of Game of Thrones,  you’ll be gasping at the end and wondering how the book could end there!

—Amanda Makepeace

Ballantine slowly reveals a complex set of connections through the main characters in her story, while also exposing a rich plot and a coming apocalypse that may shake the fabric of Shifted World. Hunter and Fox takes a past that is haunting the future and twisting their world’s reality, while at the same time letting readers see into the hearts of its characters.

—Snarky Mamma

What I think I love most about this book (aside from the very thorough worldbuilding) is the fact that our protagonist, Talyn the Dark, is really an anti-heroine. She’s not a nice gal. Even she knows that, but she has a goal in mind, and she’ll be hellbent trying to get to that goal. Ballantine took a real risk in making her protagonist such an anti-hero/possibly unsympathetic character (though she does indeed turn out to be the most sympathetic character in the entire book), and I admire her for that.

—Birth of a New Witch

Ballantine draws readers into a fascinating new world, peopled by characters you will genuinely care about. In this first volume of the Shifted World series, she draws from classic fantasy traditions but makes them wholly her own…. Talyn is a heroine to cheer for and treasure.

-RT Book Reviews (4/5 stars: Compelling), June 2012

I find Ms. Ballantine characters to be some of the most believable, memorable, driven characters in fiction today. She is a harsh mistress and one should never become too attached to any of her creations as I personally believe that none of her characters are sacrosanct. Hunter and Fox is no different in this regard. Talyn and Finn and others you will meet between the covers experience more physical and psychological pain than most authors place in a ten novel series. Talyn is by far the darkest of Ms. Ballantine’s heroes to date, and truthfully, it made me love her all the more.

—View from Valhalla

Blogworld and BEA Bound

Heading to New York next week, and hope to see some of you there. First off,  you’ll be able to find us at BEA, at the SFWA booth 3591 at 1pm 6th of June. We’ll be giving away signed copies of the Janus Affair—so please stop on by.

At Blogworld here’s where you can find me…

From Book to Podcast & Back Again

Tueday, June 5th at 2:30pm Room 1A16

Link: http://gspn.tv/9lup

 

You’ll also be able to find my husband at this event, and he’ll be riding solo at these two events.

 

THE REAL SPHEIL: The Realistic Approach in Monetizing Your Podcast

Thursday, June 7th at 11:30am Room 1A15

Link: http://gspn.tv/ffdq

The State of Podcasting for 2012

Thursday, June 7th at 3:45pm Room 1A16

Link: http://gspn.tv/v4uh

 

Blogworld Bound

Heading to New York next week, and hope to see some of you there. Also there may be a signing at BEA in the works (more to come on that)

From Book to Podcast & Back Again

Tueday, June 5th at 2:30pm Room 1A16

Link: http://gspn.tv/9lup

 

You’ll also be able to find my husband at this event, and he’ll be riding solo at these two events.

 

THE REAL SPHEIL: The Realistic Approach in Monetizing Your Podcast

Thursday, June 7th at 11:30am Room 1A15

Link: http://gspn.tv/ffdq

The State of Podcasting for 2012

Thursday, June 7th at 3:45pm Room 1A16

Link: http://gspn.tv/v4uh

Pondering and collaboration

As the days fly by and the arrival of the Janus Affair: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novel becomes very, very imminent, I am contemplating how I got here, and just how damn lucky I am.

All this pondering could also have something to do with marrying my co-writer (again) in front of our parents and loved ones, or even getting confirmation this week that my greencard is winging its way towards me. All of these things are collaborations with Tee, and ones I never really saw coming.

But that is true of the best and the worst things in life.

The whole Ministry series was—if you haven’t heard the story yet—a complete set of staggering coincidences and good fortune. The series was originally going to be a podcast for pay. It then evolved into a novel, and got turned into a podcast anthology. Yep, that original podcast never actually happened, but we did eventually get it out to the podcast world in some form.

Even stranger was, the Ministry won a steampunk award, got into the top 10 science fiction books of 2011, was turned into an audio book, and got translated into Russian and German. Through all this, I can’t help but marvel at how the smallest, inconsequential conversation with Tee on a plane trip from Las Vegas to Washington DC became this thing.

I am proud of the Ministry books. I think they are fun, and Eliza and Wellington make me laugh and smile. Tee and I genuinely enjoy writing them, and it has been a joy to have someone to hold my hand, bounce ideas off and relish the successes of the ride. I could never have done this without Tee Morris, and I am forever grateful he took the leap into the creative soup with me.

So, I hope you’ll check out the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences website, download the podcast anthology or the digital editions of the short stories, and of course…naturally…pre-order the book. I have no idea where the series might evolve to next, but that’s fine. I am content to hold onto Eliza’s petticoats and see where the mad adventure takes us.

 

Oh and it you are curious, yes…this is a picture of how Tee and I collaborate together. We’ve never revealed this to anyone before, but I thought it was about time….

(photo shot by JR Blackwell when the Ministry was still not even a gleam in the Muse’s eye)

 

Steampunk Worlds Fair

This weekend Tee and I will be heading to the Steampunk Worlds Fair, in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Here’s where you can find us;

 

9.10pm Friday; Signing at Boardroom B in the Radisson

7.40pm Saturday; Reading from the Janus Affair at Boardroom B in the Radisson

1.00pm Sunday; Light or Dark, How Do You Take Your Steampunk? at Boardroom B in the Radisson

 

We’ll also be wandering around enjoying the spectacle of the event, so hope to see some of you there!

 

Also, added another appearance where you can catch me, and get me to sign something BlogWorld in New York City, June 5-7th.

Balticon schedule

Balticon is our home con—the place where most podiobook authors meet up (there were twenty-nine there last year). It’s held in Hunt Valley, Maryland every Memorial Day weekend.

Tee Morris and I are excited to be there again, meet up with old friends, and hopefully make some new ones. Here’s my schedule if you’re going to be there. Please stop by and say hi, even if we’ve never met—I promise I love to meet new folk.

Steam-powered: — Rage of the New Victorians

Friday at 5:00 pm in Parlor 1041

From werewolves of property to anti-zombie airship pilots, the Empire has struck back. Meet the writers of this Brave Old World.

Moderator: Georgiana Lee

Speakers: Tee Morris; Doc Coleman; Philippa “Pip” Ballantine

Autographing: Phillipa (Pip) Ballantine, Val Griswold-Ford sand Tee Morris

Saturday at 12:00 am in Maryland Foyer

Phillipa (Pip) Ballantine, Val Griswold-Ford sand Tee Morris signing at the Autograph Table in the Maryland foyer.

Speakers: Val Griswold-Ford; Tee Morris; Philippa “Pip” Ballantine

NM-42. Second Annual Erotica A La Carte: Iron Chef — Iron Chef

Saturday at 9:00 pm in Chesapeake

Three authors. One ingredient. Thirty minutes to write five hundred words, and YOU get to watch the thrilling action. Well, not THE action, that’s just in the story. But you get to watch the stories UNFOLD AS THEY ARE WRITTEN! Who will win the title?

Moderator: Alessia Brio

Speakers: Nobilis Reed; Cynical Woman; Jhada R. Addams

Readings: Philippa Ballantine, Tad Daley and Tee Morris

Saturday at 10:00 pm in Chase

Philippa Ballantine, Tad Daley and Tee Morris reading from their works. Please note that the authors are listed in alphabetical order, NOT in reading order. They’ll determine reading order amongst themselves.

Speakers: Philippa “Pip” Ballantine,; Tad from Trantor; Tee Morris

NM-60. The Shared Desk Podcast Live! — With Steampunk Tea

Sunday at 4:00 pm in Chesapeake

The Shared Desk Podcast recorded live with steampunk tea.

Speakers: Tee Morris; Philippa “Pip” Ballantine

W-11.  Making The Jump — From Indie House to Corporate Publisher

Sunday at 5:00 pm in Salon B

With the rise of ePublishing, Smashwords, and the independent publishing movement, there is commentary on blogs and in publications that the mainstream publishers are in trouble, and could very well be on the way out. However, some authors who have made a name for themselves in independent venues are making their first steps with houses such as Ace, Tor, and Orbit. Find out a different side of the debate, and why working with larger houses is still a goal for up and coming authors.

Moderator: Tee Morris

Speakers: Brian Koscienski; Philippa “Pip” Ballantine,; Michael Sullivan; Joshua Bilmes

NM-66. Just What The Frak is Steampunk Anyway?

Sunday at 11:00 pm in Derby

Learn the genre’s quirks and requirements and avoid angry emails from steampunk fans. Or why BattleStar Galactica is not Steampunk.

Moderator: Brand Gamblin

Speakers: Tee Morris; Philippa “Pip” Ballantine

April roundup

I have been a very, very bad blogger, but honestly I have been writing everything but blogposts.

Tee and I have been working on filming a book trailer for the next book in the firing position, the Janus Affair. We spent two weekends at Brute Force Studios, with the charming and delightful Sarah Hunter and Thomas Willeford. They opened up their home to us, let us play with their wonderful creations, and starred in our trailer. We were joined by PJ Schnyder, Jett Michael, Linc Williams and Karina Brow, who all preformed for the camera and just made the project awesome. Now Linc and Tee will begin editing—and I can hardly wait to share this wonderful trailer with you.

I’ve been working harder on the final book of the Order series, Harbinger. It is pulling all the threads together of the past three books. It is strange and a bit sad to consider leaving Sorcha, Merrick and Raed. They’ve been a part of my life for the last five years, and I want to make sure their send off is a good one.

And then Tee and I are puttering along on book three for the Ministry. By Dawn’s Early Light is the working title (since these things seem to change often in the Ministry), and it bring Wellington and Eliza to America, which is plenty of fun.

We’ve also dropped two episodes in the second season for Tales from the Archives, as well as the accompanying ebook versions. Once again, working on this series is a surprise and a delight. Each new author brings something new and interesting to the table.

Finally, we are gearing up for the con season. In the coming months we will be at the Steampunk World’s Fair and Balticon. We are also confirmed guests at DragonCon this year, where we will be on the Alternate History Track as well as the Podcasting track. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Atlanta, and I’m looking forward to it.

Phew…so there was April. Hang on for May…it’s going to be even madder.

Time to Create

This is the time of year when I have to start pedaling really fast on the writing career. I have three books coming out in the next six months, and May has two conventions back to back.

But it kicks off next weekend at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and I am really looking forward to this event!

I am heading there to be one of the keynote speakers. This is a great event, that started of small, but is now a buzzing one-day event.

Here's the pitch

CREATE South is a meeting for those interested in art, blogging, podcasting, video, social networking or any other form of self-expression. Serving the residents of the Grand Strand and beyond, it is a venue to bring together like minded people to network, teach, and learn. If you would like to get involved in these arenas but don't know how to start, this is the place to be. With introductory presentations and hands-on detailed demos, the beginners and the experts alike will have plenty to learn.

This year there are discussions on things like brewing your own beer, to metallurgy. My husband, Tee Morris is presenting on safety and social media. My keynote is at 9.30am and is about reckless optimism, and being a creative. In short, my journey.

Here's the tentative schedule.

Hope to see some of you there, and please, if you are there, come up and say hi!

 

Wrayth by Jason Chan

Once again Jason Chan has delivered. Behold the cover of Wrayth! Coming August 28th from Ace Books.

I love how Jason has captured the trio looking towards the future. Merrick (YAY he's on the cover!) looks concerned…as well he should. Sorcha is concentrating on the power in her hand (perhaps she is blinded by that). The Rossin is letting forth a challenging roar (are we going to see more trouble from him?)

What does that mean…. well, Wrayth reveals more about Sorcha's past, and the Order faces new challenges from both geist and human forces.

Pre-order now from Amazon and Barnes and Noble