Philippa Ballantine's Blog, page 17

Thoughts of home

I was sitting in the back of Tee Morris' Social Media class at the San Francisco Writers Conference, waiting for him to finish up so we could fly back to Virginia. I was writing blogposts, catching up on email and keeping one eye on Twitter.

What I was not expecting was to see the word 'earthquake' pop up again in relation to Christchurch. In September last year I was in WorldCon in Melbourne when the last quake hit there. And strangely my first thought was, 'I can't leave New Zealand'- irrational as it was.

The difference became immediately apparent. As Twitter spilled the news as it happened, and other internet outlets began to report, it was obvious that unlike last year, there would be significant damage and loss of life.

First off I wanted to make sure that friends and family were alright. Wellington, which is also a earthquake hot spot, was not affected at all- so they are all fine. However New Zealand is a small place, with only four million people, we will all know someone hit by this disaster.

Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand, was (and will be again) a beautiful city. I spent a bit of time there, going to conferences, visiting friends, going to weddings. I remember the river Avon, the soaring loveliness of the Cathedral, and riding the tram around the city centre. Seeing the devestation there still really hasn't sunk in.

Part of me wanted to go home straight away- but as Tee said 'what would you do?' So, I will do what I can from here. I have learned social media is a powerful thing, and can raise money in extraordinary ways. I'm working on a few things behind the scenes, but here is my plea to my readers and listeners.

If I have ever given you a moment of enjoyment, then please donate to the Red Cross for the quake victims. Even if it is only a couple of dollars, every little bit helps and adds up. Christchurch has a lot of great people on the ground, but right now what the best thing to give is money.

If you want to see what it is like there right now, have a read here.

My thoughts, love and prayers go to Christchurch. These are strong people, and they are doing all they can to recover. It will however be a long process. Let's help where we can.

Bursting the bubble of genre

I am writing this from the dying moment of the San Francisco Writers Conference. A conference that I was unsure if I would enjoy.

Yet as you must have noticed, I love conventions. Heck, I am here in America promoting three books coming out in one year, and I have booked myself to attend cons with something that might be called wild abandon.

However those are science fiction conventions. I am comfortable with 'my people'. We speak the same language (even if I am not fluent in Klingon). I know what to expect; people in the corridor in costumes, filking, panels on not only books, but movies.

This was different. A new step. The San Francisco Writers Conference is an event for writers.

Yes, these too should be my people. However I have been burned in the past by writers in different genres. Writers groups and writers association who were not exactly welcoming to a fantasy writer.

This conference has made me realise I need to get over that. Maybe it is that times have changed, maybe I was just unlucky. Whatever it was I have had a turn around.

I will keep going to my science fiction cons, but now I will be totally open to the larger circle of writing conventions. I want to attend more.

If you have money to invest in your writing career (and if you have money why would you not invest in something you want to make your profession) – find yourself a good writing convention. You will get a bunch of different things out of this kind of conference.

You will spend time with not only other writers, but also with other folks you are far less likely to see at a con; agents, publicists, and publishers.
You get in-depth panels on the craft of writing.
You learn about the business of publishing, from people who are in it. (And now conferences are including panels on self and epublishing)
Networking with these people- not just writers.
Getting a new perspective on writing from people outside the genre. Yes you can learn from them too!

Lastly, I got to meet some fantastic people that got my creative mind whirling. I met everyone from a fellow kiwi RVing around the States, to the Shaolin Grand Master. Not a Grand Master the Grand Master. I thought that was pretty damn awesome.

Sometimes to get ourselves to the next level, we have to step outside our comfort zone- and when we do, often what we find can be pretty amazing.

It pays to get out of our genre bubble. Let's do it more often.

San Francisco, here we come

I love San Franciso. There, I said it. It reminds me of Wellington- a hilly city with a magnificent harbour, and a propensity for earthquakes. Also the vibe is the same; laid back, metropolitan, and of course, excellent dining.

So I will be glad to head back there in February. Tee Morris and I will be at the San Francisco Writers Conference. I'll be doing a panel on fantasy with Gabrielle Harbowy and Katharine Kerr on Saturday morning, and then the three of us will be teaching a class on writing science fiction, fantasy and horror in the post conference sessions.

This conference is packed full of events with authors, agents and publishers- many of which I will be going to myself. If you're in the area, give this event serious consideration. Check out the website and get in quick- the main conference is nearly sold out!

And on Saturday 19th February, I will be at Borderlands Books reading from the as yet not released Spectyr, and signing books. After wards we'll probably find a local pub and kick back. So I hope some of you can make it out. Borderlands is a great store, and my favourite place to shop in San Francisco.

Two tiny tidbits

Already 2011 has begun with a bang.

First off- Geist's trailer (which Tee Morris produced) won Best Overall Adult at Parajunkee's View.

I am so delighted with this as Tee (and me to a certain extent) put such a lot of work into it. If I can wax lyrical about book trailers for a second. I like them to be like movie trailers. I don't like to have to read a whole slew of text, and I think in this case a voice over worked really well. Wait until you see what Tee has planned for Phoenix Rising!

Speaking of… my other bit of cool news. Phoenix Rising has been sold to a publisher in Russia! So that is the fourth country it will be available in; Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Russia. I am so excited, and can't wait to see what they do for covers and titles.

But Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences is Ministerstvo Osobaya nahodok according to Google translate. If there are any Russian speakers out there that no different, sing out.

So long and thanks for all the fish 2010

Seldom has a year been so much of a roller coaster. At various times in the past twelve months I have felt like I am on a bronco that is alternatively trying to buck me off and lick my face.

I made some professional and personal jumps this year that I would never have imagined making, but in a lot of ways 2010 was the year I have been waiting for. On a personal level I packed up my stuff and have made a commitment to America of at least six months…maybe more. This included selling my beloved convertible, moving my even more beloved cats to another hemisphere and quitting the day job that has sustained me since 1997.

Professionally, it has been more awesome. Podcasting wise I made good progress on Digital Magic (now only 2 episodes shy of finishing), got invited as a regular guest on Litopia After Dark, and mostly kept up with Erotica a la Carte. However I confess while my love of podcasting is still as large as it ever was my available time to spend on it has gone down.

This has been necessitated by the leap in my writing career. In late October Geist was released- my first book with a New York publishing house. So I had to support that as best I could with a marketing plan that didn't involve me digging myself a financial hole. So I hit the blog circuit, worked on a book trailer for Geist with Tee Morris, corralled some friends into working on a podcast anthology, and increased the number of cons I went to.

If that had been the pinnacle of my writing year, that would have been amazing, but 2010 was also the year I signed not one, but contracts for another four books. In April Tee Morris and I signed off on Phoenix Rising; a Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novel and its sequel Of Cogs and Corsets. Then in November I signed another two book contract with Ace for two more books after Geist and Spectyr. Then Tee and I got the news that the Ministry books will be getting releases in three countries; Australia, New Zealand and Germany.

This is so beyond what my hopes were that I feel like I dare not look at it too closely least it blow away in the wind.

I attended for the first time, both Balticon and WorldCon. I utterly enjoyed Balticon…WorldCon was a bit more problematic for me- though I was grateful to get a chance to read, and be on a couple of panels there.

It's been a year of change, but also a year of growth.

Now looking forward to 2011, I feel even more invigorated. Still, for accountability's sake, let me break it down.

Writing work

Late April will be the release of Phoenix Rising, and late June the release of Spectyr. Both projects I love and enjoy doing. In between there I have to write Of Cogs and Corsets (the second Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novel) with Tee and Wrayth (the third book of the Order). Once those are delivered I will have only the fourth book for Ace to do- though I do hope for more Ministry books. This of course, depends on the reception they get.

My plans for a YA title are thus on the backburner at least until the last half of the year, but I do plan to take some time to go back and rework Weather Child to where it is ready to submit to publishers.

Indie work

Chasing the Bard and Digital Magic will be available in various eformats.

Conventions

I have a long list of places I want to get to, but there are several first in my mind.

Balticon- as the New Media Guest of Honor. This is my very first foray into GoH territory and I am really excited.

Steampunk WorldFair- premiering Phoenix Rising there. Oh so much tea and fun.

WorldCon in Reno. Hey, it's WorldCon, and this time I'll be ready for it.

Podcasting

Erotica a la carte will spin on. I am enjoying practising two forms that I sometimes struggle with; erotica and short stories. Digital Magic will finish in January, and I have no real plans to podcast a novel for a bit- I need a break! Chronicles of the Order should finish in February, just in time for Phoenix Rising podcast to start. This will also be a series of short stories. Finally there is a writing podcast Tee and I will be working on. Episode zero should drop in January and it'll give you an idea of format. It'll be fun, but also be a peek inside a writer's life, collaboration, as well as the cultural divide between America and New Zealand.

So there- that's it. Life behind and ahead in a nutshell. Thanks for all your support dear readers. Everyone who has reviewed, supported, told a friend, or sent me a kindly email. You can't really know how much it has all meant to me.

I hope we all have a successful and enjoyable year. Giddy up 2011!

Fine Day for a review

It's Christmas Eve, and just as you are contemplating cooking your fruit pudding to go with brandy custard tomorrow- someone you admire sends you a review. Someone you didn't ask to. Someone you never imagine knew you existed.

Felicia Day is one awesome powerhouse of a woman, and beloved in the circles I travel in for her work in Buffy, Dollhouse, Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog, and the Guild, her own webseries that she wrote, produced and starred in.

I particularly love her approach to life. She's working both indie and traditional routes in her chosen field. A method that I am working on myself. Also, I have heard from people that have met her she's a sweet, kind, person.

So to find she gave Geist 4 stars on Goodreads.com made my Christmas.

I love when a book makes me ponder before marking which shelf to place it on. This is definitely a fantasy novel, but with a strong urban fantasy attitude, some steampunk/paranormal thrown in and just enough romance to keep me rooting for the characters…. they were all distinct and Sorcha, the main female character, was tough but BELIEVABLE, she never tried to hard to be competent: she just WAS. Everyone's personality was well balanced against each other, and I definitely rooted for them to succeed!

There may be a lot of great reviews coming in for Geist, but this one I will remember.

She also said she can't wait for the next book. If I need any further inspiration to keep going on the third books, Wrayth- this is it.

And it's full of WIN to be on your vaginal-fantasy book shelf!!!!!

Music to watch words by

If there is one talent I wish I had above all others, it is the ability to play a musical intstrument. But, much like my attempts at ballet, I knew when to quit.

So I enjoy listening instead, and my tastes are pretty diverse ranging from celtic to hip hop, Sinatra to Nine Inch Nails. My main requirement for music however is something to write to.

I can do a number of things while watching TV, but I need something to evoke moods and let my brain roam free when writing- yet not distract me from my own process. For this purpose I have found instrumentals the best at setting a mood.

So when I got a chance to listen to Alex White's soundtrack for the Gearheart: Maiden Flight of the Avenger I wanted great things to set those sparks free. And I was not disappointed.

Alex is a multi-talented guy, who works with words, images and music. He's the creator behind the wonderful podcast the Gearheart, and he's making things happen for himself. I have no doubt that we'll be seeing a lot more of him in the future.

Now onto the music. This could easily be a big movie soundtrack. With stirring epics sounds, horns, bells. Pursued by Flame is something I will put on when I am writing a chase scene, combining action and menace in the same score. Tale of the Tome begins with the sweet sounds you might hear from a child's music box, but sails upwards into something exquisitely beautiful. My favourite track however would be Once More, the Curtain Rises. At times military, at times epic, at times almost Celtic, I know that I will be listening to this track over and over while writing the second book of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

Alex White has created something stirring and beautiful. Something that doesn't need words to convey deep and wonderous emotion.

This soundtrack is one any writer would be moved by- and what's more it's a steal for a paltry $6.99. Go have a listen and then pick it up. It's not that you will be supporting an indie producer – it's that you will be getting a great work of music.

Another first- Special Guest

Yes, more news I have been sitting on for weeks (It's dang uncomfortable I can tell you!)

I will be New Media Special Guest as Balticon - May 27-30 2011!

It's my first big Guest role, and I plan to bring the A game to town. I'll be reading from Spectyr- Geist's sequel not out until June- and co-hosting with the charming Tee Morris, the release party for Phoenix Rising; a Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novel.

If you don't know about Balticon- let me fill you in. It is the Maryland Regional Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, and it has quickly become the default con to attend if you want to see podcast novelists. It has plenty of other tracks to interest people as well such as Writing and Gaming. So all in all, a well rounded convention.

It's held at the Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, just outside of Baltimore- and I can attest that this year I had a blast and next year is going to be even better. Not just cos I am going to be the Special Guest…but also a little bird has told me plenty of other podcast novelists will be in town. As an example, last year there was Tee Morris, Phil Rossi, PG Holyfield, Dan Sawyer, PC Haring, Nathan Lowell- and that's just a taste.

So if you are craving some fun and frolics with podcasters, writers and readers then this is the con for you.

Looking forward to meeting you all next year.

Gute Nachrichten

Often I want to share news with you. Often I want to express my excitement. However these days I cannot just drop news, as I have publishers to consider.

So I pretty much end up looking like a total tease.

Then there are those times when I get the go ahead and I can share the whole story.

This thankfully is one of those times.

*drumroll* So here goes…

The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences will be available to more than just Americans. Yes, Germany, Australia and my homeland New Zealand will all get editions of both books.

This is not only great news for readers…but also for Tee and I. When you get an advance for a book, it is essentially a loan from the publisher to you, saying this is how much money they expect you to make. As an author 'earning out', means paying back that loan. It hangs over your head, and if you don't earn out, selling new books is that much harder. Kinda like having a bad credit score.

So selling foreign rights helps pay back that loan, and get you one step closer to earning that thing you get once you have earned out– royalties!

So this news is very gute nachrichten (good news)!

Cover love

I have never been quiet about my love for the work of Jason Chan. He's produced two wonderful covers for me, Geist and Spectyr, and I truly hope that he will stay on board for Wrayth, and Harbinger.

I also know those covers have bought attention to the writing within. Geist's success has been aided by that cover. Covers sell books- paper, ebook–they just do.

So now's a chance to give something back to Jason and highlight his beautiful work.

All Things Urban Fantasy is running it's annual cover awards, and Geist is up for two; Best Female with Animal and Best Cover.

Click on over here to vote and show some love to Jason- let him know you think his work is awesome.