Philippa Ballantine's Blog, page 18

Spectyr revealed

I just got back from PhilCon where I got to spend sometime with Danielle from Ace Books. She's a delight- and not just because she bought another two books from me!

She gave me the go ahead to reveal the cover for Spectyr- the second in the series coming in late June 2011.

Jason Chan has once again done a beautiful job, and I can't wait to get this poster for my wall right next to Geist. There is the Rossin and there is Sorcha- this time using the cleansing flame, Pyet.

Two more…every dream come true

So here's the news that I will be telling people at Philcon right at the moment this post drops.

This past week Danielle of Ace Books asked for another two books in the Geist world!

To say this makes me happy is an understatement. I love this world, and I love working with Sorcha, Merrick and Raed. The chance to continue their adventures is something I hoped for. I imagined maybe they might consider another book, so to be contracted for two is just wonderful.

The first book (titled Wrayth) needs to be handed into Ace on August 1st 2011- and the fourth (so far dancing around ideas for its title) on August 1st 2012.

As to publication dates- that I do not know. It is up to Ace and what their schedule is like. As soon as I know I'll let you know. I also hope Jason Chan will be on board for the covers of these as well.

The whole concept of Geist was for a four book arc, and things are really going to change for my Deacons and the Young Pretender. Thank you for your continuing support, and keep reading and reviewing Geist. It all matters, and while this is a great sign, I do still need to make my mark in this new career of mine.

Geist lives!

It's been two weeks since Geist went out into the world by itself. An exciting, crazy time in any authors time; first New York contract, first dive into the deep end of the pool.

So far I am still alive.

My first actual sighting of Geist was in Barnes and Noble, Union Square, San Francisco. I was spending the day with my agent, Laurie McLean, and she dropped me in. It was surreal and wonderful to see it sitting there- right in among the B's. I signed those copies (after asking permission of course), and since signed copies in four more stores.

Stories began to trickle in through my various social networks of people finding it out there. It seemed like it was in lots of stores-even in airports.

Two more things bought amazement and excitement to the week.

Jeff Young sent in this picture of Geist in the Barnes & Noble towers.

And then this screen shot from the Science Fiction and Fantasy section of the ibook store. Geist, up there with Jim Butcher's latest

Then last Wednesday we got the numbers for the first week of sales. I am happy to announce that Geist hit the Bookscan and Barnes & Noble massmarket science fiction and fantasy bestsellers list.

Also the reviews started to come in, and I find fascinating what people are digging about the book. I have noticed two things out of the reviews so far; Sorcha is a mature heroine (she's in her late 30s), and the lack of a romantic relationship between two characters. Yep, you heard me right-the lack of romance. Not to say there isn't romance…but not between who you might think.

Here's one of my favourite reviews so far.

Although the book is full of exciting action and amazing adventure, the trio created of Sorcha, Merrick and Raed is fascinating and the true heart of the story. Ms. Ballantine does an amazing job with the character development.  The trio each sees things in a unique way, bringing a full spectrum of views in each situation. I enjoyed the give and take that makes this relationship work.

With layer after layer unfolding before me – causing several twists and turns, I was on the proverbial edge of my seat. The book came to a satisfying conclusion, yet it was open-ended for subsequent stories. I for one, cannot wait!  I want to know more about the secrets of the Sensitives. I want to know more about how the bond works.  And I want to know what will become of this amazing trio!

- That's What I am Talking About

So things have started off well, and I have to thank all those that have talked, tweeted and blogged about Geist. It's not a hit out of the park, but it is a really great start. For a chick from New Zealand, it has been a heady couple of weeks. And there is more to come.

Geist has until after Christmas to get really well sold. You see in the New Year booksellers will do their returns. So think about Geist as a Christmas present–give the gift of lions, magic and the supernatural.

Geist Day is here

Today is official (well according to Amazon) launch day for Geist.

I've already been sent pictures of it out in the wild among all the other books at bricks and mortar stores. From now on it is up to the world to decide how it does. (Well aside from some marketing by me of course)

There are two competitions on the Geist site that I hope all of you will take advantage of.

And for those that have asked, if you buy the book or not, the really helpful thing you can do is talk about it. Write reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Tell your friends and neighbours.

I hope you enjoy the book. I enjoyed writing it, and this whole thing has been quite the adventure- one that I hope to keep on doing.

For those that have helped me- the acknowledgments of Geist are very much heartfelt.

Out in the wild

My box of Geist are waiting for me in America, and I can't wait to get my hands on them.

I have however seen the very first example of Geist out in the wild.

Those lovely folks over at the SF Signal apparently got their copy. And I must admit it's pretty cool to see it sitting there with Patricia Briggs and Jim Butcher. Can't fault that company!

Also over at Good reads you'll find I have opened up an Author Q&A. For one whole month I will be answering all things writing, podcasting and Geist.

If you're a member of Goodreads then pop on over and let's chat.

Geist reviews

It was lovely to chat with Ace marketing the other day, and find out how interested they are in getting people to review Geist.

Not just the big players like Locus or Publishers Weekly, but bloggers and podcasters. Times they are a changing I guess.

So here's your chance. If you have a blog or a podcast that does book reviews, then send the link to your site and the best physical address, and I will pass this information onto Ace.

The email address is pip at this site.

Then you too can let the world know what you think of Geist.

It's just around the corner…

These are the months when all sorts of goodies are landing in my mailbox. Today it was these lovelies. Apparently they are called cover flats, and contain information to entice the bookseller.

I found three interesting things

They mention my podcast history- quoting the number of podcast downloads. (So keep that in mind podiobook authors)
Apparently I am 'a promising Ace author'
And they list Author Home 'New Zealand'

There's only one more thing to come… a box of books.

I have also revealed the first of my competitions over on booksoftheorder.com

If you want a chance to have your name appear in the sequel to Geist, Spectyr, a signed (by me and Jason Chan) print of the book's cover, and plenty of chances to win a signed copy, then you'll want to check it out.

Also Geist is now available to preorder on the ibook store, as well as massmarket and Kindle versions on Amazon.

This thing is really happening. Either that or I am having a really, really vivid dream!

Chasing the Bard for free

In the spirit of the month, with Geist coming out, I've decided to release Chasing the Bard for free until the end of the year.

Yep. For Free.

I have done some minor edits and put in the new chapter from the podcast.

So grab it now- Epub – Pdf

And enjoy the beautiful new cover art by the talented Alex White of the Gearheart. He is the definition of the renaissance man and you should definitely check out his podcast.

Feel free to let people know, and I hope you enjoy taking the text with you.

Trailer for Geist

Swimming with the big fish still means I need to get the word out about Geist, and this has pretty much been consuming my life for the last month.

One of the things I wanted to do was create a book trailer- but there was one big problem- yeah… my lack of video skills.

Luckily Tee Morris rode to the rescue, and you can find the result on my homepage, and scattered around the internet. I think it gives a pretty good idea of the tone of Geist.

So if you want to help spread the word, please feel free to imbed the video from youtube.com where ever you feel like it.

Silence is the killer for a book… and silence scares me.

The first Geist review…and it's a Harriet!

This is a bit of a nerve wracking time for me. My first big New York City book, and I am gearing up for the reviews.

So when my Google Alert told me that someone had reviewed Geist, I was excited and nervous… and then I found out it was from Harriet Klausner

The key to this great horror-fantasy is the belief in the magical world of Philippa Ballantine summed up by the Guardian and the Pretender when she says "If wishes were horses," and he finishes with "I would never have to walk again." Little touches like this bring alive the prime element of the Bond, which make the realm of Geist seem genuine. Sorcha and her two comrades are terrific characters who keep the story line focused even as the plot entertainingly switches from fantasy to horror. This is a wonderful thriller.

And if you don't know who she is- have a read here

All I can say is, thanks Harriet. I feel like I have already arrived, and it was a nice start to the month of October!