Helen Lowe's Blog, page 204
November 3, 2013
Not Yet Legend… ;-)
The David Gemmell Awards were announced on the evening of Thursday 31, on the opening night of the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton — and The Gathering Of The Lost did not, alas, take home the axe…
That honor, and the Legend Award, went to US Fantasy novelist Brent Weeks for The Blinding Knife (Orbit) — so first and foremost, congratulations, Brett!
If you’d like to read the official announcement, it’s here, and you can also read Brent’s finalist’s interview, here.
So, was I disappointed? Ju...
November 2, 2013
Comment Of The Week: From Liz De Jager
“… in Heir of Night – everything about this book felt fresh and new to me. I loved it utterly and recommend it highly to friends who ask me for books to read for younger readers, not because I think it reads young, but because Malian is such an engaging character and I identify with her, and I know younger, newer readers would identify with her more than with say, David Eddings’ characters and books. Some books just don’t age well, even fantasy novels.
In the Heir of Night books, there’s no pr...
November 1, 2013
A Writing Quote for Saturday from Raymond Chandler
“Throw up into your typewriter every morning. Clean up every noon.”
― Raymond Chandler
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Well there you go folks, easy-peasy — if a tad messy! 
October 31, 2013
A Geography Of Haarth: Jhaine
The Wall of Night Series map; design by Peter Fitzpatrick
The A Geography of Haarth post series is traversing the full range of locales and places from The Wall of Night world of Haarth. Today’s entry is the second for “J.”
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Jhaine: one of the Southern Realms of Haarth
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‘He, at least, seemed prepared for trouble, with the multiple braids of his hair clubbed into a knot and a pair of short, curved swords strapped to his back. Asantir’s brows had risen again when she saw them, for swallowtail swor...
October 30, 2013
Here’s SpecFicNZ Wellington — Featuring Elizabeth Heritage
Last week I heralded a new “mini-post” series on the blog, starting today, titled “Here’s SpecFicNZ Wellington.”
As I set out then, SpecFicNZ is the “national association for creators, writers and editors of speculative fiction in or from New Zealand” and I thought some of my blog readers might enjoy “‘meeting” a few more of the member, following the very successful “Here’s SpecFicNZ — Christchurch” series from earlier in the year.
As I also explained, effectively my fellow SpecFicNZ-ers will b...
October 29, 2013
Coming Up: Guest Posts By Two New Authors
Tomorrow, the “Here’s SpecFicNZ-Wellington” course that I heralded last week will kick off and run for the next six to seven weeks.
I’ll also be hosting two guest blog posts by two other SpecFicNZ authors who have fantasy novels being published:
November 7: Aimee Salter, who is a former SpecFicNZ-Wellington member will slip in with a guest post on “Why This Story” for her YA Urban Fantasy, Breakable
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November 13: Freya Robertson will post on “What Lies At The Heart Of Heartwood?”, celebrating th...
October 28, 2013
Tuesday Poem: Haiku — “after the funeral”
after the funeral
…………freeing a bee
…………from the spider’s web
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© Helen Lowe
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Highly Commended, NZ Poetry Society International Haiku Competition, 2009 (Judge, Sandra Simpson)
Published in moments in the whirlwind, Ed. Barbara Strang, New Zealand Poetry Society anthology, 2009
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To read the featured poem on the Tuesday Poem Hub and other great poems from fellow Tuesday poets from around the world, click here or on the Quill icon in the sidebar.
October 27, 2013
Adding To The Epic Conversation
Over the last few weeks I’ve been having a conversation about epic fantasy here on the blog — sparked in large part by The Gathering Of The Lost have been voted onto the final shortlist for the David Gemmell Legend Award for Best Fantasy Novel. Which last is, by the way, absolutely awesome folks—and I know I’ve said it before but let me reiterate again just how much I appreciate all your support to get the book there.
The David Gemmell awards are all about epic-heroic fantasy, of course, with...
October 26, 2013
Ignatz, 1992-2013
A week ago, I had to bid farewell to Ignatz, my little cat buddy of 21 years. Needless to say, after so many years he has left a huge gap.
I first introduced Ignatz here on January 19, 2011, in a post titled: “And here’s the cat.” In that post I told the story of Ignatz’s arrival in my life, 21 years ago, and also how he got his name — I feel it’s worth a read, if you have the time.
The second feature was in June 20, 2011: In Which I Have Been Remiss…
I posted another photo of Ignatz earlier thi...
October 25, 2013
SciFi Giveaway Saturday: Result
Last week I ran a giveaway Philip Mann’s The Disestablishment Of Paradise (Gollancz), to run over the full week.
The draw is now done and the winner is:
Gillian Polack
Congratulations, Gillian!
For everyone else, thank you for participating and I will do more of these on an ad hoc basis, so keep watching the Saturday space.
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In terms of the question, which was: “What book first got you into reading science fiction?” — here’s the list:
Analog, Science Fiction and Fact
Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game
Ro...
