Helen Lowe's Blog, page 234

A Saturday Post: A Walk in the Park

In the spirit of Saturday…

Photos from a walk in the park.

Just to celebrate something that survived the earthquakes more or less unscathed.

Let’s hope it survives the ‘reconstruction’ equally well..

Just Arrived: “Miserere, An Autumn Tale” by Teresa Frohock

As I’ve said on several occasions now, one of the great things about the internet is that it getting to know fellow authors in the same field—even those on the far side of the world—something I particularly enjoy. Someone I have gotten to know recently via Twitter, SF Signal, FantasyReddit and Abhinav Jain’s guest author series, is Teresa Frohock.

Having enjoyed what Teresa has to say in all these fora, naturally I was keen to read her debut novel, Miserere, An Autum...

The Most-Read posts of “…on Anything, Really” in 2012: Andrew Robin’s Review of “The Hydrogen Sonata”

Introduction:

As an author myself, I only feel comfortable talking about books I’ve enjoyed on my blog, mainly because I don’t really think it’s possible to “run with the hares and hunt with the hounds.” (Just my humble opinion—am sure many will agree to disagree, which is fine by me. )

But I also know just how hard it is to get reviews these days, so when Andrew Robins said he would be interested in doing (mainly) SFF reviews for “…on Anything, Really” I was very pleased to accept.

I was also...

The Observer Celebrates Jane Austen’s 10 Best Characters—in Pictures

Apparently it’s the bicentenary of Pride & Prejudice—two hundred years: how amazing is that?

And yes, I will put my hand up with all the other authors out there who would love Jane Austen’s longevity. Actually, I would also love to match her keen eye for the foibles and eccentricities of human nature, as well as her skill in presenting it all without “moral commentary.”

I think the “10 Best Characters”—in pictures—selected by Austen biographer Paula Byrne for The Observer well reflects that ke...

The Most-Read posts of “…on Anything, Really” in 2012: A Tuesday Poem—”AB Negative (The Surgeon’s Poem)” by Brian Turner

Introduction:

Today is Tuesday, so although the Tuesday Poem community will not be resuming activity until the end of the month, it seems fitting to feature the second Tuesday Poem that made it into my 10 most-read posts for 2012. The poem is AB Negative (The Surgeon’s Poem) by US poet Brian Turner, who has become well known internationally for his collections of war (and post-war) poetry, Here, Bullet and Phantom Noise, both published by Bloodaxe Books in the UK.

A strong, beautiful, sad poem—...

”A Memory of Light” Giveaway—the Draw Result for the Third & Final Giveaway Book

Well, we began on December 17, when I announced a 3 book giveaway of “A Memory of Light” for New Zealand and Australian readers, with the books to be supplied and forwarded by Hachette New Zealand. (Thank you, Hachette. )

As I said then, I was delighted to have the opportunity to be part of the giveaway, because as both an epic fantasy lover, as well as an author, I really feel that this is an “epic” moment. After all, this series began almost quarter of a century ago and bringing it to compl...

The Most-Read posts of “…on Anything, Really” in 2012: ‘Robin Hobb & Helen Lowe in Conversation…’

Introduction:

Yesterday I posted another of my 10 most-read posts for the year—publication day for The Gathering of the Lost in the USA, Australia and New Zealand. As part of that release, I did an indepth blog conversation with US Fantasy author, Robin Hobb on our publisher, Harper Voyager’s blog, with the executive summary version appearing on Barnes & Noble’s site. So whether you like in-depth or the sound-byte version, there’s an interview for you!

But there was also more—an “easter egg”,...

The Most-Read posts of “…on Anything, Really” in 2012: ‘It’s Publication Day for New Zealand, Australia & the USA: Welcome to “The Gathering of the Lost” ‘

Introduction:

I couldn’t help but be pleased that this post made it into the ten most-read posts for last year—because let’s face it, as an author, the only thing more important than writing your books is getting them “out there” into the world.

So it’s nice when your stats tell you that the world “oot thar” thinks it’s at least a little bit important, too.

Here’s the post itself:

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It’s Publication Day for New Zealand, Australia & the USA: Welcome to “The Gathering of the Lost”

USA

We’ve survived...

The Most-Read Posts of “…on Anything, Really” in 2012: “The Heir of Night Wins — Yes, Wins! — the 2012 Gemmell Morningstar Award!”

Introduction:

Some posts, I feel, speak for themselves. Needless to say, this was one of the highlights of my 2012, both on the blog and in real time. And recalling the magical “call” from Orbiteers Jenni Hill and Anne Clarke, shortly after the result was announced, is still a *warm glow* moment.

And yes, it really is a “most-read” post for 2012.

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The Heir of Night Wins — Yes, Wins! — the 2012 Gemmell Morningstar Award!

UK trade paperback

I am thrilled to announce that The Heir of Night, The Wa...

The Most-Read Posts of “…on Anything, Really” in 2012: Tropes Not Cliches—More thoughts on Making Epic Fantasy New & The Importance of Character

Introduction:

I wrote this post very early in 2012—but it’s good to see that it came in as one of the top 10 posts on the blog this year, particularly as it is heartland territory for me, traversing why I’m writing epic and some of the important drivers for my writing as well, especially around character.

So without further ado, here it is…

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Tropes Not Cliches: More Thoughts On Making ‘Epic Fantasy New’ & The Importance of Character

On Saturday I cross-posted to a guest post on SF Signal, titled...