Helen Lowe's Blog, page 257
May 31, 2012
Event Horizon — I’m At Natcon
Yes that’s right, I’m in Auckland for UnConventional, the National Science Fiction Fantasy Convention, with Trudi Canavan as international Guest of Honour.
Here’s my programme:
Women in Fantasy and SF:Saturday 2nd, 3pm — Damsels, love interests, butt-kickers. Just what is the place of women in the genre and how has it changed? Panelists: Trudi Canavan, Lyn McConchie, Helen Lowe, Mary Victoria
Worldbuilding: Saturday 2nd, 5pm — The thing that differentiates SF & F from the rest of fiction writing...
May 30, 2012
And Today’s The Day: The Very Last Gasp for Gemmell Award Voting
UK/AU/NZ mass market paperback
Yes, it really is the last gasp for voting in the international Gemmell Awards, including the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer—in which, you may recall, The Heir of Night is a finalist. 
Voting for the Morningstar winner wraps up at 12 noon, Thursday 31 May UK time today. Yes, today!
After that it will be the nail-biting wait for the final Award ceremony on 15 June… (Hmm, my nails are short already—alarm!—does this mean I have to chew my fingers...
May 29, 2012
A Bit Of A Round Up: Interviews
Last week really felt like the week of interviews—they were coming through thick and fast, although in a very good way!
Robin Hobb; photo by Alex Ogdan
So now I have had a chance to draw breath, I thought it was time for a recap, just in case you missed any of the fun. 
First off the blocks was an indepth interview with Nalini Haynes at Australia’s Dark Matterzine , here.
Quickly followed by a chat-in-brief with Robin Hobb on the B&N website here
And a far more indepth conversation, again withRobi...
May 28, 2012
Tuesday Poem: “Push” by David Gregory
Push
He has found the green door at last,
in a faded, jaded street.
And, slightly askew, it reflects
the slant of his memories.
Behind it, there might be a childhood,
if he could only reach the handle,
and against the glass
(the sunlight blood of stained glass roses)
there is the shadow of his father.
And the hallway builds back
into those small rooms.
In that one the faces turned
like flowers to the sun of her entrance.
That beautiful woman who spilt his love
easily as tea, and he only
the second best china...
May 27, 2012
The 2012 Mythopoeic Award Shortlist Is Out
The 2012 Mythopoeic Award shortlist has been announced. The Awards are given annually by the Mythopoeic Society and here’s what the fiction lists look like:
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for AdultLiterature:
— for the fantasy novel, multi-volume novel, or single-author story collection for adults that best exemplifies “the spirit of the Inklings”
Lisa Goldstein, The Uncertain Places (Tachyon)
Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus (Doubleday)
Richard Parks, The Heavenly Fox (PSPublishing)
Catherynne M. Vale...
May 26, 2012
Fun Stuff
First off, a fun quote:
“If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space” — Anonymous
I’m not sure it’s the quote I want to live my life by, but I like the idea of it.
—
And something I really enjoyed seeing recently, two shots featured by the Accidental Formalist, showing a fox caught on security cameras, exploring the Tudor and Georgian rooms of the National Portrait Gallery by night.
You can check the photos out Here — and you should: you’ll love them!
And speaking of foxes,...
May 25, 2012
What I’m Reading: “Started Early, Took My Dog” by Kate Atkinson
No, I know, not an author interview somewhere “out thar” in the ethernet—what am I thinking?
In fact there’s not a great deal of time for reading these days in between the book writing and all that social media-rization, aka interviews, guest posts and tweeting-like-anything. Which is all good stuff, but hey thar, a gal gotta stay in touch with what else is happening in the world of books and writing, and the very best way to do that is by reading.
Yes, reading!
And right now the book I have on...
May 24, 2012
I Appear On SF Signal Podcast (Episode 128)
Yes, “I know” another interview!
But still, here it is: hot off the press–or in this case, podcast!
The interviewer is Patrick Hester, who manages the 2012 Hugo Award-nominated SF Signal podcast programme, and I would have to say—it’s pretty much all about the books: the story and the writing process and what I’m trying to achieve with my current Wall of Night series.
And yes, it is 30 minutes, but if you’re interested in the books, and/or writing approaches and philosophies, this could be the o...
May 23, 2012
New York Times Best-Selling Author Nalini Singh Interviews Me On “The Realm”
Nalini Singh; photo credit Deborah Hillman
It’s been quite a week for interviews—and two, as it turns out, with fellow FSF authors!
Yesterday I was delighted to link through to an “in brief” interview with Robin Hobb on B&N.com and a more indepth conversation featured here.
Today, I’m equally delighted to be able to link to another conversation with a decidedly New Zealand as well as international flavour. Recently I got together with our very own, New York Times bestselling author, Nalini Singh...
May 22, 2012
Breaking News: Robin Hobb & Helen Lowe in Conversation—Plus an “Easter Egg” for “…on Anything, Really”
Robin Hobb; photo by Alex Ogdan
Helen Lowe
I woke up this morning to very exciting news.
Last week, I participated in a Reddit Fantasy AMA with Robin Hobb , which I enjoyed immensely—and today a conversation ‘in brief’ between Robin & myself features on B&N.com in the States.
To check it out, click Here.
But there is more. The full, indepth conversation—where Robin and I talk world building, characters, magic, the writing life, and more—appears on both the Harper Voyager website and on Robin’s own...
