Lois McMaster Bujold's Blog, page 5
July 30, 2024
Penric and the Bandit releases on audio today
The audiobook of my Penric & Dedemona novella "Penric and the Bandit" is out today wherever Blackstone Audiobooks are sold. Narration again by the estimable Grover Gardner. Quick work on Blackstone's part!
Downpour:
https://www.downpour.com/catalog/prod...
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/...
Audible:
https://www.amazon.com/Penric-Bandit-...
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/penr...
And so on. 4 hours 4 minutes to read, it says. Pass the word!
Happy listening!
Ta, L.
Downpour:
https://www.downpour.com/catalog/prod...
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/...
Audible:
https://www.amazon.com/Penric-Bandit-...
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/penr...
And so on. 4 hours 4 minutes to read, it says. Pass the word!
Happy listening!
Ta, L.
July 21, 2024
nice shout-out
...by Jim Butcher to Memory found here:
https://fivebooks.com/best-books/best...
Jim is also a guest host on the ongoing podcast series running on the Vorkosigan books, Plot Tryst's "My Word as Vorkosigan" --
https://plottrysts.wordpress.com/meg-...
He'll be joining them for the Captain Vorpatril's Alliance episode in August.
Ta, L.
https://fivebooks.com/best-books/best...
Jim is also a guest host on the ongoing podcast series running on the Vorkosigan books, Plot Tryst's "My Word as Vorkosigan" --
https://plottrysts.wordpress.com/meg-...
He'll be joining them for the Captain Vorpatril's Alliance episode in August.
Ta, L.
July 13, 2024
Lois at Mythcon 53 in MPLS
Because it's being held just down the road from me this year, I will be attending Mythcon 53 here in Minneapolis.
https://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythc...
I'll be on one panel, and doing a short reading -- organizers are still figuring out the programming schedule, but it will likely be up on the website in due course.
I first heard of the Mythopoeic Society when The Curse of Chalion won its award for adult literature in 2002. I see it's archived...
https://www.mythsoc.org/awards.htm
https://www.mythsoc.org/awards/awards...
(Writing, and delivering, graceful thank-you remarks for awards is a challenge, if a fortunate one.)
Ta, L.
https://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythc...
I'll be on one panel, and doing a short reading -- organizers are still figuring out the programming schedule, but it will likely be up on the website in due course.
I first heard of the Mythopoeic Society when The Curse of Chalion won its award for adult literature in 2002. I see it's archived...
https://www.mythsoc.org/awards.htm
https://www.mythsoc.org/awards/awards...
(Writing, and delivering, graceful thank-you remarks for awards is a challenge, if a fortunate one.)
Ta, L.
July 9, 2024
Penric and Bandit on audio July 30
I see its page is now up at Downpour...
https://www.downpour.com/catalog/prod...
And presumably also all of Blackstone's other vendors. People who want to pre-order can likely start.
(Though as of right now, Amazon only shows the CDs.)
Kobo has it, though...
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/...
Ta, L.
https://www.downpour.com/catalog/prod...
And presumably also all of Blackstone's other vendors. People who want to pre-order can likely start.
(Though as of right now, Amazon only shows the CDs.)
Kobo has it, though...
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/...
Ta, L.
July 3, 2024
Penric and Bandit spoiler discussion space
See the prior post for the vendor links, etc.
*
7/4: the Kobo link just went live.
As a side note, while Amazon gets plenty of reviews and ratings, they always seem in short supply at our other vendors. Anyone who uses those, it would be great if you could drop a line there. And, of course, mentions elsewhere out and about on the net widen exposure.
*
As has been my custom, here is a place for fans who have already read the story to discuss it with each other, without worrying about spoiler content for new readers.
Also, here is a link to a recording made by an audience member (with permission) at my reading last week at Dreamhaven Books & Comics here in Minneapolis. So those of you who were mourning in prior comments about not being able to attend, here's a taste, now up on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yuXE...
The auto-transcript is sometimes a trifle hilarious, in that familiar auto-correct mode. But you all can check the real text now.
Not sure about the angle of view, but it's possible at this age that I don't actually have a more flattering one...
Anyway, the comments section is all yours.
Ta, L.
*
7/4: the Kobo link just went live.
As a side note, while Amazon gets plenty of reviews and ratings, they always seem in short supply at our other vendors. Anyone who uses those, it would be great if you could drop a line there. And, of course, mentions elsewhere out and about on the net widen exposure.
*
As has been my custom, here is a place for fans who have already read the story to discuss it with each other, without worrying about spoiler content for new readers.
Also, here is a link to a recording made by an audience member (with permission) at my reading last week at Dreamhaven Books & Comics here in Minneapolis. So those of you who were mourning in prior comments about not being able to attend, here's a taste, now up on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yuXE...
The auto-transcript is sometimes a trifle hilarious, in that familiar auto-correct mode. But you all can check the real text now.
Not sure about the angle of view, but it's possible at this age that I don't actually have a more flattering one...
Anyway, the comments section is all yours.
Ta, L.
July 1, 2024
Penric and the Bandit goes live
Now up at these links:
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/penri...
Amazon Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8JSYTS8/
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/penr...
Barnes & Noble Nook:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/penr...
Strange company…
When Rozakajin, road-weary bandit and army deserter, spots a hapless blond young man in a country inn with an intriguing treasure map, he thinks he’s scouted an easy and lucrative victim. Attaching himself to odd traveler Penric seems simple enough, but when Roz’s old enemies catch up from behind, his plans take a turn for the much worse. When Pen’s claim that I never travel alone proves true in ways Roz never imagined, his world becomes more frightening still—but also much wider than he’d ever dared to dream.
The internal chronological order of the Penric & Desdemona tales is presently:
“Penric’s Demon”
“Penric and the Shaman”
“Penric’s Fox”
“Masquerade in Lodi”
“Penric’s Mission”
“Mira’s Last Dance”
“The Prisoner of Limnos”
“The Orphans of Raspay”
“The Physicians of Vilnoc”
The Assassins of Thasalon
“Knot of Shadows
“Demon Daughter”
“Penric and the Bandit”
I'll set up a spoiler discussion space post as usual in a bit. Because some of you are speed readers, although I am not a speed writer.
Ta, L.
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/penri...
Amazon Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8JSYTS8/
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/penr...
Barnes & Noble Nook:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/penr...
Strange company…
When Rozakajin, road-weary bandit and army deserter, spots a hapless blond young man in a country inn with an intriguing treasure map, he thinks he’s scouted an easy and lucrative victim. Attaching himself to odd traveler Penric seems simple enough, but when Roz’s old enemies catch up from behind, his plans take a turn for the much worse. When Pen’s claim that I never travel alone proves true in ways Roz never imagined, his world becomes more frightening still—but also much wider than he’d ever dared to dream.
The internal chronological order of the Penric & Desdemona tales is presently:
“Penric’s Demon”
“Penric and the Shaman”
“Penric’s Fox”
“Masquerade in Lodi”
“Penric’s Mission”
“Mira’s Last Dance”
“The Prisoner of Limnos”
“The Orphans of Raspay”
“The Physicians of Vilnoc”
The Assassins of Thasalon
“Knot of Shadows
“Demon Daughter”
“Penric and the Bandit”
I'll set up a spoiler discussion space post as usual in a bit. Because some of you are speed readers, although I am not a speed writer.
Ta, L.
June 28, 2024
Now the morning after: Bujold reading at Dreamhaven tomorrow reminder
Sunday morning report: I indeed had great fun reading at Dreamhaven last night. We filled every chair. Some folks flew in from as far away as Iowa and Missouri! They gave me flowers, like an ice skater! (Happily no ice out today though.) And all their attention, and good questions.
I read the first 3 scenes of "Penric and the Bandit", which don't exactly end on a cliffhanger, but with this crowd I don't think that mattered. (The next scene would have, but I wanted to leave time for Q&A and, of course, buying books.)
Note for those who missed it, you can get my books signed through mail order from Dreamhaven, by arrangement, including some they don't have in stock but I do. (Some, like the "Penric's Demon" hc from Subterranean, and the first Sharing Knife hc, Beguilement, no one has, alas.) (Note you can still get the first Penric story on paper in the Baen hardcover omnibus Penric's Progress, plus the next 2 novellas.) The trickier titles will take more lead time. But it's worth asking about others.
The e-version of "Penric and the Bandit" should go up this coming week sometime. The Blackstone Audiobook version will follow as soon as they can get it recorded -- we just confirmed the contract a few days ago. Subterranean Press is still working on "Demon Daughter", projected pub date January 2025.
If anyone had a question they didn't get answered last night, I direct you to my "Ask the Author" column here on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/1609...
(I meant to mention last night, I did do a home Covid test on myself yesterday, negative as I expected. I was bemused to find I could pick one up right off the shelf at my nearest grocery store pharmacy department.)
Ta, L.
***
(Outdated news below)
Reminder post for my reading, Q&A, and signing at Dreamhaven Books & Comics in Minneapolis on Saturday evening (tomorrow as I post this) at 6:30 PM.
More info including location and travel directions here:
http://dreamhavenbooks.com/calendar/
I will be reading the first few scenes from the upcoming Pen & Des e-novella "Penric and the Bandit". As a rule I prefer to read from unpublished stories; it's been a while since the timing aligned to do so. Should be fun.
Ta, L.
I read the first 3 scenes of "Penric and the Bandit", which don't exactly end on a cliffhanger, but with this crowd I don't think that mattered. (The next scene would have, but I wanted to leave time for Q&A and, of course, buying books.)
Note for those who missed it, you can get my books signed through mail order from Dreamhaven, by arrangement, including some they don't have in stock but I do. (Some, like the "Penric's Demon" hc from Subterranean, and the first Sharing Knife hc, Beguilement, no one has, alas.) (Note you can still get the first Penric story on paper in the Baen hardcover omnibus Penric's Progress, plus the next 2 novellas.) The trickier titles will take more lead time. But it's worth asking about others.
The e-version of "Penric and the Bandit" should go up this coming week sometime. The Blackstone Audiobook version will follow as soon as they can get it recorded -- we just confirmed the contract a few days ago. Subterranean Press is still working on "Demon Daughter", projected pub date January 2025.
If anyone had a question they didn't get answered last night, I direct you to my "Ask the Author" column here on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/1609...
(I meant to mention last night, I did do a home Covid test on myself yesterday, negative as I expected. I was bemused to find I could pick one up right off the shelf at my nearest grocery store pharmacy department.)
Ta, L.
***
(Outdated news below)
Reminder post for my reading, Q&A, and signing at Dreamhaven Books & Comics in Minneapolis on Saturday evening (tomorrow as I post this) at 6:30 PM.
More info including location and travel directions here:
http://dreamhavenbooks.com/calendar/
I will be reading the first few scenes from the upcoming Pen & Des e-novella "Penric and the Bandit". As a rule I prefer to read from unpublished stories; it's been a while since the timing aligned to do so. Should be fun.
Ta, L.
June 26, 2024
Penric and the Bandit vendor page description
...AKA what would be the back cover blurb if this were a paperback.
Strange company…
When Rozakajin, road-weary bandit and army deserter, spots a hapless blond young man in a country inn with an intriguing treasure map, he thinks he’s scouted an easy and lucrative victim. Attaching himself to odd traveler Penric seems simple enough, but when Roz’s old enemies catch up from behind, his plans take a turn for the much worse. When Pen’s claim that I never travel alone proves true in ways Roz never imagined, his world becomes more frightening still—but also much wider than he’d ever dared to dream.
The internal chronological order of the Penric & Desdemona tales is presently:
“Penric’s Demon”
“Penric and the Shaman”
“Penric’s Fox”
“Masquerade in Lodi”
“Penric’s Mission”
“Mira’s Last Dance”
“The Prisoner of Limnos”
“The Orphans of Raspay”
“The Physicians of Vilnoc”
The Assassins of Thasalon
“Knot of Shadows
“Demon Daughter”
“Penric and the Bandit”
The first week of July has firmed up for the e-publication date, if all goes smoothly, on our 4 main platforms Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Apple Books.
In other good news, Blackstone has picked up the novella. (Possibly the fastest turn-around time between submission and acceptance ever, but we did give them a heads-up some weeks ago.) Narrator is planned to be Grover Gardner again. Blackstone likes to be able to release their audio versions simultaneously with the print/pixel publication, but our quick epub makes that too tight to be possible. They will be moving production right along though, I understand. I'll post the firm release date when I get it. (Blackstone has done a great job in selling my big backlist with them. I do need to do my part with energy-infusions of new work now and then.)
Ta, L.
Strange company…
When Rozakajin, road-weary bandit and army deserter, spots a hapless blond young man in a country inn with an intriguing treasure map, he thinks he’s scouted an easy and lucrative victim. Attaching himself to odd traveler Penric seems simple enough, but when Roz’s old enemies catch up from behind, his plans take a turn for the much worse. When Pen’s claim that I never travel alone proves true in ways Roz never imagined, his world becomes more frightening still—but also much wider than he’d ever dared to dream.
The internal chronological order of the Penric & Desdemona tales is presently:
“Penric’s Demon”
“Penric and the Shaman”
“Penric’s Fox”
“Masquerade in Lodi”
“Penric’s Mission”
“Mira’s Last Dance”
“The Prisoner of Limnos”
“The Orphans of Raspay”
“The Physicians of Vilnoc”
The Assassins of Thasalon
“Knot of Shadows
“Demon Daughter”
“Penric and the Bandit”
The first week of July has firmed up for the e-publication date, if all goes smoothly, on our 4 main platforms Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Apple Books.
In other good news, Blackstone has picked up the novella. (Possibly the fastest turn-around time between submission and acceptance ever, but we did give them a heads-up some weeks ago.) Narrator is planned to be Grover Gardner again. Blackstone likes to be able to release their audio versions simultaneously with the print/pixel publication, but our quick epub makes that too tight to be possible. They will be moving production right along though, I understand. I'll post the firm release date when I get it. (Blackstone has done a great job in selling my big backlist with them. I do need to do my part with energy-infusions of new work now and then.)
Ta, L.
June 20, 2024
Penric and the Bandit e-cover sneak peek
Art again by Ron Miller, https://www.black-cat-studios.com/
At the time I contacted Ron, I was divided in mind between a Significant Objects still-life cover, or some scene from the story. Ron got about two pages into the manuscript and hit the description of the map, and went ping! Ron is very partial to maps. And I like Significant Objects covers because they duck all thorny issues of what characters or settings look like, plus I think they are cleaner and classier. So our cover conference was very short this time.
On the making-of, Ron writes:
"Things that might be fun for your readers…
The map was drawn on a piece of real paper that I distressed, stained and photographed. The dice are real, too. And the coins are gold-foil-wrapped chocolate coins I got at Walmart!
R"
I have written the vendor-page copy, but it might be interesting to let you speculate on the cover for a bit without it...
Ta, L.
(We are aiming for early July for e-pub date, conditions permitting.)
At the time I contacted Ron, I was divided in mind between a Significant Objects still-life cover, or some scene from the story. Ron got about two pages into the manuscript and hit the description of the map, and went ping! Ron is very partial to maps. And I like Significant Objects covers because they duck all thorny issues of what characters or settings look like, plus I think they are cleaner and classier. So our cover conference was very short this time.
On the making-of, Ron writes:
"Things that might be fun for your readers…
The map was drawn on a piece of real paper that I distressed, stained and photographed. The dice are real, too. And the coins are gold-foil-wrapped chocolate coins I got at Walmart!
R"
I have written the vendor-page copy, but it might be interesting to let you speculate on the cover for a bit without it...
Ta, L.
(We are aiming for early July for e-pub date, conditions permitting.)
June 11, 2024
Bujold reading at Dreamhaven June 29th
I'll be doing a reading from the soon to be e-published "Penric and the Bandit" at Dreamhaven Books & Comics here in Minneapolis on Saturday, June 29, at 6:30 PM.
More info here:
http://dreamhavenbooks.com/event/lois...
As a rule I prefer to read from unpublished stories; it's been a while since the timing aligned to do so. Should be fun.
Ta, L.
More info here:
http://dreamhavenbooks.com/event/lois...
As a rule I prefer to read from unpublished stories; it's been a while since the timing aligned to do so. Should be fun.
Ta, L.
