Laura Anne Gilman's Blog, page 22
December 2, 2015
I'm done w/ apologists and excusers, done w/ gunboys stuck in a wild west wet dream cuming bullets
994 mass shootings in 1,004 days: this is what America's gun crisis looks like
The Oregon school shooting is evidence that the US response to gun violence ‘has become routine’, Barack Obama says. The data compiled by the crowd-sourced site Mass Shooting Tracker reveals an even more shocking human toll: there is a mass shooting – defined as four or more people shot in one incident – nearly every day (chart at the link).
"But we have the right to bear arms" in the face of these statistics shows an alarming lack of comprehension. Or, possibly, a high level of functional sociopathy.
And to those who cry (as they have as recently as this evening, on Twitter) "but other countries have mass shootings! What about France?" I refer to you again the cold hard numbers. One terrorist attack, compared to 994 domestic mass gun killings in 1,004 days. And these numbers don't include the accidental shooting deaths (every damn day), or the women killed by their abusers....
Yeah. But you have the right to carry a killing tool not because you are part of the armed forces, or because you're hunting to feed your family, but simply because you want it, and we're "anti-freedom" for saying your rights don't trump ours to public safety. Mmm.
(yes, I am bitterly angry tonight. Not because damaged people kill, but because there's a portion of the population that's trying to justify it, so they won't be inconvenienced.)
The Oregon school shooting is evidence that the US response to gun violence ‘has become routine’, Barack Obama says. The data compiled by the crowd-sourced site Mass Shooting Tracker reveals an even more shocking human toll: there is a mass shooting – defined as four or more people shot in one incident – nearly every day (chart at the link).
"But we have the right to bear arms" in the face of these statistics shows an alarming lack of comprehension. Or, possibly, a high level of functional sociopathy.
And to those who cry (as they have as recently as this evening, on Twitter) "but other countries have mass shootings! What about France?" I refer to you again the cold hard numbers. One terrorist attack, compared to 994 domestic mass gun killings in 1,004 days. And these numbers don't include the accidental shooting deaths (every damn day), or the women killed by their abusers....
Yeah. But you have the right to carry a killing tool not because you are part of the armed forces, or because you're hunting to feed your family, but simply because you want it, and we're "anti-freedom" for saying your rights don't trump ours to public safety. Mmm.
(yes, I am bitterly angry tonight. Not because damaged people kill, but because there's a portion of the population that's trying to justify it, so they won't be inconvenienced.)
December 1, 2015
They're coming....
The Washington Post accepts use of "they" as a singular pronoun. Pearls clutched across the nation.
from the memo:
from the memo:
"It is usually possible, and preferable, to recast sentences as plural to avoid both the sexist and antiquated universal default to male pronouns and the awkward use of he or she, him or her and the like: All students must complete their homework, not Each student must complete his or her homework.
When such a rewrite is impossible or hopelessly awkward, however, what is known as “the singular they” is permissible: Everyone has their own opinion about the traditional grammar rule. The singular they is also useful in references to people who identify as neither male nor female."
oh god yes throw us into that briar...
So, over on Tumblr there was mild astonishment that fic writers like getting commentary/feedback on their work. And I laughed.
Because, writers, period. Fic writers, pro writers… we want you to grab hands into the guts of the story and pry them apart because you resonated with something there and you want to talk about it until you go hoarse and your fingers fall off from typing.
(we might not have intended what you’re responding to, but knowing that you responded? Like puppies and kittens and chocolate and warm fuzzy socks.)
Because, writers, period. Fic writers, pro writers… we want you to grab hands into the guts of the story and pry them apart because you resonated with something there and you want to talk about it until you go hoarse and your fingers fall off from typing.
(we might not have intended what you’re responding to, but knowing that you responded? Like puppies and kittens and chocolate and warm fuzzy socks.)
LIMITED TIME OFFER! (no, really. Limited Time Offer)
Are you a Kindle user? Have you been hesitating pulling the lever on a Kindle copy of SILVER ON THE ROAD because ow, $12.99? Or maybe know someone who is a Kindle user who'd love the book, but they didn't have $12.99 to spend on it? Or maybe you wanted to buy it as a holiday present for someone?
Amazon's made it a $1.99 deal (limited time availability).
and yes, Nook users can play, too.
I'll be honest with you - the big thing here is to ZOOM it the hell up the ranking charts. Which means we have to move a LOT of copies.....
Can we do this? I think we can. :-)
(and remember: positive reviews are love!)
Amazon's made it a $1.99 deal (limited time availability).
and yes, Nook users can play, too.
I'll be honest with you - the big thing here is to ZOOM it the hell up the ranking charts. Which means we have to move a LOT of copies.....
Can we do this? I think we can. :-)
(and remember: positive reviews are love!)
November 27, 2015
#WillWrite2FeedOthers Update
They brought their horses, their men, their boats, their army. Against their masses, he was one figure, silhouetted against the air, and he heard the whispers roll through their ranks.
"El Diablo," they said.
Yep, it'll be a Devil's West short story! What happens next? We need 19 more donors for #willwrite2feedothers by 15 December, to find out...
"El Diablo," they said.
Yep, it'll be a Devil's West short story! What happens next? We need 19 more donors for #willwrite2feedothers by 15 December, to find out...
November 24, 2015
Danny and Ellen are baaaaaaack! (along with a few old friends)
It's heeeere....... the newest Cosa Nostradamus installment!
THE WORK OF HUNTERS (Sylvan Investigations #3)
$3.50 - A BVC Original
Danny Hendrickson – ex-cop turned PI – and his partner Ellen could be any low-rent private investigators trying to make a difference, and a living, in New York City.
Except Danny’s father was a faun, and Ellen is a storm-seer. Which means that they bridge the line between human and fatae, between Talent and Null — and specialize in helping people who fall into the dangers between…
In The Work of Hunters, Ellen’s most recent vision strikes a memory for Danny — a memory that quickly turns deadly. Soon, they are racing the clock not only to stop a new killing, but to find justice for the long-dead.
“Gilman breaks your heart in the best way possible as she revisits the Cosa Nostradamus world with charming half-faun Danny taking the lead… [it] delights.” — C.E.Murphy, bestselling author of Shaman Rises
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In honor of the new novella, the prices of the first two have been dropped to $2.50, but only on BVC! Grab 'em while they're cheap(er)!
Milles to Go
Promises to Keep
THE WORK OF HUNTERS (Sylvan Investigations #3)
$3.50 - A BVC Original
Danny Hendrickson – ex-cop turned PI – and his partner Ellen could be any low-rent private investigators trying to make a difference, and a living, in New York City.
Except Danny’s father was a faun, and Ellen is a storm-seer. Which means that they bridge the line between human and fatae, between Talent and Null — and specialize in helping people who fall into the dangers between…
In The Work of Hunters, Ellen’s most recent vision strikes a memory for Danny — a memory that quickly turns deadly. Soon, they are racing the clock not only to stop a new killing, but to find justice for the long-dead.
“Gilman breaks your heart in the best way possible as she revisits the Cosa Nostradamus world with charming half-faun Danny taking the lead… [it] delights.” — C.E.Murphy, bestselling author of Shaman Rises
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In honor of the new novella, the prices of the first two have been dropped to $2.50, but only on BVC! Grab 'em while they're cheap(er)!
Milles to Go
Promises to Keep
November 23, 2015
Instead of Black Friday there's Magic Monday...
In anticipation of THE WORK OF HUNTERS being released at Book View Cafe, the first two Sylvan Investigations novellas have been reduced in price (ONLY at BVC)....
MILES TO GO
PROMISES TO KEEP
(for December only, at BVC only. Once 2016 rolls in, the price rolls up again)
(note: TWOH will not be on Amazon/BN until after T'giving)
MILES TO GO
PROMISES TO KEEP
(for December only, at BVC only. Once 2016 rolls in, the price rolls up again)
(note: TWOH will not be on Amazon/BN until after T'giving)
November 21, 2015
Where I'll Be, the Sunday In Portland Edition.
Well, Beaverton, Oregon, specifically. Along with Many! Other! Fabulous! Authors, I'll be taking part in AuthorFest 9, at the Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing. The festivities officially start at 4pm, but getting there a little early seems to be a tradition....
I hope to see you there! (remember, a signed book is a FABULOUS birthday present... especially if that book is SILVER ON THE ROAD)
All The Info Is Here
I hope to see you there! (remember, a signed book is a FABULOUS birthday present... especially if that book is SILVER ON THE ROAD)
All The Info Is Here
November 20, 2015
Winter Sky, morning, looking west from Seattle
I'm really going to miss this view.
November 19, 2015
Flipping a Quarter....
Prepping the Gilman Quarterly newsletter to go out. Do we have your up-to-date email?
(subscribers are going to find out some sekrit subscriber info before anyone else!)
(subscribers are going to find out some sekrit subscriber info before anyone else!)
