Laura Anne Gilman's Blog, page 4

The Do-Board groans under accumulated weight....

Today: Dive Into WorldBuilding vidcast this morning, political-legal stuff, working lunch with Rocky Pond crew, finish Patreon episode for this month and send it to betas, confirm sketches for cover of THE CASE OF THE FECKLESS FERRETS, follow-up on still-pending NYC publishing stuff, clean apartment, promote books and upcoming signings and whatnot....
Oh, right. And scritch cats. Very important, can't forget that.

MLK Day, 2017

Disclaimer: this is written from the perspective of a white-but-minority person. It is not intended to speak for anyone else.

I will not wish anyone a "Happy MLK Jr Day."

MLK Day is often observed not as a holiday but a work-day (particularly this year), and "happy" feels out of place while we're still trying to reach those goals of being judged by our behavior rather than our presentation. When even those of us who consider ourselves moderately enlightened still find pits of "oh fuck did I really just think/do/say that" in ourselves.

So instead I wish us good-working, and good companions in the work. Which sounds pretentious af, but is heart-felt.

Dr. King's Life and Legacy

Beginning on the 20th of January and until further notice...

All White House press conferences are to be referred to as "Radio Moscow."

The new week brings new changes...

Yesterday was the first official day as Tasting Room Manager (rather than Lead) at Rocky Pond.  It was pretty much like every other shift I've ever worked, except closing took a little more time and stress.  I'm excited about it, and also thankful that I'm moving up within familiar structures, rather than starting fresh somewhere new.  Promoting from within has benefits for everyone.

New (used) car, new (promoted) job responsibilities, new (second)  book out (I did mention there's a new book out, right?)... it seems like I'm building a lot, here.  I just wish I were sleeping more/better, so I could enjoy it.

Although I suspect it's less all that, and more the oncoming COTUS*, yeah? 





*Cheeto of the United States.  Made of hot air and chemicals, and bad for everyone's health

Son of Updatery of a Book Launch!

Every time a positive review comes in, a writer gets another feather in her wings.

 

“The Cold Eye is a captivating read… Both of these novels are more than “weird Westerns,”
they create an entirely new Western mythos, one I hope to explore for many books to come.
-SF/F Blog

“The Cold Eye was pretty much everything I wanted it to be, plus some. I had high expectations going into this book, and I’m pleased to announce that Gilman surpassed every single one of them. If you haven’t started this series yet, why not? It’s one of the best things in the genre right now.   5/5 stars.
- Bookworm Blues

“Laura Anne Gilman continues to forge her own version of a Western, American myth of the very early days of a West that wasn’t, but I wish it might have been.  I daresay if you are a fan of Weird Westerns, you should already be reading Laura Anne Gilman. And if you are not, the Devil’s West novels may change your mind, too.”                 -The Skiffy and Fanty Show
 

Tonight is the first official signing/reading, at University Bookstore!  Even if you can’t get there in person, you can order a signed copy…
 

Virtually, I’m ranting about a book that pissed me off, over on Tor.com (where they changed the title to be classier)

My Country is Trying to Kill Me.

As a freelancer, even a relatively healthy one, getting medical coverage I could afford was near-impossible, until the Freelancer's Union was able to put together a crappy-but-functional plan.  When the ACA was passed, for the first time in years I was free of the "if I have to spend any time in the hospital it will wipe me out, financially" panics.

The GOP just voted - with a single no vote from Rand Paul - to start the process to repeal the ACA.  They voted to remove the requirement that healthcare insurance cover pregnancy. They voted to remove the clause that allowed children under 26 to stay on their parents' insurance while their own careers get started.  They removed the clause that protected people with pre-existing conditions (cancer, arthritis, IBD) from being dumped or surchaged-to-death by their insurance company.

And if you think that you're going to be okay, because you have company-supplied insurance?  Guess what?  You've lost protections, too.  And your rates are going to go up, probably for fewer services.  Whatever the market can bear.  And if you're thinking your state coverage will save you?  Guess what?  That was the ACA, too.  Say goodbye to it, and pray your state is willing to pick up the burden of replacing it, when the Federal government won't.

 Because no, the GOP STILL doesn't have a functioning plan to replace the ACA, nor do they show any sign of developing one. Why should they? Half the country told them they could do whatever they wanted to us and they'd be okay with it.

Still, this is not law...yet. CALL EVERY GOP SENATOR WHO VOTED TO REPEAL and give them a piece of your mind (as politely as you can manage). And call every senator who voted to protect it, and thank/encourage them. 


 

The Day After the Release Updatery!

In case you missed it: I'm at "My Favorite Bit," talking about...well, my favorite bit from THE COLD EYE!

Also, I visited Magical Words, with some advice to "Slide on the Ice."

I updated my Patreon with an enthusiastic, if pre-coffee, rendition of "On The Occasion of a Book Birthday," and the mailing list got an Advance Update on Stuff!

This week's "Dive Into Worldbuilding" skypecast has been rescheduled for NEXT Wednesday, due to our host having laryngitis.  Everyone send Juliette good-health wishes!

And this Friday, in Seattle, I'll be reading and signing THE COLD EYE at University Bookstore, starting at 7pm sharp!

More as they come along....

and updatery on the updatery!  B&N's sf/f blog just called THE COLD EYE “a captivating read” and said that the series is “more than “weird Westerns,” [but] create an entirely new Western mythos.”
excuse me while I shamelessly give you the buy link.

Change of Address...

I'm not going to disappear entirely from here, but recent events and changes to LJ's structure have pushed me to make the final leap over to Dreamwidth, where I am LAGilman.

I hope to see you all over there, too.

Sometimes you get an unexpected headpat....

Looking for new reviews on THE COLD EYE (releasing officially tomorrow, ack!) and came across this  from the Douglas County Libraries' entry on moi:

"Gilman's plot-driven novels are notable for their complex and inviting world-building, whether that world is a medieval kingdom's royal court or an urban fantasy of New York City -- she delivers frequent fresh twists on old genre ideas, leavened with subtly observed details. Her worlds' tangibility is increased by strong character voices, which give them depth and power the plot along."

Well.  I blush, but I accept it entirely.  :-)

The shameless bird gets the damn worms....

It's That Time again! Wherein I remind you, oh faithful (and patient) followers, that
a) SILVER ON THE ROAD is currently $1.99 on Kindle, Nook and Kobo! (not sure how long the sale will last, but assume Not Much Longer)
b) THE COLD EYE is out in (eeek) THREE DAYS. Hardcover and ebook.
c) I will be signing copies at the following stores, and you can pre-order personalized copies at any of them:
University Bookstore, SeattleMysterious Galaxy, San DiegoBorderlands Books, San FranciscoB&N Silverdale @ the Kipsap Mall (WA)Third Place Books (Seattle)
d) if you want a signature but get your book elsewhere, I will send bookplates out. You just have to give me an address.(if you want to buy me a cup of coffee via ko-fi in exchange, that's lovely but not required)