Laura Anne Gilman's Blog, page 56
September 16, 2014
Tuesday New Releases
Beth Cato's THE CLOCKWORK DAGGER is out today.
and over on BVC, Katharine Eliska Kimbriel's THE SPIRAL PATH is now available.
They're both that lovely crossover of 'could be YA, could be adult, who gives a shit, they're fun reads' that I can recommend to anyone who likes a solid, non-contemporary fantasy adventure...
and over on BVC, Katharine Eliska Kimbriel's THE SPIRAL PATH is now available.
They're both that lovely crossover of 'could be YA, could be adult, who gives a shit, they're fun reads' that I can recommend to anyone who likes a solid, non-contemporary fantasy adventure...
My RoberCon schedule
Reminder that I'll be Writer GoHing at RoberCon in Binghamton NY next week, September 27-28!
For them as will be there, and them as follow along at a distance, my schedule...
SATURDAY:
11 a.m. When It All Falls Apart: Dystopian Fiction and Our Modern TimesPresenters: Crystal Sarakas (moderator), April Steenburgh, Laura Anne Gilman, Gwenne Dawson, Andrew Haggerty
While dystopian fiction is nothing new (think 1984, Brave New World, The Handmaid’s Tale or Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), its mainstream popularity has grown in recent years, especially with young adults. We’ll talk about how dystopian fiction has evolved, why it’s gaining attention now and what its newfound audience means for this sub-genre’s future.
12 p.m. From Your Mind to the Page: Making Your Ideas a Reality
Presenters: Crystal Sarakas (moderator), Laura Anne Gilman, Joshua Palmatier, Deborah Blake
Lots of people come up with ideas for a story, but how do writers carry those to completion? We’ll talk with authors about the nitty-gritty of writing, from that first spark of an idea to seeing your idea in print and all the glamour and work in between.
2 p.m. Author Guest of Honor: A Conversation with Laura Anne Gilman
Laura Anne Gilman, April Steenburgh (moderator)
Writer, editor and wine aficionado, Laura Anne Gilman is a woman of many hats. Join in for a conversation on writing in various genres, working for large publishers and small presses as well as crowd funding and that fascinating way the things you love slip into your writing.(LAG's note: based on the facebook discussion thread about this, I can already tell you it's going to be EPIC)
SUNDAY:
12 P.M. Reading and signing.
1 P.M. Everybody Wants to Rule the World: Writers and Worldbuilding
Presenters: Crystal Sarakas (moderator), Laura Anne Gilman, Joshua Palmatier, Deborah Blake, Jill Shultz
What are the rules of worldbuilding? What are some of our panelists’ favorite examples of worldbuilding done right? How much detail should you go into, and how do you make sure that the plot is central, and not the scenery?
3 P.M.Women Writers: Their Influence and Future
Presenters: Jill Shultz (moderator), Deborah Blake, Roberta Rogow, Laura Anne Gilman
From Mary Shelley to J.K. Rowling, women have profoundly influenced SF and fantasy. Yet according to the book review statistics, we’re still overlooked — and many casual readers believe women only write certain kinds of stories. We’ll bust some myths and add to your “to-be-read” pile.
September 15, 2014
heee!
Things that make me happy: a reader review of HEART OF BRIAR that sums it up thus: "A dark tale, of dangerous gambles, loyalty, and how seductive those who have the power to control your mind can be."
Hrm. No wonder the looking-for-romance readers didn't flock to it. ;-)
The reviewer makes a point of how few reviews this book has on Goodreads, and how that's a shame. I completely agree. Let's fix that, shall well?
(thanks, Caitlin!)
Hrm. No wonder the looking-for-romance readers didn't flock to it. ;-)
The reviewer makes a point of how few reviews this book has on Goodreads, and how that's a shame. I completely agree. Let's fix that, shall well?
(thanks, Caitlin!)
Fourth Quarter and the clock's ticking
Today is when estimated 3rd Q taxes are due in the mail, if that's a thing that you need be concerned with. Just a friendly reminder from your neighborhood freelancer....
Meanwhile, the editorial revisions to CLAWED (Gin & Tonic #4) are back with my editor as of this morning (on schedule, go me!). So what's up for the rest of 2014?
Well, I'm still waiting on the revisions letter for SILVER (I keep reminding myself it's 'only' been 10 weeks since I handed it in....argh). So when that does hit, it's all decks on hand for that. And it will be an intensive revision, because we're also going to be working with the language experts and the weaponry experts, to make sure no Actual Facts got FUBARd during the creative process.
Other than that?
I'm still waiting on the edits for WORK OF HUNTERS, and I need to finish AN INTERRUPTED CRY, and get those out to the kickstarter backers.
And I owe an editor a short story, and there are two other short stories that have been waiting in queue for...a while now. Oops.
Hrm. 2014 was a relatively quiet year for new releases from me, with only the new mystery and a short story, but it looks like 2015 might be...kinda busy.
(Plus - wearing my other hat - I have a client manuscript incoming any time soon, and a handful of short stories to edit. Wheeeee.)
oh yeah, and if you're in the upstate NY area, I'll be GoHing at RoberCon in Binghamton at the end of this month. Hijinks at this location are highly probable.
Meanwhile, the editorial revisions to CLAWED (Gin & Tonic #4) are back with my editor as of this morning (on schedule, go me!). So what's up for the rest of 2014?
Well, I'm still waiting on the revisions letter for SILVER (I keep reminding myself it's 'only' been 10 weeks since I handed it in....argh). So when that does hit, it's all decks on hand for that. And it will be an intensive revision, because we're also going to be working with the language experts and the weaponry experts, to make sure no Actual Facts got FUBARd during the creative process.
Other than that?
I'm still waiting on the edits for WORK OF HUNTERS, and I need to finish AN INTERRUPTED CRY, and get those out to the kickstarter backers.
And I owe an editor a short story, and there are two other short stories that have been waiting in queue for...a while now. Oops.
Hrm. 2014 was a relatively quiet year for new releases from me, with only the new mystery and a short story, but it looks like 2015 might be...kinda busy.
(Plus - wearing my other hat - I have a client manuscript incoming any time soon, and a handful of short stories to edit. Wheeeee.)
oh yeah, and if you're in the upstate NY area, I'll be GoHing at RoberCon in Binghamton at the end of this month. Hijinks at this location are highly probable.
September 13, 2014
State of the Meerkat: September, random and otherwise...
Last night I woke up and - half-asleep - replaced the summerweight coverlet with the down cover. This morning I am wearing sweats and a long-sleeved t-shirt, and making the season's first stew (lamb and lentils).
If you think all this makes me very happy.... you'd be right!
This is a weekend for working, not play: the deadline for the revisions of CLAWED (Gin & Tonic & 4) is Monday. That's also when 4th Q estimated taxes are due, wheee. Need to get all the paperwork in order.
On the media side, we're into September, and that means ALL THE NEW SEASONS STARTING YAY! (well, except for those that don't start until October, grumble). But that lead to the realization that the reason I don’t stress or angst over upcoming seasons of shows I love is because I treat them like books - the moment I pick up a book I place myself in the writer’s hands: their vision is the one I am falling into, and I trust them to make the ride worthwhile. Angsting over it beforehand shows - for me and I emphasize only for me - a lack of trust in the writer, and if I don’t trust them, why did I pick up the book in the first place?
Now, they may fail that trust, several chapters (episodes) in. But that’s the review, not the preview.
If you think all this makes me very happy.... you'd be right!
This is a weekend for working, not play: the deadline for the revisions of CLAWED (Gin & Tonic & 4) is Monday. That's also when 4th Q estimated taxes are due, wheee. Need to get all the paperwork in order.
On the media side, we're into September, and that means ALL THE NEW SEASONS STARTING YAY! (well, except for those that don't start until October, grumble). But that lead to the realization that the reason I don’t stress or angst over upcoming seasons of shows I love is because I treat them like books - the moment I pick up a book I place myself in the writer’s hands: their vision is the one I am falling into, and I trust them to make the ride worthwhile. Angsting over it beforehand shows - for me and I emphasize only for me - a lack of trust in the writer, and if I don’t trust them, why did I pick up the book in the first place?
Now, they may fail that trust, several chapters (episodes) in. But that’s the review, not the preview.
Read in 2014
* means it was on my #TBRin2014 list
18. GHOST POINT, James Hetley
17. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
16. *SCANDALOUS, Patricia Burroughs
15. Untitled Manuscript, Dana Stabenow (client editing)
14. THE CLOCKWORK DAGGER, Beth Cato
13. *THE BIG KNOCKOVER, Dashiell Hammett (story collection)
12. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
11. MEMORY OF WATER, Emmi Itärata
10. WATSON AND HOLMES: A STUDY IN BLACK, Karl Bollers, Rick Leonardi, Larry Stroman (graphic novel)
9. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
8. *GARMENT OF SHADOWS, Laurie King
7. *THE LIVES OF TAO, Wes Chu
6. THE GOD OF THE HIVE, Laurie King (re-read)
5. SPIRAL PATH, Katharine Eliska Kimbriel (pre-pub)
4. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
3. *EIFELHEIM, Michael Flynn
2. KNOWN DEVIL, Justin Gustainis
1. *INK, Amanda Sun
18. GHOST POINT, James Hetley
17. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
16. *SCANDALOUS, Patricia Burroughs
15. Untitled Manuscript, Dana Stabenow (client editing)
14. THE CLOCKWORK DAGGER, Beth Cato
13. *THE BIG KNOCKOVER, Dashiell Hammett (story collection)
12. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
11. MEMORY OF WATER, Emmi Itärata
10. WATSON AND HOLMES: A STUDY IN BLACK, Karl Bollers, Rick Leonardi, Larry Stroman (graphic novel)
9. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
8. *GARMENT OF SHADOWS, Laurie King
7. *THE LIVES OF TAO, Wes Chu
6. THE GOD OF THE HIVE, Laurie King (re-read)
5. SPIRAL PATH, Katharine Eliska Kimbriel (pre-pub)
4. CLIENT MANUSCRIPT, Unidentified Client
3. *EIFELHEIM, Michael Flynn
2. KNOWN DEVIL, Justin Gustainis
1. *INK, Amanda Sun
September 12, 2014
Everything good and bad and beloved and eye-rollingly annoying, all at once....
It's New York Fashion week, and on Wednesday I saw something that sums up everything that is good and bad about this city of mine...
a (clearly indie) fashion photoshoot, of really interesting and wearable clothing that also clearly cost more than I could ever afford... being staged on the street in front of a pile of (in use) SoHo garbage bins.
Yes, yes, you're terribly edgy, darlings. But go you, taking on the big houses. Best of luck with that really great-looking jacket. Can you maybe make it available for under $1000?
And now i want to go buy a bespoke suit. I have no use, any longer, for a bespoke suit, even if I could afford it. But oh, I want. And a pair of dress boots to go with it?
a (clearly indie) fashion photoshoot, of really interesting and wearable clothing that also clearly cost more than I could ever afford... being staged on the street in front of a pile of (in use) SoHo garbage bins.
Yes, yes, you're terribly edgy, darlings. But go you, taking on the big houses. Best of luck with that really great-looking jacket. Can you maybe make it available for under $1000?
And now i want to go buy a bespoke suit. I have no use, any longer, for a bespoke suit, even if I could afford it. But oh, I want. And a pair of dress boots to go with it?
September 11, 2014
on being a New Yorker today
A lovely industry party last night, celebrating Tor.com's new novella venture, wherein I saw many people I knew and connected with some people I did not know, and -wonder of wonders - left before the party was over, because it was a school night.
And on the way from party to subway I saw the Twin Lights rising over NYC, and was reminded again - unwittingly, unwillingly - what week this is. What today is.
The pain eases, the wounds heal. But you never forget. Not really. Even when you wish you could.
Absent friends, and the ones we never had a chance to meet.
And on the way from party to subway I saw the Twin Lights rising over NYC, and was reminded again - unwittingly, unwillingly - what week this is. What today is.
The pain eases, the wounds heal. But you never forget. Not really. Even when you wish you could.
Absent friends, and the ones we never had a chance to meet.
September 10, 2014
September 9, 2014
Today is fucking CANCELLED.
Graham Joyce has lost his fight with cancer.
The world is a less-well-lit place, now.
Graham was the first -and to this day, only - writer I've ever shamelessly fangirled, interrupting him at a solo lunch at World Fantasy to tell him how much I loved REQUIEM.
The next time we ran nto at each other a year later at the next World Fantasy, he was deep in conversation with someone else, so I didn't interrupt - and forever after he teased me about that, saying I was a love 'em and leave 'em girl.
That was eighteen years ago (!). Graham was smart, and sharp, and funny, and his books more often than not left me in thoughtful tears at the end, for the sheer beauty of what he could say - and not say - with his prose. And fuck cancer, for taking all that away from us.
In memory: a photo taken many years ago at Necon, wherein Christopher Golden tried to turn cricket-playing Graham into a softball player (i didn't take very well - he kept forgetting to drop the bat when he ran for first base).
The world is a less-well-lit place, now.
Graham was the first -and to this day, only - writer I've ever shamelessly fangirled, interrupting him at a solo lunch at World Fantasy to tell him how much I loved REQUIEM.
The next time we ran nto at each other a year later at the next World Fantasy, he was deep in conversation with someone else, so I didn't interrupt - and forever after he teased me about that, saying I was a love 'em and leave 'em girl.
That was eighteen years ago (!). Graham was smart, and sharp, and funny, and his books more often than not left me in thoughtful tears at the end, for the sheer beauty of what he could say - and not say - with his prose. And fuck cancer, for taking all that away from us.
In memory: a photo taken many years ago at Necon, wherein Christopher Golden tried to turn cricket-playing Graham into a softball player (i didn't take very well - he kept forgetting to drop the bat when he ran for first base).
