Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 33
November 7, 2012
My 2012 Philcon Schedule
Resources for New Writers
Sat 3:00 PM in Plaza III
What books, websites and other research materials are essential for the new and prospective writer?
Victoria Janssen (mod), Keith R.A. DeCandido, A.C. Wise, Tim W. Burke, Meg Howard, Bill Olver
Old Friends We Keep Coming Back To
Sat 6:00 PM in Plaza II
Some books we return to reading again and again. What are the qualities of those books we return to as old friends? Does the experience change each time we read them?
Victoria Janssen (mod), Mary...
November 5, 2012
The Next Big Thing
Gregory Frost tagged me to participate in The Next Big Thing, so….
Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing
1. What is the title of your Work in Progress?
The tentative title is The Dreamlord War, but I think that will end up being an overarching title for a series, with this segment being called something else.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
I came up with the main characters and the central concepts of the world one day while I was exercising on the elliptical machine...
November 2, 2012
Hurricane Sandy Signal Boosting – Donate Money and/or Time
FEMA guide to donating and volunteering.
For Cuba and Haiti in particular, donate to Operation USA or to the International Medical Corps.
At the Gothamist, How to Volunteer, Donate in the U.S. and in NYC specifically. Network for Good provides a whole list of links where you can donate.
Blood and Platelet Donation through the Red Cross.
Tips for Giving in Times of Crisis at Charity Navigator.
October 29, 2012
October 22, 2012
The General’s Mistress by Jo Graham
The General’s Mistress by Jo Graham is out tomorrow. It’s based on the life of a real person, Maria Versfelt. I thought I’d post about it, since it has a crossdressing heroine!
Here’s the summary, which *heh* does not mention that very important story element:
A Dutch woman flees her marriage to become a courtesan against the backdrop of the French Revolution in this steamy historical novel described as Girl with a Pearl Earring meets Dangerous Liaisons.
As a spirit of change overturns Euro...
October 21, 2012
“The Choice,” Rudyard Kipling
The Choice
1917
(The American Spirit Speaks)
T0 the judge of Right and Wrong
With Whom fulfilment lies
Our purpose and our power belong,
Our faith and sacrifice.
Let Freedom’s Land rejoice!
Our ancient bonds are riven;
Once more to us the eternal choice
Of Good or Ill is given.
Not at a little cost,
Hardly by prayers or tears,
Shall we recover the road we lost
In the drugged and doubting years.
But after the fires and the wrath,
But, after searching and pain,
His Mercy opens us a path
To live with ourselv...
October 18, 2012
Tomorrow Night! Philadelphia Science Fiction Society
The October speaker will be unable to make it to the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society’s meeting this Friday night (October 19), so I was asked if I could substitute. You can read more here. My portion of the program begins at 9:00 pm.
October 15, 2012
Roundup of Recent Guest Posts
More book-preview posts. I’ve been introduced to a lot of new authors this way!
Angel With A Bullet by M.C. Grant. A lighthearted noir mystery. Yes, I meant to use both adjectives!
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan. A Young Adult take on the Gothic novel, with humor.
Luther: the Calling by Neil Cross. A tie-in to the tv series, by the series creator.
Bleeding Through by Sandra Parshall, fifth in the Rachel Goddard mystery series.
Hanging by a Thread by Sophie Littlefield. A paranormal Young Adul...
October 10, 2012
My Capclave 2012 Schedule
I’ll be at Capclave this weekend! Here’s my schedule. Full schedule here.
The Future of YA
Saturday, 12:00 pm, Rockville/Potomac
Warren Buff, Victoria Janssen, Sherin Nicole, Diana Peterfreund
What is the next big trend in YA now that Vampires and Dystopias have had their big hits? Will the audience for YA continue to build or has it overexpanded? As YA books get longer and more sophisticated, is there really a need for a separate YA label?
Romancing the Paranormal
Saturday, 3:00 pm, Salons A...
