Mark L. Van Name's Blog, page 207
May 23, 2012
One Jump Ahead meets real life
In my first novel, One Jump Ahead, Jon met Lobo in a square in the small capital city of an emerging frontier planet. At that time, Lobo's main weapons control system was useless from damage on a mission, so he was there as a reminder of the might of the Frontier Coalition, the group of allied planets on the edges of human space. Kids were playing on and near Lobo when Jon first encountered him.
Check this out, courtesy of the fine folks at io9: kids playing on old tanks in Russia. I doubt this is the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last, but it is cool to see nonetheless.
Tomorrow morning, way too damn early, I head to Balticon, where I'll be doing all kinds of stuff. I hope to give you a preview of my con activities in tomorrow's blog entry. Now, though, I have to finish working, pack, and grab a few hours of sleep.
Check this out, courtesy of the fine folks at io9: kids playing on old tanks in Russia. I doubt this is the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last, but it is cool to see nonetheless.
Tomorrow morning, way too damn early, I head to Balticon, where I'll be doing all kinds of stuff. I hope to give you a preview of my con activities in tomorrow's blog entry. Now, though, I have to finish working, pack, and grab a few hours of sleep.
May 22, 2012
Another chance to win free books! New Web site design! Much e-stuff happening!
Today is a big online day for me.
First, over at Baen's Web site, Publisher Toni is hosting a contest to see which of two book trailers people prefer. The cool part for me is that both trailers are for No Going Back! To help influence the types of trailers people produce for books, all you have to do is go there, watch both, and then vote for the one you prefer. After you vote, email Baen--instructions are on that page--and they'll enter you in a drawing to win a signed hardcover first edition of No Going Back plus five free Baen ebooks. So, you can have a good time watching two nifty trailers, and you might win cool stuff in the bargain.
Next, if you check out
If the art at the top of each page--including this one--looks familiar, that's because it's a sample from the background of the cover of Jump Gate Twist, my omnibus collection of the first two Jon & Lobo novels and a bunch of other neat material. John Picacio, friend and artist extraordinaire, who did both that cover and the amazing cover to No Going Back, was gracious enough to give us permission to use the art on the site. Thanks, John!
Finally, you may also notice that every page of the site gives you easy access, via the familiar icons, to the blog, the RSS feed for the blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Yes, I'm not only on Facebook, I'm also now on Twitter. I haven't really started using either yet, but give me time; I will.
Oh, yeah: A week from today, No Going Back hits the bookstores! I'm psyched to see it.
First, over at Baen's Web site, Publisher Toni is hosting a contest to see which of two book trailers people prefer. The cool part for me is that both trailers are for No Going Back! To help influence the types of trailers people produce for books, all you have to do is go there, watch both, and then vote for the one you prefer. After you vote, email Baen--instructions are on that page--and they'll enter you in a drawing to win a signed hardcover first edition of No Going Back plus five free Baen ebooks. So, you can have a good time watching two nifty trailers, and you might win cool stuff in the bargain.
Next, if you check out
If the art at the top of each page--including this one--looks familiar, that's because it's a sample from the background of the cover of Jump Gate Twist, my omnibus collection of the first two Jon & Lobo novels and a bunch of other neat material. John Picacio, friend and artist extraordinaire, who did both that cover and the amazing cover to No Going Back, was gracious enough to give us permission to use the art on the site. Thanks, John!
Finally, you may also notice that every page of the site gives you easy access, via the familiar icons, to the blog, the RSS feed for the blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Yes, I'm not only on Facebook, I'm also now on Twitter. I haven't really started using either yet, but give me time; I will.
Oh, yeah: A week from today, No Going Back hits the bookstores! I'm psyched to see it.
May 21, 2012
James Bond returns
this year in Skyfall, and I am irrationally excited about seeing it. I am a huge Bond fan and have seen all the films at least three times each--yes, even the bad Roger Moore ones (and they were terrible). Daniel Craig is either the best or the second-best Bond, so it's going to be great to watch him again.
All of this is relevant because now, we can see a teaser trailer for the film.
Enjoy.
All of this is relevant because now, we can see a teaser trailer for the film.
Enjoy.
May 20, 2012
Mandolin
When Greg Cox, the News & Observer's restaurant critic, recently awarded four and a half stars (of five) to Mandolin, a relatively new Raleigh restaurant, I figured I'd have to hit the place soon. When I then learned that the chef was Sean Fowler, who had helped restore the Fearrington House Restaurant to the heights it had once enjoyed, I made an immediate reservation.
I'm glad I did.
Mandolin's frequently changing menu emphasizes local ingredients and traditional Southern food, but with modern cuisine touches. The bacon-and-mushroom-infused foam on the delicious chicken and waffles is a simple example of the interplay of these two approaches. The bourbon-marinated hangar steak was tender and flavorful and worked well with the other ingredients stacked both under and above it. Every dish our group sampled was delicious.
If you want to see if the place is for you, the online menu is not a bad way to start. Though last night's menu was not the same as the one online, the overlap was high, so you can use what's online as a reasonable guide. I should also note that the portions are quite large, so bring a healthy appetite, keep your order short, or plan on asking for boxes to take food home.
Oh, yeah: Do not miss the miniature corn muffins in the bread basket. They are wonderful.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the kitchen staff included the redoubtable Jeremy Clayman, who is one of the best chefs in the triangle. I only wish Mandolin would feature him more.
Mandolin definitely is one of the better restaurants in the Triangle, and I recommend it.
That said, Mandolin is not in the very highest tier of local establishments, at least not yet. At that level, the restaurants, such as Panciuto, deliver such wonderful preparations that even the foods you know you don't like (in my case, Brussels sprouts spring to mind) surprise you by how delicious they are. That wasn't quite the case here, as the vegetarians in our group noted.
Nonetheless, I will certainly go back to see how the restaurant progresses. I encourage you to do the same.
I'm glad I did.
Mandolin's frequently changing menu emphasizes local ingredients and traditional Southern food, but with modern cuisine touches. The bacon-and-mushroom-infused foam on the delicious chicken and waffles is a simple example of the interplay of these two approaches. The bourbon-marinated hangar steak was tender and flavorful and worked well with the other ingredients stacked both under and above it. Every dish our group sampled was delicious.
If you want to see if the place is for you, the online menu is not a bad way to start. Though last night's menu was not the same as the one online, the overlap was high, so you can use what's online as a reasonable guide. I should also note that the portions are quite large, so bring a healthy appetite, keep your order short, or plan on asking for boxes to take food home.
Oh, yeah: Do not miss the miniature corn muffins in the bread basket. They are wonderful.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the kitchen staff included the redoubtable Jeremy Clayman, who is one of the best chefs in the triangle. I only wish Mandolin would feature him more.
Mandolin definitely is one of the better restaurants in the Triangle, and I recommend it.
That said, Mandolin is not in the very highest tier of local establishments, at least not yet. At that level, the restaurants, such as Panciuto, deliver such wonderful preparations that even the foods you know you don't like (in my case, Brussels sprouts spring to mind) surprise you by how delicious they are. That wasn't quite the case here, as the vegetarians in our group noted.
Nonetheless, I will certainly go back to see how the restaurant progresses. I encourage you to do the same.
May 19, 2012
Lobo on a new job in No Going Back
“There’s nothing I enjoy more,” Lobo said, “than pretending to be dumb and slow.”For context, of course, you need to read the book.
“You’ll have to do a lot of that,” I said, “because I’ll need to introduce you so she can ask for things when I’m out, but you can’t be too intelligent, or our rates won’t make sense.”
“This job keeps looking better and better.”
May 18, 2012
It went like this
I commented about how much I wanted to see the upcoming bad action flick, The Expendables 2.
Scott sent me this picture, which I showed to Kyle.
Kyle pointed me to this Saturday Night Live bit.
That's how it went.
Scott sent me this picture, which I showed to Kyle.
Kyle pointed me to this Saturday Night Live bit.
That's how it went.
May 17, 2012
How you can help make No Going Back a success
Quite a few folks have emailed me or asked me in person the same question: what can I do to help make No Going Back a hit? I'm frankly stunned and honored to even hear the question, and for a while I basically declined to answer it. After more thought, though, I decided to let myself answer it as part of a weak moment of self-serving marketing.
If you really want to help, there are three things you can do--for my novel or any other book you like.
Pre-order a copy.
Most hardbacks get about three weeks on bookstore shelves before the store ditches them. During that time, your book has to make a good impression. First-week sales are vital to that impression. So, whether you're shopping online or at a Barnes & Noble or at your local independent bookseller, pre-ordering or buying in the first week is the best support you can give a book.
Spread the word.
Hand-selling books is a time-honored practice that works. If you buy and like the book, telling others and recommending they pick up a copy is an easy way to really help sales.
If your bookstore is out of stock on the book, ask them to order more.
A bookstore can't sell what it doesn't have in stock. Yeah, that fact is obvious, but it's also something bookstores often don't worry about. If a store gets in three copies of a book and sells them all, it's unlikely to order more unless customers request them. That means that even if a book is delighting readers, its presence in stores is likely to be limited by how many copies the store's buyer originally purchased.
That's it, really. Those three things would greatly help No Going Back--or any other novel--to be a bigger success than it might otherwise be.
Thanks to those who asked, and my apologies to those who are appalled at my self-promotion.
If you really want to help, there are three things you can do--for my novel or any other book you like.
Pre-order a copy.
Most hardbacks get about three weeks on bookstore shelves before the store ditches them. During that time, your book has to make a good impression. First-week sales are vital to that impression. So, whether you're shopping online or at a Barnes & Noble or at your local independent bookseller, pre-ordering or buying in the first week is the best support you can give a book.
Spread the word.
Hand-selling books is a time-honored practice that works. If you buy and like the book, telling others and recommending they pick up a copy is an easy way to really help sales.
If your bookstore is out of stock on the book, ask them to order more.
A bookstore can't sell what it doesn't have in stock. Yeah, that fact is obvious, but it's also something bookstores often don't worry about. If a store gets in three copies of a book and sells them all, it's unlikely to order more unless customers request them. That means that even if a book is delighting readers, its presence in stores is likely to be limited by how many copies the store's buyer originally purchased.
That's it, really. Those three things would greatly help No Going Back--or any other novel--to be a bigger success than it might otherwise be.
Thanks to those who asked, and my apologies to those who are appalled at my self-promotion.
May 16, 2012
Facebook still hates me--even as it takes me
In
Facebook, though, still hates me. After I signed up, I uploaded a picture of myself (really just an author head shot), as one is supposed to do. I then wanted to upload a cover for my page, as the new (Timeline) interface makes possible. I couldn't find a way to do that. I searched every option I could see. I called knowledgable friends, who led me through all the paths they knew would work--and none did.
In the end, the reason proved to be that I do not have the Timeline interface, and Facebook won't let me have it. Even as Facebook is making everyone else convert to Timeline, it won't let me have the interface.
When Facebook finally solves this problem, presumably by forcing my account to move to Timeline, my page will look better, and I might even start using the damn thing.
In the meantime, if you want to watch my page in hopes of the cover appearing, friend me. I'm not seeking out people right now, but I'm also generally saying yes to folks I know.
Perhaps one day Facebook will like me.
Facebook, though, still hates me. After I signed up, I uploaded a picture of myself (really just an author head shot), as one is supposed to do. I then wanted to upload a cover for my page, as the new (Timeline) interface makes possible. I couldn't find a way to do that. I searched every option I could see. I called knowledgable friends, who led me through all the paths they knew would work--and none did.
In the end, the reason proved to be that I do not have the Timeline interface, and Facebook won't let me have it. Even as Facebook is making everyone else convert to Timeline, it won't let me have the interface.
When Facebook finally solves this problem, presumably by forcing my account to move to Timeline, my page will look better, and I might even start using the damn thing.
In the meantime, if you want to watch my page in hopes of the cover appearing, friend me. I'm not seeking out people right now, but I'm also generally saying yes to folks I know.
Perhaps one day Facebook will like me.
May 15, 2012
Seeing a legend perform
Itzhak Perlman is a legend, one of the very few classical musicians whom even those who do not follow classical music recognize. I should know: I'm one of those people. When we learned that Perlman was playing with the North Carolina Symphony in the local, lovely Meymandi Hall, we instantly bought the best tickets we could get. Gina spotted the concert, and Scott was particularly excited, because he'd been a fan of Perlman's since he was a little boy.
I'm so very glad we went.
For the first forty-five minutes, the North Carolina Symphony played three very pretty pieces: Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture, Op. 9; Wagner's Prelude to Act I from Lohengrin; and Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, Op. 45. My ignorance of classical music is profound, so I knew none of these, but I enjoyed them all.
After the intermission, Perlman joined them, and the crowd went about as wild as a symphony audience in Raleigh is likely to get. He made his way to his seat under his own power, using his crutches with slow, practiced moves that looked painful. After he settled into his seat, they began a piece, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35, that I have since learned is an insanely difficult composition to play and one that was the subject of great controversy for quite some years after Tchaikovsky wrote it.
Perlman was magnificent. Playing everything from broad strokes to single, dangerously high notes, he made every sound lovely. As he played, his expressions changed often. For some stretches, he was clearly lost in the music, his eyes closed and his face almost slack. At other times, he smiled almost maniacally, his intensity matching and reinforcing the music's.
When the third movement ended, the audience rose and delivered a standing ovation that brought him back three times. I lack the musical vocabulary to appreciate fully his performance, but I stood with them, because the power and the beauty of what I heard had touched me so very much.
I am very lucky to have had the chance to see and listen to this legend.
I'm so very glad we went.
For the first forty-five minutes, the North Carolina Symphony played three very pretty pieces: Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture, Op. 9; Wagner's Prelude to Act I from Lohengrin; and Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, Op. 45. My ignorance of classical music is profound, so I knew none of these, but I enjoyed them all.
After the intermission, Perlman joined them, and the crowd went about as wild as a symphony audience in Raleigh is likely to get. He made his way to his seat under his own power, using his crutches with slow, practiced moves that looked painful. After he settled into his seat, they began a piece, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35, that I have since learned is an insanely difficult composition to play and one that was the subject of great controversy for quite some years after Tchaikovsky wrote it.
Perlman was magnificent. Playing everything from broad strokes to single, dangerously high notes, he made every sound lovely. As he played, his expressions changed often. For some stretches, he was clearly lost in the music, his eyes closed and his face almost slack. At other times, he smiled almost maniacally, his intensity matching and reinforcing the music's.
When the third movement ended, the audience rose and delivered a standing ovation that brought him back three times. I lack the musical vocabulary to appreciate fully his performance, but I stood with them, because the power and the beauty of what I heard had touched me so very much.
I am very lucky to have had the chance to see and listen to this legend.
May 14, 2012
Want to hear live music at my house on June 6?
Yeah, you read that right: we're hosting a small concert of sorts, a house show, on June 6.
It's a first for us, but it looks like it'll be fun.
The opening act is The Camaraderie, which is Ben and Sarah. I am, of course, biased, but I can honestly say that they play good music that I thoroughly enjoy. I'd enjoy their music even if I didn't know them.
The main act is Levi Weaver, a Nashville singer/songwriter. I saw him once before and quite enjoyed his performance; you can read more about that show
We all read all the time about the music industry going through drastic changes, about artists finding alternative ways to support themselves. Well, now you can witness one of those options firsthand, have a great time listening to live music, and visit with the musicians (and me, if you'd like) afterward.
We've set up a Facebook page where you can read more about it. We're asking for a donation of "$10 or pay what you can." We'll be selling soft drinks and bottles of water for a buck a pop, with any profits going to the acts.
As if all of that wasn't enough to tempt you, after the show, at no charge we'll be providing dessert for all who are there. We'll have homebaked goods and possibly even some local-made ice cream.
If you'd like to come, email leviinraleigh@gmail.com, and tell us how many of you there will be. We'll get back to you with the address.
I hope we can fill the house, help Levi make a little money (as the donation should make clear, no one's getting rich from this), and all have a grand time. I'm positive the last will happen; the first two are up to you.
It's a first for us, but it looks like it'll be fun.
The opening act is The Camaraderie, which is Ben and Sarah. I am, of course, biased, but I can honestly say that they play good music that I thoroughly enjoy. I'd enjoy their music even if I didn't know them.
The main act is Levi Weaver, a Nashville singer/songwriter. I saw him once before and quite enjoyed his performance; you can read more about that show
We all read all the time about the music industry going through drastic changes, about artists finding alternative ways to support themselves. Well, now you can witness one of those options firsthand, have a great time listening to live music, and visit with the musicians (and me, if you'd like) afterward.
We've set up a Facebook page where you can read more about it. We're asking for a donation of "$10 or pay what you can." We'll be selling soft drinks and bottles of water for a buck a pop, with any profits going to the acts.
As if all of that wasn't enough to tempt you, after the show, at no charge we'll be providing dessert for all who are there. We'll have homebaked goods and possibly even some local-made ice cream.
If you'd like to come, email leviinraleigh@gmail.com, and tell us how many of you there will be. We'll get back to you with the address.
I hope we can fill the house, help Levi make a little money (as the donation should make clear, no one's getting rich from this), and all have a grand time. I'm positive the last will happen; the first two are up to you.
