Cherie Priest's Blog: It's awards season, so here comes the shameless self-promotion, page 80

Black Friday

So Thanksgiving was great – with a household full of friends plus one fat black cat who decided she was NOT HAVING ANY OF THIS NONSENSE, no, not even for the glory of stealing a nibble of pie. She came out eventually. And then she tore around the apartment like a little kid at Disney World for a couple of hours, burning off all that energy she'd built up while in hiding.

Cats. Who can fathom?

I was very glad to see everyone, of course, and the food was outstanding – so really, it's no one's loss but the kitty's. I did not personally create very much of the meal; mostly the noms were provided potluck style, with several bottles of wine which RATHER MYSTERIOUSLY appear to be missing this morning. And by "missing" I mean "I'm pretty sure we killed them all off," or that's what my low-grade headache is telling me.

Headache aside, I'd love to be out there fighting the good fight, hunting for Black Friday bargains – but unfortunately, I have a whole lot of work to do. So instead, I will help YOU with YOUR Black Friday shopping – by reminding you that books make a great gift and oh look … I write them. And I have a new one out. In which you might be interested. Maybe. If you are reading this.

Here. Let me link you to some of the recent Frequently Asked Questions with regards to my new book Dreadnought in particular, and the Clockwork Century stories in general. And now, let me link you to ordering information, in case you're spending your Black Friday at home and brand new books are JUST A CLICK AWAY.

Where to Get Dreadnought:Order signed/personalized copies of Dreadnought at no extra cost through the University Book Store in Seattle

Search for an independent bookstore near you

Find Dreadnought at Amazon.com

Find Dreadnought at Barnes & Noble

Find Dreadnought at Powell's

Find Dreadnought at Borders.comEbook Editions: Visit Dreadnought's listing here at Macmillan and you'll find digital editions suitable for the iPad, Kobo, Nook, and Sony eReader. Click here for Dreadnought on the Kindle.Audio Book: Courtesy of Macmillan Audio and Audible, you can pick up the audio book of Dreadnought right here.Sample Content: Scroll down at the Macmillan listing and you'll find excerpts, reviews, and other useful things that might give you a better idea of what you're in for.General Information: For general information regarding the world-setting of Boneshaker and Dreadnought, visit The Clockwork Century and take a poke around. Stay Connected: Join the Clockwork Century's fan page on Facebook.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

advance warning

The holidays are upon us (at least, the first of the two big winter jobbies) and I'm eyeballs deep in work – so no, I'm not being super-great about maintaining my blog-type duties. My apologies! But Hellbent won't revise itself, and nor will this Thanksgiving meal come together unattended. Such is life.

However, I do want to give an advance heads-up regarding my very last public event this year. That's right, folks – just one more left! And after that, there's nothing on my docket until the end of January. Then, of course, the whole book promotion hoopla begins anew. At present, I have events pending for January (Detroit), February (Houston), March (Tuscon, San Francisco), April (Oklahoma City, Atlanta), and May (D.C., Phoenix). So as you can see, I'm totally taking it easy in 2011.*

But first, there's this final appearance at the Tacoma Public Library on November 30th, at 7:00 p.m.

Though this is not technically a bookstore event, books will be available for sale – courtesy of Garfield Books (or so I am told). So if you're in the neighborhood, and if you're thinking to yourself, "Self, I sure could use some awesomely signed and personalized books for holiday gift-giving …" well then. You know where to find me!

* Hardy har har, yes I know – and never mind the local events that are lining up. But believe it or not, I've already turned down 5 other out-of-state events for 2011, so I'm actually quite serious. I'm trying to keep my schedule a little more open next year – while still hitting up some of the cities I've missed thus far.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Let It Snow

So SteamCon is over once more, and it's Monday, and now it's time for all the unpacking and catching-up which follows being out of town for the weekend.

It was a good weekend. Caitlin came into town and crashed at my place (and shared our hotel room); I got to hang out with many awesome friends – some older, some brand new; and I got to wear some killer threads from Kambriel for the fashion show … so really, things were pretty much awesome from a me-having-fun standpoint.

However, I do want to apologize to the attendees for the confusion regarding my schedule. Most notably: My only signing was slated for an indistinct Hilton location at 4-5 p.m. on Friday, but I'd been double-booked – that is, I was also informed that I must appear at the Marriott at 4:30 – so I know I missed some folks who'd wanted to get things scribbled upon. I hope most of you caught up to me later …? If not, again, my apologies. I hope I can make it up to you at some other event.

At any rate! I did want to get a few things out of the way before I log off to start my day in earnest. Here goes:

Gail Carriger and I have now officially met – And subsequently demonstrated that we are not, in fact, the same person. The universe did not explode! I threw horns and gave rage-face; she opted to hang ten :) Much fun and goofing off did occur, and I was delighted to (finally!) make her acquaintance.

Backstage candid from the fashion show – Yours truly with the fabulous Kambriel, waiting for our chance to strut. (I was holding still and looking serious, trying to keep the bird from falling off my head :)) It was likewise wonderful to (finally!) meet Kambriel, with whom I know about a zillion people in common. And yes, I ended up buying that outfit – plus the shirt I wore under it, which I might wear when the death-metal-mega-butterfly-sleeves feel like a little much. I have loved Kambriel's wares so much, for so long; it was an absolute joy to wear these special pieces, and to meet their maker.

Speaking of the fashion show – Behold, highlights from photographer Miss Amber Clark. Also – behold, I am making a silly face. Par for the course, really. But Amber's shot gives you a good idea of exactly how fantastically over-the-wicked-striped-top my ensemble truly was.

BittenByBooks reviews Dreadnought – Bestowing five happy tombstones upon it! Many thanks, BBB. You guys rock!

Cheesemonkey alert – Yours truly while signing stock at the Fountain, in Richmond – with a link to their ordering page. Because if you want signed copies of … well, anything of mine, really … for the purposes of oh, say, Christmas gifts in the greater Richmond area … they've got your hookup!

Speaking of holiday signature hookups – Don't forget that you can always order personalized copies of anything I have in print via the University Book Store. Click that link and follow the directions, and in mere days you too can have a message to grandma saying, "Spoon gumption pony weasels!" or however you like to best express your affection. I'll write just about anything you want.*

* Some restrictions apply, including declarations of undying love, promises of inappropriate favors, and other as-yet-to-be-determined no-nos. Use your best judgment.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

SteamCon

Yes, I just got back from Richmond and yes, just before that I was in Madison – but there is NO REST FOR WICKED TYPES around these-here parts, I'm afraid. Not yet! For tomorrow SteamCon begins! And I'll be there, right in the thick of things.

My programming schedule is as follows:

Friday

Noon – 1:00 p.m. – Blogging and LiveJournal in Steampunk, Crystal A, Hilton

4:00 – 5:00ish – Autograph session in the Hilton at Author's Row*

5:30 – 7:30 – Banquet/Airship Awards Ceremony

Saturday

2:00 – 3:00 or so – Tea Room and Fashion Show

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Interview/hour with yours truly via Kevin Steil, Suite by the Marriot Pool

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Alternate History Writing – Mercer A&B in the Hilton

Sunday

11:00 a.m. – Fashion Show, Redux

2:00 – 3:00 – Steamgoth, Emerald B in the Hilton



I'd be a better blogger tonight, but the madcap, whirlwind, merry-go-round existence isn't ready to wind down yet. I have to wrap this up and get ready to go pick Caitlin from the airport, then come back for a supper with The Ladies, then pack and maybe do some laundry, and all that happy jazz. So I do apologize for the drive-by nature of this entry, but I trust you'll give me a wee smidge of slack in the matter.




Thanks bunches – and I hope to see some of you this weekend!

* I might have to wrap this up early, due to it being scheduled through another SteamCon event I have to attend at 4:30 (don't ask, I don't know – it's preliminary stuff for the banquet, I think); but I will cheerfully sign books whenever/wherever you happen to spot or find me all weekend.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

On my way out of town

I realize it's something like 6:00 a.m. West Coast time, but I'm awake and I figured "to hell with it," so I'm up for a shower and packing and other assorted day-startings. I'm headed for the airport in a couple of hours anyway, and I guess it's nice to have a little breathing room on that front. So often, I set the alarm for fifteen minutes before I have to hit the road, fling myself out of bed, throw my clothes on in no particular order or arrangement, and dash out the door before I am fully lucid.

But that's how it goes when flights are so often scheduled for Ridiculous Early and one lives a half hour from the airport … not that it isn't worth it, when it comes to events like the one that went down last night.

The Fountain bookstore is a warm, eclectic joint in a very cool part of town, owned and staffed by fantastic people (one of whom was the fellow who lured me out there in the first place). The crowd was amazing – standing room only and highly enthusiastic – and the shop itself is an awesome old cubby with hardwoods everywhere and shelves up to the ceiling. I can't recommend it enough; I love indie stores as a general rule, and this one has character out the wazoo. Marvelous place, marvelous people, marvelous hot dogs right next door. Two thumbs and a couple of big toes up!

(For what it's worth, I signed lots of stock there last night – so if you want signed copies of … well … pretty much anything of mine, swing in to shop or keep an eye on their website.)

As always, I send out my undying thanks to everyone who came out to see me, and to the bookstore folks who went to the trouble of putting on the show. These things aren't easy, and they only come together with the help of many hands.

* * *

In unrelated but also cool news … I have officially received my first starred Kirkus review for my upcoming Urban Fantasy Bloodshot – due out at the end of January. I am, of course, delighted!

(And a little stunned, considering that this will be my tenth novel … and to date, Kirkus hasn't cared overly much for any of the rest. Kirkus thought Boneshaker was okay. But that's about as high as the praise ever got.)

The review's most quotable bit reads as follows: "A refreshing and addictive lure for readers uninterested in fangs, bats, capes and hissing." But I shall post the rest of it below – under a cut for those of you who are scrolling down my blog and/or LiveJournal … and merely a few lines down for anyone who has clicked directly into this post. The full review is rather in-depth, and though it doesn't really spoil anything, it does give plenty away up front.

Consider yourselves warned!

And happy scrolling/clicking.

Click here to read the review, ye mighty, and tremble »

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Virginia: Howdy

I have arrived in Richmond without incident, and am presently ensconced in a hotel room watching TV. Yay! I like TV. Also: I like room service.

I'm settling in to make an early night of it, even though it's not even suppertime West Coast time – because I have to meet a nice man at 7:50 in the morning to take me over to the local CBS affiliate for a morning interview.* Mind you, that's 4:50 a.m. West Coast time. And after the interview, I have to go tootling around the city signing stock at various assorted stores.

I have no problem whatsoever tootling around the city signing stock at various assorted stores. But I am crossing my fingers for a nap break in there, someplace.

Anyway! Tomorrow night, November 16 – at the Fountain Bookstore – come out and join me for my first official southern bookstore event for the Clockwork Century books! Since Dreadnought begins right here in Richmond … well, let's just say it's extra-special, shall we?

*In fact, I was reminded of this appointment via a phone call at 7:20 this morning. I hadn't forgotten. And if I hadn't been awake (I was en route to the airport), I might've been cranky at yet another East Coast person whose grasp of time zones matches my grasp of hobbit-neutering.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Richmond at the Fountain

Today promises to be another slow blogging day, largely because I'm ramping up for yet another round of cross-country travel. Luckily for my sanity, this is my last big out-of-town thing until January, so I'll have a few weeks here at home, which will be nice; but before that semi-down time (I'll be working, I just won't be traveling) I'm making a jaunt to Richmond, Virginia.

Behold, I give you details: Tuesday, November 16th – come out and catch me at The Fountain Bookstore (1312 E. Cary St., Historic Shockoe Slip, Richmond). Reading, Q&A, and general chatter on my part begins at 6:30 p.m., and of course I'll sign your stuff and answer all your pressing zombie science queries.

While I'm there, I'll also be appearing on your local CBS affiliate, CBS 6 WTVR, though whether I'll be live in the morning or they're taping a piece for later, I couldn't say. All I know is that I'm showing up very, very early (for me, on West Coast time) and I shall try to hide the fact that I won't yet be so much awake.*

So, yes – tomorrow bright and early I'll be flying out, and then I'll be back on Wednesday night, in order to get ready for SteamCon, which is this coming weekend. No rest for the wicked, or so they tell me … but at least SteamCon is more or less here in town.

* My ride is picking me up at 7:50 a.m. Knock three hours off of that, and that's what time I have to be out of bed and TV-ready.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Friday wrap-up

I apologize for the hasty, drive-by nature of this post – but I'm afraid it's all I have time for at the moment. Between a couple hours worth of Writer Business(tm) emails, a morning full of day-job work, and a husband's birthday to prepare for … it's been a jam-packed day. And it's not over yet!

But I didn't want to close the week with nothing but silence, so here you go. It's a roundup of links, yes – but they are not all Dreadnought-related, so I can't call this a Dreadnought Channel update or anything. What we've got here is miscellany, and I wish you happy clicking thereupon:

Help my brother with his homework – No, it's cool, I promise – a case study project about Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity. Go click around, leave him comments, tell him how you feel.

Speaking of homework – In an update to the tale of the student with the Boneshaker book report, as mentioned in a previous post: I have been informed by the young man in question that he received an "A". At the risk of sounding egregiously biased, he totally deserved it.

Phoenix ComicCon – I suppose this makes it official – I'll be appearing as a guest of this fine event at the end of May! (We agreed to this a few months ago, but it's only just now become public. That's how these things work, sometimes.)

TeslaCon's opening credits – This was played at the opening ceremonies, on a big screen … and it pretty much rocked like hell. Very nicely it did set the stage for the weekend which was to come. A very stirring production all around!

Tor's Steampunk News Letter – Whether or not you care about steampunk newsletters, you might be interested in seeing the fat spanky give-away package Tor is offering if you'll sign up to receive it. I know at least one reader signed himself up as "The Goddamn Batman" but I don't know how that worked out for him.



Okay, that's all I've got for now. Have a good weekend, everyone!

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Dreadnought Channel Riding High

Seattle Dreadnought readers – They don't seem to mind that most of Dreadnought isn't set in Seattle, thank heavens. I was afraid it would peeve the locals. So far, though, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Story Casting – Fun exercise in frivolity – go to this site to "cast" hypothetical movies made from the Clockwork Century books. I haven't uploaded my own dream castings or anything, so there's no right or wrong set of suggestions. Go have a good time with it.

Dreadnought was October's #1 TP bestseller – … At the marvelous Borderlands book store, anyway. Many thanks to that venerable San Francisco speculative fiction institution, for they have been exceedingly kind to me over the years.

Dreadnought Book Chop review – Lacking only the PEW PEW PEW sound effects, and I'd like to think that Graham Chops implies the heck out of them.

Clockwork Century Facebook page – Make a point to "like" this page if you want to keep up with all the give-aways and whatnot. It's run by someone at Macmillan, not yours truly – and therefore you can consider it a direct mainline into publisher promos and sneak peeks. It's especially useful to readers if I'm out of town, and I don't notice that oh, say, the Tor/Forge blog is scattering goodies like confetti … so I don't blog about it … yeah. That kind of thing. Don't let yourself be left out!

Bonus! Boneshaker review from The Spinecracker – I've been trying to keep this strictly Dreadnought Central as of late, but the series first born is still getting so much love that once in awhile, I just have to spread it around.

Another Bonus! Boneshaker review (plus give-away) at Candace's Book Blog -Click through for all the details, and a chance to pick up a free book.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

Madison, WI: Other

Among the highlights of my weekend in Wisconsin were a pair of signings, one at Barnes & Noble and one at Borders. Both were pleasantly chatty and low-key, but books were sold – with the Borders event pulling ahead as far as attendance goes (it was held on Sunday afternoon, as opposed to B&N's Friday morning event).

My friend and fellow writer Sarah Monette and her husband Allen came out to keep me company at Borders, which was great because (a). it's always good to see them, and (b). my convention liaison Anton (a veritable powerhouse of personal assistanthood) was collecting signed things. I babbled at the assembled readers, as I am wont to do when I am allowed out of the house, and collected some awesome shiny things and tasty things (respectively) from correspondent Barbara.

And … I got one other really freaking great present that night as well. It was a book report, written by an excessively articulate 13-year-old boy named Matthew Klug, who I would henceforth like to hire to write my flap copy for the duration of my publishing career.

Matthew read and reported upon Boneshaker for his English class, and apparently he liked it. His report begins, "The novel Boneshaker by Cherie Priest was one of the most interesting and intense books I have read all year!"* And it goes right on trucking along that vein for three full pages, double-space typed. Reader, I squeed. I no doubt embarrassed us both with my squee, probably both of us and Matthew's mother, too, for she had been kind enough to print an extra copy of the report and drive Mathew out to see me.

Seriously, check out this spoiler-free summary of the novel:"It revolves around a woman named Briar Wilkes, the widow of the (somewhat mad) scientist Leviticus Blue. Sixteen years ago Blue had vanished after testing Leviticus Blue's Incredible Bone-Shaking Drill Engine, which ended up destroying several blocks of the city of Seattle in the Washington Territory. The accident also releases a strange gas called 'The Blight,' which is highly toxic and can turn people into 'rotters,' shambling living-dead abominations that eat human flesh. Ezekiel, Briar's son, ventures into the city to prove the innocence of his father and grandfather, Maynard Wilkes, a strong and just lawman who died freeing convicts from a gas-choked prison. Briar then is forced to leave the relative comfort of The Outskirts and enter the walled-off, mad scientist-ruled hell that is Seattle."

YES. That right there. Couldn't have said it better myself (and more than once, I have tried – believe me; summaries are harder than they look). Thank you, Matthew – and thank you so much for being such an awesome, attentive reader. Best of luck with your studies, and have fun taking over the world :)

I believe I promised a mention of some mostly-naked college-aged rugby players. Yes, well. Here goes.

In addition to TeslaCon, the hotel also hosted a contingent of college rugby players who were in town for some sort of rugby-related event (if one could gauge from their jerseys and the presence of their coaches). They were a strapping group of lads – and they were not sure what to make of TeslaCon, but none of them were asshats about it, at least so far as I heard.

Anyway. My hotel room was on the second floor, directly across from a large window which overlooked the indoor swimming pool. Perhaps you can guess where this is going.

Once, as I was sitting inside, changing clothes (as you do repeatedly at such an event), I heard a chorus of titters, giggles, and rustling fabric. It sounded rather nearby.

I opened my hotel room door to see what all the excitement was about, and found myself staring at a row of approximately half a dozen bustles, jammed up against one another booty-to-booty, as the ladies who occupied these bustles clamored to get a good gander out that second floor window … down into the pool below.

Eric Larsen, director of TeslaCon, passed out an exit survey at the event's closing ceremonies. This was a wise and reasonable move for a man who honestly wants feedback in order to improve next year's convention experience, and I suspect that the vast majority of the feedback he received was overwhelmingly positive.

But as I sat in the lobby, waiting for some friends in order to go to supper, I watched one of the voyeuristic bustle-wearers (a woman nearly old enough to be my grandmother) fill out one of the surveys. With a big ol' smile on her face, she scrawled across the suggestions portion:

"More rugby players. Smaller towels."

* Excerpts posted with permission.

[Crossposted from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]