MeiLin Miranda's Blog, page 37
February 29, 2012
Episode 49: Let 'Er Rip | Scryer's Gulch
The next day passed uneventful and serene, the weather dry, cold and clear. School let out. The little pack of kids scattered in ones, twos and threes to their various haunts around town.
Episode 49: Let 'Er Rip
The next day passed uneventful and serene, the weather dry, cold and clear. School let out. The little pack of kids scattered in ones, twos and three to their various haunts around town.
February 27, 2012
Chapter 1 Part 1 | Son in Sorrow | IHGK Book 2
Paggday night, the 9th day of Spring's Beginning
Tremont Keep, Tremont City
"I do not understand, Your Grace, why so glum the faces," said an enormous brown-skinned man. His long cloak of iridescent feathers covered otherwise unexceptional evening wear; his strong, naturally crimped black hair streamed unfettered down his back, and as he frowned around the ballroom in woozy concentration the blue-black tattoos curling round his nose and eyes furrowed.
"Glum, Your Excellency?" said his light-skinned companion. Anvalt Vonturus, Duke of Litta, was not a short man, but next to the tall ambassador even his stiff military bearing could not overcome an impression of smallness. In contrast with the ambassador's tattoos, a pale scar slashed through his left brow; a black ribbon clubbed his slate-colored hair in a queue that announced he was a conservative.
Litta glanced around the assembly milling about Tremont Keep's Great Ballroom in nervous clumps spiky with the glint of jewels. They winked on countless fingers; in the curls of women's hair; around slender wrists and wrists so fat they nearly hid their bracelets in their folds, and around necks both wrinkled and smooth; and from countless medals--some earned and some Litta knew were given to shut the bearer up. What a decadent age.
February 22, 2012
Episode 48: A Little Look-See | Scryer's Gulch
Scryer's Gulch never quieted down much overnight, but it did enough so Mamzelle could stake out the Hopewell Hotel without drawing much attention that night, even though it was the first night of the full moon. Jed Bonham had a big mouth, and when he told her he was taking the schoolteacher out to the mines the next day, Mamzelle thought she'd have a little look-see; this Duniway woman bore watching if Mamzelle was going to kill her.
The woman's window opened. A slithery black shape snuck out and bounded over the rooftops: Misiriplinapos Son of Misorianatus, Duniway's pet demon in the shape of a cat. Some demon, she sniffed.
February 20, 2012
Now We Are Four
On February 21st, 2008, I posted the first item on MeiLinMiranda.com. I had no idea what would happen; I just wanted a place to post these racy stories I was writing, and I thought it'd be fun to have my own site to do it on. I'm a web developer, it's not hard for me to throw up a site, why not. I didn't really expect anyone to read what I wrote. I had a small following for my Dr Who fanfiction, but this was original; no one wants to read original fiction by some no-name. Ha! Not even no-name! I was using my Second Life name as my pen name! What a dork, eh?
That week, I posted the first episode of "An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom." I had no idea what I was doing and didn't take my writing in the least bit seriously. Sure, I'd written professionally for thirty years, but that was all journalism and nonfiction. I was just having a bit of fun--and for fun, I did what some other webserial writers were doing: I put up a challenge. If I raised $10, I'd release an extra episode. Figured it'd never happen.
I got the $10 almost immediately. Like, within the hour. I sat up straighter. Maybe I'd have to take this a little more seriously.
Four years later, that first contributor is still a staunch reader, bless him. I've written two full-length novels in the History series, a bunch of short stories, a second serial, a new collaborative universe novel is underway, and the Kickstarter that ended on the 12th of this month raised $5,250. Floored ain't in it, my friends. I cannot believe what has happened since that first timid post. I have readers, readers who pay for my work, even. I take my writing dead serious--but I'm stuck with the goofy pen name! 
So much has happened that it feels like ancient history. That first little post changed my life so radically, but it was just four years ago. Thank you to everyone--those who've been with me from the beginning, and those who've come along for the ride in recent days. I love you all.
February 16, 2012
"Son in Sorrow" manuscript finished, going out to presalers!
Yep, it's the moment about a hundred of you have been waiting for: The manuscript of "Son in Sorrow" is ready to distribute to the presalers. Now I just need to figure out the most efficient way of getting it to you all... 
February 14, 2012
Now it can be told: The Drifting Isle Chronicles
I've mentioned a project I'm working on with a bunch of other fantasy writers. Now I can talk about it more. We have a name for our series: The Drifting Isle Chronicles. The blog Shared Story Worlds will be writing about our progress throughout the coming year as we work on this project together. Up first is this interview with Joseph Robert Lewis, who organized the collaboration. The other writers working with us are Coral Moore, Katherine Tomlinson and Charlotte E. English.
As Joseph says in the interview, it's amazing how the five of us each gravitated to a particular section of the world we've created and said, "Right, I'll sort that bit out." The world we've created is part steampunk, part magic, and has some really interesting little quirks in it. We're still working out the magical rules, but we've come a very long way in a very short time.
February 12, 2012
Attention! Bounced email for a presale order!
If your name starts with "Mag" and your email address starts with "trop": Your email is bouncing! I can't get you your manuscript or ebooks or anything! Please advise asap!
This is it! Last hour! (updated: We're done!)
Soon you won't have to put up with these updates any more--we're in the last hour of the Kickstarter presale for book two. Right now, 100 people have backed me to the tune of $5,230. That's nearly 350% what I asked for. I'm so overwhelmed and grateful right now. Here's the link one last time. If you want a presale package, it's now or never.
Update: We're done! Final tally: 102 backers, $5,250, 350% funded!! I am OVERWHELMED with gratitude. So unexpected, so affirming, so...just...damn. Thank you.
