MeiLin Miranda's Blog, page 41
December 7, 2011
We have a new cover artist!
Our new cover artist for the History is Beatriz González, who hails from Spain. I found her on deviantArt and was immediately struck by her artwork. We should have a preliminary sketch next week! I'm excited to be working with Bea, as much as I'll miss Alice, and look forward to what she comes up with.
December 5, 2011
New rave review!
To say this 5-star review put me over the moon is an understatement. It's from M.K. Hobson
, a great writer and fellow Broad Universe member, someone whose work I greatly admire:
"'Lovers and Beloveds' has everything I adore in high fantasy--lush worldbuilding, political intrigue, and compelling characters--combined with something I rarely (to be honest, almost never) find in high fantasy--intelligent, well-written, relevant sex. The story's explicit content (and it is substantial) is masterfully handled with grace and elegance. Most importantly, it is always in service of the book's sweeping, dramatic narrative. Author MeiLin Miranda deploys her erotic charges in the best possible way: to reveal character, explore power dynamics, and further disclose the unique structure of the rich and fascinating society she has created. She's a d*mn fine writer and definitely one I'll be keeping my eye on in the future!"
If you haven't read Hobson's books, go check her out. Because she is awesome. I'm thrilled. 
Chapter 16 Part 9 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book 1
A few paces ahead, Temmin had fallen in step with Anda. "I don't know if I can do this," he muttered.
"You'll be all right," she said. "I survived it. You will, too."
"Be truthful with me. Do They scare you?"
"They're Gods, of course they scare me--did Senik tell you about the time 500 years ago? If he weren't so pretty, I'd kill that man," scowled Anda. "You'll be with Neya anyway. I don't think She's fucked anyone to death, ever. I hope if it ever happens it's Senik, but he'd probably die happy."
December 2, 2011
Chapter 16 Part 8 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book 1
Temmin, Senik, Anda and Evra pelted after him, Barik and Glaes following behind at a more dignified pace. The gardens were packed with people on both sides of many wide paths lined with lanterns; Neya might have gone down any of them, but Nerr seemed to know Her path.
Through the flowers, the sculpture garden, almost into the Temple and out onto the street Neya-in-Allis led them, until they were far out onto the grassy lawns, where there were no people or lanterns; Temmin followed Senik's back, the only thing his still-unaccustomed eyes could clearly see. Two screams came piercing from the darkness ahead, one triumphant, one enraged. "He's caught Her," said Senik. "Lights!"
November 30, 2011
An interview with me about Teacher
Tracy S. Morris was kind enough to interview me for this month's Broadly Speaking. The subject was Mentors, and we talked about Teacher. Broadly Speaking is one of the podcasts produced by the wonderful Broad Universe, an organization for women in horror, science fiction and fantasy.
November 29, 2011
Bad cover news
Alice Fox, Official Portraitist to the Court of Harsin the IV and the kickass artist behind the book one cover and all of the character concept art on this site, is too injured to do the cover for book two. I am really upset, mostly for her--she's got some kind of carpal tunnel-y thing going on that's really painful--but of course also for me. The work she did on book one was spectacular, and I was so very much looking forward to her work on book two.
So. If you are or know an artist conversant in book cover design and who can handle original art in an Alphonse Mucha/art nouveau style, get me your portfolio and a rate sheet.
*weeps*
November 28, 2011
Uh, guys? Book two is with Netta!
I edited all fifteen chapters, wrote the final scene (which I seem to do after everything else is done and edited), compiled it, and it's now in Netta's hands. Alice is working on the cover. It's coming together, people. If you haven't bought a presale, might wanna get on that.
I'm excited about the book. As it stands now it's EFFING HUGE. I'm hoping to pare it down at least a little, because right now it's 20,000 words more than book one. o_O
Wish Netta and me luck!
Chapter 16 Part 7 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book 1
Temmin took Barik's position behind the frame, and wrapped Issak's hair timidly around his hand. "Temmin, please," crooned Issak, lips searching. His voice held the same frantic, bare desperation Temmin heard in countless voices in the petitioning rooms--the young man begging for the release of a spanking, the muffled pleading of the woman tied to the couch--though he sensed Issak feared release as much as needed it. "Please..."
Temmin fisted the hand in Issak's hair, Issak, so composed and in control and now begging and needy. Temmin yanked him back and kissed him, a fierce, sloppy, imperfect kiss that brought Temmin more into the present, but took Issak further away.
November 25, 2011
Chapter 16 Part 6 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book 1
Senik led Temmin down a long corridor that ran parallel to the gardens. Temmin carried a basket full of little muslin bags, Senik two small but heavy caskets. "Barik Lover will lead, we will assist," said Senik. "Have you met Barik?"
He had; he'd met all the senior clergy. The biggest thing about Barik Lover that he'd seen were his eyes: soft, sympathetic brown pools often lit with some unheard, inner joke. Otherwise, Barik's balding, close-cropped head came only to Temmin's shoulder. He was middle-aged, and beyond good looks in Temmin's estimation--a long nose, square-set mouth, and rather well-furred forearms. They entered the anteroom of the Gods' Chamber, a long oblong with two doors. One was red and led to Nerr's side of the Chamber; the other was white and led to Neya's.
November 21, 2011
Chapter 16 Part 5 | Lovers and Beloveds | IHGK Book 1
Despite Anda's light, musical snoring in the alcove bed across the room from him, Temmin slept late on Neya's Day. Or at least, he assumed he had; the Supplicants Chamber had no windows. Anda's bed was now empty and made, and his only gauge of time was his roaring appetite. With his breakfast, he learned that he had in fact slept until lunch, "A good thing on the whole, as it'll be a long night, with little sleep for anyone and much exercise for everyone," smirked Senik.
All Temmin knew about the upcoming ritual was this:
