Cate Gardner's Blog, page 22

In Which I'm Resurrected

I've been ignoring my blog. Bad writer. Be assured I have slapped my wrists with a ruler. In fact it broke. So what to report...

1) Since last I visited this here corner of the internet I have fallen down several hills (that may not actually classify as hills) with Pendle Hill (or close to) being the most spectacular. Conclusion: I need walking boots or the Bestwick should give me a piggy back on the downward slopes. What I learned from this: sheep hide their humour well.

2) Received my contributor copy of Circus - Fantasy Under the Big Top. I remain stoked by the fact I have a story in a Prime anthology. Dreams are made every day be they big or small. I just vomited.

3) Because if you're making a list there should be at least three things.

4) My story 'Too Delicate for Human Form', which is forthcoming in Dagan Book's Fish anthology, has been selected for Proxima Books' anthology 'Best British Fantasy 2013'. Falls over. Bruises nose.

5) I will / should (someone tie me to a chair - leaving my hands free to type) finish editing my ghostly novella 'The Bureau of Them' this week. When and if I stop procrastinating and exercising and eating and.... Now I'm just coming up with lame excuses.

And that is my cue to leave this blog. Hopefully my next post shall follow shortly or at least within the month.

In Which I Play Tag

Bernie Mojzes tagged me and now I must write a post about my WIP - which is almost finished. Praise (insert here whichever deity or random object you worship) chocolate. I miss blogging. I miss having the time to catch up with blogs and twitter. I don't twitter as much as I used to. You may have noticed. Or not. I hope you haven't because that means a) I've got away with being semi-silent, and b) you're not stalking me; but it also means a) no one notices me, and b) darn, you're not stalking me.
Oh, and my WIP is a novella rather than a novel but I will start working on a novel again soon, I promise, maybe, no I definitely will. Sorry, the angel and the demon on my shoulders are having an argument (at least they're not chips). I just have one more project to work on (about 20,000 words long) and then I can write three books at once (two middle grades and one adult) because that is so happening.
What is the title of your book?
The Bureau of Them.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
The story was born of numerous places. Firstly, I fell in love with the Katy Perry song 'The One That Got Away' (check it out and try not to sniffle) and wanted to write a story about lost love.  Secondly, there is an old building that I pass on the way home from work. It's empty, it's ugly (1960s or 1970s), the windows are covered in grime and in that grime people have written messages - some obscene some the general x loves y. I realised one of my characters was trapped within the building. Thirdly, I pulled a page out of a catalogue (Urban Outfitters or something similar) that had pictures of objects - a metallic owl, blocks, a tape measure and other stuff, and wanted to include them in a story. Thus, The Bureau of Them was born.
What genre does your book fall under?
Horror. It's a ghost story.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Ooh, I've never considered who could play Katy and Glynn. Now I must think (cogs turn, cogs rusty). My knowledge of the current crop of young actors is rather limited so I'm going to pretend it’s the 1980s and cast Jami Gertz as Katy and Judd Nelson as Glynn. Jack Nicholson can play the twisted leader of the ghosts, Yarker Ryland.
What is a one-sentence synopsis of the book?
Evil question - I should just delete it but…
Ghosts watch from behind the windows of the abandoned building, waiting to destroy those who once loved them.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Neither. As it's a novella, I'll be sending it to publishers myself. Beware, the ghosts could land in your inbox soon (although, probably not as I suspect you're not an editor and if you are an editor, 'hey, you're looking good today' and please do not judge me on this sentence).
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
I can't remember. About a month. I could check in my writing diary but that would require effort. It's Monday. I don't do effort on a Monday.
What other books would you compare this story to in your genre?
Oh… Erm… I'm not certain I can.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
A little metallic owl.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
It's set in the streets I grew up in and I've kept some of the buildings from that era (although they're long gone) and moved them to a modern setting. I guess that would only interest the reader though if they were interested in stalking 'little me' and that's just odd or if they grew up in those same streets. Sheil Road Flats and Boaler Street school anyone? Anyone? Okay, shall have to think of something else to pique the reader's interest…
Well there is a little metallic owl if you're into owls and a broken butterfly pin if you're into butterflies or pins. If you like having your heart broken, then this is a tale of lost love that is determined to remain lost. These are ghosts who have forgotten who they were and do not recognise what was once dear to them; all they know is that they no longer exist and thus believe the places they haunted in life should disappear too. They are destroying the world and in doing so, Glynn is also destroying Katy.


Now, I'm supposed to tag five people. Of course, I don’t expect you to play along but as I'm falling behind on my blog reading and not up to date on what everyone is writing I'm going to choose some folk in the hope that I'll find out what their current WIP is the lazy way.
Kate ShawKatey TaylorAaron Polson Mary RajotteDeborah Walker

Fantasycon in Bullet Points

Last weekend, I attended my very first convention - Fantasycon - and I loved it. Here are some of the things that occurred and helped make it something to remember...


- Simon may never forgive me for making him run from our B&B to the convention hotel because I wanted to attend Rob Shearman's reading. The run included stairs. I will apologise eventually. Maybe. Probably not. It was Rob Shearman after all. I also attended readings by Simon Bestwick (duh!), Alison Littlewood, Gary McMahon, Graham Joyce and Jon Oliver.

- Beware of Graham Joyce and seemingly innocent lists of signatures. Always check under Joyce's thumb. Several writers signed their names to the List of Cunts. Snort.

- An absolute thrill to finally meet Ray Cluley and to discover that his girlfriend, Victoria, is VH Leslie who's had stories published in Black Static. At several points during the weekend I was surrounded by Black Static and Interzone authors. This makes me part of the gang, right? Right? It's almost like having a story within the pages, right? Simon and I went for a meal with Ray and Victoria on the Friday night. A definite highlight of the weekend. The following night we returned to the same restaurant with the brilliant Gary & Emily McMahon. I ate swordfish. This is exotic for me.

- Arriving at a disco via the dance floor when your boyfriend is an extrovert and you are an introvert is scary. I demanded a pint of cider and after a few sips discovered my rhythm - or rather, no longer cared whether or not I had rhythm. I didn't have rhythm.

- Beware of DJs with a wicked sense of humour.

- I can hold my drink. Cue one boyfriend who was slightly less concerned when I demanded he buy me another pint of cider.

- During the British Fantasy Awards the room erupted when Rob Shearman won the award for best collection. Although all the winners received generous applause, the announcement of Rob's win almost brought the hotel down. In fact, I suspect parts of Brighton are still shaking. Adam Nevill got a rapturous applause too. Someone needs to check if the hotel is still standing.

- Despite claiming we would, the Bestwick and I never managed a trip on the big wheel. We ran out of time. It wasn't because we're wimps or that we were still trying to catch our breath after running to Rob Shearman's reading. Although, hearing Soozy Marjoram's report of her experience on the big wheel I'm rather grateful to the beast that stole time.

- Nina Allen is so lovely.

- Alison Littlewood & Fergus are lovely too. But this I already knew. In fact, lots of people were lovely and in some cases bonkers. I appreciate bonkers. Amongst the lovely and the bonkers who I spoke to (leaving out those already mentioned) were Graeme Reynolds, Simon Kurt Unsworth, Jay Eales, Rosie Seymour, Christopher Teague, Rio Youers, Lynda Rucker, Mark West, Selina Lock, Joel Lane, Gary Cole Wilkin, David Price, Simon & Lizzie Marshall Jones, Neil Buchanan, Maura McHugh, and... okay, I've mentioned him before but... Rob Shearman. So, so excited to meet Rob. I don't think it showed though. Apologies to all those I forgot to mention (I have just face palmed)

- Somebody forgot to attend any panels. That would be me. No matter the awesomeness of the Guests of Honour if you get lost in Alice in Wonderland corridors you'll never find your way to their interview. Oops! In fact, I think my reflection is still trapped somewhere in the basement of the con hotel.

- I didn't take many photos because I suffered a strange case of Behind Camera Shyness. This is a new illness. I'm going to prescribe something sugary.

- I developed an addiction to ice cubes. My home made ice cubes do not compare. I would also like to continue having breakfast in bed. Someone arrange the latter.

- Roy Gray (of Interzone / TTA Press) kindly gave us a lift to and from Fantasycon. Much thanks to him. I think he survived the experience.

- Candy floss was consumed.

- Most important of all, the convention made me desperate to write. I'd lost a little of that want over the past few months. Oh, and did I say, I met ROB SHEARMAN!!! This may have pleased me.

This is Horror - Manchester 2012

Normally you'll find me raving about how cool my city (Liverpool) is but on this rare occasion I am going to rave about a city close to mine - Manchester. For those who falsely believe Manchester is superior to Liverpool note that this is a one time event...

Liverpool is way cooler. For one, it has me in it.*

The folk at This is Horror were holding an event at MadLab to celebrate the launch of Thin Men with Yellow Faces, a chapbook by Simon Bestwick and Gary McMahon.

(Side note: MadLab was far less mad than expected - colour me disappointed - although we did spend some time in an Odd Bar before the event. I'll take whatever strangeness I can find.)

The wonderful Jasper Bark hosted the event (a seriously brilliant host) and there were readings by Ramsey Campbell, Conrad Williams and, of course, Simon & Gary read an extract each from their chapbook (available to purchase here - although if you're at Fantasycon this week I believe you'll be able to pick up a copy there (hint - it's brilliant and chilling). Jasper interviewed all four authors and then there was a panel discussion. There was also an ass pressed up against the window - I missed that bit. I always miss everything. Oh wait... I didn't miss the bit where I was pointed out in the audience. I believe I may have fallen under my chair at that point. I'm such an attention seeker obviously.

It was lovely to finally meet Michael Wilson and Jasper Bark, and also lovely to meet Dan Howarth again, also Jo Baldwin (who had the most gorgeous coat in the history of coats - priorities people), Ian Graham, John Costello, Conrad Williams, Ramsey Campbell, Jenny Campbell, Ronnie Bark, Pat Kelleher, Shaun Hamilton and other folk. Fabulous, fabulous night, which was rounded off with a meal at a Korean restaurant with a bunch of good folk.

Now I shall scrutinise the Fantasycon programme and decide which panels, readings etc I want to attend. I already see two things that clash but I have a plan. A cunning plan. Okay, it may not be that cunning.


*actual ego can fit on a pin head (but not the Pinhead)
**Manchester is also rather cool because it's where the Bestwick resides

Memory Bones

Last year, a very good friend and a kick-ass writer asked me to write a foreword for his forthcoming short story collection. My immediate reaction was 'hell yes'. I love said friend's short stories and he's a pretty kick-ass person too, and funny (funny is essential).

Now, said short story collection is available to buy as a hardback from the man himself, Mike Stone, and it is a beautiful thing as you will see if you scroll to the bottom of this post were said cover is revealed in all its gorgeousness (art is by Mark Cartlidge). The paperback and eBook are forthcoming from Graveside Tales. 

Trust me, this is a fabulous collection. Of course, if you don't trust me perhaps you'll trust Graham Joyce and his opinion of Mike's writing - "Mike Stone is a vivid and exuberant writer and a terrific storyteller." Now for the book...

104 words

The world changes every day. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. At the moment, I'm lucky. Every day my world seems to be changing for the better.

A guy at work died this weekend. No warning. Just gone.

Okay, that was a brutal change of tone. Sorry. But eleven years after 9/11 I guess most of us are reflecting today about how the world changed on that awful day, on loss.

Such events cause you to appreciate what you have and to consider how you should make the most of every moment. You should do what makes you happy without hurting others in the process. I can honestly say I am the happiest I've been in a very long time. The only thing that could make me happier (well there are a few things but this is something that is within my control)...

Is wrapping my wee brain around my novel/novella and it, in its turn, co-operating. The story (The Bureau of Them) deals with loss, with heartbreak, and strangely, now that I have someone wonderful in my life, I understand those emotions more. Now that I have someone to lose I appreciate how my characters--Katy and Peter--feel and why they are driven to get back those they love. Even if those they love are dead...

...well it is one of my stories after all.

So living and loving life may take me away from writing at times but each new experience offers further depth to future stories. I shall stop stressing about possible future events and start living more in the now. For as someone wise once said, the now is all we have.

And hey, I've written 104 words today.

Some Forthcoming Stuff...

My story Six Feet Above will appear in the Something Wicked anthology. The story originally appeared online. The white cover (to your left) is available as a limited edition of 100 and I believe there will be a non-limited edition with a different cover. More details over at Something Wicked.









I was delighted when Jay Eales invited me to write a story for his Faction Paradox anthology and even more delighted when I discovered ...and from the Tower she did fall will be appearing in anthology with such an awesome cover. Just gorgeous.

A full list of authors is available here.

Thin Men with Yellow Faces Event

This is Horror are hosting an event on Saturday September 22 to celebrate the launch of their second chapbook Thin Men with Yellow Faces by Gary McMahon and Simon Bestwick. Joining Simon and Gary will be Ramsey Campbell, Conrad Williams and Jasper Bark.

The launch event will be held at MadLab in Manchester from 6:30pm running through to 8:15 pm.Tickets are just £3 and you can purchase them via the This is Horror website. I have mine and if you're in the area then go get yours. Thin Men with Yellow Faces will be available for the special price of £4 in Manchester for one night only and as it's a collaboration between two hugely talented writers you know it's going to kick-ass.

'A Season in Carcosa' an anthology inspired by Robert Cha...

'A Season in Carcosa' an anthology inspired by Robert Chambers' King in Yellow stories is now available to preorder from Miskatonic River Press.

Here is the rather awesome TOC:

Joel Lane "My Voice is Dead"
Simon Strantzas "Beyond the Banks of the River Seine"
Don Webb "Movie Night at Phil's"
Daniel Mills "MS Found in a Chicago Hotel Room"
Gary McMahon "it sees me when I’m not looking"
Ann K. Schwader "Finale, Act Two"
Cate Gardner "Yellow Bird Strings"
Edward Morris "The Theatre & Its Double"
Richard Gavin "The Hymn of the Hyades"
Gemma Files "Slick Black Bones and Soft Black Stars"
Joseph S. Pulver, Sr. "Not Enough Hope"
Kristin Prevallet "Whose Hearts are Pure Gold"
Richard A. Lupoff "April Dawn"
Anna Tambour "King Wolf"
Michael Kelly "The White-Face at Dawn"
Cody Goodfellow "Wishing Well"
John Langan "Sweetums"
Pearce Hansen "The King is Yellow"
Laird Barron "D T"
Robin Spriggs "Salvation in Yellow"
Allyson Bird "The Beat Hotel"

Shimmering

I am beyond delighted to announce that my story 'The Binding of Memories' has been accepted by Shimmer magazine.

For me, Shimmer was a bucket list goal and I sent them a decent weight of stories. In fact, I may have drowned several Shimmer slush readers beneath the weight of them.

Note: This story includes cake and in no way did I mean to bribe editor, E. Catherine Tobler, by mentioning said cake. It is a coincidence that she adores cake. Frankly, most people adore cake.