Cate Gardner's Blog, page 25
May 15, 2012
Pretty Pages
Work has been interesting of late... That is work work, you know the folks who pay me. And in my dictionary, interesting means busy and working longer hours and thus I can't count the times I've sat at my computer at the end of the day and thought ugh!Bad me.
Okay, not completely bad me as I have been plotting and plotting is writing sort of. Plotting is good. Except plotting isn't writing even if I just said it was. Hey, I've been working long hours you can't expect me to make sense especially when I don't always make sense when I'm working normal hours. Plus, plotting sometimes ends up with me singing really loudly and twirling in my chair when I'm supposed to be thinking of ideas. Anyhow, I've taken to carrying around a notebook with me (I've thousands upon thousands of notebooks) and have been scribbling a short story in spare moments here and there because sometimes I need to pants it.
Or maybe just require a kick in the pants.
Plus on a visit to Duotrope I realised I only had seven stories left that I need to sell and I much prefer it when I have twenty. Of course, I don't mind if I sell those seven and have none left. I'm odd like that.
May 8, 2012
British Fantasy Awards
The British Fantasy Society has announced the shortlist for the British Fantasy Awards. They'll be awarded at Fantasycon in September. You can find the full list over at the BFS site.
Stoked to see so many awesome people nominated including Simon Bestwick, Simon Marshall Jones for Spectral Press, Robert Shearman, Angela Slatter, Peter Tennant, Daniele Serra, Gary Fry, Johnny Mains, Conrad Williams and Adam Nevill.
Guess I shall have to stay for the awards ceremony.
Stoked to see so many awesome people nominated including Simon Bestwick, Simon Marshall Jones for Spectral Press, Robert Shearman, Angela Slatter, Peter Tennant, Daniele Serra, Gary Fry, Johnny Mains, Conrad Williams and Adam Nevill.
Guess I shall have to stay for the awards ceremony.
May 7, 2012
31 Days of Secrets...
To gear up for the latest print release from Morrigan Books, author Carole Lanham is sharing 31 secrets in 31 days from her award-winning short story collection The Whisper Jar. On May 31, 2012, The Whisper Jar will be available for purchase in paperback, and this is one secret Carole hopes you'll whisper far and wide. In the meantime, if you'd like to read the book before the end of the month, please pick up your copy of the ebook today at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Whisper-Jar-ebook/dp/B0062ID33K
Secret Number 7
Hung by it's hood on the bough of a pineWas a cape the color of a valentine.Never pure white as it was before,A crimson secret ever more...~ The Adventures of Velvet Honeybone, Girl Werewuff
Carole Lanham is made entirely out of awesome. The Whisper Jar is packed to the lid with dark magic and whimsy, while bearing an ominously old-fashioned touch that might make Edward Gorey feel right at home. It deserves to be ranked as a modern classic.~ Brian Hodge, author of Mad Dogs and Picking The Bones
May 6, 2012
TTA Press are offering free electronic copies of Black St...
TTA Press are offering free electronic copies of Black Static issue 19, which includes fiction by Ray Cluley, Simon Clark, Steve Rasmic Tem, Joel Lane and Lavie Tidhar. Take my word for it, those stories are worth reading.
You can download the magazine at Smashwords.
May 2, 2012
Aaaahh, The Lazy Days of a Writer (Guest Blog by Hunter Shea)
A couple of months back I read Hunter Shea's first novel
Forest of Shadows
and loved it, so when Hunter asked if he could invade my blog to promote his new novel Evil Eternal, I offered a delighted yes....
Aaaahh, The Lazy Days of a Writer by Hunter Shea
Back when I dreamt of one day becoming a published (horror) writer, I envisioned a typical day to consist of a few hours writing my next bestselling novel, followed by a nice nap and maybe a three martini lunch with my editor. I’d also buy a smoking jacket and pipe so I could look the part while I lounged about in my study.
Like all dreams, this is utter fantasy and has nothing to do with reality. I’ve been asked many times what a day in the life of an author is like. Allow me to peel back the curtain for a moment and let you in on the real deal. I figured I’d use a recent weekend as an example, since I had all day to work on my to-do list. (Here’s secret #1…most writers have day jobs, so we have to grab whatever time we can to work on our second, full-time job)
Bear in mind, I’ve been busy as can be with the release of my new book, Evil Eternal, but this is pretty standard.
• Wake up at 6:30am on Saturday, allow my eyes time to adjust and turn on my laptop.
• Go through my three email accounts to correspond with my agent, editor, colleagues & fans. (about 30 minutes)
• Work on the blog tour, which involves looking at various blogs to find the best stops on the tour (like Cate’s wonderful blog!). Then I have to reach out to each blog owner and outline my proposal. (1 hour)
• Stop for breakfast of toast with butter and orange juice. Do a quick clean of the bathroom and stare at the cat, exasperated that she has once again peed in the tub.
• Go to the various social media sites where I post and get information (Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, etc.), make updates, comment on others. (45 minutes)
• Work on the first draft of a book I’ve been writing for tweens who need their horror fix. R.L. Stine needs some competition! (1 hour, 30 minutes)
• Feign surprise when my kids wake up at the crack of noon. Make lunch for the family.
• The sun is out, so I move the laptop into the yard and work on revisions of my next adult horror novel. (3 hours)
• Go back to email accounts & social media to see if I need to reply to anything that’s come in since the morning. (30 minutes)
• Talk to my designer about plans for new logos, banners, etc. (15 minutes)
• Update my blog, including editing my Books page so Evil Eternal is listed first. This is maddeningly difficult to do and I consider pitching my laptop against the house. (1 hour, 30 minutes)
• Exhausted, trudge inside to eat dinner and, since I’m a horror writer and huge fan, line up a couple of horror movies to watch with the wifey so I can recharge.
• Pass out in the middle of the movie Devil Dolls. According to my wife, I missed nothing.
And there you have it. This is what I do on my leisurely weekend. If I win the lottery tomorrow and can leave my day job behind, this is pretty much what every day would look like.
The best part is, I wouldn’t trade this in for anything in the world. I worked well over a decade pursuing this dream of mine, and even when I’m flat on my rear, I’m over the moon knowing that I’m doing something I love. That I love to scare people for a living is a topic for another day, and possibly a few months on my therapist’s couch.
Aaaahh, The Lazy Days of a Writer by Hunter Shea
Back when I dreamt of one day becoming a published (horror) writer, I envisioned a typical day to consist of a few hours writing my next bestselling novel, followed by a nice nap and maybe a three martini lunch with my editor. I’d also buy a smoking jacket and pipe so I could look the part while I lounged about in my study.
Like all dreams, this is utter fantasy and has nothing to do with reality. I’ve been asked many times what a day in the life of an author is like. Allow me to peel back the curtain for a moment and let you in on the real deal. I figured I’d use a recent weekend as an example, since I had all day to work on my to-do list. (Here’s secret #1…most writers have day jobs, so we have to grab whatever time we can to work on our second, full-time job)
Bear in mind, I’ve been busy as can be with the release of my new book, Evil Eternal, but this is pretty standard.
• Wake up at 6:30am on Saturday, allow my eyes time to adjust and turn on my laptop.
• Go through my three email accounts to correspond with my agent, editor, colleagues & fans. (about 30 minutes)
• Work on the blog tour, which involves looking at various blogs to find the best stops on the tour (like Cate’s wonderful blog!). Then I have to reach out to each blog owner and outline my proposal. (1 hour)
• Stop for breakfast of toast with butter and orange juice. Do a quick clean of the bathroom and stare at the cat, exasperated that she has once again peed in the tub.
• Go to the various social media sites where I post and get information (Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, etc.), make updates, comment on others. (45 minutes)
• Work on the first draft of a book I’ve been writing for tweens who need their horror fix. R.L. Stine needs some competition! (1 hour, 30 minutes)
• Feign surprise when my kids wake up at the crack of noon. Make lunch for the family.
• The sun is out, so I move the laptop into the yard and work on revisions of my next adult horror novel. (3 hours)
• Go back to email accounts & social media to see if I need to reply to anything that’s come in since the morning. (30 minutes)
• Talk to my designer about plans for new logos, banners, etc. (15 minutes)
• Update my blog, including editing my Books page so Evil Eternal is listed first. This is maddeningly difficult to do and I consider pitching my laptop against the house. (1 hour, 30 minutes)
• Exhausted, trudge inside to eat dinner and, since I’m a horror writer and huge fan, line up a couple of horror movies to watch with the wifey so I can recharge.
• Pass out in the middle of the movie Devil Dolls. According to my wife, I missed nothing.
And there you have it. This is what I do on my leisurely weekend. If I win the lottery tomorrow and can leave my day job behind, this is pretty much what every day would look like.
The best part is, I wouldn’t trade this in for anything in the world. I worked well over a decade pursuing this dream of mine, and even when I’m flat on my rear, I’m over the moon knowing that I’m doing something I love. That I love to scare people for a living is a topic for another day, and possibly a few months on my therapist’s couch.
May 1, 2012
A Grimm Tale
My story
Through Bleached Bone
is published today at Goldfish Grimm's Spicy Fiction Sushi and there is also an interview where I as usual babble nonsense.
In other news, my outdated IE at work won't allow me to blog properly and so if this looks like gobbledygook well I guess it's gobbledygook (but hopefully the story isn't).
In other news, my outdated IE at work won't allow me to blog properly and so if this looks like gobbledygook well I guess it's gobbledygook (but hopefully the story isn't).
April 29, 2012
It's Raining, It's Pouring...
Dear Weather,
You are miserable. I request that you cheer up immediately (although I will give you a deadline of tomorrow). I would like to spend the summer months sitting in the garden with a notebook writing something marvellous, or as marvellous as a first draft can be, and I don't have a waterproof pen or laminated notebook pages.
I promise I will add all the squall you want to my next WIP and will give rain a starring role so you won't be forgotten.
This afternoon, I shall bury my winter coat at the back of the wardrobe and will wear my new jacket to work tomorrow.
Your co-operation is appreciated,
Me (and several other writers in the UK)
You are miserable. I request that you cheer up immediately (although I will give you a deadline of tomorrow). I would like to spend the summer months sitting in the garden with a notebook writing something marvellous, or as marvellous as a first draft can be, and I don't have a waterproof pen or laminated notebook pages.
I promise I will add all the squall you want to my next WIP and will give rain a starring role so you won't be forgotten.
This afternoon, I shall bury my winter coat at the back of the wardrobe and will wear my new jacket to work tomorrow.
Your co-operation is appreciated,
Me (and several other writers in the UK)
April 26, 2012
Book Spine Poetry
This post is inspired by Carrie Cuinn and in honour of National Poetry Month...
A little poem (that may be stretching it) from my to read pile:
Ghosts Know
In the Dark of the NightFallen Pretty MonstersPerchance to DreamIn the Shadow of Gotham
A little poem (that may be stretching it) from my to read pile:
Ghosts Know
In the Dark of the NightFallen Pretty MonstersPerchance to DreamIn the Shadow of Gotham
April 23, 2012
The Return
Once upon a time a story appeared in a chapbook all of its own and its author, back then in disguise as her minion Catherine J Gardner, was rather excited about the event. It was the first time her name and only her name had appeared on a book and she never thought that would happen ever...like ever ever...and she still can't believe that it has happened again on four occasions. Of course, she is convinced that is that and she should hug her little books to her chest and never expect any more. Except in her dreams......because it never hurts to dream.
Anyway, she loved the story of Olive Lemon so much that she typed it up at the end of last year with the intention of sending it out into the world again as a reprint, only she never did until someone awesome invited her to write something for a magazine and she dared to ask if they'd read Olive's tale, thus...
Joe Pulver read and accepted The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon for Phantasmagorium of which he has recently taken over editorial duties from Laird Barron. It will appear in print this May along with work from Cody Goodfellow, Ann K Schwader, Edward Morris and Michael Cisco.
Excited...some.
That's my third acceptance this month.
April 18, 2012
Tiny Martians, SleepMakers and Other Things
I'm having a strange old day.
There has been sadness (attended my uncle's funeral).
There has been madness (in work just after seven, then left at ten, then travelled by foot, train and car to the funeral and then by car, train and foot back into work which I eventually left at four.)
There has been gladness (awesome emails full of awesomeness, which included...)
An acceptance from Goldfish Grimm's Spicy Fiction Sushi for my story Through Bleached Bone, a futuristic tale set in a universe just left of ours, populated by SleepMakers and Ghost Beasts and good friends. Previous issues have included stories by Kurt Newton, Jaym Gates, Adam Israel and Carrie Cuinn.
Today has also been the day of the mega-huge barmcake full of fattening corned beef and mayo and red onion and alas a slight dip in my diet. But no chocolate. Although, I'm not certain there was room left for chocolate. Seriously, tiny Martians could have used the barmcake as a spaceship.
There has been sadness (attended my uncle's funeral).
There has been madness (in work just after seven, then left at ten, then travelled by foot, train and car to the funeral and then by car, train and foot back into work which I eventually left at four.)
There has been gladness (awesome emails full of awesomeness, which included...)
An acceptance from Goldfish Grimm's Spicy Fiction Sushi for my story Through Bleached Bone, a futuristic tale set in a universe just left of ours, populated by SleepMakers and Ghost Beasts and good friends. Previous issues have included stories by Kurt Newton, Jaym Gates, Adam Israel and Carrie Cuinn.
Today has also been the day of the mega-huge barmcake full of fattening corned beef and mayo and red onion and alas a slight dip in my diet. But no chocolate. Although, I'm not certain there was room left for chocolate. Seriously, tiny Martians could have used the barmcake as a spaceship.
