Emma Newman's Blog, page 17

The Sci-Fi Weekender 2013

Last year I went to the SFX Weekender in Prestatyn, Wales. It was the first huge sci-fi convention I’d ever been to and I had a fabulous time, despite the truly awful accommodation. I cosplayed, I geeked out and made some lovely new friends.

This weekend I went to the Sci-Fi Weekender (SFX magazine are no longer involved) but this time I was one of the guests and that brought home to me just how much has happened in the last year.

Stuff I got up to

To be honest, it was all dominated by Just A Minute, but I’ll get to that in a minute.

Panels

The weekend started with a panel called “Here Come the Girls” and when all the panellists met just before it started we agreed it was a bit of a silly subject. It still led to some interesting discussion however and Stacia Kane made some very interesting points about how some readers have reacted to her characters.

I was also on an apocalyptic fiction panel which I enjoyed immensely. I have to say I was really impressed by Hugh Howey and Peter Brett – they were very interesting and personable. Gareth Powell did a grand job of moderating too.

Then there was a panel about fantasy world building (I thought it was supposed to be about urban fantasy but no matter). Paul Cornell stepped in last minute when we realised our moderator was still interviewing Brian Blessed and he did a fine job. Even though the panel had lots of people (I think the ideal size is 4 plus moderator and I think there were 7 of us plus Paul) it went well I think.

All I can hope is that what we said on all of the panels was interesting, informative and entertaining. The location was not ideal – as Gareth said, it was like doing panels in a motorway service station. There was a lot of ambient noise, background distractions and some microphone issues. I think putting up partitions would be a great improvement if it was held in the same location again.

Just A Minute

You know, I’ve been spotting a few pictures of us up on the stage this morning and I’m finding it hard to believe I actually did that! For the last month I’ve been so very, very anxious about it. For the half hour before we went onto the stage I was completely freaking out. I mean hyperventilating, swearing more than usual, flapping my hands, grabbing Gareth’s sleeve and asking him what the hell we’d been thinking when we said yes.

Then my name was called and I went onto the stage and couldn’t stop shaking. There were so many people! Then I remembered I hadn’t switched my phone off as I’d been so busy freaking out. Of course, the damnable thing crashed and I ended up abandoning it face down on the table. Not an auspicious start.

But then once we started, I gradually relaxed. I shook for about fifteen minutes, then I forgot to be scared. I discovered a competitive streak I never thought I had and actually made the audience laugh! I have vague memories of talking about my crush on China Miéville (covers face with hands) and having a zombie-proof cellar filled with books. I recall Gareth being very funny and frighteningly strategic in his gameplay. He won the game by one point – I came second.

I’m so pleased I did it. The audience were fantastic – thanks to everyone who came to watch and cheer and clap and laugh, you made it so much fun. And a huge thank you to people who came up to me afterwards to chat – I find it so hard to initiate conversations and it was a great icebreaker.

The first Between Two Thorns signing session!

Like every other author, I was worried no-one would show up on Saturday morning. I went over to the Angry Robot table in the dealer’s room and saw the UK edition for the first time (soooo pretty!) and stood there stroking the cover for a moment before being told people were already waiting to have their copy signed.

And they kept coming. Blimey, people were queuing! I was absolutely gobsmacked. I met lovely people, I spelt names very carefully, realised that velvet gloves are not ideal for signings and had a fantastic time. Between Two Thorns was sold out in less than two hours.

Wow.

I know several people went to buy a copy later in the day and were disappointed – if you were one of them, you can get a signed copy in the following ways:

Pre-order from Forbidden Planet

Come to the Bristol launch this Thursday (7th March) at Forbidden Planet Bristol Megastore, 6-7pm

Come to the London launch this Friday (8th March) at Forbidden Planet on Shaftesbury Ave, 6-7pm

I would love to see you at the launches if you live within striking distance of Bristol or London – and we will be having drinks afterwards too.

The venue and event organisation

I have a skewed perception of the weekend by virtue of being a guest – I was so busy with panels, the signing session, interviews and even the international phone-in launch that I didn’t experience the event in the same way that I did last year.

I can, however, talk about the venue. Both the Haven and Chic staff were fabulously friendly and helpful. The accommodation was a huge improvement from last year’s gulag-like hell, but the caravan was bitterly cold and I got very little sleep as a result.

For me, the fact it was a split site was a problem. I feel that it diluted the atmosphere and it was harder to find people and bump into friends. I can’t say anything about the quiz nor the full Saturday night show – I only saw Professor Elemental who was, as always, fabulous but once the next act started I left, knowing it wasn’t my cup of tea when someone appeared dressed as the pope.

If only the centralised location of last year’s Weekender could be paired with the accommodation improvements of this year’s event.

But it’s really about the people

The thing with these events is that it’s impossible to please every single person. I can’t imagine how difficult and stressful it must be to put on events of this size. For me, it’s the people who make it. I love the geek immersion, I love being able to talk about roleplaying without strange looks, I love the cosplay and glorious frivolity of it all.

In fact, I shall be seeking that very thing at this year’s Nine Worlds event which is slap bang in the middle of August. It being after the launch of Between Two Thorns and Any Other Name, I may have time to make a costume again. I also have some Split Worlds fun brewing at the back of my mind for it too…

Being Brave and Giving Generously

Those are the themes this week – I’ve been trying to be brave and lots of people have been giving generously by blogging and tweeting about the upcoming release of Between Two Thorns. Before anything else, I want to thank you all.

What a week! Blimey, have I had to seriously wrangle some anxiety beasts. There’s been lots of prep for the Split Worlds launches and upcoming events, all made utterly exhausting by having to manage this irritating propensity I have for worrying myself ragged.

Hey ho.

I thought it was a good time to let you know some more details about the next two events happening (frighteningly) soon and also give a shout out to some splendid people doing some splendid things.

Microcon (23rd February, 2013)

So the final details have come in and I plan to be there from 10am (ish) to 5pm (ish) on the Saturday. It’s happening in room D, Streatham Court on the Streatham Campus of Exeter University. I plan to hang out with friends, make new ones and then in the afternoon…

3pm: I’ll be reading from Between Two Thorns, some short stories and answering questions.

4pm: I’m on a panel: Dark Fantasy, The Present and the Future

Then less than a week later I’ll be packing the car as if I’m going camping in the Siberian Wilderness and travelling to the:

Sci-Fi Weekender!

Here’s where you’ll find me (when I’m not in the bar or watching something else).

Friday 1st March

1 – 2 pm (Spaceport): Here Come the Girls: A female view of writing and editing

Amanda Rutter (Mod), Kim Curran, Sam Stone, Stacia Kane, Raven Dane, Francis Knight

3 – 4 pm (Main Void): Just A Minute *

with Paul Cornell, Gareth L. Powell, Stacia Kane, Chris Brookmyre

Saturday 2nd March

Noon – 1pm (Spaceport): It’s the End! Why the End of the World is so Popular. A discussion on the popularity of Apocalypse fiction in Print and Film.

with Gareth Powell (Mod), Hugh Howey, David Moody, Peter V Brett

3.00 – 4.00 (Spaceport): Fantasy Worlds: Creating Marvels. The term ‘Fantasy’ covers a whole range of sub-genres in fiction. This is a panel exploring the cross-over of genres from Urban Fantasy, Portal Fantasy, Satirical Fantasy and Steampunk.

with Robert Rankin (Mod), Paul Cornell, Stacia Kane, Raven Dane, Peter V Brett, Danie Ware

* I’d just like to state for the record that nothing has terrified me more in recent years than the prospect of playing Just A Minute, live, on a stage in front of potentially a couple of thousand people. Oh. My. God.

So that’s the events stuff, before I go on to the next bit, can I just squee at you about this review of Between Two Thorns? I must confess, it made me a little tearful (in a good way!) when I read it.

Oh! And the book got a lovely mention in Kirkus’ books to look forward to in February article. Which is nice.

The splendid things other people are doing

As you know, I like to balance out any talk of my own shenanigans with talk about other fabulous people and what they’re up to. I’m really excited about the two I’m bringing to you this week, but for very different reasons.

Marathon man

The first is that a very lovely fellow called Paul Anderson is going to run in the London marathon. Paul is one half of eMergent Publishing who published my short story collection From Dark Places.

Now, it’s not the fact he’s running it (which is an incredible thing alone) that’s exciting for me, it’s who he is raising the money for: Mind, a charity that provides support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They do fantastic, important and necessary work.

Paul’s fundraising page is at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/panderson1979

He’s also set up a game site too, where for a small sponsorship you can try to guess the time he’ll finish in and win a prize. That can be found at http://guessability.com/fundraiser/paul-anderson/event/london-marathon

Nine Worlds Geekfest

A Kickstarter popped up on Paul Cornell’s feed last week that got me all excited – so excited it’s the first one I’ve pledged for. It’s a big convention planned for August this year, near Heathrow, in the same vein as the massive US cons in attitude, aspiration and vision. I do believe there is scope to have something like Nine Worlds here in addition to what we have in the UK already.

The Kickstarter is here:  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nineworlds/nine-worlds-geekfest-an-unconventional-convention

As I told the organisers, I think it takes a huge amount of courage to plan big and then stand up and be filmed asking for people’s support. So good for them, I say. And to you I say, check it out. I like what they’re doing and it would be lovely to see you there.

And in the voice of Columbo…

There’s just one more thing. The launch events in Bristol and London now have Facebook event pages so if you are coming (don’t forget you’ll get an exclusive signed Split Worlds story that will not be released anywhere else!) and use FB, it would be splendid if you could pop over and click the ‘going’ doohicky.**

Bristol: https://www.facebook.com/events/343905812380031/

London: https://www.facebook.com/events/277495009048512/

**Technical term

Right then. I’m off to sew some stuff for the Weekender and then hide, shivering under a blanket until I’m forced to leave the house. Anxiety, eh? Fun and games… fun and games.

Between Two Thorns Launches, Prizes and Parties!

It’s with trembling hands that I write this post. It’s happening. It’s really happening! The first Split Worlds novel Between Two Thorns is being released very, very soon and there are launches and all kinds of things to tell you about:

Two launch events in the UK

A launch event for everyone who can’t make it to those

A grand prize draw for lovely people who pre-order

Launches!

7th March 6-7pm Forbidden Planet, BRISTOL

8th March 6-7pm Forbidden Planet, LONDON

There will be a reading, Q and A, signing at both launches but more than that:

A special exclusive story will be written just for those who come to the launches. You’ll receive it in an envelope, all printed in a very lovely way and signed by me. It will not exist digitally, nor will it be given or sent out to anyone else. Only you will get one, as a thank you for coming.

AND

One of those envelopes will contain a golden ticket. Not even I will know which one. The winner of the golden ticket will get a copy of “Any Other Name” – the second novel in the Split Worlds series – as soon as it comes out. Signed, of course!

Afterwards we’ll repair to a local establishment. As I don’t have to drive to the London launch, you’ll also get to see a rather tiddly author reaching the end of a very exciting, busy and fraught month. You can hazard a guess at how funny that may be.

But seriously, it would make me so very, very happy to see you at any (or all!) of these events. I may do a Paul Cornell and bring champagne if lots of people can come!

But I don’t live anywhere near Bristol or London or even in the UK!

I know there are lots of lovely people who have been enjoying the Split Worlds stories in the States, Australia, the Netherlands and a few other countries. Thanks to the joy of Twitter I chat with people all over the world every day. (That still blows my mind.)

I don’t want you guys to feel left out of the party, so Angry Robot and I are arranging a telephonic book launch party that you can enjoy from the comfort of your armchair, no matter where in the world you are. It’s as close to a proper book launch we can have virtually; you’ll hear me, I’ll hear you and we can have cups of tea whenever we like.

I’ll be putting up a post with all the details in over the next few days.

And for you fabulous people who are the pre-ordering sort:

Pre-order a copy of Between Two Thorns for a chance to win a great prize!

Pre-order a copy of Between Two Thorns and you’ll be entered into a prize draw. The winner will have a character in “All Is Fair” – the third Split Worlds novel (released October 2013) named after them – and a special mention at the end of the book.

Those of you who come to the launches will also have an entry and we’ll be drawing the winner at the end of the London launch.

How to Enter

Pre-order a copy of the book from your favourite retailer (if you pre-order from Forbidden Planet you’ll get a signed copy).

If you order from Forbidden Planet or robottradingcompany.com (for ebooks) you don’t need to do anything else – Angry Robot will take care of your entry for you. If you pre-order from anywhere else you’ll need to email a copy of your order confirmation to: thorns AT angryrobotbooks.com and they’ll assign a number to you.

Here are links to all the places you can pre-order:

Forbidden Planet (signed paperback)

Angry Robot Trading company – for DRM-free ebook 

Amazon (paperback) UK - US

The Book Depository (Worldwide free postage) - UK Edition - US Edition 

But seriously…

I would dearly love to see you at the launches if you can make them, or hear your voice in the virtual one if you can’t. If you are looking forward to the book, pre-ordering would give Between Two Thorns a splendid start and I’ll raise a cup of tea to you. You won’t see that, of course, but the thought counts, right?

Any questions? Ask away below! And if you could help me spread the word about these events and the competition you will officially be a bless poppet. That’s a very good thing, in case you’re wondering…

The link that popped my balloon

I’ve been gearing up to tell you about something I was all excited about: a balloon race to celebrate the launch of Between Two Thorns. I love balloons, I love the spectacle of seeing them all go up into the air and I’ve never been to one in the real world, so I was really looking forward to it. It’s fun and whimsical, I thought, and we can offer a cool prize.

So Forbidden Planet announce it on their website and send out a tweet about it and I wrote up the info poised to do the same myself when I get a tweet from @pigsonthewing which said:

“@EmApocalyptic #BalloonRelease – even biodegradable – harms wildlife: goo.gl/5FDoa Please don’t allow one in your name in Bristol.”

I was horrified. I clicked on the link. I read it and felt absolutely terrible. You see, when I looked into balloon races before suggesting it to Angry Robot Books I thought that as we would only use a relatively small number of latex balloons and paper tags with no plastic covering, no plastic ties or string it would be fine. As all the balloon sites say, latex is biodegradable and I was given to understand they would explode at high altitude and be spread out over a big enough area to not cause a problem.

If you read the article, you’ll see that’s not always the case. It takes longer to biodegrade in the sea too and Bristol is – you guessed it – right on the coast. If memory serves, there are nature reserves nearby too.

I confess, I freaked out. I couldn’t believe I’d suggested something that could be so damaging. There was no doubt in my mind that we had to cancel and Lee at Angry Robot not only agreed, he wasn’t angry with me for suggesting it in the first place. What a nice chap. Forbidden Planet have been brilliant too. Phew.

So. No balloon race. Having been so shocked by this, I wanted to explain why I thought it would be okay as I think lots of people would have thought the same as me, and why we’ve cancelled it in the hope that it spreads awareness. I’d much rather find another way to celebrate that has as close to zero impact on the environment as possible.

I’m hoping to try and come up with one in the next couple of days and will let you know as soon as I do. On the meantime, thanks to @pigsonthewing for drawing it all to my attention and I’m sorry I suggested it in the first place.

A Conventional Year

So this year is going to be (and, might I say, already is) rather spectacular. For one thing, three of my books are going to be published. By one of my favourite publishers. With launches at Forbidden Planet. I mean, that could be the only thing happening and I’d be chuffed to bits.

However, there are lots of other things happening that I’m very excited about: conventions and lots of them. Last year (October to October) was my first year as a convention attendee and I had a fabulous time. If you’re thinking about going to a convention or three this year, I thought it might be helpful for you to see which ones I’m going to in case any take your fancy. I’m going to tackle this chronologically as it’s the easiest way to order them.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all UK conventions, I hasten to add, these are just the ones I’m going to this year in the UK and US.

Microcon

When: 23rd February 2013

Where: Exeter University

Why: Several friends have said it’s a small and friendly con which seems like a perfect first event of the year. They’ve had Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman there as guests in the past.

Website: No website (which is a real shame, as it was hard to find useful current info) as everything seems to be being handled through the Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/483391935046868/

Sci-Fi Weekender

When: 1st – 3rd March 2013

Where: HAFAN Y MÔR HOLIDAY PARK, Pwllheli, North Wales

Why: I went to the one last year and had a fantastic time. It’s nice to meet people who are fans of SFF in all mediums and I made several friends there that I’m looking forward to seeing again. SFX magazine isn’t involved with it this year, so it will be interesting to see how different it is. Hopefully the new location will be better than last year (shudders at memory).

Website: http://www.scifiweekender.com/

Eastercon (The proper name is Eight Squared Con this year.)

When: 29th March 2013- 1st April 2013

Where: Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford

Why: I loved Eastercon last year; there was a great atmosphere and the bar was a fantastic place to meet other writers. Funny that.

Website: www.eightsquaredcon.org

CONvergence

When: 4th July 2013 – 7th July 2013

Where: Bloomington, MN, USA

Why: At a party during my US trip to Worldcon last year, Paul Cornell (one of the loveliest chaps I know) was singing the praises of this convention to such an extent I decided to give it a go. I’m already impressed by how friendly and helpful the organisers are and the panel long-list I’ve just seen is one of the best line-ups I’ve seen. I’m very excited and very nervous about travelling all that way by myself, but if what I’ve seen so far is anything to go by, I think it will be worth it.

Website: http://convergence-con.org/

Edge-Lit

When: 13th July 2013

Where: Derby Quad

Why: Last year’s event was small but I was so impressed by how well it was organised and how smoothly it went. I met some lovely people there too who I really hope will be there this year. We chat online, but it’s not the same.

Website: http://www.derbyquad.co.uk/special-event/edge-lit-day-ticket

Worldcon (Lone Star Con 3)

When: 29th August 2013 – 2nd September 2013

Where: San Antonio, Texas, USA

Why: It’s Worldcon! It’s big and crazy and there are dozens of parties and fabulous people to meet. I’ve been told that San Antonio is gorgeous too.

Website: http://www.lonestarcon3.org/

Bristolcon

When: 26th October 2013

Where: Ramada Hotel, Bristol

Why: I’ve been to two Bristolcons now, and both were great. As I’ve said before, it’s small but perfectly formed. Lovely people, big enough to have lots to see and be part of yet small enough to feel intimate. All in one day too and local for me, so nice and easy.

Website: http://www.bristolcon.org/

World Fantasy Con

When: 31st October 2013 – 3rd November 2013

Where: Hilton Brighton Metropole

Why: I was all booked up to go to last year’s Fantasycon but had to cancel last minute thanks to some unpleasant Real Life stuff. The reason I’m looking forward to World Fantasy Con is because so many people will be travelling from abroad to be there. The fact that China Miéville will be the Master of Ceremonies is just an added bonus. *coughs*

Website: http://www.wfc2013.org

So there you go, all the conventions I’m definitely going to this year. Will I see you at any of them?

More karmic promotion shenanigans

Last week I did my first build-up-to-launch-with-added-karmic-balance post and it seemed to go down well. Another week closer to the launch of Between Two Thorns and a few very lovely things have happened.

ARCy goodness

The first is that I received a paperback ARC of the book and oh my, it really is beautiful. It was such a strange – and completely wonderful – feeling to see all those words in a proper book instead of either in my head or on a screen.

Something to listen to whilst [insert boring domestic task]

Secondly there is an interview with the fantastic Roundtable Podcast chaps Dave and Brion here: http://www.roundtablepodcast.com/2013/01/20-minutes-with-emma-newman/ I mentioned the Roundtable Podcast a while ago and I love the show, so it was really exciting to be able to chat with them and be part of it. I had a fantastic time – and there is more to come on that front very soon. I listen to podcasts when I have to cook or clean the kitchen (both hateful tasks) so I hope this helps to pass the time for you too.

Audio book version of Between Two Thorns!

The third is that I can now announce that I’ve recorded the audio book version of Between Two Thorns for Brilliance Audio and it will be released at the end of February. It was an amazing experience actually; instead of recording in my little home booth, I got to go to a proper studio and had an audio company direct and produce it. They’re called Audio Factory and are absolutely ace. I very much hope to work with them again soon.

SF Signal!

The cover and synopsis were featured on the SF Signal website which made me pleased as punch.

The Karmic Balance

Right, let’s restore the balance and talk about cool stuff which has got nothing to do with me and my book!

Book launch!

Laura Lam’s book Pantomime is being launched at Forbidden Planet on February 7th I would be there, but I have to go to have a horrible wisdom teeth appointment – boo! If you can though, going to support Laura would be a fine thing to do.

Holy costuming brain fizz, Batman!

I’m going to Eastercon and saw this about the The Mirror Mirror Ball which made me very excited:

So if you fancy dressing up at EightSquared, as well as the usual hall costume competition, we’ll be delighted to welcome you to The Mirror Mirror Ball. This Eastercon is about exploring past times and other worlds, alternate presents and possible futures, near and far. So come as your chosen alter ego from your favourite parallel universe, historical period or alternate reality of choice. (Or just come along to see what other people are wearing.)

The whole blog post is here: http://eightsquaredcon.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/eightsquareds-costume-event-the-mirror-mirror-ball/

My dressmaking / costuming brain lit up like a Christmas tree when I read that. I’ve no idea what I’m going to make yet, but I plan to make something! Are you going to Eastercon?

Up

Even though practically everyone I know had already seen it, I watched Up for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it’s now in my top five favourite films. That opening fifteen minutes had me sobbing away (though I have been known to cry at an oven chip advert, so read into that what you will) and I laughed out loud (rare for me) and cried a lot more throughout. It was such an amazing experience and convinced me that I should be brave and travel to the States by myself this year – but that’s another post.

The power of community

And last, but certainly not least is something you may well already know about, but made me extraordinarily happy: an amazing fundraiser for Jay Lake. It smashed the target and demonstrated how powerful and incredibly generous a community can be. If you haven’t already seen it, it’s here: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/Sequence-a-Science-Fiction-Writer/38705

Anything to share?

Have you seen/read/listened to something amazing this week? Tell me, go on, tell meeeeeee…

A karmic approach to promotion

So here’s the thing; in less than two months “Between Two Thorns” will be released and I really do want it to be a success. I’ve written the best book I possibly can, Angry Robot Books are spreading the word and the cover is absolutely beautiful.

Part of my job as an author of the 21st century is to help promote it, and part of that is telling people about things like reviews, interviews, guest posts, exciting mentions and all that malarkey.

But… and it’s a big one, I just can’t bring myself to write what could be (hopefully) lots of round-up posts without feeling all squiffy. I feel I should do it though, so I’ve come up with what I hope will be a solution: every time I put something up here about Between Two Thorns or something I’ve been doing, I’ll also put up something about something cool and creative someone else has been doing. How does that sound?

Let’s give it a go.

Stuff about Between Two Thorns that has made me happy

Mary Robinette Kowal (who is one of the coolest people I have ever met and is now one of my role models after meeting her at Worldcon 2012) said this about “Between Two Thorns”

“Emma Newman has created a reflection of Bath that reminds one that charming is not safe. Between Two Thorns shows the darkness beneath the glamour of the social Season. Learning to be a young lady has never seemed so dangerous.”

Why does this make me happy? When I heard that Mary had agreed to take a look at the book before release I was so terrified she’d hate it. She didn’t! Hooray! Cups of tea all round!

It’s been listed in these ‘anticipated reads for 2013 posts’

Angels of Retribution

Ranting Dragon

A Fantastical Librarian

Joanne Hall

Why does that make me happy? Well, this is the first novel of mine that’s actually been anticipated by people who don’t know me personally!

Apparently I’m a writer to watch according to the splendid Cheryl Morgan

Women to watch out for in 2013

Why does that make me happy? Look at the other people on the list! You could knock me down with a feather.

The karmic balance
That monkey…

The very wonderful Gareth L. Powell has just had a new book published called Ack-Ack Macaque. I have a signed copy on my shelf, begging to be read, but I have to finish a couple of others first. If you haven’t read it already, go and buy the book he had published last year called The Recollection. I loved it. I mean really, really adored it.

A is for Angelica and awesome and even awesomesauce

I read a book in the tail-end of last year which has haunted me since. It’s called A is for Angelica and it’s about a man who is caring for his wife following a major stroke. That doesn’t even come close to describing the depth, subtlety, humor and elegant darkness contained within its pages. It’s by Iain Broome who’s been doing all kinds of interesting writerly blog and podcast things for years. I have to admit I was so relieved I adored the book, because he’s a lovely, lovely chap. But be careful; it’s the kind of book that might want you to give up writing because it’s so ace. You know what I mean?

The Month of Letters Challenge

Mary Robinette Kowal has laid down a challenge which I find utterly compelling:

1. In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.

2. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items

Seeing as the first (and hopefully second) draft of the third Split Worlds novel will be done by then, I’m planning to take part. Who’s with me?

I’m planning to look into this to help: https://www.postable.com/ which enables you to create a secure online address book. I’ll keep you posted (no pun intended).

That’s all for this week. Have you spotted anyone doing something fabulous that you want to shout out about? Have you read a book you loved or saw a particularly brilliant film? Let everyone know in the comments and spread the love!

Be part of the countdown to launch!

Well, I can’t quite believe it but there are only ten more Split Worlds stories to write and release before the launch of Between Two Thorns. [Insert excited and terrified screaming and hand flapping here.]

In case you didn’t know, I’ve been releasing a short story every week for a year and day (there was a pause in the middle due to all the Angry Robot deal stuff that took me by surprise). Each one is designed to be a tiny glimpse into the world(s) the novels are set in and some of them feature characters in the books. Whilst it isn’t necessary to read the stories to enjoy the books, my hope is that if you read the stories, you’ll get some geeky thrillgasms when you read the books from knowing the vignettes behind some of the details. If you want to get each one (plus a bonus story) every week in your inbox, you can sign up here.

So anyway, I wanted to do something a little bit different for the last ten. I’d like to invite you to submit story prompts below and if yours either inspires a story and/or appears within it, I’ll send you a handwritten copy of the story and a little note to say thank you. A prompt could be just an idea, a line of dialogue, a title or a tiny little description – preferably of something odd. I like odd things. And slightly creepy stuff too.

All you need to do is pop it below and if your prompt is picked I’ll get in touch with you privately to make arrangements for getting your prize to you. Oh, and if the comments are playing silly sods, come and find me on Twitter instead – I’m @emapocalyptic :)

You can submit as many ideas as you like by the way.

Let’s make some stories!

Running out of buffers

I don’t know about you, but when there is something happening in the future that gives me a powerful dose of The Fear (rather than just the constant generalised anxiety), I comfort myself by thinking “ah, but that won’t be until after [insert activity/ date / milestone] so I don’t need to be scared yet.

Well, the last buffer between me and the next round of Things of Ultimate Terror has just passed and I am nervous as hell. The thing is, the first one isn’t for another seven weeks…

Saying that, this evening I’m doing something rather scary too; I’m the guest author on the Roundtable Podcast, which I’ve been listening to for a while now. Eeeep.

Nervously ever after

I’ve written about anxiety a lot over the years here, and I’m aware I haven’t wrote about it for a while due to having books to write and polish for my robot overlords (I, for one, welcome them) and also coming up with a short story every week. There aren’t many words left at the end of the day.

I think I’ve also been reluctant to talk about it because things are great and I didn’t want to sound like the annoying “oh I know I’ve got everything I ever wanted but boo hoo I’m feeling scared” kind of character. But last night, when I was having my usual 4am adrenalin shakes, I decided it was the wrong thing to do. Too often we’re sold the idea that when we save the kingdom / defeat the villain / find the prince / marry the girl etc it’s all happy ever after.

I want to be honest about how things can be fantastic and exciting and wonderful AND still just as terrifying (if not more so) than they were before the great thing happened. And that it’s okay to still be as frightened now as I have been before. It feels horrible, and I would love to be free of it, but I’m determined to not beat myself up for not managing to kick it to the curb yet.

Those of you lovely people who’ve been reading this blog for a long time know how much I wanted the kind of book deal I got last year. Those of you who know me in real life, and hang out with me on Twitter and Facebook also know how thrilled I am that the Split Worlds has found the best home I could imagine for it. I still feel kind of guilty saying that I am struggling when there is so much fabulosity happening all around me. However, signing a book contract doesn’t magically make you a fan of publicity and totally at ease during public events.

The old fear of being seen

This year I will be at more conventions than last year, with the new books on sale and being a proper Angry Robot author, rather than one who has just signed. There will be panels, and launches and readings and signings and trust me, I am extraordinarily happy about it. And excited. I’m sure it’s all there beneath the several inches of humus left by decades of anxious seasons.

The first review of Between Two Thorns came out a little while ago and I almost threw up when I was sent the link to it. I had to go downstairs and ask my poor husband to read it because I simply could not. Only after he’d assured me it was sparkling could I bring myself to look at it, and I nearly threw up again. I had to have a cup of tea and calm down afterwards! I mean really, what a coward I am!

I’m reading at an event in March and I need to send in a photo and bio. Have I done it yet? No. Because every time something like that comes up it makes me want to run and hide under my duvet and play with Star Wars figures.

It’s what I’ve always done

Like everyone else on the planet, maybe apart from my friend Tony, who is one of the loveliest and most clever quantum physicists a gal could know, I had some bad stuff happen to me in my childhood and teens. To cope, I escaped into books, writing stories, then playing with Star Wars figures and ultimately role-playing games. The only thing I still don’t do when I can’t handle upsetting stuff is play with my figures, but that’s because they were given away when I was a child. (Yes, I had stopped playing with them obsessively by then, but it’s still a wound people, still a wound)!

Now that defence mechanism is my livelihood and that’s kind of a weird thought. I’m not saying I write the books I write now to escape anything – there’s nothing like that kind of pain in my life anymore – but the skills I learned when I did that are the ones I employ every day.

I wonder if that’s one of the many reasons it all elicits such fear. Oh, and the usual primal thing of “if people don’t like me or my books I’ll die” stuff, but I mostly try to ignore that now.

Roleplaying a new character

I was thinking about all this the other day when an incredible opportunity crossed my path and I grabbed it with both hands. After I’d said ‘yes, I’ll do it’ (I will be able to tell you about it soon, I promise) I felt thrilled and excited for about 3 seconds. Then I felt sick and I started shaking and I couldn’t believe what I’d done. But this is the only way I can progress – I made a conscious decision a while ago that I had to say yes, I had to step up and put myself on panels, and do readings and all the stuff that happens outside of my little writing cave, because the fear will always be there, whether I do it or not. Or at least for the foreseeable future. These opportunities will not always be there. And the amount of fear and anxiety I experience is disproportionate and in no way an accurate doom meter.

So I pretend, in those critical decision moments, that I am not a person with an anxiety disorder. I let the part of me that wants to succeed and wants to write more and wants to have more opportunities in the future to do more and more exciting things override the lizard brain. It’s like roleplaying a person who doesn’t have a problem with anxiety. If I didn’t, I would never leave the house. And there’s so much out there. There are so many cool people to meet and make friends with and experiences to have and memories to lay down for the future. It’s a wonderful, terrifying and beautiful world and I wouldn’t see any of it if my fearful self got its way.

Survival mechanisms

That fearful self is just trying to keep me safe. Sometimes, when I remember to, I thank it (sorry to sound crazy here, but bear with me) for trying to do that and then I gently remind it that there are other ways to keep me safe. Ways that don’t wake me up at 4am, every day, with enough adrenalin to pick up my son and run from a burning house. Ways that don’t involve a racing heart and the urge to vomit at the most inappropriate and irritating moments.

I’m still working on it. And I think that’s what I really wanted to say; it needs to be okay for all of us to say “this is still really scary” even when stuff is great. Holding both states – yay! and aaaaaaaacckk! – at the same time is exhausting. I don’t need guilt to join this party too.

And if you’re reading this and nodding and knowing how it feels, then I want to gently hug you and say, ‘yeah, it sucks, doesn’t it?’ and make you a nice cup of tea. A virtual one will have to suffice, I’m afraid.

Between Two Thorns cover reveal!

I’m going to get straight to it, then gush afterwards. Here’s the cover of The Split Worlds: Between Two Thorns coming out in 2013 from Angry Robot Books:

Isn’t it beautiful?

It’s by the same artist behind the Assassin’s Curse cover (from Strange Chemistry) which I fell in love with as soon as I saw it. When I heard she was going to do one for the Split Worlds I was thrilled.

Oh, before I gush any further, here’s the blurb:

Something is wrong in Aquae Sulis, Bath’s secret mirror city.

The new season is starting and the Master of Ceremonies is missing. Max, an Arbiter of the Split Worlds Treaty, is assigned with the task of finding him with no one to help but a dislocated soul and a mad sorcerer.

There is a witness but his memories have been bound by magical chains only the enemy can break. A rebellious woman trying to escape her family may prove to be the ally Max needs.

But can she be trusted? And why does she want to give up eternal youth and the life of privilege she’s been born into?

The cover quote from Bill Willingham is something I have to keep reading to believe! I just have to share what he said about the book with you, because it’s just so damn exciting. Please forgive my momentary lapse in British reserve.

“Emma Newman has built a modern fantasy world with such élan and authority her ideas of why and how the seemingly irrational world of Fairy works should be stolen by every other writer in the field. Her characters are complex and troubled, courageous at times and foolhardy.

This book of wonders is first rate.”

There’s another quote I want to share with you whilst I’m filled with enough excitement to overcome my self-promotional reticence, from the fantastic Adam Christopher, author of Empire State and Seven Wonders:

With a feather-light touch, Emma Newman has crafted a very English fantasy, one brilliantly realised and quite delightful, weaving magic, mystery and parallel worlds together with ease. Newman may well be one of our brightest stars, The Split Worlds: Between Two Thorns just the beginning of a remarkable journey.

Honestly, it’s enough to make me have two cups of tea in a row – *and* a biscuit!

The paperback will be on sale in the US and Canada on February 27th, the UK on March 7th and in Australia soon afterwards (I don’t have an exact date for that I’m afraid). Until then there is a new story set in the Split Worlds coming out every week – the fortieth tale was released last week so there are only fourteen stories left in the year and a day of Split Worlds tales to go before the book comes out (eeeeeeep!).

If you would like to get each story (plus a bonus thank you one) in your inbox every week (for free), you can sign up here.

I think that’s enough excitement for one morning. To the kettle! And don’t spare the horses…

P.S. I’d love to hear what you think of the cover.