Liz Williams's Blog, page 11
May 30, 2012
Hot!
This is ridiculous. Although it is looking slightly overcast.
K is here at the moment: we have had a walk on the bird reserve. Yesterday, however, was Utilities Crisis Day - the power is off in one of the shops and a tap at the Grail Centre has burst its washer and is pouring water, at a time of night when I could not contact the landlord. Would rather like a calmer day today, please.
K is here at the moment: we have had a walk on the bird reserve. Yesterday, however, was Utilities Crisis Day - the power is off in one of the shops and a tap at the Grail Centre has burst its washer and is pouring water, at a time of night when I could not contact the landlord. Would rather like a calmer day today, please.
May 27, 2012
Short stories and other
I've just sent out the first round of the new short story sub - if anyone has signed up and NOT received it, please let me know and I will send you your fiction asap.
*
In other news, it is exceptionally hot. The Levels are lovely - covered in cow parsley and charnock, and there are cuckoos. The house is in some disarray, since Pickle the elder cat (I think) managed to kick a tin of red paint off the shelf, and Lily trod in it, with all 4 paws, then ran through the kitchen. I have just found Pickle sitting in the frying pan.
*
In other news, it is exceptionally hot. The Levels are lovely - covered in cow parsley and charnock, and there are cuckoos. The house is in some disarray, since Pickle the elder cat (I think) managed to kick a tin of red paint off the shelf, and Lily trod in it, with all 4 paws, then ran through the kitchen. I have just found Pickle sitting in the frying pan.
May 20, 2012
Once more onto the beach, dear friends...
A long walk down Somerset lanes and then on the almost deserted beach at Brean Down. Huge trees thrown up onto the beach by the sea - shows how powerful the recent storms have been. T found an old iron ship's nail. Stopped for a swift half at the Burtle and overheard the following immortal exchange:
Man 1: She's moving, but she says that when she goes, she'll empty the septic tank.
Man 2: So - she's taking all her shit with her, then?
Man 1: She's moving, but she says that when she goes, she'll empty the septic tank.
Man 2: So - she's taking all her shit with her, then?
New novel and stories
A big thank you to everyone who has already signed up! Any subscribers should have had the novel (The Moon in Daylight) in both Word and PDF, so please let me know if you haven't received it.
The first three stories will be with you by the end of the month - probably by the end of this week, in fact, a little earlier than planned. I've enjoyed revisiting Winterstrike, and have nearly finished the first new Singapore 3 story, which features Sergeant Ma. You get to meet Ma's family, as well.
*
I will also be floating a new series of stories for the next year. I'm reducing the cost of this a little, with a further reduction for regular subscribers.
WINTERSTRIKE: there will be four short stories set in the world of Banner of Souls and Winterstrike, so if you’re after some far future Martian tales, this is the sub for you!
WORLDSOUL: again, 4 short stories, each set in the different quarters of Worldsoul – north, south, east and west, featuring some of the characters from the new novel.
CHEN: With the series eventually coming to a conclusion, although not an end, with Morningstar, which is now due out next year, this is an opportunity for me to explore the back stories of some of the other characters in the series, although Chen and Zhu Irzh (with added badger) will be appearing in them. At the moment, this will mean: Sergeant Ma, Exorcist Lao, No Ro Shi the ultra-Communist demon hunter, and Chen’s commanding officer.
The first set of these will be with you in June 2012.
Customised stories under the Story Garden imprint are also still available.
NEW NOVEL: THE MOON IN DAYLIGHT
And I have…a new novel!
“Outside the lighted windows of the church, London roared by. It was dusk now, ancient stone soaking up the November cold and breathing damp into the echoing air. The man stood, having long since tuned out the traffic, murmuring under his breath:
"...At this time that is not a time, in this place that is not a place, on this day that is not a day..."
He did not speak in English, but in old Welsh, the sibilance whispering through the vaults. Movement caught the corner of his eye, but he ignored it. He stared straight ahead, to the red candle. In the pool of its own light, it looked like a column of meat: the white wick a sliver of fiery bone.
Outside, London hammered on. Nothing to do with him, this modern twenty-first century world, and yet he had a place in it. Not as his own self, for most of the world had long since ceased to pay attention to his kind, long since ceased to believe. The real world, some called it. But that, he thought, was on the verge of changing.
After all, real is what you make it, if you are a god.”
The Moon in Daylight is a full-length contemporary urban fantasy novel which has never been published in either short story form or novel format – it’s a new world for me. Set in London and North Wales, this is the start of the adventures of Siriol Jones – professional herbalist, Druid and magician – and her mysterious friend the Hermit. In this novel, Siri and the Hermit go in search of Siri’s addict sister, Non, and find more than they bargained for in a trip to the Celtic otherworld. It’s got magic, some very dodgy goddesses, London folklore, the club-going lord of midsummer and ancient boar spirits, and what I hope is a reasonably accurate depiction of the actual British pagan scene.
In tone, it’s closer to the Chen novels than my SF, and it is hopefully a light read!
The Moon in Daylight is available in Word and PDF format, and I can send this to you immediately.
Short Stories
Worldsoul stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Winterstrike stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Chen stories x 4£16.00 GBP
The Moon in Daylight£10.00 GBP
All of it!£50.00 GBP
All of it for regular subscribers£45.00 GBP
The first three stories will be with you by the end of the month - probably by the end of this week, in fact, a little earlier than planned. I've enjoyed revisiting Winterstrike, and have nearly finished the first new Singapore 3 story, which features Sergeant Ma. You get to meet Ma's family, as well.
*
I will also be floating a new series of stories for the next year. I'm reducing the cost of this a little, with a further reduction for regular subscribers.
WINTERSTRIKE: there will be four short stories set in the world of Banner of Souls and Winterstrike, so if you’re after some far future Martian tales, this is the sub for you!
WORLDSOUL: again, 4 short stories, each set in the different quarters of Worldsoul – north, south, east and west, featuring some of the characters from the new novel.
CHEN: With the series eventually coming to a conclusion, although not an end, with Morningstar, which is now due out next year, this is an opportunity for me to explore the back stories of some of the other characters in the series, although Chen and Zhu Irzh (with added badger) will be appearing in them. At the moment, this will mean: Sergeant Ma, Exorcist Lao, No Ro Shi the ultra-Communist demon hunter, and Chen’s commanding officer.
The first set of these will be with you in June 2012.
Customised stories under the Story Garden imprint are also still available.
NEW NOVEL: THE MOON IN DAYLIGHT
And I have…a new novel!
“Outside the lighted windows of the church, London roared by. It was dusk now, ancient stone soaking up the November cold and breathing damp into the echoing air. The man stood, having long since tuned out the traffic, murmuring under his breath:
"...At this time that is not a time, in this place that is not a place, on this day that is not a day..."
He did not speak in English, but in old Welsh, the sibilance whispering through the vaults. Movement caught the corner of his eye, but he ignored it. He stared straight ahead, to the red candle. In the pool of its own light, it looked like a column of meat: the white wick a sliver of fiery bone.
Outside, London hammered on. Nothing to do with him, this modern twenty-first century world, and yet he had a place in it. Not as his own self, for most of the world had long since ceased to pay attention to his kind, long since ceased to believe. The real world, some called it. But that, he thought, was on the verge of changing.
After all, real is what you make it, if you are a god.”
The Moon in Daylight is a full-length contemporary urban fantasy novel which has never been published in either short story form or novel format – it’s a new world for me. Set in London and North Wales, this is the start of the adventures of Siriol Jones – professional herbalist, Druid and magician – and her mysterious friend the Hermit. In this novel, Siri and the Hermit go in search of Siri’s addict sister, Non, and find more than they bargained for in a trip to the Celtic otherworld. It’s got magic, some very dodgy goddesses, London folklore, the club-going lord of midsummer and ancient boar spirits, and what I hope is a reasonably accurate depiction of the actual British pagan scene.
In tone, it’s closer to the Chen novels than my SF, and it is hopefully a light read!
The Moon in Daylight is available in Word and PDF format, and I can send this to you immediately.
Short Stories
Worldsoul stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Winterstrike stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Chen stories x 4£16.00 GBP
The Moon in Daylight£10.00 GBP
All of it!£50.00 GBP
All of it for regular subscribers£45.00 GBP
Birds, beasts and Victorian engineers
This week seems to have brought wildlife out all over the place - goldfinches, herons, cuckoos and Canada geese out on the bird reserve. Both geese and swans are followed by skeins of toddling fluffy babies. Here in the orchard we have a tree full of owls: I haven't seen them but I can hear them. During the heavy rain last week, we met several displaced water rats and there was a big hare in the stubble of the corn field a couple of days ago.
At present, someone has put 3 ponies in our back field: they were initially offhand and then realised that we came bearing carrots, at which point they have become very very friendly. They have a spindly foal, with a ridiculous (but natural) New Romantic pompom hairdo.
Just as well that there is so much wildlife as Henry continues his decimation of the local animal population, bringing back voles, shrews, birds and rats on a daily basis. We now have a working camera again, so there should be some cat pics soon.
Otherwise, it has been a busy week - we went up to Bristol for the Leonardo Da Vinci drawings exhibition on Monday (including a beautiful sketch of oak leaves) and spent an hour or so in Bristol museum. Staff changes currently mean that we get two days off, which is good for the mental health. Yesterday, we hosted a steampunk handfasting in the orchard - the sight of 70 Victorian engineers and their wives among the apple blossom is one that I shall treasure for some time to come.
At present, someone has put 3 ponies in our back field: they were initially offhand and then realised that we came bearing carrots, at which point they have become very very friendly. They have a spindly foal, with a ridiculous (but natural) New Romantic pompom hairdo.
Just as well that there is so much wildlife as Henry continues his decimation of the local animal population, bringing back voles, shrews, birds and rats on a daily basis. We now have a working camera again, so there should be some cat pics soon.
Otherwise, it has been a busy week - we went up to Bristol for the Leonardo Da Vinci drawings exhibition on Monday (including a beautiful sketch of oak leaves) and spent an hour or so in Bristol museum. Staff changes currently mean that we get two days off, which is good for the mental health. Yesterday, we hosted a steampunk handfasting in the orchard - the sight of 70 Victorian engineers and their wives among the apple blossom is one that I shall treasure for some time to come.
May 12, 2012
REPOST: NEW NOVEL AND STORIES
A big thank you to everyone who has already signed up! Your novel will be with you later today.
First of all, to those who are waiting, Papaveria are binding the new Chen short story, and this will be out to everyone who ordered it in the Spring Sale, along with the prints, as soon as I get the little books back. The 'Godslash' will be going out today.
For those of you who are story subscribers, the final Isis Dane and Mondhile stories have gone out last week, as well as the latest instalment of A Thousand Li, the Chen prequel. This is drawing to a close, now, as we only have 2 more instalments to go….
I will also be floating a new series of stories for the next year. I'm reducing the cost of this a little, with a further reduction for regular subscribers.
WINTERSTRIKE: there will be four short stories set in the world of Banner of Souls and Winterstrike, so if you’re after some far future Martian tales, this is the sub for you!
WORLDSOUL: again, 4 short stories, each set in the different quarters of Worldsoul – north, south, east and west, featuring some of the characters from the new novel.
CHEN: With the series eventually coming to a conclusion, although not an end, with Morningstar, which is now due out next year, this is an opportunity for me to explore the back stories of some of the other characters in the series, although Chen and Zhu Irzh (with added badger) will be appearing in them. At the moment, this will mean: Sergeant Ma, Exorcist Lao, No Ro Shi the ultra-Communist demon hunter, and Chen’s commanding officer.
The first set of these will be with you in June 2012.
Customised stories under the Story Garden imprint are also still available.
NEW NOVEL: THE MOON IN DAYLIGHT
And I have…a new novel!
“Outside the lighted windows of the church, London roared by. It was dusk now, ancient stone soaking up the November cold and breathing damp into the echoing air. The man stood, having long since tuned out the traffic, murmuring under his breath:
"...At this time that is not a time, in this place that is not a place, on this day that is not a day..."
He did not speak in English, but in old Welsh, the sibilance whispering through the vaults. Movement caught the corner of his eye, but he ignored it. He stared straight ahead, to the red candle. In the pool of its own light, it looked like a column of meat: the white wick a sliver of fiery bone.
Outside, London hammered on. Nothing to do with him, this modern twenty-first century world, and yet he had a place in it. Not as his own self, for most of the world had long since ceased to pay attention to his kind, long since ceased to believe. The real world, some called it. But that, he thought, was on the verge of changing.
After all, real is what you make it, if you are a god.”
The Moon in Daylight is a full-length contemporary urban fantasy novel which has never been published in either short story form or novel format – it’s a new world for me. Set in London and North Wales, this is the start of the adventures of Siriol Jones – professional herbalist, Druid and magician – and her mysterious friend the Hermit. In this novel, Siri and the Hermit go in search of Siri’s addict sister, Non, and find more than they bargained for in a trip to the Celtic otherworld. It’s got magic, some very dodgy goddesses, London folklore, the club-going lord of midsummer and ancient boar spirits, and what I hope is a reasonably accurate depiction of the actual British pagan scene.
In tone, it’s closer to the Chen novels than my SF, and it is hopefully a light read!
The Moon in Daylight is available in Word and PDF format, and I can send this to you immediately.
Short Stories
Worldsoul stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Winterstrike stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Chen stories x 4£16.00 GBP
The Moon in Daylight£10.00 GBP
All of it!£50.00 GBP
All of it for regular subscribers£45.00 GBP
First of all, to those who are waiting, Papaveria are binding the new Chen short story, and this will be out to everyone who ordered it in the Spring Sale, along with the prints, as soon as I get the little books back. The 'Godslash' will be going out today.
For those of you who are story subscribers, the final Isis Dane and Mondhile stories have gone out last week, as well as the latest instalment of A Thousand Li, the Chen prequel. This is drawing to a close, now, as we only have 2 more instalments to go….
I will also be floating a new series of stories for the next year. I'm reducing the cost of this a little, with a further reduction for regular subscribers.
WINTERSTRIKE: there will be four short stories set in the world of Banner of Souls and Winterstrike, so if you’re after some far future Martian tales, this is the sub for you!
WORLDSOUL: again, 4 short stories, each set in the different quarters of Worldsoul – north, south, east and west, featuring some of the characters from the new novel.
CHEN: With the series eventually coming to a conclusion, although not an end, with Morningstar, which is now due out next year, this is an opportunity for me to explore the back stories of some of the other characters in the series, although Chen and Zhu Irzh (with added badger) will be appearing in them. At the moment, this will mean: Sergeant Ma, Exorcist Lao, No Ro Shi the ultra-Communist demon hunter, and Chen’s commanding officer.
The first set of these will be with you in June 2012.
Customised stories under the Story Garden imprint are also still available.
NEW NOVEL: THE MOON IN DAYLIGHT
And I have…a new novel!
“Outside the lighted windows of the church, London roared by. It was dusk now, ancient stone soaking up the November cold and breathing damp into the echoing air. The man stood, having long since tuned out the traffic, murmuring under his breath:
"...At this time that is not a time, in this place that is not a place, on this day that is not a day..."
He did not speak in English, but in old Welsh, the sibilance whispering through the vaults. Movement caught the corner of his eye, but he ignored it. He stared straight ahead, to the red candle. In the pool of its own light, it looked like a column of meat: the white wick a sliver of fiery bone.
Outside, London hammered on. Nothing to do with him, this modern twenty-first century world, and yet he had a place in it. Not as his own self, for most of the world had long since ceased to pay attention to his kind, long since ceased to believe. The real world, some called it. But that, he thought, was on the verge of changing.
After all, real is what you make it, if you are a god.”
The Moon in Daylight is a full-length contemporary urban fantasy novel which has never been published in either short story form or novel format – it’s a new world for me. Set in London and North Wales, this is the start of the adventures of Siriol Jones – professional herbalist, Druid and magician – and her mysterious friend the Hermit. In this novel, Siri and the Hermit go in search of Siri’s addict sister, Non, and find more than they bargained for in a trip to the Celtic otherworld. It’s got magic, some very dodgy goddesses, London folklore, the club-going lord of midsummer and ancient boar spirits, and what I hope is a reasonably accurate depiction of the actual British pagan scene.
In tone, it’s closer to the Chen novels than my SF, and it is hopefully a light read!
The Moon in Daylight is available in Word and PDF format, and I can send this to you immediately.
Short Stories
Worldsoul stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Winterstrike stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Chen stories x 4£16.00 GBP
The Moon in Daylight£10.00 GBP
All of it!£50.00 GBP
All of it for regular subscribers£45.00 GBP
May 11, 2012
New novel and stories
First of all, to those who are waiting, Papaveria are binding the new Chen short story, and this will be out to everyone who ordered it in the Spring Sale, along with the prints, as soon as I get the little books back. The 'Godslash' will be going out today.
For those of you who are story subscribers, the final Isis Dane and Mondhile stories have gone out last week, as well as the latest instalment of A Thousand Li, the Chen prequel. This is drawing to a close, now, as we only have 2 more instalments to go….
I will also be floating a new series of stories for the next year. I'm reducing the cost of this a little, with a further reduction for regular subscribers.
WINTERSTRIKE: there will be four short stories set in the world of Banner of Souls and Winterstrike, so if you’re after some far future Martian tales, this is the sub for you!
WORLDSOUL: again, 4 short stories, each set in the different quarters of Worldsoul – north, south, east and west, featuring some of the characters from the new novel.
CHEN: With the series eventually coming to a conclusion, although not an end, with Morningstar, which is now due out next year, this is an opportunity for me to explore the back stories of some of the other characters in the series, although Chen and Zhu Irzh (with added badger) will be appearing in them. At the moment, this will mean: Sergeant Ma, Exorcist Lao, No Ro Shi the ultra-Communist demon hunter, and Chen’s commanding officer.
The first set of these will be with you in June 2012.
Customised stories under the Story Garden imprint are also still available.
NEW NOVEL: THE MOON IN DAYLIGHT
And I have…a new novel!
"...At this time that is not a time, in this place that is not a place, on this day that is not a day..."
He did not speak in English, but in old Welsh, the sibilance whispering through the vaults. Movement caught the corner of his eye, but he ignored it. He stared straight ahead, to the red candle. In the pool of its own light, it looked like a column of meat: the white wick a sliver of fiery bone.
Outside, London hammered on. Nothing to do with him, this modern twenty-first century world, and yet he had a place in it. Not as his own self, for most of the world had long since ceased to pay attention to his kind, long since ceased to believe. The real world, some called it. But that, he thought, was on the verge of changing.
After all, real is what you make it, if you are a god.”
The Moon in Daylight is a full-length contemporary urban fantasy novel which has never been published in either short story form or novel format – it’s a new world for me. Set in London and North Wales, this is the start of the adventures of Siriol Jones – professional herbalist, Druid and magician – and her mysterious friend the Hermit. In this novel, Siri and the Hermit go in search of Siri’s addict sister, Non, and find more than they bargained for in a trip to the Celtic otherworld. It’s got magic, some very dodgy goddesses, London folklore, the club-going lord of midsummer and ancient boar spirits, and what I hope is a reasonably accurate depiction of the actual British pagan scene.
In tone, it’s closer to the Chen novels than my SF, and it is hopefully a light read!
The Moon in Daylight is available in Word and PDF format, and I can send this to you immediately.
Short Stories
Worldsoul stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Winterstrike stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Chen stories x 4£16.00 GBP
The Moon in Daylight£10.00 GBP
All of it!£50.00 GBP
All of it for regular subscribers£45.00 GBP
For those of you who are story subscribers, the final Isis Dane and Mondhile stories have gone out last week, as well as the latest instalment of A Thousand Li, the Chen prequel. This is drawing to a close, now, as we only have 2 more instalments to go….
I will also be floating a new series of stories for the next year. I'm reducing the cost of this a little, with a further reduction for regular subscribers.
WINTERSTRIKE: there will be four short stories set in the world of Banner of Souls and Winterstrike, so if you’re after some far future Martian tales, this is the sub for you!
WORLDSOUL: again, 4 short stories, each set in the different quarters of Worldsoul – north, south, east and west, featuring some of the characters from the new novel.
CHEN: With the series eventually coming to a conclusion, although not an end, with Morningstar, which is now due out next year, this is an opportunity for me to explore the back stories of some of the other characters in the series, although Chen and Zhu Irzh (with added badger) will be appearing in them. At the moment, this will mean: Sergeant Ma, Exorcist Lao, No Ro Shi the ultra-Communist demon hunter, and Chen’s commanding officer.
The first set of these will be with you in June 2012.
Customised stories under the Story Garden imprint are also still available.
NEW NOVEL: THE MOON IN DAYLIGHT
And I have…a new novel!
"...At this time that is not a time, in this place that is not a place, on this day that is not a day..."
He did not speak in English, but in old Welsh, the sibilance whispering through the vaults. Movement caught the corner of his eye, but he ignored it. He stared straight ahead, to the red candle. In the pool of its own light, it looked like a column of meat: the white wick a sliver of fiery bone.
Outside, London hammered on. Nothing to do with him, this modern twenty-first century world, and yet he had a place in it. Not as his own self, for most of the world had long since ceased to pay attention to his kind, long since ceased to believe. The real world, some called it. But that, he thought, was on the verge of changing.
After all, real is what you make it, if you are a god.”
The Moon in Daylight is a full-length contemporary urban fantasy novel which has never been published in either short story form or novel format – it’s a new world for me. Set in London and North Wales, this is the start of the adventures of Siriol Jones – professional herbalist, Druid and magician – and her mysterious friend the Hermit. In this novel, Siri and the Hermit go in search of Siri’s addict sister, Non, and find more than they bargained for in a trip to the Celtic otherworld. It’s got magic, some very dodgy goddesses, London folklore, the club-going lord of midsummer and ancient boar spirits, and what I hope is a reasonably accurate depiction of the actual British pagan scene.
In tone, it’s closer to the Chen novels than my SF, and it is hopefully a light read!
The Moon in Daylight is available in Word and PDF format, and I can send this to you immediately.
Short Stories
Worldsoul stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Winterstrike stories x 4£16.00 GBP
Chen stories x 4£16.00 GBP
The Moon in Daylight£10.00 GBP
All of it!£50.00 GBP
All of it for regular subscribers£45.00 GBP
April 29, 2012
And then it was wet
Hammering down with rain today and a high wind, so we have not been out. Nor have the cats: Henry has been chasing things that only he can see and Sid is currently on my lap and stamping up and down. They have been sleeping side by side on the sofa for most of the morning. I've ben reorganising books: that critical task.
April 20, 2012
Spring Sale - update
For everyone who ordered something in the Spring Sale, the prints will be done early next week and the short story is being bound. I will be dispatching everything asap next week.
For those who have been patiently awaiting Godslash, the printed copies have finally been done and I will be sending the first instalment out, too.
For those who have been patiently awaiting Godslash, the printed copies have finally been done and I will be sending the first instalment out, too.
April 16, 2012
MILFORD 2012
Yes, it is that time of year again!
I suggest that if you are interested, you contact me as soon as possible. We already have bookings on this workshop, and last year, we were full within 2 weeks.
MILFORD 2012
Dear Writer,
You are cordially invited to join the Milford SF Writer’s Conference, held at the Trigonos Centre in Snowdonia. The dates are Saturday 22nd September to Saturday 29th September 2012 inclusive (leaving on the morning of Saturday 29th).
If you’ve attended a previous British Milford, you will know more or less what to expect and can go straight to the booking form. If not, then a brief introduction may be in order. Milford is a gathering of professional authors, loosely linked by science fiction or fantasy writing. It is not a school for beginners, and there are no ‘teachers’ or ‘students.’ However, neither is it an elitist in-group: we welcome new participants, and invitations are extended to authors who have only sold the minimum requirement of 1 published piece as well as those among us who only dimly recall what rejection slips look like (HAH! – ed). Writers who have not attended a previous Milford are particularly welcome.
The conference has been a regular, more or less annual event since 1972, drawing members from Britain, Europe, America and Australia. Over the years it has settled down to a comfortable workable format: demanding and exhausting, with much hard work being done, but it’s also convivial, with a lot of sitting and talking about doing hard work. There's no bar, but you are encouraged to bring your tipple of choice and we have a comfy social space in Trigonos' library. It’s thus a social as well as a literary event.
Here’s a brief generalised programme of the week:
• Saturday: turn up late afternoon, bringing manuscripts for discussion during the week if you have not already sent them via email. There's no programme, but around mid-evening we convene and get to know one another over a meal.
• Sunday to Thursday: the main working days. Morning is the time to read manuscripts and prepare notes. Afternoons are workshop sessions, at which the day's quota of material is discussed as forthrightly and constructively as possible, with fairly strict time limits to encourage brevity and allow even the shyest member's voice to be heard. Evenings are for more relaxed conversation and discussion, punctuated by occasional silly literary games.
• Friday: depending on the workload, this can be the time for a further workshop, a semi-formal discussion, exploring the vicinity of the centre, or just resting. In the evening we unwind with a special dinner.
The centre
Trigonos is situated on the shores of Lake Nantlle in Snowdonia, among the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park. It is about 10 miles from Caernarvon, which is accessible from Bangor railway station by a frequent bus service. Full travel details will be sent to participants. The centre is comprised of an old Victorian house and converted barns, and has a committed approach to sustainable land development and environmental restoration.
The centre runs many courses and workshops, and there may be smaller other groups during the time that we will be there. It is full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) and caters to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, and can cater for vegan guests also. The centre grows much of its own organic produce.
Costs: for the whole week, you will pay £560 (minus your deposit)- a flat rate for:
• accommodation
• full board (plus tea/coffee breaks)
• meeting room hire
What you have to bring:
1 or 2 pieces of unpublished work, not exceeding more than 15,000 words in total. We strongly encourage you to send these in advance and we will set up a small email group for that purpose. If you have not sent them in advance please bring sufficient copies for each participant. One of these copies is also to be handed to Jacey Bedford (acting Chair) or Liz Williams (Secretary) on the night of arrival so that we can organise the reading schedule, but you’ll get that back.
A typical Milford has anything from 10 - 15 participants, and works best with a full timetable and minimal slack - this year there will be a ceiling of 15 members on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, plus a waiting list which you can join by paying the registration fee and room deposit. The treasurer will hold this until the booking is either confirmed or cancelled.
To book, please complete the enclosed form and return it to Liz at the above address, with a cheque or sterling money order, made payable to Milford SF Writers' Conference for a total of £115 (£105 pound centre deposit; deductible from your final bill, and £10 conference registration fee. Regulars will note that the deposit has risen in price: this is because Trigonos have had a number of no-shows and although they know Milford well, they have had to institute a blanket policy of all deposits up front. Since Milford is a non-profit organisation, we need to make sure that we have enough in the coffers to pay this initial lump sum). Cancellations will mean a loss of deposit unless we can re-sell your space. At least one progress report, with members’ names and further information (such as how to get there!) will be issued in the summer/early autumn.
Hope to see you there!
The committee:
Sue Thomason (Chair)
Jacey Bedford – Minister without Portfolio
Liz Williams (Secretary) – mevennen@hotmail.com
Steve Kilbane (Treasurer)
I suggest that if you are interested, you contact me as soon as possible. We already have bookings on this workshop, and last year, we were full within 2 weeks.
MILFORD 2012
Dear Writer,
You are cordially invited to join the Milford SF Writer’s Conference, held at the Trigonos Centre in Snowdonia. The dates are Saturday 22nd September to Saturday 29th September 2012 inclusive (leaving on the morning of Saturday 29th).
If you’ve attended a previous British Milford, you will know more or less what to expect and can go straight to the booking form. If not, then a brief introduction may be in order. Milford is a gathering of professional authors, loosely linked by science fiction or fantasy writing. It is not a school for beginners, and there are no ‘teachers’ or ‘students.’ However, neither is it an elitist in-group: we welcome new participants, and invitations are extended to authors who have only sold the minimum requirement of 1 published piece as well as those among us who only dimly recall what rejection slips look like (HAH! – ed). Writers who have not attended a previous Milford are particularly welcome.
The conference has been a regular, more or less annual event since 1972, drawing members from Britain, Europe, America and Australia. Over the years it has settled down to a comfortable workable format: demanding and exhausting, with much hard work being done, but it’s also convivial, with a lot of sitting and talking about doing hard work. There's no bar, but you are encouraged to bring your tipple of choice and we have a comfy social space in Trigonos' library. It’s thus a social as well as a literary event.
Here’s a brief generalised programme of the week:
• Saturday: turn up late afternoon, bringing manuscripts for discussion during the week if you have not already sent them via email. There's no programme, but around mid-evening we convene and get to know one another over a meal.
• Sunday to Thursday: the main working days. Morning is the time to read manuscripts and prepare notes. Afternoons are workshop sessions, at which the day's quota of material is discussed as forthrightly and constructively as possible, with fairly strict time limits to encourage brevity and allow even the shyest member's voice to be heard. Evenings are for more relaxed conversation and discussion, punctuated by occasional silly literary games.
• Friday: depending on the workload, this can be the time for a further workshop, a semi-formal discussion, exploring the vicinity of the centre, or just resting. In the evening we unwind with a special dinner.
The centre
Trigonos is situated on the shores of Lake Nantlle in Snowdonia, among the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park. It is about 10 miles from Caernarvon, which is accessible from Bangor railway station by a frequent bus service. Full travel details will be sent to participants. The centre is comprised of an old Victorian house and converted barns, and has a committed approach to sustainable land development and environmental restoration.
The centre runs many courses and workshops, and there may be smaller other groups during the time that we will be there. It is full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) and caters to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, and can cater for vegan guests also. The centre grows much of its own organic produce.
Costs: for the whole week, you will pay £560 (minus your deposit)- a flat rate for:
• accommodation
• full board (plus tea/coffee breaks)
• meeting room hire
What you have to bring:
1 or 2 pieces of unpublished work, not exceeding more than 15,000 words in total. We strongly encourage you to send these in advance and we will set up a small email group for that purpose. If you have not sent them in advance please bring sufficient copies for each participant. One of these copies is also to be handed to Jacey Bedford (acting Chair) or Liz Williams (Secretary) on the night of arrival so that we can organise the reading schedule, but you’ll get that back.
A typical Milford has anything from 10 - 15 participants, and works best with a full timetable and minimal slack - this year there will be a ceiling of 15 members on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, plus a waiting list which you can join by paying the registration fee and room deposit. The treasurer will hold this until the booking is either confirmed or cancelled.
To book, please complete the enclosed form and return it to Liz at the above address, with a cheque or sterling money order, made payable to Milford SF Writers' Conference for a total of £115 (£105 pound centre deposit; deductible from your final bill, and £10 conference registration fee. Regulars will note that the deposit has risen in price: this is because Trigonos have had a number of no-shows and although they know Milford well, they have had to institute a blanket policy of all deposits up front. Since Milford is a non-profit organisation, we need to make sure that we have enough in the coffers to pay this initial lump sum). Cancellations will mean a loss of deposit unless we can re-sell your space. At least one progress report, with members’ names and further information (such as how to get there!) will be issued in the summer/early autumn.
Hope to see you there!
The committee:
Sue Thomason (Chair)
Jacey Bedford – Minister without Portfolio
Liz Williams (Secretary) – mevennen@hotmail.com
Steve Kilbane (Treasurer)
Liz Williams's Blog
- Liz Williams's profile
- 266 followers
Liz Williams isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
