Jane Lindskold's Blog, page 58
March 18, 2020
Covering Wolf’s Soul
Wolf’s Soul Front Cover
Last week I shared the cover blurb for Wolf’s Soul. Here’s a look at the cover that will go with that blurb.
And here’s a look at the cover that will wrap around the trade paperback version.
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Cover Flat for Print Version
The art is “Three Hungry Wolves” by Julie Bell, who did the original cover art for the first six Firekeeper novels, and whose “Andre” was the basis for the cover of last July’s new release, Wolf’s Search. You can see “Three Hungry Wolves” here.
Wolf’s Soul is in the final stages of proofing and polishing. It is the second part of the story that began in Wolf’s Search and, as such, probably does read better if you’ve read the previous book, although you do not need to have read (or reviewed) the entire Firekeeper Saga to read Wolf’s Search.
As with Wolf’s Search, Wolf’s Soul will be available as an e-book from a variety of vendors, and as a trade paperback as well.
Any questions?
March 13, 2020
FF: Reading As A Job
Persephone Contemplates Conspiracy
Right now some of my reading time is being given to getting the final versions of Wolf’s Soul done. After doing a lot of close focus on the manuscript, I am very fried.
When I cease being fried, I am also reading so I can responsibly vote for the Nebula Award. Changes in the rules some years back mean that we now have one month from the final ballot to the final voting day to read a huge amount of material.
I didn’t cram this much even in grad school. Seriously. I’d get the reading list for my novel-centered courses in advance and read during term breaks. And, no, it’s not possible to predict what will make the final ballot and read in advance.
For those of you unfamiliar with this column, the Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week. Most of the time I don’t include details of either short fiction (unless part of a book-length collection) or magazines. The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It’s just a list with, maybe, a bit of description or a few opinions tossed in.
And I really enjoy hearing about what you’re reading!
Recently Completed:
Marque of Caine by Charles E. Gannon. Not just a Nebula TBR for me. I’ve known Chuck since I was nineteen or twenty.
The Big Four by Agatha Christie. Audiobook. An over-the-top pulp adventure, quite unlike her more usual Poroit. Closer to the type of story she’d usually do with Tommy and Tuppence.
In Progress:
The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. Audiobook. Because!
Also:
Reading a lot of short fiction before voting for the Nebula Award. I won’t be itemizing my Nebula reads most of the time because with the short reading time, if I don’t have a reason to finish something, I won’t.
And research.
March 11, 2020
As You Wished…
Warning! Potential Spoiler Alert!
Last week, when I mentioned that I’d finished the cover copy for Wolf’s Soul, excitement was expressed. I asked if people would like to see the copy sooner, rather than later. Here—as requested—it is!
Spoiler alert! If you haven’t read last July’s new Firekeeper novel—Wolf’ Search, aka Firekeeper 7—then this is going to include some spoilers.
(In case you wonder, Wolf’s Search can be read without the need to re-read—or even read—the six books that come before.)
We’re working on the cover design for Wolf’s Soul, which is based around artist Julie Bell’s wonderful painting, “Three Hungry Wolves.” More on the cover when it’s ready.
So now, without further delay, here’s the cover copy for Wolf’s Soul.
Firekeeper has always believed that her heart is a wolf’s heart .
Now the time has come for her to prove it.
Blind Seer’s search for a teacher of the magical arts brought him and Firekeeper to Rhinadei, a land rich in magical lore, but intolerant of those who would rebel against its core precepts. Now, eager to aid Wythcombe, his new teacher, Blind Seer agrees to lend his keen senses to the hunt for Kabot—Wythcombe’s childhood rival and leader of a band of fanatical blood mages.
In this hunt, Firekeeper runs as ever at Blind Seer’s side. Rounding out their pack are Laria and Ranz, two young humans with potent magical gifts of their own; Farborn, a yarimaimalom falcon; Wythcombe himself, and the ever enigmatical Meddler.
Yet, despite the versatility of this pack, Kabot’s blood mages miraculously elude them, leaving behind the tantalizing scent of more power than they should possess. Suspicion builds that Kabot has acquired a new ally: an ally who may be one of their own pack turned traitor.
Interested? Any questions?
March 6, 2020
FF: Mystery and Adventure
Kwahe’e and Poirot
With the new editions of the “Breaking the Wall” ebooks done and my tax stuff completed, I moved to reviewing the copy edited manuscript of Wolf’s Soul, also known as Firekeeper 8, the direct sequel to last summer’s Wolf’s Search. Such is the glamorous life of a writer.
Listening to my long-time favorite, Agatha Christie, I had an idea for a murder mystery…
For those of you unfamiliar with this column, the Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week. Most of the time I don’t include details of either short fiction (unless part of a book-length collection) or magazines. The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It’s just a list with, maybe, a bit of description or a few opinions tossed in.
And I really enjoy hearing about what you’re reading!
Recently Completed:
The Hollow by Agatha Christie. Audiobook.
A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie. Audiobook.
In Progress:
Marque of Caine by Charles E. Gannon. Quite long. Still plowing through.
The Big Four by Agatha Christie. Audiobook. An over-the-top pulp adventure, quite unlike her more usual Poirot. Closer to the type of story she’d usually do with Tommy and Tuppence.
Also:
Back to research reading for my next project: the fourth Star Kingdom novel, in collaboration with David Weber.
March 4, 2020
5,000 Words Plus
Masked Dancer: Petroglph National Monument
Here’s a riddle for you.
Why is this week’s WW called 5,000 Words Plus?
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Golden Cliffs
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Jasmine and Her Ball
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Apple Blossom With Bee
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Skinny and His Kid
February 28, 2020
FF: Old Favorites and New
Kel Poses Insouciantly
I moved directly from getting the new editions of my “Breaking the Wall” ebooks done to getting my tax stuff ready for my accountant. Such is the glamorous life of a writer. For company while I added up figures and the like, I turned to audiobooks of my long-time favorite, Agatha Christie. But I’m reading some new stuff, too…
For those of you unfamiliar with this column, the Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week. Most of the time I don’t include details of either short fiction (unless part of a book-length collection) or magazines. The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It’s just a list with, maybe, a bit of description or a few opinions tossed in.
And I really enjoy hearing about what you’re reading!
Recently Completed:
Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon). I really enjoyed. Made me both laugh out loud and turn pages as fast as I could to find out what was going to happen next. Although set in the same world as her “Clocktaur Wars” (which despite the title aren’t steampunk, more sword and sorcery) and Swordheart, this is a stand-alone novel and a fit entry into the world.
Double Sin and Other Stories by Agatha Christie. Very much enjoyed.
In Progress:
The Hollow by Agatha Christie. Audiobook.
Marque of Caine by Charles E. Gannon. Spy thriller space opera. Nicely realized aliens.
Also:
I really need to get back to my research reading, but I’ve enjoyed both this last issue of Archeology and am enjoying Smithsonian.
February 26, 2020
Dynamic Dreaming
Four Issues Holding a Wide Variety of Hopes and Dreams
Like Gaheris Morris in my “Breaking the Wall” books, I have a secret life. I’m not a member of a secret occult cabal (or if I am, I’m not quite ready to admit it), but I am part of something nearly as incredible: I’m the official Senior Advisor and Creative Consultant for DreamForge, a full-color, fully-illustrated magazine dedicated to just about every sort of SF/F fiction there is with one exception: No Unredeemable Dystopia.
How I came to my secret identity is a complicated story. The short version is that when friends decide they’re going to do something impossible, incredible, and insane—but really, really cool—I think you have two choices. You can stand aside and later regret not helping out. Or you can leap up on that runaway stagecoach and do everything in your power to help keep it on the road.
I’m not rich enough to fully fund the magazine, so I did the next best thing. I offered to do what I could to help out. Part of that was helping them find quality writers and artists. Part was contributing stories. Part was offering a Kickstarter incentive. Part was simply giving Scot and Jane Noel, the creative team behind DreamForge, someone to run ideas by.
Working with DreamForge has been terrific and uplifting. Now DreamForge is moving into its second year. Once again, we’re doing a Kickstarter. My incentive went before I could even mention it on a WW, as did that of Hugo Award-winning artist Elizabeth Leggett, but there are some very cool ones left. DreamForge’s Kickstarter ends on March 7, and I want to encourage you to go take a look.
Now… Here’s something for those of you who didn’t run away at the sniff of a Kickstarter…
If you wanted to read my Firekeeper short story, “A Question of Truth,” which appeared in DreamForge Issue Three, here’s a link. If you like it, why not wander over to the Kickstarter and join into supporting the magazine? Some of the incentives are embarrassingly reasonable.
Will you find any Jane Lindskold stories in the forthcoming issues of DreamForge? In fact, you will. My story “The Problem With Magic Rings” is scheduled for Issue 6. It’s a sword and sorcery romp featuring the same unlikely band of heroes as in my short story, “A Familiar’s Predicament,” which appeared in Sword and Sorceress 33.
I’m going to stop here and hope you’ll at least go take a look at the Kickstarter for DreamForge year two. The magazine is lovely, full-color, gorgeous, and, best of all, full of stories that fight against the darkness.
February 21, 2020
FF: Like Windblown Leaves
Persephone About to Make Her Mark
I’m still coming down from getting the new “Breaking the Wall” e-books out. If you missed my WW post, I hope you’ll take a look. They’re a lot of fun and now you can get the entire series for less than the price of one novel. Even better, I think you’ll like them!
For those of you new to this column, the Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week. Most of the time I don’t include details of either short fiction (unless part of a book-length collection) or magazines. The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It’s just a list with, maybe, a bit of description or a few opinions tossed in.
And I really enjoy hearing about what you’re reading!
Recently Completed:
Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones. A fun romp.
Stiff by Mary Roach. Audiobook. Enjoyable. Made me think a lot about medical donation of cadavers.
In Progress:
Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon). Set in the same world as her “Clocktaur Wars” (which despite the title aren’t steampunk, more sword and sorcery) and Swordheart. So far, enjoyable.
Double Sin and Other Stories by Agatha Christie. So far two Poriot, one Miss Marple. I’m familiar with these, but still enjoying.
Also:
Some research reading. Right now. Poisons. I may need a good source on hallucinogens, too.
February 19, 2020
Breaking News! Breaking the Wall!
Three New Covers!
As I’ve been promising, there’s a sparkling new e-book reissue of my three “Breaking the Wall” novels: Thirteen Orphans, Nine Gates, and Five Odd Honors. Read on to learn more about the series, extra content, and to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the cover design process.
First a word of reassurance… Not into e-books? Don’t worry. Print copies are available at my newly revamped website bookstore.
The “Breaking the Wall” series was originally released from Tor Books starting in 2008 with Thirteen Orphans. While Tor’s books were completely gorgeous, the new e-book covers better reflect the urban fantasy element of the series.
The new e-books each contain bonus content in the form of an essay about the “making of” the series. These are expanded versions of pieces I wrote for Tor.com back in the day, with a lot more detail into my emotional journey as I wrote.
Never heard of the “Breaking the Wall” series? Here’s the cover copy for the new edition of Thirteen Orphans.
A Dangerous Inheritance
Brenda Morris has no idea that her father, Gaheris, has a secret life. He is the Rat: a key member of the curious cabal known as the Thirteen Orphans. When she is nineteen, Brenda learns that all the omens show that Brenda will be his heir.
Brenda may inherit her place far sooner than anyone wishes. Unseen enemies are stalking the Thirteen Orphans. If Brenda does not join Pearl Bright, the Tiger, as she gathers the surviving Orphans to stand against their enemies, soon the Orphans—and their generations-long mission—will vanish, even from memory.
Bonus material includes an expanded version of the essay, “Why Thirteen Orphans?”
Interested? You can find the new e-books at the following vendors:
Amazon: Thirteen Orphans, Nine Gates, Five Odd Honors.
Nook: Thirteen Orphans, Nine Gates, Five Odd Honors.
Kobo: Thirteen Orphans, Nine Gates, Five Odd Honors.
i-Tunes: Thirteen Orphans, Nine Gates, Five Odd Honors.
GooglePlay: Thirteen Orphans, Nine Gates, Five Odd Honors.
So, why the big change in the cover art? It’s certainly not because the original art by Sam Weber wasn’t gorgeous, because it absolutely was. However, over the years I’ve learned that these covers didn’t give most readers any idea that this series was urban fantasy. The reviewers (who had the text in hand) caught on immediately, as this quote from Library Journal shows:
“This new series launch deftly mingles the fascination of the mah-jongg tiles and the animal lore of the Chinese Zodiac with a modern tale of discovery and danger. This urban fantasy should appeal to fans of Charles de Lint and Jim Butcher.” Library Journal on Thirteen Orphans
When Jane Noel came on board as the new cover artist, I asked her to come up with covers that would say at a glance what sort of books these were. First, she researched cover art associated with urban fantasy, and noted that they often emphasized the characters over the plot or setting. With this in mind, she decided to feature one of the point-of-view characters, Brenda Morris, with one of the other key characters.
Jane Noel also decided that a series called “Breaking the Wall” should feature a wall appropriate to the book in question. So, Thirteen Orphans has a zodiac wheel, reflecting the characters’ discovery of their relationship with one of the animals in the Chinese zodiac. Nine Gates, which provides the first glimpse of the mysterious Lands Born from Smoke and Sacrifice, features a wall opening into the lands. Five Odd Honors features a gate opening into… Well, I’m not going to say too much, in case of spoilers.
The process of working with an artist who had read the books in the series several times was fascinating, showing me, once again, how the reader and author see the books in different ways.
So, there you have it… Please let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll answer either in the Comments or in next week’s WW, depending on how much detail is needed. Go on now: Break the Wall!
February 14, 2020
FF: Sweet Reads
Mei-Ling Offers You Her Heart
It’s Valentine’s Day, so here’s a cute kitten for you…
For those of you new to this column, the Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week. Most of the time I don’t include details of either short fiction (unless part of a book-length collection) or magazines. The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It’s just a list with, maybe, a bit of description or a few opinions tossed in.
And I really enjoy hearing about what you’re reading!
Recently Completed:
Me: The Official Autobiography of Elton John. Audiobook. Read in part by Elton John, but not the majority. Quite enjoyable window into long career and the changing world in which it has taken place.
The Cassandra Project by Jack McDevitt and Mike Resnick. For those who asked, it’s very different from the Lightspeed short story that inspired it.
In Progress:
Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones. Just started.
Stiff by Mary Roach. Audiobook. Just started.
Also:
Still looking at kumihimo beading articles. I think I’m feeling bold enough to try something longer or more complex.
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Mei-Ling Eats Her Heart
