Judith Tarr's Blog, page 4
September 24, 2014
Marking New Paths
Last call for fall classes! Link to class descriptions is here.
Signups to this point have been minimal despite extensive signal boosting (for which, thanks to all who have so kindly spread the word). I will be conducting the class for those who have signed up for it so far, but unless I get at least another four participants, the format will be different than I had originally planned. I'll be contacting participants in a few days with further details.
It does seem that I will have to find another way to keep the horses fed. With so many writers hanging out the editing and teaching shingle as advances shrink and contracts slow down or stop coming, the market appears to be saturated. We are at a scary juncture here, with the boarders gone (one was ready to go home after rehab, the other took off last week while I was away; I returned to an empty stall and a note on the table). They had paid the bulk of the hay bill. The ebook revolution has not been the bonanza for me that it has for others: it covers utilities every month, but that's as far as it goes. I do not have the funds to buy ads that supposedly will increase sales. Another Kickstarter can't happen until I get the last one done and fulfilled--which it will be by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the horses keep eating. I'm not sure where the next load of hay is coming from, and they'll need it next week. (Yes, I've been hiding under the bed. It's been a rough month.)
I still have openings for editing and mentoring--will be happy to take referrals. There are also openings available for Camp Lipizzan, which I tend to call Horse Camp for Writers, but what it actually is is a week with the White Herd. There's yoga, there's riding and groundwork, there's quiet and peace and a chance to rest and be pampered, whatever your level of horse skills. You don't have to be a writer, either. Horsepeople come for the horse-retreat aspects.
I have in the past offered sponsorships for the horses. I'm thinking I might revive that, and turn it into a monthly newsletter or blogthing. Backers-only news, updates, pictures of "your" sponsored horse or horses, bits of things from the farm. Not sure if that should be a formal setup a la Patreon or a more informal, one-on-one arrangement. I'm open to suggestion.
I have also offered commissioned stories--have written a fair few, in fact, over the years. Email me at capriole at that gmail thing if you'd like to talk about a story for yourself or friends or family. I love doing these, and recipients seem to love getting them.
I've seen crowdfunding campaigns with authors doing a monthly short story. I wonder if this would work for me. While I was in toxic block, I couldn't commit to any such thing, but that's finally gone (and that part of me feels wonderful).
I hate to borrow, because paying back becomes this ongoing awful thing while the hay bills keep coming. I need something that I can do that will give value, and feed the horses, and keep the place going in the next few weeks or months while I figure out the longer term. I'm running out of energy to keep hustling, and I'm running out of options for keeping this place afloat.
I have no idea what will happen to the horses if I have to let them go. Tia might find a home as a broodmare, she's still of an age for that. Pandora would have a place to go, at least, and I would put Capria down; she's nearing the end of her body's ability to cope. The rest are a hard sell in this economy.
Ideas would be most welcome. I'm so tired and stretched so thin that I know I'm not seeing the forest for all the tangled thickets of panicky trees. The woo side of things says the farm will continue, the horses will stay, I'm just missing something blindingly obvious. But I persist in being, well, blinded.
Wish you could help, but just as broke as I am? There is one thing you can do. If you've read my books, post honest reviews especially at Amazon. Reviewomancy has gone a bit whackers lately as authors become more desperate and careers slip closer to the edge, but it does appear that the more reviews you get, the more likely the book is to bump one of those all-important "If You Liked X, You Might Like Y" algorithms. You can also encourage your library to buy books from Book View Cafe via Overdrive or an assortment of other distribution networks--they usually buy a selection of mine, and the proceeds eventually trickle down to me.
Every little bit helps.
Signups to this point have been minimal despite extensive signal boosting (for which, thanks to all who have so kindly spread the word). I will be conducting the class for those who have signed up for it so far, but unless I get at least another four participants, the format will be different than I had originally planned. I'll be contacting participants in a few days with further details.
It does seem that I will have to find another way to keep the horses fed. With so many writers hanging out the editing and teaching shingle as advances shrink and contracts slow down or stop coming, the market appears to be saturated. We are at a scary juncture here, with the boarders gone (one was ready to go home after rehab, the other took off last week while I was away; I returned to an empty stall and a note on the table). They had paid the bulk of the hay bill. The ebook revolution has not been the bonanza for me that it has for others: it covers utilities every month, but that's as far as it goes. I do not have the funds to buy ads that supposedly will increase sales. Another Kickstarter can't happen until I get the last one done and fulfilled--which it will be by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the horses keep eating. I'm not sure where the next load of hay is coming from, and they'll need it next week. (Yes, I've been hiding under the bed. It's been a rough month.)
I still have openings for editing and mentoring--will be happy to take referrals. There are also openings available for Camp Lipizzan, which I tend to call Horse Camp for Writers, but what it actually is is a week with the White Herd. There's yoga, there's riding and groundwork, there's quiet and peace and a chance to rest and be pampered, whatever your level of horse skills. You don't have to be a writer, either. Horsepeople come for the horse-retreat aspects.
I have in the past offered sponsorships for the horses. I'm thinking I might revive that, and turn it into a monthly newsletter or blogthing. Backers-only news, updates, pictures of "your" sponsored horse or horses, bits of things from the farm. Not sure if that should be a formal setup a la Patreon or a more informal, one-on-one arrangement. I'm open to suggestion.
I have also offered commissioned stories--have written a fair few, in fact, over the years. Email me at capriole at that gmail thing if you'd like to talk about a story for yourself or friends or family. I love doing these, and recipients seem to love getting them.
I've seen crowdfunding campaigns with authors doing a monthly short story. I wonder if this would work for me. While I was in toxic block, I couldn't commit to any such thing, but that's finally gone (and that part of me feels wonderful).
I hate to borrow, because paying back becomes this ongoing awful thing while the hay bills keep coming. I need something that I can do that will give value, and feed the horses, and keep the place going in the next few weeks or months while I figure out the longer term. I'm running out of energy to keep hustling, and I'm running out of options for keeping this place afloat.
I have no idea what will happen to the horses if I have to let them go. Tia might find a home as a broodmare, she's still of an age for that. Pandora would have a place to go, at least, and I would put Capria down; she's nearing the end of her body's ability to cope. The rest are a hard sell in this economy.
Ideas would be most welcome. I'm so tired and stretched so thin that I know I'm not seeing the forest for all the tangled thickets of panicky trees. The woo side of things says the farm will continue, the horses will stay, I'm just missing something blindingly obvious. But I persist in being, well, blinded.
Wish you could help, but just as broke as I am? There is one thing you can do. If you've read my books, post honest reviews especially at Amazon. Reviewomancy has gone a bit whackers lately as authors become more desperate and careers slip closer to the edge, but it does appear that the more reviews you get, the more likely the book is to bump one of those all-important "If You Liked X, You Might Like Y" algorithms. You can also encourage your library to buy books from Book View Cafe via Overdrive or an assortment of other distribution networks--they usually buy a selection of mine, and the proceeds eventually trickle down to me.
Every little bit helps.
August 29, 2014
Writing Classes and Other Delights
Yes, people want classes! I'm excited. Please feel free to spread the word. I'll be sending out another ping after this weekend, when the US holiday crowds get back and head to work.
This fall I'll be offering three classes starting October 8th. One group class and two "independent study" individual classes.
Here's how they'll work:
Classes will meet online via invitation-only Wordpress blogs and file-sharing. We're looking into a chat option for individual tutoring and group meetings, and will have more details on that as we get closer to the start dates.
The group class will consist of four weekly "lectures" via blog post, with writing assignments. Cost will include the class lectures, group and instructor review of assignments, and one half-hour chat or email tutorial/consultation with the instructor. Additional consultations available for additional cost, on which see below.
Individual courses will consist of three "lectures" via email or private blog post, with writing assignments, plus one half-hour general tutorial/consultation via chat or email. The schedule for these courses is flexible; see below.
Here's what we'll be offering this fall:
The Art of Plotting Your Story or Novel
Group Class
October 8th-29th (lectures post on Wednesday)
The art and craft of plotting, based on the original beta class offered on Livejournal. Participants in the beta are welcome to join the new class. Lectures and writing exercises will focus on the ways in which individual writing process affects the way a writer plots a story, as well as the mechanics of structure, pacing, and thinking things through.
Embrace Your Process
Independent Study
October 22nd-December 15th (exact schedule and pacing tailored to the individual)
A three-part lecture series with writing exercises. Participants will explore and develop their individual writing process through tutorials and exercises tailored to their particular way of approaching the craft. Outliners/pantsers, linear/nonlinear writers, the art of writing tight and the art of the exploratory draft--there's no wrong way to do it, and we'll work together to develop or refine a writing project.
How Big Is My Idea?
Independent Study
October 22nd-December 15th (exact schedule and pacing tailored to the individual)
A three-part lecture series with writing exercises.When is an idea a short-story idea, and when is it a novel? What about ideas that fit in between? How does a writer "grow" a small idea into a big one, and how does a natural novel writer pare down the idea into a piece of short fiction? Do the sets of skills translate? Can one writer switch from one to the other?
Pricing and Signup Deadlines (US dollars):
Four-Week Group Course:
Early-Bird Special: If paid on or before September 6th - $195
Preregister by September 27th: $225
"At the door" registration by October 5th: $250
Additional tutorials (may be booked during the course): $35 half hour/$60 hour
Three-Lecture Independent Study:
Early-Bird Special: If paid on or before September 6th - US$150
Preregister by September 27th: US$175
"At the door" registration by October 20th: $200
Additional tutorials (may be booked during the course): $35 half hour/$60 hour
We take Paypal at the address below. Please add 5% for the fees.
US participants may pay by check. Check must clear before participant starts class. Email for address.
Questions? Comment here, or email me at capriole@gmail.com
This fall I'll be offering three classes starting October 8th. One group class and two "independent study" individual classes.
Here's how they'll work:
Classes will meet online via invitation-only Wordpress blogs and file-sharing. We're looking into a chat option for individual tutoring and group meetings, and will have more details on that as we get closer to the start dates.
The group class will consist of four weekly "lectures" via blog post, with writing assignments. Cost will include the class lectures, group and instructor review of assignments, and one half-hour chat or email tutorial/consultation with the instructor. Additional consultations available for additional cost, on which see below.
Individual courses will consist of three "lectures" via email or private blog post, with writing assignments, plus one half-hour general tutorial/consultation via chat or email. The schedule for these courses is flexible; see below.
Here's what we'll be offering this fall:
The Art of Plotting Your Story or Novel
Group Class
October 8th-29th (lectures post on Wednesday)
The art and craft of plotting, based on the original beta class offered on Livejournal. Participants in the beta are welcome to join the new class. Lectures and writing exercises will focus on the ways in which individual writing process affects the way a writer plots a story, as well as the mechanics of structure, pacing, and thinking things through.
Embrace Your Process
Independent Study
October 22nd-December 15th (exact schedule and pacing tailored to the individual)
A three-part lecture series with writing exercises. Participants will explore and develop their individual writing process through tutorials and exercises tailored to their particular way of approaching the craft. Outliners/pantsers, linear/nonlinear writers, the art of writing tight and the art of the exploratory draft--there's no wrong way to do it, and we'll work together to develop or refine a writing project.
How Big Is My Idea?
Independent Study
October 22nd-December 15th (exact schedule and pacing tailored to the individual)
A three-part lecture series with writing exercises.When is an idea a short-story idea, and when is it a novel? What about ideas that fit in between? How does a writer "grow" a small idea into a big one, and how does a natural novel writer pare down the idea into a piece of short fiction? Do the sets of skills translate? Can one writer switch from one to the other?
Pricing and Signup Deadlines (US dollars):
Four-Week Group Course:
Early-Bird Special: If paid on or before September 6th - $195
Preregister by September 27th: $225
"At the door" registration by October 5th: $250
Additional tutorials (may be booked during the course): $35 half hour/$60 hour
Three-Lecture Independent Study:
Early-Bird Special: If paid on or before September 6th - US$150
Preregister by September 27th: US$175
"At the door" registration by October 20th: $200
Additional tutorials (may be booked during the course): $35 half hour/$60 hour
We take Paypal at the address below. Please add 5% for the fees.
US participants may pay by check. Check must clear before participant starts class. Email for address.
Questions? Comment here, or email me at capriole@gmail.com
August 5, 2014
Impulsion
In August the light changes. Even here in the desert, we can feel the season shifting. The angle of the sun is longer. The days are perceptibly shorter. The light has a distinct and striking clarity. The heat is not quite as intense.
It will get hot again once the summer rains blow past, but the worst of summer is over. The year is turning. Winter is coming.
I learned after I was well embarked on the day that Monday was the ancient Egyptian New Year. No wonder I was all about Stuff Happening and Getting Things Moving Onward.
I blogged that day at Book View Cafe about how the year had metamorphosed from ongoing stuck-can't-move into Forward MARCH!
It really has been a much more dynamic couple of weeks compared to the past few months. My mentoring and editing sale is still going--through August 15th--and I've landed a blogging gig at Tor.com, rereading a classic Eighties epic fantasy.
Meanwhile Ro-Pup had his rescueversary, a year to the day since Stacey found him wandering in a wash on the way to
casacorona
's place, and his puppyversary, when a week later he moved to DHF. He's my frecklefaced heart dog, and he's been a challenge, but I wouldn't trade him for anything.
He celebrated as he does every afternoon.
It's a dog's life.
It will get hot again once the summer rains blow past, but the worst of summer is over. The year is turning. Winter is coming.
I learned after I was well embarked on the day that Monday was the ancient Egyptian New Year. No wonder I was all about Stuff Happening and Getting Things Moving Onward.
I blogged that day at Book View Cafe about how the year had metamorphosed from ongoing stuck-can't-move into Forward MARCH!
It really has been a much more dynamic couple of weeks compared to the past few months. My mentoring and editing sale is still going--through August 15th--and I've landed a blogging gig at Tor.com, rereading a classic Eighties epic fantasy.
Meanwhile Ro-Pup had his rescueversary, a year to the day since Stacey found him wandering in a wash on the way to
casacorona
's place, and his puppyversary, when a week later he moved to DHF. He's my frecklefaced heart dog, and he's been a challenge, but I wouldn't trade him for anything.He celebrated as he does every afternoon.
It's a dog's life.
July 28, 2014
Mentor! Mentees! Classes! Camp! YAY!
Oh yeah, it's been forever. I've moved the daily stuff and the horse neep to facebook, where most of the people seem to have gone. But some things work better in this format--and there are still people here who aren't doing facebook. So here I am.
I'm reopening my editing/mentoring list to new and repeat clients starting August 15th. At that point my hourly rate will go up as well, to $60. In the meantime, I'm having a sale. If you sign up and pay for a block of five hours between now and August 15th, the cost is $225--$25 off the old rate and $75 off the new.
For a summary of what I do, how to pay, etc., look here.
I am also taking reservations for Horse Camp between October and March. One Camp a month, one or two (or three max) people, hot and cold running (and leaping and dancing and snorfling all over you) Lipizzans.
I am contemplating starting an online writers' group/class, weekly meetings, set up in modules--plot, character, developing ideas, novel, short fiction, etc. Or we might do a combination of those. Structure and pricing to be determined. If that interests you, let me know in comments. I'll be working on the details of that over the next couple of weeks. Feel free to make suggestions, requests, demands, etc., etc.
There's more in the works, but that's what I have today. We are Busy! We have Plans!
ETAAnd if you wonder what I do and how I do it, here's a description from Linda Nagata, whose Nebula nominee I edited (and oh, am I proud of it and her).
I'm reopening my editing/mentoring list to new and repeat clients starting August 15th. At that point my hourly rate will go up as well, to $60. In the meantime, I'm having a sale. If you sign up and pay for a block of five hours between now and August 15th, the cost is $225--$25 off the old rate and $75 off the new.
For a summary of what I do, how to pay, etc., look here.
I am also taking reservations for Horse Camp between October and March. One Camp a month, one or two (or three max) people, hot and cold running (and leaping and dancing and snorfling all over you) Lipizzans.
I am contemplating starting an online writers' group/class, weekly meetings, set up in modules--plot, character, developing ideas, novel, short fiction, etc. Or we might do a combination of those. Structure and pricing to be determined. If that interests you, let me know in comments. I'll be working on the details of that over the next couple of weeks. Feel free to make suggestions, requests, demands, etc., etc.
There's more in the works, but that's what I have today. We are Busy! We have Plans!
ETAAnd if you wonder what I do and how I do it, here's a description from Linda Nagata, whose Nebula nominee I edited (and oh, am I proud of it and her).
July 30, 2013
June 1, 2013
That which does not kill us...
Hearing aid is dead.
Without it I am the equivalent of legally blind.
It's ancient. I've been nursing it along, holding it together literally with a band-aid, waiting for Big Wow Srsly Cool You Guys Will Be Thrilled Thing to get out of the pie-in-the-sky stage and swoop to a landing on my plate, but that's at utmost best two or three months away. Right now, feeding the horses and keeping the farm is what I can do, and must do. I've talked with the nice lady who fixed it when a much lesser part of it broke over the winter, and the bare-bones basic single aid I want and can best use (don't need the fancy crap) is about $1000. (I'm lucky. The two-digital-aids package they always try to sell me is in the $5000 range.)
Insurance does not cover hearing aids. At all.
Anybody want Horse Camp? Editing? Story written to order?
It has been suggested I try a Kickstarter, but I don't feel right doing that again so soon, it seems like asking a bit too much of my wonderful backers, and it takes quite a bit of time and energy--and then Amazon sits on the funds for 14 days. And I'd have to offer something pretty awesome. If anybody has ideas for something that might be crowdfunded more informally, bring 'em on. A story in the world of the Hound&Falcon books? The Caitlin Brennan Mountain's Call series? Something new?
Gotta be a way. Somehow.
ETA Wow. Talk about feeling loved. It's covered--will be able to call on Monday and start the process.
I'm going to write a story for all those who stepped up. Thinking about what to write. Suggestions welcome.
Without it I am the equivalent of legally blind.
It's ancient. I've been nursing it along, holding it together literally with a band-aid, waiting for Big Wow Srsly Cool You Guys Will Be Thrilled Thing to get out of the pie-in-the-sky stage and swoop to a landing on my plate, but that's at utmost best two or three months away. Right now, feeding the horses and keeping the farm is what I can do, and must do. I've talked with the nice lady who fixed it when a much lesser part of it broke over the winter, and the bare-bones basic single aid I want and can best use (don't need the fancy crap) is about $1000. (I'm lucky. The two-digital-aids package they always try to sell me is in the $5000 range.)
Insurance does not cover hearing aids. At all.
Anybody want Horse Camp? Editing? Story written to order?
It has been suggested I try a Kickstarter, but I don't feel right doing that again so soon, it seems like asking a bit too much of my wonderful backers, and it takes quite a bit of time and energy--and then Amazon sits on the funds for 14 days. And I'd have to offer something pretty awesome. If anybody has ideas for something that might be crowdfunded more informally, bring 'em on. A story in the world of the Hound&Falcon books? The Caitlin Brennan Mountain's Call series? Something new?
Gotta be a way. Somehow.
ETA Wow. Talk about feeling loved. It's covered--will be able to call on Monday and start the process.
I'm going to write a story for all those who stepped up. Thinking about what to write. Suggestions welcome.
May 30, 2013
We are so busy, we are crazy, we run run run
My form of OCD tends to focus me tightly on a few things, and I lose track of the fact that though I read lj every day, I should, you know, post to it once in a while.
Since I last officially showed up here, spring has evolved into the threshold of Arizona summer--not so hot today, but the Dragon is stoking its fires. 105F by Saturday, they say. Gah. Still, that's June, and Dragon Weather is what June for the most part is. We steel ourselves for it, and make sure the coolers are working and the hoses are ready and the horses have lots of shade and cool(ish) places to stand.
There have been a lot of things going on. Writing. Horses. Visitors. Camp Lipizzan. My sister helped me update the Camp and Editing/Mentoring page, so that finally makes sense. (Still booking for early 2014, and have an opening in October. November is full, full, full.)
I've been Bloggy McSpamalot lately. Most recently,
mizkit
and I had this conversation, and it turned into this big honking blog about the publishing industry and what it's done to authors. I'll be guest blogging over at
janni
's blog I think next week--more on that subject, with a personal slant. And there's the Horseblog at Book View Cafe, which shows up every other week or so, for horse neep and general matters equine.
And there's bookstuff, too. The Kickstarter came out really well, got lots of support and now I'm writing the book and prepping the rewards. One of which is an old favorite of some of you, and is out from BVC this week, with new cover and everything: The Hall of the Mountain King. The rest of those will be coming in June and July, and two sequels in August. I'll KindleNook them after that, but BVC royalty rates are much better, so I like to start there and stay for a bit.
I know. It's all terribly press-release-y and linky. It's like when you visit a friend after too long, and it's all piled up and arranged into lists and you babble it all out at once and then you stop and take a breath and slow down and start talking like a human being again. I feel more than a little bit as if I'm wroking three jobs and they're all 12 hours a day, and the math isn't quite working.
Still. The more one does, the more one finds one can do. Getting one's mojo back (at long last) helps a lot with that. Now to keep it. That's the goal.
Since I last officially showed up here, spring has evolved into the threshold of Arizona summer--not so hot today, but the Dragon is stoking its fires. 105F by Saturday, they say. Gah. Still, that's June, and Dragon Weather is what June for the most part is. We steel ourselves for it, and make sure the coolers are working and the hoses are ready and the horses have lots of shade and cool(ish) places to stand.
There have been a lot of things going on. Writing. Horses. Visitors. Camp Lipizzan. My sister helped me update the Camp and Editing/Mentoring page, so that finally makes sense. (Still booking for early 2014, and have an opening in October. November is full, full, full.)
I've been Bloggy McSpamalot lately. Most recently,
mizkit
and I had this conversation, and it turned into this big honking blog about the publishing industry and what it's done to authors. I'll be guest blogging over at
janni
's blog I think next week--more on that subject, with a personal slant. And there's the Horseblog at Book View Cafe, which shows up every other week or so, for horse neep and general matters equine.And there's bookstuff, too. The Kickstarter came out really well, got lots of support and now I'm writing the book and prepping the rewards. One of which is an old favorite of some of you, and is out from BVC this week, with new cover and everything: The Hall of the Mountain King. The rest of those will be coming in June and July, and two sequels in August. I'll KindleNook them after that, but BVC royalty rates are much better, so I like to start there and stay for a bit.
I know. It's all terribly press-release-y and linky. It's like when you visit a friend after too long, and it's all piled up and arranged into lists and you babble it all out at once and then you stop and take a breath and slow down and start talking like a human being again. I feel more than a little bit as if I'm wroking three jobs and they're all 12 hours a day, and the math isn't quite working.
Still. The more one does, the more one finds one can do. Getting one's mojo back (at long last) helps a lot with that. Now to keep it. That's the goal.
March 29, 2013
First Rose of Spring
After a cold and snowy winter (by Arizona standards), the roses are back and budding like budding things. Blue Girl wins the race to be First Rose, 2013. She's a little small, but she's in great form.
March 14, 2013
Sometimes You Just Need to See a Friendly Face.
Ephiny wants to know if there are cookies for dessert. (So why can't you have dessert with breakfast?)
Photo: Oh hai. Good morning!
Photo: Oh hai. Good morning!
March 8, 2013
It's ALIIIIIIIIVE!
I have committed Kickstarter. Space opera!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/834883724/forgotten-suns
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/834883724/forgotten-suns
