Peadar Ó Guilín's Blog, page 17
November 18, 2013
Think of the Children!
At the recent World Fantasy Convention in Brighton, I was lucky enough to chat to Joe Abercrombie for a few minutes about the YA Programme for next year's WorldCon.
You all know who I'm talking about, don't you? Yes, it's that Joe Abercrombie. AKA, Lord Grimdark, the Renoir of entrails; of hopeless, bloody, foul-mouthed, sexually explicit, cackling slaughter.
Well, it turns out he's just finishing up a book for vulnerable* Young Adults.
After I spent a few moments recovering from the shock, I began to wonder what other authors out there might be writing for the younger members of our society. What if R. Scott Bakker turned his hand to producing bedtime stories? Any takers for "The Naughty Nonman"? Or Jacqueline Carey's forgotten classic for toddlers, "Hug Whom Thou Wilst"?
Who do you shudder to think is working on children's fiction and what are they writing? Answers in the comments, no more than 40 entries per person...
*Well, they will be vulnerable after they've read it.
You all know who I'm talking about, don't you? Yes, it's that Joe Abercrombie. AKA, Lord Grimdark, the Renoir of entrails; of hopeless, bloody, foul-mouthed, sexually explicit, cackling slaughter.
Well, it turns out he's just finishing up a book for vulnerable* Young Adults.
After I spent a few moments recovering from the shock, I began to wonder what other authors out there might be writing for the younger members of our society. What if R. Scott Bakker turned his hand to producing bedtime stories? Any takers for "The Naughty Nonman"? Or Jacqueline Carey's forgotten classic for toddlers, "Hug Whom Thou Wilst"?
Who do you shudder to think is working on children's fiction and what are they writing? Answers in the comments, no more than 40 entries per person...
*Well, they will be vulnerable after they've read it.
October 29, 2013
Personal Writing News, Some of it Bad
Shorter Version (TL:DR)
Random House will not be publishing The Volunteer, the third book in my trilogy. They will however be publishing my near future dystopian novel, Eat the Drink, in May 2015.
I will self-publish The Volunteer as an ebook next year.
Explanations will follow...
Prologue
An awful lot of things have been happening over the last year that I haven't been at liberty to discuss. I will attempt to minimize the boredom for anybody who made it this far without falling asleep, but to be honest, it's dull stuff if you're not me. I blame nobody for fleeing now...
Editor at Large
I originally sold my trilogy to a wonderful editor called David Fickling. He had been bought out by Random House a few years previously, so, my contract was with Random House rather than with him. He published my first two books, but before the third one came out, before it was even finished -- though not long before -- he decided to go his own way again and could no longer work with me.
Woe Unto You oh Nation of Peadar
Now, my first book, The Inferior, for all that it garnered great reviews, did not sell as well as expected. The second book, The Deserter, came out *years* after the first book had already disappeared from the shops. It was a direct sequel, which meant it could not be enjoyed on its own.
What happened next? Well, it's obvious, isn't it? Much money was lost and the publication of the third book was guaranteed to lose a whole lot more, despite the fact that it had already been written.
It makes absolutely no sense bring out The Volunteer.
--But Peadar! What about the brave and the brawny who bought the first books and want to see the trilogy play out to its grim and/or joyful conclusion?
Yeah, about that.
I will make sure the rest of the story is available. The last book has been written, but I need to pay for a professional to edit it. I also have to buy some art for the cover and get it formatted etc. etc. so that it can be published as an ebook.
This is not with any illusion of making a profit, because I won't. On the other hand, I hate the idea that anybody who was so kind as to support me all this time won't get to read the ending.
And that's all there is to that.
Or almost...
Onwards, Forwards, Upwards, Outwards
1) As you may have seen from "The Short Version" above, my professional publishing career is still chugging away into the future. I am *extremely* excited to have a pub date for Eat the Drink. I love the world and the story and the characters and can't wait to start working on them again.
2) I may also be bringing out a $1 ebook before the end of this year so I can learn how to do it right before I self-pub The Volunteer. More news on that at a later date.
3) I have the Big Fat Fantasy waiting in the wings to be shopped to editors, but...
4) ...I need to get a new agent first. I've had the offer of an introduction from a friend. We'll see.
Epilogue
Many thanks if you're read this far. My name is Peadar and that has been my update. There's a lot more than that, but enough is enough for the meantime.
Random House will not be publishing The Volunteer, the third book in my trilogy. They will however be publishing my near future dystopian novel, Eat the Drink, in May 2015.
I will self-publish The Volunteer as an ebook next year.
Explanations will follow...
Prologue
An awful lot of things have been happening over the last year that I haven't been at liberty to discuss. I will attempt to minimize the boredom for anybody who made it this far without falling asleep, but to be honest, it's dull stuff if you're not me. I blame nobody for fleeing now...
Editor at Large
I originally sold my trilogy to a wonderful editor called David Fickling. He had been bought out by Random House a few years previously, so, my contract was with Random House rather than with him. He published my first two books, but before the third one came out, before it was even finished -- though not long before -- he decided to go his own way again and could no longer work with me.
Woe Unto You oh Nation of Peadar
Now, my first book, The Inferior, for all that it garnered great reviews, did not sell as well as expected. The second book, The Deserter, came out *years* after the first book had already disappeared from the shops. It was a direct sequel, which meant it could not be enjoyed on its own.
What happened next? Well, it's obvious, isn't it? Much money was lost and the publication of the third book was guaranteed to lose a whole lot more, despite the fact that it had already been written.
It makes absolutely no sense bring out The Volunteer.
--But Peadar! What about the brave and the brawny who bought the first books and want to see the trilogy play out to its grim and/or joyful conclusion?
Yeah, about that.
I will make sure the rest of the story is available. The last book has been written, but I need to pay for a professional to edit it. I also have to buy some art for the cover and get it formatted etc. etc. so that it can be published as an ebook.
This is not with any illusion of making a profit, because I won't. On the other hand, I hate the idea that anybody who was so kind as to support me all this time won't get to read the ending.
And that's all there is to that.
Or almost...
Onwards, Forwards, Upwards, Outwards
1) As you may have seen from "The Short Version" above, my professional publishing career is still chugging away into the future. I am *extremely* excited to have a pub date for Eat the Drink. I love the world and the story and the characters and can't wait to start working on them again.
2) I may also be bringing out a $1 ebook before the end of this year so I can learn how to do it right before I self-pub The Volunteer. More news on that at a later date.
3) I have the Big Fat Fantasy waiting in the wings to be shopped to editors, but...
4) ...I need to get a new agent first. I've had the offer of an introduction from a friend. We'll see.
Epilogue
Many thanks if you're read this far. My name is Peadar and that has been my update. There's a lot more than that, but enough is enough for the meantime.
October 24, 2013
The Advantages of the BwB
BWB REALITIES
I was standing in a bookshop the other day, perusing a rather tiny SF section. "I know all these people," I said. A lie, of course. But I had met and chatted to a good half of them at Brotherhood Without Banners parties.
It's only when you see them all there together and tot them up that you realize... Roll on WorldCon 2014 for the next one!
STORY STILL AVAILABLE
People are saying some really lovely things about my story The Sunshine Baron in the forum of Podcastle.org. Why not have a sneaky listen? I guarantee that you will love it more than your children, especially if you don't have any.
I was standing in a bookshop the other day, perusing a rather tiny SF section. "I know all these people," I said. A lie, of course. But I had met and chatted to a good half of them at Brotherhood Without Banners parties.
It's only when you see them all there together and tot them up that you realize... Roll on WorldCon 2014 for the next one!
STORY STILL AVAILABLE
People are saying some really lovely things about my story The Sunshine Baron in the forum of Podcastle.org. Why not have a sneaky listen? I guarantee that you will love it more than your children, especially if you don't have any.
October 16, 2013
The Sunshine Baron Podcast Now Available!
A podcast of my story, The Sunshine Baron, is available for your free listening pleasure right now at Podcastle!
Let me know what you think, because I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet...
Let me know what you think, because I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet...
October 8, 2013
Octocon, Plus Announcement of Dublin WorldCon Bid Meeting
Well, it's that time of the year again when I'll be mooching around the Camden Court Hotel in Dublin for Octocon. I hope I'll get to bump into my friends and have a chat or two with our stellar guests of honour: Richard Morgan and Gail Simone. Wow!
This year, we'll also be having a meeting for anybody interested in finding out about the Dublin WorldCon Bid for 2019. Please come along if you want any info or are simply itching to take part.
Anyway, I've got to make the dinner. Try to be good while I'm away.I doubt it, though, knowing you.
This year, we'll also be having a meeting for anybody interested in finding out about the Dublin WorldCon Bid for 2019. Please come along if you want any info or are simply itching to take part.
Anyway, I've got to make the dinner. Try to be good while I'm away.I doubt it, though, knowing you.
October 6, 2013
Watching, Listening, Reading, Writing
WATCHING
Boy, life starts racing past when you take your eye off, doesn't it? It's months since I last posted what I'd been watching and this in spite of some unspeakably awful TV that flashed before my eyes. In all of that, I forgot to mention one very special program that blew me away. So, just in case you need another positive recommendation, let me *almost* unreservedly sing hallelujah for the Netflix series Orange is the New Black.
I say "almost" because two of the early episodes were twee enough that I nearly quit watching altogether -- the one about the chicken and the one that followed it. But when I put those behind me, I was left with a brilliant cast of characters revelling in some excellent writing and inducing every shade of emotion on the spectrum.
I much preferred this women's prison drama to Weeds, which has the same creator. Mileage will vary, but you HAVE to try it.
ATLANTIS
A new series on BBC. I couldn't get more than 20 minutes into this one without thinking it was the worst thing I'd ever seen. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I won't be sticking around to find out.
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS
Blah. Meh. I thought the first one looked beautiful, but fell down badly with the ridiculous coincidences in the plot. This one had the same issues and was also dull.
LISTENING
The theme song for Orange is the New Black (see above) is performed by Regina Spektor. This encouraged me to try out some of her music and boy, am I very glad I did. Delightful. Surprising. Refreshing. She has taken her rightful place in the Pantheon of "Things Peadar Admires".
I love the way she plays with that amazing voice of hers; using ethnic accents; foreign languages; beat-box noises and so on. See, for example, the "tuba" solo towards the end of the song below.
READING
My reading time is booked up with material for an award I'm helping to judge. I'm not allowed speak about any of that, but since I've made it through the first batch of books, I can sneak in a few hits of the good stuff.
EATING ANIMALS
First up is Eating Animals by Jonathon Safran Foer. If you're American and want to continue enjoying meat, this will ruin your life. Or maybe just your sleep.
As many of you know, I stopped eating animals a few years ago for purely health reasons, but this book makes a compelling case for boycotting all factory farmed meat. In the US, that turns out to be 99% of what's available these days. Even those consumers who diligently seek out labelling containing such words as "natural" and "free range" and "organic" are mostly being taken for a ride. I'm glad it's not a decision I have to make any more although Nietzsche will sneer at me from the abyss for even thinking that.
JUDGE DREDD: DAY OF CHAOS
I rarely read comic books, but back when I was gobbling them down, 2000AD with the iconic Judge Dredd nearly always on the cover, was my tipple of choice.
My American friends might find it hard to understand why I loved this stuff so much, for Dredd is no superhero. Kids don't grow up wanting to be him and nor should they. He's a cop whose only special power is a remorseless, humorless obsession with upholding The Law, regardless of morality or other considerations.
The only reason we root for him as he fights crime in the impossibly crowded confines of the dystopian "Mega-City One", is because his enemies are worse than he is: Judge Death; the Kleggs; smokers; the readers of slightly illegal magazines... Um... I suppose that some of them aren't really worse at all.
Anyway, it's been a while since I read any of his adventures, but Day of Chaos promises to be interesting. We'll see.
ANCILLARY JUSTICE
I haven't yet started Ancillary Justice, a début SF novel by Ann Leckie. It's had a few rave reviews already, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.
WRITING
I have finally finished draft #1 of "First of Many". This is the novelette length piece of fiction I read from at TitanCon in Belfast. I still have a lot of work to put into something I'll never be able to sell. It's too long for most markets and the few that remain would reject it out of had unless I 1) made it more literary than it wants to be or 2) put the whole thing into a tight 3rd person POV or 3) submitted to non-pro-paying markets.
I won't be doing any of the above, but I do have an idea so cunning it's bound to blow up in my face. More of that another day.
Other than that, what are you up to? :)
Boy, life starts racing past when you take your eye off, doesn't it? It's months since I last posted what I'd been watching and this in spite of some unspeakably awful TV that flashed before my eyes. In all of that, I forgot to mention one very special program that blew me away. So, just in case you need another positive recommendation, let me *almost* unreservedly sing hallelujah for the Netflix series Orange is the New Black.
I say "almost" because two of the early episodes were twee enough that I nearly quit watching altogether -- the one about the chicken and the one that followed it. But when I put those behind me, I was left with a brilliant cast of characters revelling in some excellent writing and inducing every shade of emotion on the spectrum.
I much preferred this women's prison drama to Weeds, which has the same creator. Mileage will vary, but you HAVE to try it.
ATLANTIS
A new series on BBC. I couldn't get more than 20 minutes into this one without thinking it was the worst thing I'd ever seen. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I won't be sticking around to find out.
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS
Blah. Meh. I thought the first one looked beautiful, but fell down badly with the ridiculous coincidences in the plot. This one had the same issues and was also dull.
LISTENING
The theme song for Orange is the New Black (see above) is performed by Regina Spektor. This encouraged me to try out some of her music and boy, am I very glad I did. Delightful. Surprising. Refreshing. She has taken her rightful place in the Pantheon of "Things Peadar Admires".
I love the way she plays with that amazing voice of hers; using ethnic accents; foreign languages; beat-box noises and so on. See, for example, the "tuba" solo towards the end of the song below.
READING
My reading time is booked up with material for an award I'm helping to judge. I'm not allowed speak about any of that, but since I've made it through the first batch of books, I can sneak in a few hits of the good stuff.
EATING ANIMALS
First up is Eating Animals by Jonathon Safran Foer. If you're American and want to continue enjoying meat, this will ruin your life. Or maybe just your sleep.
As many of you know, I stopped eating animals a few years ago for purely health reasons, but this book makes a compelling case for boycotting all factory farmed meat. In the US, that turns out to be 99% of what's available these days. Even those consumers who diligently seek out labelling containing such words as "natural" and "free range" and "organic" are mostly being taken for a ride. I'm glad it's not a decision I have to make any more although Nietzsche will sneer at me from the abyss for even thinking that.
JUDGE DREDD: DAY OF CHAOS
I rarely read comic books, but back when I was gobbling them down, 2000AD with the iconic Judge Dredd nearly always on the cover, was my tipple of choice.
My American friends might find it hard to understand why I loved this stuff so much, for Dredd is no superhero. Kids don't grow up wanting to be him and nor should they. He's a cop whose only special power is a remorseless, humorless obsession with upholding The Law, regardless of morality or other considerations.
The only reason we root for him as he fights crime in the impossibly crowded confines of the dystopian "Mega-City One", is because his enemies are worse than he is: Judge Death; the Kleggs; smokers; the readers of slightly illegal magazines... Um... I suppose that some of them aren't really worse at all.
Anyway, it's been a while since I read any of his adventures, but Day of Chaos promises to be interesting. We'll see.
ANCILLARY JUSTICE
I haven't yet started Ancillary Justice, a début SF novel by Ann Leckie. It's had a few rave reviews already, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.
WRITING
I have finally finished draft #1 of "First of Many". This is the novelette length piece of fiction I read from at TitanCon in Belfast. I still have a lot of work to put into something I'll never be able to sell. It's too long for most markets and the few that remain would reject it out of had unless I 1) made it more literary than it wants to be or 2) put the whole thing into a tight 3rd person POV or 3) submitted to non-pro-paying markets.
I won't be doing any of the above, but I do have an idea so cunning it's bound to blow up in my face. More of that another day.
Other than that, what are you up to? :)
September 26, 2013
Podcast Peadar Rides Again + Calling Back the Bungee
Begin with the Good News
Some time ago I was fortunate enough to have my story The Sunshine Baron included in a marvellous anthology called When the Villain Comes Home edited by Gabrielle Harbowy and Ed Greenwood. I have just been informed that Podcastle -- the world's first audio fantasy magazine -- will be recording it sometime soon for those who prefer imbibing fiction through their ear holes. Hurray! It will be my third appearance in this format and I can't wait to hear it.
The Irrevocable?
I have just leapt from a bridge and I can't remember if I attached the bungee. Yes, yes, I am speaking metaphorically. You should try it some time.
But basically, I feel that I have been forced into taking a SERIOUS ACTION. I worry that some future Peadar will point a bitter finger back at this day and say I murdered his writing career.
I won't know until I'm inches from the ground.
An Explanation?
In a few weeks, maybe. By then I may have more information.
Some time ago I was fortunate enough to have my story The Sunshine Baron included in a marvellous anthology called When the Villain Comes Home edited by Gabrielle Harbowy and Ed Greenwood. I have just been informed that Podcastle -- the world's first audio fantasy magazine -- will be recording it sometime soon for those who prefer imbibing fiction through their ear holes. Hurray! It will be my third appearance in this format and I can't wait to hear it.
The Irrevocable?
I have just leapt from a bridge and I can't remember if I attached the bungee. Yes, yes, I am speaking metaphorically. You should try it some time.
But basically, I feel that I have been forced into taking a SERIOUS ACTION. I worry that some future Peadar will point a bitter finger back at this day and say I murdered his writing career.
I won't know until I'm inches from the ground.
An Explanation?
In a few weeks, maybe. By then I may have more information.
September 10, 2013
TitanCon Report
It was a bright and busy weekend. I loved every minute of it apart from one horrible night when, begging for sleep, I discovered I'd been given a room right above the music.
Friday night I was privileged to host a literature night with readings from most of the Con's guest writers. We had two well-known authors from the fields of SF and Horror -- Ian McDonald and Adam Nevill -- reading from their latest and greatest. We complemented these with the fresh and locally-grown talents of Ken Gregory, Lawrence Donaghy, Lesley Richardson and the pesticide-free Andy Luke. None of these light-weights lasted more than ten minutes in front of a bearded crowd, so I had a chance to do a bit of reading of my own.
Was it fun?
Oh, yes. Especially when the musicians of the Hardbitten Fleabottom Swingtime Band added some naughty tunes.
And then, it was Saturday. I spent the day moderating panels of superstars. Apart from the authors name-checked above, I got to share the stage with another writer, C.S. Kane, and several thousand cast and crew of A Game of Thrones, including: Emma Andrews of the Drapes department; storyboard artist and ex-2000AD artist, William Simpson: Aimee Richardson, Ian McElhinney, Luke Barnes and Laura Pradelska.
Lots of other actors were wandering about randomly asking attendees for autographs...
Speaking of autographs... I sold some books after the panels and bought some too. I'm very much enjoying Adam Nevill's The Ritual, which he sold to me on a panel. On the very same panel, Ian McDonald (who must be getting some kind of commission) recommended a writing tool called Scrivener that, after working through the tutorial, has totally blown my mind. But more of that another time.
Night-time brought the masquerade. Only four groups entered, but the costumes were so good that three of them tied for first place on 19 votes each and a tie-breaker had to be employed.
Sunday was the tour. The weather held -- a beautiful Autumn day. I spent most of it chatting with Adam Nevill on a dung covered seat at the back of the bus. Later, I defeated Art Parkinson at a variety of sports, such as "foot measuring", "who-can-reach-highest" and so on. He only won the archery.
At the banquet, the food was lovely, the conversation sparkled and the water had no little bits bobbing along the bottom of the glass. Just how I like it... Afterwards, Art joined the bad boys down the back of the bus along with his acting coach mum who told us an intriguing story from Moville where they live.
Finally, it was back to the hotel and more chat...
You're probably noticing that while I've name-dropped some of the guests, I haven't mentioned any of my many friends or the incredible volunteers or the super-human committee who laid their very lives on the line for the entertainment of the likes of me. I can't remember everybody I spoke to. Yes, there were hugs from Pebble and chocolate from Claudia and ear-plugs from Jackie. Snacks were shared by all and people foolishly bought me drinks and made me laugh by eating burritos larger than a human head. These folk all made me feel happy and at home. I hope I get to see them all again next year.
And here are the committee. God bless them every one:
Phil Lowles ~ Chairperson ~ Programming DirectorSilverjaime ~ Treasurer ~ Operations DirectorIan Lawther ~ Secretary ~ Technical DirectorJackie MacPherson ~ Guest Liaison SupervisorLis Beasley ~ Administration
Finally, I apologise for rambling. I don't feel too coherent right now!
September 9, 2013
New Story Available -- Read The Dowry For Free
I'm just in the door from an amazing TitanCon in Belfast. I'll put up a full report tomorrow, when and if, my sanity has returned. But for now, let me just point out that my new story, The Dowry is up at Black Gate This one is a relatively traditional fantasy. I would love if you guys could click on through to the other side!
August 11, 2013
Gandalf Lives!
I have just returned from holiday with conclusive proof that not only was Middle-Earth real, but that it existed in Northern Italy, rather than New Zealand as some of the more recent theories would have us believe. I, at least, can offer photographic proof. The image below was found on a door that's nearly 800 years old.
You must never doubt me again! Or offer me the ring, for I shall not take it...
You must never doubt me again! Or offer me the ring, for I shall not take it...
