Jules Jones's Blog, page 31
April 27, 2014
Dear Group Executive Committee candidates
I have this week received my voting packet for the union elections. And a very fine cure for insomnia it is, too. But I am doing my duty and reading the election addresses in order to make a decision on to who to vote for. Some of you are quite right, as an ordinary member I have never heard of the factions who are apparently a good reason to vote for this person or against that person. I've also never heard of any of you as individuals, apart from the one from my local branch. Which means that all I know about you is what you've put in your electoral address.
And if your electoral address ends mid-sentence with the words "400 word limit exceeded" in a nice bold font, what I now know about you is that you are incapable of following instructions in something as important as putting together your opportunity to persuade me to vote for you.
That tells me quite a lot about how good you will be at following rules in other places where they matter. Enough for me to make a decision on you without even reading the 400 words.
Yours with love,
A Member
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And if your electoral address ends mid-sentence with the words "400 word limit exceeded" in a nice bold font, what I now know about you is that you are incapable of following instructions in something as important as putting together your opportunity to persuade me to vote for you.
That tells me quite a lot about how good you will be at following rules in other places where they matter. Enough for me to make a decision on you without even reading the 400 words.
Yours with love,
A Member
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April 24, 2014
25% off Moo's printed products until 29 April
Moo's spring sale is on - 25% off printed products. For those of you who saw me waving my business cards around at Eastercon, that means both sizes of business card plus the rather nice pasteboard holders which are included with card orders are 25% off the printing price, but the plastic minicard dispenser is not, nor is the postage. The postcards, letterheads, stickers etc are also in the sale.
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April 22, 2014
Eastercon 2014 con report - Friday
Friday
An early start for Kalypso_V and self, with the taxi waiting at 8:25 to take us to the station for the 09:16 train to Glasgow, where we found the train crowded enough to make us grateful we had reserved seats. Just about managed to find space for all our luggage, even if we were at Oxford Road Station before I managed to sit down.
A mostly pleasant and uneventful ride through to Carlisle and up to Glasgow Central, although the flickering of the trackside trees made me a little queasy, and grateful for the short walk through the station to find the local connection to the Exhibition Centre. Alas, as a result I did not get as much work done on the train as intended, although I did do a short review of the book I'd finished the night before, and just over 300 words to start off a new short story I have in mind for a Dreamspinner anthology call.
We'd barely walked through the door of the Crowne Plaza before Stevie Carroll waved at us from behind registration. One quick badge pick up later, we were on our way to the hotel check-in -- and while we were waiting there for our room to be sorted out, SteveK and KatW came past. So we were already doing pretty well for random encounters of friends.
We went up to our room for a much needed nice cup of tea and a sit-down, and in my case lunch, Kalypso-V having already tackled hers on the train. This took long enough that by the time we started looking at the programme, we'd already missed the opening ceremony...
Kalypso-V went in the directions of ops, and I went in the direction of panels. Sort of. I ran into Pol and Kira in the hotel lobby, but they were on their way out, so had only a brief chat before continuing on my way. Then I spotted DougS in the real ale bar, and had a quick chat about sunday service. And then I met Lexin and stevie Carroll in the bar, and sat down for a chat, not brief this time.
Having chatted for long enough to miss most of the panel I'd originally headed barwards for, I got up and headed back towards the main hotel area, intending to go back to our room. On the way, I found the Redemption table, because SteveR was sitting behind it. I talked to Steve for a bit, during which Lesley arrived. Lesley had a new costume, for yet another show I haven't seen but which sounds good.
I *was* about to keep going roomwards, then saw DC was at the next table, and talked to him for a while. Finally I continued on way back to room, and ran into David McIntee in Fan Alley in the atrium...
Eventually got back to the room for another nice sit down and cup of tea, after which I headed back down to the panel on writers' groups. I was interested in it for its own sake, but also because I thought it was my best chance of finding ElaineG and Jacey Bedford, as they were on the panel. I then also found that AnnaFDD was a late addition. :-) It was an excellent panel, and I took a lot of notes on my iPad, which I hope will appear later in properly written up form.
I grabbed Elaine after the panel as I hadn't seen her since Glasgow Worldcon. She was going to the NewCon Press/PS Publishing book launch, as one of her friends had a book at the launch. I'd been considering going to the launch anyway, so I tagged along, and I'm glad I did. There were a couple of good speeches, and Ian Watson was most entertaining. There were some very interesting books at the launch, and I had to remind myself that I did not have carrying capacity for the homeward trip at the end of the con. I need to keep an eye on their ebook editions.
Kalypso-V and I then went to the panel on "A renaissance of The Renaissance?" as we knew 4 of 5 panellists. This discussed the fad for historical fantasy on tv. And leather trousers. :-) The panel was both entertaining and useful, and again I have notes which may or may not make an appearance in edited form at some point.
After the panel we met up with Lexin and Stevie Carroll for dinner, but they wanted the full meal from the restaurant, and we were feeling more interested in bar snacks. So the party split up at that point, which was probably a good thing, as we barely managed the bar snacks and I doubt we'd have managed the three course meal. My beef and ale pie was more than large enough, Kalypso-V's pizza was enormous, and both were excellent. Not cheap, but good and generously proportioned.
I then intended to go and catch the last ten minutes of the art show, but came across KatW and Paul finishing a cup of tea, and joined them instead. We compared gadgets for a while (my Kobo Mini made an impression), before Kat and I decided that we were going to be sensible and go back to our rooms to rest even if the night was still young. This time I actually made it to where I was going without running into any friends. I still didn't go to bed quite as early as I'd intended, but nevertheless went earlier than I did on the following two nights. Good thing too, as it turned out the next morning.
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An early start for Kalypso_V and self, with the taxi waiting at 8:25 to take us to the station for the 09:16 train to Glasgow, where we found the train crowded enough to make us grateful we had reserved seats. Just about managed to find space for all our luggage, even if we were at Oxford Road Station before I managed to sit down.
A mostly pleasant and uneventful ride through to Carlisle and up to Glasgow Central, although the flickering of the trackside trees made me a little queasy, and grateful for the short walk through the station to find the local connection to the Exhibition Centre. Alas, as a result I did not get as much work done on the train as intended, although I did do a short review of the book I'd finished the night before, and just over 300 words to start off a new short story I have in mind for a Dreamspinner anthology call.
We'd barely walked through the door of the Crowne Plaza before Stevie Carroll waved at us from behind registration. One quick badge pick up later, we were on our way to the hotel check-in -- and while we were waiting there for our room to be sorted out, SteveK and KatW came past. So we were already doing pretty well for random encounters of friends.
We went up to our room for a much needed nice cup of tea and a sit-down, and in my case lunch, Kalypso-V having already tackled hers on the train. This took long enough that by the time we started looking at the programme, we'd already missed the opening ceremony...
Kalypso-V went in the directions of ops, and I went in the direction of panels. Sort of. I ran into Pol and Kira in the hotel lobby, but they were on their way out, so had only a brief chat before continuing on my way. Then I spotted DougS in the real ale bar, and had a quick chat about sunday service. And then I met Lexin and stevie Carroll in the bar, and sat down for a chat, not brief this time.
Having chatted for long enough to miss most of the panel I'd originally headed barwards for, I got up and headed back towards the main hotel area, intending to go back to our room. On the way, I found the Redemption table, because SteveR was sitting behind it. I talked to Steve for a bit, during which Lesley arrived. Lesley had a new costume, for yet another show I haven't seen but which sounds good.
I *was* about to keep going roomwards, then saw DC was at the next table, and talked to him for a while. Finally I continued on way back to room, and ran into David McIntee in Fan Alley in the atrium...
Eventually got back to the room for another nice sit down and cup of tea, after which I headed back down to the panel on writers' groups. I was interested in it for its own sake, but also because I thought it was my best chance of finding ElaineG and Jacey Bedford, as they were on the panel. I then also found that AnnaFDD was a late addition. :-) It was an excellent panel, and I took a lot of notes on my iPad, which I hope will appear later in properly written up form.
I grabbed Elaine after the panel as I hadn't seen her since Glasgow Worldcon. She was going to the NewCon Press/PS Publishing book launch, as one of her friends had a book at the launch. I'd been considering going to the launch anyway, so I tagged along, and I'm glad I did. There were a couple of good speeches, and Ian Watson was most entertaining. There were some very interesting books at the launch, and I had to remind myself that I did not have carrying capacity for the homeward trip at the end of the con. I need to keep an eye on their ebook editions.
Kalypso-V and I then went to the panel on "A renaissance of The Renaissance?" as we knew 4 of 5 panellists. This discussed the fad for historical fantasy on tv. And leather trousers. :-) The panel was both entertaining and useful, and again I have notes which may or may not make an appearance in edited form at some point.
After the panel we met up with Lexin and Stevie Carroll for dinner, but they wanted the full meal from the restaurant, and we were feeling more interested in bar snacks. So the party split up at that point, which was probably a good thing, as we barely managed the bar snacks and I doubt we'd have managed the three course meal. My beef and ale pie was more than large enough, Kalypso-V's pizza was enormous, and both were excellent. Not cheap, but good and generously proportioned.
I then intended to go and catch the last ten minutes of the art show, but came across KatW and Paul finishing a cup of tea, and joined them instead. We compared gadgets for a while (my Kobo Mini made an impression), before Kat and I decided that we were going to be sensible and go back to our rooms to rest even if the night was still young. This time I actually made it to where I was going without running into any friends. I still didn't go to bed quite as early as I'd intended, but nevertheless went earlier than I did on the following two nights. Good thing too, as it turned out the next morning.
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April 20, 2014
Eastercon
At Eastercon, having a good time in spite of migraine and lack of migraine tablets (now rectified). Got to see a lot of friends, although haven't caught up with everyone. Been to several good panels, in some of which I was that annoying person typing away on the iPad (partly because of the migraine - typing notes was the only way I'd remember a word of it two hours later). There will be at least a partial con report at some point, because I wrote up much of Friday the same night.
I've been a lot more mobile than last year, when I skipped Eastercon altogether because I knew I would be too tired and sore to enjoy it. For the future - I have signed up for full membership of the now-seated 2015 bid, @Dysprosiumcon although not sure yet if I'll be able to make it. Jacey has convinced me to at least consider Milford when I finish the urban fantasy, as I'd like to workshop it through the sf side even if I submit it to a romance publisher. I've not signed up for Novacon, because I probably won't have the time/energy after Worldcon, but maybe this will be the year I finally go...
If you're here and still haven't seen me, come and say hello sometime. I'm here until tomorrow afternoon.
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I've been a lot more mobile than last year, when I skipped Eastercon altogether because I knew I would be too tired and sore to enjoy it. For the future - I have signed up for full membership of the now-seated 2015 bid, @Dysprosiumcon although not sure yet if I'll be able to make it. Jacey has convinced me to at least consider Milford when I finish the urban fantasy, as I'd like to workshop it through the sf side even if I submit it to a romance publisher. I've not signed up for Novacon, because I probably won't have the time/energy after Worldcon, but maybe this will be the year I finally go...
If you're here and still haven't seen me, come and say hello sometime. I'm here until tomorrow afternoon.
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April 11, 2014
Books on sale
My new release, Nice Tie, is 10% off at Loose Id through until Sunday: http://www.loose-id.com/nice-tie.html
And Mindscan has gone off special, but my silkie novel, Spindrift, is now on special for $3.59: http://www.loose-id.com/spindrift.html
My shadowy mistresses at Loose Id would like me to point out that a number of other books are on special, some up to 50% off. You can find the Daily Deals page here (and I must grab the one I had my eye on while it's still on special): http://www.loose-id.com/specials/daily-deals.html
If you're reading books on a Kindle or a Nook, you can still buy your books direct from Loose Id, as they sell .mobi format (for Kindle) and .ePub (for pretty much everything else, including Nook and Kobo). You can find instructions on sideloading to various devices and apps on the Loose Id website: http://www.loose-id.com/faq/
They also seem to have been tarting up the VIP Club while I wasn't paying attention. This one's for the heavy-duty readers -- buy a VIP Club membership, and get 10% off every book you buy direct from Loose Id for the rest of the year, plus a load of other members-only stuff. http://www.loose-id.com/specials/vip-club-2014.html
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And Mindscan has gone off special, but my silkie novel, Spindrift, is now on special for $3.59: http://www.loose-id.com/spindrift.html
My shadowy mistresses at Loose Id would like me to point out that a number of other books are on special, some up to 50% off. You can find the Daily Deals page here (and I must grab the one I had my eye on while it's still on special): http://www.loose-id.com/specials/daily-deals.html
If you're reading books on a Kindle or a Nook, you can still buy your books direct from Loose Id, as they sell .mobi format (for Kindle) and .ePub (for pretty much everything else, including Nook and Kobo). You can find instructions on sideloading to various devices and apps on the Loose Id website: http://www.loose-id.com/faq/
They also seem to have been tarting up the VIP Club while I wasn't paying attention. This one's for the heavy-duty readers -- buy a VIP Club membership, and get 10% off every book you buy direct from Loose Id for the rest of the year, plus a load of other members-only stuff. http://www.loose-id.com/specials/vip-club-2014.html
Mirror of http://julesjones.dreamwidth.org/266825.html, where it has received
comments.
April 10, 2014
Eastercon schedule
Current plan is to arrive Friday lunchtime, leave late Monday afternoon.
I am not on any panels. I'm also unlikely to be doing much in the way of stewarding etc, because although I'm more mobile than I was at last year's cons, this isn't really saying a lot. I may actually get to more panels than I did at Redemption, though.
I have a shiny new smartphone, the better to have net access while away from home, but have not entirely mastered it yet, as Waveney and Watervole can attest after this morning's series of aborted phone calls. :-) It is also handbag-sized rather than pocket-sized. So I'm still carrying around the old mobile in my pocket, and am most reliably contactable on the old mobile number. Email if you're likely to need it.
Will be glad to meet up with people, but bear in mind that I am likely to tire easily and go to bed relatively early (although I said this 2 years ago and ended up talking to a group of rascafarians until Well Past My Bedtime one night...).
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I am not on any panels. I'm also unlikely to be doing much in the way of stewarding etc, because although I'm more mobile than I was at last year's cons, this isn't really saying a lot. I may actually get to more panels than I did at Redemption, though.
I have a shiny new smartphone, the better to have net access while away from home, but have not entirely mastered it yet, as Waveney and Watervole can attest after this morning's series of aborted phone calls. :-) It is also handbag-sized rather than pocket-sized. So I'm still carrying around the old mobile in my pocket, and am most reliably contactable on the old mobile number. Email if you're likely to need it.
Will be glad to meet up with people, but bear in mind that I am likely to tire easily and go to bed relatively early (although I said this 2 years ago and ended up talking to a group of rascafarians until Well Past My Bedtime one night...).
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April 8, 2014
I need a card to carry
Conversation elsenet at the weekend led to this thought: I want to be a card-carrying member of the "owning your one star reviews" movement. Literally card-carrying. I think it would be highly amusing to have a nice little laminated card with the logo John Scalzi often uses on his posts regarding same, (for example http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/06/19/and-now-some-one-star-reviews-of-redshirts/) that I can take to cons. It would be handy for conversations where someone genuinely believes the world owes them non-stop five star reviews (as opposed to feeling bruised and wanting to whine to friends before moving on).
I am in two minds whether to have choice examples on the reverse of the card itself, or to quote the last couple of paras of the original post at http://whatever.scalzi.com/2008/04/24/mmmm-one-star-rific/ and affix a slip of paper with current favourites, which changes from con to con. (The rules of the game are as in the original post -- no mocking the reviewers, or siccing the fanbase onto them. The idea is to accept that 20% of the readers will not like your book, and move on. And maybe enjoy the better crafted examples.)
I shall have to see whether I can prod the colour printer into life before Eastercon. Or maybe just slip a couple of copies into my next order from Moo.
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I am in two minds whether to have choice examples on the reverse of the card itself, or to quote the last couple of paras of the original post at http://whatever.scalzi.com/2008/04/24/mmmm-one-star-rific/ and affix a slip of paper with current favourites, which changes from con to con. (The rules of the game are as in the original post -- no mocking the reviewers, or siccing the fanbase onto them. The idea is to accept that 20% of the readers will not like your book, and move on. And maybe enjoy the better crafted examples.)
I shall have to see whether I can prod the colour printer into life before Eastercon. Or maybe just slip a couple of copies into my next order from Moo.
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April 1, 2014
Mindscan on special
Just spotted that my novella Mindcan is on special this week at Loose Id -- $2.03 instead of the usual $3.99. No idea how long this will last.
http://www.loose-id.com/buildup-1-mindscan.html
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http://www.loose-id.com/buildup-1-mindscan.html
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March 31, 2014
Available now: Nice Tie
Nice Tie is now available from Loose Id, and you can find the opening scenes on their website at http://www.loose-id.com/nice-tie.html#product_tabs_Excert
It's not on the third party sites yet -- it will show up on the Amazons etc eventually, but it's been so long since I had a novel released that I don't know what the timescale is these days.
More after I get home from the day job.
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It's not on the third party sites yet -- it will show up on the Amazons etc eventually, but it's been so long since I had a novel released that I don't know what the timescale is these days.
More after I get home from the day job.
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March 30, 2014
Coming Soon: Nice Tie
Nice Tie is currently scheduled for release in next week's batch of new books from Loose Id. This is subject to the usual caveats about problems in getting the formatted ebook files onto a working server, but you should be able to get your hands on the book on Tuesday. Herewith the blurb and buy link -- excerpt to follow as soon as the approved excerpt is available.
Nice Tie
Alex Hall likes watching good-looking men doing up good-looking ties, a kink he can safely indulge on his morning commute as long as he’s discreet. At least until the day he meets new client Robin Wood, whose face seems oddly familiar. Embarrassingly familiar, when Robin recognizes him as “that guy on the bus.”
Lusting after the client and his tie is a really bad idea. Acting on it would be even worse. Which doesn’t stop Alex’s impulsive suggestion when he realizes that Robin's as intrigued as he is awkward. They’re both grown-ups, they can handle the conflict of interest, and if nothing else it will get the awkwardness out of the way. And there’s a cheap hotel at the end of their bus route.
Just one date. One night for Alex to enjoy watching beautiful hands managing a tie with style. One night for Robin with a man who can understand his own grooming kink, even if it’s not quite the same as Alex’s. One night, and then just good friends, while they’re working together. Nobody else’s business.
But Robin has entirely too much experience with romance at work, and the past isn’t staying past.
ISBN: 978-1-62300-771-3
Publisher: Loose Id
Author: Jules Jones
Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs
Length: 42,000 words
Price: $5.99
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Nice Tie
Alex Hall likes watching good-looking men doing up good-looking ties, a kink he can safely indulge on his morning commute as long as he’s discreet. At least until the day he meets new client Robin Wood, whose face seems oddly familiar. Embarrassingly familiar, when Robin recognizes him as “that guy on the bus.”Lusting after the client and his tie is a really bad idea. Acting on it would be even worse. Which doesn’t stop Alex’s impulsive suggestion when he realizes that Robin's as intrigued as he is awkward. They’re both grown-ups, they can handle the conflict of interest, and if nothing else it will get the awkwardness out of the way. And there’s a cheap hotel at the end of their bus route.
Just one date. One night for Alex to enjoy watching beautiful hands managing a tie with style. One night for Robin with a man who can understand his own grooming kink, even if it’s not quite the same as Alex’s. One night, and then just good friends, while they’re working together. Nobody else’s business.
But Robin has entirely too much experience with romance at work, and the past isn’t staying past.
ISBN: 978-1-62300-771-3
Publisher: Loose Id
Author: Jules Jones
Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs
Length: 42,000 words
Price: $5.99
Mirror of http://julesjones.dreamwidth.org/265594.html, where it has received
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