Elizabeth Guizzetti's Blog, page 17

Review: The Winter (Isaac the Fortunate, #1)

 The Winter (Isaac the Fortunate, #1)

by A. Ka (Author, Illustrator)

I loved this book. A.Ka’s prose is spectacular. She creates a setting in medieval Spain is rich and full of life and death. Both the idea and the created reality (in the book) of the plague known as the Delirium is truly terrifying.

The time-travel is treated with intelligence and has a few hints about what is coming further in the series.

The characters are deep and well written. Isaac who is the narrator and Beltran the protagonist are sympathetic in different ways, but I don’t want to give away too much. As this is the first book in a six-part series, there are plenty of mysteries to unfold as of yet. I can’t wait for the rest.

PS A. Ka also did the cover and illustrations and they are absolutely gorgeous.

Indie Book Fair Modest means. Serious writers. December 20 & 21!

This is my final event of 2013!

Indie Book Fair Modest means. Serious writers.

December 20 & 21, 2013 — 11AM – 8PM

A/NT Galley

2045 Westlake Avenue

Seattle, WA 98121

Looking for a last minute gift?

Books.
Lots and lots of books.

There will be books for all ages. Science fiction, fantasy, romance, young adult, mystery, memoir, and so much more.

Meet the authors, too. They’ll be there, selling their books. You can get them to sign the books. Grab their swag, like bookmarks, postcards, and such. Many of them will have raffles for even more free stuff!

Authors in attendance include: Ksenia Anske, Leeland Artra, S.C. Barrus, Laurie Blauner, Zachary Bonelli, Kate Bracy, Jamie Brazil, Paddy Eger, J. Glenn Evans, T.M. Franklin, Jerry Gold, Elizabeth Guizzetti, David D. Horowitz, Paty Jager, Sibyl James, A. Ka, Kay Kinghammer, Susan Lute, Maggie Lynch (Maggie Jaimeson, Maggie Faire), Michele Makinson, Mark Matteson, John B McIntyre, Robert R. Mitchell, Old Nod, Northwest Independent Writers Association, Chris Patchell, D.E.S. Richard, Laura Kelly Robb, Susan Schreyer, Valerie Stein, Lisa Stowe, Jeff Suwak, Griffith H. Williams, Windtree Press, Joyce Yarrow, and Matt Youngmark

On Saturday, December 21, the authors will read excerpts from their books, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. Refreshments will be served. A touch of wine, too, for those over 21.

And Art!
Lots and Lots of Art.

Since it’s in a gallery, there’s art everywhere. All around, you’ll have plenty of time to absorb some culture and buy some unique gifts for the holidays.

12 Day’s of Authors December Event

http://yesterdaydaugher.blogspot.com

I’m part of the 12 Day’s of Authors December Event!

Between December 1st –31st, 11 authors are writing 500 word shorts with a winter holiday theme:  Chanukah, Christmas, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, among others.

On December 23rd, my short story will be posted. It’s about a space travel on different timelines and how that effects holiday celebrations: in this case, Winter Solstice.

Make sure you also enter the drawing, there are lots of great prizes including a paperback copy of Other Systems.

Happy Thanksgiving! And how can you be jaded if your a published author?

This is actually a post I wrote months ago and re-wrote it. And re-wrote it again. I kept wondering if I should post it, because these questions came from friends who I don’t want to embarrass. Today I decided too, because it fits with the ideas of Thanksgiving so well.  Also it answers a question about Other Systems that I got just on Tuesday. Talk about a blog post!

How can you be jaded, you’re a published author? 

Short answer: Being an author has nothing to do with how I feel towards the political machine in the United States. I am jaded due to the fact it seems American society cannot see beyond someone’s personal wealth and US based corporation’s can’t see beyond their profit margins.

But you cannot jaded, not only do you give your heart/time/cookies away so freely and besides you’re an author!

Once again this has nothing to do with being an author. This has nothing to do with giving my heart to my friends generally in the form of cookies and helping people. 

The reason I refer to myself as jaded is

I don’t believe you can change anyone’s mind with logical discourse and arguments.
People are constantly finding new ways to be cruel to each other.

Idealist believe they can change the world.  And I want you idealists to be right. I really do. I want to change the world for the better. However until we decide all humans are equal and worthy of respect, I don’t see it changing.

In the US, we can’t decide if it would be a good idea to feed poor people, to give everyone access to medical care. But those are big issues, maybe that seems like they are too big to solve. 

All right so let’s look at a small issue.  Revenge porn.  I just heard about that. The abuser stop seeing the victim as another human being and goes after them by putting scandalous pictures on the internet. Does anyone see that this solves any problem? Does anyone think its right? Hint: if you ever think it would be fun to destroy another person’s life or livelihood, because they may or may not have wronged you–you are the problem.  

To me, whether we feed the poor and give everyone medical care or stop finding new ways to be cruel  can only be solved one way: we must stop looking at other people as “the enemy” or “the other” ; we need to treat everyone with respect and kindness.  

On Tuesday, someone asked me Why in 1000 years did humans not evolve to solve the world’s problems?

Since this was another author the first part of my explanations had to do with writing and mirroring societies problems. Then he began to challenge me by asking questions such as What about Norway?  I admit I got frustrated because I find these types of discussions pointless. One of my low points was when I asked him, Do we live on the same planet? I was not going to change his mind, and he was not going to change mine. More to the point, the book is written and published. Nothing he says, is going to change that.

Here is what I wish I said: The reason Other Systems is based in a cruel universe is because the true antagonists of the series is ignorance, fear and poverty. I needed to show the effects of such an antagonist.  

On Earth, we slide backwards in regards to  the distribution of wealth, healthcare, and technology. On Kipos, they moved forward in technology, but slid backwards in regards to personal freedoms. As I have said the series will not have direct sequels, but companion novels. The upcoming The Light Side of the Moon will explain the past and show what happened on Earth after the Kiposi left with the colonists following the point of view of an impoverished girl named Ellie Sethdottier.

Book 3 (still untitled) will explain the past and show what happen on Kipos following Orchid and Jin’s point of view and will hint at the future for both Abby and Rover.

In my mind, there is hope in all the books. There are pockets of goodness.

Maybe, I wrote it dystopic because in my heart, I am jaded. I don’t know. Faminelands is also dark, but Out for Souls&Cookies is a comedy piece. I write what I think is interesting. I find ways to make it more interesting.

HOWEVER, there are two aspects of my life that I am not jaded.

1) my marriage. Anyone who is my friend or my reader knows about that, so I won’t go into it here. 

2) my work.

Do you know how thankful I am that I was able to write such a book and not be arrested or harmed in any way. So far the book hasn’t even been banned though it has cursing, forced sterilization programs, forced breeding and tons of questionable content.   

I am thankful for every person that gave me a chance and read my book, I am thankful for every review. I am so thankful that I can work fulltime as an author and artist. I love the work. 

I’m thankful for the authors that came before me who wrote feminist/humanist science fiction with a dystopian bent. For example: Margret Atwood’s The Handmaiden’s Tale,  Joe Halderman’s Forever War  and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World are huge inspirations. I am thankful for my author buddies who try to support me whether they liked the book or not.

I love every review, but I really loved it when someone said they were challenged to learn something. Just in case, I was not clear about Tuesday’s commentary: I got frustrated, but I’m glad my author buddy challenged my preconceived notions of what this book is about.  Feedback, even negative feedback, is important for authors to hear. I wrote Other Systems, but the moment I gave it to the world, it is now yours. Some will love, some will hate it, some will say “meh,” but its yours now.

I hope that makes sense and answers people’s questions.

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving if you are in the US and have a safe and wonderful November 28th if you somewhere else!

Discovery Friday at Barnes & Noble Recap!

Here’s me and author Andrew Pohlmann

Yesterday I was one of the authors at Discovery Friday at Barnes & Noble. It was so much fun.

I met 19 other great authors including:

Holli Anderson, Will Anderson, Megan Moreno, Mike Hartner, Jenifer Maier, Jana Mohr Lone, Cecy Robson, TM Franklin, Jordan Chaney, Judith Folk, Larry Mukerin, Kathleen Ellis, Florence Petheram, Tina Bustamante, Karen Page, Glen Stenson and my writing buddies Aubrey Kae Anderson and Zachary Bonelli.

There was also a number activities going on such a scavenger hunt and raffle.

Upcoming Author Appearances November 22nd & 23rd

Meet over 20 Pacific Northwest Authors at Barnes & Noble!

Friday November 22, 2013 1:00 pm to 6 pm

Come meet local authors of various genres. Benefiting Treehouseforkids.org, BookFair# 11247640!

I will primarily be promoting Other Systems. I will have free bookmarks and buttons at my table.

Downtown

Pacific Place, 600 Pine St Suite 107, Seattle, WA 98101, 206-264-0156

Author Times

 1-6pm: Zachary Bonelli, Karen Page, Glenn Stenson, Aubrey Kae Anderson.

1-3pm: Holli Anderson, Will Anderson, Megan Moreno, Mike Hartner, Jenifer Maier, Lorenzo Leonard, Jana Mohr Lone.
2-4pm: Cecy Robson, TM Franklin, Jordan Chaney, Judith Folk, Larry Mulkerin, Kathleen Ellis, Florence Petheram.
4-6pm: Elizabeth Guizzetti, Tina Bustamante.
Creating A Graphic Novel Workshop!

Kent Public Library  Kent WA

November 23

2-4 pm

Learn how graphic novels are written and produced from this independent comic book author and artist.  Topics will include developing ideas, character design, plotting, storyboarding and more. All supplies included. For ages 12 and up. Space is limited, please call the library to register 253-859-3330.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Kent Library

Upcoming Author Appearance: Heroes Resource Fall Festival!

Up in Northern Washington State and looking for a fun free event this weekend? Check out Heroes’ Resource’s Fall Festival.

Heroes’ Resource is North Whatcom County’s game and comic book store. They offer Comics, Novels, Board and Card Games, Card Games, Toys, Apparel, Models, Modeling Supplies!

There will be fun Halloween games and over at the Pioneer Museum there will be artists, novelists, pod casters and more–including me!

Though it’s official debut is Jet City Comic Show, at my table, I will have Out For Souls&Cookies #4 The long awaited Christmas Special!

We will be having a raffle for this original 8.5 x 11 Halloween sketch of Lord Fluffcakes! (Yes you have to attend to enter the raffle.)

We will also have free bookmarks and stickers for Other Systems.

I hope to see you there!

Writing Advice that works for me!

I am Tycho the Mighty Mountain Poodle–if you are reading this you are probably human and do not have minions to take care of your every whim as I do, so you must work hard!

I just got home from GeekGirlCon. Going to a convention is always a fun experience and it is interesting how many people want advice about becoming an author. It doesn’t matter that I am an early career author, I have been touched by the novel fairy. That means I’m an expert.

I just got home from GeekGirlCon. Going to a convention is always a fun experience and it is interesting how many people want advice about becoming an author. It doesn’t matter that I am an early career author, I have been touched by the novel fairy. That means I’m an expert.

If you want the best writing advice, here is it is:

“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.” 

– William Faulkner

“Talent in cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”

-Stephen King

“I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true – hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don’t love something, then don’t do it.”

-Ray Bradbury

There are no shortcuts, even though many people talk about how there is. It’s about being passionate about a subject and getting to writing. Believing in your project enough to polish it.  Then to bring it to market. That’s it.  Yes, I realize this is a very short blog post, but there is nothing else to say on the subject.

In search of a good author photo…

Old Author Photo

I admit it. My old author photo was just a vacation shot that I thought I looked really good. It was taken 7 years ago in Italy. It is interesting, but felt dated and also I just don’t look like that anymore. It was time for it to change.

So my friend Rebecca’s brother-in-law has a nice camera and he was willing to loan it to us for the afternoon. Rebecca said she thought she had the skills. We took over 100 images. Some closeups, some far away. Some in the park. One really dark one in my apartment.

Take 1: All the advice says “Be yourself.” So who am I? I’m a hiker.  I am a woman with two poodles. I’m not going to dress like I dress on the trail, but maybe bring in the dogs. There’s one big problem with this. Rosie and Tycho have needs and desires of their own. They never desired to be in an author photo.

Rosie is not amused in this close up.

Tycho wants to come up and be in the picture…except that he doesn’t. He just wants whatever Rosie has. So every time we tried to take a photo. He started wiggling.

Once again trying to get a good shot with the dogs just might not happen, because I got them to look the same way and I’m looking down.

Take 2: I want the photo to look professional, yet still show who I am, but most of the time I am a person who gets the giggles and looks evil.

I love this image of me, but it’s not author photo material. Just as in my old one, I’m laughing. (Also though you can’t see them, Rosie and Tycho are right there)

I might be plotting here. Also the wind is moving my hair around too much.

There’s nothing wrong with this image except I don’t quite look professional. Because I am really smiling, my eyes are squinting shut.

Take 3: Background & Lighting Issues

Okay it wasn’t the gear, but I do live in a ground floor apartment so we had to take photos outside. Outside the light kept changing and the wind likes to blow.

Take 4: I’m simply a goofball.

It’s hard to keep smiling for hours and hours. Eventually things get silly.

Two words: Blue Steel

This is what I like to call the Napoleon

I’m coming for you Seattle! Also I find this shot strangely flattering. My hair looks perfect!

This is the one I liked the best. I didn’t think I would want to be wear my glasses, but I think it looks more professional.

Review for Michael Cargill’s Saying Goodbye to Warsaw

Like any girl who is loved by her family, Abigail Nussbaum loves to chase butterflies, enjoys lying on her back looking for shapes in the clouds, and happily teaches young children to make daisy chains.

In the eyes of certain people, however, Abigail has committed a heinous crime. The year is 1940; the place is Poland; Abigail happens to be Jewish.

Along with half a million other Jews, Abigail and her family are evicted from their home and forced to live in the bombed out ruins of Warsaw, the Polish capital.

Although a handful decide to fight back, is the uprising strong enough to save Abigail’s spirit?

My Review:

If anyone remembers Saying Goodbye to Warsaw is not the first of Michael Cargill’s books that I reviewed. Last year, I also reviewed Underneath which I also enjoyed thoroughly.

Though Cargill is known for changing genres, his work generally follows unique and memorable characters and Saying Goodbye to Warsaw does not disappoint.

Cargill made this horrible moment in history come alive as the three three major characters–Abigail who starts the book at nine and turns ten, her older over-protective brother Leo and their mother try to hold on to some semblance of life and their own humanity as they try not to starve in the Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw. Leo is particularly a standout character. His toughness and seemingly endless knowledge (to his little sister) are good foils for Abigail’s naivety and sweetness.

This is a very fast-paced read in a beautiful literary style. Without spoilers, it made me cry. It would make a robot cry. I loved this book!

Note: I received a free review copy from the author in return for a review.

My review policy is as follows: I only publicly review books I like. This review is my opinion. I don’t care if you disagree with me.  When I read, I want the story to come alive by that I mean it makes me care about the characters and brings me to that world.  A book which does that gets a good review.

Otherwise, I will email the author and tell them I’m not an appropriate reader for their book. I read science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, and anything that catches my fancy.  Generally I purchase the books I am reviewing, but occasionally I get review copies. If I get a review copy, I will say so.