Lynne Stringer's Blog, page 5

It’s in the family

August was a wonderful month in my family, as my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, David and Kylie Knight of Knight Illusions, were visiting from America. We usually only get to see them once every three years or so, and to have them in Australia for a full month was a delight.

They staged three different shows while they were here and we were able to attend their first one. It’s always fun to see what new tricks they have prepared (and no, they don’t tell me how they’re done!) and they had some good ones this time. If you’re in America and you like magic, make sure you check them out.

Illnesses and interruptions

It’s been a while since I’ve had time to blog but I thought I’d better make time, especially now I’m getting back in the saddle, so to speak.

In the middle of the celebrations for the fifth anniversary of The Heir’s release in June, I injured my hip to such an extent that I was hospitalised! Fortunately, the online marketing I’d planned was already organised, so it proceeded on its merry way while I convalesced.

However, the hip problem had an unexpected snag that has proved difficult for someone who earns her living editing and tries to spend a good amount of time writing – it has been agony to sit for long periods at a desk.

As with most of us, my day job sees me spending many hours sitting in an office chair, as does writing. And after doing it all day at work, it usually proved too difficult to sit at a desk again when I got home.

But I finally overcame that hurdle just two days ago, as I managed to go back to one of my manuscripts for the first time in over a month. Hooray!

I hope it means that sitting in a chair will be easier now, especially as I’d like to do more work on new manuscripts.

Also, I’m happy to say that I will be attending Brisbane Supanova in November this year with Adele Jones and Jeanette O’Hagan. Hopefully we’ll see you there.

The Heir’s fifth anniversary!

Today’s the day.

Exactly five years ago today, I became a published author with the release of The Heir (Verindon #1). I was full of hopes and dreams and even so, didn’t realise how fulfilling becoming an author would be, in spite of the hard slog it is at times.

It’s been five years of ups and downs, of three more books released (two in the Verindon trilogy and one contemporary drama), of being sometimes elated and sometimes depressed by reviews. Of sitting at tables at bookstores and conventions trying to catch the eyes of passersby to see if they wanted to go on an adventure into the world of my imagination.

It’s been a privilege to share this journey with my publisher, Wombat Books, and I thank them for all their hard work.

Supanova Gold Coast!

Last weekend I attended Supanova Gold Coast with Jeanette O’Hagan and Adele Jones. We had a great time and especially enjoyed (as usual) seeing what everyone was wearing. Jeanette and I were keeping tabs on the different Doctors, and we think the only ones missing were Patrick Troughton, Colin Baker, Paul McGann and Christopher Eccleston. There was certainly no shortage of long scarves, long coats and bow ties!

I wore my new costume, which I talked about in last month’s blog. The tiara received several positive comments and I took it off a few times so that someone could have a closer look. I was happy to compare mine with a few princesses and fairies and the like, all of us happy that we were able to dress up.

You can see some more photos from the event on my Facebook page here.

The highlight of the weekend for me was getting my photo with Peter Capaldi, the twelfth Doctor. I’d never done anything like that before and I was surprised at what an assembly line procedure it was. Hardly surprising, really; I got the photo in the last session of the day and there would have still been about two hundred people lined up behind me waiting for theirs.

Full credit to Peter Capaldi for his stamina, though. He had been there for hours having his photo taken with who knows how many people, signing autographs, speaking in sessions, but when I walked up for my shot he turned to me without a trace of fatigue on his face and said, ‘Hello! Don’t you look fabulous!’ He was smiling and relaxed and seemed that way with everyone. I don’t know how he did it!

In the midst of it all, I’m happy to say that the three of us sold some books as well. That was our main reason for going, of course, but fortunately we enjoy these kinds of events as well. Although it was exhausting, it was exhilarating in equal measure.

I’m pretty sure we’ll be at ComicCon in September.

Cosplay

Do you know what cosplay is? That’s what you see if you go to conventions like ComicCon and Supanova, where the visitors dress up in all kinds of weird and wonderful gear that represents their favourite fandom. A lot of people look askance at cosplayers for the same reason, I think, they might look askance at a grown man buying a lego set, or a woman my age rummaging through the young adult books at the local bookstore.

But that’s not going to stop me.

Help me find a crown

If everything goes well, Adele Jones, Jeanette O’Hagan and I will be attending Gold Coast Supanova in late April!

Libraries

I think libraries are wonderful places and I’m happy to say that Australian libraries stock my books.

It’s that time of the year again!

Merry Christmas, all!

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, mainly because life has been insanely busy on all fronts. Finally, I get a chance to wish you all the joy in the world this festive season.

I’m happy to say I have been busy with my books and have done a number of book events since Comic Con. I’ve also made a few good contacts and have some things already lined up for next year. I’m hoping to get to Supanova on the Gold Coast in April, especially since Peter Capaldi’s going to be there. He’s from Doctor Who, in case you don’t know. I should be there at the Intricate Worlds stand again, with my friends and fellow authors Jeanette O’Hagan and Adele Jones.

I also have a couple of editor events coming up next year, where I will be talking about writing and editing and everything that goes with that. Keep your eye on my events page here and I will post details as they come to hand.

I’m looking forward to a great 2018 and I hope you are too. Merry Christmas to all and have a fun-filled new year.

Oztober 2017

I’ve been involved in a lot of events in October, especially ones online, and it’s been great to take part in some new things (new to me, anyway!), such as Virtual Fantasy Con, which is still running this weekend, and last weekend’s Indie Fab Festival.

But this weekend we also have Oztober, an event that features Aussie writers and their science fiction, fantasy, steam punk, horror and supernatural titles. It’s the first time I’ve been involved in Oztober, and I’m excited to see how it goes. It was also great that it happened in October, right when my publisher and I had already arranged for The Heir (Verindon #1) to be only 99c. Yes, that’s right. If you haven’t bought The Heir yet, now’s the time to do it!

In fact, you can buy it at Oztober today, tomorrow or Sunday. I encourage you to have a look around and see if you can find some great new reads (I’m sure you will) as well as some great new authors to follow. To participate, go here and enjoy all the fantastic books.

Exciting Times

Last weekend I went to my first ever Comic-Con event right here in Brisbane, and I’m hooked!

I was at the Intricate Worlds table with two author friends, Adele Jones and Jeanette O’Hagan. It was a great idea to share a table, as it meant we could not only share the costs but also man the table if one or other of us wanted to take a break and see all the great things on offer at Comic-Con.

I’m happy to say that all three of us were pleased with the response our books received. We gave out so many bookmarks that Adele ran out and Jeanette had few left as well. And we sold a good number of copies, too.

But aside from the commercial aspect, it was fun attending and seeing the work some people put in to their costumes. Some had been made solely by the cosplayer and were often intricate and well-constructed. It was fun learning all the fandoms everyone belonged to and seeing people enjoying them, just as I enjoy my own.

It was also great seeing a full-sized x-wing and some daleks!

This week I also made some more progress on my latest manuscript and I think I’m happy with it now. Not only that, there may be hope for another story of mine. Watch this space and I’ll let you know as the news breaks.