Siri Pettersen's Blog, page 15
August 27, 2019
That's a wrap!
«That’s a wrap!» Just finished shooting the Book expedition (Bokekspedisjonen) TV show. Location was the stunning island Herøy, and I’ve ranted about The Raven Rings, fantasy, Northern Norway, writing, and how impossible I was as a child.
You can see the result on Norwegian TV: Nrk2, thursday at 19:45, and Nrk1, sunday at 18:30. Or watch the episode online here.
Thank you to the whole team, here represented by show host Pia Rivelsrud, prosject manager Ida Scheie, Rune cameraman, and cosplayers Ingrid Nedrehagen and Lukas Buschmann Kristiansen.
August 3, 2019
We have winner!
Drumroll please! We have a winner! You guys posted almost 100 gorgeous shots for the Raven Rings contest, and choosing was brutal, I can tell you. Some pictures had cats in them! Cats! Now, that’s hardly fair, we all know cats should win by default. And they were cuuuute! So I am very glad I had the best help from my fantastic colleagues, Tonje, Tone & Torbjørn. But we couldn’t pick just one winner, we had to pick three runner-ups as well, who will receive a Raven Rings notebook, and a signed copy of whatever books I have in the closet :D
All of us had the winner on our top list: This beautiful shot, by Sanni from Finland. Books about stone circles, in a circle of stone. Iconic. A simple and timeless composition, in cool, nordic colors. We loved it! Sanni (@varjokirjat on Insta) is a writer and bookblogger. She was really happy when I told her, because she «never wins anything». Well, at least she won a signed collector’s box, the original plant sketchbook and the prototype for the wolftooth necklace. Congrats, Sanni!
Everyone, I can’t thank you enough for taking part, and for all your beautiful photos! If I had 100 boxes, I would send one to all of you! Wish you all a fantastic weekend, and don’t forget to check out these gorgeous runner-ups.
Hirka cosplay
Picking plants
Crows and box
July 26, 2019
The Might is on the Spiegel bestseller list
My German is… not excellent, but I understand that GABE (Evna) has made it to the Spiegel bestseller list, and I understand that it’s a big deal, and that the emoji bonanza from my publisher here is caused by ecstasy, not a mild heatstroke. Actually, it might have helped that the book is set in a world of ice… Anyway, I am happy and deeply grateful to reach so many people. Thank you, truly, for your support
July 1, 2019
Contest is upon us - Win the last Collectors' Box
Remember when I promised you that owners of The Raven Rings Collectors’ Box, could win the original herbal guide sketchbook and my handmade wolf tooth necklace prototype? Well, the time has come, and I have decided to up the game, and include a complete box to the prize. And not just any box - You could be the lucky winner of The Raven Rings Collectors’ Box number 999, the very last one! And the book inside will be personally signed to you (or whoever lucky bastard you prefer)
COMPETING is dead simple: Tag any picture on your Instagram account with #ravenringscontest. It can be whatever your crazy heart desires, AS LONG AS THE BOX OR ANY OF ITS CONTENT is present. You can tag several pictures if you like, also previously published ones. In one month - August 1st - we will choose a winner.
All box owners can enter the contest. And just so you know, the winner will be asked for proof of ownership (a photo of you, naked, underwater, holding the box and riding a turtle) so be fair, and don’t borrow someone else’s box to play.
This is all very, very serious indeed, so the jury will be me, and my three writing besties, Tone, Torbjørn and Tonje. The jury is utterly incorruptible by anything except possibly chocolate, and we will choose a a winning picture purely on instinct and aesthetics.
«But my Instagram account is private, and I want to compete!» Don’t worry, message me and let me follow you to see your picture, if you are the shy type.
«But I don’t have an Instagram account, and now my heart is breaking!» Then create an account for the competition, that’s our best advice.
Good luck to you all, and may the most gorgeous and ass-kissing picture win! Any questions? Post them in the comments.
Legal gibberish: By participating, you (obviously) agree to let me share your name and contest picture, if you win. Per Instagram rules, I must mention that this promotion is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram Inc. By entering, entrants confirm that they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use. You do not, however, have to be of sound mind and body.
June 11, 2019
Odin's Child is nominated for the Geffen Award in Israel
Odin’s Child is nominated for the Geffen Award in Israel. Feels surreal, as the other finalists are some of my favourite writers. I am honored and humble to be nominated for best translated fantasy, along with Robin Hobb (Assassin’s Fate), Brandon Sanderson (The Alloy of Law), Christina Rossetti (Goblin Market) and Laura Ruby (Bone Gap).
The winner will be announced at the Icon Festival in October. I owe a deep thanks to my gifted translator, Yonatan Bar, my publisher Sial, and to Grand Agency who continue to bring The Raven Rings to new countries, and to all my readers. Thank you! ❤️
May 20, 2019
The alpinist and the fantasy writer
The other day, I was interviewed at Deichmanske Furuset with Kjetil Jansrud, who is currently reading Odin’s child, and loves fantasy! He also loves throwing himself downhill at 90 mph, for King and country and all that. Completely insane, but the gorgeous charmer managed to get us on the TV news, talking about fantasy, and that’s worth an even bigger medal than those he already owns. Mandatory alpine superstar selfie attached
May 14, 2019
Bubble is nominated for the Latvian Children and Youth Jury Award
Well crank me up and cover me in chocolate! BUBBLE has been nominated for the Latvian Children and Youth Jury Award. Who would have thought that a grumpy teen (with impeccable taste in music) and a creepy ragdoll could float so far? Metal af. Thank you to my publisher, Latvijas Mediji, and my brilliant agents at Grand Agency.
May 9, 2019
Worldbuilding Class at Skaugum
Remember when I asked you what you'd like to learn about worldbuilding? Well, your abundant replies became the basis of a lecture I had the great joy of giving, at Skaugum last week, together with Arne Svingen and Jo Nesbø. (I know, right?! Hence, the starstruck selfie) I got to rant about writing, to 60 very attentive high school graduates, and to the Crown Princess herself, who is an avid booklover. Thank you so much for your generous and invaluable help, everyone.
More about the class here: (Norwegian only)
https://bit.ly/2YjhpXa
May 3, 2019
The tale of the Norwegian "Russ time"
Strap yourselves in for a sobering peek into Norwegian customs. This is a close up of a red suit that is iconic here. It’s called a «russedrakt» (Russ suit), «russ» being the term for a high school graduate. Since we’re all vikings here, simply graduating would be far too easy, so we decided to combine exams with a month-long drinking competition. To make it even more challenging, we give the graduates really big busses - which is an excellent choice for a first vehicle - and make sure they have stereos of proper ear-bleeding capacity. To top it off, the biggest party of all is set to May 16th, the day before the national holiday, where they are required to spend the morning in parades, surrounded by screaming children and brass music, reciting nonsensical rhymes from memory. (Like: chickelacke, chickelacke, show, show, show) The survivors of this cruel ordeal, will have definite proof of man- and womanhood, and can claim their rightful place among adults, where they will spend the best years of their lives working off the hangover. This suit in particular belongs to Jenny from Ålgård, who knows she’ll need the strength of the Seer these coming weeks.
