R.S.A. Garcia's Blog, page 13
June 17, 2015
Sushi-Burritos Taste Amazing!
You’ve never heard of them? Well allow me to introduce you to them.
I just had one of these last month, while I was out with my sister at one of our new favourite restaurants, Samurai. So I can tell you it’s definitely available outside of California and New York.
Also, they’re right. It’s helladelicious. One of the best things I ever put in my mouth.
Here’s a pic of the one I ate, which I tweeted. And some other stuff we had that day.
Ummm…those shrimp were tasty. And in the background, that’s a watermelon Smirnoff. Had no idea it came in that flavour. Definitely an improvement over the acidic original flavours.
And now I’m hungry.
Off to eat!
Stay thirsty (and hungry!) my friends ;-)
Tagged: caribbean, culture, food, Samurai restaurant, sushi, sushi-burrito, Travel, Trinidad and Tobago
June 15, 2015
The ALTA Class and Me
The Adult Literacy Tutors Association of Trinidad and Tobago has this cool thing it does where they invite local authors to come read to their adult students who are just learning to read. They call it Reading Circle and I was lucky enough to be invited as a guest to one of them last Thursday.
The people I met were different ages–from a child, all the way up to a lady on the other side of 60 at least–different genders and even differently abled. They appeared to be from all backgrounds and economic circumstances. None of that surprised me. What surprised me was how warm, welcoming, enthusiastic and sweet they were. They were poster-children for not judging a book by its cover. It was amazing to see them shrug off the initial shyness of meeting me and have them engage with what I was reading and saying. A lot of them displayed a gift for memory and comprehension I would not have believed for the reading level they were at. Their obvious intelligence and quick sense of humour made me want to hug them all, and I was genuinely moved when their wonderful teachers confided in me that some of them have to fight disapproval from their loved ones to come to class every day.
Because I write speculative fiction, I wasn’t sure I would be their cup of tea, even though I explained to them before my reading what genre fiction was all about. But I was amazed to see that even though I read to them from a short story set in a future Caribbean culture and my novel, Lex Talionis, (which isn’t obviously set in the same culture), they related to, and enjoyed, both.
The best part was when everyone started putting in their own two cents on local mythology, stories and even near death experiences. We talked about Christopher Lee (the news of his passing had come out that day) and about reading and their fears, hopes and problems with it. I felt so great to be able to share my story about how I discovered books and reading and I think I may even have inspired some of them. By the end, I had given out all my contact cards.
They gave me a lovely card and gift, which I adore (it’s a beautiful bracelet that doubles as a hook for hanging your bag on from any table). I felt like a rock star and I hope they all felt as good going home that day as I did.
If any of the students I met that day ever read this, I just want to tell you, keep going! You can do it. It’s never too late to start reading and changing your life for the better. And if you fail, just get back up and try again. Failure is there to teach us how great success feels.
And the moment you can send me an email, drop me a line and let me know how you’re doing. I’d love to know how it all turns out!
Tagged: adult literacy, ALTA, classes, editing, Lex Talionis, reading, teaching, writing
June 12, 2015
An Awesome Story I Just Had To Share
And it was so unusual to see a writer of that caliber make a plea like that, I had to go read the story immediately. Took me half a day, going in and out of tasks, and I’m so glad I did.
It’s amazing. Really, really good.
I have to agree with Mike. We need this person to write more. We need to let them know the impact they’ve made.
So please, help him out. Share the tweet he’s sent out on Twitter and spread the word about this story.
I went in blind, and was able to really appreciate it that way, so I won’t spoil it with details, but I have to say if this guy’s work was on a shelf, he’d have a buyer in me.
Go read it here. Then follow the links to the other parts. You won’t regret it. If you have problems linking to Part 2, just right-click on the link and choose to open it in a new tab.
Wow. Just…Wow.
Tagged: authors, books, editing, free story, Horror, Myke Cole, publishing, stories, The Spire In The Woods, TheBoyInTheClock, writing
May 15, 2015
It’s Time to Talk About Black Tudors
An excellent article on new research that is changing the way we view history. Let’s hope it also changes the way we represent it.
Originally posted on Media Diversified:
‘Blackamoores: Africans in Tudor England’ by Onyeka Nubia
A criminally neglected part of British history is the true scope of the African diaspora in Britain that reaches as far back as Renaissance Europe. A new book by Onyeka Nubia seeks to rectify the problem, examining the lives of the thousands of blacks that lived in the UK in Tudor times. In Blackamoores: Africans in Tudor England, Onyeka Nubia shares research conducted in uncovering early evidence of Black existence in the United Kingdom, and proves that black presence was evident a lot earlier than is usually assumed. Nubia’s research focuses on the Tudor era (1485- 1603), specifically looking at the four English cities of London, Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstable.
This is not the first book published about African presence in England. Black Lives in the English Archives by Imtiaz Habib (2008) and Gustav Ungerer’s The Mediterranean…
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May 7, 2015
LEX TALIONIS by R. S. A. Garcia won the silver medal at the Independent Publishers Book Award
Hey, that’s me they’re talking about!
Originally posted on Dragonwell Publishing Blog:
We are all very excited to congratulate R. S. A. Garcia on receiving a silver medal at the Independent Publishers Book Awards (affectionately known as IPPY) for her debut novel Lex Talionis.
LEX TALIONIS is a highly critically acclaimed debut science fiction thriller that has received a starred review by Publishers Weekly and has been endorsed by the bestselling award-winning author Elizabeth Bear. R. S. A. Garcia lives and works in Trinidad and Tobago and is rapidly gaining recognition wordlwide as an emerging talent in speculative fiction.
Follow this link for the IPPY Award press release:
http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1936
Or, check out LEX TALIONIS on Amazon:
May 6, 2015
LEX TALIONIS Has Won An IPPY Award!
I’ve been sitting on this for a few days, ever since my last day at the BOCAS Lit Fest actually, and I still can hardly believe it myself.
LEX TALIONIS, my debut novel, was just awarded the Silver Medal for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Ebook by the Independent Publishers Book Awards. It’s the first award for my book, and the first time I’ve won a prize in a writing competition since I was a teenager.
How do I feel about this, you ask?
Hmmm…let me see…
Any more questions?
No?
Then excuse me because I have alcohol to drink.
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: awards, books, debut novel, editing, Independent Publisher Book Awards, indie publishing, IPPY awards, Lex Talionis, novels, publishing, Publishing Industry, RSA Garcia, writing
May 5, 2015
My Life As A Panelist or Bocas Lit Fest 2015
So last week was my birthday, and the day after I went to my first literary festival as a panelist. This was all new to me, and I was nervous at first, but lucky me, I had some really lovely people at my side to keep me grounded and help me feel confident. I got to do two readings, exchange ideas and chat with Nalo Hopkinson, Karen Lord and Tobias Buckell, and best of all, got to meet young writers and talk to them about Caribbean speculative fiction. It was very inspiring to be in a room full of people who love reading and writing and want to do nothing else but talk about it.
All in all, the festival ran smoothly and I think I did pretty well. One bookseller ran out of my books and another appeared to have good sales. I gave a couple of autographs. Made some connections. But best of all, I met some great people I think I’ll be corresponding with in the future, and hung out with new friends.
Here are some pics of me being a real writer:
All of us at a fiction masterclass.
I have a few others with me on the actual panels where we talked about our books and the history and future of Caribbean speculative fiction, but I will spare you those.
No need to thank me.
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: Bocas Lit Fest 2015, books, caribbean, conventions, Karen Lord, Lex Talionis, literary festivals, Nalo Hopkinson, panels, publishing, reading, speculative fiction, Tobias Buckell, Trinidad, writing
May 4, 2015
So While I was Away…
This happened on John Scalzi’s blog…
Today’s New Books and ARCs, 4/28/15.
Yeah. That’s my book, LEX TALIONIS on that pile. And on my birthday too!
Tagged: authors, book, books, debut novel, Lex Talionis, novel, publishing, Scalzi, science fiction, scifi, spec fic, Whatever, writing
April 8, 2015
Games of Thrones and the Bocas Lit Festival
Yes, in my world, these two actually go together!
First, I’ve been gone for quite a while because my computer died on me and for several weeks I had nothing to write on. No blogging, no writing, nothing. This was me the entire time:
Then, when I found someone who could fix it without demanding my first born child in return–literally the day I took it to the shop–I came down with bronchitis.
After being nebulized and medicated to within an inch of my life and completely losing my voice along the way, I have emerged this week firmly on the tail end of this thing and getting stronger every day.
That’s when the world got awesome.
First off, while I was caught up in ‘no computer’ land, I found out that I had been invited to be a panelist at the Bocas Lit Festival, the premiere literary festival of Trinidad and Tobago. This is, by itself, a dream come through. But add to that I would be participating in several panels, over several days, and I was beyond jazzed.
It’s okay. I’m much better now. It hardly even hurt, I promise. Anyway, I’m over the shock. But the awesome of it all just keeps growing, you know?
It’s also my birthday during the week of the Bocas Lit Festival, so I’d taken to thinking of my participation as my early birthday present. That was before I got the invitation from the Chilean Embassy for the cocktail reception in honour of the Lit Festival.
No biggie. I totally have a dress for that.
But then I got a phone call from my cable company yesterday. Normally, that is a phrase that would strike fear in the hearts of cable customers, but in my case, it was just the universe giving me a better birthday present.
I won a competition for two tickets to the advance screening of the premiere episode of season 5 of Game of Thrones.
That’s right. My awesome sister and I are going to see the new Game of Thrones season begin on a big screen on Saturday night–a day before most of the rest of the world.
So you see, I have a lot to be thankful for.
And I think you will have a lot to read about here in the weeks to come as things get really exciting. If you so desire and all.
Nalo Hopkinson, people. Nalo Hopkinson.
And here I come, Saturday night!
Stay thirsty, my friends!
Tagged: Bocas Lit Festival 2015, editing, Game of Thrones, HBO, Karen Lord, Lex Talionis, Nalo Hopkinson, publishing, reading, Tobias Buckell, TV shows, writing
March 24, 2015
Cover Reveal: ASHAMET, DESERT BORN, by Terry Jackman
Welcome to the Dragonwell family, Terry! So glad it’s finally out so I can read it!
Originally posted on Dragonwell Publishing Blog:
Dragonwell Publishing is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Ashamet, Desert Born, by Terry Jackman, and with it its beautiful cover!
Publication date: May 30, 2015
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“Headstrong was the least I knew they said about me. Unpredictable, a wicked sense of humour? Gods, I hoped so.”
A desert world. A population of 100 males to every female. And for Ashamet, its prince, a suddenly uncertain future…
All Ashamet wants is the warrior life he already has. But then a divine symbol appears on his arm, closely followed by an attempt on his life. Now nothing’s simple any longer, even less so when a new and very foreign slave seems shocked by both his new surroundings – and his master’s amorous attentions.
Could this innocent young male hold the key to Ashamet’s survival? And to his heart?
“Ashamet, Desert Born”, is a debut adventure fantasy with an exotic…
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