R.S.A. Garcia's Blog, page 3
February 15, 2022
Last Chance to Vote for Clarkesworld Readers Poll!
You have until 8pm EST tonight, Feb 15, to vote for my novella, ‘Philia, Eros, Storge, Agape, Pragma’ to win the Clarkesworld Readers Poll for favourite story of 2021!
Follow the link and vote for your order of preference for favourite story and cover.
It only takes a couple minutes. I recommend you read and see all the finalists before voting.
Thank you for reading and thank you for your vote!
February 2, 2022
The Locus Awards, Clarkesworld, SFWA Bundle and More
I hope you’ll forgive me for not updating regularly. I wasn’t feeling up to it after my surgery. But I’m doing great, and now I have a ton of good news to share!
In January, Clarkesworld published the third in my series of novellas set in an explicitly Trinidadian futureverse that I call Kairi/Grandmaster. ‘Bishop’s Opening’ is whole new cast than the first two stories. It features a space crew throuple in search of good doubles and roti on an unusual space station, who accidentally get caught up in an assassination plot. It’s about food, feels and found family.
On Feb 1, Clarkesworld Magazine announced the finalists for their yearly Readers Poll, and the second novella in my series, “Philia, Eros, Storge, Agápe, Pragma’ is a finalist for favourite story of 2021! You have until Feb 15 to vote for your favourite story and cover, and I’d love if you’d consider voting for me.
You can find out more, including the link to the stories and covers, and the final poll, here.
The Locus Recommended Reading List, which is essentially the long list for the Locus Awards, was released on the same day, and Philia was included in the Best Novella category! ‘The Best of World SF: Volume 1’ also made the Best Anthology category, and the first story of my Kairi/Grandmaster universe, ‘The Sun From Both Sides’ is in it.
I would love if you’d consider voting for both these works on the Locus Poll and Survey. Click here to get your personal voting link. You have until April 15 to submit your ballot.
The Hugos and Nebulas are also open for nominations, so if you’re voting, keep in mind that Philia is eligible for all awards, including those.
Finally, today the new SFWA Scoundrels Bundle launched, and Lex Talionis is included in it! For the low price of $5 you can get FOUR amazing scifi books featuring rouges and scoundrels. But if you pay $20, you get TWELVE books, including my award-winning debut. The authors and novels are all stellar, and this particular group will never be available again. So click here and get your bundle before Feb 24!
Thanks for reading and stay safe and healthy out there.
And to all who celebrate, Happy Lunar New Year!
January 18, 2022
The Dreaded C-Word
So this one has been a long while coming, but honestly, it’s just that everything happened so fast.
In late September of last year, I noticed a bump on my breast. It was like a pimple but nothing happened when I poked at it. I went to my GP, and then got an ultrasound, and they thought it might be a cyst, and decided to try antibiotics, but nothing happened. Before I went back to the GP, I went to my OB/GYN and he sent me to a specialist.
It was there that after another ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy, I found out I had breast cancer.
I’m good.
I’m also very lucky. We are not sure of anything yet, but it looks like it was caught very early. But I got that diagnosis two weeks before Christmas and then it was a race to get me into surgery as soon as possible.
Initially, we thought we could conserve the breast, but after getting the results of genetic testing, we realised I have the gene that makes me susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer. So on December 30th, I had a mastectomy on my right breast. I’m currently at home, recovering and healing well according to doctors.
I will need more surgery. With my genetic markers, it’s recommended to remove the breasts and ovaries and so that’s what I’m going to do. I will also need reconstruction, radiation and possibly chemo. But for now I’m grateful for life, and so thankful to my team of doctors and the healthcare system that made my cancer treatment possible–quickly, professionally and compassionately. Yes, testing, preparation and after care is expensive and I paid, and I’m still paying, for a lot of things, but my God, I could never had afforded the surgery and treatment. I am blessed to live where I live.
I just want to say, get that lump checked out no matter what. Everyone said I had nothing to worry about right up until the biopsy said cancer. Make sure you know what it is. Don’t guess. And I hope it’s never the c-word.
Don’t skip your pap smears and mammograms and PLEASE, pay attention to your body. If anything changes, get it checked. Cancer does not look like you think it does. Mine felt like a pea-sized fluid sac, but when we went in, it had grown to the size of a grape and was solid.
In closing, just know that I’m doing great and my sister is taking really good care of me.
Thanks for listening and all the best for now.
November 16, 2021
Two New Stories On The Way!
Had an amazing thing happen this past weekend.
On Saturday, I sold a dark fantasy story to the new Death in The Mouth horror anthology. ‘A Bonfire In The Night’ is about a girl who can’t quite get rid of a jumbie.
And then on Sunday, I sold a novella, ‘Bishops Opening’ to the prestigious Clarkesworld Magazine! This is my fourth sale to them, and my 3rd story in my Kairi/Grandmaster Universe, which is specifically about Trini and West Indian descendants in space.
I’ve never sold two things in two days before. Heck, I have only sold two things in one YEAR once before, and now I’ve sold 4 originals and one reprint story this year so far. Pushing through to write during this pandemic has been hard, but it has paid dividends.
I’m incredibly happy and pleased and can’t wait for you all to see my stories online and in print.
Watch this space for further details!
And until then, get vaccinated, stay safe and wear your damn mask!
October 28, 2021
West Indian Literature Conference
Just a short note to say, I will be at the 39th West Indian Literature Conference, held by the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies, this coming Saturday 30th October at 10:00am AST/EST.
As a spotlighted author for their ‘Contemporary Currents in Caribbean Literature’ theme, I’m excited to talk with those in the academic sphere about the very active SFF Caribbean scene, and the joys and challenges that come with it. I will also be doing a reading from one of my works.
If this sounds like your thing, please come join us! The conference starts today, and is only US$50 for the entire thing, but there are free events. You will need to register, however.
You can find out about the conference here.
And you can see the incredible programme here.
See you there!
October 11, 2021
When it Rains, it Pours…Bumper Edition!
Yes, I’m a week late. Blame it on exhaustion lol. It’s hell-hot here in the Caribbean these past couple of months, and getting up the energy to do anything is TOUGH. But I have much good news to share!
My story, FIRE IN HIS EYES, BLOOD ON THIS TEETH, which was first published in the DEVIL’S WAYS anthology edited by Anna Kashina, and produced by Dragonwell Publishing, will be appearing in PodCastle! I’m delighted I will have an audio version of this story, and this is my first sale to this wonderful market. It’s also my first sale for 2021 that wasn’t signed off on last year.
I have a drabble coming out in the new collection PROFESSOR CHARLATAN BARDOT’S TRAVEL ANTHOLOGY, which should drop on November 2nd. This one was a long journey, despite the briefness of the story, LOPINOT PLANTATION, which is told from the viewpoint of the soucouyant said to haunt the very real Lopinot Estate in Trinidad. One of the key persons producing the novel passed away from Covid last year, which delayed the release to this year. But some really amazing people are in this, including Clara Madrigano (“Into the River”), Lisa Morton (“The Gulch”), Eugenia Triantafyllou (“Fish Tale”) and Tlotlo Tsamaase (“The Biophilic-Designed Haunting”). I’m truly honoured to be a teeny, tiny part of such a fantastic anthology.
I have another project which will be announced soon and that one is REALLY fun because it includes a brand new story I wrote in the same universe as my novel, LEX TALIONIS! The story takes place a few years after the events of the novel and includes new characters. So to the wonderful readers who reached out to me after my latest BookBub campaign, YES, there is a sequel and until it’s finished–if this new project funds–this is my apology for taking so long, and I hope this story can tide you over a little.
However, the really BIG news for me is that I will be a featured author at the upcoming 39th West Indian Literature Conference held by the Cave Hill, Barbados campus of the University of the West Indies! This prestigious event is one I never dreamed of being invited to participate in, but I’m so delighted to be taking part this year, especially alongside Tobias S. Buckell, who has been an inspiration and colleague to me for years, and who has done so much good work helping authors, and shining a spotlight on the Caribbean writing community.
It gave me great joy to learn that there is a Science Fiction programme at Cave Hill and that works by black women authors in particular are being taught there…including mine! This is valuable work that I hope leads to many more authors coming into the field of speculative fiction as it begins to open up.
Registration is required, but the Conference is virtual this year and the public is invited, so I do hope to see you there. My event is scheduled for October 30th at 10:00am.
I will have more good news as the month goes on, so stay thirsty, my friends, and see you on the other side!!
October 2, 2021
Sale! Sale! Sale!
Tomorrow, I have a featured BookBub deal for my novel, LEX TALIONIS!
In anticipation of that, LEX TALIONIS is now reduced across all e-platforms and is just 99 cents!
In the UK, it’s a paltry 77p!
I’m very excited to see how this goes, and if having a deal on the weekend instead of the week changes anything. I’m also anxiously hoping it earns out the rather large cost of the deal in this second year of the pandemic when money is tight everywhere. I had planned to do Facebook ads alongside it, but unfortunately, don’t have the funds for now.
I’d be eternally grateful to everyone who gives the book a try, or passes on the message. At that price, even if you hate the book, you paid less than the last cup of coffee you didn’t like to find out. Heck, at that price, consider buying one for a friend too. It would really help out, given I’m about to be let go from my full time job (COVID restructuring).
In other news, I’ve finished my first task for the Wyrm Gauntlet and am now editing before sending it in, so keep your fingers crossed for me the judges like it. Three more stages to go if they do!
And just a note to say, if you didn’t make it to FIYAHCON this year, I pity you. It was a wonderful event, event though it closed out with some devastating emotional notes that may signal the end for the convention overall. I do hope it can make a reappearance next year, but the emotional and physical labour of love it demands is not one we should expect of any person, year after year. So, thank you to the hardworking organisers, panelists and volunteers. We will support you no matter what you decide about next year. And I’m so very proud and happy I was given the opportunity to be involved this year.
Next week, I have an announcement about a small but wonderful thing I never thought to achieve. Also, a full accounting of how the BookBub deal went, for those who like that sort of thing.
Stay tuned, and stay thirsty, my friends!
September 14, 2021
FIYAHCON IGNYTES!
(See what I did there…:)
It’s that time of year again! FIYAHCON and the IGNYTE Awards are back!
One of the best new conventions around, it was established by, and for, BIPOC artists and their audiences. Programming is 24 / 7 this weekend so all timezones have a chance to join in the fun, and is both diverse and inclusive, with something for everyone.
Along with FIYAHCON, there’s BONFIYAH, which is free. With its own wonderful panels, this concurrent supporting convention is the up-all-night version of FIYAHCON.
If you’re attending, look out for me! I’ll be appearing on the Strategies on Publicizing Your Book panel on Saturday 18 September, 2021, at 1pm EST.
I’ll also be participating in FIYAHCON’s fun gameshow for writers, Em-Dash. Come watch writers make up stories with nothing but a few word prompts and 10 minutes of furious typing. The results are both hilarious and awesome! You can catch me embarrassing myself for an hour from 8:00pm EST on Sunday 19 September, 2021.
And watch this space for more announcements and appearances to come. September and October are going to be lit!
Until then, as always, stay thirsty, my friends!
(Get vaccinated and WEAR YOUR FREAKING MASK!)
June 1, 2021
Best of World SF Launches Today
Just a note that today is the US launch of the new anthology, THE BEST OF WORLD SF, with me, Lavie Tidhar, Silvia Morena-Garcia & Ng Yi-Sheng.
We’re having a panel discussion at 2pm AST(Trinidad and Tobago time) / EST & 1pm CT. It’s being hosted by Murder By The Book, in association with Kaye Publicity & our publisher Head of Zeus.
https://www.murderbooks.com/Best-of-World-SF
Remember to get your copy from Murder By The Book, and come join us for a fun chat and Q&A.
See you there!
April 9, 2021
The Em-Dash Game and FIYAHCON
Sunday 4 April, 2021 was the day I ventured out of my shell a little to participate in an event that sounded so fun, even my fear of public appearances couldn’t stop me from trying it out.
FIYAH Magazine had one of the most fun scifi conventions and awards last year, and one of best parts was a great game that was like the popular Food Network show, ‘Chopped’, but for writers. Words are selected by the audience and host and the players have a limited amount of time to craft a complete story using them.
A last minute addition, I was expecting tough competition, and it sure as hell was! Every writer came with it and the stories were mysterious, horrific and funny by turns. When the dust settled, I was shocked to find that I’d won!
The next round will be happening soon, and when I have a date, I’ll make an announcement. Until then, you can watch the entire thing here.
And please support this year’s FIYAHCON. It’s a great convention, headed by a fantastic magazine for black speculative fiction and fun will be had by all! To find out more and purchase tickets, go here.
See you then, and watch this space for more announcements.
Now excuse me as I take my victory lap while I still can lol.
