Martha Wells's Blog, page 102
April 10, 2015
Conventions I'm going to this summer
May 22-25, 2015.
Comicpalooza in Houston, TX.
I went to Comicpalooza for the first time last year and had a blast. It was basically a large SF/F con sitting on top of a comiccon, with great panel programming for writing resources and discussion, books, art, fandom, making films, costuming, gaming, ghost hunting, etc, plus a giant convention floor with dealers and artists of all kinds, plus a maker fair with robots and 3d printing, plus celebrities. If you go, try to buy your pass online and pick it up on Friday to avoid the long lines to get in.
July 2-5, 2015.
CONvergence in Bloomington, MN.
This was another first last year and it was a huge amount of fun, great programming, a huge number of people, and gorgeous costumes.
July 24-26, 2015.
ArmadilloCon in Austin, TX.
ArmadilloCon has been one of my favorite cons for a long time, and it was the first one I ever went to way back when I was in high school, and I was guest of honor in 2002. It's a smaller con with a focus on books and art. There's a day long intensive writers' workshop on Friday, and the big guests this year are Ken Liu and James Morrow.
Comicpalooza in Houston, TX.
I went to Comicpalooza for the first time last year and had a blast. It was basically a large SF/F con sitting on top of a comiccon, with great panel programming for writing resources and discussion, books, art, fandom, making films, costuming, gaming, ghost hunting, etc, plus a giant convention floor with dealers and artists of all kinds, plus a maker fair with robots and 3d printing, plus celebrities. If you go, try to buy your pass online and pick it up on Friday to avoid the long lines to get in.
July 2-5, 2015.
CONvergence in Bloomington, MN.
This was another first last year and it was a huge amount of fun, great programming, a huge number of people, and gorgeous costumes.
July 24-26, 2015.
ArmadilloCon in Austin, TX.
ArmadilloCon has been one of my favorite cons for a long time, and it was the first one I ever went to way back when I was in high school, and I was guest of honor in 2002. It's a smaller con with a focus on books and art. There's a day long intensive writers' workshop on Friday, and the big guests this year are Ken Liu and James Morrow.
April 9, 2015
Book Recs and a Raksura Question
Book recs:
* Emissary: The Second Book of the Seven Eyes by Betsy Dornbusch
Draken vae Khellian, bastard cousin of the Monoean King, had risen far from his ignominious origins, becoming both a Bowrank Commander and a member of the Crown’s Black Guard. But when cursed black magic took his wife and his honor away, he fought past his own despair and grief, and carved out a new life in Akrasia. His bloody, unlikely path, chronicled in Exile: The First Book of the Seven Eyes, led him to a new love, and a throne.
* The Rebirths of Tao: Tao Series Book Three by Wesley Chu
Five years have passed since the events in The Deaths of Tao. The world is split into pro-Prophus and pro-Genjix factions, and is poised on the edge of a devastating new World War. A Gengix scientist who defects to the other side holds the key to preventing bloodshed on an almost unimaginable scale.
* The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
Two men rebel together against tyranny—and then become rivals—in this first sweeping book of an epic fantasy series from Ken Liu, recipient of Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards.
Wily, charming Kuni Garu, a bandit, and stern, fearless Mata Zyndu, the son of a deposed duke, seem like polar opposites. Yet, in the uprising against the emperor, the two quickly become the best of friends after a series of adventures fighting against vast conscripted armies, silk-draped airships, and shapeshifting gods. Once the emperor has been overthrown, however, they each find themselves the leader of separate factions—two sides with very different ideas about how the world should be run and the meaning of justice.
***
Raksura question:
Lindsey asked So I've been thinking about some of the mature queens in the Raksura books. Here's my question: Is Pearl still firmly within clutching years for a Raksura? For that matter, what about Malachite who's older than Pearl but still seems very much in her prime?
Also, I've been thinking of Ice from Emerald Twilight as being near to the completion of her life which in my mind means she's far beyond clutching years herself. So, the first consort of Emerald Twilight (Shadow) is much younger than Ice and he seems in his prime (in my mind this has been equating to something approximating Pearl's age). I have the impression (I don't remember exactly) that Ice outlived one or more consorts already. So, given the age disparity between Ice and Shadow do you think they had any clutches together or did she claim him more for political/diplomatic reasons when she was beyond wanting/needing/being able to clutch herself?
Yes, Malachite and Pearl would both still be able to clutch. They would both basically be middle-aged for Raksuran queens, though Malachite is older than Pearl. Ice did outlive a couple of consorts, but queens can have more than one consort at a time, so Shadow has been with her for quite a while, and they would have had some clutches together.
***
Reminder:
Between Worlds: the Collected Ile-Rien and Cineth Stories has been sent out to the Six by Six Kickstarter backers and is now available for purchase.
* Emissary: The Second Book of the Seven Eyes by Betsy Dornbusch
Draken vae Khellian, bastard cousin of the Monoean King, had risen far from his ignominious origins, becoming both a Bowrank Commander and a member of the Crown’s Black Guard. But when cursed black magic took his wife and his honor away, he fought past his own despair and grief, and carved out a new life in Akrasia. His bloody, unlikely path, chronicled in Exile: The First Book of the Seven Eyes, led him to a new love, and a throne.
* The Rebirths of Tao: Tao Series Book Three by Wesley Chu
Five years have passed since the events in The Deaths of Tao. The world is split into pro-Prophus and pro-Genjix factions, and is poised on the edge of a devastating new World War. A Gengix scientist who defects to the other side holds the key to preventing bloodshed on an almost unimaginable scale.
* The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
Two men rebel together against tyranny—and then become rivals—in this first sweeping book of an epic fantasy series from Ken Liu, recipient of Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards.
Wily, charming Kuni Garu, a bandit, and stern, fearless Mata Zyndu, the son of a deposed duke, seem like polar opposites. Yet, in the uprising against the emperor, the two quickly become the best of friends after a series of adventures fighting against vast conscripted armies, silk-draped airships, and shapeshifting gods. Once the emperor has been overthrown, however, they each find themselves the leader of separate factions—two sides with very different ideas about how the world should be run and the meaning of justice.
***
Raksura question:
Lindsey asked So I've been thinking about some of the mature queens in the Raksura books. Here's my question: Is Pearl still firmly within clutching years for a Raksura? For that matter, what about Malachite who's older than Pearl but still seems very much in her prime?
Also, I've been thinking of Ice from Emerald Twilight as being near to the completion of her life which in my mind means she's far beyond clutching years herself. So, the first consort of Emerald Twilight (Shadow) is much younger than Ice and he seems in his prime (in my mind this has been equating to something approximating Pearl's age). I have the impression (I don't remember exactly) that Ice outlived one or more consorts already. So, given the age disparity between Ice and Shadow do you think they had any clutches together or did she claim him more for political/diplomatic reasons when she was beyond wanting/needing/being able to clutch herself?
Yes, Malachite and Pearl would both still be able to clutch. They would both basically be middle-aged for Raksuran queens, though Malachite is older than Pearl. Ice did outlive a couple of consorts, but queens can have more than one consort at a time, so Shadow has been with her for quite a while, and they would have had some clutches together.
***
Reminder:
Between Worlds: the Collected Ile-Rien and Cineth Stories has been sent out to the Six by Six Kickstarter backers and is now available for purchase.
April 8, 2015
Between Worlds Collection Now Available
Between Worlds: the Collected Ile-Rien and Cineth Stories has been sent out to the Six by Six Kickstarter backers and is now available for purchase.
Contents:
"The Potter's Daughter" Elemental, May 2006
Kade Carrion investigates troublesome magic in a small village.
"Night at the Opera" Original to this collection.
A noble Rienish family asks Reynard Morane to thwart a sorcerous blackmailer, and he recruits a reluctant Nicholas Valiarde to help.
"Holy Places" Black Gate #11, August 2007, Lightspeed Magazine #42, November 2013
Ilias is abandoned by the Finan family and finds Andrien, just as the house is attacked.
"Rites of Passage" marthawells.com, April 2014
Most people in Cineth believe Giliead is too young to take up the duties of a Chosen Vessel, but he may not have a choice.
"Houses of the Dead" Black Gate #12, July 2008
Giliead and Ilias are called to investigate a strange happening in godless territory, and find a deserted city.
"Reflections" Black Gate #10, March 2007
Searching the wilderness for a fleeing wizard, Giliead and Ilias encounter strange magic.
eBook available at: Kobo, Kindle US, Nook, iTunes, Nook UK, Kindle UK, Kindle DE, Kindle FR, Kindle Canada, Kindle Spain, and all other Amazon sites.
ETA: It's on iTunes now!
If you didn't get your email from the kickstarter telling you that two of the collections are available, check your spam folder or email the kickstarter creator Bradley for help.
Here's a sample of "Night at the Opera"
Reynard Morane was at his usual table in the Cafe Baudy, a somewhat risqué establishment built on a barge floating on the Deval Forest pleasure garden lake, when a beautiful man approached his table. This wasn't an unusual occurrence, especially in this cafe, but this beautiful man was a stranger. He said, "Captain Morane?"
From his features and dark skin, the man was Parscian, a little younger than Reynard but not by much, tall and well-built and dressed in an elegant but understated way that suggested some professional occupation in the city. The coat was too expensive for the man to be from a university. For some reason, Reynard attracted a high percentage of men of academic persuasions. "Yes." Reynard smiled warmly. "Please join me."
The man hesitated, then drew out the opposite chair. "A friend told me about you."
"And which friend is this?" Reynard caught the waiter's attention and lifted his brows. The waiter sized up the situation professionally, then went to the bar for a fresh bottle of wine and glasses.
"A man named Biendare." The man lowered his voice. "I believe he is known in some circles as 'Binny.'"
"Binny?" Reynard frowned. This was not encouraging. Binny was not someone who would have recommended Reynard for an assignation. At least not the kind of assignation Reynard had hoped for. To make sure this man had really met Binny, he said, "At the roasted nut kiosk on the Street of Flowers?"
"No, it was in March Street, at a wine bar that also sells fried fish."
"Right." Reynard sat up, adjusting his attitude from invitingly indolent to business-like and alert.
The waiter arrived at the table with the bottle and glasses. Reynard sighed and told him, "No."
"No?" The waiter looked startled, then disappointed. "Oh. Coffee, perhaps?"
"Coffee," Reynard agreed.
April 7, 2015
Links and a Book Rec
Many things:
* Con or Bust, which helps people of color/non-white people attend SFF conventions, is collecting items for their 2015 auction, which begins April 20. I've post four entries, with a set of audio CDs for the Wheel of the Infinite audiobook, a signed set of the Emilie books, a signed set of all the Raksura books, and a signed hardcover of Star Wars: Razor's Edge.
Book rec:
Beasts of Tabat by Cat Rambo
When countryboy Teo arrives in the coastal city of Tabat, he finds it a hostile place, particularly to a boy hiding an enormous secret. It’s also a city in turmoil, thanks to an ancient accord to change governments and the rising demands of Beasts, the Unicorns, Dryads, Minotaurs and other magical creature on whose labor and bodies Tabat depends. And worst of all, it’s a city dedicated to killing Shifters, the race whose blood Teo bears.
* Renay at Fantasy Book Cafe: Some Assembly Required: Recommendation Lists for a More Inclusive Fandom
* A great review of my second novel, City of Bones. (If you want to check out the first chapter, it's here.)
* Beth Bernobich says nice things about me, Stephanie Burgis, and Ellen Kushner's books here on Tynga's Reviews.
* Con or Bust, which helps people of color/non-white people attend SFF conventions, is collecting items for their 2015 auction, which begins April 20. I've post four entries, with a set of audio CDs for the Wheel of the Infinite audiobook, a signed set of the Emilie books, a signed set of all the Raksura books, and a signed hardcover of Star Wars: Razor's Edge.
Book rec:
Beasts of Tabat by Cat Rambo
When countryboy Teo arrives in the coastal city of Tabat, he finds it a hostile place, particularly to a boy hiding an enormous secret. It’s also a city in turmoil, thanks to an ancient accord to change governments and the rising demands of Beasts, the Unicorns, Dryads, Minotaurs and other magical creature on whose labor and bodies Tabat depends. And worst of all, it’s a city dedicated to killing Shifters, the race whose blood Teo bears.
* Renay at Fantasy Book Cafe: Some Assembly Required: Recommendation Lists for a More Inclusive Fandom
* A great review of my second novel, City of Bones. (If you want to check out the first chapter, it's here.)
* Beth Bernobich says nice things about me, Stephanie Burgis, and Ellen Kushner's books here on Tynga's Reviews.
April 2, 2015
Taking More Raksura Questions
I was answering Raksura and Three Worlds-related questions back in February, then something happened and I dropped the ball. I have a couple of unanswered questions left, but if you have an old question or a new question I didn't answer, feel free to comment with it.
nthngtoseehere
said Can I ask, roughly how many years/turns comprise a Raksuran generation? And how old is Stone? I've been thinking he's going on at least a couple hundred turns, but I have no idea if that's even close....
I'm thinking a generation would be around forty turns, but I haven't worked that out yet on paper, so I reserve the right to change it. :) Turns are also longer than years, and may be measured slightly differently by different cultures
Stone is at least a couple of hundred turns, and probably closer to three hundred.
(I am very bad at both math and dates, so I always have trouble working these things out.)
nthngtoseehere
said Can I ask, roughly how many years/turns comprise a Raksuran generation? And how old is Stone? I've been thinking he's going on at least a couple hundred turns, but I have no idea if that's even close.... I'm thinking a generation would be around forty turns, but I haven't worked that out yet on paper, so I reserve the right to change it. :) Turns are also longer than years, and may be measured slightly differently by different cultures
Stone is at least a couple of hundred turns, and probably closer to three hundred.
(I am very bad at both math and dates, so I always have trouble working these things out.)
March 30, 2015
Update
I haven't been very good about posting here lately because I've been working on the last chapter of the book I can't give details about yet. I need to insert a couple of more scenes after I finish this chapter and do a read through/revision, then it'll be ready for the beta readers. It's kind of consumed my brain, mostly because I've gotten this one written much more quickly than normal for me for a 130,000 plus word book.
I took a break Saturday when a friend came into town for her birthday and we went to the Antique Rose Emporium, and walked around the shops in Brenham, and then came back and had sushi. Our goddaughter also stayed with us this weekend on her way to a ballet audition.
Today I need to work on the last chapter plus finish bailing and cleaning and refilling my pond. That is not going to be much fun. In fact, I should go get started on it now.
links
* One of my favorite cons has done a short teaser vid: ArmadilloCon that mentions me and everything.
* Beth Bernobich's post on Blog Entry: Epic Romance: a Guest Post by Beth Bernobich and her kickstarter: Nocturnall - a coda to the River of Souls
* There's a GoodReads giveaway for Diana Pharaoh Francis' Edge of Dreams
* The Genius Loci Kickstarter anthology
* Courtney Schafer's Big List of Underread Books and the GoodReads version
* Catherine Lundoff's Old(er) Women in SF/F - book and story list
* Craig L. Gidney's list of Speculative Fiction Authors of Color
I took a break Saturday when a friend came into town for her birthday and we went to the Antique Rose Emporium, and walked around the shops in Brenham, and then came back and had sushi. Our goddaughter also stayed with us this weekend on her way to a ballet audition.
Today I need to work on the last chapter plus finish bailing and cleaning and refilling my pond. That is not going to be much fun. In fact, I should go get started on it now.
links
* One of my favorite cons has done a short teaser vid: ArmadilloCon that mentions me and everything.
* Beth Bernobich's post on Blog Entry: Epic Romance: a Guest Post by Beth Bernobich and her kickstarter: Nocturnall - a coda to the River of Souls
* There's a GoodReads giveaway for Diana Pharaoh Francis' Edge of Dreams
* The Genius Loci Kickstarter anthology
* Courtney Schafer's Big List of Underread Books and the GoodReads version
* Catherine Lundoff's Old(er) Women in SF/F - book and story list
* Craig L. Gidney's list of Speculative Fiction Authors of Color
March 19, 2015
I posted this on FB and Twitter yesterday after it happen...
I posted this on FB and Twitter yesterday after it happened, but I'll post it here too:
OK, something really weird happened when I went to the grocery store just now. A woman got into my car when I was getting out of it. I couldn't tell if she was having a break from reality, or if she had mistaken me for someone else. She was trying to talk to me about some guy that I wanted something from, some situation. She had gotten out of an SUV next to me and there was someone else in it. (I think. Couldn't see them because of tinted windows.) She got out (of my car) to talk to that person again.
I told her I thought she had mistaken me for someone else. She got her purse (which she had left in my car) & I locked it went for the store. A guy ran out of the store and they left in the SUV. They were wearing uniform shirts and nametags from the store. So it was freaky and I don't know what I bought. I think they were supposed to meet somebody in the parking lot to talk over some weird situation, and mistook me for her. When I came out of the store, the SUV was back. Was very freaky. I wasn't scared of her, just "how to I get this woman out of my car!" "strategize" "strategize" If they were there to meet somebody like this I think they were having a way worse day than me.
and in one of the FB comments I said: Thinking about it, I think she said something about somebody's mother. My inclination is that they were meeting someone there to talk about something and maybe wanted to do it in the parking lot of the place they worked in case they needed help, or witnesses. Either that, or she was being taken home from work because she was having a neurological problem. But I really do think someone else was in the SUV.
So, that was my excessively weird day yesterday.
here's some non-weird links:
* More than anything, she loved reading: the legacy of Andre Norton
* really cool art using Russian buildings
* John Picacio's Loteria Match Game Matching books to Loteria cards, this is the fourth installment and includes The Cloud Roads.
OK, something really weird happened when I went to the grocery store just now. A woman got into my car when I was getting out of it. I couldn't tell if she was having a break from reality, or if she had mistaken me for someone else. She was trying to talk to me about some guy that I wanted something from, some situation. She had gotten out of an SUV next to me and there was someone else in it. (I think. Couldn't see them because of tinted windows.) She got out (of my car) to talk to that person again.
I told her I thought she had mistaken me for someone else. She got her purse (which she had left in my car) & I locked it went for the store. A guy ran out of the store and they left in the SUV. They were wearing uniform shirts and nametags from the store. So it was freaky and I don't know what I bought. I think they were supposed to meet somebody in the parking lot to talk over some weird situation, and mistook me for her. When I came out of the store, the SUV was back. Was very freaky. I wasn't scared of her, just "how to I get this woman out of my car!" "strategize" "strategize" If they were there to meet somebody like this I think they were having a way worse day than me.
and in one of the FB comments I said: Thinking about it, I think she said something about somebody's mother. My inclination is that they were meeting someone there to talk about something and maybe wanted to do it in the parking lot of the place they worked in case they needed help, or witnesses. Either that, or she was being taken home from work because she was having a neurological problem. But I really do think someone else was in the SUV.
So, that was my excessively weird day yesterday.
here's some non-weird links:
* More than anything, she loved reading: the legacy of Andre Norton
* really cool art using Russian buildings
* John Picacio's Loteria Match Game Matching books to Loteria cards, this is the fourth installment and includes The Cloud Roads.
March 16, 2015
Monday Update
Let's see. I was sick for about a week, which really didn't help much with all the things I needed to get done. I still don't feel great, off and on. The yard is still a swampy mess, but I did get started trying to re-do the edging on the flowerbed to try to keep the garage from flooding and water from undermining that corner of the house.
* I've still been working on the book, doing a revision before I work on the ending. It's about 122,000 words now. It's still going to need another revision before anyone reads it, but it's much less jacked up now than it was before.
* The Between Worlds: the Collected Ile-Rien and Cineth Stories collection (my part of the Six by Six kickstarter) is done and dusted and turned in. The page for it on my web site is here. After the Six by Six is sent out to all the backers, I'll make my collection available to buy as an ebook.
* The next con I'll be at is Comicpalooza in Houston, on May 22-25.
* Emilie and the Hollow World is still $1.99 on US Kindle, Nook, and Kobo
* The Wizard Hunters is supposed to be coming back into print in paperback, but right now there's only one new copy available on Amazon, so I don't know what's going on with that. It is available in ebook and audiobook, and the other two (The Ships of Air and The Gate of Gods) are available in ebook, audiobook, and paperback in the US and Canada. Hoping to get them available in other places at some point too.
Here's some links:
* Please help the only all bird rehab center in North Texas
* Gizmodo: The Great Internet Debate Over Not Reading White Men by Saladin Ahmed
(and my post with a small selection of author suggestions)
* I've still been working on the book, doing a revision before I work on the ending. It's about 122,000 words now. It's still going to need another revision before anyone reads it, but it's much less jacked up now than it was before.
* The Between Worlds: the Collected Ile-Rien and Cineth Stories collection (my part of the Six by Six kickstarter) is done and dusted and turned in. The page for it on my web site is here. After the Six by Six is sent out to all the backers, I'll make my collection available to buy as an ebook.
* The next con I'll be at is Comicpalooza in Houston, on May 22-25.
* Emilie and the Hollow World is still $1.99 on US Kindle, Nook, and Kobo
* The Wizard Hunters is supposed to be coming back into print in paperback, but right now there's only one new copy available on Amazon, so I don't know what's going on with that. It is available in ebook and audiobook, and the other two (The Ships of Air and The Gate of Gods) are available in ebook, audiobook, and paperback in the US and Canada. Hoping to get them available in other places at some point too.
Here's some links:
* Please help the only all bird rehab center in North Texas
* Gizmodo: The Great Internet Debate Over Not Reading White Men by Saladin Ahmed
(and my post with a small selection of author suggestions)
March 12, 2015
Terry Pratchett passed away
Crying for Terry Pratchett. I never met him. Years ago on a usenet group somebody questioned my right to have cars in a fantasy novel and he swooped in out of nowhere and defended it, and he didn't even know who the fuck I was. When you're continually having your existence and validity as a writer questioned, things like that can mean a lot. And my mother had Alzheimer's and it's just such a fucking horrible disease.
http://www.pjsmprints.com/
http://www.pjsmprints.com/
March 5, 2015
Emilie and the Hollow World for cheap
Apparently, Emilie and the Hollow World is $1.99 at Amazon Kindle US and Barnes and Noble Nook. I don't know how long it will last.
If you want to sample the first chapter, it's on my web site here.
Link: Tor.com Writing Women Characters as Human Beings by Kate Elliott
If you want to sample the first chapter, it's on my web site here.
Link: Tor.com Writing Women Characters as Human Beings by Kate Elliott
