Martha Wells's Blog, page 129
August 31, 2013
More San Antonio Photos
I'm also posting these on my tumblr where you can click and see bigger versions.
The giant lego town in the exhibit hall
These are some photos from before the Booksworn party Thursday night. It was really too busy to get any after the party started:
The view from the party suite.
The giant lego town in the exhibit hall
These are some photos from before the Booksworn party Thursday night. It was really too busy to get any after the party started:
The view from the party suite.
August 30, 2013
August 28, 2013
First Set of San Antonio WorldCon Photos
View from the balcony of our hotel room.
August 27, 2013
Some things:* Lightspeed Magazine is going to reprint "Ho...
Some things:
* Lightspeed Magazine is going to reprint "Holy Places" as part of its ebook-only content for an upcoming issue. It's a Giliead and Ilias story originally printed in Black Gate Magazine in 2007.
* Podcastle is going to do an audio version of "Thorns" which was originally published in Realms of Fantasy in 1995 (and was the first short story I ever sold).
My WorldCon schedule is here. (For my reading I'm doing a section from the upcoming Raksura novella, which is tentatively titled "The Falling World.")
Also, if you're at WorldCon and around Friday at 9:00 am, my husband is doing the historical tour of the area around the Alamo.
Book rec:
T.L. Morganfield is doing a giveaway of 15 digital ARCs of her upcoming book The Boneflower Throne.
* Lightspeed Magazine is going to reprint "Holy Places" as part of its ebook-only content for an upcoming issue. It's a Giliead and Ilias story originally printed in Black Gate Magazine in 2007.
* Podcastle is going to do an audio version of "Thorns" which was originally published in Realms of Fantasy in 1995 (and was the first short story I ever sold).
My WorldCon schedule is here. (For my reading I'm doing a section from the upcoming Raksura novella, which is tentatively titled "The Falling World.")
Also, if you're at WorldCon and around Friday at 9:00 am, my husband is doing the historical tour of the area around the Alamo.
Book rec:
T.L. Morganfield is doing a giveaway of 15 digital ARCs of her upcoming book The Boneflower Throne.
August 21, 2013
Except for a couple of good moments, I'm not having that ...
Except for a couple of good moments, I'm not having that great a day, so I thought I'd distract myself and talk about this weird thing that happens to my brain occasionally in case it happens to anybody else.
I was looking for something to watch while eating lunch and saw that the movie Boy on a Dolphin was on, and I had the reaction to it I always have, which is a split-second of "OH YAY!" followed by disappointment that it isn't the movie I think it is, and will not be. (I don't like Raquel Welch, for one thing.) I don't know quite what movie I think it is, it's like I have an altered memory of it, or I remember the movie it was in an alternate universe, or maybe I've conflated it with a kid's book I was reading the first time I saw mention of the title. I do have some clear memories of a children's adventure book involving Greek and Roman archeology and looking for Ancient occupation sites in the Aegean, and diving underwater to find a hidden tomb or temple, but I also remember it was not as awesome as I was hoping either. (The people buried in the temple did not magically come back to life and no portals opened to other dimensions, etc.)
Anyway, I've had that reaction to it every time I see the title, for years and years now, and I have no idea. I would still like to see the version of it that's buried in my brain somewhere, existing only in the reality of a misfiring neuron.
I was looking for something to watch while eating lunch and saw that the movie Boy on a Dolphin was on, and I had the reaction to it I always have, which is a split-second of "OH YAY!" followed by disappointment that it isn't the movie I think it is, and will not be. (I don't like Raquel Welch, for one thing.) I don't know quite what movie I think it is, it's like I have an altered memory of it, or I remember the movie it was in an alternate universe, or maybe I've conflated it with a kid's book I was reading the first time I saw mention of the title. I do have some clear memories of a children's adventure book involving Greek and Roman archeology and looking for Ancient occupation sites in the Aegean, and diving underwater to find a hidden tomb or temple, but I also remember it was not as awesome as I was hoping either. (The people buried in the temple did not magically come back to life and no portals opened to other dimensions, etc.)
Anyway, I've had that reaction to it every time I see the title, for years and years now, and I have no idea. I would still like to see the version of it that's buried in my brain somewhere, existing only in the reality of a misfiring neuron.
August 20, 2013
Book Recs
A couple of quick things:
The Z Radiant by Jessica Reisman is finally out in ebook, and I highly recommend it. (There's a first chapter preview at that link.)
* I finished Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch and loved it. (That link is to preorder the US version that comes out early next year.) I've said before, if you love UK mystery dramas like Luther and Inspector Lewis etc, and you love fantasy, this series is for you. The first book in the series is Midnight Riot in the US, or Rivers of London in the UK.
* Oh, and if you missed it, I posted my schedule for WorldCon here.
The Z Radiant by Jessica Reisman is finally out in ebook, and I highly recommend it. (There's a first chapter preview at that link.)
* I finished Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch and loved it. (That link is to preorder the US version that comes out early next year.) I've said before, if you love UK mystery dramas like Luther and Inspector Lewis etc, and you love fantasy, this series is for you. The first book in the series is Midnight Riot in the US, or Rivers of London in the UK.
* Oh, and if you missed it, I posted my schedule for WorldCon here.
August 17, 2013
WorldCon Schedule
Thursday
Autographing:
Gail Carriger, Rudy Garcia, George R. R. Martin, Martha Wells
4:00 - 5:00
Party: Booksworn and Friends
Marriot Rivercenter 8:00 - whenever, suite to be announced
Yes, there will be a ton of free books, including ebooks. Yes, you will probably have to eat a bug for a free book, but they're just the little candied bugs you can get at specialty groceries all over the world, so it's not a big deal. We've done this party at the past two WorldCons, and it's been very popular, so be sure to come early to get your pick of the books. There will also be free drinks and non-bug-related snacks.
Friday
Panel: Welcome to the Worldcon: Texas Style
Friday 10:00 - 11:00
New to Texas or new to Texas SF? Boy howdy, are we glad to see you! We're happy to tell you anything you want to know about how to enjoy yourself at LoneStarCon 3
Scott Bobo, Martha Wells, Bradley Denton, Willie Siros
Reading: Martha Wells
Friday 2:00 - 3:00
Yay, I got an hour long reading slot instead of thirty minutes! This is the first time that's happened to me at a WorldCon.
Panel: Do SF Stories have Fewer Happy Endings Now?
Friday 6:00 - 7:00
In the 40's, 50's and even 60's the Good Guy usually won and the Earth was saved. How and why did our stories' endings change?
Martha Wells, Jessica Reisman, David Nickle, Grant Carrington
Saturday
Writer's Workshop Session 10:00 am - 12:00 noon Gregory Wilson, Martha Wells
This is part of the WorldCon writing workshop, something you had to sign up for in advance.
Panel: Writing Combat
Saturday 5:00 - 6:00
How do you integrate combat into your writing? How do you make it believable? At what point do you reach a state of Too Much Information? How do different audiences affect your style? A look at writing fight scenes, from personal fisticuffs to fleet engagements and everything in between.
Elizabeth Moon (M), Elizabeth Bear, Martha Wells, Jean Johnson, Lois McMaster Bujold
Party: Saturday 7:00 Drinks with Authors at Ernie's Pub
Sunday
Panel: The Reality at the Foundation of Fantasy: Does Fantasy Fiction need to Acknowledge Physics?
Sunday 11:00 - 12:00
Fantasy needs rules to make it real. To what degree do these rules have to reflect the rules of the real world? Where and to what degree can fantasy depart from physics?
Barbara Galler-Smith (M), Carol Berg, Tanya Huff, Martha Wells, Robin Hobb
Kaffeeklatsch: James Cambias, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Martha Wells
Sunday 1:00 - 2:00
You can sign up for these with individual authors once the con starts. Basically we just sit at a table and talk. There's usually 6 or 7 spots at each table.
Panel: YA Fantasy -- We'll Always be 13 at Heart
Sunday 3:00 - 4:00
With the release of The Hunger Games, the appetite for YA fantasy has reached an all-time high. YA has received so much attention that those outside the typical "young adult" age group have taken notice. How long will the trend continue? What YA fantasy novels should you be reading. Come out and discuss this popular genre.
Emily Jiang (M), Martha Wells, Chuck Wendig, Aurora Celeste
I did originally have eight panels, but asked to get out of some because that was a little much. I'm also going to a publisher's party on Friday night but it's invite only, so I won't be around much then. Oh, and if you have something you want to get signed and can't be there on Thursday, remember you can catch me after my reading, at the parties, at the kaffeeklatsch, or after any one of my panels and I'll be happy to sign things for you then.
ETA: Forgot to add, for the reading, I'm going to read a section of the new Raksura novella.
Autographing:
Gail Carriger, Rudy Garcia, George R. R. Martin, Martha Wells
4:00 - 5:00
Party: Booksworn and Friends
Marriot Rivercenter 8:00 - whenever, suite to be announced
Yes, there will be a ton of free books, including ebooks. Yes, you will probably have to eat a bug for a free book, but they're just the little candied bugs you can get at specialty groceries all over the world, so it's not a big deal. We've done this party at the past two WorldCons, and it's been very popular, so be sure to come early to get your pick of the books. There will also be free drinks and non-bug-related snacks.
Friday
Panel: Welcome to the Worldcon: Texas Style
Friday 10:00 - 11:00
New to Texas or new to Texas SF? Boy howdy, are we glad to see you! We're happy to tell you anything you want to know about how to enjoy yourself at LoneStarCon 3
Scott Bobo, Martha Wells, Bradley Denton, Willie Siros
Reading: Martha Wells
Friday 2:00 - 3:00
Yay, I got an hour long reading slot instead of thirty minutes! This is the first time that's happened to me at a WorldCon.
Panel: Do SF Stories have Fewer Happy Endings Now?
Friday 6:00 - 7:00
In the 40's, 50's and even 60's the Good Guy usually won and the Earth was saved. How and why did our stories' endings change?
Martha Wells, Jessica Reisman, David Nickle, Grant Carrington
Saturday
Writer's Workshop Session 10:00 am - 12:00 noon Gregory Wilson, Martha Wells
This is part of the WorldCon writing workshop, something you had to sign up for in advance.
Panel: Writing Combat
Saturday 5:00 - 6:00
How do you integrate combat into your writing? How do you make it believable? At what point do you reach a state of Too Much Information? How do different audiences affect your style? A look at writing fight scenes, from personal fisticuffs to fleet engagements and everything in between.
Elizabeth Moon (M), Elizabeth Bear, Martha Wells, Jean Johnson, Lois McMaster Bujold
Party: Saturday 7:00 Drinks with Authors at Ernie's Pub
Sunday
Panel: The Reality at the Foundation of Fantasy: Does Fantasy Fiction need to Acknowledge Physics?
Sunday 11:00 - 12:00
Fantasy needs rules to make it real. To what degree do these rules have to reflect the rules of the real world? Where and to what degree can fantasy depart from physics?
Barbara Galler-Smith (M), Carol Berg, Tanya Huff, Martha Wells, Robin Hobb
Kaffeeklatsch: James Cambias, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Martha Wells
Sunday 1:00 - 2:00
You can sign up for these with individual authors once the con starts. Basically we just sit at a table and talk. There's usually 6 or 7 spots at each table.
Panel: YA Fantasy -- We'll Always be 13 at Heart
Sunday 3:00 - 4:00
With the release of The Hunger Games, the appetite for YA fantasy has reached an all-time high. YA has received so much attention that those outside the typical "young adult" age group have taken notice. How long will the trend continue? What YA fantasy novels should you be reading. Come out and discuss this popular genre.
Emily Jiang (M), Martha Wells, Chuck Wendig, Aurora Celeste
I did originally have eight panels, but asked to get out of some because that was a little much. I'm also going to a publisher's party on Friday night but it's invite only, so I won't be around much then. Oh, and if you have something you want to get signed and can't be there on Thursday, remember you can catch me after my reading, at the parties, at the kaffeeklatsch, or after any one of my panels and I'll be happy to sign things for you then.
ETA: Forgot to add, for the reading, I'm going to read a section of the new Raksura novella.
August 16, 2013
Links for Friday
* I'm currently sitting on the Raksura novel for a few days, hoping some beta readers have time to read it and give me feedback.
* It rained everywhere in the state over the past few days except our block. The rain literally -- literally -- stopped a hundred yards down the street. At one point all you could see on the weather radar was green and yellow except for the white spot that was our house.
links
* N.K. Jemisin: Time to pick a side.
I mention all these seemingly disparate things because they’re not disparate at all. These events are reflective of massive societal transformations taking place right now, all over the world. This transformation is more than just demographic. We’re seeing growing challenges to hierarchies, to orthodoxies, to every level of "the way it’s always been done".
* New Stateman: I hate strong female characters
No one ever asks if a male character is "strong". Nor if he's "feisty," or "kick-ass" come to that.
The obvious thing to say here is that this is because he's assumed to be "strong" by default. Part of the patronising promise of the Strong Female Character is that she's anomalous. "Don't worry!" that puff piece or interview is saying when it boasts the hero's love interest is an SFC. "Of course, normal women are weak and boring and can't do anything worthwhile. But this one is different. She is strong! See, she roundhouses people in the face."
This article makes a huge number of good points. And the passage above makes me think of how a reader called Tremaine Valiarde from the Fall of Ile-Rien trilogy "weak" because she couldn't fight like Xena. Because directly causing or subtly influencing most of the action in the books, including controlling through one method or another every vehicle she travels in, is "weak."
* Salon: Women’s free speech is under attack: The threats and trolling women receive online silence them just as effectively as any censorship
* It rained everywhere in the state over the past few days except our block. The rain literally -- literally -- stopped a hundred yards down the street. At one point all you could see on the weather radar was green and yellow except for the white spot that was our house.
links
* N.K. Jemisin: Time to pick a side.
I mention all these seemingly disparate things because they’re not disparate at all. These events are reflective of massive societal transformations taking place right now, all over the world. This transformation is more than just demographic. We’re seeing growing challenges to hierarchies, to orthodoxies, to every level of "the way it’s always been done".
* New Stateman: I hate strong female characters
No one ever asks if a male character is "strong". Nor if he's "feisty," or "kick-ass" come to that.
The obvious thing to say here is that this is because he's assumed to be "strong" by default. Part of the patronising promise of the Strong Female Character is that she's anomalous. "Don't worry!" that puff piece or interview is saying when it boasts the hero's love interest is an SFC. "Of course, normal women are weak and boring and can't do anything worthwhile. But this one is different. She is strong! See, she roundhouses people in the face."
This article makes a huge number of good points. And the passage above makes me think of how a reader called Tremaine Valiarde from the Fall of Ile-Rien trilogy "weak" because she couldn't fight like Xena. Because directly causing or subtly influencing most of the action in the books, including controlling through one method or another every vehicle she travels in, is "weak."
* Salon: Women’s free speech is under attack: The threats and trolling women receive online silence them just as effectively as any censorship
August 12, 2013
Monday Things
The first Raksura novella is done through the climax and just needs a wrap-up scene, and a good edit, so yay! And a good title; I have one but am meh about it.
I've been answering pronunciation questions for some of the audiobook narrators. Three already have release dates and you can keep tabs on when the others are added on this page at Tantor Audio. (The Raksura books are all available in audiobook here on Audible.com.)
I'm about to start some initial work on the other story I need to get at least a draft of done before WorldCon. Fortunately it's much shorter.
***
* You may have heard, author Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Mertz/Barbara Michaels passed away. Dean James wrote an appreciate for her here
* A Twitter Storify Some Thoughts by Kate Elliott on World Building
I need people to sit down and think about how carping about world building in fantasy has sexist, colonialist, and racist implications. I agree with this absolutely.
I've been answering pronunciation questions for some of the audiobook narrators. Three already have release dates and you can keep tabs on when the others are added on this page at Tantor Audio. (The Raksura books are all available in audiobook here on Audible.com.)
I'm about to start some initial work on the other story I need to get at least a draft of done before WorldCon. Fortunately it's much shorter.
***
* You may have heard, author Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Mertz/Barbara Michaels passed away. Dean James wrote an appreciate for her here
* A Twitter Storify Some Thoughts by Kate Elliott on World Building
I need people to sit down and think about how carping about world building in fantasy has sexist, colonialist, and racist implications. I agree with this absolutely.
August 10, 2013
Saturday Things
I'm really behind on answering comments and may not catch up soon, but I'm still here reading everything. I still have three big things I need to get done before WorldCon, including finishing the first Raksura novella, which I really really hope will be in the next few days. So far it's 35,000 words, about 169 manuscript pages, which equals about one-fourth of the length of the Raksura novels. (It'll be out in ebook, and I'll post when as soon as I find out from the publisher.)
The Facebook thing: after talking to a friend who had the same thing happen, we think that his account was hacked by a bot, and that Facebook temporarily disabled all the accounts on his friendslist to keep the bot from spreading. Which is fine, but if the "you can't login" message we got had said something like "your account has been temporarily disabled to protect it from a suspected hacking attempt, please stand by" instead of "your account has been disabled for security reasons, period" it would have been a lot less frustrating.
I've been craving s'mores lately. I blame the internet. And my life in general.
The Facebook thing: after talking to a friend who had the same thing happen, we think that his account was hacked by a bot, and that Facebook temporarily disabled all the accounts on his friendslist to keep the bot from spreading. Which is fine, but if the "you can't login" message we got had said something like "your account has been temporarily disabled to protect it from a suspected hacking attempt, please stand by" instead of "your account has been disabled for security reasons, period" it would have been a lot less frustrating.
I've been craving s'mores lately. I blame the internet. And my life in general.
