Martha Wells's Blog, page 153
July 10, 2012
Quickie Link and Book Rec Post
Book rec:
Black Gate: Review of the new book by Charles Saunders, author of Imaro: Dossouye: The Dancers of Mulukau
At the start of the novel, Dossouye and her war bull Gbo have journeyed north, through the great rain forest that separates the coastal lands that they know from the unknown societies at the edge of the great desert. Saunders’ use of authentic ancient, medieval, and pre-modern African civilizations for the inspiration of his fantasy worlds is very much in evidence...
Neat thing linked on Twitter:
Bioware According to Mom
This is tumblr by Reg, about Reg's Mom's experience as a new gamer playing DragonAge and Mass Effect. Reg and his Mom are pretty awesome, and it's a fun tumblr even if you don't play the games.
Book Giveaways:
Beth Bernobich is having a contest giveaway for her new fantasy novel Queen's Hunt
and
Laura Anne Gilman is doing a giveaway of a different book each week.
Black Gate: Review of the new book by Charles Saunders, author of Imaro: Dossouye: The Dancers of Mulukau
At the start of the novel, Dossouye and her war bull Gbo have journeyed north, through the great rain forest that separates the coastal lands that they know from the unknown societies at the edge of the great desert. Saunders’ use of authentic ancient, medieval, and pre-modern African civilizations for the inspiration of his fantasy worlds is very much in evidence...
Neat thing linked on Twitter:
Bioware According to Mom
This is tumblr by Reg, about Reg's Mom's experience as a new gamer playing DragonAge and Mass Effect. Reg and his Mom are pretty awesome, and it's a fun tumblr even if you don't play the games.
Book Giveaways:
Beth Bernobich is having a contest giveaway for her new fantasy novel Queen's Hunt
and
Laura Anne Gilman is doing a giveaway of a different book each week.
July 9, 2012
New Sample Chapter of The Siren Depths and Upcoming Pubs
It rained yesterday, and I got a lot of writing done, so that was great. And my post about my feet proved weirdly popular. Next, I'll talk about my elbows. (Not really.)
I was going to wait to do this, but the San Diego ComicCon is this week, and thousands and thousands of people are going to be there having fun without us. They'll be seeing fun panels, and buying fun stuff, and we'll just be here.
So:
I posted a second sample chapter of The Siren Depths, the third Books of the Raksura, after The Cloud Roads and The Serpent Sea, due out from Night Shade Books this December: Chapter Two. (Scroll up to see chapter one.)
And after my career crash of a few years ago, I am still beyond ecstatic and grateful to have new books coming out to remind people about. That will never get old. I hope I keep having them for a long, long time.
If you missed it on Saturday, I also posted a new missing scene from The Cloud Roads with Moon and Jade.
If you want to preorder The Siren Depths, it's available at Barnes and Noble, Chapters, Amazon US, Powell's, Mysterious Galaxy, The Tattered Cover, Books-a-Million, Book Depository.com (free shipping worldwide), Book Depository.uk, Amazon UK, Amazon.ca, Amazon.fr, Amazon.de or look for it at an independent book store in the US through IndieBound.
It will also be available in ebook, including in the Baen DRM-free ebook store.
If you've read one of my books and liked (or didn't like it, that's fine too), leaving reviews on Amazon, B&N, or wherever, or on GoodReads or LibraryThing, or just talking about it to your friends or online really, really helps. Word of mouth is the only thing that really sells books. And if you look for a book at your library and they don't have it in their collection, remember that you can put in a request that they get it.
Other stuff that is current or coming soon:
My next novel after The Siren Depths will be a YA fantasy, Emilie and the Hollow World, coming out from Strange Chemistry Books in April 2013.
"Revenants" in Tales of the Emerald Serpent, edited by Scott Taylor. Out now in trade paperback: Lulu.com and ebook: Amazon.com, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.es, Amazon.fr. It's also supposed to be available in Nook, but for some reason Barnes and Noble hasn't listed it yet.
"Donna Noble Saves the Universe" in Chicks Unravel Time, edited by Deborah Stanish and L.M. Myles. Due out in November, preorder at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com.
I was going to wait to do this, but the San Diego ComicCon is this week, and thousands and thousands of people are going to be there having fun without us. They'll be seeing fun panels, and buying fun stuff, and we'll just be here.
So:
I posted a second sample chapter of The Siren Depths, the third Books of the Raksura, after The Cloud Roads and The Serpent Sea, due out from Night Shade Books this December: Chapter Two. (Scroll up to see chapter one.)
And after my career crash of a few years ago, I am still beyond ecstatic and grateful to have new books coming out to remind people about. That will never get old. I hope I keep having them for a long, long time.
If you missed it on Saturday, I also posted a new missing scene from The Cloud Roads with Moon and Jade.
If you want to preorder The Siren Depths, it's available at Barnes and Noble, Chapters, Amazon US, Powell's, Mysterious Galaxy, The Tattered Cover, Books-a-Million, Book Depository.com (free shipping worldwide), Book Depository.uk, Amazon UK, Amazon.ca, Amazon.fr, Amazon.de or look for it at an independent book store in the US through IndieBound.
It will also be available in ebook, including in the Baen DRM-free ebook store.
If you've read one of my books and liked (or didn't like it, that's fine too), leaving reviews on Amazon, B&N, or wherever, or on GoodReads or LibraryThing, or just talking about it to your friends or online really, really helps. Word of mouth is the only thing that really sells books. And if you look for a book at your library and they don't have it in their collection, remember that you can put in a request that they get it.
Other stuff that is current or coming soon:
My next novel after The Siren Depths will be a YA fantasy, Emilie and the Hollow World, coming out from Strange Chemistry Books in April 2013.
"Revenants" in Tales of the Emerald Serpent, edited by Scott Taylor. Out now in trade paperback: Lulu.com and ebook: Amazon.com, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.es, Amazon.fr. It's also supposed to be available in Nook, but for some reason Barnes and Noble hasn't listed it yet.
"Donna Noble Saves the Universe" in Chicks Unravel Time, edited by Deborah Stanish and L.M. Myles. Due out in November, preorder at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com.
July 8, 2012
PSA
A friend was talking about foot problems on another LJ, and I wanted to pass on my experience, and a dire (slightly dire) foot-related warning.
A lot of people really love the foot-glove type of shoe. (If you like the idea of the foot-glove, but hate the idea of the ones that fit individually over your toes, because like me you think your toes are going to get caught in doors, elevators, stepped on, etc, they do make them without those, so it looks just like a regular shoe.) I love them, too, because the ones I have (made by Merrell) basically feel like I'm wearing socks, except with protection and support.
But I see a lot of people wearing them for exercise. They're supposed to be very good for running, but if you're doing weight or bar classes, they can cause problems. I have an issue where my left leg is slightly twisted. You can't see it, and I can't feel it, but when I do squats and lunges in aerobics class, it causes that foot to twist slightly. Wearing foot-gloves exacerbated the problem so now I have pain issues in that knee.
So basically now I only wear regular (pronated) athletic shoes when doing squats and lunges or using weights. I still wear (toeless) foot-gloves just for walking around, because they are so freaking comfortable. Though for long-term walking on hard surfaces like concrete, mall or convention center floors, etc, I need shoes with more cushioning. (Basically your feet were designed to be barefoot, but they were also designed for walking on grass and dirt and sand, and not concrete.)
Also, if you have foot pain after walking for any length of time, before you go to a podiatrist or a foot clinic, the first thing I'd recommend is checking to make sure your shoe size is correct. Real, non-discount shoe stores often have a size-checking machine (It will also try to sell you orthotics. Don't let the machine sell you orthotics.) and it will tell you what your real shoe size is. If the last time you got measured for shoes was in high school when your parents bought them for you, you may not be wearing the right size. Shoes can feel like they fit, but when you walk or stand for long periods of time, especially in hot weather, your feet will swell and if your shoes are too small this will hurt way more than it needs to.
A lot of people really love the foot-glove type of shoe. (If you like the idea of the foot-glove, but hate the idea of the ones that fit individually over your toes, because like me you think your toes are going to get caught in doors, elevators, stepped on, etc, they do make them without those, so it looks just like a regular shoe.) I love them, too, because the ones I have (made by Merrell) basically feel like I'm wearing socks, except with protection and support.
But I see a lot of people wearing them for exercise. They're supposed to be very good for running, but if you're doing weight or bar classes, they can cause problems. I have an issue where my left leg is slightly twisted. You can't see it, and I can't feel it, but when I do squats and lunges in aerobics class, it causes that foot to twist slightly. Wearing foot-gloves exacerbated the problem so now I have pain issues in that knee.
So basically now I only wear regular (pronated) athletic shoes when doing squats and lunges or using weights. I still wear (toeless) foot-gloves just for walking around, because they are so freaking comfortable. Though for long-term walking on hard surfaces like concrete, mall or convention center floors, etc, I need shoes with more cushioning. (Basically your feet were designed to be barefoot, but they were also designed for walking on grass and dirt and sand, and not concrete.)
Also, if you have foot pain after walking for any length of time, before you go to a podiatrist or a foot clinic, the first thing I'd recommend is checking to make sure your shoe size is correct. Real, non-discount shoe stores often have a size-checking machine (It will also try to sell you orthotics. Don't let the machine sell you orthotics.) and it will tell you what your real shoe size is. If the last time you got measured for shoes was in high school when your parents bought them for you, you may not be wearing the right size. Shoes can feel like they fit, but when you walk or stand for long periods of time, especially in hot weather, your feet will swell and if your shoes are too small this will hurt way more than it needs to.
July 7, 2012
New Missing Scene on the Three Worlds Compendium
Added a new missing scene from The Cloud Roads to the Books of the Raksura Compendium. Scroll down to The Stories section.
If you haven't checked it out yet, there are three short stories, two more missing scenes, some additional appendices for the books, and some lovely fan art.
If you haven't checked it out yet, there are three short stories, two more missing scenes, some additional appendices for the books, and some lovely fan art.
July 6, 2012
Troyce still has a fever today, so he went to the doctor ...
Troyce still has a fever today, so he went to the doctor this morning. He couldn't get in to see our regular insurance-mandated doctor, so he had to go to a walk-in clinic which our insurance won't pay for.
I woke up early (5:30) for basically no reason, but did get the garden plants watered before it got too hot. It would be nice if an early start translated into increased productivity today, but I bet this will not happen.
Nice thing to see today: The Serpent Sea made this list Kirkus Reviews: Book Smugglers' Best SF and Fantasy of 2012 so far ...sequel to a 2011 favorite novel, The Cloud Roads, the Books of the Raksura feature a beautifully rendered fantasy world, intricate social and political dynamics, and amazing characters, including one very badass female protagonist.
Neat link: Mail Online: 'Britain's Atlantis' found at bottom of North sea - a huge undersea world swallowed by the sea in 6500BC
Westboro Babtist Church (which protests soldiers' funerals and schools and etc with homophobic signs and yelling) came to town, got scared, and left. Texas A&M Students Block Westboro Baptist Protesters With Human Wall
Publishing link: Angry Robot Books The Copyeditor – what they do I've seen so many people who do not understand that "editor" and "copyeditor" are two different jobs.
I woke up early (5:30) for basically no reason, but did get the garden plants watered before it got too hot. It would be nice if an early start translated into increased productivity today, but I bet this will not happen.
Nice thing to see today: The Serpent Sea made this list Kirkus Reviews: Book Smugglers' Best SF and Fantasy of 2012 so far ...sequel to a 2011 favorite novel, The Cloud Roads, the Books of the Raksura feature a beautifully rendered fantasy world, intricate social and political dynamics, and amazing characters, including one very badass female protagonist.
Neat link: Mail Online: 'Britain's Atlantis' found at bottom of North sea - a huge undersea world swallowed by the sea in 6500BC
Westboro Babtist Church (which protests soldiers' funerals and schools and etc with homophobic signs and yelling) came to town, got scared, and left. Texas A&M Students Block Westboro Baptist Protesters With Human Wall
Publishing link: Angry Robot Books The Copyeditor – what they do I've seen so many people who do not understand that "editor" and "copyeditor" are two different jobs.
July 5, 2012
Here's a couple of quick links:Send your Chicago teens to...
Here's a couple of quick links:
Send your Chicago teens to PocketCon this Saturday. Pocket Con is a single day convention for Chicago Teens. It focuses on work by artists of color, particularly African American authors and artists, as well as comics with a primary character who is Black. Pocket Con also features work in the comic genre by other underrepresented groups, such as women and LGBT authors/characters, as well as topics of related interest, such as small-budget film-making, radio drama, and zines.
Black Gate: Leigh Brackett: American Writer This 4th of July I thought I’d take a look at one of my very favorite writers, the late, great Leigh Brackett, queen of planetary adventure.
Send your Chicago teens to PocketCon this Saturday. Pocket Con is a single day convention for Chicago Teens. It focuses on work by artists of color, particularly African American authors and artists, as well as comics with a primary character who is Black. Pocket Con also features work in the comic genre by other underrepresented groups, such as women and LGBT authors/characters, as well as topics of related interest, such as small-budget film-making, radio drama, and zines.
Black Gate: Leigh Brackett: American Writer This 4th of July I thought I’d take a look at one of my very favorite writers, the late, great Leigh Brackett, queen of planetary adventure.
July 3, 2012
I've been waking up early every morning, like around 6:00...
I've been waking up early every morning, like around 6:00 (yes, that is when the land piranha snaps back to consciousness) so I went to early aerobics class. I think I'm going to try to do that more often.
Troyce is sick so it looks like we won't be doing much for the holiday tomorrow.
Book I'm looking forward to:
Thieftaker by D.B. Jackson. It's a historical fantasy/mystery set in 1767 Boston, and the main character uses magic to help solve crimes.
First three chapters are free on the author's site here.
Speaking of historical mysteries, someone linked to this on Twitter:
The mysterious coffins of Arthur’s Seat
Troyce is sick so it looks like we won't be doing much for the holiday tomorrow.
Book I'm looking forward to:
Thieftaker by D.B. Jackson. It's a historical fantasy/mystery set in 1767 Boston, and the main character uses magic to help solve crimes.
First three chapters are free on the author's site here.
Speaking of historical mysteries, someone linked to this on Twitter:
The mysterious coffins of Arthur’s Seat
July 2, 2012
Quick Links
YouTube: The Star Wars That I Used to Know Gotye song parody - You are now addicted to an overuse of graphics, and making Greedo shoot first - Han shot first
Sci-ence.org: On Playing Well With Others
The dirty underbelly of gaming culture has been a bubbling pot that has finally boiled over, spilling asshat all over the stove. As stated in the comic, assholes in gaming is nothing new, in fact most people treat it like you would a bad part of town. Don’t play Call of Duty on Xbox live by yourself. They’ll eat you alive. Asshole behavior has been largely chalked up to pubescent trolls and basement dwellers—waved off as a fringe consequence of any internet community. But as time went on, a few things have begun to happen: More people play games, it’s easier than ever to stalk and bully somebody online, and it’s easier than ever to call attention to this behavior.
The Book Smugglers: The Half-Year Mark: Best Books of 2012 (so far) The Serpent Sea and Wheel of the Infinite are both on this list, yay!
Sci-ence.org: On Playing Well With Others
The dirty underbelly of gaming culture has been a bubbling pot that has finally boiled over, spilling asshat all over the stove. As stated in the comic, assholes in gaming is nothing new, in fact most people treat it like you would a bad part of town. Don’t play Call of Duty on Xbox live by yourself. They’ll eat you alive. Asshole behavior has been largely chalked up to pubescent trolls and basement dwellers—waved off as a fringe consequence of any internet community. But as time went on, a few things have begun to happen: More people play games, it’s easier than ever to stalk and bully somebody online, and it’s easier than ever to call attention to this behavior.
The Book Smugglers: The Half-Year Mark: Best Books of 2012 (so far) The Serpent Sea and Wheel of the Infinite are both on this list, yay!
July 1, 2012
Art Links for Sunday
ArmadilloCon is going to be this month, July 27-29. The major guests are: Guest of Honor: Anne Bishop, Special Guest: Chloe Neill, Editor Guest: Liz Gorinsky, Artist Guest: Julie Dillon. I'll be on panels, and will be one of the teachers at the writers workshop.
I hadn't seen Julie Dillon's art before. Her site is here and there's some gorgeous work on it. I really love the piece that the con is using for its poster: Planetary Alignment (also because it's a fully dressed female character). Also like this one.
Todd Lockwood did the cover for the new shared world fantasy anthology I have a story in: Tales of the Emerald Serpent (that's the ebook, the paperback is available here). Todd Lockwood's site is here. Some of my favorite pieces are this one and this one
***
The Atlantic: How Good Books Can Change You
Black Gate: Comment on this post at the Black Gate Blog for a chance to win a free ebook or paperback of The Crow God's Girl by Patrice Sarath
The Book Smugglers: On the Smugglers' Radar Upcoming SF/F and YA books!
I hadn't seen Julie Dillon's art before. Her site is here and there's some gorgeous work on it. I really love the piece that the con is using for its poster: Planetary Alignment (also because it's a fully dressed female character). Also like this one.
Todd Lockwood did the cover for the new shared world fantasy anthology I have a story in: Tales of the Emerald Serpent (that's the ebook, the paperback is available here). Todd Lockwood's site is here. Some of my favorite pieces are this one and this one
***
The Atlantic: How Good Books Can Change You
Black Gate: Comment on this post at the Black Gate Blog for a chance to win a free ebook or paperback of The Crow God's Girl by Patrice Sarath
The Book Smugglers: On the Smugglers' Radar Upcoming SF/F and YA books!
June 29, 2012
Kitten Report
The kitten, who we named Jack, is doing great. I think he's doubled in size since we first got him. He is also a madman for food. He will literally leave his half-full food bowl to fling himself at Tasha's, so that's not fun. He doesn't try to take food out of my plate, but he does watch me with intense fascination while I'm eating. Teaching food manners is going to be a long ongoing process.
He hasn't broken anything yet. (Tasha was the kitten of breaking stuff, and racked up more points on that score than all the other cats we've ever had combined.) He does get into everything. At one point he saw me pull over a stool so I could get to the top shelf of the living room bookcase. He had ignored it up until then, but after that he started trying to climb it.
This is him being cute.
This is our normal view of him.
***
Book rec:
Bared Blade by Kelly McCullough is out now. From the "inventive, irreverent" (Green Man Review) author of Broken Blade comes a new Fallen Blade novel featuring Aral Kingslayer. Former temple assassin Aral Kingslayer has a price on his head and a mark on his soul. After his goddess was murdered, Aral found refuge in the shadow jack business, fixing problems for those on the fringes of Tien’s underworld. It’s a long step down from working for the Goddess of Justice, but it gives Aral and Triss—the living shadow who is his secret partner—a reason to get up in the morning.
He hasn't broken anything yet. (Tasha was the kitten of breaking stuff, and racked up more points on that score than all the other cats we've ever had combined.) He does get into everything. At one point he saw me pull over a stool so I could get to the top shelf of the living room bookcase. He had ignored it up until then, but after that he started trying to climb it.
This is him being cute.
This is our normal view of him.
***
Book rec:
Bared Blade by Kelly McCullough is out now. From the "inventive, irreverent" (Green Man Review) author of Broken Blade comes a new Fallen Blade novel featuring Aral Kingslayer. Former temple assassin Aral Kingslayer has a price on his head and a mark on his soul. After his goddess was murdered, Aral found refuge in the shadow jack business, fixing problems for those on the fringes of Tien’s underworld. It’s a long step down from working for the Goddess of Justice, but it gives Aral and Triss—the living shadow who is his secret partner—a reason to get up in the morning.
