Martha Wells's Blog, page 183
June 5, 2011
I did a guest post over at The Night Bazaar: Cover Art Co...
I did a guest post over at The Night Bazaar: Cover Art Covers are kind of a big deal. Even as ebook sales increase, readers who browse bookstores and libraries are still a large part of the reading/buying audience. Even if the publisher does get the book placed in the new release stands at the front of the chain stores, or faced out in the regular shelves, a passing glance at the cover may be all the chance it gets to make a sale. Covers are also important for attracting the attention of the chain book buyers. They don't give space or prominent placement to covers they don't think will sell.
There are a lot of theories, and superstitions, about what makes a good book cover, like the superstition that having non-white characters prominently featured will cause the book to magically fail. This one has been offensive to writers and readers for a long time.
Juliet E. McKenna: Women being published in SF - an issue for all genre readers
If you're on Twitter, check out the #YAsaves tag, as a response to the Wall Street Journal article on YA fiction.
There are a lot of theories, and superstitions, about what makes a good book cover, like the superstition that having non-white characters prominently featured will cause the book to magically fail. This one has been offensive to writers and readers for a long time.
Juliet E. McKenna: Women being published in SF - an issue for all genre readers
If you're on Twitter, check out the #YAsaves tag, as a response to the Wall Street Journal article on YA fiction.
June 3, 2011
A few things:The Night Bazaar: The Politics of Cover Art...
A few things:
The Night Bazaar: The Politics of Cover Art: Skinny White Dead Chicks and Selling Books by Kameron Hurley
Maura McHugh: Be Part of the Solution The old arguments to explain this were trotted out: women haven't always written science fiction, men read more science fiction than women, perhaps more men responded to the survey. Whatever the reasons one fact remains: women's work is not valued as highly as men's.
Kari Sperring: Women in Fantasy
I'm probably not the best person to do this. Or the right one. But in the light of Ian Sales' excellent list of women sf writers (http://iansales.com/2011/03/17/the-sf-mistressworks-meme/), the wonderful work done by Maura McHugh ([info]splinister) about women in horror, and all the excellent articles being written on the sf side, it occurs to me that us fantasy types need perhaps to do our own stand-up-and-be-counted thing.
If you can, please pass this on: home needed for Cocker Spaniel puppy in Houston, TX and update: puppy still needs home.
The Night Bazaar: The Politics of Cover Art: Skinny White Dead Chicks and Selling Books by Kameron Hurley
Maura McHugh: Be Part of the Solution The old arguments to explain this were trotted out: women haven't always written science fiction, men read more science fiction than women, perhaps more men responded to the survey. Whatever the reasons one fact remains: women's work is not valued as highly as men's.
Kari Sperring: Women in Fantasy
I'm probably not the best person to do this. Or the right one. But in the light of Ian Sales' excellent list of women sf writers (http://iansales.com/2011/03/17/the-sf-mistressworks-meme/), the wonderful work done by Maura McHugh ([info]splinister) about women in horror, and all the excellent articles being written on the sf side, it occurs to me that us fantasy types need perhaps to do our own stand-up-and-be-counted thing.
If you can, please pass this on: home needed for Cocker Spaniel puppy in Houston, TX and update: puppy still needs home.
June 2, 2011
We're supposed to have our dead tree removed today. I'm ...
We're supposed to have our dead tree removed today. I'm hoping it will make the backyard less post-apocalyptic. Also, hurricane season started. I saw a prediction that we're due for six major ones. Maybe they'll drive off the tornadoes? No, I don't think it works like that either.
I'm still working on chapters 10-11-12 of the third Cloud Roads book, but for the first time, the first eleven chapters are all complete and read as if they are all part of the same book. That's an improvement. So cross your fingers I can keep it going. I need to finish it this year, to keep on my finishing one book a year schedule. (Note I said "finishing" not "selling" or "publishing.") I finished The Cloud Roads in 2008, finished The Serpent Sea and the YA fantasy that hasn't sold (Emilie and the Hollow World) in 2009, started three books but finished none in 2010, and finished the MG/YA fantasy that I was co-writing with a friend earlier this year, which has gone out for submission. So I need to finish the third Cloud Roads book to stay on schedule. I think. I'm bad at math.
Oh, and if I do a reading at ApolloCon this month, I'll read from The Serpent Sea, which is set in the same world with the same characters as The Cloud Roads.
Anyway, links:
Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed is now up for preorder. I'm looking forward to this one.
Black Gate: WISCON FRIDAY: In Which the Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood Crashes A Zeppelin Into the State Capital
"Will the Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood please climb aboard?"
"As I live and breathe!" I exclaimed. "It's John O'Neill, Robot Overlord and Master of Black Gate, come to bear us away to our badass feminist science fiction convention in Madison, Wisconsin!"
Good stories for free from Red Penny Papers: Red Penny Papers #4, 2011 including "Flowertongue" by Jessica Reisman.
I'm still working on chapters 10-11-12 of the third Cloud Roads book, but for the first time, the first eleven chapters are all complete and read as if they are all part of the same book. That's an improvement. So cross your fingers I can keep it going. I need to finish it this year, to keep on my finishing one book a year schedule. (Note I said "finishing" not "selling" or "publishing.") I finished The Cloud Roads in 2008, finished The Serpent Sea and the YA fantasy that hasn't sold (Emilie and the Hollow World) in 2009, started three books but finished none in 2010, and finished the MG/YA fantasy that I was co-writing with a friend earlier this year, which has gone out for submission. So I need to finish the third Cloud Roads book to stay on schedule. I think. I'm bad at math.
Oh, and if I do a reading at ApolloCon this month, I'll read from The Serpent Sea, which is set in the same world with the same characters as The Cloud Roads.
Anyway, links:
Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed is now up for preorder. I'm looking forward to this one.
Black Gate: WISCON FRIDAY: In Which the Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood Crashes A Zeppelin Into the State Capital
"Will the Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood please climb aboard?"
"As I live and breathe!" I exclaimed. "It's John O'Neill, Robot Overlord and Master of Black Gate, come to bear us away to our badass feminist science fiction convention in Madison, Wisconsin!"
Good stories for free from Red Penny Papers: Red Penny Papers #4, 2011 including "Flowertongue" by Jessica Reisman.
June 1, 2011
Woke up with a huge headache today, augh. It's probably ...
Woke up with a huge headache today, augh. It's probably the weather, but I need to get over it, because the weather here isn't going to change for the next six months.
links:
Nnedi Okorafor: Proprioception I've always been interested in people labeled as "abnormal" or "abomination".
The 2011 Chesley Award Finalists with galleries of all the nominated pieces. Matthew Stewart, who did the cover for The Cloud Roads, is one of the nominees. You can see more of his work here.
Saw this on Facebook: Weedrobes: Artist Creates Stunning Garments From Fruit, Weeds, Flowers
In lieu of other content, I mentioned I'd post my playlist for The Cloud Roads, so here it is:
1: Did Anyone Approach You - a-ha
2: Apple - Cibo Matto
3: Life's What You Make It - Talk Talk
4: Loneliest Star - Seal
5: [Untitled] - Vast
6: Sugar Water - Cibo Matto
7: Show Me What I'm Looking For - Carolina Liar
8: Under the Milky Way - Sia
9: Where Has Everybody Gone? - The Pretenders
10: Night of the Hunter - 30 Seconds to Mars
11: Drumming Song - Florence + the Machine
12: Tell Me - Billie Myers
13: Forever May Not Be Long Enough - Live
links:
Nnedi Okorafor: Proprioception I've always been interested in people labeled as "abnormal" or "abomination".
The 2011 Chesley Award Finalists with galleries of all the nominated pieces. Matthew Stewart, who did the cover for The Cloud Roads, is one of the nominees. You can see more of his work here.
Saw this on Facebook: Weedrobes: Artist Creates Stunning Garments From Fruit, Weeds, Flowers
In lieu of other content, I mentioned I'd post my playlist for The Cloud Roads, so here it is:
1: Did Anyone Approach You - a-ha
2: Apple - Cibo Matto
3: Life's What You Make It - Talk Talk
4: Loneliest Star - Seal
5: [Untitled] - Vast
6: Sugar Water - Cibo Matto
7: Show Me What I'm Looking For - Carolina Liar
8: Under the Milky Way - Sia
9: Where Has Everybody Gone? - The Pretenders
10: Night of the Hunter - 30 Seconds to Mars
11: Drumming Song - Florence + the Machine
12: Tell Me - Billie Myers
13: Forever May Not Be Long Enough - Live
May 31, 2011
It's already warmish this morning, (it'll be mid 90s toda...
It's already warmish this morning, (it'll be mid 90s today again) so I already cleaned out and started defrosting our small chest deep freeze, and bonus vacuumed the car. The car had not been vacuumed in living memory, so it really needed it, and we had realized earlier this week that we weren't using the deep freeze anymore. I cook a lot more now and we tend to get fresher food, so the freezer part of the refrigerator is all we really need. (And it's not like we can use the deep freeze to store extra food for hurricane season, since if the power is still on, we probably won't have trouble getting food. And if it goes out, the deep freeze will be toxic waste.) So we're going to keep it unplugged to save power.
I'll be interesting to see how this effects our utility bill. I didn't have any idea what a power hog the dryer was until we switched to mostly using a clothesline. I've been trying to notice things that are drawing power that don't actually get used much and unplug them. Like the VCR with the clock that only gets used once in a blue moon because we mostly use the DVD player or hook an iPod to the TV, and the electric alarm clock in the guest bedroom that never gets used unless we have a guest who needs it.
Now back to work. I made some good progress on chapter 10 over the weekend, so hopefully I'll be able to finally get past the 65,000 word wall I've been beating my head against.
links:
RBE Home of Heroics article: The Dynamic Duo of Nehwon by Laura J. Underwood
Which is where the two met, became thieving good friends and lived not so happily ever after. Because, of course, there were adventures to be had, gods to appease, treasures to be sought and magic to be fought against. It was never a dull moment when those guys were sent on a mission. I own every one of the books that were published at that time now because I went insane looking for more of them at the local used bookseller.
Then a more magical thing happened in my life. I went to a World Fantasy convention in Chicago. And there I had the brief but most satisfying privilege of meeting Fritz Leiber.
Strange Horizons: Perfectly Herself: A discussion of the work of Carol Emshwiller By Ursula K. Le Guin, Helen Merrick, Pat Murphy, and Gary K. Wolfe
I'll be interesting to see how this effects our utility bill. I didn't have any idea what a power hog the dryer was until we switched to mostly using a clothesline. I've been trying to notice things that are drawing power that don't actually get used much and unplug them. Like the VCR with the clock that only gets used once in a blue moon because we mostly use the DVD player or hook an iPod to the TV, and the electric alarm clock in the guest bedroom that never gets used unless we have a guest who needs it.
Now back to work. I made some good progress on chapter 10 over the weekend, so hopefully I'll be able to finally get past the 65,000 word wall I've been beating my head against.
links:
RBE Home of Heroics article: The Dynamic Duo of Nehwon by Laura J. Underwood
Which is where the two met, became thieving good friends and lived not so happily ever after. Because, of course, there were adventures to be had, gods to appease, treasures to be sought and magic to be fought against. It was never a dull moment when those guys were sent on a mission. I own every one of the books that were published at that time now because I went insane looking for more of them at the local used bookseller.
Then a more magical thing happened in my life. I went to a World Fantasy convention in Chicago. And there I had the brief but most satisfying privilege of meeting Fritz Leiber.
Strange Horizons: Perfectly Herself: A discussion of the work of Carol Emshwiller By Ursula K. Le Guin, Helen Merrick, Pat Murphy, and Gary K. Wolfe
May 30, 2011
Quickie post:This is the last day for Brenda Novak's onli...
Quickie post:
This is the last day for Brenda Novak's online auction for diabetes research. The SF/F section is here. My books are: an autographed hardcover of The Wizard Hunters, an autographed hardcover of Wheel of the Infinite, and an autographed trade paperback of The Cloud Roads. All three books are at $20.00 and under right now.
On the Night Bazaar: Jane Fancher: Of Covers and Frustrations It's in the hands of mysterious art departments and marketing experts . . . all of whom will probably never actually read your jewel, but will make decisions based on the analysis of said gem given to them by your editor, apply that analysis to the closest match on the current Best Seller Scale, slap the result on your baby, and throw it out on the shelves to see if anyone picks it up.
This is the last day for Brenda Novak's online auction for diabetes research. The SF/F section is here. My books are: an autographed hardcover of The Wizard Hunters, an autographed hardcover of Wheel of the Infinite, and an autographed trade paperback of The Cloud Roads. All three books are at $20.00 and under right now.
On the Night Bazaar: Jane Fancher: Of Covers and Frustrations It's in the hands of mysterious art departments and marketing experts . . . all of whom will probably never actually read your jewel, but will make decisions based on the analysis of said gem given to them by your editor, apply that analysis to the closest match on the current Best Seller Scale, slap the result on your baby, and throw it out on the shelves to see if anyone picks it up.
May 29, 2011
Weird thing last night. There was a small plane crash in...
Weird thing last night. There was a small plane crash in Bryan: http://www.theeagle.com/local/2-die-in-plane-crash It could have been much worse if it had hit the apartments.
Other than hearing about that, we had a very nice evening. We went to a shish kabob place we hadn't been to before, and the food was excellent. I have leftover bread and hummus for breakfast. Next time we go I want to try the pomegranate stew.
Chapter 9 was mostly vanquished, so today I'll continue my battle with chapter 10.
Good news this morning: very nice review of The Cloud Roads by Linda Nagata on her blog: Moon is an outsider, belonging nowhere, but desperately wanting to belong, though unwilling to admit it. His adventures within an utterly fascinating and incredibly diverse and detailed story world are simply enthralling. Yay me!
more links:
Nalo Hopkinson will have a new YA novel coming out next April: The Chaos
23rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards: A Report by Lawrence Schimel Congrats to![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380451598i/2033940.gif)
sandramcdonald
who won the LGBT SF category with Diana Comet and Other Improbable Stories
eldritchhobbit
's list of YA Dystopian Novels
Linked by Eric Francis on Facebook: Torn Asunder: How the Deadliest Twister in Decades Ripped Through Joplin, Mo.
Other than hearing about that, we had a very nice evening. We went to a shish kabob place we hadn't been to before, and the food was excellent. I have leftover bread and hummus for breakfast. Next time we go I want to try the pomegranate stew.
Chapter 9 was mostly vanquished, so today I'll continue my battle with chapter 10.
Good news this morning: very nice review of The Cloud Roads by Linda Nagata on her blog: Moon is an outsider, belonging nowhere, but desperately wanting to belong, though unwilling to admit it. His adventures within an utterly fascinating and incredibly diverse and detailed story world are simply enthralling. Yay me!
more links:
Nalo Hopkinson will have a new YA novel coming out next April: The Chaos
23rd Annual Lambda Literary Awards: A Report by Lawrence Schimel Congrats to
sandramcdonald
who won the LGBT SF category with Diana Comet and Other Improbable Stories
eldritchhobbit
's list of YA Dystopian NovelsLinked by Eric Francis on Facebook: Torn Asunder: How the Deadliest Twister in Decades Ripped Through Joplin, Mo.
May 27, 2011
This is one of those days where all I want to do is go to...
This is one of those days where all I want to do is go to The Spot for lunch, have a fried oyster sandwich, and sit on the top deck that most people don't realize is up there and look at the ocean. But that's a four hour drive in traffic.
It would look like this:
And while we're fantasizing, I would live in this house:
And remember, if you are in Galveston this weekend, obey the sign:
Instead, I'm just going to keep writing this book. I'm taking my third trip via complete re-write through chapters nine and ten today.
Where would you guys like to be this weekend that you aren't?
It would look like this:
And while we're fantasizing, I would live in this house:
And remember, if you are in Galveston this weekend, obey the sign:
Instead, I'm just going to keep writing this book. I'm taking my third trip via complete re-write through chapters nine and ten today.
Where would you guys like to be this weekend that you aren't?
May 26, 2011
Memorial Day Weekend is coming up, where many, many peopl...
Memorial Day Weekend is coming up, where many, many people are going to conventions and having fun without us. I don't really have any plans, except continuing to work on the third Cloud Roads book. I was planning to dvr Doctor Who and watch both halves of the two parter that started last week on our Monday Big TV night, but it is not showing. Which is just rubbing the fact that we have no plans for Memorial Day Weekend in our faces, I think.
It's Bookscan day, so I can see how well my books aren't doing. That's never fun.
The WorldCon is having a sale: From Renovation the 2011 WorldCon: "We are having a 24 hour sale on Adult Attending Memberships on Memorial Day, May 30! Adult Attending rates will be reduced to $180, a discount of $15. Full details at http://www.renovationsf.org/pressrel35.php. Please help us by passing this news on to anyone you know who may be considering attending.
I will be there on programming, with lots of other people. And I will be one of the hosts of a Night Shade authors party Thursday night, along with Courtney Schafer, Brad Beaulieu, and Katy Stauber.
As an FYI, writers and other programming participants for the big conventions like WorldCon, World Fantasy, etc, also have to buy a membership to attend. Only the invited guests of honor get in free. Sometimes if WorldCons make a profit, they will reimburse the program participants, but sometimes that doesn't happen. At smaller regional conventions with less expensive programming space, writers, artists and program participants usually get a free membership. But again, only the guests of honor get travel, food, or hotel expenses, so conventions are still pretty expensive for writers to go to, depending on how far you have to travel, how expensive the hotel is, and how many spouses, children, and pets have to be accounted for while you're away.
It's Bookscan day, so I can see how well my books aren't doing. That's never fun.
The WorldCon is having a sale: From Renovation the 2011 WorldCon: "We are having a 24 hour sale on Adult Attending Memberships on Memorial Day, May 30! Adult Attending rates will be reduced to $180, a discount of $15. Full details at http://www.renovationsf.org/pressrel35.php. Please help us by passing this news on to anyone you know who may be considering attending.
I will be there on programming, with lots of other people. And I will be one of the hosts of a Night Shade authors party Thursday night, along with Courtney Schafer, Brad Beaulieu, and Katy Stauber.
As an FYI, writers and other programming participants for the big conventions like WorldCon, World Fantasy, etc, also have to buy a membership to attend. Only the invited guests of honor get in free. Sometimes if WorldCons make a profit, they will reimburse the program participants, but sometimes that doesn't happen. At smaller regional conventions with less expensive programming space, writers, artists and program participants usually get a free membership. But again, only the guests of honor get travel, food, or hotel expenses, so conventions are still pretty expensive for writers to go to, depending on how far you have to travel, how expensive the hotel is, and how many spouses, children, and pets have to be accounted for while you're away.
May 25, 2011
First:I participated in an SF Signal Mind Meld on Fantasy...
First:
I participated in an SF Signal Mind Meld on Fantasy Novels Besides 'A Game of Thrones' That Would Make an Excellent Weekly Series
Links:
YA SF&Fantasy Blog: Joplin Missouri Someone who was in Joplin describes the tornado damage.
BBC: New Egyptian pyramids found by infra-red satellite images
Booklist Online A review of Foyle's War
I participated in an SF Signal Mind Meld on Fantasy Novels Besides 'A Game of Thrones' That Would Make an Excellent Weekly Series
Links:
YA SF&Fantasy Blog: Joplin Missouri Someone who was in Joplin describes the tornado damage.
BBC: New Egyptian pyramids found by infra-red satellite images
Booklist Online A review of Foyle's War
