Jennifer Brozek's Blog, page 73
September 21, 2011
SPACE TRAMPS Cover and TOC
Table of Contents
Odd Jobs – Nathan Crowder
Backup – Ivan Ewert
Ina's Day – Andrew S. Fuller
Locator Beacons – David Lee Summers
Oh Give Me Land, Lots of Land, Under Starry Skies Above – Shannon Page and Mark J. Ferrari
Mass – Rick Silva
Running in Wonderland – Nayad A. Monroe
In a Dangerous Wild – Kay T. Holt
The Frigate Lieutenant's Woman – Erik Scott de Bie
Riding Westbound – Tyler Hayes
Finding Freedom – Dylan Birtolo
Travellin' Show – Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Indoctrination – Warren Schultz
The Hunt for Liberty Jones – Brandie Tarvin
Toll Booth – Matthew Marovich
What a Mother Will Do – Ryan Macklin
Release party on Twitter this Friday, the 23rd.
September 19, 2011
RIP: Esme 2000-2011
Esme 2000-2011
It was my sad duty to say goodbye to my first cat, Esme, today. She came into my life 8 years ago an adult feral rescue who would bite without warning but desperately wanted love. She left me and Jeff as a spoiled rotten kitty who shared our meals, our bed and our hearts.
Her death was unexpected. She took a sudden downturn over one weekend, refusing food and water. As soon as I could, I got her to the vet. The prognosis was bad. The best thing I could do for her was to let her go.
I did have a chance at a last cuddle and she purred in my arms until the sedative took hold. It was clear she was tired and in pain and it was time.
I did my best by Esme and I hope she is chasing butterflies and shredding angel wings now.
September 18, 2011
Poverty and Books
Money is a very touchy subject. It is one of the few things that will end family relationships, marriages, and friendships. People don't realize just how emotional the subject of money is or the far reaching consequences of not having money.
Recently I read Seanan's post called Across the Digital Divide . It's a good article and worth reading. Trust me.
For those who feel it is TL;DR – to quote Seanan, This doesn't change the part where, every time a discussion of ebooks turns, seemingly inevitably, to "Print is dead, traditional publishing is dead, all smart authors should be bailing to the brave new electronic frontier," what I hear, however unintentionally, is "Poor people don't deserve to read."
The thing that struck me about Seanan's post was how right she was.
I grew up poor. Three kids, enlisted Army father, stay at home mother to begin with. Luxuries were not in the budget. Period. That included books. It affected me. I wrote about it in my finance book, The Little Finance Book That Could, which is the finance book I wish I had read when I entered college.
Library books were the only new books I read. Or, I was gifted the rare book here or there. Otherwise, I read what was in my mother's personal library, collected and cared for over years. Going to the library became a treat in my tween period while I lived in Belgium. That was when I discovered Susan Cooper and suddenly understood that books meant that I could travel to whole new worlds.
But with all that, I did not by a book for myself until I was twenty-three. Me, the owner of some 1500 books, didn't buy my first book until I was out of college and had moved out of my parent's home.
Why? Because I didn't have the money. My first personal library came from culling my parent's library. They let me take all the books I wanted out of a certain set of bookcases. At this point, I don't remember what the first new book I bought myself was. Nor can I remember if it came from a used bookstore (probably) or if it came from a chain bookstore.
When I realized this, I had to contact my mom and ask her if this was right. It boggles my mind that I was an adult before I was able to buy my own books. But thinking back, before Belgium, I didn't really read. In Belgium, I had the base library. From 12-14 (NJ, second time), I had the local library. From 14-16 (PA), I had the school library. I remember spending a LOT of time in the school library. From 16-18 (CA), it was the local library and borrowing books from my friends.
If I had been required to have an ebook reader, I don't know how much reading I would have done. An ebook reader would have been a luxury my family would not have been able to afford.
Also, there is something so comforting to me about used bookstores that allow me to buy books 2nd or 3rd hand. I'm not rolling in money. I have to think about my purchases. I also think about what it would be like if I were a poor kid in this day and age and I'm terrified at the idea of what kind of person I would have become without the benefit of books to escape into.
It's like Seanan says, we need paper books to continue. We need them for everyone poor (as in poverty level) military brat whose parents have to watch every single penny. We need them for the kid who saves every single nickel and dime they can to buy that $.99 beat-to-hell paperback because that is what they want and need. We need the next generation to be able to get their hands on books to read. We need to understand that while digital books are awesome, there's a group of people who would be left behind if print books went away and these are the people who need them the most.
Recently I read Seanan's post called Across the Digital Divide . It's a good article and worth reading. Trust me.
For those who feel it is TL;DR – to quote Seanan, This doesn't change the part where, every time a discussion of ebooks turns, seemingly inevitably, to "Print is dead, traditional publishing is dead, all smart authors should be bailing to the brave new electronic frontier," what I hear, however unintentionally, is "Poor people don't deserve to read."
The thing that struck me about Seanan's post was how right she was.
I grew up poor. Three kids, enlisted Army father, stay at home mother to begin with. Luxuries were not in the budget. Period. That included books. It affected me. I wrote about it in my finance book, The Little Finance Book That Could, which is the finance book I wish I had read when I entered college.
Library books were the only new books I read. Or, I was gifted the rare book here or there. Otherwise, I read what was in my mother's personal library, collected and cared for over years. Going to the library became a treat in my tween period while I lived in Belgium. That was when I discovered Susan Cooper and suddenly understood that books meant that I could travel to whole new worlds.
But with all that, I did not by a book for myself until I was twenty-three. Me, the owner of some 1500 books, didn't buy my first book until I was out of college and had moved out of my parent's home.
Why? Because I didn't have the money. My first personal library came from culling my parent's library. They let me take all the books I wanted out of a certain set of bookcases. At this point, I don't remember what the first new book I bought myself was. Nor can I remember if it came from a used bookstore (probably) or if it came from a chain bookstore.
When I realized this, I had to contact my mom and ask her if this was right. It boggles my mind that I was an adult before I was able to buy my own books. But thinking back, before Belgium, I didn't really read. In Belgium, I had the base library. From 12-14 (NJ, second time), I had the local library. From 14-16 (PA), I had the school library. I remember spending a LOT of time in the school library. From 16-18 (CA), it was the local library and borrowing books from my friends.
If I had been required to have an ebook reader, I don't know how much reading I would have done. An ebook reader would have been a luxury my family would not have been able to afford.
Also, there is something so comforting to me about used bookstores that allow me to buy books 2nd or 3rd hand. I'm not rolling in money. I have to think about my purchases. I also think about what it would be like if I were a poor kid in this day and age and I'm terrified at the idea of what kind of person I would have become without the benefit of books to escape into.
It's like Seanan says, we need paper books to continue. We need them for everyone poor (as in poverty level) military brat whose parents have to watch every single penny. We need them for the kid who saves every single nickel and dime they can to buy that $.99 beat-to-hell paperback because that is what they want and need. We need the next generation to be able to get their hands on books to read. We need to understand that while digital books are awesome, there's a group of people who would be left behind if print books went away and these are the people who need them the most.
September 15, 2011
The Edge of Propinquity - Issue 69
Issue 69: September 2011
Welcome to issue 69 of the Edge of Propinquity. As the summer heat dissipates into the brisk winds of fall, those wind bring surprises as well as discoveries. This month we have the discovery of immense power, a surprise ally, a shocking death, a malevolent trick and the revelation of custom.
Credencium - Undercurrents - by Kaolin Fire AKA
![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380451598i/2033940.gif)
kaolinfire
Flotsam - Coil - by Peter M. Ball AKA
petermball
Idolwood - The Wild Hunt - by Ivan Ewert AKA
ivan23
The Ones Who Call - A Frozen Hunger - By Alina Pete
Guest Story - The Saint of Clowns - By Nathan Crowder
Have you ever looked over the edge and seen something looking back at you?
Sincerely,
Jennifer Brozek
Editor, The Edge of Propinquity
http://www.edgeofpropinquity.net/default.asp
September 14, 2011
Busy-busy
I'm busy with the Battletech web series and, thus, not that exciting. I'm up to episode 3.
The current excitement in my life is a sick Leeloo and a talented Pharaoh who managed to rip a claw clean off his toe. It will grow back but in the meantime it means antibiotics and painkillers. Stone Pharaoh is kind of funny and he takes his medicine like a champ. Leeloo, on the otherhand, is a fighter. I've been drenched in her medicine once so far.
On the good side of things, I've found a crunchy L-lysine based treat that all the cats like. Now, I will be able to dose them all and know they each got what they needed.
My life, so exciting.
The current excitement in my life is a sick Leeloo and a talented Pharaoh who managed to rip a claw clean off his toe. It will grow back but in the meantime it means antibiotics and painkillers. Stone Pharaoh is kind of funny and he takes his medicine like a champ. Leeloo, on the otherhand, is a fighter. I've been drenched in her medicine once so far.
On the good side of things, I've found a crunchy L-lysine based treat that all the cats like. Now, I will be able to dose them all and know they each got what they needed.
My life, so exciting.
September 8, 2011
I Don't Want to Write
Right now, I don't want to write. I don't want to edit. I don't want to do anything in my chosen field of work. Because it is work and it is hard. But, because it's my job, I will write.
Fortunately for me, the business of writing encompasses a lot more than ass-in-chair-and-fingers-on-keyboard. It includes emails, social networking, blogging and all kinds of other things that don't actually mean I need to work on the current work in progress.
However, I've noticed something: as I drop projects off my plate and shift into long term projects with much higher word counts, I have less things to turn to when I just don't want to write. That means I need to either be more creative about my procrastination or I need to stop whining and get to work. I suspect I will come to a happy medium between the two.
I have also discovered that on this long term web serial, I actually do my best writing late at night. I'm pretty sure this is because I get too tired to hear the doubts of my inner critic. Also because I'm allowing myself the luxury of 1000 words a day instead of 2000 while I work on edits for the novella and do research for unnamed projects.
Research is awesome for 'not-writing' moods. I need to do it anyway and it allows me to shift gears. This usually involves a lot of reading.
You know, it's clear I don't want to write. This blog post is all over the place. Time to go find something else to do. Tonight I'll focus. But for now I think my writing brain needs a small rest.
Fortunately for me, the business of writing encompasses a lot more than ass-in-chair-and-fingers-on-keyboard. It includes emails, social networking, blogging and all kinds of other things that don't actually mean I need to work on the current work in progress.
However, I've noticed something: as I drop projects off my plate and shift into long term projects with much higher word counts, I have less things to turn to when I just don't want to write. That means I need to either be more creative about my procrastination or I need to stop whining and get to work. I suspect I will come to a happy medium between the two.
I have also discovered that on this long term web serial, I actually do my best writing late at night. I'm pretty sure this is because I get too tired to hear the doubts of my inner critic. Also because I'm allowing myself the luxury of 1000 words a day instead of 2000 while I work on edits for the novella and do research for unnamed projects.
Research is awesome for 'not-writing' moods. I need to do it anyway and it allows me to shift gears. This usually involves a lot of reading.
You know, it's clear I don't want to write. This blog post is all over the place. Time to go find something else to do. Tonight I'll focus. But for now I think my writing brain needs a small rest.
September 5, 2011
Making of an Anthology, Part 6: Author Biographies
Part six of my "The Making of an Anthology" series for Apex has been published. This one is all about author biographies and what I, as an editor, would like to see.
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/blog/3972782-making-of-an-anthology-part-6-author-biographies
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/blog/3972782-making-of-an-anthology-part-6-author-biographies
The Story of Leeloo
I posted the story of Leeloo and how I ended up with an unexpected kitty. There are a whole mess of pictures over there, too.
September 1, 2011
Email Round Ups
If you would like to receive a once-a-month email round up of everything I have going on in a month, I do have a Googlegroup for that. It is notification only and highlights my sales, publications, interviews, events, and current projects. The email goes out on first of the month (or as near to it as I can manage).
http://groups.google.com/group/jenniferbrozek
http://groups.google.com/group/jenniferbrozek
August 31, 2011
Writers Behaving Badly
Remind me to never again do two conventions (GenCon and WorldCon) in the same month where I am manning a booth, speaking, signing, and reading. It is downright exhausting. Fortunately for the world, I managed to keep my patience and my tact firmly in check. At least until well after we left WorldCon.
However, that doesn't mean that I don't have a few thoughts. I've titled this "Writers Behaving Badly" not for the usual fun reason. Between the two conventions I saw some things I would consider poor form for anyone attempting to become a professional writer. Consider this a list of what not to do at a convention.
If you preface a question to a panel with the phrase "This is an interesting question…," just stop. First, it's not interesting. Second, it is most likely off-topic. Third, if it IS an interesting question, it will be self evident. Fourth, you are trying way too hard to be clever or erudite and failing in a big way.
If you want to make a comment to a panel and the topic has moved on to a different subject, put your hand down unless it is vitally important. Believe me, it probably isn't vitally important. Especially on the fourth day of the convention. I'm sorry the moderator didn't get to you. Hopefully next time.
If you want to ask a question of a panel, ask it in the form of a question. Seriously. Just ask the question. Don't give us the five minute lead up. Don't give us your funny story attached to it. Just ask the question. Also, make sure you are actually asking a question and not commenting in the form of a question.
Do not ask a panelist a question that you have already emailed them about and received an answer for. It makes you look like someone just looking for attention and like you didn't listen to the advice the first time. Especially if the question has an obvious answer that you answered yourself in the original email. (Yes. I was annoyed.)
Follow Up: When the panelist is short with you, don't then track them down after the panel to literally get on your knees to beg for forgiveness. It embarrasses the panelist and makes you look, again, like someone desperate for attention.
It is not OK to force your way into a conversation to give your card to that publisher or editor you really want to work with. Especially when they are obviously involved in something else. Interrupting them will leave a bad impression. Trust me on this one.
If you are at a party or a kaffeeklatch or a literary beer or just at the bar and the topic strays from the point you are trying to make, it is OK to bring the conversation back to your point—once. Not four or five times. If the conversation strays away from what you are trying to talk about a second (or third or fourth) time, get the hint that no one else wants to talk about it. Especially if you are playing the Me-Show.
It is not all about you. I know sometimes it feels like it. I know you are excited about the convention. I know you want to network, to brag, to let people know about the cool stuff you are doing. You can do that in small amounts. But if all you are doing is looking for a way to open your mouth to talk about yourself—whether through asking a question or commenting on something just said and bringing the conversation around to your work—it will be noticed. Eventually, you will be mentally dismissed.
It is not OK to physically grab any author for whatever reason unless they know you well or they are about to be hit by a runaway trolley. Especially if they look like they are on a mission (to go to the damn bathroom). Seanan can get away with having strangers distract me so she can pounce on me because I know her. It is not cool to grab your favorite author/editor/publicist by the arm to say how much you love their work. Grabbing a stranger at a con is bad, mmm-kay? Don't do it. It could result in a bad result and blood. This goes for people you know online but have never met in person.
However, that doesn't mean that I don't have a few thoughts. I've titled this "Writers Behaving Badly" not for the usual fun reason. Between the two conventions I saw some things I would consider poor form for anyone attempting to become a professional writer. Consider this a list of what not to do at a convention.
If you preface a question to a panel with the phrase "This is an interesting question…," just stop. First, it's not interesting. Second, it is most likely off-topic. Third, if it IS an interesting question, it will be self evident. Fourth, you are trying way too hard to be clever or erudite and failing in a big way.
If you want to make a comment to a panel and the topic has moved on to a different subject, put your hand down unless it is vitally important. Believe me, it probably isn't vitally important. Especially on the fourth day of the convention. I'm sorry the moderator didn't get to you. Hopefully next time.
If you want to ask a question of a panel, ask it in the form of a question. Seriously. Just ask the question. Don't give us the five minute lead up. Don't give us your funny story attached to it. Just ask the question. Also, make sure you are actually asking a question and not commenting in the form of a question.
Do not ask a panelist a question that you have already emailed them about and received an answer for. It makes you look like someone just looking for attention and like you didn't listen to the advice the first time. Especially if the question has an obvious answer that you answered yourself in the original email. (Yes. I was annoyed.)
Follow Up: When the panelist is short with you, don't then track them down after the panel to literally get on your knees to beg for forgiveness. It embarrasses the panelist and makes you look, again, like someone desperate for attention.
It is not OK to force your way into a conversation to give your card to that publisher or editor you really want to work with. Especially when they are obviously involved in something else. Interrupting them will leave a bad impression. Trust me on this one.
If you are at a party or a kaffeeklatch or a literary beer or just at the bar and the topic strays from the point you are trying to make, it is OK to bring the conversation back to your point—once. Not four or five times. If the conversation strays away from what you are trying to talk about a second (or third or fourth) time, get the hint that no one else wants to talk about it. Especially if you are playing the Me-Show.
It is not all about you. I know sometimes it feels like it. I know you are excited about the convention. I know you want to network, to brag, to let people know about the cool stuff you are doing. You can do that in small amounts. But if all you are doing is looking for a way to open your mouth to talk about yourself—whether through asking a question or commenting on something just said and bringing the conversation around to your work—it will be noticed. Eventually, you will be mentally dismissed.
It is not OK to physically grab any author for whatever reason unless they know you well or they are about to be hit by a runaway trolley. Especially if they look like they are on a mission (to go to the damn bathroom). Seanan can get away with having strangers distract me so she can pounce on me because I know her. It is not cool to grab your favorite author/editor/publicist by the arm to say how much you love their work. Grabbing a stranger at a con is bad, mmm-kay? Don't do it. It could result in a bad result and blood. This goes for people you know online but have never met in person.
