It has been very difficult not to share this news with you all, and I feel most strongly that you should all admire my stoic moral character as a consequence.

But now the news is out:

Twelfth Planet Press is delighted to announce that fantasy author Deborah Kalin has joined the Twelve Planets series with a collection featuring her beautifully horrific story, “Wages of Honey”.

YES, I AM BEING PUBLISHED BY TWELFTH PLANET PRESS!

This is a dream come true for me. Twelfth Planet Press has been producing some breathtaking work, and almost as soon as I heard about the Twelve Planets series I wanted to be a part of it. I still can't quite believe that it's happening.

"The Wages of Honey" (aka the thorn girls story) cost me not a little pain in the making, and ended up at a difficult length. And thank all that's holy that it did, because if it hadn't been so demanding, and so awkward and defiant a length, I might not have loved it so fiercely that only the very best home for it would do. I submitted it to TPP almost in spite of myself: it fit their brief so perfectly that, even though I didn't have any stories to accompany it, and even though TPP didn't publish single stories, and even though the Twelve Planet series was full at that stage, I just had to.

To my delight, Alisa also felt that my story had come home to roost with her press, and so I'm now hard at work writing three more equally awkward and defiant stories to match and accompany "The Wages of Honey" in what will be my first collection.

(I can't believe I just wrote that. I'm going to have a collection to my name! It's like I'm a real author or something!)

I don't have a title for the collection yet, but I can tell you that two of the three in-progress stories have titles. (This is unusual for me, to have a title before a story.)

They're going to be called "The Briskwater Mare", and "The Cherry Crow Children of Haverny Wood".¹

1. Unless they're not.

Sometimes, I admit I indulge in a spot of ego-Googling. And lucky I do, because otherwise I would be blissfully unaware that Shadow Bound is already available in eBook format. Look! And over there!

There are actually quite a few links, too many for me to try collecting them, so it's best by far to simply google. But for all of those wanting to know when Shadow Bound is out in electronic format, the answer is … um, now?

 
» of Stock for Sale »

And while I'm at it, I have some copies of Shadow Queen and Shadow Bound left over from the launch of the latter, and I've finally gotten around to putting up a webpage detailing how someone who might want a paper copy of my book for somewhat less than you'd pay through an Australian book store might be able to buy them directly from me.

If that sounds like you, the stock for sale page has the details you want.¹

 
» of the Mythical Third Book »

I've been getting a flattering trickle of emails, lately, asking about a third book in The Binding series.

Deb, these emails ask, Deb, is there a third book? Carn, Deb. Write me another. ZOMG YOU'RE NOT ENDING IT LIKE THAT ARE YOU?

Now, I will admit that I ended Shadow Queen rather cruelly. I hereby publicly confess that what I did in SQ was set everything up … and tie nothing off. In Shadow Bound I was not QUITE so cruel, in that there is tying up of major plot threads, but there is also that most beloved (to me) of endings, the open ending.

Originally, I wasn't planning on writing beyond that ending. Not because there was not enough story to justify anything further (in fact it's quite the opposite!), but more because that's simply as far ahead as I'd planned. But lately I've found myself wondering just what plays out after that closing line of Shadow Bound …

So I've been entertaining (i.e. tormenting and frustrating myself and those around me) with unanswerable questions in an attempt to dig some more of Matilde's story out of my brain. If I can come up with something workable, I'll be submitting a proposal on it. Which may or may not find favour with those who have the power and resources to publish these things.

So while I still can't make any promises, let's just say the mythical Third Book, while still a cryptozoo, may one day be dragged, kicking and screaming, into existence.

 
» of Something Completely Different »

This has absolutely nothing to do with The Binding books, I just think it's unutterably cool: boa constrictors born by virgin birth.

1. I hope. It IS currently Sunday, and I take no responsibility for the state of my brain. If it doesn't answer your questions, please ask!

Not just wandering the corridors, wearing an expression somewhere between bewildered and panicked (depending upon how recently I've eaten and how confusing or maze-like the convention centre proves to be), but doing, you know, authorly things.

Saturday, 3:00pm (Room 203): Shadow Bound book launch
Come along and see the little book be officially set free. The ever-gracious Sean Williams will be launching the book, there will be food (and since Matilde spends an inordinate amount of time cooking and describing food in both Shadow Queen and Shadow Bound, I'm thinking of trying to pick catering options that are in keeping with her world), and I'm bending my mind to coming up with some kind of lucky door prize into the bargain.

For catering purposes, I need some indication of numbers planning on attending, so if you think that includes you, please let me know, either here or by email.

Note for non-convention-goers: Since the book launch is going to be held as part of the convention, you would normally need to purchase an attending membership, or a day membership. However, there is some provision for allowing non-convention members to attend book launch events. If you live in Melbourne, or will be in Melbourne on Saturday 4 September 2010, and would like to attend the book launch without purchasing a membership, please contact me, either through the blog or by email, as I may be able to get your name on the door. The amount of names I get on the door in this fashion will be limited, so if you're interested, speak up!

Saturday, 4:00pm (Room 204): Finding the right voice: accents and speech patterns
When representing different accents and ways of speaking in fiction, some authors choose to add the occasional slang term or flourish while others go to the lengths of writing entire novels in a vernacular accent. How much is too much? Is it worth sacrificing readability for authenticity? Tips, strategies and techniques for accurately representing speech in fiction.

I don't know that I'm an expert on this, and I don't know what in the way of trips, strategies or techniques I'll be able to offer you, but I promise to at least THINK about the subject between now and the con, so that when I ramble on at you all on the day it'll be in a considered way. Or something.

Sunday, 2:00pm (Room 201): Kaffeklatsch
This is your chance to come and meet me, and chat to me, in a small group. I've never done one of these before, so I have no idea what goes down, but as far as I understand it's just a casual chat. So if you've always wanted to ask me something, or perhaps yell at me for the ending of Shadow Queen that left you hanging for a year, waiting to find out what happened, this is your chance!

Sunday, 3:00pm (Room 201):Signing
This one pretty much speaks for itself. I'll be signing. It's probably best if you bring along copies of books I've written, or to which I've contributed a story, but heck if you want me to sign something else who am I to quibble?

Sunday, 4:00pm (Room 207): Reading
Me. Some of my work (I'm not sure which work, exactly, yet). My (hopefully not quaking with terror) voice. And an audience (that would be you).

So!

First up, a little whiles back I participated in an discussion-type interview about writers and writing.

Writers deal in conundrums and contradictions, striving to “open a vein”, as the saying goes, and tap something you don’t necessarily want on public display in order to produce worthwhile writing, and at the same time working very hard, crafting and polishing, in order to produce something worthy of public display. Reconciling those opposed desires, as Tess pointed out, requires sleight of mind (that’s such a great phrase!), especially during the initial draft.

The discussion was triggered by Gillian Pollack's new anthology, "Baggage",¹ which I for one am pretty keen to read. It veered into all sorts of interesting places, from cultural baggage and the (often irrational) process of writing, to writing on difficult/sensitive/arresting subjects that have no solution. And it isn't just me mouthing off; the wonderfully irreverent Tessa and incisive KJ Bishop get all wise into the bargain — so go, read. Marvel at our flippant biographies and potted wisdom. (Or thank your lucky stars you don't have to live in any of our brains. Take your pick.)

Secondly, my contributor's copy of ASIM #45 arrived in the post a little whiles back. Look! Is it not pretty?

The ASIM website is still listing #43 as the most recent issue, but I'm assured that #45 will soon be on shelves or available for purchase through the website. This is the copy of ASIM that features my week one Clarion South story, "Shaping Lily", a story about a little old lady on an epic quest, with fruit bats and hearts and Consequences.

And finally, because I think you should admire my mad photography skillz some more love you all, have another Mongolia snap.

1. I don't have a story in Baggage. I'm not entirely sure how I therefore earned myself a place in this discussion, but when people call me rather wonderful and ask me to say things, I do not quibble. I'm nice like that.

You do all realise there will be random and intermittent Mongolia stories for some time to come, right? Never fear, they won't be your typical I did such and such, saw such and such, and am now cramming seven gazillion photos and details into one drawn out day type posts, mainly because I'll bore myself shitless if I even so much as tried that.

However, tonight I have other news, writing-ish news, which I should impart first. This brings me to:

THIRDLY

The PodCastle contract for "The Wages of Salt" has been signed and returned. I'll let you know the date it's podcast when I know it. I must admit, this being the first audio version of one of my stories, I'm eager to hear it read aloud.

In other short fiction news, ASIM #45 didn't go live while I was away, as far as I can see. In case you were trying to keep an eye out. Again, more when I know it.

SIXTH AND LASTLY

Here's something I didn't know before now, but might come in handy for you: there's an ebook version of Shadow Queen available!

Apologies for not alerting you all to this sooner, but I only found out because I had need to visit the A&U website today and noticed a new link.

So I guess that means you international types now have an easier way of accessing the book than wrangling with postage rates.

AND, TO CONCLUDE…

For all of you eagerly waiting to find out how Matilde's story ends, courtesy of the good folks at A&U you can now read the first two chapters of Shadow Bound online (or download a PDF for reading later).

The hardcopy version should start appearing on shelves in bricks and mortar stores any time from now on, so get out there and get hunting!

So, if you never did manage to track down a copy of PostScripts #18, or if you did but you'd also like an audio copy of the story, keep your eye on the PodCastle site.

Yay for the little story that could!

I've also spent the weekend collating all the medicinal and toiletry stuffs I'll need. I'm a shampoo and toothbrush kind of girl, mostly, but travel to remoter places always requires so much more. First aid kits, emergency antibiotic kits, emergency contact lens solutions, stuff I'll hopefully never need but have to take anyway. My toiletries may well take up the majority of my baggage volume. Once I shove a sleeping bag and sleeping mat in there, I'm not actually sure there'll be any room left for, yanno, clothes.

I see a slight flaw in my packing plans.

This weekend also saw an email from my ASIM editor bearing news. Blog readers blessed with an eidetic memory will have noticed that the April 2010 publication date of the ASIM #45, the issue to feature my story, "Shaping Lily", has been and gone.

Apparently this is because the issue preceding it is running late, and thus we wait. However there is talk afoot of staging a revolution, in which case #45 will be published first. Nothing concrete yet on that front; I mention it now only in case it does happen, and the issue gets published while I'm away fleeing bubonic marmots, and you are all left unawares. So, consider yourselves suitably aware'd.

But! On to more important matters. Namely, the cover art for Shadow Bound, in proper-sized glory!

If you look closely (click the pic to enlarge) you'll see that the back of Matilde's dress features Matilde in a couple of other poses — those poses being the proposed covers for the first book, which I think is a neat trick for tying the covers together.

Also, after a quick chat to Allen & Unwin people today, there should also be a giveaway in the offing around publication date, so if you're interested in scoring a free copy, stay tuned.

And finally for today, I've had a few requests lately regarding getting a hold of a review copy of Shadow Bound. An early copy? I hear you ask. DEB, HOW CAN I GET AN EARLY COPY?

Let me tell you!

First, I, being the author, am not the best person to contact — Allen & Unwin have control and final say over review copies. So if you have a book blog, for example, or you review books in some other format, you should contact Allen & Unwin directly with your request.

Now, I can't promise that asking will automatically guarantee you a copy. Your best bet is to give them some evidence of the reach and/or potential impact on the market your review can have. I will say that A&U are a lovely and accommodating bunch of people, so you just might get lucky.

And people, did I mention that the light this morning was absolutely breathtaking? I didn't? Here, let me show you:

(Also, said show was fantastic. I realise the comedy festival has only just started, and it's a big call to make so early on, but this is my favourite show so far and may well turn out to be my favourite show of the festival. A lot of this has to do with Tripod, who are, of course, we all recognise this, brilliant. It also has to do with their special guest star, Elana Stone, whose voice in the first dragon song utterly slayed the entire audience. I do love me a strong female vocalist.)

And today Reliably Absent Yarra Trams sabotaged my attempt at a social life.

But it doesn't matter! Why, you ask? Because Allen & Unwin have released their July 2010 catalogue!

Er, yeah, that's great, Deb, I hear you say. But what does this, yanno, mean?

Well, for all of you oh so patiently waiting for Shadow Bound to become a real grown-up book, this means you are now in possession of a firm publication date² AND, as a bonus, a first glimpse of the cover art.

Is it not pretty? And shiny?

Yes, okay, I know it's not particularly large, but I don't have a large version to hand to show you, on account of the large version not being actually finalised yet. Once I do, you can bet I'll be slapping it up on the blog for you all to ogle and admire.

1. Oh, okay, Meandering Yarra Trams probably has some share of culpability as well.
2. Note: due to the vagaries of the industry, a publication date of July 2010 means the book should start appearing in stores sometime in June 2010.

(One day, I will learn how to segue gracefully even when too tired to do so. This is not that day.)

Yesterday, my car being in need of a drive, I ventured to Werribee Open Range Zoo. Those of you who've followed this blog for a while may well remember last time I went to the zoo (the Melbourne Zoo), it was to be treated to a concerted snubbing by every animal inhabiting said zoo. I have never seen so much animal butt in my life as that day.

Thankfully, yesterday's trip was not all about the animals turning their backs on us. No, yesterday's trip was all about the expressions.

I'll have you know, the lady camels go wild for this

I couldn't get a girlfriend. So they put me in with the kudu. Now I'll never get a girlfriend.

Do you MIND?

Aw! So Sad!

Effing nekkid monkeys.

HMPF!

Did we, or did we not, just tell you lot to SHOVE OFF?

I AM magnificent, aren't I? Ignore the weedy hindquarters, please to be concentrating on my MAGNIFICENT visage, thank you.