So, AussieCon is fast approaching, so fast that this weekend saw the preliminary program issued. And, since it's not only in Australia but in my new hometown I, like others of far more important note, shall be there.

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).

Heads up, Newcastle:

When: Wednesday 30 December 2009 @ 11:00am
Where: Borders @ Westfield Kotara, Newcastle

So, if you want your books devalued scribbled upon, and you can't make the signing on the 22nd, now you have a second chance to stop by and entertain me

Yup, it's a signing opportunity:

When: Tuesday 22 December 2009 @ 10:30am
Where: Angus & Robertson @ Westfield Kotara, Newcastle

I'll be available for at least a good hour¹, so if you have a copy of Shadow Queen or Postscripts #18 you'd like me to scrawl on, then stop by and entertain me.

There may also be a signing in Brisbane, since I'm going to be up that way over the Christmas period, and another down in Melbourne in the new-ish year — I'll let you all know more just as soon as I know it.

1. it may be two; I can't actually remember offhand how long I promised them — I'm organised that way!

A quick reminder for those of you in or near Newcastle this Saturday (since I'll be jumping a plane tomorrow morning and may forget to blog tomorrow) that I'm doing a signing at the Angus & Robertson at Westfield Kotara, from 11am.

Come and entertain me!

Have a copy of Shadow Queen you want signed?

Live in (or near) Newcastle?

If so, mark down Saturday 27 June 2009 in your calendar, as I'll be at Angus & Robertson Kotara from 11 am.

At this stage, I have no signings organised anywhere else, but if you don't live in Newcastle and you'd be interested in attending one, you should let me know, either through a comment here on the blog or by email.

A quick reminder to anyone around Sydney tomorrow that I'll be at the NSW Writers' Centre's Contemporary Fiction Festival. Due to my rather hectic and schizophrenic week, I haven't actually prepared what I'm going to say, but I'm sure I'll be brilliant. No, really. Honest. I have a gift for these things.¹

This week saw the delivery of my fridge – hallelujah, I can buy milk and eggs and cheese and meat again. And vegetables. I also, after some wrangling with the gas company, have gas, which means I have hotplates and an oven. In the space of 24 hours I went from no ability to store or cook food to subsistence heaven.

Internet is the next hurdle. I am very much looking forward to a true ADSL connection, but at this stage the conversion of my phone line is scheduled for "on or after" 16 April. Yowzer. Looks like it's mobile broadband for a little while longer. So, Internets, please to not be uploading too many fascinating videos in the next fortnight, or you may make my brain explode from frustration. (Who wants to bet I'll exceed my monthly quota within a week, once the connection is up and running?)

1. Er, not.

I dragged myself awake at stupid o'clock this morning, to get some writing in before the dayjob. I'm sure everyone knows how hard it is to wake up while it's still dark, but let me tell you, it's much harder when you wear contact lenses. They make blinking hurt. Blinking should never hurt.

Today marked the first day of real training at the dayjob; prior to this it's been introductory stuff. Today we tried to wrap our head around the first subsection of the first subsection of the pertinent section of the Patents Act. … I think I broke a synapse. Or, in fact, all of them.

So I shall take this opportunity to mention something I forgot to in my last post: I'll be in Sydney on Sunday 5 April for the Contemporary Fiction Festival. I'll be on the Fantasy panel at 1.30pm, for those who are interested in hearing me blather on about the genre, and whatever else takes my fancy at the time.

My editor at Allen & Unwin, Louise Thurtell, will also be appearing on a panel later in the afternoon, so if you're interested in hearing from a publishing professional who knows her stuff (and how), I'd definitely recommend making time to stop by that one.