mission: climb a mountain is GO. well, born.

 journal, shadow bound, shadow queen  1 Response »
May 092011
 
travelisGO

This is a snap I took on Saturday, of the Australian landscape somewhere between Melbourne and Sydney rolling beneath the plane's wings, but it's a suitable enough backdrop to say it's official: I paid for my flights today.

Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia, I am on my way.

(For those who've been already: what's unmissable? So far I have Plitvice National Park, Split, Dubrovnik and Hvar in Crotia; Ljubljana, Lake Bled and the caves in Slovenia.)

This of course leaves me with a myriad more tasks, such as figuring out my itinerary and double-checking visa requirements, not to mention finding a dress to wear to the wedding, but I shall at the very least attempt not to bore the entire internet with all my talk of travel arrangements in the months leading up to my escape.

Instead I shall tell you that the weekend brought me the rather exciting news that Shadow Queen and Shadow Bound have been featuring on the Highly Recommended shelves at local Borders stores. Sadly, I have no photographic evidence, because my eyewitnesses did not realise just how upside-down this industry can get, and logically and rationally assumed an author would know things about her own books. (Kids these days.)

I also learnt, completely unrelatedly, that the Shona people of Zimbabwe name their children for a purpose. So apparently there's a whole slew of ex-army types who go by names such as Bloodthirsty and Bloodlust. (Sounds like a happening party, right there.) And there's a security guard called Nomore — he was the last of six children.

I kind of like this practice. I think, if ever I have children, I shall name them for the purpose they shall serve in (my) later life. Plentiful Retirement Fund and Tireless Chef are sounding pretty good for starters.

hungry sunday musing

 away come away, journal  2 Responses »
Apr 032011
 
IMG_2721_550

Today I'm working on the faerie novel. Poor oft-abandoned faerie novel, always put aside when the world wants my attention on outstanding promises. It's going well enough, if slowly. But then, writing always goes slowly, these days.

Partly it's because I commit that cardinal "sin" of editing as I go. Which is really only a sin, at least for me, if I'm writing my first novel (so, scratch that as an excuse) or if I'm so stalled on the current novel that it simply won't move ahead. But I've learned that all I need to do, when my brain gets stuck in a negative editing loop, is to open a new blank document (a consequence-free-zone, if you will) and dump whatever's troubling me in there, without worrying about making it pretty or workable. Normally it ends up being an instruction to myself — don't forget she's on heroin; eyes? speech? reaction time? was one of this morning's notations. Once it's down, I can edit it with a little more objectivity and focus, which is of course the reason beginning writers are often urged to write first, edit later. I heeded that advice, myself, for my first couple of novels. Now that I'm confident I know how to finish a novel, I find I prefer to edit as I go whenever possible. Because in the end there's only one inviolable rule of writing: WHATEVER WORKS (FOR THIS NOVEL). It's finding whatever works that's the trick.

Because the faerie novel just presented me with a fight scene I'm not entirely sure how to tackle, and I'm still trying to decide whether we find the (fourth) dead body now, or later, I thought I'd take a break and give you all another bird picture, this time of Bernice the Black-Breasted Buzzard.

When on the ground she likes to run and she does it … well, kind of like a fanged chicken, actually.

there's a small part of my life left wanting

 announcements, journal, shadow bound, shadow queen, the binding  Comments Off
Dec 192010
 

» of eBooks »

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! [↩]

it's not like that's what the publisher wants to know or anything

 away come away, journal, writing life  2 Responses »
Nov 062010
 

Forgive me, my lovely internets, for spending so long away from you! (And, um, promise you'll forgive me for only briefly checking in before I dash away again?)

I did however find one of the world's better 'No Entry' signs while I was away, which I offer for your amusement:

Mostly lately I've been working, when I could snatch a moment to myself, on a synopsis for the faerie novel. Given I haven't finished the novel, and don't plan my novels in advance, writing a synopsis at this point in my process is … not coming easily, to say the least.

I'm finding it surprisingly draining. The story always feels forced, when I need to figure things out before the characters actually experience it, and I never trust that I've got it right. But after much grinding of teeth (quite literally — all this novel-plotting is making me grind my teeth while I sleep) I think I've figured out the important plot points.

Well, everything except the, er, climax.

Yanno, no biggie.

if you launch it, they will come

 journal, shadow bound  8 Responses »
Sep 062010
 
DSC00389


Did you know, that if you announce a launch of your book, and invite people to said launch, they'll actually attend?

Normal people will find my amazement at this fact the astonishing part of the above statement, but I'm pretty sure it's been documented several somewheres that writers are, in point of fact, just a smidge nuts at the best of times, so go with me on this.

I was expecting a modest handful of the usual suspects, including the drop-ins lured by Tessa's and my smuggling in of cupcakes in defiance of Melbourne Convention Centre's food dictatorship. Lovely Little Cupcakes cupcakes, each of them with a small golem-shaped man1 on their luscious (decidedly lethal) frosting.

I don't know if word of those cupcakes tore through the convention centre or what, but there were more than just the usual suspects in attendance. There were even people I didn't actually know in the audience. Now that just broke my brain. (In a good way.) This was truly excellent, though, as it meant the two free copies of Shadow Bound went to people who hadn't already bought a copy on account of having known me for at least a decade.

There was also a Mysterious Box of Mystery, donated courtesy of the mighty Tess:

which contained an alarming quantity of a special golem-shaped edition of vanilla snap cookies:

otherwise known as a butter singularity

I believe I may have actually inflicted death by butter on a significant member of the international writing community. Um…oops?

  1. well, normal people would have called him gingerbread man-shaped — but gingerbread man, golem, what's the difference, really? [↩]

it's not unlike organising your own public flogging

 journal, shadow bound  5 Responses »
Aug 262010
 

In pondering the finer details of the Shadow Bound launch, there were some ideas that seemed OMG genius! on the face of it but which … didn't quite work out according to plan. In the interests of entertaining you, I thought I might share a couple of them with you.

One was that, in an attempt to decorate the room, I thought I might draw some golem characters. Good idea, no? Clay plays a pretty key role in Shadow Queen, after all, and there are even more golems in Shadow Bound, and I could draw a range of comic, cute and choleric golem faces to leer down at us from the walls.

And then I remembered … I can't really draw.

No, really. I'm not being humble. I have some rudimentary, grade-school skill, but it's simply not up to anything more than entertaining my brain during office meetings. My first attempt at drawing Clay's face made him, um, a girl. Oops? My second and third and fourth attempts did not produce any great leaps of artistic progress. If I had a good few years of daily practice between now and the book launch, I might have some hope of delivering hand-drawn golems for your entertainment, but as it is … yeah. Not so much.

So instead I'll be relying on the redoubtable Les Petersen's book covers to prettify the room. You can all thank me later.

The other idea — which would totally be genius, if we had the time to make it work, and if the Melbourne Convention Centre wasn't imposing a ban on the bringing-in of food they didn't supply, was to bake an enormous golem 'biscuit'.

This story I'll relate to you as it was related to me: in text message form. With photos.

Adorable. Yet horrific.

He fell over in the heat. He's weeping butter. This is…not really working.

I have no way of knowing if his bowels are cooked. This operation? Total buttergeddon.

So sadly there won't be an enormous golem 'biscuit' which I can use to inflict death-by-butter on you all :(

WorldCon Schedule including (oh yes) a certain book launch

 announcements, journal, shadow bound  4 Responses »
Aug 232010
 

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
Shadow BoundCome 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).

 Posted by at 8:44 pm

ebooks and excerpts, oh my

 announcements, journal, shadow bound, shadow queen, shaping lily, the wages of salt  Comments Off
Jun 242010
 

FIRST

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!

cover art and review copies and photos, oh my!

 announcements, journal, shadow bound  6 Responses »
May 042010
 

Let me state for the record that a "windproof" umbrella is simply a lightning rod that is just as likely to turn inside out and nine times as likely to stab you in the eye with a prong as it pretends to valiantly not turn inside out. There's no win here.

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

Shadow Bound

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:

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