Final 2010 links.

Links before the year dies:

A Modest Proposal (regarding ebooks)

This one comes with a caveat -- muchness of cussing -- which the title alone should give you an idea of: Should I Self-Publish: A Motherfucking Checklist

And Clarkeworld just got a shiny rocket! Long awaited, that's been. Isn't it lovely?

Congrats to Neil & the Clarkesworld crew!

Happy 2011 to one and all. :D


ETA: One last link, courtesy of friends at Twitter. AT&T releases dramatic anti-texting while driving documentary

Sharing the holidays...

This fantastic image is from Day Two.
Go on, read it -- you know you want to!

Over December, I've been reading the Angry Robot Advent Day Calendar as I get time -- mostly in chunks, several days at a time. [What! Haven't you?] Some guest bloggers have taken a few of the slots. Adam Christopher notices what getting e-books has done to his collector gene...

Guy Adams has A Problem of Percentages.

And don't forget the robot folktale! From the Angry Robot Roundup (of course).

Colin Harvey talks about his schedule, and about taking regular breaks -- I strongly second him on breaks. Especially when I'm proofreading, I need to rest my eyes and get away from the computer more than when I'm reading hard copy.

Soo... Happy Holidays!!

More on c/e.

I wanted to post this today because I'm a copy editor... and I like to help authors understand what I (we) do, as well as what other authors do.

I typically recommend that authors read up on what Deanna Hoak says about c/e. Now I'd go read Marty Halpern's blog for the same reason. Starting with this post Writing with Style (Sheets, That Is) over at More Red Ink.

Also, well, I enjoy reading what they have to say about our mutual job. They help me learn too. Thanks so much!

Note: I actually found Marty's post because of the Inspector Chen series, now with Morrigan Books. I'm reminded of Tom Lehrer saying, "It has been a nervous year"; with the ups and downs of 2010, yes, I could agree with that.

Just three links.

Today, freelance projects, charity publishing, and editors...

This came up on LinkedIn, through one of my groups there, a freelancer beware: 10 red flags that shout 'Stay away from this project!'

Charity e-book company launched. It's sf, so if you're interested in helping, hit up H&H Books.

And Peter Beagle talks about editors, with his current editor, Connor Cochran. :D Editors and of course writing.

A few book & 'zine links

Books -- from paper to e-books...

On The Certain Economics Of Relegating Paper Books To The Margins Of The Business

And magazines:

Realms of Fantasy Déjà vu

I wonder if, some day, we will all look back and say, "What! Oh, e-books, remember when print was dying or dead?"

Piracy and e-books...

And as I've lately read The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes... here's a recent article about the Great Detective.

The book that got away...?

Have you heard that there's a new Miles Vorkosigan book out?

And curses, I came back from WFC, and I hadn't got it. No problem, I was trying to not kill myself in carrying things. It's a book, it's new, I can get it... =gnaws fingernails=

So Baen pulled a fast one on me. I had Esther Friesner's Fangs for the Mammaries. I thought I was safe.

Indeed not. Guess what's in the back of that?

Yep. Cryoburn. First chapter.


Lois interviews Miles herself...

Jo Walton has a great essay about Miles. I didn't link to it up top because -- if you haven't read all the series -- this tells you all about the series. For me her essay's great, since I read the Vorkosigan saga [nearly] to death. I've proofread a few of the books too. But for you, go read the series first.

It's fabulous, and I love it. I love Miles and his family.

And then you can join us on the reread. I'm sure Jo will do this again. :D

New Bordertown!

Terri Windling has News from Bordertown. (And More News too.)

I grew up on Bordertown -- but I didn't, not really; that is, the inner me was all there, but I'm not sure when I found the stories first. When I found Finder some years ago, I was in alt. And then, of course, I found Elsewhere and Nevernever.

Considering that Emma Bull can never go wrong, and Will Shetterly matches her every moment with Wolfboy -- you are so in for a fabulous ride. That'll make you hungry for the rest.

Let me tell you about Bordertown...



First, some amazing authors have written stories there. Even if you start with the novels, above, you'll want to read all the stories. Get the anthologies. Cherish 'em.

If I'd been a teen when I read these, I would have run away to B-town. End of story. Despite knowing that running away doesn't always solve your problems.

But for some kids, at least in B-town, running away does solve your problems. Normally I wouldn't say that.

Kudos to my friend Wolf, the first person I'd ever met who also loved Bordertown.

Thanks to Christopher Barzak, who has a story in this lovely new anthology... I wish I hadn't missed it at WFC!!! Thanks for spreading the word, Chris!

... And yeah, I would have mugged somebody for a copy of the ARC. Probably best all around that I didn't know about it. =whimper=

More November links -- cont'd.

Publishing in the Future: The Potential and Reality of POD


This was something I missed at WFC, the Authors and Ideas Panel, and the moderator kindly wrote up some excerpts. Thanks, Jason!

From TNH: Ugly Rumours -- Frankfort Book Fair.

A 2008 interview of Moonrat, over at the League of Reluctant Adults. :D

And we bloggers just lost Nathan Bransford too, dammit. The uber-agent has gone into another industry. I am so sad. He promises to leave up his wonderful archives.

I also found this interview of PNH. Some questions I've been asked about editing [and editors] are answered halfway down. :>

Interestingly enough, Patrick mentions something Teresa said about getting into fandom. [This is near the end, before Whisperado.] When I joined fandom, I did bring two people -- my brother and another friend -- along to the con. I became a hard-core lifer; neither of them did. However, entering fandom was already a goal of mine, from reading about fandom in Asimov's The Hugo Winners.

Publishing links.

Victoria Strauss give you a Reality Check from Writer Beware.

Which resource I highly recommend you read.

Writer Beware is there to help writers. It really is. So whenever a reality check fails... reality's gonna hit you.

More from Victoria: Getting Published is Not a Crap Shoot and The Perils of Searching For Publishers on the Internet and busting a Writer's Myth.

Plus, I agree with Victoria about the LinkedIn forums that she mentions [in The Perils]. Over and over, the people there ask the same questions. Constantly. If there's a FAQ there for "newbie professional questions" I surely don't know of it.

Do you?

And a smart author that I found through Twitter: Roni Loren says Stop Beating Me Over the Head With Your Book.

Definition of copy editing?

People have asked me to explain what copy editing is. And really, the best person who does that is Deanna Hoak.

The Copyediting Process

Zen and the Art of Copyediting

Note that Deanna has a comment [Aug 9th, 2005 at 9:20 am] where she defines the difference between a proofreader and a copy editor. :D

Proofreading vs. Copyediting

Doing Our Best

In Deanna's sidebar, you'll find others in The Best of; all of them will help you in writing, and in understanding what your copy editor does to help you... and your readers.

Last weekend I got to tell Deanna thanks in person, but still -- thank you so much, Deanna!

November links.

These are a mixed bag, but that's okay -- sort of like Halloween candy. The art show yesterday was giving out small bags of candy, and that candy saved us all on the mad drive home. :>


From Marco at Angry Robot: The No. 1 Habit of Highly Creative People.

Maurice has pix from WFC. Bonus points if you know everyone (I surely don't).

Want a one-way ticket to Mars? Aw, c'mon! It's for science -- and humanity. :D No, really.


And something different: J.F. Lewis has been serializing a piece of his Void City universe. Halloween was the last installment. Find them all on his blog. Enjoy!

The serialized Halloween story is frickin' fantastic. <3

Jeremy's Void City series is exactly how I like my urban fantasy -- excellent, unusual, and witty -- and Staked was my favorite debut novel.

WFC Halloween

Because she was on my mind this weekend, an essay from Lois M. Bujold about distribution. [Link broken.]

I'll be all about WFC for quite some time, I'd say. Loved it. So exhausted.

So I'll just put down a few impressions of yesterday.

Yesterday I was between two World Fantasy Awards, Margo Lanagan's and Susan Marie Groppi's. John Klima had Margo's and Genevieve Valentine had Susan's.

Gene Wolfe made me cry. He accepted his award, and when you hear the emotion in the voice of someone who's that affected by the honor... what else can you do? Now, almost a day later, I realize that I wish I could have given him a hug; I hope enough other people thought of that.

Fabulous weekend.

2011: Read this!

Ahhh, at last -- I can update what I was talking about a bit ago. I'd really wanted the cover, but it wasn't posted yet.

Dark and engrossing... Continuing where we left off in Edge: Point. Amazing book, and Point is my candidate for best book of 2011. No spoilers, but I think you should read Edge first.

A good book...

A new penpal got me into J.D. Carr mysteries. My second novel was The Crooked Hinge.

It's really really good. I sat down and didn't get up, except for a drink of water, and then sat back down and read it straight through. Amazing.

I haven't found the detective, Dr. Gideon Fell, as engrossing as some others -- say Joe Leaphorn, Miss Marple, Mr Campion, Ellery Queen [you knew I'd mention Ellery!]. I like listening to Fell. He's nice.

But Carr's writing is engrossing. :>

Next week: World Fantasy!

Best new urban fantasy.

I'm really behind on my blogroll. Bloglines had to email me and explain that they were going away. Sad news! I liked having all my Blogger sites in one place.

But my friend Jeremy posted his newest book cover. Crossed will be my favorite 2011 book in UF, hands down. I know this because Staked and ReVamped were my UF faves. I thought Staked was the best debut novel too. EVER.

I like wit. I love it when someone can mix wit, humor, and great story. And excellent writing.
And pacing that won't let me stop reading! Have I mentioned that I love the voice yet?

AZ summary: 2010

This used to be in the sidebar. I think I'll update my summary annually.

* During 2005-2007, I proofread for author Steven Brust. Then I copy edited his collaboration _A Pair of Bullets_ during 2007, which was briefly online (starting 5-Sept-2008).

* I became the copy editor for Locus Magazine in September 2007, right after becoming the then-junior copy editor for Shimmer Magazine.

* In July 2008, I began proofreading The New York Review of Science Fiction.

* In October 2008, I began proofreading Electric Velocipede.


I passed the torch and am not proofreading Locus anymore [since early 2010]. My duties increased at EV, to Shimmer's loss. I'm now the managing editor at EV.

When I went from two to four zines, I hadn't expected that two are perhaps the easier load -- but so it's proved. Particularly as I handle more books now than I did.

My favorite 2010 book.

is EDGE. Dark sf.

I've been waiting for Edge to come out. And next month it's out here in the US; you can already buy Edge in the UK, it's been out since February. You should buy Edge. You really really should. An awesome book.

Plus, I have a strong contender for my best book of 2011, which is the sequel, Point. Been raving about that 'un... :D

Links & MI

Back in MI, settling in; delivered the sf sequel Monday. This week I'm ^ doing the sf reprint.


Some posts, the first about Angry Robot (welcoming our overlords) and two from them: Reality 36, Sherlock with a twist, and snippets.

Also, Genreville: Suppose They Gave a Book...

Next month -- WFC! I'm so excited.

Angry Robot contest

Angry Robot just launched in the US this week. So they're blogging a lot. And you could win nifty stuff for a picture in B&N!

Biased? Of course I am. :D

But I'm okay with that.

Since tomorrow's September--

What's up at EV during August.

A great job ad from Orbit Books for the London UK office. Why? That penultimate line... I just love it.

Went to ConText Saturday -- had much fun, sold Electric Velocipede back issues, and a book for Apex Books. Lovely time.

But as you can see, John captured my box-land universe right now. Back to that and The Sequel that I'm in love with -- awesome book, and which my editor knew I'd like, quite rightly. =happy=

Moving house -- again.

I got the chance to move back home to Michigan. Over Labor Day.

So if you hadn't already heard, since I have been minimizing email, things are a little chaotic at present.

My kind hosts here in Ohio are letting me do this in stages. I'll get to spend my upcoming birthday in Michigan, and see my niece and my new nephew... and... and... I feel very lucky.

You can take the Great Lakes out of some people, but not certain Michiganders.

More news after Labor Day, I expect.

Reading...

It's summer, so I thought I'd take a break and mention some fiction I've discovered.

Kelly McCullough's SpellCrash. Series. Really fun. Ever wanted your own webgoblin? No? Whyever not?

Alas, the library has this, which is Book 5, and all the other books except Book 4 (MythOS). Mythology operating system, that's it exactly. I'm seeking the rest. :>

But my eye was caught by the purple cover, let's admit.

And I just began WebMage. Very fun.
I can see/feel the resemblance to Zelazny even more. Yum!

Sharon Shinn's "Fallen Angel" (in To Weave a Web of Magic) and Sarah Monette's "A Gift of Wings" (in The Queen in Winter). Wow! I already knew Sarah, and I've read her work. I'd read Sharon's The Shape-Changer's Wife already -- marvelous book! -- so yes, I knew these were well worth it.

I highly recommend skipping the two non-genre authors in both, after reading them in The Queen; one novella is just awful. Possibly what said author thinks what High Fantasy reads like. T'other was... jarring.

Links, late July into August.

Found at Angry Robot, some Tools for Writing.

Over at Locus, Cory Doctorow details his technical devices, for -- you got it -- writing. And Stuff. I've noticed over the past decade or so that you can tell you're a geek when you drool over cool devices you don't actually need. A sort of reflexive drooling. Like that backup drive he's got? Immediately I found myself leaning forward, wanting it.

Ahem.

Moonie talks about present tense and why it's hard on the reader. I agree with her. Tense is hard to begin with.

Also, Moonrat's Rundown of Publishing Options, aka what's the difference between traditional, small press, and self-publishing?

I just subscribed to Genreville. It's the new sf/f/h blog run by Rose Fox and Josh Jasper. I highly recommend them. :>

Many cool works are forthcoming from the most excellent Peter S. Beagle.

Status report: late July

Sunday night, 25-July, I delivered another historical mystery... and then I was asked to do galleys on a book I proofread earlier in 2010. That's all done and delivered now.

So mentally I was elseworld. :>

I have a reprint coming up later this summer. Also, I plan to be at ConText later this month.

Right now I'm the house guard on the roomies' cat, Meester, who got an eye infection. He's stuck inside to make sure he gets his medicine. I'm pretty sure it's a matter of time before Meester gets past me; he's generally an indoor-outdoor cat. At least he's not a kzin! :D

More July links

A guest blog hosted by Jim Hines. :>

Phil Athans (formerly of WoTC) creates an exercise: write cover copy. It's hard; I sometimes copy-edit cover copy, for one publisher. He has some other writing exercises too.

John Ottinger is hosting a contest, Calling All Alternauts! Note that winners are notified through Facebook. Perhaps you can ask about using email or Tweets.

It occurs to me that the Interweb is getting more graphical all the time. As in GUI. :> I mentioned the Rialto last week, and realized that I was talking to someone who'd probably never been on usenet. I wonder what we'll use to communicate in 2020?

While researching for work, I found a bookbinding dictionary of terms. How's that for awesome? Imagine having to find that in a library!

Are you pondering... cons?

I've been thinking, I now live near Columbus -- relatively speaking, that is. The home of ConText. This year lacks conflict with ConClave, which is my usual problem; instead, the con's only five weeks away.

And these are the folks who are putting on WFC. I'm already registered for World Fantasy.

I could day-trip ConText; their panels look great... Tempting!

Maybe I really am too much like Miles Vorkosigan. (Naw!!!) I already have three travel plans for going solo and/or with companions. There's time to work things out.

July links

Moonie goes into the Blue Yonder with book publicity.

And from EV comes the recent Twitter panel: Do You Believe in Science Fiction?

Shared worlds... ever write one? Want to hear about someone who has? This is a lovely detailed look by Erin M. Evans.

And an essay about reading -- from reading as an addiction to unread books. Definitely enjoyable. I just realized part of why it was so enjoyable; it's by a reader for readers.

Refreshing, especially since the Smithsonian 'zine let me down with lots of "how technology will change everything" today, reading included.

And I can't but think they're a little slow to notice. =sigh= Maybe it's that I have higher standards for the Smithsonian as versus, say, TIME or Newsweek...

Mystery characters & vanity.

Josephine Tey has a premise about vanity being part of the criminal mind. Typically Kevin or Alan will speak of this to a disbeliever.

Luckily for me, this gentleman has the very quote I'm thinking of from Alan Grant. [Link broken.]

I plan to think about this some more. But I'm wondering how many criminals as characters fit. I have a feeling that Margery Allingham had several who did.

If you must motivate a character somehow, why not with pathological vanity? This would include vigilantes to some extent; any avenger -- Zorro, Batman -- has chosen to go outside the system. Isn't it vanity, and therefore hubris, to assume that Only You can solve the problem?

Last year, I noticed that one of Bujold's characters exactly fulfills this definition... probably more do, but I happened to be reading Brat Farrar right then, and it was quite a contrast!

Other June links

Some small presses through Paper Golem.

(Is it a little disturbing that ten years ago I only knew one of those, unlike now?)

Stacy at Tu Books: What kind of fantasy is Tu looking for? And what kind of synopsis?

This brings you back to research and how you really need to look at a publisher. I like how Stacy reminds the author querying that YA work of decades ago isn't necessarily what teens today are reading. Me, I loved how Las Vegas had a What's New endcap. That's how I discovered Frances Hardinge's debut novel.

Moonie and why not to bring in your MS personally... and along with the Reader Child, there's an appeal for editor Alyssa Smith, who lost everything in a fire. :/

SF tidbits...

Neil talks about A Political Football in A Teacup -- which is what he got used as. :/

Diana Wynne Jones has chosen to discontinue chemo.

Tor has where to write DWJ, via a moving post by Kate Nepveu. Now would be an excellent time to write her and tell her that you love her books. [I do, and I'm about to write next.] I love DWJ's writing, and a great many of her books are my very favorites.


Brit over at Tor has a good post about writing called Taking Advice. Check it out.

Also from Tor: David Bowie as a specfi entertainer. How odd that I never thought of that, despite being a huge Bowie fan... and I've read The Man Who Fell to Earth too. Probably because I was a Bowie fan, although it's possible I picked that up before 1986.

And OSC's Intergalatic Medicine Show is back from hiatus! Apex Magazine (NOT Books) is open to subs again, as is Electric Velocipede.

Final May links.

Cover letters in fiction -- why they're exactly opposite what you learn in writing job cover letters. From Adam's friend Christie Yant. :>

From Forbes: Twenty-One Women Entrepreneurs Reveal Their Favorite Business Books.

Garrison Keillor gives a speech for Authors Guild, much like his editorial. I think I prefer the latter.

And last, one from Moonie about book launches. Many excellent tips!

More May links, w/ update.

Updated link: Per Moonie, Preditors & Editors has a new link. It was in her excellent post about agents yesterday -- and how they do not charge you until you yourself get paid on a contract. That's the mark of a legit agent every time. Anyone else is a scammer.

Which maybe you already knew, but in case not, I thought I'd say it again. That's "a percentage of your earnings" as Moonie says. Not a reading fee, or anything else of that nature.


Also... here's a heap, or rather a series, from Charlie Stross -- the common misconceptions about publishing. Which I got from the discussion Scalzi's having about why "punishing" publishers doesn't work; this is still about Amazonfail, of course, and Kindles.

Jeremy brings up his thoughts on author research...

More May links.

Moonie does a roundup. Including the ten most harmful novels for a writer. I can foresee much argument from this... I am suddenly grateful that I didn't comment there about Lester del Rey.


Do you read mysteries? Want to help a suffering librarian? Will Manley has vowed to read about 100 and see if he can conquer his hatred and find one he likes.

I wish I'd known sooner. I would have suggested Margery Allingham's Campion. But he's got Josephine Tey and Rex Stout in there, which may treat him well; they're both favorites of mine.


A new imprint, but not sf/f. If you want sf/f, try the parent company, NightShade. Here's the news release.

'We're All in This Together'

A while back, I was thinking about Diana Wynne Jones, one of my favorite fantasy writers... and this is my most favorite story shape that she uses. I got to read another and it made me very happy.

Archer's Goon is a great example, and the one I think of first. YA can start, of course, with the alienated kid, all alone, trying to get by. And that can work. Sometimes it's just the setup. Sometimes the story morphs as the kid [or kids] find that they aren't really alone.

I'm not averse to the plucky hero[ine] flying solo. Far from it.

But "we" is community. It is friends and family and allies -- sometimes all of those, sometimes not. This is not the same as a single comrade/ally story [which was Andre Norton's particular favorite], although Diana does those too. Not a sidekick but another companion in misfortune.

I could list the other "we" books, but why spoil them for you?

Do realize that sometimes Diana's work will stealthily become a "we" story. If you look carefully at the cover flap, it may warn you. :>

Archer's Goon says straight up that the family is oppressed. It is one of my very favorites. I read it every other year, I think.

I didn't grow up reading DWJ. I wanted to. I found a story called "The Sage of Theare" and it took me many years, probably fifteen or so, to discover that British authors often ended up in the kids' part of libraries... although by then I owned Power of Three and Charmed Life. I have probably read nearly every book she's written.

(If you HAVE read Archer's Goon, Howl's Moving Castle, and Witch Week, here's a fascinating thesis discussion. Except that Cat is named Eric.)

May links

William talks more about learning to write...

Jeremy has the tip about Tor.com adding someone to processing fiction subs -- Liz Gorinsky! :D And if you wanted the submission guidelines for Tor.com fiction, that's the place to go. Patrick's been understandably swamped.

Also, Jeremy tortures a werewolf... sort of. ;]

John Meaney explains important factors about reputable agents -- do listen up. When you research agents, use Writer Beware / Editors & Preditors and the Absolute Write watercooler [links on my sidebar]. And really, truly research 'em. It's part of your job as a writer... unless you'd prefer to be taken for a ride by a scam artist. I hope you don't!

To leave you with a smile, try John's definition of writing, which I like.

Status report: May

Where have I vanished to?

Well, after Penguicon I fell straight into the next book gig... and my latest obsession. Ahem. Yes, I am now addicted to Ellery Queen mysteries. You are lucky indeed to miss any details of the latest one I've read -- by email or in person.

Yesterday I tried to divert myself with Ellery Queen's Challenge to the Reader. It's an anthology. And the challenge? Ah, well, you are to guess the sleuth's real name.

Although I haven't read many of the Golden Age authors included therein, EQ did not "conceal" some detectives' names well enough. =sigh= Annoying. Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence clued me in on at least one sleuth. :>

Thus far, I think I like Dr. Thorndyke. He is much nicer than Holmes, I must say. Also, Arsène Lupin is delightful -- definitely my kind of rogue.

So now you know. Hide while you still can! You have been warned....

(I really must snag the other three incarnations of Ellery, EQ Version Three novels get a little... depressing.)

April links

The great Moonrat is listed in the Top 50 Book People [near the bottom, if you're curious]; NeilHimself is the first one, as this is the Twitter list. And speaking of Twitter, how would you feel about paying every time someone did a search for your Tweet?

I liked how Moonie listed this, so I pinched her tagline: NY Mag article about the publisher who almost got JD Salinger's last novel. Poor guy.


There is a very scary book publishing poster that Moonie found [this month], but I'm not linking to it. That way any trauma you incur is because you ran off hunting it your own self. Also, it requires extreme magnification. Last, the writer who has not finished a book is advised to avoid the trauma.

To make up for poster lack, here's The Song -- no, not John Donne's The Song. That other one. :D


I missed when Scalzi did his play which explains the point of having all those people who don't write the book be involved in publishing.

ETA: The FAQ at Midpoint Trade Books tells you all sorts of neat things about books, their jackets, pub dates, distributors, when to publish... which may be things you need to know now, and may be things you wonder about. All fascinating.

Honorables and...

Shimmer and Electric Velocipede both got honorable mentions in Ellen's new anthology, Best Horror of the Year 2.

Here's three Shimmery reviews. And isn't this a pretty cover for the new EV? :D


I'm going up to Penguicon in two weeks. P-con moved again, now it's at ConFusion's hotel, the Troy Marriott.

It's interesting to see how things change; I hadn't done panels much because I'd been involved in writing workshop coordination. Now the panels that interest me are about writing and/or publishing... a logical progression, but one I wouldn't have thought about a decade ago.

It all ties together...

Today I got a Publishers Weekly link from LinkedIn. Marc Gascoigne from Angry Robot tweeted said link.

The article covers new publishers Angry Robot and Tu Books, along with e-book-only Carina Press [part of Harlequin]. Sections from Tor Books and Naomi Novik are included at the end. If you've ever wondered about vowels, read Naomi's piece.

(I think Naomi's grandmother must have met my grandfather at Ellis Island, in passing...)

Final March links: sf markets.

Dreams of Decadence to Re-launch

So... if you write paranormal romance and/or urban fantasy, keep an eye on this market. Also note that links to the submission engines at Lightspeed [new market], Clarkesworld, Fantasy Magazine, and EV are in this post.

Polyphony, Or -- what happened to that book I ordered? In this case an anthology, but... it's an interesting brief discussion about marketing and submissions.

It does make you think... with this many people who submit to a market, who DOES buy the result? And -- as William said not long ago, how would you know to seek the book or antho out had you no idea of its existence?

Just because.

"He must be very stupid," said Ellery.

"Sure," said his father cheerfully. "They're only smart in the fairy tales you write. Now if this were one of your mystery plots, Ellery, you know who'd be the criminal?"

-- from Four-&-Twenty Bloodhounds, edited by Anthony Boucher (Simon & Schuster, 1950).

I love Ellery Queen. The wealth in that little exchange is priceless. I've just begun chasing down Queen stories, so I have a little time before I mine them out.

I recommend that particular volume, as it's a fun concoction of the Mystery Writers of America, back when they were young -- only six years old! -- with John Dickson Carr, Anthony himself, among others. And of course Ellery Queen. :D

What's signal and what's noise?

I don't have an answer. That's from a Cats Laughing song -- in War for the Oaks by Emma Bull.


But here I store links. Which are both signal and noise; it just depends on the viewer's perception

William brings up where books go, from the New York Review of Books. So far I think my favorite line, in a horrified sort of way, is "the utopian fantasy that in the digital future content will be free of charge and authors will not have to eat."

A discussion about race/whiteness in a newly reviewed book...


Ahhh... technology! How college students got Tweeted -- by their prof!

The Future of Publishing: A really clever video... be strong and listen all the way through. It's worth it; through Moonie.

After the Ides: March links.

Since I've been behind on blogs lately: A workshop I missed hearing about... in NYC.

And a bunch of other nifty links from Moonie. The Jane Austen one was nifty. :D

I also recommend a standard submission process and what if a submission needs more work?

I cannot believe it's really spring -- I hear it was snowing yestereve in Kansas! Mostly because it's my niece's birthday. I wonder how well she's sleeping? I know her parents and grandparents are... a little light on sleep what with my nephew's extreme youth!

It's been a long week. I hope your weekend's going well.

[Hi, Rachel!!!]

A nameless post...

I don't tend to get over to LJ as much anymore. Some years ago, I did. Once I came home to the Midwest, my life was very different, and so I just don't make it out of Blogger land as often.

But today I did.

Jim Hines talks about Why Advances Matter. Right now he's doing a First Novel Survey. Also note the comments in that -- authors add in things Jim hadn't, and as always, Jim discusses things further.

Something I love about the cool people I know is that they're smart and articulate. Not only do they teach me things, but they can teach you.


And because I adore her, and have come late to this discussion... Pamela Dean talks about her WIP. It grew. It must shrink. Drastically.

Installments: 2100 words; spoilers & of coral made; Chapter Three: catch a falling star; icicles, or 4-6; empty book... as a sparrow sees it; 75%, or twice mown?

I think I would give my firstborn child, had I one, for that two-volume book that will not be.


ETA: Sharyn November's news for teen writers. Guess what? Much of this applies to grownups too. I highly recommend her links to Justine and Scalzi in #5. Remember, just because you know an author/editor, ASK. Don't assume he or she is dying to read your stuff. 'Kay?

March voting...

Pepsi is doing a monthly grant program with Web voting.

John's got a proposal there for OtherWorlds. I noticed a few days ago, but today he's posted about it. :>

And the 2010 Locus Poll is open. Nonsubscribers can indeed vote. Remember that you can write in candidates for 2009 works -- up to five per category.

Go check out the voting on both, eh?

The importance of research and wonder...

Crows using tools -- no, this isn't made-up either.

Story as meme, to create change... is something that Mark Chadbourn is interested in.

William defines genre. This is really excellent -- what a great spot of "finding" that I'm having. But it does come down sometimes to knowing cool articulate people, and/or expecting to find 'em. Or as a friend of Steve's said, paraphrased: Why shouldn't he write about witty intelligent people? That's who he knows!


I have neglected keeping up with Moonie lately. She hasn't failed me -- Moonie's links:

• A reprint through self-pub: The Silk Road.
• Literary ennui, or Our Boredom, Ourselves, at the NY Times; can you get through it?
• Anomie, a shot in the arm, or... 2009's Write Your A** Off Day -- found belatedly in my case, sorry! -- which Moonie instituted this year in early Feb.
• Aprilynne on why you should not abandon Your Idea [past the artwork].
• Starting with Moonie's own preface, and thence to Marie Mockett's essay about why debut writers deserve a chance.
• And Dadrat explains the basics of query letters to Moonie; so cool! Make sure to peek in the comments.

Now WYAOD is officially in June [thanks, Moonie!]. :D So you can still make it!

I think that's much food for thought, eh?

Particularly when I had half a night's insomnia... don't worry, I only spent about an hour or so, wandering through Moonie's links [and 31 of her own posts, sigh]. Happy March to you.

Ansible & scam awards...

I found Dave at Ansible talking about mystery, when I was sadly wanting some Anthony Boucher. I've only read a little of Tony's work, and oh! He was amazing. What I really want to read now is his Nine Times Nine, written under a pen name.

Tony was instrumental in much sf/f and mystery fandom. Check out his Wikipedia page for a quick look... or stick with Dave, who lovingly writes about Tony and his work.

Another great bit from Ansible: Nick Lowe's The Well-Tempered Plot Device. Which I learned about from Neil Gaiman. :D

Plot coupons! The Lord of the... ahem. =muffled howls and giggles=


And from Victoria Strauss of Writer Beware, an alert about those awards that are really scams.
BTW, Writer Beware is seeking guest bloggers.

More links, late Feb.

From the Bookmooch blog, about the first sale doctrine and current legal battles.

It's an important distinction. I don't own the book, I own a copy of the book, so I can give or lend or sell that book... but what's inside still belongs to the copyright holders.

I'll follow up more links from that myself.


Today I got email from colleague David Louis Edelman -- who is the very coolest person for promoting books, really he is. [Also just plain cool, but there you have it.] David writes the coolest emails about his books. They leave me in awe. I wish I could post February's Writing News here. It's gorgeous.

Of course, you can get it yourself by subscribing to his list. :D

We met at Penguicon, where he pitched in with the writing workshop.

David has a guest blog today at Whatever about the final Jump 225 book, Geosynchron. Go. Explore. Get books...

Two bookish links.

John's interviewed about submissions, EV, reviewing stories for SFF, etc. Make sure you read the part about the brown M&Ms carefully!

Really, I mean that -- it's important.

Jeremy at Night Shade Books talks about ebooks and book-buying... I like hearing his take on this, and I'm glad for people who thus find books. Very interesting.


Yet I hate the "recommended" engines. I don't want to know what Amazon, or 'bookswap, or anyone else thinks I'd like. Why? In most cases, over ninety-something percent, they're dead wrong.

About on par with the annoying commercials, really!

I've always been pretty good at finding things I like to read. I may average maybe one rec per person/source that connects for me. But maybe I just don't keep track well either.


Sorry to have been quiet, at least wrt comments here. I should be a little better [she says with hope] a week hence.

Blizzards 2010.

Maybe the great blizzards missed you, but not me here in Ohio. :>

I'd been wondering when it'd hit Michigan, and it did -- this week.

Dear Mr. Frost, about that epic snow...

Someday I can tell my nephew all about this. He was born last Thursday, so I have to wait a while. :> You know, uphill in the snow, the sort of There I Was story -- this is what happened to me the day after you were born.

I wonder what my niece will tell him...

I went hunting for our mailbox, which some driver took out Friday -- we live on a curvy road -- but it was buried by the first blizzard. Still not found before the next storm.

Anyway, wherever you live, I hope you're well and not snowbound. If you are snowbound, I hope you have horses [or cats, if not both]. They've decided that the humans need to make this stuff go away now, it's no fun anymore.


This month I got three books. It is a February of snow and words, it is! :D

Links: Feb. 2010

William's take on indie presses. Something I love about the (many) smart people I know is that they tell or explain things so well... I'd be envious, except that it's too excellent.

The amiable Rachel Olivier, my generous colleague and kind friend, did an interview in 2008. She tried many options while seeking work, and did very well. I highly recommend learning how she did so.

There's a new literary project in town. Go see!


And for entertainment, another friend of mine found the Basic Laws of Human Stupidity. He listed No. 4 on his blog [hi, Joel!].

Another funny -- one debut author's take on Amazonfail. :> Enjoy!


New milestone:

I've got three books this month, which all came in this week. So that busy for this month thing? Increased.

I may be a leetle quiet here.

Definitely a happy crazy-busy though!

2010 February.

Also busy. I have a book in now that's unusual and really neat, from a repeat client, and a new prospect as well.

So I may be rearranging some of my 'zine commitments.

Outside work, I am doing bureaucratic Stuff related to my move here.

Amazon Fail: 2010

You've likely heard about Amazon and Macmillan. If you haven't, this is a good time. For some excerpts to pull you in, Teresa has an overview at Making Light.

Note that John Scalzi's summing-up today, which I first saw quoted by Teresa, made me laugh for a very long time. Go, John!

Scott Westerfeld defines the stakes. Kudos, Scott! It may be childish of me, but I love your PS especially. :>

Charlie Stross pulls no punches, as always. :D I got Charlie's link an outsider's guide from Scott, btw.

Tobias Buckell explains the sausage-making aspect, which includes hard figures and economics -- which he rightly bills as the "intimate details of publishing" -- and very well worth the time needed to read it.


And Scalzi also gives several reports, such as a Quick Note on eBook Pricing and It's All About Timing.

All this reminds me why I love my Tribe. I wish I could articulate why meaningfully right now, but -- damn, I'm pleased, and I love you all for thinking and then telling us all about it. Because sf readers are thinkers [paraphrase of Fred Pohl].

CNET also details why e-books aren't cheaper. [Through Scalzi -- thanks, John!!] That's plenty, except as leavening, here's a cool post by the Sage HapiSofi, from Absolute Write... on $1000 copy editing.

Links: January

Locus Magazine is seeking interns.

Although I enjoyed being the runner and part-time law library clerk back in 1989... I realize now that I would have killed to be Locus' intern. Half my lifetime ago. :> They may not send you to a castle like my law firm did -- but you never know, they might.

Kid Goth: Neil Gaiman. :D 'Nuff said, right? Heh.

I agree that Coraline is creepier for adults, because I now have a serious phobia about button eyes, which I can honestly blame on Neil. I love him anyway; he's too nice a person for any other choice.

The WSNB needs YOUR help!

And I have somewhat of a personal interest, in that I have proofed two different ads for this book -- one ad's running in EV 20, and t'other ran in EV 19. Go forth and buy it! (I just did.) The cover art's lovely, BTW.

Charlie Stross on monetization, aka why Google is not my friend.
Cory Doctorow explains about new media in Close enough for rock 'n' roll.

Author Kage Baker is dying of cancer... and hasn't much longer. John posted about her in his miscellany, and Jeff VanderMeer has given contact info for reaching her. Please, if she matters to you, take a bit to write her. Today. Please.

Images of ConFusion

So... my time at ConFusion was a mixture of seeing friends and meeting new people; room parties; William Jones' launch party for Pallid Light, and William's photos of same; and the Sunday wedding of Richard Tucholka and Melody Natcher.

The latter featured Cthulhu bouquets for the bridesmaids, and the cake had a giant silver UFO hanging off the side. The processional was The Addams Family theme. Most memorable ever wedding.

I can't figure out why the legions of photographers haven't posted pix yet!

I spent much time in the dealers' room, and some time hanging out in the gaming area. :>

Here's Peter S. Beagle singing. :D I also got to Mike Resnick's Sunday reading, which was fantastic.

Some folks I met:

• Monique Magee and Robert Lazich at Dwarf Planet Press [which comes out of ECDI]
• John Grace of Brillance Audio, who then let me lead him around the dealer room
  
• Chris Chivers of Naloomi's Workshop, makers of really cool architecture for miniatures to run amok in
• Gozer Games, the creators of Collateral Damage, an anime boardgame; they also ran a Zombie/Ninja/Pirates/Mad Scientist party :D
• I also spoke with Connor, who ran Peter S. Beagle's booth, and saw the gorgeous new artwork there by a talented young artist
  

And the Rebel Legion was present, so between them and the steampunk crew -- for which I cannot yet locate pix, alas! -- the con was pretty colorful. There is nothing in this world, truly, like seeing Princess Leia in her original white dress leaning over a white laptop.

"Something to read..."

Paula Guran on the WSJ, which bewails the death of the slush pile.

My friend Jeremy talks about where his WiP are: Threepio?!?

M. Keaton tells how it used to be. :D

-- Considering that I was just looking up a certain kind of signature format... which I still haven't yet located... Anyone else who remembers pounding on typewriters, sing out.

Angry Robot sample chapters, Feb. 2010.

So do count this as a bit of entertainment along with whatever else. :> I won't be online much, barring email, while I'm out of town. Starting Thursday. Try not to break the InterWeb while I'm gone. ;d

Mid-January -- right?

I haven't been reading any blogs except EV, so no other links today.

I delivered my January book, and now I'm on my smaller deadlines -- smaller as in lower word counts. So this week is all about 'zines. :> I sent in NYSRF already; time for Locus, Shimmer, and EV.

FYI: That book was about 98k, so one of my higher word counts.

I'll also be packing for my trip. I keep feeling like it's next week, or nearly next weekend, so I look at the calendar a lot. Nothing like living in the future a little too much!

ETA: Moonie on OW, or, the Dreaded Overwriter!

New policy for 2010...

Instead of shouting "A book, I have a new book in!" -- I will start saying just how full my schedule is. Less repetitive, eh?

January:

1. Deliver one proofread this month...
2. ... And then start another, due early Feb.
   
3. Visit Michigan and thus my niece, parents, aunt, cousins, and many friends.
4. Attend ConFusion. That's up in Troy, where I used to live some years back, and north of Detroit. This is where a friend of long standing will get married. :D

So this month is pretty full. Hope your 2010 is starting off well!