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greygirlbeastOn the eleventh, only three days from now, it will have been seventeen years since the day I sat down and began writing Silk. I want to commemorate the day by giving away a signed (and probably scribbled in) copy of the novel (fourth edition mmp), but I can't think of a contest-type thing. Suggestions are welcome. And that reminds me, I owe everyone who chipped in on Spooky's birthday present a poem. Well, it's been written, and now we have the paper and envelopes, so those will go out very soon. You have not been forgotten; I'm just slow as slug juice.
Yesterday was spent on email, and cleaning the sad wreck I'd let my office become, and shelving books, and stacking books along the walls, and, finally, beginning to assemble the manuscript for Two Worlds and In Between for Subterranean Press. This is how today will be spent, on the manuscript, as I need to get it away to Bill Schafer ASAP. And that means I also need to write the introduction. It will be a short introduction, but it's still intimidating as all get out (I think that's an idiomatic phrase confined to the Deep South, but I might be wrong). A summing up. A taking of stock. Anyway, that's what I'll be doing today, and maybe taking a phone call or two related to the SECRET.
Last night, we watched the first episode of Season One of Caprica. I love this show, and was relieved that it wasn't canceled. However, I did not appreciate having to sit through some gods awful commercial for a pair of paranormal romance novels, Covet and Crave (shudder), by someone named J.R. Ward. Have you noticed how so many of the women cranking out this PR shit a) have oddly masculine sounding names, usually involving initials, and b) present themselves as Beverley Hills glam, but only manage to look like tarted-up nerds whose clothes are wearing them? Anyway, good episode. Later, I played City of Heroes and Villains, which is my new vice. I did the free trial awhile back, and some kind soul recently gifted me with a copy of the game (and a month of free play). So, yeah. Imagine Countess Elizabeth Báthory as a super villain (cough, cough), and you'll get the picture. It's big goofy fun. J.R. Ward could probably squeeze a series of novels out of it, except that Erzsebétta is a lesbian, in love with her ancient Egyptian blood mother, Sekhmet, and PR is generally a'feared of the lesbyterians (except for the pretend ones who really just do it because men like to watch). So, yes. Super villains. And later I read the first bit of Tom Griffiths' book on Antarctica.
I'm also reading Luis Chiappe's Glorifed Dinosaurs: The Origin and Early Evolution of Birds, and, as I mentioned, China Miéville's The Kraken, because one book at a time is apparently never enough.
Oh, and I joined Cat Valente (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
yuki_onna) on Twitter yesterday, for an impromptu dialogue on how Only Men Are Allowed To Write Hard SF. Because, you know, men say so. But that's okay, because us girls, we are allowed to write fantasy. We get all the sparkly unicorns and double rainbows. Because the men say so.
---
The last couple of nights, I'll think of a bunch of neat stuff from the HPLFF that I want to write down, but then, in the morning, when I sit down to make an entry, I've forgotten it all again. Maybe I'll do better tomorrow. There are some photos at the end of this entry, though, from the reception on Friday for Lovecraft Unbound that Dark Horse hosted at Hollywood Wine and Espresso, which is located catty-corner from the Hollywood theatre (and this sentence is far too long and I should really make it stop now). They're all in sepia, because Spooky was on some sort of mad sepia kick that afternoon.
---
I'm not sure, but I think maybe the trade hardback of The Ammonite Violin & Others is pretty close to being sold out again. If you mean to order a copy, best do it now (unless it's already too late).
Never, ever tuck in those shirttails, kids.
There was food. Really good food. The way to any author's heart is free wine and food. Gets us every time.
They'll say, "Oh, she was a regal beast, she was."
Signing The Book.
This photo is to make up for that "regal beast" bit, and to stand as proof of the threat that being a freelance author poses to one's teeth.
People begin to line up outside the theatre.
Me, with Michael Shea and Lynn Cesar. Ellen Datlow's in this shot, too, but she's invisible.
The theatre on the threshold, or something like that.
All photographs Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn A. Pollnac
Yesterday was spent on email, and cleaning the sad wreck I'd let my office become, and shelving books, and stacking books along the walls, and, finally, beginning to assemble the manuscript for Two Worlds and In Between for Subterranean Press. This is how today will be spent, on the manuscript, as I need to get it away to Bill Schafer ASAP. And that means I also need to write the introduction. It will be a short introduction, but it's still intimidating as all get out (I think that's an idiomatic phrase confined to the Deep South, but I might be wrong). A summing up. A taking of stock. Anyway, that's what I'll be doing today, and maybe taking a phone call or two related to the SECRET.
Last night, we watched the first episode of Season One of Caprica. I love this show, and was relieved that it wasn't canceled. However, I did not appreciate having to sit through some gods awful commercial for a pair of paranormal romance novels, Covet and Crave (shudder), by someone named J.R. Ward. Have you noticed how so many of the women cranking out this PR shit a) have oddly masculine sounding names, usually involving initials, and b) present themselves as Beverley Hills glam, but only manage to look like tarted-up nerds whose clothes are wearing them? Anyway, good episode. Later, I played City of Heroes and Villains, which is my new vice. I did the free trial awhile back, and some kind soul recently gifted me with a copy of the game (and a month of free play). So, yeah. Imagine Countess Elizabeth Báthory as a super villain (cough, cough), and you'll get the picture. It's big goofy fun. J.R. Ward could probably squeeze a series of novels out of it, except that Erzsebétta is a lesbian, in love with her ancient Egyptian blood mother, Sekhmet, and PR is generally a'feared of the lesbyterians (except for the pretend ones who really just do it because men like to watch). So, yes. Super villains. And later I read the first bit of Tom Griffiths' book on Antarctica.
I'm also reading Luis Chiappe's Glorifed Dinosaurs: The Origin and Early Evolution of Birds, and, as I mentioned, China Miéville's The Kraken, because one book at a time is apparently never enough.
Oh, and I joined Cat Valente (
yuki_onna) on Twitter yesterday, for an impromptu dialogue on how Only Men Are Allowed To Write Hard SF. Because, you know, men say so. But that's okay, because us girls, we are allowed to write fantasy. We get all the sparkly unicorns and double rainbows. Because the men say so.---
The last couple of nights, I'll think of a bunch of neat stuff from the HPLFF that I want to write down, but then, in the morning, when I sit down to make an entry, I've forgotten it all again. Maybe I'll do better tomorrow. There are some photos at the end of this entry, though, from the reception on Friday for Lovecraft Unbound that Dark Horse hosted at Hollywood Wine and Espresso, which is located catty-corner from the Hollywood theatre (and this sentence is far too long and I should really make it stop now). They're all in sepia, because Spooky was on some sort of mad sepia kick that afternoon.
---
I'm not sure, but I think maybe the trade hardback of The Ammonite Violin & Others is pretty close to being sold out again. If you mean to order a copy, best do it now (unless it's already too late).
Never, ever tuck in those shirttails, kids.
There was food. Really good food. The way to any author's heart is free wine and food. Gets us every time.
They'll say, "Oh, she was a regal beast, she was."
Signing The Book.
This photo is to make up for that "regal beast" bit, and to stand as proof of the threat that being a freelance author poses to one's teeth.
People begin to line up outside the theatre.
Me, with Michael Shea and Lynn Cesar. Ellen Datlow's in this shot, too, but she's invisible.
The theatre on the threshold, or something like that.
All photographs Copyright © 2010 by Kathryn A. Pollnac
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 06:52 pm (UTC)Re: The Incredible Invisible Editor photo -- I just saw Ellen Datlow (http://ellen-datlow.livejournal.com/297668.html) posted the ToC for Naked City on her blog. Sadly, it, too, is in need of a Scarletboi cover.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 06:55 pm (UTC)The closest we get to hobnobbing with other Cthulhu fans these days is playing the Arkham Horror boardgame. Which is incredibly fun when you're playing with someone who isn't afraid to embrace the delightful geekiness of a street urchin turning in monster trophies (i.e., heads) to become a gun-totin' deputy.
I've been meaning to get that. It looks quite wonderful.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 07:32 pm (UTC)Bugger. This would have been me if I wasn't so convinced you had decamped. Watch for the lag this weekend, though.
Imagine Countess Elizabeth Báthory as a super villain (cough, cough)...
Not difficult.
...except that Erzsebétta is a lesbian, in love with her ancient Egyptian blood mother, Sekhmet...
Also not difficult. Seriously, this is a comic book genre. If you haven't dumped eleventeen different tropes into a blender and used the resulting gouache to paint your characterization - really you're just not trying. Or your toon is named xxXXw01v3rin3XXxx.
So, yes. Super villains.
Hee! Did you keep your old character or roll up a new one? Dare ye provide a globalname or server?
BTW, is that a Nostromo badge?
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 07:40 pm (UTC)Hee! Did you keep your old character or roll up a new one? Dare ye provide a globalname or server?
I'm on Virtue (hahahaha). Erzsebetta Bathory. Magic Corrupter with ice powers (long backstory there).
Seriously, this is a comic book genre. If you haven't dumped eleventeen different tropes into a blender and used the resulting gouache to paint your characterization - really you're just not trying.
That was sort of how it seemed to me.
Or your toon is named xxXXw01v3rin3XXxx.
*snerk*
BTW, is that a Nostromo badge?
Why yes, it is.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 08:19 pm (UTC)I'll look forward to hearing/reading that story. There are some decent backstories on quite a number of PCs, actually. It's a distracting passtime to click on random PCs' info and read an individual's mythology.
Will drop you an in-game email with a Hi, Welcome!
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 09:16 pm (UTC)It's a distracting passtime to click on random PCs' info and read an individual's mythology.
We can write backstories for others to read?
If wrong, I'll email you the info
Date: 2010-10-08 10:06 pm (UTC)I'll have to get back ingame to remember what the command is on the menu to access your own info screen, but on other people you can just left click (or command click, I guess, since you're on a mac) and select "info", which will bring up a little window. As often as not, the toon will have a little story about them.
Basically most people write them in on the screen where you registered your PC's name, in the large blank space underneath it. I wanna say that is the "Personal Info" window under Menu, but it might be something else.
Re: If wrong, I'll email you the info
Date: 2010-10-08 10:09 pm (UTC)Basically most people write them in on the screen where you registered your PC's name, in the large blank space underneath it. I wanna say that is the "Personal Info" window under Menu, but it might be something else.
That is very cool. I hope I can still write one with an already-existing character (I'm only at level 14).
Re: If wrong, I'll email you the info
Date: 2010-10-08 10:12 pm (UTC)Re: If wrong, I'll email you the info
Date: 2010-10-08 10:10 pm (UTC)Re: If wrong, I'll email you the info
Date: 2010-10-08 10:16 pm (UTC)Cool! Thanks.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 07:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 08:01 pm (UTC)Please make that fifth photo (the open-mouthed pose) your new author photo for bios and dust jackets!
Oh, heavens no.
Is the comma in the title of the story the collection borrows its name from being dropped for the title of the book?
I think so, yes.
OT
Date: 2010-10-08 08:13 pm (UTC)Oh, to make this on-topic! Definitely enjoying your pictures and recollections, Stephanie Fucking Meyer. *grins*
Re: OT
Date: 2010-10-08 09:16 pm (UTC)Stephanie Fucking Meyer.
There was no way I couldn't say that.
A sign of sanity? At least Part I of the Deathly Hallows film won't be in 3-D.
Thank fuck all.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 11:00 pm (UTC)But when Manly Men write it, especially if they use a lot of blood and drop the f-bomb liberally, then it's Raw and Bold and Revolutionary and Redefines the Genre and Breathes Life Into the Field.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 11:27 pm (UTC)We can write fantasy--it's cute when we do, or romantic.
But when Manly Men write it, especially if they use a lot of blood and drop the f-bomb liberally, then it's Raw and Bold and Revolutionary and Redefines the Genre and Breathes Life Into the Field.
I'm thinking it's time to storm the ramparts...again.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 11:35 pm (UTC)Speaking as a sad fanboy, I'd love the SECRET to be that you're writing an episode/novel of Who; yeah, never gonna happen, but Moorcock and Gaiman are doing it, so I can dream...
I'd probably read more hard SF if it were written by women. Meh.
Good to see you having fun at the Festival! Hope you can make it over to England at some point...
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 11:43 pm (UTC)Shirt-tails with waistcoats always worked as a look, IMH0.
Agreed.
Speaking as a sad fanboy, I'd love the SECRET to be that you're writing an episode/novel of Who
I can tell you it isn't that. Sorry. I would love to do that, though.
I'd probably read more hard SF if it were written by women. Meh.
We surely couldn't do worse than Neal Stephenson's goddamn tech porn. Oh...wait. Stephenson's tech born is brilliant. I almost forgot. Damn estrogen, clouding my senses!
Good to see you having fun at the Festival! Hope you can make it over to England at some point...
I was last there in 1997, but I love an opportunity to come back.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 11:35 pm (UTC)The whole male SF/female Fantasy stuff makes me tired.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 11:44 pm (UTC)The whole male SF/female Fantasy stuff makes me tired.
Tired. And angry. It makes me tired and angry.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-08 11:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-09 01:32 am (UTC)Lovely photographs. And your teeth ain't all that bad, lady -- I've seen (alas) much, much worse.
It's not just the teeth I still have, as the ones that aren't there anymore.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-09 02:06 am (UTC)Oh, and if I try City of Heroes and Villains and get hooked, I personally blame you. You wicked, wicked woman.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-09 05:28 am (UTC)I couldn't really get into City of Heroes and Villains. Not sure why. Maybe it's just my solitary nature. The idea is neat, but the graphics and controls leave a lot to be desired.
And anyway, I have a bunch of console games I was given... Only so much time in the day for foolishness, and the Cataclysm approaches.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-09 03:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-09 02:49 am (UTC)Dear gods, I almost wished I followed Twitter for that. Because if either of you two do "sparkly unicorns" it's only because they're covered in shards of broken glass.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-09 08:26 pm (UTC)Dear gods, I almost wished I followed Twitter for that. Because if either of you two do "sparkly unicorns" it's only because they're covered in shards of broken glass.
*snerk*
Women in SF
Date: 2010-10-09 02:32 pm (UTC)http://geeksyndicate.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/women-in-genre-fiction-tricia-sullivan/
(Interview - question #8 is the one to look at)
http://vectoreditors.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/women-and-the-clarke/
(Debate)
Re: Women in SF
Date: 2010-10-09 08:30 pm (UTC)I don't know if any of your conversation with CV had something to do with my good friend [info]triciasullivan's recent comments
Nope. They were sparked, I believe, by comments about her story, "How to Become a Mars Overlord." But thanks for the links.
Re: Women in SF
Date: 2010-10-09 08:42 pm (UTC)City of Heroes and Villains.
Date: 2010-10-10 10:26 am (UTC)