"I knew that you could see right through..."

[greygirlbeast]

Here in my office, which is ever so slightly cooler than the kitchen, which is dramatically hotter than the middle parlor where Dr. Muñoz labors so to keep the air cool and can manage only 83˚F. It must be in the nineties in the office. There are three fans running in the office, spinning the swelter round and round. Outside, it's 86˚F, with violent thunderstorms on the way. If I'm going to get any work done today, I'm going to have to try to break my habits and write on a laptop in one of the two cool rooms. It's either that or heatstroke.

Comments would be good today.

My editor at Penguin just sent me the cover mock-up for The Drowning Girl: A Memoir, and – I don't believe I'm about to say this – I like it quite a lot. Not only is the image artful and appropriate to the novel, there's even a little (?unintentional) nod back to The Red Tree. So, it has been a morning of sweaty amazement. I've asked for some changes to the cover font and the blurb at the bottom, but I'll post the cover as soon as I can.

Spooky's gone to retrieve the repaired van from the garage.*** The engine had to be replaced, but I probably said that already. Some other post.

Mostly, I'm still trying to collect money owed me by various publishers, trying to be paid here in the Land of the Debt Poor. I am considering a sort of strike. No more words until I see some green. No more corrected page proofs. No more anything. I can't eat promises.

I've been to ill from the heat and from a small "episode" late on Saturday night to think much about Readercon 22. But I think I have arrived at the inescapable conclusion that I'm simply not a con person. They're a necessary evil, and sometimes, I'll admit, there are moments of enjoyment. Mostly, seeing people I hardly get to see otherwise. I confess to a strong dislike for panels, and I virtually never attend a panel unless I'm on it. But my thanks to everyone who listened to my "rehearsal" reading, and who attended my solo panels. Next year, if you're one of those readers who has been wanting to meet for ages, or wanting to hear me read, or...whatever, you'd best find some way to get your ass to Readercon 23 in Burlington, Massachusetts. And if you're a fan of Peter Straub's (and how can you not be), there's all the more reason.

It occurs to me that I'm much to woozy from the heat to have said even as much as I've already said, much less anything more. I'm struggling to stay coherent. So, I leave you with a few photos Spooky took during the con:





No, I've not been sleeping. Can you tell? Anyway, I love when someone brings me The Red Tree with it's proper cover attached.



The panel on surrealism. I am still. Michael Cisco is in motion.



In fact, I might have been asleep.



My solo presentation on everything that went into Two Worlds and In Between.



The reading for Supernatural Noir, which went rather well, despite having been scheduled at nine o'clock p.m., opposite the Kurt Poland lousy prose contest, despite the unrelenting noise from said contest. Regardless, great book; buy it!!! And yes, I have been found out. I truly am the great granddaughter of Никола Тесла.



Or, if you prefer, Nikola Tesla.

All photographs Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn A. Pollnac



Melting,
Aunt Beast

*** Spooky just returned from the garage, without the van. The idiot fucking mechanics put the old spark plugs into the new engine and think maybe that's why it's still running like shit. They've had it two weeks.

Comments

[firebirdgrrl.livejournal.com]

This may just be a little thing, but damn, you have the best hats.

[sovay]

Not only is the image artful and appropriate to the novel, there's even a little (?unintentional) nod back to The Red Tree.

Good God. Congratulations. The apocalypse is nigh.

The panel on surrealism. I am still. Michael Cisco is in motion.

The two of you should collaborate on something so that you can use that picture as the jacket photograph.

I truly am the great granddaughter of Никола Тесла.

Fashioned from lightning and the wireless air . . .

It is amazing how simultaneously scraped-out and lead-weighted I feel right now. I keep having this idea that staring at the wall would be a mental effort.

[r-darkstorm.livejournal.com]

I had desperately wanted to go this year to Readercon, but wound up camping instead because I'd made that commitment first. Baring the unforseeable, I'll be there next year.

Quick question: Where can I get a copy of "The Red Tree" with its proper cover? It's my favorite novel that you've written so far, so I'd like to have a copy like that for my collection...

[ashlyme.livejournal.com]

Good fedora; d'you have two-tone shoes to go with it?

I like the idea of a hat renaissance. I'm fond of berets and Dylan-style caps.

Pleased that you've got a decent cover for The Drowning Girl.

I've not read much of Peter's stuff; just a collection called (I think) Magic Terror. Good stories, as I recall.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

That third photo makes me think you are channeling the spirit of WS Burroughs. I swear I have a picture somewhere of him slouched like that.

[marisa sandlin (from livejournal.com)]

Being so close to Massachusetts, I really have no excuse for not going to Readercon, so I'll remedy that next year. In so saying, I'd totally wear the nifty hat I bought from an honest-to-goodness haberdasher in Quebec City back in February, but it's a bit warm for it. Still, viva les chapeaux!

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

Not only is the image artful and appropriate to the novel, there's even a little (?unintentional) nod back to The Red Tree.

That's incredible.

[stsisyphus.livejournal.com]

I am considering a sort of strike. No more words until I see some green. No more corrected page proofs. No more anything. I can't eat promises.

I think this is an excellent idea. Could your agent help push on this?

No, I've not been sleeping. Can you tell?

You have the look of a post-concert rock star backstage: jetlagged and physically spent, but with some lingering glamour that still makes you enchanting. I want to recall a bit of 1980s-1990s Bowie, but that's not quite right. I'm really trying to figure out whom I'm recalling.

BTB, there should have been a small delivery last week for you and Spooky. Has it arrived?

Panel on Surrealism

[darkarmadillo.livejournal.com]

Sigh.

There are moments when I regret not living back east (rarely) and not being able to take vacations from about the middle of July through September due to work (frequently). Seeing that you were on a panel about Surrealism managed to evoke both regret responses.

Dr. Muñoz

[oldfossil59.livejournal.com]

Is there any way we can help you get Dr. Muñoz a dancing partner, to
make your work and living conditions at least tolerable.

Readercon 23

[spank-an-elf.livejournal.com]

Definitely want to attend in 2012. Isn't being co-guest of honor going to put more pressure on you to "perform?" I'm not sure that's the correct word but you know what I mean.

Before I go I need to work in my "talk to strangers" skills. I swear when I attended in 2010 the longest conversation I held with anyone was in the line for the bathroom.

[haceldama.livejournal.com]

Even if you were asleep, you're always quite elegant -- just like your prose.

[kathryn-aka-kat.livejournal.com]

Despite the lack of sleep, your panel contributions were always interesting and relevant and (nearly always) coherent. It was good seeing you both there.

thought you might like this

[subtlesttrap.livejournal.com]

a very cosmic Bjork on a new track called "Cosmogony". it reminded me of your work:

http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/07/check-out-bjork-cosmogony/

[poesillchild.livejournal.com]

I do believe you might have napped in that second photo.

As soon as you announced news that you and Peter Straub would be guests of honor next year, I decided it was about time I actually attended my first Readercon.

Mechanics are generally not the brightest of bulbs.

[royal-spice.livejournal.com]

Fantastic outfits, as always, and I love the hats.

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

I adore the black hat, and would think about one if I didn't look ridiculous in just about every hat I've tried on. If only they made high quality hats in kids sizes I might find something that works (tiny head, tiny face, first world problem).

And I am going to do everything in my power to make readercon next year, simply for you and Peter Straub. He's been one of my favorite writers since I got Shadowland for a gift the year it came out. Still one of my comfort reads, and I would love to meet him.

ETA as well as you, but I'm fairly certain I've said that here repeatedly.

[opalblack.livejournal.com]

Reading this I fear you may have a seizure on the way. Stay safe.