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“THE MULESKINNER” is a publication focused on the Soldiers of the35th Engineer Brigade (a.k.a. Muleskinners) and its engineer mission while deployed to Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Here’s the fifth issue.
Today I’m going to NY–or more accurately am in New York. I’m posting this ahead of time because I decided not to bring my laptop. I always bring it and while it is great to have on the plane for writing, I don’t wind up checking email because Internet service at fancier hotels is getting more and more expensive. If someone needs me they have my cell number!
I’ve never been to NY. I have been to Mexico City which is actually bigger, but I don’t think the part of Mexico City I frequented has much in common with NY. (I went to school there one summer.) The reason for this trip is, of course, a conference. I’ve never been to this conference either–but it looks like it will be a good one and I’m looking forward to “putting a face” on Ninc. I joined about a year ago and while it was started by members of RWA and had a lot of romance authors in it, the personality is different and there are authors of other genres in the mix. I love that. I think spending too much time in romanceland can be…well, not good. It’s like spending too much time in your house–you need to get out and remind yourself there is another world out there and what seems SO important in one world isn’t at all in another.
So, that’s where I am. My travel buddy on the way out is Barbara Vey and my roomie is Sally MacKenzie. I’ll try and post a bit about the conference when I get back.
Have a great weekend!
That’s right check it out. I was interviewed by an vampire band–how many can claim that?
“THE MULESKINNER” is a publication focused on the Soldiers of the35th Engineer Brigade (a.k.a. Muleskinners) and its engineer mission while deployed to Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Here’s the fourth issue.
I’ve never met Angry Romance Girl, but I stumbled upon her blog and thought she might provide an interesting and intellectual take on romance novels and how others perceive them…
Basic Facts: Single-ish. Likes Pink – deal with it. More of an angryromancecat person than a doormatdog person.
Author of: AngryRomanceGrrl blog And working on a book: Romance my ass, or some other equally inappropriate title.
Favorite Candy: Pink Peeps. “Chick shaped” my ass. They are blob-like–frosting-colored-sugared-coated Easter marshmallows. I don’t eat them – I blow them up in the microwave and celebrate by eating dark chocolate. I have a dark side.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Leela from Futurama. She’s a smart-ass with a mean roundhouse kick. What’s not to admire?
Super Power She Most Covets: The power of perfect timing. It’s not glamorous, but when you think about it—you’d always make the flight and would get the free upgrade. You’d play the lottery and win because you were at the right place and the right time. Super deluxe power!
Q.) Who is AngryRomanceGrrl? What does she love/hate? What makes her tick or just ticks her off?
A.R.G.) Love: I read romance – duh! and am partial to action-adventure, suspense, and some paranormal, comedy. Oh hell-I like them all, what can I say. I want that happy ending and, no matter what the Oprah book club (or my mother). thinks, it IS NOT unrealistic,. Call me crazy (though I might smack you) but why revel in total dysfunction? Do that on your own time.
Hate: People who slam romance novels. now THAT makes me angry! Stupid comments make me burn with the passion of a thousand red-hot fiery suns! 98% of these ignorant remarks are from people who have never read a romance novel. Dumb asses love to make blanket statements based on sheer ignorance.
I have one message for them, and one message only: “Bite Me’”.
Q.) How about the blog. What happens over there? What caused you to start it?
A.R.G.) Mostly, I like to vent about those things or people (mostly people) that annoy the crap out of me. As for why—don’t ask why – I find that annoying.
Q.) Recently on a blog I read that “romance readers need to get a sense of humor.” What do you think about that? Are we all just way too sensitive?
A.R.G.) Ahh – but what they really meant to say was ““romance readers need to be able to laugh it off when people make fun of them” Puh-lease! What a load of crap. To them I say –“ I have a sense of humor - why don’t you try and say something funny first – then maybe I will laugh!”
Q.) I was at a conference last week where more than one person referred to romance as “formulaic”. Is that an insult or fact? And do you know where the romance world is hiding the manual, because it was missing in my romance writer starter kit.
A.R.G.) Wait - that’s the best they could do? It’s not an insult - to me – but my guess is they meant it as an insult. Perhaps they should take a writing class and come back with a less hackneyed comment. Writing 101 - Formula = structure. If you are going to insult me at least be smart about it.
Q.) How about romance covers? Do they bother you? Should romance readers hide them behind fancy cloth covers? Or bare them freely?
A.R.G.) Romance covers are HAWT! They may want to hide them if they are around small children or nuns, however. The only covers that bother me are the one with ‘plastic poser people’. They look like expressionless Barbie dolls. While I played with Babies growing up, I don’t want them on a cover. It’s creepy.
Q.) What is your all time favorite insult and come back?
A.R.G.) “Bite Me”
Q.) And finally in the words of Rodney Dangerfield, why can’t we “get no respect?”
A.R.G.) Don’t ask. Get. Assume you have it and if people treat you otherwise, tell them in no-uncertain-terms that their behavior is not acceptable. Or, if you prefer, “Bite Me”
Interesting interview with lots of good bits. Definitely worth a read.
Here are a few snippets…
It’s not the first novelists that are in jeopardy or the stars, but the repeat midlist – but then, it’s been that way for quite a while, hasn’t it? Every account can call up sales figures instantly now. First novelists have no black marks against them, no large returns or tiny sales, so anything is theoretically possible. But if an author has published four books to static or declining results, there’s no way to hide it, and it’s very hard to convince an account not to order accordingly.
This is one of those cold hard facts people never quite believe…well, believe it. :)
Here’s another one on promotion…
The book always comes first – always. If you don’t have a good book, published at the right time, then none of the rest of it matters. After that, websites are useful if they’re well done, give readers a reason to come back, and act as a vehicle for collecting names – there’s nothing like that email blast to fans shortly before publication to concentrate your sales early. Conferences and book festivals are fine as long as you’re having fun, building contacts, getting your name out there, and not spending so much time at them that you’re neglecting your first job (see above!). Blogs – I probably shouldn’t be saying this to you, JT, but sometimes I wonder if all the time and energy spent on writing a blog might not be better spent on…well, you know what I’m going to say.
Okay, go read the rest…
My kids have been downstairs unsupervised for half an hour. I’m afraid to go down…
Best Novel: The Yiddish Policeman’s Union by Michael Chabon, Brasyl by Ian McDonald, Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer, The Last Colony by John Scalzi, Halting State by Charles Stross
(have read none of these…is it wrong of me to notice this list is all men?)
Best Novella: “Fountains of Age” by Nancy Kress, “Recovering Apollo 8″ by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, “Stars Seen Through Stone” by Lucius Shepard, “All Seated on the Ground” by Connie Willis, “Memorare” by Gene Wolfe
(recently read a book, Fantasy Life by Kristine Kathryn Rusch and really enjoyed it–then, of course, Connie Willis is one of my very favorite authors–okay, she IS my very favorite author…)
Best Novelette: “The Cambist and Lord Iron: A Fairytale of Economics” by Daniel Abraham, “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate” by Ted Chiang, “Dark Integers” by Greg Egan, “Glory” by Greg Egan, “Finisterra” by David Moles
(got nothing)
Best Short Story: “Last Contact” by Stephen Baxter, “Tideline” by Elizabeth Bear, “Who’s Afraid of Wolf 359?” by Ken MacLeod, “Distant Replay” by Mike Resnick, “A Small Room in Koboldtown” by Michael Swanwick
(nada)
Best Related Book: The Company They Keep: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as Writers in Community by Diana Glyer; Breakfast in the Ruins: Science Fiction in the Last Millennium by Barry Malzberg; Emshwiller: Infinity x Two by Luis Ortiz; Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction by Jeff Prucher; The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: Enchanted; The Golden Compass; Heroes, season one; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Stardust
(hmmm, have seen Heroes and HP. Have read Stardust. Wanted to see Enchanted and have The Golden Compass on my TBR stack. My daughter loved The Golden Compass movie. I’d have to give Heroes a nudge over HP, I think…)
Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Battlestar Galactica: Razor; Dr. Who, “Blink”; Dr. Who, “Human Nature”/”Family of Blood”; Star Trek New Voyages, “World Enough and Time”; Torchwood, “Captain Jack Harkness”
(I have friends who are rabid Who fans–I tell them it always make me think of the band when they talk about the show in the short form. But of these I only watch Torchwood and while I like the show Captain Jack is my least favorite character…I think I know which episode this was…)
Best Professional Editor, Short Form: Ellen Datlow, Stanley Schmidt, Jonathan Strahan, Gordon Van Gelder, Sheila Williams
Best Professional Editor, Long Form: Lou Anders, Ginjer Buchanan, David G. Hartwell, Beth Meacham, Patrick Nielsen Hayden
Best Professional Artist: Bob Eggleton, Phil Foglio, John Harris, Stephan Martiniere, John Picacio, Shaun Tan
Best Semiprozine: Ansible, Helix, Interzone, Locus, The New York Review of Science Fiction
Best Fanzine: Argentus, Challenger, Drink Tank, File 770, PLOKTA
Best Fan Writer: Chris Garcia, David Langford, Cheryl Morgan, John Scalzi, Steven H. Silver
Best Fan Artist: Brad Foster, Teddy Harvia, Sue Mason, Steve Stiles, Taral Wayne
“THE MULESKINNER” is a publication focused on the Soldiers of the35th Engineer Brigade (a.k.a. Muleskinners) and its engineer mission while deployed to Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Here’s the third issue.
“THE MULESKINNER” is a publication focused on the Soldiers of the35th Engineer Brigade (a.k.a. Muleskinners) and its engineer mission while deployed to Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Here’s the second issue.
Random books from my shelf...
