William C. Tracy is joining us today to talk about his book Merchants and Maji: Two Tales of the Dissolutionverse. Here’s the publisher’s description: An old war machine and a revolutionary space capsule will change relations among the ten species forever Last Delivery Prot, Amra, and crew sell goods across the ten homeworlds in a refitted war […]
My Favorite Bit: William C. Tracy talks about MERCHANTS AND MAJI Read More »
I’m teaching a short story workshop that’s specifically for people who are having trouble control length and structure. WHEN: Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM (CDT) – Add to Calendar When people are struggling to write short fiction, the problem usually begins with the idea. It often leads to a story that
Short Stories Explained — workshop Read More »
Lauren Zurchin came through Chicago and we had some fun doing a photo shoot. There are more photos, so this is just a teaser. One of the interesting things about a lot of the volunteer groups in WWI was that they had to wear a uniform, but they also had to supply it. This meant that
The Ghost Talkers Spirit Corps uniform, photographed by Lauren Zurchin Read More »
The British Sound Archives has a recording of Arthur Conan Doyle talking about how he came to write Sherlock Holmes and his beliefs about Spiritualism. This was recorded in 1930 and is fascinating. He relies on personal experiments to prove that it worked and sees Spiritualism as something that can exist side-by-side with other belief
Arthur Conan Doyle! Talking about spiritualism. Read More »
Bishop O’Connell is joining us today to talk about his novel The Returned. Here’s the publisher’s description: Almost a year after their wedding, and two since their daughter Fiona was rescued from a kidnapping by dark faeries, life has finally settled down for Caitlin and Edward. They maintain a façade of normalcy, but a family being
My Favorite Bit: Bishop O’Connell talks about THE RETURNED Read More »
Sadie works on her ciphers
Are you missing a cipher book? Read More »
Beth Cato is joining us today with her novel Breath of Earth. Here’s the publisher’s description: In an alternate 1906, the United States and Japan have forged a powerful confederation—the Unified Pacific—in an attempt to dominate the world. Their first target is a vulnerable China. In San Francisco, headstrong Ingrid Carmichael is assisting a group of
My Favorite Bit: Beth Cato talks about BREATH OF EARTH Read More »
I am so proud of MidAmeriCon II and their safety staff. Why? Because I violated the Code of Conduct and they held me accountable. It would have been really easy for them to give me a pass because I’m “Someone” and to say, “Oh, it doesn’t really matter” for me. Even though it was stressful
My MidAmeriCon II badge was just suspended. That is awesome. This is why. Read More »
So of you are at WorldCon and playing along with my roving launch party for GHOST TALKERS, I should probably tell you what you’re aiming for. Kinda important. In the Tor party tonight (9pm, Crowne Plaza, Ballroom), I’ll write a one page short story, on a manual typewriter, while you wait. Come, even if you
Decipher clues to win a one page short story, written by me. Read More »
Today, I’ve already had a couple of people come up to me with the correct passphrase for my roving launch party. Here is where I should make it clear that though I said the party is tomorrow, it’s actually all weekend. Except that tomorrow is the day that I’ll be in costume. Perhaps it might be
Mary’s roving book party and ciphers Read More »
To celebrate the release of GHOST TALKERS I am being sneaky again today — as if that is a surprise to anyone — and have once again snuck a code into a post. La! It is different from the previous ones. But with all the research I did into ciphers and codes for GHOST TALKERS I have found
A code for GHOST TALKERS book release Read More »
Erica L. Satifka is joining us today with her novel Stay Crazy. Here’s the publisher’s description: After a breakdown in college landed Emmeline Kalberg in a mental hospital, she’s struggling to get her life on track. She’s back in her hometown and everyone knows she’s crazy, but the twelve pills she takes every day keep
My Favorite Bit: Erica L. Satifka talks about STAY CRAZY Read More »
This is a test to see what happens if I give one of my code breakers one of these as part of my roving book launch party for GHOST TALKERS at WorldCon, without explanation.
Can you break this code? Read More »
In 1916, as part of WWI the Women’s Auxiliary Corps set up a series of “hospitality rooms.” Maybe that sounds like a euphemism, but at the time it was in response to a recognized need to care for soldiers’ mental as well as physical health. When they had time off, soldiers could go and sit down
Worldcon: Mary’s Roving Launch Party on Thursday and secret codes Read More »
Psst. Want to see the trailer for Ghost Talkers? It’s hosted over at Books Smugglers, along with behind the scenes stuff AND a giveaway. Ghost Talkers is a new novel from fantasy author Mary Robinette Kowal featuring the mysterious spirit corps and their heroic work in World War I. We are delighted to be hosting the