Mark S. Deniz

Vampire Awareness Month has begun!

2010-07-09T12:49:00.000+02:00

And so, after countless chats, mails, checking over the shoulder, jumping at shadows...we can finally announce that Vampire Awareness Month is up and running. From today until 8th August we'll be talking about films, literature, popular culture, music and all manner of vampire related things for you enjoyment and edification!

So hop over to Vampire Awareness Month now, where you'll find P. G. Bell in situ with his introduction to the whole proceedings!

Requiems for the Departed - huge TOC and cover announced!

2010-03-22T15:17:00.004+01:00

Another great anthology from Morrigan Books and yet another fantastic cover from Reece Notley:

Edited by Gerard Brennan & Mike Stone

Requiems for the Departed
Irish Crime, Irish Myths.

It has been said before, that every story has already been told.

Maybe so. But if you’ve got the gift of the gab, you can tell the same tale as often as you like and still give it a life of its own every time.

Requiems for the Departed flaunts that gift seventeen times over with top shelf stories from Ken Bruen, Maxim Jakubowski, Stuart Neville, Brian McGilloway, Adrian McKinty, Sam Millar, John Grant, Dave Hutchinson, and many more.

The children of Conchobar are back to their old mischievous ways, ancient Celtic royalty, druids and banshees are set loose in the new Irish underbelly with murder and mayhem on their minds.

Requiems for the Departed contains seventeen short stories, inspired by Irish mythology, from some of the finest contemporary writers in the business.

PUBLICATION DATE: 1st June 2010

Requiems for the Departed
Stories:

Queen of the Hill - Stuart Neville
Hound of Culann - Tony Black
Hats off to Mary - Garry Kilworth
Sliabh Ban - Arlene Hunt
Red Hand of Ulster - Sam Millar
She Wails Through the Fair - Ken Bruen
A Price to Pay - Maxim Jakubowski
Red Milk - T. A. Moore
Bog Man - John McAllister
The Sea is Not Full - Una McCormack
The Druid's Dance - Tony Bailie
Children of Gear - Neville Thompson
Diarmid and Grainne - Adrian McKinty
The Fortunate Isles - Dave Hutchinson
First to Score - Garbhan Downey
Fisherman's Blues - Brian McGilloway
The Life Business - John Grant

Pre-orders can be made soon

Behold the Spider! Dead Souls now available from Amazon.com

2009-10-26T10:26:00.000+01:00

Dead Souls is now available through both the Morrigan Books website and Amazon.com.

Be sure to scare the bejeezus out of your nearest and dearest this Halloween by gifting them with some wonderful tales, penned by expert storytellers.

And a cover to make you squirm whenever you reach for your copy!

Interview

2009-10-19T16:00:00.001+02:00

The lovely Mihai Adascalitei interviewed me for his Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews site:

Mark S. Deniz

You reading enough?

2009-09-01T10:16:00.000+02:00

Well you may think you are but honestly if you've not picked up at least one of these, then you really need to be changing some priorities over the next few months...

Allyson Bird: Has a lovely looking site, designed by the wonderfully talented Vincent Chong. Bull Running for Girls has been nominated for best collection at this year's Fantasy Con and I'm lucky enough to be receiving my signed copy on arrival!

Jenny Blackford: Has released The Priestess and the Slave, I'm very much looking forward to this, and yes, I have ordered my copy - you got yours yet?

Carole Johnstone: Has a new novella out. Frenzy has already been released and guess what, yes, I will be getting my signed copy in September!

Kaaron Warren: Has already released Slights, and of course it's excellent and of course I've read it!

Robert Hood: Released his collection Creeping in Reptile Flesh. I have my copy and have started it. Anyone not having read Hood should do so immediately!

Gary McMahon: Is releasing Different Skins at Fantasy Con. Lovely cover and I've no doubt fantastic work within. I'll be buying a copy of that you can be sure!

Cate Gardner: Has released her little chapbook, The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon. Much shorter than I wanted it to be but some lovely imagery in there and well worth a read!

So, off you go, go buy some books!

Dead Souls now available for pre-order!

2009-07-14T22:16:00.001+02:00

Dare you order?

Dead Souls

How to Make Monsters review (yes another good one!)

2009-06-02T20:39:00.002+02:00

This time from the wonderful Sharon Ring, deputy editor over at Science Fiction and Fantasy Ethics (SFEE for short).

How to Make Monsters review

The book can be ordered online, although there are few copies left…so grab yours before it’s too late!

Purchase How to Make Monsters and make sure to get some light bulbs while you’re at it, as you won’t want to turn the light off again!

Two reviews for Morrigan Books' titles

2009-04-27T15:35:00.000+02:00

First up is a review of The Even, over at A Writer Goes on a Journey:

The Even

and then we have a review of How to Make Monsters at Horrorworld:

How To Make Monsters
(scroll down for review)

Both reviews are positive and while I am not so sure I agree with the charge of 'less than stellar editing' (from a reviewer who knows not where apostrophes live) and even though I wish the reviewer of How To Make Monsters would work on getting Gary's titles right, it seems these two are rather popular books just at present!

The Even can be purchased here

and How to Make Monsters here

Voices review

2009-02-03T11:56:00.001+01:00

“Voices” is a nice collection of horror stories that deals more with the supernatural and paranormal aspects of the genre and less or almost not at all with the gory and macabre part. Also the anthology edited by Mark S. Deniz and Amanda Pillar presents new or established authors of the genre and I personally discovered through “Voices” a few names that stirred my interest.

Read the review over at Dark Wolf

And you can always buy the book at the Morrigan Books site!

The Phantom Queen Awakes: Line-up

2009-01-22T14:58:00.001+01:00

(TOC to be announced soon)
It was just too cool not to be announced!

Katharine Kerr: The Lass from Far Away
Elaine Cunningham: She Who Is Becoming
Anya Bast: The Kiss of the Morrigan
C. E. Murphy: Cairn Dancer
Michael Bailey: The Dying Gaul
Peter Bell: The Trinket
Linda Donahue: Silver Branch
Lynne Lumsden Green: I Guard your Death
L. J. Hayward: The Plain of Pillars
Jennifer Lawrence: Washerwoman
James Lecky: The Children of Badb Catha
T. A. Moore: White Heifer
Mari Ness: Ravens
Sharon Kae Reamer: The Raven's Curse
Ruth Shelton: Rising Tide
Martyn Taylor: The Good and Faithful Servant
Donald Jacob Uitvlugt: Gifts of the Morrigan

Edited by Mark S. Deniz and Amanda Pillar
Will be released 31st October 2009.

More news to follow...

Grants Pass TOC announced!

2009-01-20T09:47:00.001+01:00

Prelude: Kayley Allard
An Unkindness of Ravens: Stephanie Gunn
Boudha: KV Taylor
Hells Bells: Cherie Priest
Ascension: Martin Livings
Animal Husbandry: Seanan McGuire
Men of Faith: Ivan Ewert
The Chateau de Mons: Jennifer Brozek
The Few that are Good: Scott Almes
Rites of Passage: Pete Kempshall
A Perfect Night to Watch Detroit Burn: Ed Greenwood
Final Edition: Jeff Parish
The Discomfort of Words: Carole Johnstone
Newfound Gap: Lee Clark Zumpe
Ink Blots: Amanda Pillar
Black Heart, White Mourning: Jay Lake
By the Sea: Shannon Page
Remembrance: James M. Sullivan
Epilogue: Kayley Allard

Two stories set in the Grants Pass universe, Warlord of Rhode Island by Rick Silva and Snake Oil by David Priebe, will be released online prior to the official launch!

Edited by Jennifer Brozek and Amanda Pillar.

Pre-order details soon!

Three Crow Press - The Morrigan Books Ezine

2008-11-12T10:51:00.001+01:00

Three Crow Press

On the winter solstice, Morrígan Books will celebrate the divide of light and dark by launching its online magazine, Three Crow Press.

Three Crow Press is an online magazine specializing in quality speculative fiction, supernatural, fantasy (urban, dark and gothic), horror and steampunk as well as non-fiction pieces and articles. Well written young adult will be considered if the piece is within the 16+ market. We are prepared to consider all genre-related works and are looking for stories that capture the imagination of the Three Crow staff.

Winter Solstice Deadline: December 1, 2008

Fiction Word Count and Parameters: Stories should be between 500 and 3,000 words. There is no theme to the issue but story must fit within the specified genres. Payment for submissions are 1 cent (US) per word following acceptance.

Settings: Any part of the world, mythology or culture.

Timeline: We will consider any story set at any time in the past, present or near future as long as the story is within the specified genres.

All materials must be an original work by the submitting individual. Reprint copyrights will remain with you. No simultaneous submissions will be accepted. Previously published material will only be accepted if discussed with the editor first.

For more information please go to Three Crow Press Submissions at:

http://www.morriganezine.com/submissions.html

The Even - now available in Amazon and Waterstone's

2008-10-20T13:50:00.001+02:00

T. A. Moore's The Even, is now available at Amazon, as well as at Waterstone's and will soon be arriving on the shelves of Forbidden Planet in Belfast too.

You've really no excuse now have you?

Fantasy Con 2008

2008-10-15T11:13:00.001+02:00

I haven't written about the con yet for several reasons: one of them being time (or rather lack of it), one of them being a few disappointments whilst there and another wanting to get some final stats before posting.

Simon Strantzas (cover designer for How to Make Monsters) has posted a few pics on his Facebook account and I was rather taken with this one:

From left to right: Moi, Simon (behind), the mighty Gary McMahon (author of How to Make Monsters) and his lovely wife Emily.

This was one of my highlights of the con, having a good old chat with lovely people!

More to follow... maybe...

The Even now available at Waterstone's

2008-10-14T21:57:00.001+02:00

The Even by T. A. Moore is now available at Waterstone's bookstores. If you order the hardback (or two copies of the paperback) you'll also get free delivery!

Time to grab a copy indeed!

Fantasy Con updates

2008-09-06T14:36:00.001+02:00

It has now been confirmed that I will be attending the Fantasy Con in Nottingham, England and Morrigan Books will launch The Even by T. A. Moore and How to Make Monsters by Gary McMahon, Saturday 20th September, 11 am, bar and dealers' room.

Voices will also be available as a pre-launch limited edition before its official launch at Conflux 5, Canberra, Australia, Saturday, October 4th 2008.

I arrive in England, 17th September and will return to Sweden 24th September. I will be staying in Nottingham 19th - 21st and will be based in Burnley, Lancashire the other dates.

It would be great to meet up with people whilst in England and if you are going to the con or are free on any of the other days then let me know and we can try and organise something.

The Monsters are unleashed - How to Make Monsters available for pre-order

2008-09-01T21:53:00.001+02:00

How to Make Monsters is available on pre-order today, with delivery during the weekend of Fantasy Con, 19th-21st September.

Voices now available for pre-order!

2008-09-01T14:42:00.001+02:00

Please check the Voices page at Morrigan Books for all relevant details and payment options!

Press release regarding The Age of Blood & Snow

2008-09-01T14:38:00.001+02:00

Due to contractual issues, Morrigan Books has been forced to remove The Age of Blood & Snow from its upcoming release calendar.

The anthology is to be repackaged, with a release date penned for March 2009.

More details will follow as soon as we have them.

Ed Greenwood to join Morrigan Books' impressive author list!

2008-08-25T14:54:00.001+02:00

I can confirm that Ed Greenwood has agreed to join Cherie Priest and Jay Lake on the post-apocalyptic anthology, Grants Pass, co-edited by Jennifer Brozek and Amanda Pillar, and to be released summer 2009.

This is another step in showing Morrigan Books' dedication to supplying its readers with the best new and existing talent on the market!

Changing of the guard

2008-08-25T13:54:00.001+02:00

Today sees Nyssa Pascoe, depart from her role as web-design and support at the company.

Nyssa was vital in seeing the current Morrigan Books site off the ground and has helped so much with the company behind the scenes too.

We are sad to see Nyssa leave and wish her all the best in her future pursuits.

Taking over the role is the talented Jenn Moffatt, who has been very involved in the setting up and design of the new ezine from Morrigan Books, The Morrigan. More on that very soon!

Good luck Nyssa and welcome Jenn!

__________________________________

(cross posted from Morrigan Books)

Stars of Speculative Fiction interviews return!

2008-08-15T09:43:00.001+02:00

It's been a little while but I am pleased to be able to send you in the direction of my latest interview, this time with fabled basketball hero and sometimes member of Lobo Luna, Adam P. Knave (just don't call him errant... )

SoSF - Adam P. Knave

While you're over there you might as well check out some of my other interviews, with the likes of Mike Stone, Elaine Cunningham, Adrienne Jones, etc., especially as they're getting some nice grades!

New ezine for Morrigan Books and new face at the helm!

2008-07-18T10:20:00.001+02:00

I would like to draw your attention today to some very special news, of interest to at least a few of you in here. After discussions with MG Ellington, promo queen extraordinaire, I can now now announce that Morrigan Books will be taking another step in its quest to ensure that all is dark once more by setting up its very own ezine, The Morrigan.

There is much discussion still but I can at least inform you that MG Ellington has agreed to come on board as editor-in-chief of the zine. I am of course extremely happy about this and am very much looking forward to seeing what she does with our new baby!

Official cover for The Even

2008-06-27T11:11:00.001+02:00

Yet again many thanks go to new in-house graphic designer, Reece Notley for turning the excellent artwork of Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, into one hell of a cover!

I can also announce that Morrigan Books has agreed on a contract for a second book from T. A. Moore, entitled Shadows Bloom, such is the belief we have in Moore and her writing.

The Stars of Speculative Fiction #16: Ekaterina Sedia

2008-06-20T10:39:00.001+02:00

Well Kathy, it's all go for you isn't it, what with rave reviews of The Secret History of Moscow and Paper Cities adorning the net, you must be over the moon!

1. What are you up to at the moment, writing and editing wise?

Well, at the moment I am editing Russian Winters – an anthology of fantasy stories rooted in Russian myth for Prime. There are also a couple of editing projects very much in the proposal stage, so I feel it's a bit early to talk about them.

Writing-wise, I have finished my third book for Prime, The House of Discarded Dreams, and am currently working on a YA book. There are a few other things in various stages of development kicking around, and my amazing agent is working hard looking for a publisher for my next book.

Sounds exciting!

You've actually lead me on to a question I wanted to ask someone in your position, which is regarding being a writer who edits (or an editor who writes).

2. I've been told that writers shouldn't edit and editors shouldn't write. What's your opinion?

Obviously, I disagree; at least, I disagree with it as a universal statement. I think it can create a situation where there is a conflict of interest -- for example, an editor inserting a story into an anthology they edit, and that should be avoided (again, there are exceptions). Other than that, I see no particular reason not to put together a book of stories by writers I enjoy and finding a publisher. Writing and editing definitely appeal to different interests, and I am not sure why shouldn't I be allowed to enjoy both.

3. As you know I've read The Secret History of Moscow and loved it (and still have a review that needs polishing). How much research went into that in terms of the mythology/history and how did you come up with the idea?

Not a whole lot of research -- I needed to verify some of the dates, but otherwise I tried to rely on history and folklore generally familiar to Muscovites of my generation (Zemun the Celestial Cow possibly being an exception) -- something we all learned in our history classes and movies based on folktales. The book is largely a riff on the familiar cultural and historical background and the underside of this background. I've always been fascinated with secret histories and hidden realities, so this book was my attempt to poke in the cracks between background reality and understanding of history, and see what crawls out.

4. What do you do when you're not writing (or editing)?

I do work full-time (more than full time, if you consider that I teach at a liberal arts college -- in addition to a heavy teaching load, I do research, so it all adds up to long long hours. In my free time, I garden, cook, occasionally work out or watch movies. Nothing earth-shaking there.

5. Have you any tips for aspiring writers (and indeed editors) who may be reading this?

All advice should help you achieve your goals, so having goals that depend on oneself rather than some outside agency is always good. One piece of advice I found helpful (and I have to credit Jay Lake, who's been a wonderful friend and a greatly supportive influence for it) was "Write more" -- because really, this is something we all can do, and more writing leads to better writing. Another bit of advice is to evaluate all advice given -- there are so many writer-oriented websites, books, blogs, that there is too much advice out there. Most of it applies in certain circumstances or to certain people but not others. Like writing everyday -- great for some, terrible for others. Or avoid adverbs at all cost -- another thing that can be useful in some situations (overused dialog tags, for example) and just horrible in others. Basically, find things that work for you and discard the rest.

As for the editors -- I would say that all editors (and I am including myself in this group) should strive to attract more writers from underrepresented groups -- such as women in science fiction, or writers of color in most of speculative fiction genres (this is, of course, meant to apply to the US). Seek to expand your tastes beyond things you used to love when you were twelve.

And for both writers and editors -- read outside of your chosen genre as well as within it. Good writing is universal.

Lots of good information there, Kathy, thanks for that!

6. Is music a big part of your writing and editing work? Are you a keen listener, are you inspired by music, or do you prefer quiet and solitude?

I do enjoy quiet and solitude, but music is often helpful for creating atmosphere. I do tend toward dark music -- Tom Waits and Nick Cave are my go-to dark musicians. I also do enjoy The Pogues and Clash a lot -- I've been listening to a lot of both lately, while working on my YA book. In any case, music is usually the background, not the inspiration (and that is a good thing, considering.)

Oh my, what fine taste in music you have grandma... I mean Kathy...

7. Who inspired you to write and who is inspiring you to keep writing?

There are plenty writers I admire, but I would not say that any one of them inspired me to write. Writing, IMO, occurs when one feels one has something to say, and should stop when I has said everything one wanted to say.

I like the very vague answers to this question recently... although I do agree with your point.

8. What do you think there needs to be more of in the spec fic industry, specifically within the independent press area?

Good books. More good books. Independent press is positioned to take advantage of many niche markets today, so I would think that it would make sense to publish less mainstream boy's own adventure and paranormal romances where everyone is white and independently wealthy, and focus instead on speculative fiction that is not as widely represented -- fiction by and about ethnic minorities, women, cultures other than Western and so on. We need books about future where not everyone is middle class, we need epic fantasy set outside of what K. Tempest Bradford termed 'McEurope' in her recent Fantasy Magazine article. More different voices, more voices that have not been heard before.

*nods*

9. What is it that draws you into speculative fiction, why are you working in this area?

I think (good) speculative fiction is about the same things as mainstream fiction; spec fiction allows one to explore the same concerns people share in different situations, contrived settings and plain fun tropes. There's just so much realism one can take.Personally, I like writing about characters who are not-quite-human, and take known histories and look for potential weirdness – alternate history appeals to me a lot for that reason. At the same time, speculative fiction allows one to talk about myths and their influence on people as something other than a metaphor -- you can take the fantastic and incorporate it into a normal life; in a way, it is an attempt (at least occasionally) to reconstruct magical outlook of many human societies to who the distinction between the realistic and the fantastic was not necessarily obvious or even real.

10. Last but not least, In terms of the short fiction you write, when sending it away do you look for a particular theme of an anthology, or do you prefer certain editors or do you even care?

Specifically for anthologies -- it all depends. Sometimes a theme might appeal to me, or sometimes the editor or the publisher. Of course, I usually try to honor invitations if at all possible. Another thing I look for are paying markets -- not really a mercenary consideration, but the ability and the desire to pay writers tells me whether the company has the means to get my work seen, and just generally if they respect the writers enough to pay them.

Same is true of magazines, even though there I go more by reputation and their list of contributors. Lone Star Stories and Farrago's Wainscot, for example, pay a token amount but published an excellent list of contributors, so I was proud to appear in both. Overall, I think, I go for the publications I like.

Thank you so much Kathy, for agreeing to come along for the interview. I wish you continued success with The Secret History of Moscow and Paper Cities and I hope the new books do even better!

Katherine Kerr to join Elaine Cunningham in dark Celtic anthology

2008-06-16T10:39:00.001+02:00

I can now confirm that Katherine Kerr, bestselling author of the Deverry series, will also be writing for the dark Celtic anthology, to be edited by myself (Mark S.Deniz) and Amanda Pillar.

I am especially excited about Katherine Kerr agreeing to write for us, as the Deverry books were an integral part of my fantasy reading in the 90's and this decade also, and to know that Katherine is going to be sending us a story for the anthology is fantastic news, both for the book itself and for Morrigan Books in general.

The Stars of Speculative Fiction #15: Steve Berman

2008-06-13T23:48:00.001+02:00

Greetings Steve, nice to be able to interview you. There's been quite a bit going on for you recently with several stories out and nominations abound...

1. Care to tell us all a little bit about your recent exploits?

Thanks, Mark. Well, my novel, Vintage, released last year but the original publisher was bought by another press uninterested in fiction. Fortunately, the book returned from the dead through Lethe Press and became a finalist for the 2007 Andre Norton Award. It’s also been nominated for the Gaylactic Spectrum Award Best Novel. Actually, now that I think of it, I’m nominated in all three Spectrum categories: for Vintage, for So Fey (Best Other Work), and “Bittersweet” (Best Short Story) from the Journal of Mythic Arts.

I’ve been promoting the 2008 release Magic in the Mirrorstone of late. It’s a young adult fantasy anthology I edited for Mirrorstone Books (the children’s publishing arm of Wizards of the Coast) with fifteen stories by such well-known authors as Holly Black, Greg Frost, and Nina Kiriki Hoffman.

I have stories in two Prime anthologies this summer, and a new annual anthology I edited reprinting the best gay speculative fiction, Wilde Stories, releases from Lethe Press at the month’s end. Oh, and my next short story collection, Second Thoughts comes out in time for my birthday in August.

As I said, the odd thing here and there...

2. Who got you writing and who inspires you now?

I don’t think there was any single individual or even author that inspired me to write. When I was in elementary school I wrote these really awful short short stories about a secret agent. I shudder to think of them now. The rest of class would groan when I was about to read one.

Who inspires me now? I think inspiration is the wrong term. Rather than a muse, I have support. Support from my family, support from good friends.

Support is good, support is underrated.

3. What the hell is speculative fiction anyway and do you consider yourself a speculative fiction writer?

You want me to speculate on speculative fiction? All storytelling demands some imagination, on the part of the teller and certainly with the listener/reader. But, to me spec fic is any form of fiction where something odd or weird is a necessity for the author to tell the story. Thus, it could range from high fantasy to space opera, supernatural horror, to magic realism. Parables and fairy tales are also often speculative fiction. Without the strange element, the story would seem truncated to the reader.

I would say that, outside of some articles and essays, almost everything I’ve written is speculative fiction.

It's been an interesting question this one, as I don't think I've gotten the same answer twice...

4. What should publishers like myself be thinking of at the moment when looking for new work in the spec fic scene, what do you think the market is missing, and what are its strong points?

This is a tough question. My first reaction is: publishers need always be concerned with quality versus trend. I’d rather read a well-written book with familiar themes than something trendy but poorly constructed.

As for what is missing, I’m still surprised that the speculative fiction field seems very much a white room; there are too few minorities (as much as I hate the world, in spec fic its apt to describe authors’ ethnicities). The question to ask is: why does the field, in all its varied scope, not attract more African-American, Asian-American, and Latino-American writers? There’s some disconnect here. If I went to the cinema when Lord of the Rings was playing and took a census, what would be the ethnic mix? Certainly more than what was on the screen. Who was the last non-white hero or heroine of a well-done science-fiction movie?

That said, there are some strong points to the current market. Sexual orientation is no longer the boogeyman as it once was. Mainstream publishers are releasing books that deal with gender issues. I’d like to think this reflects on a wider readership. We still have far to go, though.

Agreed (not that my books are breaking any boundaries in that area though...)

5. What do you do when you're not writing?

Mostly think about why I’m not writing. Then feel guilty for not writing. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I do have a day job. And I do spend time with my parents a great deal. Otherwise, I’m really dull. I read, I watch old movies.

Ah that guilty feeling when not writing...

6. Onto the obligatory music question (well for me anyway): are you a music listener when you write or are you a lover of silence? If so what do you listen to or what inspires you?

Well, if I’m writing during breakds in the dayjob, then there’s no music. At home, I do try and have something playing the background. I’m sure I’m not alone in liking an eclectic selection of music. Let’s see... what’s on my iPod. Terri Windling infected me with love for Seth Lakeman. Then there are musicals (Hairspray, Guys and Dolls, Oliver!). Some Bob Hope, some Melissa Etheridge. A dose of Cute is What We Aim For, a dash of Madeleine Peyroux with a pinch of Girlyman. And every playlist deserves some Gin Blossoms or Ottmar Liebert.

*tries to get his around Bob Hope to spec fic... fails*

Bob Hope and spec fic are perfect today. The Road movies often featured bizarre events. My favorite, Road to Morrocco, featured talking camels and a ring that granted wishes. Then Hope was the star of Ghost Breakers, a terrific voodoo comedy.

7. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?

I’m never good at prognostication. For years I tried Ouija until someone told me the proper method is through a board and not a bowl of alphabet soup.

All I can hope for is that I’m still alive, still challenging myself to write better stories, and maybe even still being read.

*laughs* are you saying it isn't done through soup?

8. What tips do you have for the new and budding writers out there?

Well, too often I hear new writers boasting how little revision they do. This misconception of the writing process—that revision is proof of poor skill—actually works to their detriment. Revision should be embraced for the powerful tool that it is.

Also, in regards to the notion of support I mentioned earlier, every writer benefits from having other writers in his or her social circle. It could simply be a writing buddy or as advanced as a critique group, but being able to meet with a friend creates a welcome environment for talking about stories, writing techniques, and comfort during some of the lonelier moments that happen to all writers.

Lastly, do not compare your career to that of others. Trust me, that path only leads to melancholy. There will always be some writer younger than you, or more skilled, or faster, better paid, and so on. Telling stories for pay is not a competition. Yes, there are awards for writers, but you should concern yourself with the rewards: finishing the best story you can and knowing that some stranger out in the world you could never hope to meet in your lifetime is reading your words and finding meaning in them.

Excellent advice, some stuff to be noted here!

9. Why mroctober on live journal and why the pumpkin head? Is that a really obvious question?

*notes that his birthday is August*

Oh, back in 1994, I had my two first professional sales, one to Dragon and one to White Wolf Magazine. Both were Call of Cthulhu gaming articles and both released in October. I spent a fortune having them framed. My friends started calling me Mr. October after that.

Why the pumpkin head? Oh, Halloween is my favorite holiday and nothing seems to evoke that image better in my mind than a scarecrow with a jack o’lantern noggin.

Okay, I'm glad I asked as it's not as obvious as first seemed!

10. Last but not least I saw in your first answer (and from the excellent cover artwork) that you've edited an anthology. How was that and how does it compare to writing?

I’ve actually edited four anthologies to date. It’s a very different process, more like buying a puzzle, then discovering that you have to choose the pieces first from several boxes and find the best way for them to fit together.

Writing for me is an introverted pursuit that is prone to anxiety because the success or failure relies only on myself. Editing allows me to be more extroverted. The very nature of inviting authors to submit, of choosing stories, brings me into contact with a number of extraordinarily talented people. Plus, the caregiver in me enjoys sharing words I have come to value with others.

Nice to hear! Thank you so much for coming along and I wish you all the best with your projects and really hope to see something of yours over at Morrigan Books in the future!

Thanks, Mark. I’m truly flattered you took the time to talk with me.

New York Times bestselling author comes to Morrigan Books

2008-06-08T13:28:00.001+02:00

After discussions over the last few days, I can now confirm that Elaine Cunningham, bestselling fantasy author, is to work on a future Morrigan Books anthology. The fine tuning of the anthology is still under way but I can inform interested readers (and indeed writers) that it will be dark fantasy and will focus on Celtic mythology, with our very own namesake, Morrigan, taking an active role.

More news to follow soon...

The Stars of Speculative Fiction #14: Andrew McKiernan

2008-05-30T11:03:00.001+02:00

Jolly nice to be able to have this chat with you, Andrew, as one of those on the rise within speculative fiction, I thought it would be good to get an interview with you before you got too big and too famous to want to talk to me.

Why, thank you, Sir. It's a pleasure to be here. Although I don't think there'll ever be a time I would be too big to talk to you... unless I was so big my larynx collapsed under its own weight and my lungs were unable to create the extraordinary pressures needed to breathe.

1. Well you've been on the Australian scene for quite some time now as artistic editor and illustrator, why the move over to fiction, and how does that feel at the present?

I'm not sure if it was actually a move from one to the other. In my mind I've probably always seen myself as a writer first. I know I was writing my own stories pretty much as soon as I could string a sentence together. Back then, I think I had this notion that all stories were illustrated. All the books I owned had illustrations, and so my stories needed illustrations too. Being quite a solitary child, I gave myself the task.

I don't think I was ever really a huge comics fan, but for me, words and images seemed to always go together. I was always writing though, secretly for much of my life. I never really felt the need to show others the stories or poetry I was writing. I kept drawing too, until the end of Yr12 Art in High School. My art teacher didn't see 'illustration' as art. And, as I chose air-brushing for my major works instead of the more traditional oil-painting or sculpture – and the fact that I didn't have breasts, which he enjoyed looking at more than the artworks – my teacher marked me down and told me "if you can't paint or sculpt, you'll never be an artist". I gave up for a long while after that.

It wasn't 'til I got fed up after 8yrs working in Purchasing and Logistics that I said 'stuff it!' and started my own graphic design business. I had no training, and little real experience, but lots of drive and ambition. I think that has worked out pretty well for me. Running my own business also gave me the time to concentrate a little more on my writing. Joining a couple of online writing groups in 2002 – plus constant pressure from my wife – gave me the confidence to finally start sending some of my writing out into the market place. So far, that's worked out pretty well for me too.

Having my writing accepted for publication sort of feels like I've finally got to the place I wanted to be right from the start. I'll never give up illustrating, but it was almost like it was always more of a stepping stone than a goal.

Sounds brilliant and very much as though things are moving in the right way!

2. In terms of you being a newbie to the writing scene (in terms of publication) but having being involved in the industry as a whole for quite some time now, do you think you have come in the Australia speculative fiction scene at the right time, how do you assess it just now?

Oh yes! Most definitely. Australian Spec-fic is going great guns at the moment – here and overseas. Fantasy and Science Fiction authors such as Trudi Canavan, Karen Miller, Jennifer Fallon, Sean Williams and Marianne de Pierres have really started making names for themselves in international markets. Some of the Aussie short story writers have created some buzz too.

The small-press scene is still chugging along much as it always has, but I think the big difference is that the product has become much more refined and professional. Some of the anthologies that have come out over the last 2yrs, and those that are slated for release this year or next, look like they are going to be absolutely brilliant.

I'm pretty proud to call myself predominately a 'horror' author over here at the moment too. The formation of the Australian Horror Writers Association has done an enormous amount both for its members and to increase the awareness of horror fiction in the general media. Will Elliott's 'The Pilo Family Circus' winning the ABC Fiction Award was quite a coup for horror fiction, and films such as Wolf Creek, Rogue and the Australian written Saw have done enormous amounts to bring 'horror' back to the masses. The resurrection of 'Horror' is a worldwide phenomena at the moment, and I think Australia is really riding the crest of that wave.

I didn't realise Saw was Australian written, although have tended to avoid those type of films – enjoyed Wolf Creek though!

3. You mention horror as a particular favourite of yours. Who got you started with your own writing and who are your inspirations now?

I remember my Great Grandfather telling 'The Monkey's Paw' on a stormy night when I was really young. That scared and excited me a lot. And my grandmother cleaned a local library at night. She'd pick me up each evening and I'd browse the shelves, all on my own, for a couple of hours while she cleaned. The library was dark and very, very empty and silent. That was really creepy, but I loved it, searching those dark shelves. That atmosphere probably helped refine my enjoyment of the darker literature.

I was watching the early Universal and later Hammer Horror films from a pretty young age too, and I read 'Carrie' when I was nine years old. From there I immediately grabbed a copy of 'Cujo' and the 'Nightshift' collection and I was pretty hooked on Stephen King from then on. My love of horror literature (both old and new) just sort of blossomed from there.

I'm pretty inspired these days – at least in my mind if not in my writing – by authors such as Mark Z. Danielewski and Chuck Palahnuik. 'House of Leaves' was a pretty amazing book – what it did with the way written stories can be told really had me scared whilst reading a book for the first time in years. Palahnuik is good too. Some of the tales in 'Haunted' were just wonderful. Others fell a little short of the mark and one – you know the one – went a little too far for my mind, but I feel he's really trying to do something different. Otherwise, Stephen King still gets me going when he writes well - 'Duma Key' was a good return to form. And Dan Simmons: when he writes horror it always impresses me. 'The Terror' was definitely one of my favourite books of 2007.

*nods* some good stuff there and interesting with the library story, sounds fun! I've never been a big lover of King but then that's just me.

4. What would be your advice for new authors then, or at least those trying to break into the market?

My advice on writing is only ever one thing – just write! I'll have plenty of advice once you've actually written something – on grammar, on character and plot and voice – but until then my advice is just to write.

There is a lot you can read on how to write and every author seems to have a different opinion. I'm sure their advice works for them, and I'm sure I have my own idiosyncrasies, but I don't think there is ever any 'magic bullet' advice. You could spend your entire life reading up on 'how to write' and never get anything accomplished. I think that is a very big trap some people get caught up in.

And, when you do write, just write the story that you want to read. Don't try and fit it into a market or a genre or worry about whether it will fit into the roster of Publisher X. I think doing that does a great disservice to the story you are trying to tell.

Then, once you're done, don't be afraid to send your stories out there into the market place. That is a hard step for first authors to take. If you're still a bit insecure about your writing, there are plenty of writing groups – both 'real-person' and online – that can offer advice and support.

I think that sums it up perfectly, I don't think I've met two writers yet who have the same technique for writing!

5. Moving on to your artwork now and there have been some rather big developments there too. Care to tell us about them?

Well, "Shards" is probably the biggest thing, and definitely the most challenging. "Shards" is a book of 40 short stories (mainly flash) written by Shane Jiraiya Cummings and due out from Ticonderoga Publications in October. I'm doing the cover and illustrating all the stories with full page black and white images and have been working on this with Shane for around 2yrs now. I'm quite eclectic in my artistic style and methods and trying to keep all 40 images in a coherent style that carries through the entire book has been quite tough. Shane is a brilliant author and the stories are sometimes quite hard to find the right image to illustrate without giving everything away with a glace. This is especially hard with the flash fiction where you don't have too many words to work with. I'm very happy with the results though and with how the constraints have helped me develop my own style.

Other than that, I have an illustration and a short interview forthcoming in multiple Stoker winner Jonathan Maberry's next non-fiction book "They Bite". I've also done the cover for Eneit Press's next installment in the 'In Bad Dreams' anthology series and have an illustration for a Nathan Burrage story in Aurealis #40.

Productive indeed!

6. What do you do when you're not writing?

I design and develop websites and maintain quite a few for my clients. That's still my main bread and butter. I also do graphic design work, commission artwork for Aurealis and do all the layout and typesetting for each issue. On weekends I work in a bookshop.

I play with my boys whenever I can and spend a couple of hours each night just chatting with my wife about stuff. I don't watch too much TV anymore, although there are a few series (Deadwood, FarScape, Firefly) that I've enjoyed watching in their entirety on DVD. I play computer games every now and then but I'm bored if there isn't a decent storyline or enough freedom for me to play the game the way I want to. Recently I've really enjoyed Far Cry, BioShock and Stalker:Shadow of Chernobyl... especially Stalker, which is a very dark and atmospheric game, and very open ended in its gameplay. You can basically go where you want and do what you want. You can create your own story and I like that in a game.

Most of the time though, I'm just reading and/or listening to music. There are too many good books out there that I haven't discovered yet for me to ever stop reading.

Stalker is something I've been thinking about... hmm...

7. What is speculative fiction then?

Probably the toughest question of all. A marketing term? A catch-all phrase for genre fiction that is not Crime or Romance? I personally think that all Speculative Fiction can be classed as "What if....?" stories regardless of which sub-genre they tend to filter down to. That includes Science Fiction, Science/Epic/High/Urban Fantasy, Horror, Alternate History, Slipstream and many others. I'm the sort of person that doesn't really have a preference either. I'm just as happy reading or writing in any of those sub-genres of Speculative Fiction.

*nods* I think the fact that the descriptions have varied in my short section of interviews says much about the term.

8. Onto a topic now that we have spent many hours discussing and that is music. How important is music to you when you write and are you a believer in mood music or can you write to anything?

Yes, music is very important to me. I can't really accomplish much in my life without having some sort of soundtrack behind it, and writing is no exception. I've tried to write in silence a few times and it has been an absolute disaster. Music seems to really help insulate my mind from the distractions of the outside world and, living next to a main road and having two young boys in the house, I've got plenty of those. I've got pretty broad musical tastes and most of the time, especially whilst doing art or coding a website, I can just keep my music collection on random. 4,500 songs, and I never know what's coming up next. It is like having your own radio station!

When I'm writing though, I tend to find mood music to suit the story. I listened to lots of Dead Can Dance, and all sorts of TajikPop and traditional Tajik music whilst writing 'Daivadana' for In Bad Dreams 2. I can possibly take that to a little bit of an extreme sometimes though. Whilst writing 'All the Clowns in Clowntown' (forthcoming in the 'Macabre' anthology) I thoroughly alienated my family by playing nothing but hour-after-hour of Circus marches like Sousa's 'Liberty Bell March' (better known as the Monty Python theme). They threatened to take my computer away from me if I didn't stop.

Heh, must remember to dig out my old The Best Circus Themes in the World Ever (vol. 18)

Really? You've got a copy of vol.18? I think that's the only one of the 50 volume set that I'm missing!!

Oh, I'll do you a copy! *uncrosses fingers*

9. So what's your future plans, what's coming up for Mr. McKiernan?

The rest of this year looks like the time when all my submissions and acceptances will see the light of day. I've got stories in Brimstone Press's 'Macabre: A Journey Through Australian Horror", Shadowed Realms webzine and Black Box anthology, as well as one in 'In Bad Dreams 2' and Aurealis #42. There are a couple of other completed shorts that I'm still shopping around.

After that, I've got some stories you'll have a big hand in bringing to the public. My Gilgamesh story for Gilgamesh Press is finished the research stage and just about to hit the hard writing stage. The research has been a lot of fun, and I think the writing will be even more fun. I've also got a God Machine story to produce for Morrigan Books and I've got a lot of ideas percolating for that one.

When I'm done with those it will be back into novel mode. I've got a total of 8 already planned (two trilogies and two stand-alones) and one stand-alone is already about 1/2 done. By the end of next year I expect to have at least two of them completed and looking for homes.

Taking it easy I see then...

10. I know you've moved away from the web design a little over recent months but would you have any advice for authors wanting to set up their own site (or indeed fancy a revamp of their existing one)? What should they be doing/not doing?

I think author sites have become a pretty essential part of marketing your work these days. The internet is a great tool for social networking, and book readers are a big part of that. Word of mouth through internet channels has been extremely effective for a number of authors and their websites have played a big part in getting that information out there and keeping readers informed.

My main piece of advice is... get a professional to do it. I'm not just saying that to get business either, as I'm happy to be moving away from web work. But, if your site looks unprofessional people will assume your work is too.

Also, don't overburden yourself! If you spend too much time updating a fancy website you'll leave little time for writing. If you don't think you can maintain a regular author-blog, don't commit to one in the first place: no blog at all is better than one that hasn't been updated in 12 months. If you can't see yourself spending an hour a day writing a blog post, you're better off just posting a bio, a list of your published works, and maybe an extract or two.

Only do what you can manage, and don't let it take away from your writing time. That's probably the best advice I can give.

All sound advice, I'd agree with pretty much all of that too.

Thank you so much for coming along Andrew and I hope all goes well for you on all fronts for many years to come!

My pleasure, and thanks very much for inviting me along.

Voices cover artwork announced!

2008-05-26T11:41:00.001+02:00

This cover was designed for us by the wonderful Reece Notley, and we are very proud of it. We think it's a stunning image and complements the work within beautifully!

Almost all the stories have been edited now and three of them are ready for publication - we will easily be ready for our September release deadline with Voices!

The Stars of Speculative Fiction #13: Simon Haynes

2008-05-23T09:07:00.001+02:00

So Simon, things are on the up and up for yourself, with Hal Spacejock 4 on its way soon (following the stylish magnets) and all manner of mention of you on the blogosphere. Your other baby ASIM (Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine) seems to be enjoying success too.

1. So what's with this Hal Spacejock series then, how did it start and how are plans for number four going?

Hal's as up as he's ever been, but Clunk's a bit down. Nothing specific, it's just that his batteries are running low and his facial motors are the first to feel the effects. Picture a tin-foil beagle.

The first Hal novel began with a flash of inspiration. I was supposed to be doing some programming, but the idea of an overconfident space guy and his dodgy robot seemed much more interesting. I dashed off 25,000 words, then discovered two things: One, a newborn baby is the best possible antidote to a fiction writing career, and two, actual published novels were a tad longer than my own effort. Discouraged, I gave it all up for the next five years.

By then I was busy studying for a grad dip in computer science. The lectures started around 6 or 7pm, and I used to get there from work at around 5. It was so close to my workplace it wasn't worth going all the way home in between, so I had a couple of hours to kill twice a week. I started dragging a laptop along with me, and before you know it I'd rediscovered Hal Spacejock and Clunk. I used to sit up the back of the lectures, writing new scenes on the laptop.

There are so many times when I could have zipped up the writing folder and stashed it away forever. To be honest, I don't like to think about it.

Number four will be hitting shops across Australia and New Zealand on the 1st of June. We're having a book launch at Dymocks Carousel on the 27th (details on the website)

There's a huge announcement coming from my publisher at the end of May, but I'm not even allowed to hint at it. We've been having clandestine meetings in coffee shops, and sweeping the places for bugs and reporters after every cup.

Ooh, sounds very exciting, I'm looking forward to hearing about that!

2. Is it true you are going to write fifteen Hal Spacejock novels and if so why that number?

I used to joke with the staff at Dymocks Carousel about this. I pointed to the whole shelf of Pratchett books in their crowded displays and said the only way I'd get a row like that to myself was if I wrote fifteen books. Two copies of each = 30, which would fill a shelf nicely.

Over time it changed from a joke to a goal. I don't know whether I have 15 Hal books in me, because I'm determined not to repeat myself and I don't want the series to get stale. On the other hand, I have half a dozen workable plots lying around and I keep coming up with more of the things. It's a huge galaxy, after all.

*nods* Would be interesting to read them all though...

3. How did ASIM come about and what's your current involvement with it?

There was a discussion on the Eidolon mailing list about the lack of markets for old fashion pulp fiction. Where was the SF from the golden age? We all wanted to write (and read) stories which weren't all deep and meaningful, just entertaining and fun. I piped up with the Andromeda Spaceways name and after that we got serious about it.

The launch at Convergence was a blast. I think we even won the Ditmar for that presentation.

I've gradually been handing my ASIM duties over to others, simply because maintaining the website has become a bigger and bigger job. I did a complete rewrite earlier this year, and once we started putting original interviews and book reviews on the site, it became more of a publishing venture in its own right than a set of static pages.

It's well worth checking out.

It is indeed, I am a subscriber and think it's a good way to check out new writers!

4. What tips would you have for writers reading this interview, generally, and writers wanting to get into an ASIM magazine specifically?

Write to entertain, not to impress.

Heh! But what if you can do both?

5. Who got you started with your writing? Who are your biggest influences?

My high school English teacher at Como SHS. It was Year 11, and I'd only been in Australia about two months so everything was new and strange. (I grew up in Spain and the UK.) Anyway, she set the class a story writing assignment, and I knocked out a horror effort about a guy using this steampunk-ish contraption in his basement to kill off half the neighbourhood from a distance. The last line revealed he was only trying to build a machine to turn water into booze.

It was all very Twilight Zone (even though I didn't know what TZ was at that point – growing up without a TV does that to you) but my teacher liked it so much she asked me to read it to the class. My desire for publication (and an audience!) was probably born in that instant. It was another ten years before I wrote the first sentence of Hal Spacejock though.

I always mention Asimov, Clarke and William F. Temple because they were the first SF authors I encountered. And Tolkien, even though I don't write fantasy.

6. This brings me to my next question about your multiculturalism *wry grin*. Do you consider yourself an Aussie, an Englishman, a Spaniard even and what do you think living in these three countries has brought to your writing?

I've lived in England for eight years, Spain for eight years, and Australia for 25 years. I have dual nationality (Brit/Aussie), but it's very hard to shake off those early eight years of my life in England. All my family – barring my brother and my parents – lived in the UK, so that was 'home' all the time we lived in Spain. After we moved to Australia, Spain seemed like an extended holiday and England still felt like home. Twenty-five years is a long time, though, and I'm well settled here.

Experiencing those three different cultures gives me something to draw on when I write. (Britain in the late sixties/early seventies was a very different place to modern Australia, so bear with me while I regard it as another culture.) Spain to me was dirt tracks, motorbikes, air rifles and a local school whose entire teaching facilities consisted of wooden desks and the chairs we sat on. Teachers were happy to belt the kids when they misbehaved, too. If you haven't sat in a classroom where teachers have that total and absolute power over you, I can tell you it's nerve-wracking.

Belts and a bit of wood, sounds like Northern England...

7. What do you do when you're not writing then?

Programming! I get more than a hundred emails every day about my software – pleas for help, suggestions for new features, lost registration codes, you name it. It's a full time job for three people, but I do my best.

Eek, sounds like... fun...

8. As an honourary Australian, what's your opinion on the health of the Australian spec fic industry just now?

Booming. When we started ASIM there were three or four mags putting out one issue a year, if that. One of our the first things we decided to do differently was publish frequently, and on time. Six issues a year allows us to publish fifty or more stories instead of the 7 or 8 per year other contemporary mags were offering. We also threw our subs open to all, not just Australian writers, and were amongst the very first to accept submissions by email.

Not that quality suffers – we have a three stage slush process which means most submissions are read by a minimum of two and a max of five or six people ... plus the editors, if they get through to the last round.

As for full-length novels, Fantasy seems to be doing very well in Australia but local Science Fiction is a radioactive wasteland. We seem to import an awful lot of UK science fiction writers though ... hence my all-consuming desire to see the Hal Spacejock books published there. Turn about and all that.

*nods* Fantasy seems to be doing very well everywhere at the mo...

9. You've participated in NaNoWriMo three times now. How has that worked and what are your views on the whole concept, especially as it has come under a lot of criticism over recent years?

I love the whole concept. For the past three years I've handed in one book just before the end of October, after months of incredibly intensive work, only to leap into Nano on the first of November.

At its most basic, NanoWrimo gives me fifty thousand words of raw material to work with. I cherry-picked scenes and ideas from my 2005 and 2006 efforts to create the latest Hal Spacejock novel, and I've no doubt I'll do the same for the next.

I have a yWriter project with over a million words of Hal Spacejock scenes in it. Some are older versions of those in the four books to date, but there are also three incomplete Hal novels and a load of dead ends. It's my own personal Spacejock mine, and as long as I keep doing Nano every year I'll have material to last me for many novels to come.

As for the criticism ... a lot of it seems to focus on the fact that very few NanoWrimo efforts amount to a publishable novel. As you can see from my previous comments, that's missing the mark by a huge margin. I usually write 150,000 words or more to produce one 80-90,000 word novel, and even though the additional words might never be read by anyone else, they're a vital component in the construction of the finished book.

You can either write lots and keep the best bits, or you can attempt to write only the best bits and nothing else. I prefer the former.

Agreed, I've tried (and failed) twice now but have some pretty juicy material for future books!

10. Totally off the beaten track here but it's bizarre enough that I have to ask: what's this thing about you not watching a TV series until it's completely finished and then getting the DVDs?

Well, first off I'm not programming my life around a TV schedule, because that's completely backwards. I work from home so there's no need for me to be up to date on all these TV shows, because I don't hear spoilers and I don't have to discuss “last night's episode” with any workmates around the water cooler.

Also, shows get cancelled at the drop of a hat, and it's incredibly irritating to get to know a bunch of characters only to have them left hanging because some suit decided the series wasn't selling enough air freshener, toilet paper and razor blades.

So, I picked up the whole boxed set of Buffy 2-3 years after the season finished. Ditto Angel. Ditto Stargate SG-1. You get the whole series arc in one box, you can watch the things whenever you want and you know they're not going to pull the rug from under your feet.

Also, I quit watching TV around 1994, so there are tons of older shows I can catch up on. By the time I've seen the best of them, current shows like Lost and Heroes and (insert show of the month) will be done, dusted and selling in mega-boxed-sets. Let them sit on the shelf for a year or two, then pick them up at a reasonable price.

The other thing is, the average 1-hour show lasts 40-42 minutes on DVD. I save 18 minutes per episode over watching the same show crammed with ads, or nearly seven hours over a season. That's an awful lot of writing time to spend watching sales pitches for air freshener, toilet paper and razor blades.

This is very true, I tend to watch them without the ads too (not saying how) but don't know if I could wait - I mean BSG...

Thank you so much for agreeing to this Simon, I wish you huge success with Hal Spacejock 4 and I hope all goes well with the launch next Tuesday. I look forward to the other 11 books in the series too!

Thanks! There's a major piece of Hal Spacejock news which all SF Humour fans worldwide will find much more interesting than the Australian Book launch, but I can't reveal what it is because this interview appears before the 1^st of June embargo date. So, I've set up a page on my site which they can bookmark:

Hal Spacejock Free Gift

Just hit refresh on the 1^st of June, and the news will be revealed ;-)

The Stars of Speculative Fiction #12: Tansy Rayner Roberts

2008-05-16T11:47:00.001+02:00

Well it's definitely been a productive time for you recently, short stories, novels, and all manner of writerly projects, as well as having a toddler underfoot...

1. What's going on for Tansy at the moment, what you working on and what's coming out?

I'm currently in the final stage of trying to bang out a rough first draft of a YA novel about ghosts, Tasmanian history and gothic literature. Which is an interesting experience because generally speaking, banging out first drafts is not what I do - I have been a very methodical writer in the past, laying down very densely edited prose. But I'm trying this technique with mixed results. Then of course I have to make it actually good. The book, currently under the working title 10 Random Things About Lady Jane Franklin, was supported by an Arts Tasmania grant which basically covered my childcare fees for the year, which is an awesome thing.

I have just finished the edits on Cafe La Femme, my chick lit crime novel, also set in Tasmania, which will be published by Pulp Fiction Press sometime later this year. And my next writing project, once the YA novel is rather less drafty, is to write the sequel to that, French Vanilla, which is due in February. So my life is very novel heavy at the moment!

Short stories are very quiet this year. I had one in the Twelfth Planet Press anthology 2012 which is getting some lovely reviews, and will have another in the New Ceres print anthology, but that's about it. Short stuff is not getting a look in while I have all these bigger projects breathing down my neck.

Likewise I've eased off on most of my editing and publishing projects, pretty much anything other than writing that's connected to small press, to concentrate on the novel thing. For this year, anyway. You never know what may lure me back...

Indeed, it does sound rather novel oriented doesn't it?

2. What's all this with this group of writers ROR (writers on the rise) and how did it come about that you wrote the first novel Seacastle for that?

ROR are a group of writers who gather every 18 months to two years to critique each other's manuscripts. We're all mates but have become much closer I think due to the odd intimacy of sharing your unpublished darlings with other people who love you enough to hack it to bits with ruthless abandon. All in the name of art! Our last meet was in a beach house on the north west coast of Tasmania, but we move around a lot because we're scattered across Australia.

We sold the series of children's books to ABC books as a group, writing one each, which was a glorious experiment that we greatly enjoyed doing. It helped that a few of us got regional writing grants to support the project, as well!

3. How is the book doing, are you getting good reviews for it, is it selling well?

I've had some great response to Seacastle, and am pretty pleased with how it was received.

4. You have a food blog with interviews with writers who have children. When did you start that and why?

You're a little behind the times on that one - I quit the food blog about a year ago. I started it up because I wanted to pay some serious attention to my toddler's food and nutrition, and writing seemed a good way to keep it up. I ended the blog ultimately because I'd done a lot of what I wanted to achieve with it, and 451 were demanding too much time commitment for an almost non-existent financial return. As a professional writer, I couldn't justify it. But I did enjoy the blog while I was writing it, it was an excuse to spend more time on the domestic arts. My interviews were supposed to be just with parents of children and their feeding habits, it wasn't intended to be writer-specific but of course almost everyone I know is a writer!

Me, behind the times, how did that happen? I must speak to my PR department!

5. How did you get involved with ASif! and Alisa Krasnostein – what's your role there at present?

Alisa and I met online when she was first looking for reviewers for Asif, before she got it off the ground, and I love to review books, so I signed up. My role there currently is as the suckiest reviewer EVER because I have just screeched to a halt on review production, but I need to step it up again. I love writing critical pieces about novels and I miss keeping up with what's new in the field.

*coughs* Yes, I know what you mean about productivity there *hopes Alisa isn't reading*

6. I've been reading a lot recently about many in the Australian speculative fiction scene preferring not to review fiction if they don't like it. What's your view on that.

There are several issues with that - one is of course that everyone knows everyone and putting the boot in can be socially problematic. Also it's morally dubious to review a book without finishing it, and I personally rarely have the time to be bothered to finish a book that I dislike. The other issue which I think non reviewers don't think about is that - writing a review is difficult unless you have something to say. The majority of fiction published is not something I hate or love, but that I'm just not interested in. If you don't care about a book or story, it can be hard to think of enough to say about it to justify writing a review in the first place.

If I don't see some value in a work, generally, I don't think it deserves to be reviewed. Unless it's flawed in an interesting enough way to take to pieces. Ben Peek is probably my favourite author to review because there's always something to say - whether he's infuriating me, impressing me or confusing me.

A good point, if you don't like something but can't pinpoint why, a review is not going to help.

7. What's your view of the current state of Australian and Tasmanian spec fic?

Hee, well as far as I know, published Tasmanian spec fic consists largely of the work of me, Dirk Flinthart, Sara Douglass and Sally Odgers. I think we're all lovely, but it's not really enough of a pool to discuss in the wider sense. We need more writers. Move here!

As far as the Australian scene goes - I think our authors are doing better than being noticed at an international level than ever before. Sadly - and I hate it when people say this in interviews, I can't believe I've become one of these people - I have read almost nothing so far this year, of anything in the field at all. Seriously. Meg Cabot and Judy Blume novels and the occasional bit of historical research for five months. I suspect I may be ill. But I need to lift my game on that one too, because I love being the person that people come to for new author recs. I will be her again.

The devil lives there though doesn't he? I'm not going anywhere near Tasmania...

8. Are you a listener to music when you write? If so what? Does music inspire you to write?

I am quite musically dense for the most part. I do occasionally construct elaborate soundtracks for novels in progress, but then I ignore them while actually writing. As a parent of a noisy three year old, mostly I like silence when I write. Silence. So golden.

*nods*

9. What got you into writing, are there any writers that inspire you?

Writers inspire me constantly. And have done since I started reading at the age of three. I have always been writing, I spent most of my teens writing messy novels. I'm well ahead on my million words of crap. :D Right now, though, with parenting and novel writing melting my brain, I have to say that the thing I appreciate most about a writer these days is clarity. If it's easy to read and doesn't insult my intelligence, I'm so there. The writer I most admire is Diana Wynne Jones, because her plots astound me. Plotting is not my friend, sadly. I can only watch in awe as she creates elaborate plots and then presents them in simple, easy to read and swallow narrative.

10. What do you do when you're not writing?

I chase a three year old around the house, I fail to do housework, I entertain friends and get obsessive about old TV shows, I quilt, I play Harry Potter RP and I spend far too much time talking about anything and everything.

Harry Potter RP? Now I really am behind the times!

Thank you so much for agreeing to come along Tansy, and be grilled, and I hope the novels all take off with resounding success and that you can get back in to your reading.

The Stars of Speculative Fiction #11: Deborah Biancotti

2008-05-12T09:35:00.001+02:00

So, Deborah, winning a few Aurealis and Ditmar awards, currently working on a collection for Twelfth Planet Press and also a novella for Gilgamesh Press, how do you do it?

Is this a question? I don’t have an answer! I think I do it by trying not to think about it too much.

Actually, I haven’t done it yet. Maybe I won’t be able to do it at all! I probably should’ve put more consideration into taking it all on in the first place.

1. How did you get into this writing malarkey then?

Luckily writing requires no particular qualification or organisational membership. You can get into writing simply by writing! I did.

Actually, I started by being a) mostly bored witless at school; b) into superheroes; c) having a relatively meagre attention span, and d) coincidentally or consequently being a bit of a daydreamer.

Writing comes relatively easily to a person of that disposition – though not quite as easily as doing nothing at all. Doing nothing at all is, in fact, my greatest skill. But the rewards for this activity (or lack of activity) are sparse, to say the least. You do get a lot of downtime, though.

I took up writing because I liked reading, & sometimes there was nothing in the house left to read. But then I went to uni determined to be a writer, see. Something to do with John Lennon & a TV ad in the seventies that claimed Pisceans were natural artists & writers. I can’t quite recall what the logic was.

Sooooo, anyhow, I studied Psychology & English Lit & avoided actually writing for several years. Then I finished uni & avoided writing for a couple years more. THEN I joined the NSW Writers’ Centre & did some workshops. One, most notably, with Terry Dowling, whom I consider my first real teacher.

Somewhere before & after those events were a series of writing groups which were variously successful (or not) until I found I wanted to be a solo traveller for a while, to find my feet. Or, to find my voice. Whichever. Nowdays I have a couple of trusted critique sources, some published stuff and a twelve-storey mansion made entirely of rejections which I’ve built inside my head. I like to go there sometimes & hang out & remember the good old days when I was in school & mostly just bored witless.

Doing nothing eh? There’s always room for that!

2. You mentioned Terry Dowling as your first real teacher – who were your inspirations when you began and are they the same as you have now?

Ouch. Inspirations. Funny, it's a tough question, because it's similar but slightly *more* than asking who I admire or who I respect or who I want to be. Inspiration implies someone who energises & attracts & makes me want to 'be all I can be', I guess.

I think once upon a time I was inspired by single instances, single items or achievements or things. A book would inspire me, but not necessarily an author because I didn't invest in writers when I was very young. I was impressed by that one achievement but had no real idea how it fitted into the fabric of a career or life. Most of my reading was random, governed equally by whatever local public library was nearby & the fact I had no money until after I finished university.

Nowdays what inspires me is not the single achievement -- or not JUST the single achievement - it's the tenacity. The career, the creator, the life they're living. Not just the book.

I'm inspired by Gene Wolfe, for example. What a trip his books are! I read Wolfe's entire Book of the New Sun *even though* I understood less than half of what I was reading at the beginning. Yet he held me totally captive. The surprise and suddenness and bittersweetness of his books are still impressive. And he's in his seventies now.

I'm inspired by Mary Gentle. Her fabulous, rich tale Ash: A Secret History was written as a result of a Masters degree Gentle undertook -- in War Studies. Brilliant! Imagine studying war at such an advanced level, largely in order to write a book! Also her first published book was purchased when she was 18. Which is not so much inspiring as nauseating.

And, you know, in 'real life' (for want of a better phrase), I'm inspired by heroes who don't think they're heroes and sufferers who refuse to be victims, and ordinary people with ordinary lives who aren't overwhelmed by that. I got a lot to learn from those people. They inspire me to be better.

Nice answer, makes a lot of sense!

3. So I hear you were part of Clarion South a few years back, any good?

Actually, I wasn't an attendee of Clarion South, if that's what you mean. I was, though, a reader for the submission process. Good? Some of them were very good. In particular, I think Tess Kum is a compelling writer, & I'd love to see more from her. Some were really not very good. Including an incomprehensible tale featuring giant crustaceans. I'm not sure what to make of that one. Was it someone who very much wanted to be a writer, but had quite the learning curve in front of her/him? Or was it someone entirely more deranged? And how much does each one of us have in common with The Deranged?

Food for thought. *cymbal crash*

4. Where does music feature in your writing, do you listen while you write and if you do to what? Are you inspired by music or do you prefer total silence?

I think I’m becoming increasingly tone deaf as I age. Music’s never really been a big deal for me. Which is weird, because I played guitar for nearly a decade. And, y’know, you can get by not knowing much about music -- and still playing music -- if you’re a DRUMMER, but you’d think anyone else would have more love for the medium.

Admittedly I quit the day I realised it had become more of a chore than a joy.

I’ve been through phases of musical enjoyment. I’m still a fan of that wonderful celtic warble of, say, Sinead, or the grrl attitood of Garbage or Christina Aguilera (on a good day). Mainly I’m more of a sucker for a beautiful voice that doesn’t have to oversell itself: Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan. I like some of the old fashioned soul & blues music quite a lot: music with a narrative to it. Hell, I’ve even enjoyed some country music. Especially when I was lonely in Switzerland a decade ago & the only English-speaking radio station I came across played country music. For some reason. Switzerland is a bizarrely fascinating place.

I guess I’m a jack of all trades & master of none when it comes to music. I like a lot of things a little bit, but no one thing a lot.

Music to work by: I used to play Baroque music through headphones whenever I needed to distract myself from the distractions outside my head. I read something about Baroque being perfect for concentration due to its 52 bpm speed (I may have that slightly wrong). Certainly seemed to help at the time.

Nowdays, of course, tone deaf (that, or my concentration’s improved), so it’s rare I really need anything to cancel out the distractions. I can even write in a room where someone else is watching TV. It’s really only very loud noise like jack-hammering that gets to me these days.

*looks amazed and bangs the Portishead on to cheer himself up*

You are not the first to be appalled by my detached relationship to music!

I’m hoping I won’t be the last either…

5. I’ve asked a few of the other Aussies about the state of the speculative fiction scene in Australia at present, and I’m very interested in your opinion of that, seeing as you not only write within the field but you do a lot of work to promote it overseas too.

Garth Nix is a bit of a mentor to me in that regard. He’s got a streak of generosity as wide as the sun, & when I asked him how I could pay him back for the kindly way he’d included me & assisted me during my first World Fantasy trip, you said, ‘You can’t. You pay it forward.’

I took him at his word, of course, & two years later I was working on the very project he initiated with Jonathan Strahan, promoting Aussie SF at World Fantasy in New York. And of course that workhorse Trevor Stafford was there, too, raising money & setting up some wonderful events for writers & publishers in & around New York City.

I have fallen out of the loop a tad over the past year, I confess. Too much writing to do, & Real Life becoming bigger & bigger. Or is that just a mid-life crisis? Anyhow. The o’s promotion thing was a chance to make up for all the local stuff I’d been missing out on, in a way.

The state of the local scene? It looks pretty good! Far as I can tell, there’s a lot of energy & achievement going on. Even some success! There’s a real engagement going happening with our local output & overseas attention. Sales, reviews, dialogues between local & o’s writers & editors & publishers. And there’s some fabulously innovative projects on at the moment – there’s real output being produced, being discussed, being put into people’s hands (or in front of their eyes, in terms of electronic publications). It’s a thrill to be part of it.

Agreed, I’m still in awe of the scene you’ve got over there and as I Swedish-based publisher, I still get a lot of submissions from Australians.

6. Come on Deborah, you must know, what the hell is speculative fiction anyway?

Yeah. I do. But I'm not telling. ;)

Meanie!

7. What do you get up when you’re not a writing then?

At the moment, renovating. Well, not necessarily renovating it MYSELF (if I can avoid it -- though it's amazing what it's not possible to outsource), but getting other people to renovate my old house. It's a pain in the neck, renovating, but not as painful as living in this ugly old place any longer without making some improvements, gah, drives me mad. I'm getting rid of a couple of old fireplaces right now (you want 'em?), using the space for storage instead. Replaced my staircase earlier this year. Removed a huge mango tree that was pushing over a back wall behind my tiny Sydney terrace (it's gut-wrenching watching trees be hacked up). Ceilings were replaced a while ago. It's a long, drawn-out & awkward project where the timeline keeps extending every time I realise how expensive it all is. One day I'll have a nice home, though. And then there will be cocktails at my place!

Apart from that, I have a full-time job as a project manager. I like project management. It's like making order out of chaos. I was doing a bit of work in multimedia & design for a few years, but haven't had the time for it recently.

I've variously had other hobbies over the years -- guitar-playing has gone by the wayside, as discussed. As have knitting and sewing (two other things I wasn't very good at). Photography. Now & then I think about getting back into drawing & painting. And in fact I'd really like to study interior decorating, y'know. I like the potential combination of art & practicality.

Mostly hobbies compete with writing time, though, & in recent years the writing has been winning. Even my correspondence has declined, with friends occasionally asking if I'm still alive.

I do still like cooking, though. We've been doing a lot of entertaining at my place in the last year or so. Had to slow it down because the renovations were getting in the way of people's ability to fit comfortably inside the house. This place is really small. I'm still managing to do some travelling, too, though the trips I have planned at the moment are largely domestic.

And of course I read quite a lot. Literary & crime/noir reading mostly at the moment. No real reason for it. I've always been a fan of poetry, & try to keep up with that, too.

I guess my other hobby is psychology. I studied it at uni & I still like to keep up with the research & ideas.

Oh work on houses always fills me with a sense of dread, although I may go for the fireplaces…

8. Have you got any five year plan (or similar) for the writing? Have you got specific goals or do you just take it all as it comes?

One of the disappointments with the writing ‘career’, I think, is the difficulty in making plans. With my day job I can make simple calculations, I can estimate durations, potential cash flow, experience, rewards, risks. I can say that with X years experience, I will be proficient at Y, or I will have Z qualifications, and I might even be ready to move on to ... I’ve run out of letters. Should’ve started earlier.

Writing, of course, isn’t so clear cut. I have no real idea if my X experience in writing has made me any better at writing Y. And I sure as heck don’t have more qualifications now than I did when I started! Personally I wouldn’t mind being able to say ‘and then after that I’ll use the proceeds from my next novel sale to fund some time off to develop an experimental novella series I’m contemplating’. And I’ve seen people make bold claims that are similar – sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. Probably depends where you’re at.

Mostly, the career depends on finding the audience, right? I’m surprised every damn time someone tells me they’ve read something of mine. Still feels like a crapshoot to me. What works & what doesn’t – I got no way to tell.

That’s the writing *career*, though.

In terms of the writing *process*, yeah, I do have plans. I have an idea in my head where I want to be in my writing – in the hours I spend writing, in WHAT I’m writing – five years from now. And the more years I spend in this caper, the clearer that vision becomes.

It could, of course, all fall apart before then. I mean, I don’t want to give you the idea I’m an optimist or anything...

Deb Biancotti, the smiling pessimist!

9. Even with your lack of time and writing taking up a big portion of your time, I’m still wondering if you have thoughts about editing.

You mean, thoughts about being an editor? No, can’t say that I do. Why, is that a pre-requisite to writing? ;)

I don’t think the world needs more product, it needs BETTER product. I’m not sure what the skillset is that achieves that, but I’m pretty sure I don’t have it! That, or the patience. I'm just not sure how you go about helping someone achieve their own vision (which is what I perceive the role of Editor as being -- though I could be wrong). But the times I've worked with a good editor have been sheer invigoration!

Now & then I toy with the idea of doing a reprint website – like infinity plus, or like the way Anna Tambour reprints stories she likes on her site. Something that would bring writers exposure, but wouldn't be a massive timesink -- something I had the time to achieve, in other words. Something, ergo, that wouldn't require much in the way of editing. I still hope to get around to that one day.

But for now, I've become increasingly interested in pursuing my own vision, rather than the visions offered by being part of somebody else's antho. Writing what I want to write, rather than writing-to-order. It's a kinda selfish part of the journey, but I figure it's not forever. In plenty of ways, I feel like I'm only just finding my feet in my chosen 'profession'. Once I work out what the heck I'm doing, it'd be nice to find a way to pay it forward again.

I'm not saying that'd be editing, though!

Were you editing my question there? *winks*

10. Last but not least I’m curious to know what you think can be improved within the small press industry and specifically the Australian spec fic small press arena (ooh that was quite a mouthful).

Improvement, eh? First improvement: don’t call it small press. The publishing numbers for what we call 'small press' isn't always much behind the big or established press. If anything, it's 'indie press'. It's small organisations with limited staff & limited budget, sure, but it's presenting the alternative & entirely appealing voices of writers & editors with their own visions & decisions. It's similar to indie music, right -- apart from the absence of music. And no one calls indie music 'small'. What indie outlets do well is embrace a multitude of voices -- not just one voice, & not just the most popular voice or the voice that makes the most money.

After that, what I'd like to change is the time & effort available for indie press. To my mind the biggest threat to the arts is burnout. We're all working around the edges of our lives & the edges, for a lot of us, of our jobs. It'd be nice to see an unlimited amount of time & energy somehow suddenly granted to those involved in independent creations. Imagine what we'd see then! Imagine what we'd all be capable of.

Those are the two things I'd like to see change for what we call small press.

Great answer and great way to finish off this interview – I totally agree with your comments and will make sure I call indie press, indie press from now on… did that work?

Thank you so much for this and I sincerely wish you success in all your career and writing (and fireplace) goals for the future.

Mentorness...

2008-05-09T11:26:00.001+02:00

Last night I offered to become a mentor for a rather talented young lady, who submitted something to Voices. Her story was rejected but it was very easy to see genuine writing ability and the fact that she is only 17 makes that shine through even more. (I won't name her here as she might not want the world to know that I'm helping her out, it is a bit dangerous for her future career after all...)

The young writer in question was frustrated about markets and asked if I had any tips about them. Ralan is a very obvious one, although I really love Duotrope and think their whole approach to submissions and markets is exceptional. They have been a big help to Morrigan Books and Gilgamesh Press and if you haven't got on board do it now.

I have also decided to contact one more author regarding my collection, Nex, and this is a writer that Morrigan Books has been taking a very keen interest in. I've not had a response yet but I'm really hoping she agrees as I am a huge fan of her writing and think that she would make a perfect addition to what is already a very exciting book!

Edit: I can now reveal that Carole Johnstone has agreed to work on Nex with me, this is just too good and I am so motivated now!

Voices - The Villains Revealed!

2008-05-08T08:47:00.001+02:00

We now have the preliminary line up for Voices. The sections and story order may change in the editing phase but this is how it looks for now:

Prologue – Robert Hood

Section One – 'Illusions'

Sanctuary – Carole Johnstone

The Mirror – KV Taylor

His Only Company, The Walls – Brad C. Hodson

Segue – Robert Hood

Section Two – By the Hand

Paris – Todd Edwards

Just Us – Pete Kempshall

A Picture of Death – Shane Jiraiya Cummings

Segue – Robert Hood

Section Three – 'As yet untitled'

Constance Craving – Gary McMahon

Bedbugs – Martin Livings

Faking It – Siobhan Byford

Segue – Robert Hood

Section Four – 'As yet untitled'

The Suicide Room – Paul Kane

Sentinel – Sonia Marcon

The Man Who Wasn't There – Rodney J. Smith

Epilogue – Robert Hood

Pretty impressive eh? We are very pleased to announce first time publications for KV Taylor and Todd Edwards, proving again we are determined to promote new talent within the field of dark fiction.

Thanks goes to Robert Hood for agreeing to be part of this and we are very excited to see how he ties the whole book together, being as he is a master of the short form.

Voices: Stage Two

2008-05-06T14:04:00.001+02:00

I have just completed my reading and assessment of the 26 stories that were chosen by Amanda Pillar and myself to go through to the second stage of reading for possible conclusion in the Voices anthology, and I can safely say I am drained.

I could easily publish all 26 stories and to know that we have to reject some irritates me a bit.

Why not publish them all then you might ask, and it's actually a reasonable question but a question that does have an answer.

The stories that will be chosen are stories that encapsulate mine and Amanda's early ideas of the anthology and which also allow us to set the contents in a particular way to make sure that the anthology lives up to our high expectations.

There has been a lot of interest in this anthology, from writers and readers alike and many people have e-mailed me to tell me what a great idea it was in the first place.

And the idea comes from Ross Temple, from a chat in the bar at Conflux 4 in Canberra, from a story idea in a hotel room I had, which then moved to many stories in a hotel from other writers and then to co-editing with Amanda, who has put so much work into this (and Morrigan Books), with a passion and a drive that puts me to shame.

This has been, without doubt, the most rewarding project I have worked on so far as an editor and if Amanda is willing I would be very honoured to work with her again on another anthology.

Hopefully we should be able to announce the final choices soon.

Acceptance!

2008-05-04T15:47:00.001+02:00

Well I finally found a home for my witch poem, Maleficus, and rather happy I am too. I have always had a soft spot for that particular poem and after a couple of rejections it was nice to see Doorways Magazine picking it up.

It's a nice feeling when other people like your babies.

The Stars of Speculative Fiction #10: Kaaron Warren

2008-04-25T08:32:00.001+02:00

So Kaaron, you’re pretty much in all the anthologies I’ve been buying recently: 2012, Paper Cities, Year’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy – Volume Three; The Grinding House has just been revamped with two new stories and a swish cover and been released as The Glass Woman (see above) internationally. It’s all looking a bit impressive!

1. Kaaron, ~~what’s your favourite colour~~ does living in Fiji have anything to do with this current run of stories and how has Fiji itself affected you as a writer?

My favourite colour is burgundy. I think it goes well with my colouring, though my mother disagrees. She is also unhappy that I changed the spelling of my first name, because the numbers don’t add up. But I like burgundy.

There does seem to be a lot of me in print at the moment. I didn’t plan it that way; it just happened. The only story which is truly Fiji-inspired amongst those you list is the one in 2012. It’s set in the government flats in Suva I pass quite often. I’ll be setting more stories there, because it’s a fascinating place.

I don’t think my writing has changed since being here, but obviously the input is different, so that shows itself in the stuff I’m working on. Before I left Australia I started a novel set on a large island, and that has been easier to write in greater depth living here in Fiji.

2. I have read quite a bit of your work and, of course, love it all. You write dark fiction that is very much based in the world we live. Why is it that you choose these mundane settings and don’t go for fantasy or other worlds in your fiction?

I think my settings are mundane on the surface but are not-quite reality. My worlds are one step sideways of our world. Our world in the future or our world in the past, all slightly shifted so it is almost familiar, if you squint.

I’m attracted to these kinds of settings because I love to think about possibilities at many levels. What if this is true and that isn’t? What if this led to that which caused this?

I spoke to some Year 12 kids today about using ideas in their stories. They’re writing SF/Fantasy stories as part of their school year, and I wanted to give them the idea that SF/Fantasy is not just about the setting. I took in a bunch of Guardian newspapers and got them to read through and take notes of any news stories they found interesting. I told them about my story “His Lipstick Minx” (which, while set in the mundane world of an oil rig, is about men who wear lipstick which controls their behaviour and the tiny women who sit on their shoulders) and that I wrote the story after reading about a woman arrested for having lipstick in her purse.

They came up with some great ideas, after initial hesitation. The best thing was, not only did they write down the news article which inspired them, but half of them started on stories straight away.

Getting kids writing already eh? Great stuff!

3. Well this sort of leads me onto one of my favourite questions, which is that of advice. What advice do you have for those just starting out on the writing road (or who have been writing a while and are getting frustrated)?

There’s a lot of talent and ideas in children and young adults. I’m working with a couple of different groups here and my main aim is to get them to think about what they’re writing. To be unusual, passionate and original. We’ll see how it goes!

Some of my basic writing advice is this: make sure your communication is as clear as possible. I don’t mean the story itself, which, if you want it to be, can be convoluted, other-worldly, whatever. I mean the words you choose shouldn’t cause confusion. It’s as basic as this: Don’t pick names which sound the same. Check your spelling, grammar and punctuation. Make sure that the reader doesn’t get caught on a small point when you want them to be moving on to the big one.

It’s important to decide why you’re telling this particular story at this particular time. Is it the day something changed? The time a drastic decision was made? Or a terrible discovery?: You need to pick the most important part of the story, the most interesting, and have that as your centre. All the rest revolves around that; leading up to and leading away from that central point.

As for being published: don’t send anything out unless you’re sure it’s ready. Get readers to give you feedback. Join a writer’s group. Rewrite the thing four, five, six times until you think it’s good. Every story you send out goes on the record. Editors remember the bad as well as the good; make sure yours is good.

Read the market you want to sell to. Read as much as you can. Read broadly.

Check the online market pages (Ralan.com is the one most people know) and start sending. Be prepared for rejection, and if you get feedback from an editor, consider it well. You may not agree, or the editor may have a very good point which will turn your story into a seller.

An annoying one: Keep writing. Every day if you want, but, whenever you think, “I should be writing,” then you should be. Try not to put it off. Well, obviously children need to be fed, shopping needs to be done, cats need to be told not to scratch the couch. But scribble a note on the back of the shopping list. Think about your story while you’re stirring the Bolognese. Let the story you’re working on become part of your daily life.

I better stop there. I’m obviously in teacher mode. I’ll be telling you to sit up straight soon.

*sits up straight and smoothes his hair down*

Good advice indeed, although I’m not sure kids need feeding as much as they think they do…

4. Who/what started you writing? Who/what are your inspirations?

I started writing properly when I was 14, I think. I wrote my first real short story and a novel that year. I started because I had ideas, and sentences came into my head fully formed. I loved reading from the age of five and one of my early influences/inspirations is Grimm’s Fairy Tales. I read them at five! I wouldn’t let my son read “Bluebeard” till he was ten. Too terrifying.

My inspirations are many. S.E. Hinton inspired me because she was a teenaged girl who published a novel. Harlan Ellison because he wrote such bizarre, evocative stuff. Ray Bradbury, because of his wonderful way with dialogue and the social commentary he made in some of his work. Lisa Tuttle, because her stories are so well-layered and intriguing.

Ah, Bluebeard. Have you read the version by Angela Carter ‘The Bloody Chamber’? It’s excellent!

5. How does music feature in your writing life, do you listen when you write, or are you inspired by music?

I adore Angela Carter. I read her voraciously when I was in High School.

I often play music when I write. My favourites are Radiohead and Muse, because of the furious nature of their music. If I’m writing a first draft, it’s almost always to them. I also like Rufus Wainwright, The Athletes, Thea Gilmour, Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Bright Eyes Lifted and My Morning Jacket.

The only music inspiring me at the moment is a band called The God Machine.

Did I answer that last bit right?

That last bit was perfect *grins*

6. What do you do when you’re not writing?

In my other life? I’ve got two kids, 9 and 7, who are extremely interactive and great to be with. I’ve got a husband as well, who has the same qualities. So lots of family time.

Living in Fiji there are plenty of adventures to be had. There are people here from all over the world, and because many of us are here short-term, you make friends easily. I love breaking bread with people, drinking wine, ranting on about something which has offended me.

I love to read. A Japanese friend gave me a book called Botchan, about a teacher in a remote country school far from Tokyo, written a hundred years ago. I’m loving it. It’s funny and revealing and an easy read.

I’m crocheting my daughter a jacket. I do like to crochet. Sorry if that destroys my image. I like crocheting while watching crap on TV. I feel like I’m not wasting my time, then.

I watch crap on TV. Fiji TV is particularly bad. We bought back Damages, Dexter and The Tudors from Australia, though, and I’m enjoying those.

Dexter is wonderful ‘Crochet Kaaron’!

7. What have you got lined up then, what’s the plan for your writing over the next few years (supposing you have one)?

Plan for writing is to finish the novel I’m working on (almost done), write a bunch of the short stories I’ve got on the boil, start the next novel, and sell the lot!

Easy peasy!

8. After Fiji is it straight back to Oz, or have you any plans for further travel?

We'll go back to Canberra for a few years then play it by ear. The kids' schooling is important, so I'm thinking they'll probably do High School in Australia. After that, who knows!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this Kaaron and I hope you get better soon. I’ll be keeping an eye on your career (both as reader and publisher) and I wish you every success in the future!

Scenes from the Second Storey = Two Line-ups!

2008-04-23T09:56:00.001+02:00

A project I have had in mind for a few years was to write a collection of short stories that would pay homage to one of the greatest albums of all time Scenes from the Second Storey by The God Machine.

The idea was that I would write 13 short stories to correspond with the 13 tracks on the album, each story inspired by the track of the same name.

This year that dream changed, as I realised what would be really interesting was to see what the stories would look like if others wrote their inspiration instead - namely writers that I respected.

And so the Scenes from the Second Storey project was born. I sat down and began jotting down names only to quickly realise I had too many for the book. As I realised that more than half of the list contained Australian writers, I decided to have two books: one Australian and one 'international' basically writers who are not Australian).

I sent out my e-mails and got 25 acceptances and one rejection. I then sent another mail, was accepted for that and so begins this roller coaster of a project!

Morrigan Books will release both these books 13th November 2009 (my birthday) but of course there will be much more news before that!

Here's the line-up:

Title	Australian Author	International Author
Dream Machine	David Conyers	Miles Deacon
She Said	Kirstyn McDermott	Skadi meic Beorh
The Blind Man	David Witteveen	Carole Jonhstone
I've Seen The Man	Paul Haines	Gary McMahon
The Desert Song	Andrew McKiernan	Adrienne Jones
Home	Shane Jiraiya Cummings	Shannon Page
It's All Over	Deborah Biancotti	Paul Kane
Temptation	Trent Jamieson	Pete Kempshall
Out	Ben Payne	Lynne Jamneck
Ego	Robert Hood	Gerard Brennan
Seven	Stephanie Campisi	Ronald Damien Malfi
Purity	Kaaron Warren	Tammy Moore
The Piano Song	Cat Sparks	Ian Whates

How to Make Monsters by Gary McMahon: Cover art

2008-04-21T13:19:00.001+02:00

And here we have the official front cover for Gary McMahon's new collection, How to Make Monsters, which will be released at FantasyCon in Nottingham, England, this September.

Great artwork for a truly great collection!

The Stars of Speculative Fiction #9: Simon Guerrier

2008-04-18T09:18:00.001+02:00

1. Well you’ve certainly been busy over the last few years, after having a few short stories published, you moved on to editing and have also had two novels published. In truth it’s difficult to keep up with you. What are the current projects and how is everything going?

Things are going just fine, thank you. I’m currently proofing an anthology of Doctor Who short stories by 25 first-time authors. “How The Doctor Changed My Life” is a collection of winners from a competition we ran last year. I’m really, really pleased with the book – we’ve spent months honing the stories, knocking them back and forth, getting them just right. And as a result it’s a really strong collection, due out in September.

On top of that, I’ve just written a half-hour audio play for the new version of Blake’s 7, which explores the early life of Blake’s friend Jenna Stannis. She’s a space pilot and I had to bone-up on all the fiddly mechanics of rocketry and velocity in space, because they don’t have convenient sci-fi things like space drives and warp engines. I’m not really very good at maths stuff, so that was a bit of a challenge. But now I know all about orbital rendezvous and delta-v calculations. Go on; test me.

I’ve just been asked to do a couple of reviews and I’m making notes for an academic paper on Iain Banks’ science-fiction stuff for Foundation – a follow-up to a paper I wrote them a decade ago. And I’m also writing a handful of things that I can’t talk about yet because they’ve not been formally announced. It’s odd how this works; by the time something’s announced you’re usually long finished on it and have moved on to other stuff. So watch this space. But still busy!

Blimey, no wonder I can’t keep up, that’s storming stuff!

2. You’ve been a fan of Doctor Who for many years and this is where most of your published work is based. How has the return of the TV series affected your career and what do you think of the new Doctor Who compared to the previous incarnations?

I love the new series of Doctor Who. I get the same giggly thrill from it now as I did when I was six years-old. What’s changed is not how I feel about it but that so many other people love it, too. Liking Doctor Who used to be something you only admitted in whispers.

I love that the new series cherry picks stuff from previous versions of Doctor Who – and not just the old monsters and characters. Just on Saturday, David Tennant had a line referring back to stuff he did when he was William Hartnell. They’ve also nicked bits from audio plays, books and short stories… And in some ways that’s a vindication of all the stuff going on while the show was off the air. All this stuff I used to read avidly. See? It was brilliant! Anything can go in. The doors on the inside of the TARDIS are lifted from the two Peter Cushing movies of the 1960s. It all counts!

As to how it’s affected by career… I was writing my first Doctor Who novel, The Time Travellers, as the new series started to air. And it made me rethink a lot of what I was doing; the feel of it, the structure, the emotional complexity, the need to feel consequences. I think – people might disagree – that my writing’s got a lot better as a result of the things they’ve done on the new series. I think it’s made my plotting bolder and helped me find my “voice”. And writing a new series book, with the show so popular, has opened a lot of doors. One publisher I’d pitched to for years with little response offered me a job on the back of it. Thank you, Doctor!

3. Speak of Doctor Who novels, how’s The Pirate Loop doing and tell us a little bit about it.

I got an email out of the blue about a year ago. “Probably a stupid question,” said Justin the editor, but would I like to write an original novel featuring the tenth Doctor and Martha Jones – who’d at that point not been on the telly. They wanted a science-fiction story and they liked the paradox stuff in my earlier book, The Time Travellers.
In fact, a lot of the plotting was about how to make it different from that earlier book. At a basic level they’re the same story – they’re caught in a loop which makes strange things happen. But where The Time Travellers was earnest and bleak, The Pirate Loop is joyful and silly. It’s Doctor Who versus space badger pirates, foiling their wicked schemes with some canapés. I wanted to write something that would make my wife laugh and cry. And – hah! – I did.

Doctor Who Magazine made it their pick of the month. I’ve been delighted by how many old and long-lost friends have been in touch as a result of me doing it. So yeah, it seems to be doing really well. Of course, not everyone agrees. My favourite criticism so far is an old mate who complained that, compared to The Time Travellers, “It’s almost a completely different book”. I like the almost.

4. Although this has been half answered with your Doctor Who question, are there any writers out there that have inspired you, made you want to write? What sort of stuff do you prefer to read?

I’ve always written stuff but the bloke who made me realise I could actually be a writer – and pay the bills by writing – was Doctor Who’s Paul Cornell. I love Paul’s writing but he also explained the practicalities of being a writer – that if you want to write, you just have to get down and do it. And being a Doctor Who fan means you have a lot of very supportive peers. Well, I say, “very supportive” – there’s lot of people to point out what you’re doing wrong.

When I find writers I like, I tend to work my way through everything they’ve done. Maybe that’s a weird obsessive stalker thing, but I like to think it’s because I’ve latched on to the good stuff. Authors who I’ve read pretty much all of include Iain Banks, Paul Auster, John le Carre, Ian Fleming, Alexei Sayle, China Mieville, Neil Gaiman… I’m not sure there’s much of a connection between them. Um… They all kind of write twisted thrillers, maybe? Apart from the ones that don’t…

But I also read a lot of history and pretty much anything my clever mates recommend. A lot of the writing I do needs some level of research, but I’m quite happy finding stuff out. And it’s quite common that a commission includes some kind of reading list.

5. You’ve been part of a few competitions to promote new authors, with the obvious one being the new book mentioned in question 1 (an idea I have taken for Gilgamesh Press). What have been your experiences of them and what tips do you have for aspiring writers?

Running the competitions has made me realise how generous so many authors and editors have been with me as I was starting out. There’s a lot you pick up just by having your first thing published. Thanks to Johnny and Clay and Jac and Gary who mopped up my toddling mistakes. But it’s worth it because of the writers’ enthusiasm and élan, and from knowing how much the same break would have made to you. It also makes you realise how much you’ve picked up since you started, all the tips and tricks that you can pass on.

The main advice for aspiring writers is just to write. Finish the things that you’re writing. It’s not about just having a good idea; you need to practice and improve making it work as a story. That’s the difference between knowing a good joke and being able to tell it so people laugh. And until you’ve got something written in full there’s no point giving any other advice.

But once you’ve written something, the advice is all about things that can make it work better. How you rewrite a sentence to make it punchier. How you can make things easier for the reader by being sure we always know who is speaking, or whose point of view we’re in. How you can make a description more vivid by using all the senses. Tips on avoiding clichés or the passive tense. Specific ways of honing that specific bit of writing.

6. How important a role does music play for you as a writer, do you listen while you write, are you inspired by music or do you prefer silence?

I listen to music when I’m writing, usually in the background and not really being conscious of it. The shuffle on iTunes is my friend, so there’s a weird hodge-podge of poppy stuff, angsty stuff, stuff made by my mates and one or two obscure novelty records.
Sometimes I use the feel of a song as the “voice” of a book – I think The Pirate Loop really came together when I realised it should feel all bouncy like Mika’s “Grace Kelly”, which is why that song’s in the book. The Bernice Summerfield anthology “Something Changed” took its name from a song by Pulp which is – like the book – a paradox.
But I find music very difficult to write about. One of the best editorial suggestions I ever made was a stage direction in the final scene of the audio play The End of the World. I added “Bach’s St. John’s Passion is playing in the background.” And when the writer asked why, I could only say “Trust me.” I couldn’t explain it any better. It just it lifts that scene, makes it work on such a different level…
See? I can’t even articulate it now. There aren’t the words to explain just what it does. I guess that for me music isn’t about words. It has lyrics, yes, but they’re never as important as how the music makes you feel. Something that’s especially evident in my own crummy efforts to write song lyrics.

*remembers he hasn’t read any of Simon’s lyrics and makes a note to get hold of them*

7. After successful stints as both editor and writer, do you have any preference to focus on one of them in the future or do you like working with both? What do you like/dislike about the two?

Writing is something I have to do. It’s more of an affliction than a job. If I wasn’t being published I’d still be writing anyway. It’s the only way to exorcise the wild legion in my brain.

Editing and producing takes a lot of time and effort. I was producer of the Bernice Summerfield range for two years and it rather took over my life. It was brilliant to do, it meant working with some fantastically talented people, and I’m really pleased with what we achieved under my watch. But it was also just exhausting. As producer you have to watch everything – the type-setting and the paper stock and the delivery dates and the bookings. Whereas just doing the writing that’s all someone else’s problem. You can zip in and away again like some magic ninja. So I’m concentrating on my own writing now, rather than working on other people’s. That’s not to say I won’t edit anything ever again, but not for a long while yet.

8. What do you do when you’re not writing/editing?

I try to drown out the horror with booze and Jaffa Cakes. Um… I read. I laze about, thinking odd thoughts. I try not to bother my wife or cat too much. I dunno really.

9. What is speculative fiction?

Easy! It’s a euphemism for science-fiction, as used by embarrassed fans. They use it to justify why they’re reading whatever it is they’re reading. “It’s not that schlocky stuff with monsters,” they say. “It’s really a testing ground for new kinds of philosophy.”
Thing is, I really like the schlocky stuff with monsters. And weird stuff. And jokes. Yes, I like the big and clever ideas of sci-fi, but the word “speculative” always make me think of “pondering”: dull people in polyester uniforms explaining at tedious length how the lights on their spaceship work. The kind of conversations that begin, “Well, as you already know…”. I came up with the following bit of advice after I’d judged last year’s writing competition. People walking down a corridor and discussing science: no! People being chased down a corridor by monsters and discussing science: yes!

Ha, well no wonder I have received countless e-mails about this question as all three writers I’ve asked have come out with different viewpoints – let’s just blame Atwood eh?

10. Does being an editor help when you submit your own pieces or can it just be as much of a hindrance? What do you expect from editors/publisher when you send work to them?

I think it helps because you know the sorts of things that you yourself respond to. People who are polite and funny and make you want to listen. People who keep their pitches short. People who don’t assume you’re going to employ them. I’ve also got some experience of financial and project management which means I can at least sympathise when an editor is tearing their hair out. But then you also pick these things up just by working with different people, seeing how they like to work. It’s about trying to make their lives easy. That’s why – you hope – they employ you again.

Pretty much everything I send editors and publishers now is something that they’ve asked for – either an opportunity to pitch or a straightforward commission. So you usually have some idea of what the stages of the job will be. But when you’re starting out, and even now when you’re sending stuff on-spec, you’re not even sure of getting a response to say that they’ve received it. So you just plug away, sending stuff to different people, hoping someone will notice. Nobody is obliged to read what you send them, nor to recognise your genius. So it’s probably best not to expect anything from them.

Thank you very much for agreeing to do this and I just want to take this opportunity to wish you all the best with your future projects and looking forward to seeing your books on bookstores’ shelves for many years to come.

(Simon can be found hanging out on his blog here)

Nex, revisited

2008-04-17T19:27:00.001+02:00

I have just discovered my work for the day is done: not only do I have Gary McMahon on the book with me but have also roped in Paul Kane and Mike Stone!

I was pretty well buzzing last night on getting Gary's collection, now I'm just about ready to explode!

Just thought you'd like to know that...

Remember that post-apocalyptic thing?

2008-04-17T12:49:00.001+02:00

Well the project has just got a real boost, as now, not only will I be writing several stories for this myself but I have just got a yes from Gary McMahon to work with me on it!

Gary and I will write the last story, which has the working title of Bellatorius, and is to focus on two gangs fighting it out among the ruins for... well... you'll have to wait and see won't you?

I'm also in touch with two other authors regarding this so there may be some more news soon...

It's all McMahon's fault!

2008-04-16T13:01:00.001+02:00

Over the last few days I have been reading quite a bit of stuff from Gary McMahon (around 20 short stories) and apart from my eyes being tender to the touch, he has inspired me to start on my oft-pondered collection.

It is to be tentatively titled Nex, and will be concerned with all things post-apocalyptic. The opening story will be my epilogue from In Bad Dreams, Corvus. I have some stuff from NaNoWriMo that will be tidied up and put into it too and I have an idea to work on some new material too.

I'm rather excited about it all and have had a chat with him upstairs (that's God not Gary, although he is a personal hero of mine) about increasing the day to 30 hours and making it so I only require 4 hours sleep to work effectively - what do you reckon?

Morrigan Books adds to its ambitious publishing schedule

2008-04-15T20:09:00.001+02:00

Morrigan Books has today come to an agreement with Gary McMahon, to publish a collection of his short fiction (including both reprints and original stories), entitled How to Make Monsters.

Preliminary thoughts are for a late 2008/early 2009 release but there will be more news to follow.

Suffice to say that I, in particular, am very excited and proud to have McMahon (recently named in both Datlow's and Jones' best ofs) on board and this is yet more proof that Morrigan Books has a commitment to publishing high quality dark fiction.

Fantasycon: Nottingham, England 19-21 September 2008

2008-04-11T11:07:00.001+02:00

It's official and was decided last night. I am going to be representing Morrigan Books at this year's Fantasycon, where we will be launching The Even by T. A. Moore (also attending) and Voices, edited by myself and Amanda Pillar.

Not only am I very excited about the launches themselves but getting to meet: Christopher Fowler, James Barclay, Paul Kane, Gary McMahon, Chaz Brenchley (amongst others) is going to make this a weekend to remember!

That means I've got work to do!

The Stars of Speculative Fiction #8: Martin Livings

2008-04-11T08:53:00.001+02:00

Well Martin, several award nominations over the years and I, for one, keep seeing your name appearing in books that I’ve bought over recent months, since gate-crashing the Aussie spec fic scene. The publication of your novel Carnies, seemed to be a turning point and big thumbs-up to Lothian for their shrewd choices at that time.

1. How has your writing changed after the monstrous success of Carnies, if it indeed has?

Well, obviously sleeping on enormous piles of cash has meant my posture at my solid gold computer has improved immeasurably...

No, actually, the main things that have changed with my writing haven’t been due to the modest success of Carnies, but rather its failings. I’ve taken on board a lot of the negative criticisms of the book, and also the intense editing it got during the pre-publication phase, and applied it to my current writing. I’m more aware of the mistakes I’ve been making in the past, so now I can avoid them and make entirely new mistakes in the future!

The other effect that having Carnies published was definitely a bit of self-confidence. I’d never submitted a manuscript before I heard about Lothian Books looking for local horror novels to publish, and never dreamed that they’d actually accept it, so to have them be so enthusiastic about my little book was a dream come true. It gives me the boost to keep writing novels, when it’s essentially a long, gruelling and largely unrewarding pursuit, in the knowledge that it’s possible to sell them at the end of it all!

2. I’ve recently read that you’ve had over 40 short stories published. Would you say that you prefer short stories over novels or is it merely a case of time and logistics? If money were no object what would you write?

That’s like asking which of my children I like the best. Not that I have any children, mind you, but I imagine that would be what it’s like!

I wrote short stories to begin with, as a lot of writers do, because (a) there were markets and (b) the time and effort commitment was comparatively low. And I still love writing short stories, which is why I do my Tuesday’s Ten Minute Tales every week on my LiveJournal. But at the same time, I love the challenge of novels, and the freedom to tell a more expansive tale. This year I’m trying an experiment, writing short stories for the first half of the year then working on novels for the second half, including another stint of NaNoWriMo in November if I feel like it. Boredom is my worst enemy, so we’ll see if this new routine helps avoid that.

Now, if money were no object – and, let’s face it, it isn’t, not to most writers! – then I think I’d write... stuff. The same as I do now. Whatever occurs, be it flash, short story, novella, novel, song, comic strip, haiku... anything at all, really. It’s not like we really have a choice about what we write, you know!

Good point, it’s always interesting to see what writers’ true loves are but most have similar answers…

3. What about other writers, are there any that got you writing yourself, and any that inspire you now?

That’s a pretty huge question. I don’t know exactly what I read when I was very young, but this picture I drew must have been from when I was maybe five or six:

Wolfstory

When I was in school I read voraciously, and emptied out libraries ridiculously fast. I was particularly fond of the Holy Trinity of Asimov, Heinlein and Clarke in those days, especially their short stories. So that’s pretty much where I started with my writings. I have an excerpt from a story I wrote at school when I was 12, which gives some clue as to my tastes of the time:

Colony 305

All through high school, I was knocking out truly awful SF stories, mostly based around the sudden twist idea. I remember two of them, one was a world where a terrible war was occurring, and it turned out to be a game of chess, and the other was an alien world beset by an enormous and destructive force of nature, and it turned out to be an ants’ nest that a kid had stepped on. Pretty big twists, huh?

I was reading Far Out magazine in my late teens, and followed that with Aurealis, but it really wasn’t until the nineties, and the advent of Eidolon, that I found both the inspiration and publication I’d been waiting for. It wasn’t lasers and rocket ships, but a darker, more humanistic kind of science fiction and fantasy, and, yes, even occasional horror. The primary authors that inspired me during this time continue to do so today – Greg Egan, Sean Williams and Terry Dowling. All three, in very different ways, showed me new ways of writing this kind of stuff. I doubt I would have ever tried to get published if it hadn’t been for these three guys and the whole team at Eidolon at the time.

As for who inspires me now, I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t read nearly enough anymore to really name names. I still find big names like Stephen King a source of inspiration, primarily from his work ethic and his dedication to story, and it’s also encouraging to see so many locals go on to bigger and better things, like Sean Williams, Kim Wilkins, Garth Nix, Greg Egan and Terry Dowling, just to name a few. They give us all hope!

Well in terms of the sudden twist element, aren’t big names doing those kinds of stories right now? Maybe they stole your ideas…

4. Well you’ve sort of half-answered this one but I’m curious to know more about your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the Australian spec fic scene just now.

I honestly think that now is a wonderful time in the Australian SF scene. I think we’ve gotten past the Big Bang, when there were fifteen million different magazines, and found ourselves with an amazingly strong publishing field, at least in the small press arena. Twelfth Planet Press

are incredibly ambitious, with a line-up of books and publications planned for the next year or two that would eclipse many small press publisher’s entire histories. Likewise, Ticonderoga Publications continue to put out books of amazing quality, such as the most recent collection of Sean Williams stories, Magic Dirt, and Brimstone Press seem to be rolling back into existence after a hiatus with an impressive slate of upcoming books. And of course there’s Agog Press, who have also been a little quiet of late, but considering their phenomenal record of publications, that’s hardly a damning statement. I’ve been involved in projects with all of these small presses, and would – and will – be involved again in a heartbeat, given half a chance.

Mass market SF in Australia isn’t quite as healthy, in a creative sense, though we do now have Orbit Australia, which is pretty darn huge. We’ll have to wait and see what impact that has. The market still seems to be saturated with fantasy novels for the moment, though, especially standard quest-style fantasy, which is a pretty safe sell for publishers, as readers will buy them by the crate load. I’d really like to see more local SF and horror, some spaceships and robots and zombies to go along with the elves and wizards and dragons!

It may sound naive, but I really don’t see much in the way of weaknesses here at the moment. The quality of fiction coming out is only getting better, as it begins to compete with overseas markets, and as our own markets become more restricted - and thus much choosier - we’re being forced to actually write better stuff! The nerve!

Actually, the most telling sign that Australia is doing rather well in the world of SF is that we have not one, not two, but three Australians (actually, three Western Australians, which is even more impressive!) up for Hugo awards this year! Go Sandgropers!

5. I’ve been a keen follower of the ten minute Tuesday tale you mentioned earlier over recent months. How did that all start and how do you think it has developed you as a writer?

As I recall, it all started from a posting made by US author Jay Lake on his LiveJournal, which said something about writing flash fiction to keep the mind fit, with topics suggested by his readers. Well, if that idea was good enough for him, it was good enough for me to steal from him!

I’m really enjoying doing the TTMT’s each week. There’s something liberating about writing without any plan whatsoever, just the vaguest of ideas and three words randomly thrown at you by increasingly-cruel readers. There’s no time to develop plot or characters, you just have to make it up as you go along. It’s the writing equivalent of improv. Of course, I usually spend a minute or two going through it and editing it a little, so that’s a bit of a cheat, but overall it’s pure, unedited junk from the backbrain. And occasionally, a little nugget of something special emerges from it, something I’d never have found any other way.

The main effect it’s had is probably my writing speed. I’ve become a faster writer since starting this, at least in short stories, because I’m learning to trust my instincts, rather than poring over every word and comma, every subtle nuance. I’m learning to paint with broad strokes in early drafts, and I’m constantly surprising myself with the results. And I figure, if I can surprise myself, I can surprise the readers, hopefully!

Plus, y’know, it’s fun and exciting to do, if a little scary. Like tightrope walking without a net.

6. Time for my favourite question now and that involves the world of music in writing. Are you a soundtrack kind of person when writing or heavy moshing stuff, or nothing at all? Does music inspire you to write in anyway?

Music is an enormous inspiration to write for me. Some of my biggest creative influences are songwriters rather than authors, the way they can tell an entire story in a couple of minutes. It really depends on the kind of thing I’m writing, but the Beatles tend to be on high rotation, as do Radiohead and Pink Floyd. If I’m in the mood for some nastier horror-type music, Alice Cooper will often make an appearance. As you can see, modern music doesn’t feature terribly highly on my playlist!

And right now? I’m listening to the music from the Commodore 64 game “Crazy Comets”!

7. I know that there are a few budding writers reading this (and a few that have just got going) what tips or advice would you have for them?

It sounds obvious, but read. You gotta crawl before you can walk, and you gotta read before you can write. Read anything you can get your hands on, fiction, non-fiction, cereal boxes, newspapers, blogs, cartoons, anything. Absorb it all. For a writer, reading is like putting petrol in the car. Filling your head up with new ideas and inspirations and words, ready to rearrange and put back on the page, hopefully for someone else to pick up and do the same with.

Now write. And keep writing. Don’t expect it to be a masterpiece straight away. Some people say you have to write a million words before you start getting good. I think that’s a huge generalisation, but nonetheless, keep on writing, writing, writing. It’ll happen, it’s just practise. And again, write anything you can, not just fiction. Reviews are great, blogs are great, anything to be creative. Write songs. Make stupid comics. Anything to exercise that obscure part of the brain that makes magic. Just keep on doing it.

Oh, and the third element – live. You can’t just read and write, you have to get out there and do stuff. Otherwise, all your experiences come second-hand through other books, and what you write will end up just being pastiche. Or, worse, all you’ll ever write about is writing, so you’ll write books about writers writing books about writers writing books. No names mentioned...

So, read, write and live, all in as copious amounts as you can manage. It’s not rocket science. Hell, if I can manage it, pretty much anyone can!

8. Usually my final question but this ties in well with your live comment. What do you do when you’re not writing?

Oh, damn, I didn’t expect to get called on that. I work, mainly. Uh, and sleep. And eat. We’ve recently bought a house, so I’ve been doing a lot of handyman-type stuff around that. Expect to read some horror short stories from me in the future about fitting lights and door handles! And this weekend I get to stain and lacquer all the wooden fixtures in our kitchen, to bring them to the same colour as the blinds we’ve had fitted. It’s pretty exciting stuff.

I think my partner and I did more than our share of living in 2006, when we spent the year in London writing, working and travelling. I think that year has fuelled more writing than the rest of my life up to that date put together! We’re just taking a break from the whole “living life to the fullest” thing for the moment. We’ll be back, though... once we’ve paid off the house!

9. I’ve only asked this once before in the series so sorry that I make you number two. What the hell is speculative fiction?

Now there’s a good question. These days, with the New Weird and plenty of slipstream stuff, it’s getting harder and harder to tell what speculative fiction really is. I mean, by its very definition, all fiction is speculative, isn’t it? Whenever we make things up, we’re speculating about stuff, whether it’s life on other planet, the existence of vampires, or how a cop might catch a devious serial killer. Some might say that speculative fiction is an umbrella term for science fiction, fantasy and horror. But there are other works that might come under it as well, like the magic realist fiction of Jorge Luis Borges, so it’s all a little grey. Recently, as another example, Laney Cairo’s first novel, Bad Case of Loving You, sold very well amongst the SF crowd, and it’s an erotic detective novel with no trace of traditional speculation!

I’m becoming convinced that spec fic is whatever we say is spec fic. So, three definitions:

- Speculative fiction is whatever speculative fiction writers write
- Speculative fiction is whatever speculative fiction editors buy and publish
- Speculative fiction is whatever speculative fiction readers read

That pretty much covers it, I think!

Perfect! I couldn’t have said it better myself… *looks confused*

10. Last but not least Martin, I’m wondering what grandiose plans are in the melting point for Mr. Livings. I know you’ve decided to work on shorts for the first half of the year and involve yourself in NaNoWriMo in November but what plans have you beyond that: are you looking at any new goals (editing/publishing?) or are you firmly committed to writing?

I think writing will have to do for the time being, it’s about all I can fit on my plate! I had fun in 2006 co-editing (with Stephanie Coxon) the Horror Day Anthology, a collection of short stories which was online for one day only, but I’m in no hurry to do something like that again. Never say never, though! I have so many writing projects planned, though, that I’m not likely to be working on much else in the foreseeable. I have the novel I wrote in London in 2006, Skinsongs (the short story version of which has recently appeared in Twelfth Planet Press’ 2012 anthology) to viciously edit, plus a fantasy novel for younger readers I wrote for NaNoWriMo last year, The Changeling Child, which needs a lot of work before it’s good enough to send out. There’s at least two more books following that one to be written yet as well. Plus there’s the thriller I’ve been planning for many years, Mr Phoenix, and a long-promised sequel to Carnies, tentatively (and somewhat inflammatorily) titled Bitches... and a growing pile of half-written short stories I’ve promised or planned for a variety of markets, all with deadlines coming up fast... when is there time to do anything else but write, with a schedule like this???

Now, if only someone would actually pay me to do all this, life would be perfect! Ah, such a beautiful dream...

*nods* Indeed, I know the feeling. Well I, for one, will be looking forward to seeing more work from you and hope that some of it finds its way into our books in the future.

That’s definitely the plan, never fear!

Thanks for taking the time to do this and best of luck with the ongoing and future projects!

Thanks for having me, and ditto with yours!

In the Footsteps of Gilgamesh gets its line-up

2008-04-10T10:10:00.001+02:00

And here is how the first book from Gilgamesh Press looks at the moment:

Gerard Brennan

Simon Brown

Stephanie Campisi

Simon Guerrier

Robert Hood

Carole Johnstone

Andrew McKiernan

Shannon Page

D. Richard Pearce

Amanda Pillar

Richard Salter

[Competition Winner: announced in December]

More details to follow...

PODCE - Possession, Obsession and a Diesel Compression Engine: Gerard Brennan

2008-04-07T10:15:00.001+02:00

Reviews are coming in thick and fast for this chapbook of short stories and I have been firm in not reading any of them before putting my two penneth on paper, so as not to find things I hadn’t thought of in them or be influenced in any way.

I am aware, however, that Brennan is getting some rather positive reviews for this collection and I can understand why for he is a master storyteller and the talent shines through, short as it may be. I wondered if I should say it was too short but I’m feeling that this is more of a taster of Brennan’s work than anything else and if so, it’s a nice spread of his style.

As an editor and publisher though I was astounded by how badly packaged the whole thing was, being that the contents page was not even in the same world as the stories themselves and while this may seem like a petty criticism, I find these things irritating. It is the publisher’s right to make sure that an author’s work is the best it can be and these things do not help those in the small press industry who are trying to pull away from the ‘weaker literature’ tag we have been labelled with.

But… back to the stories and even though I felt that there was a clear sense of Brennan’s style and writing finesse here, in terms of enjoyment there was a wider spectrum.

Blood Bath was a good one to start with, short and to the point (or rather three points) and giving you an idea where the collection is headed. Steele Guitar was a fun one for me, encapsulated by a great one-liner ending that had me chuckling for the rest of the day. 925 was also well done and I liked the ending (something that Brennan seems to have a rather good grip on).

Road Rage is easily my least favourite, as whether in comedy or straight horror; demon cars just do not do it for me. I have to say I liked the suggestion here and there that this may all be in the head of the driver but then again it wasn’t enough for me to be swayed. Road Rage had a more interesting plot than Christine but I’m more than happy enough leaving these things well alone.

An Irish Possession was fun more than anything else and I believe that Brennan himself got a real kick out of this one, being as he was able to really let his ancestry and background come through in the characters. This one is a story to remember.

Would you be Interested? Has a great twist and, as with Blood Bath, has been placed where it should be in the collection. It’s a well crafted piece and is a satisfying conclusion.

All in all I was more impressed by Brennan’s style and deftness with a story, than the stories themselves and even though I did enjoy these I am sure there is much more to come. For those who haven’t been lucky enough to see his work already though, this is as good a place as any to start.

Almost a year to the day

2008-04-07T09:57:00.001+02:00

There is something about Blogger and April for me, that I keep returning here in April every year and then disappearing again for the rest of the year.

Well hopefully not this time, as I am hoping to make this journal more of a literature focus, looking at my writing, editing, publishing and reviewing exploits.

First up will be a review of Gerard Brennan's chapbook PODCE.

A big black cloud over the world of literature

2007-04-12T22:08:00.000+02:00

I have read this on pretty much my entire flist's posts today and it's a sad day for literature it really is.

Vonnegut, the master, is no longer with us.

*speechless*

Just wonderful!

2006-03-31T13:19:00.000+02:00

Living where I am and writing what I do, I was so so impressed by Episode 11 of Supernatural - Scarecrow!

It's just great!

I'm off my head!

2006-03-31T13:15:00.000+02:00

Well I did it last year and have decided that I am just crazy enough to go for it this year too, with a six month old baby no less!

Check it out yourselves!

3 Day Novel Contest

Wish me luck and I hope you lot will be here with me as I catalogue it, just as I did last time!

Extract from last comptetition's journal entry

It seems the curse has lifted.

2006-03-29T17:01:00.000+02:00

Since my last two whines about crap film and TV, things have brightened up. Yesterday we watched Brokeback Mountain, which I thought was a very good film and extremely well directed. Etina hated it though and so there were mixed reviews in the Östra household!

I have also watched two more episodes of Supernatural (Episodes 9: Home and 10: Asylum), which were both great too.

Feeling positive now as I wonder what cinematic treat Etina has selected for us this evening...

If you are wondering why I have seen so much in the way of TV and film recently, it is because I am trying to encourage my wife to chill and relax before delivery and those who know Etina well know that that is very hard to do! I feel I've succeeded here (in fact she's been sleeping in the living room for the last two and a half hours now)!

Tv star... I wish!

2006-03-29T17:00:00.000+02:00

I think this post is going to appeal more to those of a Swedish background, as today I took part in a children's quiz show, called Vi i femman (Us in the Fifth Grade), which is a popular programme in this part of the world (or so I've heard).

When I first heard about the programme I thought 'cool, I can wear my Burnley shirt and promote my home town a little!' However, that was not to be as the Swedes were determined to make this a stereotype rules kind of affair and had the three Englishman in dark suits, complete with bowler hats and umbrellas! I'd pretty much decided not to be involved at that point but Etina was determined it would be fun and pushed me in the direction of the studio.

Basically I was on screen about 30 seconds and had to read out a sentence in English that the contestants had to translate into Swedish. I felt the sentences were far too easy for the kids and they responded by getting everything right (both teams).

It was a good way of seeing how TV works as we were asked to sit there for three and half hours while waiting for our 'big' moment. We got to see how the bits and pieces fit together and TV truly is a boring industry and I'm glad I haven't moved in that direction (yet).

For those living in Sweden, if you want to see me looking like a 'proper Englishman' (which doesn't happen very often) then switch on on Good Friday, 14th April and see yours truly in action. I don't know what time it's on but I'm sure you can find out on the net, or TV magazine. If anyone has a DVD recorder is there any chance you could copy the episode as I want to send it to my family in Burnley (and give em a laugh)?

That Shadow Box review

2006-03-28T11:15:00.000+02:00

As there were quite a lot on my flist that requested news of its arrival, I can now inform you all that my Shadow Box review has been published for your perusal!

Shadow Box Review

Here is the link if you are interested in buying said boxed set:

Shadow Box Purchase

Great soundtrack, shame about the film!

2006-03-28T11:12:00.000+02:00

Well the curse continues as tonight I was stupid enough to sit through the boring, dragged out and woeful film that is Kundun.

That the film is slow, tedious and badly acted is one thing but the fact that the characters can't decide whether it is better to speak Tibetan or English is damn annoying. It is a breath of fresh air when a film takes place in a country and the characters speak the language they are expected too...

...there is such a thing as subtitles you know!

I'm off to bed now but I bet I don't sleep! (Then again if I have trouble, I'll just put Kundun on again!)

Disappointing Viewing

2006-03-27T14:59:00.000+02:00

I'm a magnet for weak film and tv just at the moment and so stay away from me... no, I mean it. Over the last 20 hours I have watched:

Crash - a review will be appearing soon but how on Earth did this film win an Oscar, do middle-of-the-road mainstream films win Oscars? Oh wait a minute... don't answer that one or we'll be here all day!

Supernatural - I have been very impressed with this series although Episode 8: Bugs was a pile of junk!

Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion - as I know a few of my flist across the pond aren't up to speed on this series, I won't give any spoilers here but merely say that this is one hell of an atrocious episode and I cannot understand the success of this programme if they are to keep up with this base humour, weak storylines and insipid characters.

Help, I want to watch something good (I have Wolf Creek as a film on this list and the first episode of Deadwood to watch)!

On the plus side me and the wife started our The Simpsons marathon last night with Season One, Episode One (yes we are going through all 17 seasons, one by one)! It were great!

The new and improved resolution slot!

2006-03-26T14:00:00.000+02:00

Yes I know you can't have 'new and improved' together as if it is new then there has never been anything before it and if it is improved there has to have been something before it... urggh!

Well it's shorter and tidier now as there are no 'father', 'board games', 'books' (as it is the genre books we are looking at) and 'mutual live journal friends' (as that has now ended successfully) sections, and so this makes for a more compact list.

So then:

Albums:

60 / 170
(35.3%)

Must be good, over 35% with less than three months of the year gone!

Weight:

0 / 8
(0.0%)

Bollocks! Pants!

Books in Fantasy/Horror Genre:

10 / 52
(19.2%)

It's looking tougher by the week!

Dickens Books:

1 / 5
(20.0%)

Well it's going to mess up the 'fantasy/horror' one but I'm on book two now!

Short Stories:

2 / 10
(20.0%)

I'm struggling here; I had a fantastic dream, which became an idea for a story and I forgot the bloody thing!

Well it seems a bit negative all-in-all but I'm not feeling that way as I've taken off a few that I am doing well with and I have already completed one and some of the others were a bit silly to put together (i.e. Dickens and fantasy/horror).

Let's see how it looks next week (when I should be a dad)!

Jimi Hendrix... who?

2006-03-25T21:25:00.000+01:00

Ha ha, I can't even hold it properly!

I'm so looking forward to learning how to play this!

One of those posts...

2006-03-23T11:10:00.000+01:00

After reading a couple of news articles and seeing a couple of LJ user's avatars, I feel the need:

McDonalds - no workers rights and low pay masters - I hate you!
Starbucks - embodiment of all that is rotten about capitalism - I hate you!
Nestlé - for child labour and for being massive arms funders - I hate you!
L'Oreal - for buying out 'The Body Shop' - I hate you!
The Body Shop - for selling out to L'Oreal - I hate you!
Chiquita - for your underhand, dodgy commercial tactics - I hate you!
Nike - for your child labour and low pay concept - I hate you!
Coca-Cola/Schweppes/Cadburys - for capitalism on a scary scale - I hate you!
Shell Oil - for thinking that Nigerian workers' lives were less important than profit - I hate you!

I thank you.

Am I boring you yet?

2006-03-22T22:57:00.000+01:00

For those of you who weren't bored shitless with the 41 things about me, I found one that doubled it and of course felt the need to do that one too!

If you want to save yourself some mind numbing boredom, then turn away now!

1. How many keys are on your keychain?
I have 5 keys on my 'key ring'

2. What curse word do you use the most?
Bollocks, fuck or pants (I think it's pants actually!).

3. Do you own an iPod?
Nope, I have a Creative mp3 player and I love the little mite!

4. Who on your Myspace "Top 8" do you talk to most?
All that Myspace ever did for me was gain me a stalker and lots of dying people desperate to give me money if I helped them launder a little. The only reason I am still on is because I haven't been arsed cancelling it (note of things to do later... ).

5. What time is your alarm clock set for?
That really depends because somedays I have big projects, some days I have teaching and some days I have lie-ins.

6. How many suitcases do you own?
Two I think but I mainly have sports bags and rucksacks cos I love em! My step-father wants to know when I am going to grow up and travel like adults do.

7. Do you wear flip-flops even when it's cold outside?
I wear sandals outside (as sponsored by Jesus) and think they are tops. They smell a bit though!

8. Where do you buy your groceries from?
Willy's (cos like the budgie it's cheep!).

9. Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?
Both as I love pulling silaly faces but I love standing there for two hours checking, light, aperture and all that stuff too!

10. What was the last movie you watched?
The Brothers Grimm

11. Do any of your friends have children?
Lots!

12. If you won the lottery, what's the first thing you would buy?
A recording studio with Chuckle Monkey Records over the door. Then I'd sign my first band to my label: Spongy Lung or Rubber Village or Stern Ambulance!

13. Has anyone ever called you lazy?
Yeah and it really pissed me off.

14. Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster?
I try and avoid medication whenever I can.

15. What CD is currently in your CD player?
Pink Floyd: Wish you Were Here (I’ve been ordered to play it everyday before the birth!)

16. Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk?
Neither (yuck!)

17. Has anyone told you a secret this week?
Probably.

18. When was the last time someone hit on you?
Mmm... around six years ago I think... ha ha!

19. What did you have for dinner?
Yesterday I had potato gratin with feta and olive salad and bread.

20. Do you wear hoodies often?
I don't know what this is, unless it means jackets with hoods on and then not if I can help it.

21. Can you whistle?
Yep.

22. Have you ever participated in a protest?
Yes, the communism party's 'U.S.A. - out of Iraq' protest in 2004

23. Who was the last person to call you?
An unknown number that is winding the wife up as they don't leave a message...

24. What is your favorite ride at an amusement park?
I don't like amusement parks, they don't amuse me.

25. Do you think people talk about you behind your back?
Er, that goes without saying... right for spite and left for love

26. What area code are you in right now?
Non-US.

27. Did you watch cartoons as a child?
Lots, apparently I was addicted to Snoopy!

28. How big is your local mall?
In square metres?

29. How many siblings do you have?
One.

30. Are you shy around the opposite sex?
Nah, I was but then I got married so I am off limits! ;-)

31. What is your biggest regret?
None as to change things in the past means you would not be where you are now and I like where I am now!

32. Have you ever had Jamba Juice?
This must be a US thing as I have never even heard of it!

33. When was the last time you laughed so hard your sides hurt?
I can't remember; I am much more of a chuckler

34. What movie do you know every line to?
Star Wars of course!

35. Do you own any band t-shirts?
No, not any more.

36. When was your last plane ride?
February, for my little sis's wedding... :-)

37. How many chairs are at your dining room table?
7 (we like to entertain!)

38. What is your favorite salad dressing?
Tahini.

39. Do you read for fun?
I think so, although I tend to research a lot with fiction and so never count it as a pure hobby.

40. Can you speak any languages other than English?
Swedish.

41. Do you do your own dishes?
Yes, most of the time since the woman got with child (it was around 60/40 before that).

42. What color is your bedroom painted?
A nice green.

43. Have you ever cried in public?
Lots.

44. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?
Both although I could easily take a hammer to the desktop.

45. Which do you make: wishes or plans?
Both, I have a wish list for pressies but I plan my successful writing career! ;-)

46. Are you always trying to learn new things?
Right now I'm going through teach yourself html code and the guitar (I think the answer is yes)!

47. Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoos?
No, Etina killed the nipple piercing idea a long time ago.

48. Do you believe that the guy should pay on the first date?
It's up to those involved.

49. Can you skip rocks?
I can skim them but does this mean that in weird 'US' language or does it mean jumping over them?

50. Have you ever been to Jamaica?
No.

51. If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be?
Me; it's fun!

52. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
6 or 7 I think.

53. Do you love your job?
I have always loved it!

54. Has someone you loved died in the last year?
My mum died just over two months ago. :-(

55. What to snack on at the movie theatres?
Is that a grammatically acceptable question? No, so I refuse to answer it... ha ha!

56. Who was your favorite teacher?
I don't know, I had loads of crap ones to be honest... me I think.

57. Have you ever dated someone out of your race?
All my partners have been members of the human race (I know, I know, I am boring that way)!

58. What is the weather like?
Weather.

59. Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos?
I don't know; it would depend on the person.

60. Do you have an online journal?
No. Oh sorry I must have mustn't I? I have my lovely Live Journal and a pain in the arse Blogger.

61. What was your favorite class in high school?
English Literature.

62. Does your closest Starbucks have a drive-thru?
We don't have any around here *dances happily*

63. Do you eat breakfast daily?
Oh yes, the only meal I eat without fail!

64. What was the last thing to scare you?
Having to sit in the hospital, wondering if baby’s increased heart beat was a problem or not.

65. What is your favorite fruit?
Ooh a tough one, I think oranges at the moment. Wait a minute I’m a monkey… bananas of course…yes bananas!

66. Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages?
No, I’m more bothered about those scary ‘E’ numbers!

67. Are you picky about spelling and grammar?
Ha ha, check out question 55 for my answer!

68. What was the last thing you ate?
Bulgar wheat salad with tahini – yummo!

69. Do you get along better with the same or opposite sex?
The opposite, I have always had more female friends than male.

70. What did you dress up as for your first Halloween?
Oh my god I have no idea; probably a ghost in a sheet.

71. Do you like mustard?
Some mustard is good and some is bloody awful.

72. Would you ever sky dive?
I’d have to be forced I think

73 Do you sleep on your side, tummy, or back?
Tummy… awww! I sleep on my side.

74. What character from a movie most reminds you of yourself?
John Cusack in High Fidelity (as mentioned by about 92% of the people I’ve met).

75. Do you enjoy giving hugs?
Love it (but only if I like them).

76. Would you consider yourself to be fashionable?
Oh dear, not one bit!

77. Do you own a digital camera?
Sort of, I bought one for the wife and what’s hers is mine, right?

78. What celebrities have you been compared to?
Cusack as in High Fidelity but looks-wise no one really.

79. Does it annoy you when someone says they'll call but never do?
Depends who it is and for what reason.

80. Are you a jealous person?
As a Scorpion I’m supposed to be but I don’t really consider myself jealous and no one has ever said I am.

81. Do you ever feel guilty after eating meat?
I used to and that’s why I became a veggie.

82. If you were born the opposite sex, what would your name have been?

Kathryn. That’s my little sister’s name.

Wow what a day!

2006-03-21T12:34:00.000+01:00

So many things all at once - I can't contain myself!

Today is the confirmation that my child is to be an Aries... yes!! I don't know why this was such a big thing but I like the idea of baby being the first Aries in the close family. We have a couple of Pisces, which was the other chance, but no Aries... *smiles*

I'm being published again! I got a lovely e-mail yesterday with the news that my story has been accepted for the 'Grants Pass' anthology. I'll keep you posted on that! *grins*

I'm buying my first ever guitar today... wahey! It's something I've been thinking about for a while as I have always wanted to play a musical instrument and I thought I could practice when I put baby to bed. I'm buying it in a few hours and then I'll strum a little bit for the wee one later today! *face lights up*

I'll post a picture of me and said guitar later!

For those who pass by from their blogger account, I now have a blogger account too so you can read all my Live Journal entries there too - multi-tasking I am!

Go for it baby!

2006-03-20T23:53:00.000+01:00

After speaking to several users about rocking babies, I decided that my unborn wasn't listening to enough of my earlier music and decided to go on a little nostalgic trip.

Saturday saw us playing Kashmir by the mighty Zeppelin, after dynamine mentioned her gorgeous young'un likes Joy Division and Led Zeppelin.

Baby didn't react too much but then me and Etina got upset after I told her that Led Zeppelin was one of my mum's favourite bands (Mum's funeral was two months ago today - you can read more on the 'Mum' links).

Today was a little of Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins and Jimi Hendrix (with the obligatory Voodoo Chile, as that was number one when I was born!) before then remembering a program talking about unborn babies reacting to bass in the womb. I thought, I pondered and then threw the track on that had baby bopping like a trooper and daddy smiling like an idiot!

'What was it?' I hear you cry, well no other than:

Blue Monday by the mighty New Order!

Go baby go! :-)