Author: Sharon

Liaden Universe® InfoDumpling

A Liaden Universe® InfoDumpling is a small InfoDump, sent out sporadically, when there are only a few, hot, news items to share.

Uncle Hugo’s Opens Pre-Orders for Signed and/or Personalized Copies of Alliance of Equals
Alliance of Equals, the 19th Liaden Universe® novel, will be published on July 5.  As has become his pleasant habit, the Uncle is once again taking pre-orders for signed and/or personalized books.

Here is the link to the pre-order page at Uncle Hugo’s website.

Here is a link to an explanatory blog entry.

There is a deadline involved!  All personalization requests must be made no later than June 1.

Thank you!

Offworld Designs Adds New Items to its Liaden Category
In addition to mugs, and basic black apparel, the good folks at Offworld Designs have added lady’s v-neck t-shirts, t-shirts in forest green, polo shirts in forest green, and *blue* denim shirts.

You can start shopping here.

Another All-New Story at Splinter Universe
As previously advertised, Sharon did post a second Archers Beach short story to Splinter Universe back at the end of January.  You may read “Will-o’-the-wisp” here.

For those who missed the first story, “The Wolf’s Bride,” it can be found here.

Boskone Was Great!
We had a splendid time at Boskone.  Thanks to all of the manymany volunteers who help make the con happen every year (in February!  in Boston!).  And thanks to everyone who attended!

Information about next year’s Boskone may be had here.

Lee and Miller Upcoming Conventions
Ravencon,  April 29-May 1, Williamsburg, Virginia, Doubletree. Writer Guests of Honor, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller; Artist Guest of Honor, Vincent DiFate.

BaltiCon 50,  May 27-30, The Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, Baltimore, MD.  Writer Guest of Honor: George R.R. Martin; Artist Guest of Honor, John Picacio.  Also! All of the 50 previous GoHs who are willing to attend.  Steve and Sharon will attending as Past Writer GoHs of BaltiCon 37.

MidAmeriCon II, the 74th World Science Fiction Convention, August 17-21, 2016, Kansas City, MO. Sharon and Steve have purchased their attending memberships.

Alliance of Equals Mini Book Tour
Sharon and Steve will be visiting some bookstores in support of the publication of Alliance of Equals, in July.

July 5, 7 pm:  Flights of Fantasy, Albany, NY (book party!)
July 8, 7 pm:  Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester, MA
July 9, 2 pm:  Toadstool Books, Milford NH
July 14, 7 pm: Pandemonium Books, Cambridge MA

Disclaimer Stuff
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The Uncle is now accepting preorders for signed copies. . .

. . .of Alliance of Equals, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.

You guys all remember the drill from last time, right? Abridged edition follows, for those with short memories:

A.  If you want your book personalized*, you must write the personalization EXACTLY as you want it to appear in your book.  Remember to check your spelling.

A.1.  The authors reserve the right to refuse to inscribe a book with any personalization that Offendeth Them.  This is solely at the discretion of the authors, and there is no appeal.

B.  If you only want your book signed, then you need do nothing but order a signed edition at the link below.

C.  Uncle Hugo’s does not charge your credit card until your book is packed and ready to ship.

D.  Be Aware of the Deadline:  If you want your book personalized*, then you must preorder by June 1, 2016.

E.  HERE’S YOUR LINK

________

*Personalized means that the authors write something you personally request them to write in your book, in addition to their names.  This is anything in addition to their names, including, but not limited to your name, the date, pithy quote, or gift note to a friend.

Books read in 2016

9.  Broken Homes, Ben Aaronovitch
8.  Soul Music, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
7.  Whispers Underground, Ben Aaronovitch
6.  Moon Over Soho, Ben Aaronovitch
5.  Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
4.  Conflict of Honors, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (e) (re-read)
3.  Mort, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
2.  The Sculptor, Scott McCloud
1.  A Short History of a Small Place, T.R. Pearson

Home again

So!  We’re home from Boskone.

Steve reports thusly:

We’re trying to get back to normal, insofar as the writing life ever is normal. At Boskone we had 13 program items, 3 official or formal breakfast meetings, several official dinner meals, 2 between program meetings with colleagues… No I didn’t get to as many parties as usual…. Meanwhile, if our trip down was on a packed train our trip back was serene and quiet — we were the only business class passengers all the way from Boston to Brunswick.

. . .which makes for a fairly full convention.  I was called upon to moderate one panel, which was. . . quite broad in terms of scope, and I admit, I had a few moments of trepidation, thinking that the discussion would last 15 minutes after which we would all adjourn to the bar.  Happily, my co-panelists were brilliant and well-informed, and the audience very interested in the topic. . . so the ship was safely brought into port.

Our kaffeeklatsch was filled to overflowing, by reason of the alternate players joining those who were considered the A-team by convention programming.  We didn’t mind the extra people, but the programming chair did come by to make certain that Steve and I weren’t distressed by having so many attendees — which was very kind of her, and proper care and feeding of one’s guests.  I was able to assure her that we were fine, but!  Do, please, try to abide by the rules of the convention, even if they seem silly.  Convention programming folks really have a lot on their plates during the con and it’s to everyone’s advantage to follow the rules, and let them conserve energy so they can deal with major problems (if any, and:  avert) in a calm and thoughtful manner.  Thanks.

The mass book party was swell — there was cake!  Between those who came to our autographing, and the various vendors in the room, we signed a metric ton of books — all of them ours — and though I bought books*, I confess to Earring Fail, and! even though I have identified a need for more bling on the lapel of the Coat of Many Pockets — I also had Bling Failure.

A special shout-out to Garth Nix, who took time out from his signing at the mass book party, to come over and chat with us for a few minutes.  As a general rule, we try not to inflict ourselves on Sitting GoHs, because — having been in the chair — we know that they have lots of people who want — and deserve — their attention.

Our next con, for those interested, is RavenCon, April 29-May 1, in Williamsburg.  Where we will be Writer Guests of Honor.  After that, we’ll be returning Guests of Honor at BaltiCon 50.

And now, I have bills to pay, tax returns to review, and errands to run — must have food!, especially as the weatherbeans are calling Weather, starting tonight — and then, we need to get back to work on The Gathering Edge.

———

*Books purchased:  Foxglove Summer, Ben Aaronovitch; Karen Memory, by Elizabeth Bear; Written in Red, by Anne Bishop; The House of Shattered Wings, Aliette de Bodard; and Uprooted, Naomi Novick.

Scrabble Feb 22 2016

Boston, we are in you

Playing catchup here.

Left the Cat Farm at O-Ghod o’clock on Thursday, to catch the 7:00 am train out of Brunswick.  We had a pleasant, which is to say non-eventful trip, watching the scenery go by while we ate packed-in baloney-and-cheese sammiches and drank high-test Amtrak coffee.  How do they consistently get that slightly burnt undernote in the coffee, no matter what train you happen to be on?

Our room was ready for us when we hit the hotel — a very nice room, high-ish up, with a view of the harbor and of the planes coming in to Logan.

We napped and set up Field Headquarters, chatted with a few other early arrivals, gathered up our convention badges, and crashed early.

This morning, we had a pleasant extended breakfast with Christie Meierz and Jeff Mierzejewski.  Afterwards, we toured the facility, started an early pile of books behind Larry Smith’s table, and retired to field headquarters to do some work before lunch.  Lunch having now been achieved, I’m taking this opportunity to catch y’all up before The Con Gets Real.

Still no word on the Friends of Liad Breakfast — we’re still shooting for a Sunday morning event, Saturday’s schedule being what it is.

I would be a Bad Cat Mom if I did not mention that today marks the 6th anniversary of the birth of Kelimcoon’s Belle of the Ball.  We plan to have a belated celebration  when we get home again to Maine.

Also, Number Ten Ox, running Linux Mint, version Cinnamon, is performing without nary a stumble nor a stagger.

Y’all have fun; I’ll check in as I can.

Belle Jan 22 2016

My bags are packed, I’m ready to go…

. . .though there was one terrifying moment when I thought I hadn’t left enough room in my backpack for my book.  Turns out that there was just enough room.  Close one, though.

So, the important news first:  SFWA has named C.J. Cherryh its 32nd Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master.

And there was much rejoicing.

She was a huge influence on me, as on several generations of writers.  Why?  The list is long, including a long list of believably alien aliens from the Iduve, straight through to the Atevi; top-notch worldbuilding that left no detail to chance; complex, compelling stories, (most of which have aged very well), and human characters that are as complex and multifaceted as any real human you might encounter, and writing that is always strong and clear.

If you haven’t read any Cherryh, now might be the time to sample her.  Hunter of Worlds, Cuckoo’s Egg, The Faded Sun Trilogy:  Kesrith, Shon’Jir, and Kutath — that’ll get you started.

Very well deserved.

Back here at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory, we’re packed and ready to head out ‘way too early tomorrow morning to catch the first train from Brunswick to Boston.  Despite urging from their fans, the cats have decided to remain at the Farm, in order to entertain the house-sitter, who would otherwise be all by herself, and where’s the fun in that?

So, Steve and I will be at Boskone — alone and unsupervised!  For those coming in late, here is the Lee and Miller Schedule, and here is the Full Boskone Schedule.

We will be reading from Chapter 7 of Alliance of Equals during our scheduled reading time at noon on Saturday.

I’ll check in intermittently from the con for those who can’t attend this year.  If you are attending — we’re looking forward to seeing you!

Our Ladies of the Toys Feb 6 2016

Today’s blog post brought to you by John Denver, “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”  Here’s your link.

Books read in 2016

8.  Soul Music, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
7.  Whispers Underground, Ben Aaronovitch
6.  Moon Over Soho, Ben Aaronovitch
5.  Reaper Man, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
4.  Conflict of Honors, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (e) (re-read)
3.  Mort, Terry Pratchett (read aloud with Steve)
2.  The Sculptor, Scott McCloud
1.  A Short History of a Small Place, T.R. Pearson

Speaking of Conventions…

It says here that Boskone 53 will be my/our 56th science fiction convention since 1996.  It also says that we attended 17 of those soon-to-be-56 conventions as Guests of Honor or Special Guests.

I’m not sure this is completely accurate.  For instance, Steve attended some recent Boskones on his own ticket, while I stayed home to man the day-job or to care for Mozart, when he was too ill to be left with the cat sitter.

Nor did I start going to science fiction conventions in 1996.  My first convention was Balticon 10, in 1976.  Steve and I did a bunch of conventions in the late 70s and early 80s — as hucksters, as we were called then, and Steve doubling as a pro (I wasn’t even remotely a pro until 1980, when I sold my first story to Amazing).  That was before we moved to Maine and gafiated for a few years.  Sadly, I threw away all those convention badges long ago in a Fit of Despond, and, yanno, back then — why would I even keep records of what conventions we attended? So the Real Record is, I suppose, Lost to the Ages.

Still, 55, soon-to-be-56, conventions in 20 years is. . .something of an accomplishment.  I’ll  call it that, anyway.

Here’s something a little different — a galactic ice castle, courtesy of the Hubble Space Telescope:

Hubble Ice Castle in Space

Boskone, February 19-21, 2016

As previously advertised, Steve and I will be at Boskone (February 19-21, 2016) in Boston, MA for New England’s longest running science fiction and fantasy convention. It’s going to be a fun weekend filled with books, film, art, music, gaming, and more, and we’d love to see you there! For more information about Boskone, check out The Boskone Blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Visit the Boskone website to register.  The Full Con Schedule may be found here.

Our schedule for the weekend is below.  Also look for us in the Art Show, the Dealer’s Room, and sitting around the lobby, chatting with friends.

As in previous years, we intend to host a Friends of Liad breakfast at Boskone.  Since our Saturday is rather full, and in addition begins with a 10 a.m. Kaffeeklatsch, we will be aiming for a Sunday morning breakfast.  For those who are new to this tradition — the Friends of Liad breakfast is an informal, extra-con event, where Friends and readers of Liad meet to catch up with each other, and with the authors.  All are welcome.  Everyone pays for their own breakfast, even Steve and Sharon.  As soon as we’ve made arrangements with Saucity, the Westin’s in-house restaurant, we’ll put out the word regarding time, and day.

Hope to see you at Boskone!

Boskone Schedule:

Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

FRIDAY

Collaboration: Writers, Artists, and More!
Friday 6:00 – 6:50, Harbor III (Westin)
Creative collaboration is an endurance event. Each experience is different, whether working in a shared universe, co-writing a story, or working word by word with another author. Whatever the scenario, it can be an immensely rewarding experience. However, personalities can clash and the final decision isn’t always mutual. If you’re curious about creative collaborations and want to find out where to start or how to avoid the most common missteps, this panel is for you.
Steve Miller (M), Julie C. Day, Teddy Harvia, Stephen Hickman, Sharon Lee

SATURDAY

Kaffeeklatsch 2: Sharon Lee, Steve Miller
Saturday 10:00 – 10:50, Harbor I-Kaffeeklatsch 2 (Westin)

Foppish Fiction: The Dandy in SF/F/H
Saturday 11:00 – 11:50, Harbor II (Westin)
The Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro both hid their secret identities behind foppish appearances. We’ll explore their descendants, both male and female, in speculative fiction. Then there’s the effete ruler of a decadent empire as a trope (or is that a meme?) of our genres. And what about the sidekick with a flair for fashion? Why are our protagonists all Winters in jewel tones, and none of them Autumns in burnt umber?
Sharon Lee (M), Ellen Asher, Debra Doyle, Grady Hendrix, Walter Jon Williams

Reading: Steve Miller & Sharon Lee
Saturday 12:00 – 12:25, Griffin (Westin)

How You Get the Word Out: Starting and Running a Successful Podcast
Saturday 2:00 – 2:50, Harbor III (Westin)
Podcasting gives us an outlet to share our thoughts and ideas with the world, and everyone seems to have something (perhaps a lot) to say. But is podcasting right for everyone? How do you go about “bootstrapping” a podcast? What do you need and what do you need to know? How do you attract and keep an audience? Where do you find a place to host your site? Successful ‘casters pass on their secrets.
Steve Miller (M), Kate Baker, C.S.E. Cooney, Don Pizarro, Brianna Spacekat Wu

Romance Across Space and Time
Saturday 3:00 – 3:50, Marina 2 (Westin)
Romance shows up in the unlikeliest places: from prehistory to the far-flung future; from pole to pole; from fantasy and science fiction to horror. Must it be a guilty pleasure? Or should we proudly proclaim the heart of the matter: wherever they may find it, all the world loves a love story!
Darlene Marshall (M), D L Carter, Mary Kay Kare, Steve Miller, E.J. Stevens

Writing: Pinning Down Your Plot
Saturday 4:00 – 4:50, Marina 3 (Westin)
Complicated plots need proper handling. Writers who lose control of a twisty tale can confuse and/or alienate their readers. But just how do authors manage a complex story line? Come hear their tips for keeping track of the trickiest of plots.
Steven Popkes (M), Ken Altabef, Sharon Lee, Christie Meierz, Vincent O’Neil

Boskone Book Party
Saturday 6:00 – 7:20, Galleria-Stage (Westin)
Join us for Boskone’s Multi-Author Book Party, see what’s new from authors you love, and discover new favorites. Boskone is also launching three NESFA Press books tonight: The Collected Stories of Poul Anderson Vol 7, Conspiracy!, and The Grimm Future. (Authors and publishers with a new book and a current Boskone membership are welcome to take part; contact program@boskone.org for details.)
D L Carter, Tom Easton, Grady Hendrix, Carlos Hernandez, E. C. Ambrose, Judith K. Dial, Sharon Lee, Steve Miller, Cerece Rennie Murphy, N.A. Ratnayake, Erin Underwood

SUNDAY

NESFA Book Club: Conflict of Honors by Sharon Lee & Steve MIller
Sunday 11:00 – 11:50, Griffin (Westin)
This February, the NESFA Book Club hosts its monthly meeting at Boskone. Join us as we discuss Conflict of Honors by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, who will join the group halfway through the discussion in order to lead a Q&A. All members are welcome and newcomers are encouraged to attend.
Michael Sharrow (M), Sharon Lee, Steve Miller

Autographing: James Cambias, Sharon Lee, Steve Miller
Sunday 12:00 – 12:50, Galleria-Autographing (Westin)

Take Me To Your Leader
Sunday 1:00 – 1:50, Harbor II (Westin)
Does SF/F get leaders all wrong? How do leaders in large organizations actually act? Are leaders creative? What motivates them? Let’s compare character archetypes from page and screen to real-world leaders.
Stephen P. Kelner Jr. (M), A.C.E. Bauer, Vincent Docherty, Sharon Lee, Teresa Nielsen Hayden

Exoplanets Are Out There
Sunday 1:00 – 1:50, Burroughs (Westin)
Did you ever expect to view exoplanets from Earth? SF writers since Doc Smith seemed to assume we’d discover planets only when we approached the stars they orbited. Now astronomers have confirmed 2,000 exoplanets and counting; they’re designing new devices to resolve their spectra and hint at their habitability. Was this a failure of imagination, a choice to build drama, or an unexpected success of astronomical instrumentation? Didn’t any writers get it right?
Charles Gannon (M), Jeff Hecht, Beth Meacham, Steve Miller, Mark L. Olson