Shameless Self-Promotion – Page 23

She thinks that happiness is a mat that sits on her doorway

Woke up ‘way too early in a panic, and despite the best combined efforts of Belle, Trooper, and Sprite, couldn’t make it back to sleep. Finally relocated to the living room, lest I wake Steve, and opened the window over the couch so I could listen to the rain.

Looking at the calendar, I see that we’re going to be busy, soon and briefly.

Monday-coming is July 4 (Independence Day, for those who do not partake of USian holidays), which doesn’t really have much to do with us, since we don’t plan on attending any fireworks displays this year. But! It does start off the rest of the week with a bang.

Tuesday, July 5, Steve and I will be in Albany, NY, for a release day party! for Alliance of Equals at Flights of Fantasy. The festivities start at 7 pm, and we hope to see a whole bunch of y’all there.

Wednesday, July 6, is Sprite’s fourth birthday, and we naturally have a full day of fun, magic, music, and napping planned.

Thursday, we get a little bit of breather before plunging into the weekend.

Friday, July 8, you’ll find us at Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester (despite the fact that we are not listed on the calendar), from 7-9 pm, talking books and signing them.

Then! on Saturday, July 9, we’ll be at Toadstool Books at Lorden Plaza in Milford NH from 2-4 pm to read from Alliance of Equals, answer questions and of course, sign books.

Sunday, I’ll believe we’ll sleep late, veg out, and maybe watch Tomorrowland, which we’ve had sitting around forever.

What else?

Ah. For those playing along at home, Book the Next did, last night, move a few words in a forwarder direction. So, yanno, yay.

Also, since it’s raining quite heavily, and Steve needs to be in one place, while I’m wanted someplace else — the omens all indicate that the books will arrive today.

. . .and that’s all I’ve got.

Who else has plans for next week?

Progress on Book the Next
37,228/100,000 OR 37% complete

“I see,” he said. “How will I know her?”

“She will know you.”

Almost forgot…Today’s blog post title comes to you courtesy of Matchbox Twenty, “3 AM.” Here’s your link.

Black and white and red all over

The Baltimore Sun has done a nice piece on BaltiCon, for its 50th anniversary. Here’s your link.

We do also have a very preliminary schedule. We’re awaiting confirmation from Programming before posting details. So!

Watch this space.

Y’know? They’re growing mechanical trees. They grow to their full height; then they chop themselves down

So lately, most of the energy around the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory has been focused on The Gathering Edge, and I would just like to say that, by my stars and garters, I am never, ever again participating in a Theo book!

I feel so much better.

Even if it is an empty threat. Sigh. Theo is, I fear, going to have to be in the next book. But! The next book is not going to be a Theo book.

*glares at Theo*

*Theo glares back*

Yeah, well. . .

In other news, and in addition to the deadline we’re racing — there is a deadline approaching for you! Yes, you, too, over there in the corner.

What deadline you ask? Why, the deadline to pre-order a personalized hardcover copy of Alliance of Equals from Uncle Hugo’s SF Bookstore in Minneapolis. If you want a signed-and-personalized book, you have until June 1 to preorder.

Here’s your link.

This will be the last reminder you’ll get from me on this topic, because — BaltiCon.

Yes, we will be at BaltiCon. Will you? Here’s the link.

This morning, I took a break from glaring at Theo to go into town and have my hair cut, mail a package at the post office, get rid of some old meds at the police station, and to take on groceries. Because I had cleverly (sigh) made the appointment for my haircut for nine o’clock a.m., I ate breakfast in town, after, at Toast Xpress. If you’re ever in the area, I recommend the blueberry crepes, though there many, many delicious things to choose from.

I came home to find that my new corset had arrived. I asked Belle if she’d model it for y’all, but she’s busy, so you’ll just have to wait ’til BaltiCon to see it.

And that? Is all I’ve got. It bodes well to be a Crazy Few Days here on the Confusion Factory side of things, so I’ll just wish everybody a pleasant weekend.

Today’s blog title comes to you courtesy of Laurie Anderson, “Sharkey’s Day.” Here’s your link.

Five minutes of fame, and! an important reminder

Hey, look! Publishers Weekly has reviewed Alliance of Equals, to wit:

“. . .this space opera continues to delight with genteel interactions between mild-spoken characters who are capable of great passions and swift actions, and its immense scope encompasses a well-realized and comfortable universe.”

So, yay! good review!

Which leads nicely into this reminder to them as wish to have signed copies of the hard cover edition of Alliance (coming to a bookstore near you, in July).

Uncle Hugo’s SF Bookstore is handling the pre-orders of personalized and/or signed books. Here’s what you need to know:

A. There is a deadline for pre-ordering personalized books (where “personalized” means the authors, in addition to their signatures, write something specifically requested by the person buying the book. Fair warning: If the authors feel, in their sole judgment, that the requested personalization is too long, or offendeth them in some other way, they will not — that’s not — personalize the book, though they will sign it. This is in the authors’ sole judgment, and there is no appeal. Thank you.). Deadline for pre-ordering personalized books is June 1.

B. If you do not want your book personalized, but you do want a signed copy, there is no deadline. Typically, Uncle has us sign an extra few books to have in the store. However! It’s best to pre-order to ensure that you will receive a signed book, as our signed editions have been known to sell out.

C. Here’s your link.

Here at the Confusion Factory, today encompasses vampires and an annual medical check-up, as well as a trip to the grocery store. Also, having now written the story (still untitled, alas, and I don’t think a Marx Bros. title if going to work for this one; may have to resort to Shakespeare. Or Tiny Tim.), and taken Steve’s input, I need to edit it, and bring it into shape to go to the editor.

A typical day, really.

Hope your day is relaxing and productive, wherever you may be.

Your periodic reminder advert

A. Order your signed and/or personalized copy of Alliance of Equals: Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore in Minneapolis is now accepting pre-orders for signed and/or personalized copies of Lee and Miller’s 19th Liaden Universe® novel, Alliance of Equals, which will be published in July. There is a deadline for pre-ordering personalized books (where “personalized” means the authors, in addition to their signatures, write something specifically requested by the person buying the book). That deadline is June 1. Here’s your link.

B. Liaden Universe® Store at OffWorld Design: Coffee mugs, denim shirts, t-shirts, polos! New colors and items have been added, just in time for spring! Here’s your link.

C. The eARC of Alliance of Equals is now on sale at Baen.com. Here’s your link.

D. For those who have read Alliance and want to talk about it, there’s a spoiler discussion here.

Alliance of Equals eARC

The electronic advance reading copy (aka, the one with the (most) mistakes in it) of Alliance of Equals, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, the 19th novel-length adventure in the Liaden Universe®!

. . .is now available for sale via download.

Here’s your link

I trust you all know what to do.

On a related note, I’ve got a side bet going with Belle, who doesn’t think we can sell more than 500 copies of the ARC. O, cat of little faith. Sprite, on the other paw, thinks we can earn out the advance on eARC sales. Of course, Sprite’s still a little unclear on the whole Base Ten thing…

Weekend News Roundup

This Just In: Sharon Lee and Steve Miller will be Writer Guests of Honor at MarsCon 2017, with Science Guests Benjamin and Carriann Higginbotham, and Ghost of Honor Anne McCaffrey. The theme of the convention is Dragons in Space. This will be our second time as Writer GoHs at MarsCon; our first visit was in 2003, and we had a blast. Sooooo looking forward to going back. MarsCon will be held March 3-5, 2017. Here’s your link.

Visit the Liaden Universe® Store at OffWorld Design: Coffee mugs, denim shirts, t-shirts, polos! New colors and items have been added, just in time for spring! Here’s your link.

Order your signed and/or personalized copy of Alliance of Equals: Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore in Minneapolis is now accepting pre-orders for signed and/or personalized copies of Lee and Miller’s 19th Liaden Universe® novel, Alliance of Equals, which will be published in July. There is a deadline for pre-ordering personalized books (where “personalized” means the authors, in addition to their signatures, write something specifically requested by the person buying the book). That deadline is June 1. Here’s your link.

Patreon: Last year, at the urging of some of our readers, and with some trepidation, Steve and I set up a Patreon account. Patreon provides a centralized and streamlined way for supporters of a certain artist (or team of artists) to offer extra financial support. Some folks offer incentives, and thank you gifts for their supporters; we haven’t done this, and, honestly, in the near future all we’re offering in return for your support is our very sincere thanks, and a promise to keep on writing. If you’d like to support us on Patreon, here’s your link.

In other news, work on The Gathering Edge, the 20th Liaden Universe® novel, continues, and Steve and I are gearing up for a slightly busy* year of con-going, and book touring.

______

*By which I mean, “busier than last year”.

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.

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!

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

Who’s going to a con, or to a bookstore?

I have here in my hand a small supply of postcards and bookmarks promoting Alliance of Equals by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.

If you’re going to a convention, or to your local bookstore, or book fair, book club, or any place where readers gather, and you would like to help us out by placing a few of these on the freebie table, or at the front counter (with permission, of course), or hand them out — please drop me a note at rolanniATkorvalDOTcom with your mailing address, and I’ll pop a few in the mail to you.

Thanks!