Writing – Page 17 – Sharon Lee, Writer

Ebook News You Can Use

Those of you who purchase ebooks from Amazon need to be aware of the following:

a. The Kindle edition of omnibus The Crystal Variation, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, including the novels Crystal Soldier, Crystal Dragon, and Balance of Trade — has been taken off-sale by Amazon pending correction of “serious quality issues.” These issues are “misspellings.” Amazon forwarded the list of 144 instances of misspelled words to Baen, which forwarded it to us. More than a dozen of those “misspelled” words are “cermacrete.” We also have “ISBN” identified as a “misspelled” word. Also, cantra, kais, qwint, Iloheen, aetherium, autoshout — you get the idea. Steve and I have each made a pass down the list and have so far identified three Actual Misspelled Words, and one that I need to research, but believe to be a spacing problem. The process from here goes like this: We tell Baen which words are Actually Misspelled. A Baen editor will fix those errors. The Baen Ebook Team will then recompile the omnibus and shuffle it into its various formats, including forwarding a “clean copy” to Amazon. Amazon will then, at some point, put the book back on sale.

If you would like to purchase an electronic copy of The Crystal Variation in the immediate future, your best choice of vendor would be Baen Ebooks, which offers the book for sale in All Formats Known to Man or Clutch. Here’s the link.

b. Amazon has also stopped selling Courier Run, an echapbook containing two Liaden stories by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, for Serious Quality Issues. In a Surprising Plot Twist, this title shows as being Live and On Sale from my publisher’s dashboard. KDP support is Researching the Issue and promises an answer by August 18 — next Thursday.

If you would like to purchase this echapbook before next Thursday, please seek it elsewhere — BN, Kobo, iBooks still offer it for sale.

c. Sleeping with the Enemy was also briefly off-sale at Amazon, but its honor has been redeemed and it is now on-sale in the Kindle store, as well as at the rest of the Usual Suspects.

d. Spell Bound, an echapbook collecting “Will-o’-the-wisp” and “The Wolf’s Bride,” two Archers Beach stories previously published on Splinter Universe, is now for sale at the Amazon Kindle store (after a brief tussle in which Amazon insisted that the content was available “freely on the web” and therefore I had no right to publish the compilation), and! at Kobo, and iBooks. BN will presumably get around to publishing sometime soon.

A related note: Since these stories have been collected, they have been removed from Splinter Universe.

Today, it is rainy and cool at the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory. I plan a quiet, working day. I realize that we are very fortunate in our weather. All of you who labor under Dangerous Heat Advisories — please be alert and take good care of yourselves.

I’ve got a girlfriend with bows in her hair, and nothing is better than that. . .is it?

As I write this, there are 132 reader reviews on Amazon for Alliance of Equals. Only 68 more to hit our goal of 200! You guys are awesome.

Also, I see that Dragon in Exile has picked up a few reviews, too, as a sort of overflow\proximity event. Thanks to everyone who took the time.

Here in Central Maine today, it was hot, for values of “hot” above 90F/33C. Which is plenty hot enough. I was on at the hospital, where the inside temp was nice and coolish; Steve turned on the A/C here at the house, and the cats have taken up strategic positions in puddles of coolth.

By virtue of arriving at the nice, cool hospital early today, I actually had ten minutes of peace and quiet in which I Realized several important things about the novel-in-progress. It would perhaps have helped if I’d realized them earlier, but better late than never, I guess.

Maybe I need to go to the hospital at lunchtime every day, and just sit at a table for ten minutes, with my notebook open and pen in hand. Or not. It’s possible that the various thought fragmentation nodules have at least been quietened, if not completely silenced. We very much hope that this is the case.

Later this week, we’re to meet with the photographer for to have our heads shot, and, while we’re at it, have some PR shots taken that will reflect the reality of this century, purple hair and all.

Tomorrow, there is nothing scheduled (except, yanno, taking the trash out). I believe that is my cue to take the laptop and lay claim to the couch in the living room, with my notes and new insights. So that? Is what I will do.

Everybody stay cool. Here, let Belle show you how:

Today’s blog title is brought to you by Talking Heads, “Girlfriend is Better.” Here’s your link.

In which it has been a day of parts

. . .too many parts, in fact, running in all directions at once.

Those who do not partake of the joys of Facebook may have missed the announcement that Sleeping with the Enemy, Adventures in the Liaden Universe® Number 22, is now on sale (as an ebook only) at Amazon, Kobo, ibooks, Page Foundry, and Tolino. We are told that it will be published RealSoonNow at BN/Noon, Scribd, and 24Symbols.

As I write this, Alliance of Equals has garnered 86! reader reviews on Amazon. Only 114 short of 200! You guys are going gang-busters!

. . .as we used to say.

Steve and I have declared tomorrow an electron-free day, so we will be scarce-to-invisible. If you have an urgent matter to resolve, you can try emailing the cats, but, well — good luck with that.

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Progress on Book the Next
40,459/100,000 OR 40.46% complete

“Ah, but any system is subject to manipulation. For instance, one who stands in a position of strength may decide that one whose position is. . .less strong has not paid fully enough, and demand additional consideration.” She paused, head to one side. “It is rarely said, I think, that one has paid too fully, but we must be alert to the possibility.”

But I got cat class and I got cat style

So, the big news this morning is!

The Cat Farm cats have been interviewed by Annie’s Book Stop. They talk about their writers, their favorite spots to sleep, and how they deal with the notoriety that comes with being Internet Stars. Here’s your link.

You still have a few days to read “Wise Child” on the Baen website. Here’s your link.

As of yesterday at about 4:00 pm EDT, the personalized books and some few just-signed had arrived at Uncle Hugo’s in Minneapolis. In addition, the remaining cases were on a UPS truck headed for the same location. They are expected to arrive on Thursday, July 7.

We’ve heard from two libraries that have received their copies of Alliance of Equals, and a report of a sighting in the wild, at a BN in Denton, Texas. Anyone have any other sightings to report? Amazon, which often jumps the gun on these things, is, last time I looked, still holding the line at “this item will ship on July 5.”

I will set up a spoiler discussion space on Blog Without a Name, and pin it to the top, before we get crazy next week, so folks who read Really Fast have a place to Talk About It where they won’t spoil things for the slower readers among us.

In other news, we had a series of rain squalls come through East Winslow last night, culminating in a Pretty Impressive Thunderstorm right around midnight. This morning, as Steve pointed out, the pine trees are a-glitter with jewels.

. . .I don’t really think there’s much else to report. Today’s activities include starting the laundry and deciding what we’re going to read from Alliance of Equals. We’ve read Chapter Seven a couple times now, and we’d like to do something fresh.

It’s a glorious morning so far, here in the Deep Woods; blue skies and breeze; going to warm up this afternoon, of course, but, hey — it’s July.

Those who celebrate the upcoming holiday — have a great weekend. Those who do not celebrate the upcoming holiday — y’all have a great weekend, too.

Progress on Book the Next
38,510/100,000 OR 38.5% complete

“Please understand that I must ask: Have you SEEN something?”

Today’s blog title brought to you by the Stray Cats, “Stray Cat Strut.” Here’s your link.

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.

I can climb the highest mountain; I can cross the widest sea

No checks in today’s mail, either.

Well.

*looks at pile of bills on desk*

This is going to be interesting.

Moving on — Answers to questions from the Roll Call!

*Sword of Orion was written as a work for hire — that means the publisher owns the copyright, the ideas, and the characters. The publisher went out of business after releasing the first books in about six series, one of which was the Sword of Orion series. Therefore! No more Sword of Orion stories.

*Er, no, I actually wouldn’t move to Liad, if I could. For one thing, as a non-Liaden, I would be beneath most people’s notice, not to say contempt, except if I managed to insult somebody, which the odds are good that I’d do so within ten minutes of achieving the Port. I’d rather go someplace where my life expectancy would be longer than ten minutes.

*The Gathering Edge will not be published until May 2017, that is correct. In the larger scheme of things in publishing, that’s really hardly any time at all. No, I’m afraid we can’t write much faster than we already do.

Today, I learned things.

I learned that orange sticks (aka “cuticle shapers”) are now made out of plastic. They used to be made out of orange wood, but apparently not anymore.

I learned that I can prop my tablet up on the little ledge built into the treadmill at the gym and read as I walk. And! I don’t have to worry about walking into a wall, when I do.

I learned that Microsoft thinks that a $1,000 tablet can “replace” my laptop, which costs 1/3 of that amount. Research indicates that it does neither the dishes nor laundry, so I fail to see the advantage.

I also learned that my fingers — my fingers, not my wrists, which is usually the case — apparently took a beating yesterday, and if I’m a Schmott Guy, which really isn’t the way to bet, I’ll give them a break today.

Do I have any Hollywood historians here, or perhaps a Mae West aficionado? I was wondering if she actually needed the stick she often had with her, or if it was only a fashion accessory.

Don’t forget that Steve and I will be at Flights of Fantasy in Albany, New York on Tuesday, July 5 to celebrate Alliance of Equals’ book day! Be there or be somewhere else!

In other news, I wrote about 2,200 words yesterday, for a net gain to the manuscript of. . .33 words. I think that we are now at an end of Backward Growth, and will be proceeding from here on in a forwarder direction.

You heard it here, first.

Progress on Book the Next
36,569/100,000 words OR 36.57% complete

“I believe it wished me to know that Theo might be in a pickle.”

Miri snorted a half-laugh, and he smiled.

“Yes,” he said. “Precisely so.”

Today’s blog title comes to you courtesy of Mr. John Parr, “St. Elmo’s Fire/Man in Motion”. Here’s your link.

If it’s June 25. . .

. . .it must be the Belleversary!

Yes, as unbelievable as it may seem, one year ago today, we brought Kelimcoons Belle of the Ball to the Cat Farm and Confusion Factory. She retired graciously to the chamber prepared for her, to rest from the rigors of her journey. She had a mouthful of food, a visit to the necessary, and a brief bath before strolling out to Greet Her People, and conduct a survey of her new kingdom.

We were, of course, planning a Festivity to commemorate the day, complete with dancing and fireworks, but Belle has asked for a more restrained and dignified celebration. Therefore, we all plan on having a nap today, in honor of herself. Belle is, as always, leading the way.

In other news!

I wrote yesterday. Quite a lot, actually, for values of Quite a Lot that include 2,140 new words in Book the Next. After I ripped out the scene that didn’t work, we had a net gain to the manuscript of! 76 words.

It was rather an exciting day, as writers count these things. I had a Good Idea, then! I had a Better Idea; the story is back on track with no violence done the characters, their relationship, and! without invoking the Gods of Plot. Which is good. I really don’t like invoking the Gods of Plot. Which reminds me to sweep the altar, which has gotten dusty.

In addition to the celebration of Belle’s arrival among us, today’s schedule includes deploying the vacuum cleaner, doing the dishes, and — getting back to work on the WiP. No, no, the excitement never does stop; but we’re used to it.

For those keeping score at home, there were no checks in the mail today, and a bill arrived by email.

No questions to answer today, though people continue to find the Roll Call and check in. Thank you!

. . .and I think that’s catches us all up. It’s an absolutely gorgeous day here in the middle of Maine, perfect for all kinds of Summery Activities. Hope it’s the same, where you are.

Progress on Book the Next
35,765/100,000 OR 35.77% complete

Not truth. Something more primal than mere truth. Something from deep in the core of him, incontrovertible, beyond any argument or logic.

Friday morning advert

All righty, then! Want to see all the Baen Books July releases in one, dynamic environment?

*snaps fingers*

Your wish has been granted. Here’s your link — and remember to leave a comment, if you can, so the Baen Video Elves don’t think their work is in vain.

Also! Check out the Baen front page for two! stories! (“Wise Child,” by Lee and Miller; “Dear Ammi,” by Aimee Ogden) and a science article (“Strange Sex,” by Dave Freer). Remember to click the Facebook button (you have to be logged into Facebook for it to show up), and/or the Twitter button, to let the authors know you appreciate their work.

What else?

The crows are having an extremely raucous party in the back woods. How raucous, you ask? They woke Trooper up from his mid-morning nap in the window.

The mailman has come and gone. No bills. Which is fine. I already have a handful of bills, right here on the desk.

No check, either. See “handful of bills,” above.

Did some re-writing, and re-visioning on Book the Next last night. I think I even made minor gains in wordage. However! Today’s work includes ripping out a scene I labored over for two days, trying to get it right, only to realize that the failure to get it right was a Clue that I’d gone off track.

I think that’s all the news at the moment. Hope everyone has a lovely Friday.

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Progress on Book the Next
36,439/100,000 OR 36.44% complete

And yet, he told himself kindly, she had known you for a lunatic when she married you.

So you want to be a writer, Part Who’s Keeping Count

In a startling reversal, we have had news of a check!

It was cut yesterday, and will be on the bus to Maine this afternoon.

The reported amount of the check, sadly, reinforces my natural tendency toward pessimism, bearing in mind that, through the offices of our good uncle, Sam, we are currently constrained to put half of all receipts into the tax account.

[Sigh. The neighbor is shooting at his vegetables again. It’s a hobby, I suppose. And at least it’s at a decent hour in the afternoon, rather than 7am. Apparently vegetables are particularly unruly at 7am.]

Steve and I had a brainstorming session a couple nights ago, and came up with A Conceit, the implementation of which will mean, I very much fear, that the Work in Progress will shrink Yet Again. I’m tempted to title it The Incredible Shrinking Novel, and have done, but perhaps something. . .more convenable will occur. In the meanwhile, among the working notes I have here is, “save Festina for later.”

One of the things I love about my job is the necessity of occasionally leaving myself notes like, “save Festina for later.”

What else?

Someone inside the roll call asked for my opinion of The House of Shattered Wings, which I recently read. I usually don’t give my opinion of the books I read, because I overwhelmingly read science fiction and fantasy, and. . .I know a Whole Lot of science fiction and fantasy writers, as colleagues and friends. I’m not being paid to review things anymore, and I don’t like to hurt anyone’s feelings over what is, after all, merely a question of personal taste.

I will say that, if you are looking for Gothick Urban Fantasy, complete with fallen angels, and immortals banished from the court of The August Personage of Jade, set in post-World War Paris, The House of Shattered Wings is your book.

Yesterday, for a brief period in the afternoon, we had Weather, in the shape of An Awesome Thunderstorm accompanied by a prodigious down-pouring of rain. Today, it is intermittently sunny, humid, and warm, and cloudy, humid, and warm. Sprite is asleep in the red basket on my desk; Belle is asleep in my her rocker. Scrabble sleeps with the heffalumps, and Trooper is on hammock duty in the front room.

In a few minutes, Steve and I will meet for ice cream, and then I’ll commence in tearing apart the first section of the WiP, remembering to save Festina for later.

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Progress on Book the Next
35,686/100,000 OR 35.69% complete

“Truly, sir, if I stood in your place, I would be extremely cross. The tree has been less than apt, and wounded an ally, besides. Indeed, I find it possible to be cross in your stead, and I mean to deliver it a ringing scold, when next we meet.”

. . .for a hamburger today

Nope, still no checks.

No books, either.

Preliminary numbers on the Roll Call, adjusting for those who have written private emails, or checked in from Goodreads, LiveJournal, or other venues where this blog mirrors — and also adjusting for those people who are amusing themselves. . .

I presently have 500 answers.

My thanks to everyone who took this request seriously. If you do read here and have not checked in, you still have time. The post will remain at the top of this blog through June 30.

Set to be even hotter today than yesterday. The cats are cat-footing about, trying to get all their important work done before the heat hammers down. I will be shortly following their example.

More words added to the manuscript last night. Rough drafty words, those, which have allowed me to think more deeply on the scene, and locate places where I can deepen characterization and the chemistry between the two characters. This is why we are such “slow” writers. We keep going back and layering stuff in. I wish I, at least, could be a bright and breezy writer, who gets it right the first time, but…alas. Thank you all for your patience.

Progress on Book the Next
35,492/100,000 OR 35.49% complete

Am I being managed?” he asked mildly.

Today’s blog title brought to you by J. Wellington Wimpy.