2014 was busy

15301854-256-k210779I love doing a bit of naval gazing at the end of a year/beginning of a new one, because often I’ll think the year was terrible or I didn’t accomplish anything. And while this year was challenging (Aaron Allston’s death was & still is quite difficult for me) there was a lot of good there too. It just takes a review like this for me to see it some times.

So, writing?
Though I didn’t write as much as I would have liked to this year, it wasn’t bad by any stretch. Aside from seeing 3 of my short stories & one essay published (2 zombie romances in Soothe The Savage Beast & Monsters, “The Downfall of Dauntless” in Divergent Thinking, and “Coming Home” in War Stories), I also finished my flight school memoir which you can read here, & War of the Seasons: The Human hit nearly 300k reads on Wattpad. Oh, and I wrote a War of the Seasons novella (due out later this year), and finished writing Aaron’s short story for my War of the Seasons universe (also due out later this year). And yes, writing Aaron’s story was as difficult as you’d imagine it being. Because how can I ever even approach his genius? Hopefully readers will forgive me my shortfalls.

AD2-FB-coverLastly, I am doing something new! I’m co-editing an anthology! This is my first time editing an anthology (officially), and I’ve been co-editing with Maggie Allen (who is an absolute dream to work with – seriously, she’s amazing), and the project is just WOW.

Ginger's exclusive art for KS - athena 2.2In January 2014, we ran a Kickstarter that was successful beyond our wildest dreams. In just one month, the Athena’s Daughters (stories about women written by women) campaign raised $44,350 — 521% of our initial goal. During that campaign we achieved stretch goals that not only funded a companion anthology, Apollo’s Daughters (stories about women, but written by men), but also funded the production of a second volume… Athena’s Daughters 2 which would have an open call for submissions from any woman who wished to be included. Silence in the Library Publishing immediately began the work of putting together this second collection full of stories about a diverse assortment of female protagonists, all written by women.

Submissions for this volume opened in June, and we were flooded with great stories (over 130!) and then had to begin the difficult task of selecting 21 stories. That was hard. But I’ve got to say, it’s a fantastic collection (pre-cog nuns, superheroes going through menopause, talking crows that wish they were dinosaurs, zombie apocalypses, and so much more), and you should definitely check it out. The Kickstarter still has about a week left, and there’s a really awesome contest going on as well. And even if you only watch it for the hilariously brilliant video, head on over! 

So, how did the rest of my year go?
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Sales, and coupons, and freebies, OH MY!

WOTS1ebookcoverLet’s start out with the title that hits all 3 categories: War of the Seasons, book 1: The Human, is on sale, has a coupon associated with it, and has a couple places you can get it for free (plus an associated short story)!

1. You can purchase The Human eBook on sale for only 99 cents wherever books are sold, BUT I actually see a little bit of a profit if you buy it directly from me (and you can still get it in any format for whatever eReader you’ve got + it’s DRM free): https://ailionora.com/shop/war-seasons-book-one-human/

2. In celebration of over 1/4 million reads of The Human on Wattpadd, here’s a coupon code for $2 off the ebooks for books 2 & 3 in the War of the Seasons trilogy (The Half-blood The Hunter) on my website: WATTPAD2WOTS

3. Where can you get The Human for free, and why would you buy it if you can get it for free? You can read (not own) The Human for free here on Wattpad. You can also read one of the War of the Seasons short stories, Girl for free here on Wattpad too. The sticking point is, of course, you don’t actually own copies the stories, and you’ve got to have an internet connection to read them. For an opportunity to pick up a free digital copy of The Human, it’s currently a stretch goal on Don Bingle’s murder mystery kickstarter, Frame Shop. $5 gets you the eBook and any stretch goals (like The Human) reached.

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SootheTheSavageBeastThis next title hits two categories, on sale & freebie!

1. You can purchase the eBook for Soothe the Savage Beast, just in time for Halloween, for only 99 cents! It has several really fantastic stories, like Carrie Ryan’s (NYT bestselling author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth) After the Cure, and Beth Revis’s (NYT bestselling author of Across the UniverseThe Most Precious Memory. My own story in it is a zombie romance (yes you read that right, a zombie romance), but more on that below. You can get Soothe the Savage Beast on sale anywhere books are sold, but if you buy it directly from the publisher, we, the authors will actually see some royalties from it. Even better, when it comes from the publisher it’s any format you want and DRM free! (Sale ends on Halloween, so don’t delay) http://www.silenceinthelibrarypublishing.com/product/soothe-savage-beast/

2. For the freebie portion, I’ve actually got my story in Soothe the Savage Beast up on Wattpad for you to read for free. It’s titled For All Eternity, and as I’ve said it’s a zombie romance. I read it a couple weekends ago at Capclave, and there was hardly a dry eye in the room. http://www.wattpad.com/story/25089277-soothe-the-savage-beast

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More sales, though these books are not mine (but if you like mine, you’ll love these). Currently you can get Rory Shay’s Elected and Vincent Morrone’s Vision of Shadows eBooks on sale for only 99 cents! You can purchase them anywhere, but remember if you purchase directly from the publisher, the writers see more royalties!

Shay-ElectedElected: It’s the year 2185, and in two weeks, Aloy will turn eighteen and take her father’s place as president of the country. But to do so, she must masquerade as a boy to avoid violating the Eco-Accords, four treaties designed to bring the world back from the brink of environmental extinction. Aloy hopes to govern like her father, but she is inheriting a different country. The long concealed Technology Faction is stepping out of the shadows, and as turmoil grows within her country, cryptic threats also arrive from beyond their borders.

As she struggles to lead, Aloy maintains her cover by marrying a woman, meanwhile battling feelings for the boy who knows her secret—the boy who is somehow connected to her country’s recent upheaval. When assassination attempts add to the turmoil, Aloy doesn’t know whom to trust. She understood leadership required sacrifice. She just didn’t realize the sacrifice might be her life: http://www.silenceinthelibrarypublishing.com/product/elected-rori-shay/

Morrone-VisionofShadowsVision of Shadows: Is Bristol Blackburn about to meet the love of her life…or her killer?

Seventeen-year-old Bristol has never had a problem with the ghosts that float in and out of her life. It’s all the people with a pulse that confuse her.

After the death of her parents, Bristol’s life is thrown into chaos and she’s forced to move to Spirit, a small town where shadows are stirring. As she learns to navigate her new school and figures out how to keep her psychic abilities secret from her family, Bristol comes face to face with the boy who makes a regular appearance in her dreams: the gorgeous, possibly deadly, Payne McKnight. Soon she’ll find out if Payne will be the love of her life, or the end of it — and she has no idea which possibility scares her more.

And that’s not even the worst of it. Strange shadows are haunting her dreams, and they’re up to something that could put Bristol and the lives of everyone she loves in jeopardy: http://www.silenceinthelibrarypublishing.com/product/vision-shadows/

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And now for more freebies:

15301854-256-k2107791. You can read my flight school memoir Earning My Wings: A Mormon Woman’s Journey to Marine Corps Aviatorfor free on Wattpad here. It’s not available anywhere else, so if you’d like to read it, that’s the place to do it! http://www.wattpad.com/story/15301854-earning-my-wings-a-mormon-woman%27s-journey-to

2. You’ve all surely seen the new Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer, but have you seen the Avengers: My Ultron Will Go On trailer? If not, it’s hilariously perfect and worth a look. Along very different lines, if you need some Avengers fanfic to tide you over until the movie… well, once upon a time I wrote one! It’s here, and takes place concurrently with the first Avengers film, and if you like Captain America, airplanes, explosions, gun fights, romance, Tony Stark being snarky, and swing dancing, then this story is for you! http://www.wattpad.com/story/9149173-it-don%27t-mean-a-thing-a-captain-america-avengers

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Not free or on sale, but definitely worth noting are Megan O’Russell’s newly released The Tethering (if you like Harry Potter, then this is a must read for you! And it’s only $5!), and the cover for Athena’s Daughters vol 2 is out! I’m super excited for AD2 as it’s the first anthology I’ll be editing (i’ve helped produce a couple anthologies in the past, but this is the first one I’ll be a co-editor on). We had an open call, and y’all we received SO MANY good stories! And the internal artwork is just STUNNING! I absolutely cannot wait to share this book with y’all! The Kickstarter for Athena’s Daughters 2 will go in December, so keep an eye out!

The Tethering: All sixteen-year-old Jacob Evans wants is to win the heart of Emilia Gray, but with order in the magical world crumbling, war threatening, and Emilia’s boyfriend living across the hall, he may never have the chance.

ORussell-Tetheringebook1-510x420Jacob Evans loses everything he has ever known and is tossed into a world of magic. The Dragons, a group of rebel wizards, are threatening to expose the existence of magic to humans. Jacob is determined to find a way to fit into Emilia’s family, but as his powers grow, so does the danger. With the death toll mounting, Jacob is accused of acts of rebel terrorism and must fight to stay in a world he’s only just beginning to discover.

When Emilia’s life is threatened, Jacob must risk everything to save her. Does he have the power to rescue her in time? And what could their survival cost? http://www.silenceinthelibrarypublishing.com/product/tethering-megan-orussell/

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Last but not least, read a book you like? Please take a minute to go review it or at least rate it (e.g. on Goodreads you can leave up to 5 stars on a story without leaving a review and it helps with the books rating). And on the review, even if all you have to say is “I liked this story a lot!” that’s great!

Because here’s the deal, while I try not to read reviews of my books anymore because of reasons, a lot of people won’t even pick up a book or give it a chance if it hasn’t been reviewed by several people/doesn’t have ratings. So for those of you who have taken the time to review my work, thank you! For the rest of you, if you have a minute, would you mind? Ive even created links below to simplify it for you, depending on the title of mine you’ve read and the site you prefer (though if you want to rate/review on all of them, that’d be great!). Thank you!!!!

War of the Seasons, book 1: The Human: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

War of the Seasons, book 2: The Half-blood: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

War of the Seasons, book 3: The Hunter: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Time Traveled Tales (Slug)Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Time Traveled Tales 2 (Wish Upon a Star): Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Athena’s Daughters (Millie): Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Soothe The Savage Beast (For All Eternity): Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

A Hero By Any Other Name (Stupendous Sparkle): Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

War Stories (Coming Home): Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Dogs of War (The Marine Breed): Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Divergent Thinking (The Downfall of Dauntless): Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

You guys are the best! Thanks!

Group Dynamics, guest post by Donald J. Bingle

Back in May 2013, Aaron Allston wrote a guest post for my blog about the importance of peer review. Now, another friend of mine, Donald J. Bingle has written about group dynamics, specifically during the peer review process. Also, he’s got a pretty cool kickstarter going for his newest book, Frame Shop, a murder mystery set in a writer’s workshop. Because critiquing another writer can be murder… *mwua hahaha!*

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Writers’ Group Dynamics

by Donald J. Bingle

You understand quite a bit about group dynamics already.

After all, you went to high school.

High school is all about group dynamics. How to relate to classmates, how to relate well with teachers without being hated by your fellow students, how some groups interact with other groups (nerds vs. jocks vs. thespians vs. druggies, etc.). Once we leave high school, we like to think that we leave a lot of that group dynamic stuff behind. After all, once we are adults, no longer confined in a space whith others not of our choosing, we can pick our friends and just not interact with people or groups we don’t want to, and if someone upsets us, we can just drop them from our life. But that’s not really true. Friends can be hard to drop and dropping family members from your normal interactions is even more complicated. Besides, there’s always group dynamics at work—known as office politics—and the group dynamics of the PTA, neighborhood homeowners’ association, fantasy football league, gamer group, reading group, and on and on.

Every group struggles with group dynamics. What to do with the person who overshares or insists on always taking charge or insults everyone else or shirks their responsibilities or just won’t shut up?

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“Suspected” cover reveal, for author Rori Shay

Elected-cover-webFor those of you who aren’t familiar with Elected, you should be! I was fortunate enough to get to read an advanced copy of it, and let me tell you, I was hooked! Her next book in the series, Suspected, just had its cover reveal today and you’re going to want to check it out (plus, free book giveawayElected is only 99 cents for a limited time!)

It’s the year 2185, and in two weeks, Aloy will turn eighteen and take her father’s place as president of the country. But to do so, she must masquerade as a boy to avoid violating the Eco-Accords, four treaties designed to bring the world back from the effects of climate change. Aloy hopes to govern like her father, but she is inheriting a different country where long-concealed political enemies are stepping out of the shadows.

As she struggles to lead, Aloy maintains her cover by marrying a woman, meanwhile battling feelings for the boy who knows her secret – the boy who is somehow connected to her country’s recent upheaval. When assassination attempts add to the turmoil, Aloy doesn’t know whom to trust. She understood leadership required sacrifice. She just didn’t realize the sacrifice might be her life.

ELECTED is a coming of age story, mixing the themes of gender, politics, environmentalism, and above all – love.

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Without further adieu, below is the cover for SUSPECTED in The Elected Series. ELECTED was the first book in the trilogy, and SUSPECTED is book number 2.

suspected-1-revised 8-24-14-large-2

East Country upheld the laws. Mid destroyed them.

In the year 2185 Earth is rebuilding after climate change created a global eco-crisis. Countries maintain complete isolation so there is no warfare over scarce resources. One Elected family is chosen to lead each country for 100 years to ensure stability. Women aren’t allowed to take office and must reproduce at all costs. Technology use of any kind is banned to preserve what’s left of the environment.

And yet, I’m my country’s Elected. I’ve just sanctioned technology use to ready us for war. I’m about to cross the border to spy on our neighbor. And…I’m a girl.

Shhhh…

Suspected goes up for sale in February 2015.

Buy links for ELECTED (special sale price of 99 cents for book 2’s cover reveal):

  1. Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Elected-Book-1-Rori-Shay-ebook/dp/B00JUEWUP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412033741&sr=8-1&keywords=elected
  2. Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elected-rori-shay/1119587657?ean=9780989676847
  3. Silence in the Library Publishing: http://www.silenceinthelibrarypublishing.com/product/elected-rori-shay/

Link to put SUSPECTED on your goodreads “want to read” list:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22736512-suspected

There will also be a prequel short story to ELECTED coming out through Silence in the Library Publishing in December 2014! Watch Silence in the Library’s website for that news! http://www.silenceinthelibrarypublishing.com

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RoriRori Shay is a strategic management consultant living in the Seattle area with her family, black lab, and cat. In the writing world, Rori is primarily known for her science fiction trilogy, The Elected Series. She received a BS from the University of Maryland and an MBA from George Washington University. She enjoys running, reading, snow-shoeing, and pumpkin-picking!  Rori is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

My Capclave 2014 schedule

Diana Peterfreund, HOW ARE YOU ALWAYS SO FABULOUS?

Diana Peterfreund, HOW ARE YOU ALWAYS SO FABULOUS?

small_dodo_transparentY’all one of my favorite conventions is upon us: CAPCLAVE!

I had SUCH a good time last year and met so many awesome new folks – many of whom were fellow writers & I bought their books and totally love them, AND YOU SHOULD TOO (like Jon Skovron & Diana Peterfreund), and other fabulous people like new readers & friends, Natalie, Diego, & Kelly. <3 And probably a bunch of other new awesome people I’ve forgotten to mention. Consider yourselves loved and mentioned! Can’t wait to see y’all again. 🙂

I’ve just received my schedule, so hopefully, if you’ll be in the Washington DC/Baltimore area I can see you at one (or more!) of my panels. <3

Friday 9:00 pm: Meet the YA authors (Ends at: 9:55 pm)
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhailPaolo BacigalupiHolly BlackAnnette KlauseL. Jagi LamplighterDiana PeterfreundJon SkovronJanine SpendloveMichael A. Ventrella
Last year’s meet and greet YA authors in a casual setting was such an awesome party that we decided to do it again this year!
Saturday 12:00 pm: Area 52 Military Science Fiction – Getting it Right (Part 1) (Ends at: 1:55 pm)
Panelists: Ron Garner (M), Janine Spendlove (M)
Two Marines teach you how to write realistic military scenes. The purpose of this workshop is to provide attendees a brief introduction to military thought at the strategic, operational, and tactical level, an understanding of the types of weapons that are used in combat and how they are employed, and a feeling for the effects of combat on participants and non-participants. From this basis, we will engage attendees in a discussion designed to relate basic military theory, tactics, and weapons to speculative fiction and thus help attendees develop a more accurate depiction of warfare in their writing.The Saturday session will cover the difference between Strategy/Operations/Tactics, including basic theories of military strategy (i.e. why/how states go to war), as well as planning factors and a discussion of these issues as they relate to speculative fiction. The Saturday session will also cover Tactics/Weapons including: (a) standard small unit tactics; (b) types of weapons systems (individual, crew-served, indirect fire, WMD); (c) the effects of warfare on combatants/non-combatants; and (d) discussion of these topics as they relate to speculative fiction.

The Sunday session will be a writing sample review and Q&A;in which each attendee prepares a military writing sample ahead of time, and we take volunteers to discuss a couple of them, reserving about 10-15 minutes at the end for Q&A;.

Limited to 15 participants

Saturday 2:00 pm: Smart Women Foolish Television (Ends at: 2:55 pm)
Panelists: Barbara KrasnoffSherin Nicole (M), Janine SpendloveGenevieve ValentineJean Marie WardFran Wilde
We all have those shows we watch and love and maybe love to pick on because they are our guilty pleasures. We revel in their cliches and inconsistent writing and leaps of logic. Or in their bizarre yet internally consistent alternate realities (even if they’re supposed to be based in the real world). Ahistorical historical shows and why we love their anachronisms.
Saturday 3:00 pm: Author Table Spendlove (Ends at: 3:55 pm)
Panelists: Janine Spendlove
Saturday 7:30 pm: Mass Signing (Ends at: 8:25 pm)
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhailSarah AveryPaolo BacigalupiHolly BlackMarilyn “Mattie” BrahenNeil ClarkeTom DoyleAndy DuncanScott EdelmanJim FreundCharles E. GannonMax GladstoneDavid G. HartwellAlma KatsuPamela K. KinneyBarbara KrasnoffDina LeacockJames MaxeyWill McIntoshMike McPhailSunny MoraineJames MorrowSarah PinskerBenjamin RosenbaumLawrence M. SchoenDarrell SchweitzerAlex ShvartsmanJon SkovronAlan SmaleBud SparhawkJanine SpendloveGenevieve ValentineMichael A. VentrellaLawrence Watt-Evans
The Saturday evening mass autographing session.
Saturday 8:30 pm: Awards Reception and Presentation (Ends at: 9:55 pm)
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhailSarah AveryPaolo BacigalupiHolly BlackMarilyn “Mattie” BrahenNeil ClarkeTom DoyleAndy DuncanScott EdelmanJim FreundCharles E. GannonMax GladstoneDavid G. HartwellAlma KatsuPamela K. KinneyBarbara KrasnoffDina LeacockJames MaxeyWill McIntoshMike McPhailSunny MoraineJames MorrowSarah PinskerBenjamin RosenbaumLawrence M. SchoenDarrell SchweitzerAlex ShvartsmanJon SkovronAlan SmaleBud SparhawkJanine SpendloveGenevieve ValentineMichael A. VentrellaLawrence Watt-Evans
The WSFA Small Press Award winner will be announced. The Guest of Honor Gifts will also be presented.
Sunday 10:00 am: Area 52 Military Science Fiction – Getting it Right (Part 2) (Ends at: 11:55 am)
Panelists: Ron Garner (M), Janine Spendlove (M)
Two Marines teach you how to write realistic military scenes. The purpose of this workshop is to provide attendees a brief introduction to military thought at the strategic, operational, and tactical level, an understanding of the types of weapons that are used in combat and how they are employed, and a feeling for the effects of combat on participants and non-participants. From this basis, we will engage attendees in a discussion designed to relate basic military theory, tactics, and weapons to speculative fiction and thus help attendees develop a more accurate depiction of warfare in their writing.The Saturday session will cover the difference between Strategy/Operations/Tactics, including basic theories of military strategy (i.e. why/how states go to war), as well as planning factors and a discussion of these issues as they relate to speculative fiction. The Saturday session will also cover Tactics/Weapons including: (a) standard small unit tactics; (b) types of weapons systems (individual, crew-served, indirect fire, WMD); (c) the effects of warfare on combatants/non-combatants; and (d) discussion of these topics as they relate to speculative fiction.

The Sunday session will be a writing sample review and Q&A;in which each attendee prepares a military writing sample ahead of time, and we take volunteers to discuss a couple of them, reserving about 10-15 minutes at the end for Q&A;.

Limited to 15 participants

Sunday 12:00 pm: Reading (Spendlove) (Ends at: 12:25 pm)
Panelists: Janine Spendlove
Sunday 3:00 pm: When Did Fangirl Become a Dirty Word? (Ends at: 3:55 pm)
Panelists: Emmie MearsSunny MoraineSherin NicoleJanine SpendloveA.C. Wise
It used to connote enthusiasm, now it implies contempt. Why is this? What can be done to combat this attitude?
Sunday 4:00 pm: The Darker Side of Fae (Ends at: 4:55 pm)
Panelists: Holly BlackPamela K. KinneyShira LipkinJanine SpendloveJean Marie Ward
Not everyone can be Tinkerbell (who wasn’t all sweetness and light), sometimes the world is a little less clean and pure. Both the Seelie and Unseelie Courts are best avoided if at all possible.

 

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And that’s my schedule for now. I’ll update as things change or get added.

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Lastly, need a copy of my books? As it happens you can buy them here.

Guest post: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Eternal Wanderings

a43284bc73459d0e7be27bdd9af26d32_largeI first met Danielle Ackley-McPhail when I was a brand new author with only one book to my name, War of the Seasons: The Human. It was a couple years back at ShevaCon and there she and her husband, Mike McPhail, immediately took me under their wings and mentored me on how to be a professional writer guest at conventions, and then later took a chance on me and invited me to their military sci-fi anthology, Dogs of WarBelow is a guest post from Danielle about her current kickstarter for her newest book, Eternal Wanderings. You really should check it out! $5 gets you the ebook, and SO MUCH MORE (like one of my books, for free!). But act quick – the kickstarter ends tomorrow!
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For years fans have been asking Danielle Ackley-McPhail for more stories in her Irish-myth based Eternal Cycle universe. She’s finally found the one to tell. Eternal Wanderings follows the journeys of Kara O’Keefe, a mortal mage who possesses the soul of an immortal. She’s already saved the world twice, but can she figure out how to save herself? As she travels the roads with the Romani Kalderăs Clan trouble follows…
If that sounds of interest to you, you’ll want to check out the Eternal Wanderings: The Continuing Journeys of Kara O’Keefe – http://kck.st/1tv0cq7.
The project is already funded and now in the final hours of the campaign. Already the following stretch goals have been unlocked for all backers at the $5 or higher level: (THAT MEANS YOU GET THEM FOR FREE!)
Janine K. Spendlove’s novel War of Seasons (DRM-free ebook) (MY BOOK!)
Alma Alexander’s short story “Hourglass” (DRM-free ebook)
Patrick Thomas’s collection Fairy With a Gun (DRM-free ebook)
Jonah Knight’s three-song compilation based on the Eternal Cycle novels (digital download)
This is in addition to any pledge rewards selected. Also, there are still some slots available for the 100-backer bonus – Prelude (Kara’s origin story)
There some stretch goals still to be unlocked:
$2100 – L. Jagi Lamplighter’s story “Foot-Sore Angel”
$2400 – Danny Birt’s original song based on Eternal Wanderings
$2700 – John L. French’s story “Clean and Pure”
$3000 – A print version of the book
$3500 – A custom art cover
$4000 – An Eternal Wanderings audio book
This one is a sure thing, and as little as $5 gets you all the stretch goal rewards that are hit. Already that’s two novels, a short story, and three songs, in addition to Eternal Wanderings itself. Where else can you get all of that for just $5?

Very long and overdue DragonCon recap

DragonCon was… good, mostly? I mean, I went into it sick. Yes, I was panelist zero. I brought the crud to the con. This had the ONLY benefit of the fact that I was over the crud by the time I had to go back to work on Tuesday. But it made for a fairly miserable con for me. On top of that, I had 15 events I was scheduled for over the weekend, and if not for very dear friends making sure I was fed and watered, IDK when or if I’d have eaten, and no exaggeration, I probably would have passed out. So suffice it to stay, I did not venture out nearly as much as I would have liked, and I had to keep people at arm’s length, so I’m very sorry if I missed seeing you/didn’t hug you properly. 🙁

Also, I want to thank every single person who went out of their way to attend one of my panels or events (whether you were there to see me or not, heh), because it meant I got to see you, even if for just a moment, and otherwise, I probably would not have gotten a chance to see you all weekend. <3

Soooooo, without further delay…. (**WARNING, VERY LONG AND PICTURE HEAVY**)
Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug
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My DragonCon 2014 schedule

Wow! I cannot believe I’m about to attend my 10th DragonCon! Where did the time go? I can still remember my first one where I only knew a couple people, and back in those days I wasn’t a guest, but a fangirl & a costumer (I’m still a fangirl, though DragonCon tends to be the only place I ever put on a costume the past few years). That first DCon for costumes all I had was my Jedi and my super cheesy (though I loved it, and still do) coronation Arwen (it was the first dress where I came up with the pattern all by myself). I met some really cool people (I wish I knew who this fantastic Frodo I got a pic with was), had a blast, and have been attending ever since.

 

 

Sooooo, where were we? Oh right, MY SCHEDULE! If you’re going to DCon, I’d love to see you! Per the usual my schedule is really full, so hopefully you can make it to one of the panels or events/signings (TBD) I’ll be at.

This is my tentative schedule and I will be updating it as things get added or changed as we get in closer to DragonCon.

FRIDAY:

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Title: Geek Girls Run Fun Run
Description: Kick off your Dragon Con by joining other Geeks on Friday morning for a short run around downtown Atlanta! 

Distance: Approximately 2 miles: up to Olympic Park and back.

Time: Fri 8:30 am Location: In front of the Marriott (between the Marriott & the Hyatt) by the northern lion sculpture. It’ll be hard to miss us – we’ll be dressed up in running costumes (TBD). Feel free to come in a costume, or not – whatever you’re comfortable running in in the August Atlanta weather.

We’ll start out in different pace groups, but all stick around at the finish to cheer each other on. Run (or walk) at the pace you feel comfortable. We will not leave you behind! The most important thing will be to HAVE FUN!

1906_504811992926487_1158699867_n

 

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Title: Digesting the Divergent Triliogy
Description: Have you read all three Divergent books and want to talk about your feelings? SPOILER WARNING for all books, including and especially Allegiant.
Time: Fri 01:00 pm Location: International South – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Lil Watson, Davey Beauchamp, Janine K. Spendlove)
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Title: SCIENCE! Of the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D.
Description: From the realities of flight to repulsor technology, our scientists discuss the possibilities of some of the tech in the films/show.
Time: Fri 02:30 pm Location: Chastain DE – Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Dr. Pamela L. Gay, Michael Gilkey, Janine K. Spendlove)

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Title: All the Single Ladies
Description: A more academic discussion of the concepts of sexism and objectification in Star Wars, and fandom, & the controversy surrounding the Episode VII cast.
Time: Fri 04:00 pm Location: A706 – Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Janine K. Spendlove, Kathryn Hinds)

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Title: Carol Corps meetup 
Description: Like Captain Marvel or Ms. Marvel? Then this is the place for you! Also, the writer of Captain Marvel, Kelly Sue Deconnick will be there too!
Time: Fri 8:30 pm Location: Hanover F, Hyatt Regency 

SATURDAY:

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Title: Athena’s Daughters Authors Meet & Greet
Description: Meet the talented ladies behind the wildely popular Athena’s Daughters Anthology, featuring heroines of all ages & stories for the entire family
Time: Sat 10:00 am Location: A708 – Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel 
(Tentative Panelists: Janine K. Spendlove, Gail Z. Martin, Jean Marie Ward, Diana Peterfreund, Cleolinda Jones, Ron Garner)

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Title: Seminar 7: YA Fiction: making it work in publishing today.
Description: What makes the Young Adult Literature genre so appealing to readers of all ages and genders? What are the past, current, and future trends?
Time: Sat 11:30 am Location: Hanover A – B – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Janine K. Spendlove)
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Title: YA Fandom Rules The World: How Fan Creativity is Driving Popular Culture
Description: Harry Potter, TFiOS, Bronies fan culture influences popular culture & drives media trends. A discussion of fanfic, Tumblr culture, Wattpad & more.
Time: Sat 1pm Location: A707 – Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Naomi Novik, Janine K. Spendlove, Lev Grossman, Heidi Tandy, Casey Fiesler)

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Title: Seminar 9: Them’s Fightin’ Words
Description: From logistics and tactics to the logical impacts on worlds and characters. If you want to get combat right, come learn how to do it from a master of the art form.
Time: Sat 02:30 pm Location: Hanover A – B – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Timothy Zahn, Janine K. Spendlove)

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Title: Athena’s Daughters signing
Time: Sat 4:00-5:30 pm Location: Tables T38-39 in pop artist alley (Length: 1 Hour)

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Title: All Kinds of Super Heroes
Description: Superheroes are for everyone & come in all shapes & sizes. A discussion of how superhero shows influence kids today.
Time: Sat 07:00 pm Location: A708 – Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: E. C. Myers, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Janine K. Spendlove)

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Title: Avengers Ball
Description: Like Joss Whedon? Superheroes? Want to swing, breakdance, and get your disco on? Or at least see Groot do it? Then head on over to this Whedonverse dance and shake your groove thing!
Time: Sat 10pm Location: Westin

SUNDAY:
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Title: Reading: BROAD UNIVERSE  
Time: Sun 10:30 am Location: Vinings – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Gail Z. Martin, Jean Marie Ward, Janine K. Spendlove)

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Title: Aaron Allston’s Memorial Kids Writing Workshop
Description: Hands on interactive writing workshop with Silence in the Library Publishing. Targeted at kids 9-13 years but all ages are welcome.
Time: Sun 01:00 pm Location: A708 – Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel 
(Tentative Panelists: Janine K. Spendlove, Bryan Young, Ron Garner)

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Title: Reading: Janine K. Spendlove & Bryan Young 
Time: Sun 02:30 pm Location: Vinings – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Janine K. Spendlove, Bryan Young)


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Title: Geek Girls Run
Description: Members of Geek Girls Run answer your basic running & costume questions plus offer advice on how to set up a Local GGR chapter in your area.
Time: Sun 04:00 pm Location: A708 – Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
Moderator / MC for panel 
(Tentative Panelists: Janine K. Spendlove, Caitlin Shindler, Betsy Waddell, Lucien Lockhart, Ron Garner)
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Title: Appreciating Aaron Allston & AC Crispin
Description: We lost 2 great talents, mentors, writers, and friends this year. Join some that knew them well as we reminisce.
Time: Sun 05:30 pm Location: International North – Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Janine K. Spendlove, Michael Stackpole, Bryan Young, Kevin J. Anderson, Timothy Zahn)

 

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And that’s my schedule for now. I’ll update as things change or get added.

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Lastly, need a copy of my books? As it happens you can buy them here.

My San Diego Comic Con schedule

Hey all! I know some of you will be at SDCC, and so will I! It’s my first SDCC, so I’m not really sure what to expect, and I know that I’ll likely be all over the place.

That said, if you want to pin me down/find me, I do have some book signings scheduled at the following dates and times (many thanks to both SignalFireStudios and DaydreamAndGigglesStudios for hosting me):

-Thursday, Jul 24th, from 1100-1300 (11am-1pm) at table P14 in SMALL PRESS right behind the big, huge SideShow booth

-Friday, July 25th

from 1300-1330 (1pm-1:30pm) at Booth 4300, just inside the “Hall F” doors

from 1400-1600 (2pm-4pm) at table P14 in SMALL PRESS right behind the big, huge SideShow booth

-Saturday, July 26th, from 1400-1600 (2pm-4pm) at Booth 4300, just inside the “Hall F” doors

I plan on having copies of my War of the Seasons trilogy, Athena’s Daughters, and A Hero By Any Other Name on hand for sale if you’d like to purchase copies at all my signings except Friday from 1-1:30 as it is the Smart Pop Books Divergent Thinking book signing.

Can’t wait to see y’all there!

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BTW, you know how I just posted about how Thor is now a woman in the comics now, and why that’s awesome? Marvel also announced that Sam Wilson (Falcon) will be taking over as Captain America. Once again, Marvel:

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I don’t think I need to once again list all the reasons why I think this is awesome, but in case you need it, please reference my previous Thor post. 

Captain-America_2977763bAlso, I think it goes without saying, but being excited about a woman being worthy to wield Mjölnir or an African American man hefting Captain America’s shield does not lessen my love for previous incarnations of Thor or Steve Rogers/Bucky Barnes (previous Captains America). It is actually possible to love new people, things, and ideas without hating the old.

Fandom should be inclusive, y’all.

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Lastly, need a copy of my books? As it happens you can buy them here.

Marvel’s new Thor and why she’s important

Unless you were blatantly ignoring the internet yesterday, you probably caught that Marvel has revealed Thor’s new look, coming this October, and he’s now a she.

As you can see by the header for this post (yes, that’s a picture of me dressed as Thor, taken in 2013, next to the newly unveiled Thor from Marvel), I’m more than a little bit excited about this. In fact my reaction was essentially:

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So basically, I’m excited and so happy, and you should be too! I feel like shouldn’t have to explain WHY I think you should feel this is a positive change, buuuuuuuuuut, just in case, let me spell it out.

For starters, the fact that Marvel is willing to gender flip one of its BIG THREE characters to a woman is HUGE and goes against the myth that “women superheroes don’t sell comics.” Because clearly that’s not true, as evidenced by both the wildly successful Captain Marvel (Marvel’s previous gender flip) and Ms. Marvel series (and I feel it’s worth noting that not only are they both women, but Kamala Kahn (Ms Marvel) is a Pakistani-American).
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This is, of course, hot on the heels of the Star Wars casting uproar, and the subsequent announcement of two more women cast in the new films (Lupita had been rumored for a while, but I’d bet my next paycheck that Gwendoline’s character was gender-flipped after the outcry). I think it’s also worth noting that BOTH Star Wars and Marvel are owned by Disney.

So why do I even bother bringing this us up? Because not only does REPRESENTATION MATTER, but I firmly believe that WE (everyone who supported female led comic lines, and spoke out when they saw misogyny) made this happen. Women are powerful in so many different ways AND it seems that both Marvel and Star Wars are starting to realize this (hey DC, WHERE ARE YOU IN ALL THIS??? You have WONDER WOMAN and people are literally screaming for her movie! How much more gift wrapped can you get things???).

Now, of course, there are plenty of people out there complaining. To them I say: get over yourselves.

Not only should NONE of this come as a surprise, because basically Mjölnir is wielded by whoever is worthy, and that person, while wielding Mjölnir, essentially takes on the mantel of Thor. Think of it as a bit like Green Lantern’s ring. All Marvel is doing is removing both a sexist and racist bias that basically ensured that only WHITE MEN (Beta Ray Bill being the notable exception) got to wield Mjölnir (remember this is a SUPERHERO FANTASY WORLD, not actual Nordic Mythology). So yes, while we do have a caucasian woman as Thor now, who knows? Perhaps, we’ll get a person of color next??? So many possibilities here, y’all, and I couldn’t be more excited!

For the dude-bros who are inevitably complaining because their paragon of “manhood” is gone (though he’s not really – you will ALWAYS have your giant blonde beefcake of a man Thor in some way or another) and “who will they look up to now” or “fantasize about being”, I say LOOK AT NEARLY EVERY SINGLE OTHER COMIC LINE OUT THERE. TAKE YOUR PICK. And quite honestly, if you CAN’T look at a superhero who also happens to be a female, and imagine yourself being as kick butt as her (like WOMEN have done with male superheroes for pretty much always), then I feel sorry for you.

These guys lo2844552-wonder_dad_and_daughterok pretty flippin awesome to me!5970169849_4fcecd7a2b_z

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Honestly, I think Marvel has been really smart about all this. Rather than launching a new superhero comic line (which is always risky, no matter what the gender or race of the protagonist is), they took an already existing and popular line and flipped the gender (having a new person be Thor, is NOT without precedent, BTW), and already have a strong and loyal readership built in. Are they going to lose some misogynist readers? Probably (though I don’t consider that a loss). And I noticed a lot of women saying they’re so upset by this (because they want a brand new female superhero, which is great! I want that too – but can’t why we have BOTH???), and that they never bought the Thor comics before, and now they definitely won’t. Sooooo basically what they’re saying is Marvel didn’t have their business before… and they still don’t their your business. *eyeroll*

Well guess what Marvel? You have mine.

Here’s my big confession: I don’t buy any of your comics (I mostly stick to Star Wars comics). Or rather, I DIDN’T buy any of your comics until yesterday. I’ve been meaning to pick up Captain Marvel (I’ve read the graphic novels and they are brilliant) and Ms. Marvel for ages, but never got around to it. And I was debating reading Thor, since I’ve grown to love him (thank you movies!). After yesterday’s announcement I immediately picked up my iPad, opened a digital Marvel account and bought all the back issues of Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel – I also signed up for the subscription service for both, and you’d better believe I’m all signed up for Thor as well! I AM SO EXCITED! Well done, Marvel, well done.

So, here’s to all the tiny princess Thors out there.

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 The Captain Marvels

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The Wonder Women

(oh man, when did my daughter grow up???)

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And every little girl out there who dreams of flight (like my adorable nieces below).

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Because, as Captain Marvel says… EVERY LITTLE GIRL FLIES! (thank you Kelly Sue!)

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p.s.

Marvel: As happy as all this makes me, this doesn’t let you off the hook… WHERE IS MY BLACK WIDOW MOVIE???

 

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Lastly, need a copy of my books? As it happens you can buy them here.