Yesterday, I asked my agency to accept an offer from a Russian publisher for both Child of Fire and Game of Cages. (Yay!) It was actually bought in an auction between two competitors, so it’s nice to see that interest in my work persists.
I won’t be buying that Bugati anytime soon, but a little extra money will be nice (whenever it arrives). I can’t wait to see the cover!
And I don’t mind. Actually, I prefer it, even with email newsletters I’ve been receiving for a long time, like the Del Rey Internet Newsletter.
But here’s the funny thing: The latest issue of the DRIN has the announcement of all the Del Rey books that made PW’s Best of 2009 list (yeah, I know–I’ll stop talking about it eventually) but because I have Thunderbird set not to load those remote images, I saw the alt text instead. Here’s a screen cap.
If you click on the image, you’ll see a larger version. Essentially, there are three novels listed there. the alt text for Daryl Gregory’s The Devil’s Alphabet is “The Devil’s Alphabet.” The alt text for China Mieville’s The City & The City is “A Prayer for Owen Meaney” (!). And right beside that, where the cover for Child of Fire should have been, it read “Last Night in Twisted River.” (!)
Now, I’d be happy to have John Irving’s Amazon.com sales ranking, but I’m sure not likely to have written a book like his.
I don’t have a point about this. I imagine Random House has a form different imprints use when they compose these things, and it doesn’t bother me at all. I was just startled to see it, and since I have a blog I’m sharing it with you.
More reviews behind the cut. Continue reading
Look what arrived today, courtesy of my editor:
Yeah, that looks nice. :)
Because I’m going to link to myself.
I’ve spoken before about Wordplay.com, and how much I learned there about writing and storytelling. Well, after a friend posted a note there about my PW Best of 2009 listing, (I’ve linked to that list enough times, haven’t I? I don’t want to seem like I’m self-promoting feverishly) a couple of regulars had questions about novel-writing and publishing.
What could I do but answer? The thread is here, but it’ll age off the main message board after a while, so I’ll try to update this link when the thread hits the archives. They’re long answers, too, with a lot of detail I don’t normally write about, and with all that detail collected into one place.
Anyway, I post this not just so people can read it, if they’re interested, but so that people with more experience than I have can post contrasting experiences, or point out where I’m wrong, or even add to the general knowledge base. It’s a terrific site, with an interesting mix of professional screenwriters and serious amateurs, and I’m sure any additional information that folks can add would be more than welcome, I’m sure.
As usual, links and excerpts behind the cut:
First of all, thank you, everyone, for the kind words on yesterday’s post. I couldn’t be more thrilled about making Publishers Weekly’s Best of 2009 list. And thank you also to everyone who posted and tweeted about it to spread the word.
I sent an email to KUOW, our local NPR station, to let them know that two Seattle locals were on the list for sf/f books, but I’m sure nothing will come of that. Later, I’ll email a couple of reviewers to let them know, too, in case they want to include that in the interviews/reviews/whatever.
Then I’m going to stop thinking about it. No, really, I am. Man Bites World needs my attention, and I’m working on a tricky bit at the moment.
Second thing: Del Rey has posted the first chapter of Child of Fire on Scribd. This is nicer version than the one on my website, since it includes the cover art and the pages look just the way they do in the physical book. All that book design-y goodness.
Finally, a question (my Google Fu is weak): There’s a certain type of belt I need to write about, but I can’t find the name of it online. I can find pictures, but not the actual name (and I’m pretty sure the answer isn’t “bomber belt.” Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I should probably save this until I have more, but what the heck. Link roundup: Continue reading
ZOMG, Child of Fire just made the Publisher’s Weekly “Best Books of 2009” list!
Holy crap! I’m no longer wigged out about spending most of yesterday underneath the kitchen sink, fixing a leaky connection and scrubbing you don’t even want to know what. (I even dreamed about it, gah!)
Holy crap!!
::Does a little dance:: :D
Also, thank you to the folks who helped me with the cover copy of book two in my previous post. As soon as I stop floating around my living room, I’m having another go at that.
I just stopped by my local Borders and saw they had new stock to sign. Eight new copies of Child of Fire. This is the third time I’ve dropped by in the month since the book came out, and they’ve had new books on the shelf every time.
Also, the Amazon.com sales ranking is now lower (higher? How about “closer to 1”) than it’s been for three weeks. In fact, it was hovering around 25K yesterday, and has been in the teen-thousands (I made a word!) all morning.
Thank you, everyone, who has given the book a read and helped spread the good word. I’m tremendously grateful.
Also, ethelmay sources the “apartmently” story from a previous post. Thank you, too!