Now that the first two chapters of The Broken Kingdoms have been posted, and you’ve gotten a glimpse of what life is like in the city beneath Sky, I have a question for you: would you want to live there? For those who haven’t read the sample chapters, I’ll give you a brief description of the city. Spoilers for those who haven’t read The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms!
The City of Shadow: A Tour KEEP READING
This past weekend was crazy busy for me because of two events: Orbit’s third anniversary in the United States, and New York Comic Con. I wasn’t sure until the last minute that I’d be able to attend NYCC, but a friend helped me out — so I got to wade through packed aisles full of cosplayers and creative reenacters, fans and professionals, and all kinds of booksy goodness. NYCC isn’t just about comics anymore; there’s a growing SF/F-writer presence there, and all the big publishing houses were out in force promoting their stuff, including Orbit. (And a few lucky people
It’s Really, Really, Real! KEEP READING
This has nothing to do with writing, though it is partly inspired by some stuff I’ve seen in the SF/F blogosphere lately. Sorry in advance for that. Heard today about the decline of the Tribune company, which once managed some of the most respected newspapers in the United States. There are probably a lot of reasons why the company fell apart, not the least of which is the general decline of print media overall, but I was struck by this article’s descriptions of changes that occurred at the company headquarters when new management took over. Among other things, the new
The “harm” of political correctness: a rant KEEP READING
Whoa, just realized this is out — Postscripts 22/23 from PS Publishing! The Postscripts anthologies are put out twice a year, and feature big-name authors writing some really cutting-edge stuff. And now one of them features little ol’ me, and my story “Sinners, Saints, Dragons, and Haints, in the City Beneath the Still Waters,” set in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward during and after Hurricane Katrina. Some of you heard this at the New York Review of Science Fiction reading back in June, at which I attempted to accurately recall and reproduce the deliciously chewy New Orleans accent. An excerpt for
A little N’Awlins in the UK KEEP READING
One month to go ’til The Broken Kingdoms launches… and one more sample chapter to tease you and tide you over ’til then. Oree, who discovered a dead godling in chapter 1, gets into more trouble in this chapter thanks to the actions of a certain very problematic houseguest. Enjoy!
Chapter 2 of THE BROKEN KINGDOMS KEEP READING
It’s official: the mass market version of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is out now. Want to brave the madness of Sky and the fury of the gods for a mere $7.99? Now’s your chance!
Mass Market, here we come! KEEP READING
And in short-story news, that mysterious lesbian steampunk anthology I mentioned awhile back? It’s almost here. Editor JoSelle Vanderhooft just announced the table of contents for Steam-Powered, a print anthology soon to be out from Torquere Press. The ToC includes my own story “The Effluent Engine”, which I released as a freebie earlier this year for the A Story for Haiti fundraiser, plus some other kickass folk who are worth paying for, such as: Georgina Bruce: “Brilliant” DL MacInnes: “Owl Song” Sara M. Harvey: “Where the Ocean Meets the Sky” Beth Wodzinski: “Suffer Water” Rachel Manija Brown: “Steel Rider” Shira
Steam-Powered is GO! KEEP READING
Got three bits of good news this morning, but I can only share two of them with you for now. (Just gives you more to anticipate this week!) First, The Broken Kingdoms got another starred review from Publishers Weekly! Some excerpts of the review: New authors often falter when following up on a noteworthy debut, but Jemisin proves more than up to the challenge… Hesitant, impoverished Oree is very different from Jemisin’s previous heroine, politician-princess Yeine, and she proves just as compelling as she investigates the murder and her own mysterious heritage. Returning fans will especially appreciate certain details, but
Tuesday No-Blues Day KEEP READING
A dreary Monday here in Noraland, but I’m hoping it will be productive. NukuNuku is determined to help out. So how’s Monday going for you?
Still life with cat and desk KEEP READING
Apropos of nothing, took this photo in Prospect Park yesterday, which was one of the most beautiful days I’ve ever seen. No ducks, alas — they were behind me, mobbing a family that foolishly thought they could get away with tossing out only half a loaf of bread. Was chatting with a friend the other day about the plethora of “OMG, I only make $250,000 a year, I’m so poor!” whining that seems to have broken out all over the internet lately, mostly in reaction to the expiration of Bush’s tax cuts for those making $250K or greater. I’m with
Welcome to Brooklyn… DUCK! KEEP READING