Category: News

Shiny Shiny Shiny

By:  TempestGeekitude

Because I was so involved in setting it up yesterday, I neglected to post here about the auction of jewelry based on Interfictions stories. From the press release:

Interstitial artists and admirers of Interfictions have come forward with some truly stunning pieces based on Interfictions stories by Matthew Cheney, Catherynne M. Valente, Jon Singer, Veronica Schanoes, and Colin Greenland. Participants include artists Elise Matthesen, JoSelle Vanderhooft, Mia Nutick, Kris McDermott, and many more.

And, most remarkably, some of the authors themselves have created unique pieces based on their own work! Keep an eye on IAFAuctions.com to see wearable interpretations of their own work by Interfictions authors Leslie What, Rachel Pollack, and K. Tempest Bradford.

I like that term: wearable interpretations Ellen Kushner came up with that!

So far a piece by JoSelle based on the Valente story and a piece by Sarah based on Cheney’s story are up. And today I posted a preview of stuff to come.

And yes, it’s true that I have something going up, too. I have been trying to come up with something for months. Months! But then I saw this gorgeous piece based on “Black Feather” (which is, can I just say, so amazing to see something beautiful that was inspired by something I did. So cool!) and was inspired myself. I don’t know if my idea will pan out, but here’s a sneak peek of the earrings I am making called “Inwood Hill”:

Work In Progress

I want to add one more chain, but I’m afraid of making it too heavy. But then I use pretty light materials on there — very light/hollow glass beads, coral, tiny Jasper beads that weigh very little. There will also be a black feather hidden in there somehow. What do you guys think?

Boring Website Stuff Made Exciting With Exclamation Points

By:  TempestReadings

Finally switched over to my new host. Finally got all of my data over to said new host. New host restored WordPress databases! Love new host to death so far. DNS propagation went smoothly, yay! Upgrade to WordPress 2.5 went smoothly, yay! The WP future post function now finally woks for the first time evar, yay, yay, yay! Put in a bunch of new plugins so I can pretend to be as awesome as Mary Robinette, yay! Completely forgot that the crossposter doesn’t work with WP 2.5, boo. So no one on LJ saw this post from yesterday, boo. This will be my first test of the upgrade, yay! My comments now have avatars, yay! I decided to upload my own avatars for that, so went with people of color from SF TV shows and movies. I think I got everyone from the TV shows I watch, and I have Will Smith + some Matrix people. But I need more! Suggestions? In the comments, yay! Which can now be threaded, yay! WordPress is awesome, yay!

I’m on the Tiptree jury!

By:  TempestNews
I'm on the Tiptree jury!

Now that the other jurists are confirmed, I can jump up and down about this in public. Debbie Notkin asked me to be on the 2009 Tiptree jury, which means I, along with other fabulous people, will pick the winners from 2008 published fiction.

I’m so excited about this I cannot tell you. It’s a real honor to be asked, especially because this award is close to my heart.

I foresee many, many months of reading ahead of me, not to mention getting to know the UPS guy really well.

My Thoughts on the News About Amazon

By:  TempestNews
My Thoughts on the News About Amazon

A lot of people have linked to the thing about Amazon telling POD publishers they have to print their books though Booksurge (owned by Amazon) or they won’t be listed. Some are very upset about it, some have determined that it won’t impact their business, and others are freaking out!

I will admit that I am not entirely sure of all the ramifications, but two bits of information floated my way that make me think that the situation is not so dire. The first is that, according to Deborah Layne, nothing will change for her and Wheatland Press, and she’s with Lightning Source. So rumors that Lightning Source people have to switch over are, apparently, not entirely correct.

Which leads into the other thing I heard. The first bit of news about this came from Writer’s Weekly/Angela Hoy. And let me tell you, I don’t trust a damn thing that woman has to say. In part because she’s a vanity book publisher dressed up as not, but because I’ve had personal dealings with her that convinced me she’s really not as knowledgeable or interested in helping writers as she seems.

Several years ago, back when I was teaching writing classes, I pitched some ideas to her for the writing classes area associated with Writer’s Weekly. The full account of what happened is here, but essentially I came away from the encounter thinking that Angela didn’t know a lot about fiction writing and selling, yet was acting if she did. At the time, I just thought she was deluded, but after reading and hearing more about her, I’ve come ’round to the opinion that she’s more than a little scammy.

Someone on the BroadUniverse list pointed out that this news from Amazon really only affects POD publishers who are not part of an existing distribution system, like Ingram. The kind of POD publishers that can’t get their books stocked in Brick&Mortar stores because they won’t accept returns. The kind of publishers that have names like PublishAmerica. So really, this is terrible news for PA and that ilk, but not necessarily for all small presses. Again, this is the impression I’m getting from various sources, but if anyone has information to the contrary, I’d like to know. Mainly, I feel like anything that upsets Angela Hoy can’t be all bad.

Sybil’s Garage, oh believe it!

By:  TempestNews

Sybil's GarageLast year, after joining the Altered Fluid writing group, fellow Fluidian Matt Kressel asked me if I’d like to slush read for Sybil’s Garage. I said sure, as I’m an old hand at slush.Many, many, many, many submissions later, we were done, and I’d found at least one story that ended up in the final issue. I wasn’t the only one working in the slush mines (thank Hera!), and ultimate praise goes to head honcho Matt for selecting the amazing stories now available in Sybil’s Garage No. 5. It’s a very pretty magazine filled with a lot of amazing fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. I’m proud to have played a small part. Buy your copy now!

Table of Contents

Poetry:
Elizabeth Barrette – “With Every Fine and Subtle Sense Perceive”
Amal El-Mohtar – “Orpheus”
Miranda Gaw – “Last Supper”
Aaron Leis – “Glass”
Pam McNew – “No Word for Goodbye”
Adrienne J. Odasso – “River Girl”
David M. Rheingold – “Macduff’s Lament”
Eilyahoo Talgam – “Look Away”

Fiction:
Samantha Henderson – “The Ballad of Delphinium Blue”
Vylar Kaftan – “The Girl Next Door”
Barbara Krasnoff – “All His Worldly Goods”
Caspian Gray – “Waiting for Spring”
Jason Erik Lundberg – “Wombat Fishbone”
Alex Dally MacFarlane – “Tattoos of the Sky, Tattoos of the Days”
Gary Moshimer – “Salesman”
Hazel Marcus Ong – “Roses”
Daniel A. Rabuzzi – “Last and First”
Veronica Schanoes – “Lost in the Supermarket”

Non-Fiction:
Dinner with Lauren McLaughlin, an Interview by Devin Poore
The Best-Dressed Man on the Court, a memoir by Mercurio D. Rivera

The Latest Thing

By:  TempestReadings

This weekend is full of many writerly goings on, including a reading at KGB bar that isn’t the Fantastic Fiction one. On Saturday (February 9) three members of my writing group, Altered Fluid, will read as part of a special night of speculative fiction in Duct.org’s monthly Trumpet Fiction series. Eugene Myers, Matt Kressel, and Alaya Dawn Johnson are all terrific writers and you should come hear them be terrific.

WHEN: Saturday, February 9 @ 7:00pm
WHERE: KGB Bar
85 East 4th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
New York, NY 10003

Afterwards we’re going out for food and drinks and all in attendance are welcome to come.

Broad Cast

By:  TempestMy Fiction

Ended last week on a high note, then woke up this morning to more good news.  Rachel Swirsky of PodCastle accepted my story, Change of Life.  The story was first published in Farthing 3 and now it will go on to have a second life, which makes me warm and fuzzy.  Plus, the story is damn fun to read aloud, so I’m excited to hear what the reader will do with it!

I don’t have any info on pub/podcast date yet, but as soon as I do, I’ll post it.  I’m excited in general since this means that PodCastle will start up soon, and I’ve been looking forward to it.  EscapePod is one of my favorite markets and a beloved companion on many a long subway ride, so I’m sure PodCastle will be just as awesome.

That makes two acceptances in December.  I wonder if good things really do some in threes?  I guess we’ll find out.