Amusing Timewaster

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December 18, 2007

4:04 pm

6 Comments on Amusing Timewaster

On Writing, World o' Blogs

Via Bookshelves of Doom, who managed to be Woodstock. I love Woodstock! But I also really wanted to be Lucy — but we all know my true nature…

Your Score: Marcie

Wishy-Washy: 50%, Mental: 71%, Physical: 31%

Marcie is Peppermint Patty’s best friend, and secretly loves Charlie Brown. She is always willing to help Patty through class and with homework, and plays on her sports teams even though she would rather be doing something else. Always address people you respect as “sir”.

Link: The Peanuts Character Test written by timberlineridge on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

S.A.M. is going to Italy — again — in March. I suppose when I’m rich and famous I’ll go to the Bologna Book Faire, too. I may have a long wait.

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Cookies and Ladybugs

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December 18, 2007

3:44 pm

4 Comments on Cookies and Ladybugs

Happenings, On Writing


Yesterday, Jenn let us know that it’s Bake Cookies Day today — and I’ll have to let you know how my parsnip cookies fare later on — if I can find a mouse to whom to give a cookie. But right now, don’t forget to tiptoe over to Proper Noun and wish my Cybil sister — and new Mama Mindy — happiness on the birth of her first child, Ladybug. She’s a little overdue, and Mindy’s a little sleep-deprived, but everything is how it should be, right? Congratulations, Mindy! Joy to you and C. and your little one!

Now I call that the perfect holiday gift!

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Blogging from a Nest of Blankets

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December 17, 2007

1:32 pm

4 Comments on Blogging from a Nest of Blankets

On Writing, Random Notes and Errata

The high today is supposed to be 1° (34° F), but this morning it was a balmy -2°! It’s beginning to look a bit like winter is on its way, and this Californian is knitting madly, so I’ll keep this quick:

Now that Arthur C. Clarke is ninety, he’s made his gift wishes known on Youtube. He wistfully commented that he wished Earth would receive alien contact. That’d be one heck of a birthday gift.

An interesting study gearing up in the UK — playground song as subversive humorous political commentary. How many playground ditties contain the name “Tony Blair?” Well, they’ll all have to be changed now. Fortunately, Bush rhymes with everything.

Poet Wendy Cope cruises the Web making sites remove her poetry. She’s obsessive about copyright law, and hates the idea that no one is paying her. The Guardian Blog argues that reposting poems is doing no one harm. Poetry People: what say you?

“More careful analysis shows that the entire product line–books, DVDs, ball gowns, necklaces, toy cell phones, toothbrush holders, T-shirts, lunch boxes, backpacks, wallpaper, sheets, stickers etc.–is saturated with a particularly potent time-release form of the date rape drug.

We cannot blame China this time, because the drug is in the concept, which was spawned in the Disney studios.”

WHOA! The online edition of The Nation has nothing nice to say about Disney Princess products.

We’re a little late, but we wanted to wish a Happy Blogversary to Jen Robinson — two years of reading and writing and sharing about children’s literature in her semi-professional capacity. Three cheers for those of us without kids who dare the strange glances of parents and librarians, wade into the kid’s section, and champion books for our favorite age group. Thanks, Jen, for all you do!

And now a cup of something hot is calling me! More soon from the frozen north!

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Publisher's Apertif: YA fantasy novel takes wing

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December 14, 2007

4:18 pm

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Happenings, On Writing

I always love how the publishing industry news sheet, Publisher’s Lunch has little euphemisms to discuss money. They say things like “a good deal” and a very good deal” to discreetly disclose the zeros behind the decimal point for book deals. Well, I don’t know if this has been published as lunch, but Wonderland friend Stephen Hunt has sent a bird up to the treehouse with this “major deal” news:

PRESS RELEASE

14 December 2007: London and New York.

HarperColins sells US rights in Stephen Hunt’s fantasy novels to Tor Books in major two-book deal

Airlie Lawson and Tara Hiatt, Rights Directors at HarperCollins in London, have confirmed a major two-book deal with Claire Eddy of Tor Books in New York, to publish THE COURT OF THE AIR by Stephen Hunt, and his follow-up fantasy novel, THE KINGDOM BEYOND THE WAVES.



HarperCollins Voyager acquired World rights in three novels from literary agent John Jarrold, and have already sold German, French, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese rights, and are presently pursuing interest in a number of other markets.

‘I’m delighted,’ said John Jarrold. ‘I’ve known the guys at Tor for over twenty years, and they have a wonderful reputation. I don’t think Stephen could be in better hands in the US. Congratulations to him, HarperCollins and Claire!’

Stephen Hunt’s The Court of the Air was the lead title for 2007 of HarperCollins’ genre imprint, Voyager, and was published in the same week as HarperCollins other main fantasy novel of the year, The Children of Húrin (JRR Tolkien & Christopher Tolkien).

HarperCollins acquired the Court of the Air in 2006 after the company won a fierce auction for the work, seeing off many other major publishers to acquire Hunt’s title.

Fantasy and science fiction author Stephen Hunt is the owner of SF Crowsnest.com, the second most popular sci-fi site on the Internet with close to a million readers a month, clocking up 30 million hits a month. Established in 1991, SFcrowsnest.com is one of – if not – the oldest science fiction and fantasy web sites on the web.

Hunt’s author’s web site can be found at StephenHunt.com.

PRAISE FOR THE COURT OF THE AIR

“An inventive, ambitious work, full of wonders and marvels.” – The Times

“Hunt can take his place alongside such eminent Magratheans as JRR Tolkien, Mervyn Peake and China Mieville. Creating a fully-realised other-world which feels new and different, yet cohesive and believable is half the battle in a fantasy novel, and it is a battle Hunt wins with honours… Hunt’s world is so rich and colourful it keeps you engrossed … It’s a confident audacious novel.” – SFX

“The characters are convincing and colourful, but the real achievement is the setting, a hellish take on Victorian London where grim, steam-driven machines work beside citizens with magical powers. The Court of the Air is aimed at young adults, but the depth and complexity of Hunt’s vision makes it compulsive reading for all ages.” – The Guardian (Emphasis Ours!!)

“Wonderfully assured … Hunt knows what his audience like and gives it to them with a sardonic wit and carefully developed tension” – Time Out

Another young adult fantasy novel takes wing. Congratulations, Stephen — and thank you in advance for what we are sure is going to be an awesome book!!!!

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Publisher’s Apertif: YA fantasy novel takes wing

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December 14, 2007

4:18 pm

Leave a comment on Publisher’s Apertif: YA fantasy novel takes wing

Happenings, On Writing

I always love how the publishing industry news sheet, Publisher’s Lunch has little euphemisms to discuss money. They say things like “a good deal” and a very good deal” to discreetly disclose the zeros behind the decimal point for book deals. Well, I don’t know if this has been published as lunch, but Wonderland friend Stephen Hunt has sent a bird up to the treehouse with this “major deal” news:

PRESS RELEASE

14 December 2007: London and New York.

HarperColins sells US rights in Stephen Hunt’s fantasy novels to Tor Books in major two-book deal

Airlie Lawson and Tara Hiatt, Rights Directors at HarperCollins in London, have confirmed a major two-book deal with Claire Eddy of Tor Books in New York, to publish THE COURT OF THE AIR by Stephen Hunt, and his follow-up fantasy novel, THE KINGDOM BEYOND THE WAVES.



HarperCollins Voyager acquired World rights in three novels from literary agent John Jarrold, and have already sold German, French, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese rights, and are presently pursuing interest in a number of other markets.

‘I’m delighted,’ said John Jarrold. ‘I’ve known the guys at Tor for over twenty years, and they have a wonderful reputation. I don’t think Stephen could be in better hands in the US. Congratulations to him, HarperCollins and Claire!’

Stephen Hunt’s The Court of the Air was the lead title for 2007 of HarperCollins’ genre imprint, Voyager, and was published in the same week as HarperCollins other main fantasy novel of the year, The Children of Húrin (JRR Tolkien & Christopher Tolkien).

HarperCollins acquired the Court of the Air in 2006 after the company won a fierce auction for the work, seeing off many other major publishers to acquire Hunt’s title.

Fantasy and science fiction author Stephen Hunt is the owner of SF Crowsnest.com, the second most popular sci-fi site on the Internet with close to a million readers a month, clocking up 30 million hits a month. Established in 1991, SFcrowsnest.com is one of – if not – the oldest science fiction and fantasy web sites on the web.

Hunt’s author’s web site can be found at StephenHunt.com.

PRAISE FOR THE COURT OF THE AIR

“An inventive, ambitious work, full of wonders and marvels.” – The Times

“Hunt can take his place alongside such eminent Magratheans as JRR Tolkien, Mervyn Peake and China Mieville. Creating a fully-realised other-world which feels new and different, yet cohesive and believable is half the battle in a fantasy novel, and it is a battle Hunt wins with honours… Hunt’s world is so rich and colourful it keeps you engrossed … It’s a confident audacious novel.” – SFX

“The characters are convincing and colourful, but the real achievement is the setting, a hellish take on Victorian London where grim, steam-driven machines work beside citizens with magical powers. The Court of the Air is aimed at young adults, but the depth and complexity of Hunt’s vision makes it compulsive reading for all ages.” – The Guardian (Emphasis Ours!!)

“Wonderfully assured … Hunt knows what his audience like and gives it to them with a sardonic wit and carefully developed tension” – Time Out

Another young adult fantasy novel takes wing. Congratulations, Stephen — and thank you in advance for what we are sure is going to be an awesome book!!!!

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Poetry Friday: Because Sylvia Plath Doesn't Make Everyone Think of Advent

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December 14, 2007

4:10 pm

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On Writing, Poetry Friday


Black Rook in Rainy Weather
On the stiff twig up there
Hunches a wet black rook
Arranging and rearranging its feathers in the rain.
I do not expect a miracle
Or an accident

To set the sight on fire
In my eye, nor seek
Any more in the desultory weather some design,
But let spotted leaves fall as they fall,
Without ceremony, or portent.

Although, I admit, I desire,
Occasionally, some backtalk
From the mute sky, I can’t honestly complain:
A certain minor light may still
Lean incandescent

Out of kitchen table or chair
As if a celestial burning took
Possession of the most obtuse objects now and then —
Thus hallowing an interval
Otherwise inconsequent

By bestowing largesse, honor,
One might say love. At any rate, I now walk
Wary (for it could happen
Even in this dull, ruinous landscape); skeptical,
Yet politic; ignorant

Of whatever angel may choose to flare
Suddenly at my elbow. I only know that a rook
Ordering its black feathers can so shine
As to seize my senses, haul
My eyelids up, and grant

A brief respite from fear
Of total neutrality. With luck,
Trekking stubborn through this season
Of fatigue, I shall
Patch together a content

Of sorts. Miracles occur,
If you care to call those spasmodic
Tricks of radiance miracles. The wait’s begun again,
The long wait for the angel,
For that rare, random descent.

– Sylvia Plath

Listen to the precise cadences as the poet reads this seasonal poem and an additional poem, titled November Graveyard. The Poetry People can be found at The Miss Rumphius Effect.

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Poetry Friday: Because Sylvia Plath Doesn’t Make Everyone Think of Advent

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December 14, 2007

4:10 pm

12 Comments on Poetry Friday: Because Sylvia Plath Doesn’t Make Everyone Think of Advent

On Writing, Poetry Friday


Black Rook in Rainy Weather
On the stiff twig up there
Hunches a wet black rook
Arranging and rearranging its feathers in the rain.
I do not expect a miracle
Or an accident

To set the sight on fire
In my eye, nor seek
Any more in the desultory weather some design,
But let spotted leaves fall as they fall,
Without ceremony, or portent.

Although, I admit, I desire,
Occasionally, some backtalk
From the mute sky, I can’t honestly complain:
A certain minor light may still
Lean incandescent

Out of kitchen table or chair
As if a celestial burning took
Possession of the most obtuse objects now and then —
Thus hallowing an interval
Otherwise inconsequent

By bestowing largesse, honor,
One might say love. At any rate, I now walk
Wary (for it could happen
Even in this dull, ruinous landscape); skeptical,
Yet politic; ignorant

Of whatever angel may choose to flare
Suddenly at my elbow. I only know that a rook
Ordering its black feathers can so shine
As to seize my senses, haul
My eyelids up, and grant

A brief respite from fear
Of total neutrality. With luck,
Trekking stubborn through this season
Of fatigue, I shall
Patch together a content

Of sorts. Miracles occur,
If you care to call those spasmodic
Tricks of radiance miracles. The wait’s begun again,
The long wait for the angel,
For that rare, random descent.

– Sylvia Plath

Listen to the precise cadences as the poet reads this seasonal poem and an additional poem, titled November Graveyard. The Poetry People can be found at The Miss Rumphius Effect.

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

A Bit of Sci-Fi/Fantasy news

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December 13, 2007

11:54 am

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On Writing, Random Notes and Errata

The political spectrum lately is filled with people espousing beliefs — Whatever your creed or position, you’ve got to love Robert Heinlen’s piece on Our Noble, Essential Decency. Since we were just speaking of Heinlen, I thought I’d share this with you. It’s a lovely thing to hear read aloud.(Via Locus Online.)

Colleen’s pulling out all the stops with her 12 Days of Christmas booklists at Chasing Ray. Don’t miss her Cabinet of Wonders at Bookslut (in training) where she reviews Indigara by Tanith Lee and Click, the collaborative novel that begins with a camera, Kristen Miller’s Kiki Strike: The Empress’ Tomb, and of course the awesome-super-fabulous Diary of a Part-Time Indian by the one and only Mr. Alexie.

Speaking of Sherman Alexie, Liz has challenged us to find more good reads for guys. Visit her post and leave a title in the comments. There IS good YA out there for the menfolk, despite what snarkers say.

Via SciFi SignalDarling Wesley is back — according to Amazon’s gamers blog, there’s a Princess Bride GAME coming out. Can that movie actually be TWENTY years old?! Unbelievable. (NO, I did not say ‘Inconceivable.’ That would have been really annoying of me.) There’s even a game trailer.

Also via SciFi Signal, a really intriguing round table discussion on people of color in fantasy literature at Fantasy Magazine. Authors, grad students, publishers and readers of varying hues discuss what they hate, what they love, and what they’d like to see more. I found some really interesting sideline discussions of writing colorblind, as well as a definition of default writing, where one doesn’t talk about race, but then the reader assumes that the character is from the dominant culture. This is an ongoing conversation, which will reconvene next Wednesday. Join in and have your say.

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.