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Everyone:

Our local SF/F group is going to actually have a book club. You know, where we all decide to read something together, and talk about it once a month? Yup, pretty old skool.

So…I was thinking, what would YOU recommend if you were suggesting books to read? I’m not the only one suggesting books, but I wanted to go in armed with some good ideas (TM) as well as some classics.

One thing I thought might be cool is if we could get an author to come in and discuss their book with us once every few months. You know, deep and philosophical discussions of, I don’t know, Love Bites or something. With the author. Our SF club might be able to shell out some meager money for the kerosene that fueled author’s cars or something

More on that speculation later. What books do you think that a group of people who like the speculative fiction genre should read? We’ll take suggestions in SF, Fantasy, YA, Spec Fic, Horror, Mythic, Faerie Tale Re-tellings, Urban Fantasy, stuff like that.

Also, how close are y’all to Eastern Iowa? Who’d be willing to come discuss their book with a group of fans (who would talk to local bookstores about having them sign?) Don’t be modest or shy in your response. We’d be lucky to get you. 🙂

Grammar tests? Oh. Darned.

Catherine

Nikki Van Der Carr rejection.

Right now, the students are testing, and I’m writing just a bit. I don’t know about you, but do you ever discover that during those times you’re not writing creatively, lots of creative bits keep leaking out into your every day life. Right now, I’m deep into a costume and an academic paper, and I want to be writing about rainbows and unicorns. I know I’m happier when I write too, and yes, right now, I’m not very happy. It’s that restlessness that comes without a proper outlet for creativity.

So, mebbe I should just buckle down and get these other tasks done! Well, I am going pretty flat out. Let me assure you, I’ll be happy to get back to the ability to play in a fantasy place.

***

I also want to mention that I’m reading Gary Braunbeck’s e-chapbook at the moment. Gary is a distinctive and interesting horror writer. Yup. Horror. I don’t usually read horror, but I’m reading these stories. Here’s where you can find out more about Gary. Like what he’s written that has won the Brahm Stoker award, stuff like that.

Right. So. Another day at the races. Another night at the…eye doctor.

Catherine

Only time for three this week:

Susanna Einstein (and the entirety of LJK Literary)
Havis Dawson of Liza Dawson
Jenny Rappaport of L Perkins

Next week, it’s back to mailing.

Suitably stuffy title. Check

Suitably academic-ese abstract. Check.

Introduction. Check

Sorting of research into appropriate places in outline. Check.

Plan to spend this evening doing something else.

Catherine

Yeah, well, you wouldn’t want to start the research section on your highly academic comparative pedagogy paper that had to integrate information on lingua franca and World Englishes. Nah, you’d much rather revise that YA scene you’re reading at Wiscon this year. Remind me. I became a Second Language specialist why? Oh yeah. Pays the bills. That old thing.

Screw it. It’s time for sushi. Then an errand in Targetland.

Then no recourse but to write.

Catherine

Well, that should tidily finish the basic bones research for the comparative English teaching article. Now I have to pull all these disparate bits into words. I just repeat the mantra rough drafts stink!

I received my rejection from the Lazear agency.

Back to it!

Catherine

David Dunton of Harvey Klinger sent me a friendly rejection, and a recommendation of another agent friend of his to send it to. I hear that agents do this sometimes. I really appreciated the lead!

So, I’ve shot off a query to Nikki Van Der Car at Sterling Lord Literistic based on this.

Other than that, I’ve been pretty busy escorting international students around a middle school today. No writing to see here. Move on to tomorrow.

Catherine

All right, University of Iowa Library, whose idea was it to crank copy costs up to 15 cents? You know we can’t take those loose journals anywhere to copy for cheap. But perhaps I’ve answered my own question…

It’s been a busy day in doctorate town. I hit the jackpot (World Englishes volume 24, number 3, the Japanese symposium issue). I’ve also outlined the number of days that it’ll take me to crank out this paper. The answer is 8.

With that, I continue to type in data, using my caffeinated gray matter as the basis for many research decisions. After I am done with this paper, I am so going to revise that Gossamer and Viridian scene before moving into a Master and Margarita literary analysis.

This kind of writing seems like work.

Catherine

Julie Rose is doing a series of podcasts on writers and their soundtracks. Up this week is Megan Hart, erotic fiction writer.

Go check it out!

Catherine

Dear Author Friends:

I am affiliated with the HPEF, a group of people who run Harry Potter symposiums. For some time, we have been wanting to expand our programming offerings. This year we’ve decided to add a YA track for new authors. To see more about it, please click below to read the whole call for readings.

The skinny is this: we’re currently soliciting YA authors to come and read their work at Portus 2008 in Dallas, Texas on July 10-13. If you’re chosen to read, like an academic presenter, you’ll be required to register for the conference, but at a reduced cost.

As part of the YA Reading Series, we’ll make every effort to get your books in the Vendor Room through the Barnes and Noble book fair we’ll be having. Every author will have the opportunity to read, and there will be autograph sessions as well. You’ll get a chance to sell books, gain exposure, and just maybe you can use the whole experience as a tax write-off.

If you’re interested, please feel free to read further. Also, please feel free to share this information, as well as the call for readings anywhere you think YA Friendly, YA or YR authors can be found. I’m happy to have you send me the appropriate connections, and I’ll take care of it as well.

Our submission deadline is May 15, 2008, after which myself and my crackerjack team of associates will pick out the authors for the series. There will be alternates, because authors must register for the convention before they are confirmed.

Continue reading “Portus YA Reading Series”