Tag: News/Misc Page 5 of 29

End of the Year Book Tag

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On November 28, 2023

In Book Tag, Books, News/Misc.

End of Year Book Tag
I saw this on a couple of blogs last week and thought it’d make a good one for me to do. But when I went back to check so I could link to them, I could only find the entry at Biblio Nerd Reflections. Sorry to whoever else inspired me, I didn’t mean to ignore you, but I apparently did.

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

The Existence and Attributes of GodBlank SpaceA Mystery Revealed: 31 Meditations on the Trinity

The only things that really fit here are my project reads—The Existence and Attributes of God: Updated and Unabridged by Stephen Charnock and A Mystery Revealed: 31 Meditations on the Trinity by Ryan McGraw—books that I’ve scheduled my reading to finish on December 31. Hopefully, everything else gets wrapped up before then. I don’t get too worked up about that kind of thing, but I appreciate making a clean start on January 1.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

Nope. I don’t get this kind of thinking—I know a lot of people do read seasonally, and more power to ’em! My brain doesn’t really work that way. I read Christmas-related ARCs in July, I could (but probably haven’t) read a book about a Summer Vacation in the dead of winter. So, basically whatever book I happen to be reading on December 21 will be my transition book.

Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?

Broken TrustBlank SpaceThe Mayors of New York

As far as I know (which isn’t very far), the only two that I’m waiting for are Mike Lupica’s Spenser debut in Robert B. Parker’s Broken Trust and the next Bill Smith/Lydia Chin book, The Mayors of New York by S. J. Rozan. But I could easily be forgetting something.

Also, depending on when I decide to post this, the Lupica book could already be out.

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

The Moonshine MessiahBlank SpaceCharm City RocksBlank SpaceEveryone in My Family Has Killed Someone

There are five books that I’ve mentioned on previous tags/lists that I haven’t finished yet. I’m picking three of those (because I’m pretty sure that I’ll get to the other two without calling them out). The Moonshine Messiah by Russell W. Johnson, Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman, and Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson Lancaster.

* The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss and The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher

Is there a book you think that could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?

Absolutely. Pretty much anything I pick up between now and 12/31. Sure, I don’t expect The Secret by the Child brothers will be it—that would be a shock for sure. But otherwise, I hold out hope for almost every book. As I’m still not sure what I’m going to read over the next month, I hesitate to mention a likely nominee (although Rothfulss and Butcher have to be in the running).

Have you already started making reading plans for 2024?

I have indeed. And stopped. And started again. And stopped again. I didn’t do a great job with my goals for 2023, so I’m hesitant to commit to much for next year. I’m also trying to figure out how much I want to plan ahead at the moment—it might be a time to lean into whimsy and clearing off my shelves. And polishing off the 2023 plans that didn’t get accomplished.

* How un-great is still TBD.

As usual, I’m not tagging anyone in this—but I’d like to see what you all have to come up with.

LITERARY LOCALS: An Evening at Idahope

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On November 16, 2023

In Literary Locals, Non-Fiction

Literary Locals and ICW logos

One of the most rewarding—and most surprising things—about doing these Literary Locals interviews is seeing how many writers there are in the area, plugging away at the craft—and how many different groups there are of them working together in one way or another. I’m not alone in this, either, some of the authors/leaders of these groups are surprised to see how many others there are.

I can only assume if this is true for Southwest Idaho, there’s a decent chance that it’s similar wherever you are. Go look for them. Even if you’re not an author, aspiring author, possible aspiring author. I met someone this week who’s a board member of one of these groups who just wants to support the writers in her community while not being a writer—how cool is that?

I met—and had the beginning of a conversation that could’ve gone on for hours in another setting—her at the monthly meeting of Idahope (I interviewed the Secretary and President about their recent relaunch last month). I’d been invited/suckered into coming to talk to them about how to participate in an author interview—and, most importantly, how to come across as non-boring or generic in them. (hence my recent surveys about them—which I’m going to try to turn into something for the blog soon. So, maybe February)

My bit went okay (I think)—sure, I forgot a couple of the points that were in my mental outline for weeks (remembering them once I left the parking lot), and too many jokes fell flat (I’m sure it was the delivery. Or the material. Not the audience). But we had some good discussion and most of those in attendance didn’t seem to mind my blathering. Also…I somehow only talked for more than 10 minutes and only dropped in references to two books, which is a personal record.

But that’s not what I wanted to talk about. I wanted to talk about the meeting—we started out going around the table talking about our current projects and whether we were participating in NaNoWriMo. Only one person was doing a modified version of it, if you can believe that. I’m not 100% certain it’s allowed for a group of more than 6 independent writers to get together in November without multiple NaNo participants present—I kept waiting for some NaNo Agents to burst through the wall like the Vegan Police in Scott Pilgrim and start issuing fines and forcing Chris Baty material into our hands.*

* I guess the NaNo people could’ve been home getting their daily counts in. Maybe that’s why the authorities were lenient on us.

Once my prattling on was done, we all did a writing exercise—which resulted in some wonderful turns of phrase and the display of some…shall we say, interesting…imaginations. I really want to read some longer works by everyone around that table (even from the self-professed non-writer). This includes some novels and children’s books that are in various stages of creation mentioned throughout the night that I’d love to read when they’re done.

But for me, the best part was just seeing this group of people at various stages in their writing/creative careers come together to talk and share a little bit and support each other. It sounds good on paper, but I got a little buzz off of it in reality. It’s an infectious spirit and I can see me coming back for another hit or two of that, at least and maybe becoming another member just to support the work of the group.

Also, in the room next to us, an Improv Class was in session. Other than the fact that they were occasionally distractingly loud, I loved that. I don’t know how many there were in the class, but I think it’s safe to say that in that building there were at least 20 people out on a chilly Tuesday night to talk about and work on their art/craft/passion in one way or another. How great is that?

I don’t have a conclusion here, and I really should. I guess I’ll just encourage you all—your tribe is out there to help you on your creative way. Go find them.

Literary Locals logo

A Quick Check-In and a Final Plea for Help with Author Interviews (for writers, bloggers/podcasters, and readers)

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On November 10, 2023

In Miscellany, News/Misc.

Okay, what I said the other day about over-committing is getting the best of me. I’m going to have “real” posts any day now (hopefully tomorrow, for example). I have four posts about particular books half-finished, but I need time to think about them and complete them. I have 5 Literary Local Q&As in the middle of Qing and Aing. And a couple of other things in-progress, too. But for today? I’ve got zip, zilch, and a whole lot of nada.

So, I’m going to ask one more time for some input about Interviews/Q&As. At this point, I’ve pretty much decided what I’m going to say about them, but I could use a little more fodder for examples/illustrations. So…if you’re an Author, or a Blogger/Vlogger/Podcaster, or someone who likes to read/listen to Author Interviews—would you please click one of those links and answer a few things for me? If you fit multiple categories there (and, don’t we all contain multitudes, even if it’s just a few?)—feel free to chime in repeatedly.

Thanks!

And now for something completely different:

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Hey, Anybody! I Have Some Questions about Interviews for You!!

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On November 1, 2023

In Miscellany, News/Misc.

This is the last in this series of posts asking for input about Author Interviews.

I’m working on a thing about writers and interviews to present to a local author group, and I’d appreciate some help with it. I’m supposed to talk about making interviews interesting/useful—I have plenty of ideas from the Q-side of the Q&A, but I would appreciate getting input from those in the trenches with me. I’m particularly thinking about the horror stories—or those that could have qualified as such but turned out okay. The more specific you can get, the better. (obviously, I’m not asking you to name names–and if you do, I won’t use them)

I’m thinking particularly of written interviews—via email, etc. But if you have something to say to podcasters, YouTube interviewers, or what have you—chip in.

I’ll be happy to mention your participation in this when I post what I get from this–but I’ll keep particular responses anonymous. I’m asking for an email and name just so I can get clarification if I need some. (also, so I can share the results of this just in case you’re curious)

Answer one question, answer them all, or something in between. I really don’t care. Thanks for your help—and feel free to spread this to others you know who might want to opine. I could use all the input I can get!

(Some of these are phrased awkwardly, but I was fighting with the form and decided that getting it to work was better than sounding clever)


I'm Curious

Hey, Bloggers/Podcasters/Vloggers! I Have Some Questions about Interviews for You!!

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On October 31, 2023

In Miscellany, News/Misc.

This is a companion to yesterday’s post asking for input from authors, for the up to ten of you who wondered.

I’m working on a thing about writers and interviews to present to a local author group, and I’d appreciate some help with it. I’m supposed to talk about making interviews interesting/useful—I have plenty of ideas from the Q-side of the Q&A, but I would appreciate getting input from those in the trenches with me. I’m particularly thinking about the horror stories—or those that could have qualified as such but turned out okay. The more specific you can get, the better. (obviously, I’m not asking you to name names–and if you do, I won’t use them)

I’m thinking particularly of written interviews—via email, etc. But podcasters, YouTube interviewers, or what have you—chip in.

I’ll be happy to mention your participation in this when I post what I get from this–but I’ll keep particular responses anonymous. I’m asking for an email and name just so I can get clarification if I need some. (also, so I can share the results of this just in case you’re curious)

Answer one question, answer them all, or something in between. I really don’t care. Thanks for your help—and feel free to spread this to others you know who might want to opine. I could use all the input I can get!

(Some of these are phrased awkwardly, but I was fighting with the form and decided that getting it to work was better than sounding clever)


I'm Curious

Hey, Authors! I Have Some Questions about Interviews for You!!

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On October 30, 2023

In Miscellany, News/Misc.

Hi authors—I’m working on a thing about writers and interviews to present to a local author group, and I’d appreciate some help with it. I’m supposed to talk about making interviews interesting/useful—now I have plenty of ideas from the Q-side of the Q&A, but I could use some insight from those on the A-side. I’m particularly thinking about the horror stories—or those that could have qualified as such but turned out okay. The more specific you can get, the better. (obviously, I’m not asking you to name names–and if you do, I won’t use them)

If your horror stories, or at least your “well that was blah” stories happen to involve me. That’s fine. I’ll learn something.

I’m thinking particularly of written interviews—via email, etc. But if you have something to say to podcasters, Vloggers/BookTubers, or what have you—chip in.

I’ll be happy to mention your participation in this when I post what I get from this–but I’ll keep particular responses anonymous. I’m asking for an email and name just so I can get clarification if I need some. (also, so I can share the results of this just in case you’re curious)

Answer one question, answer them all, or something in between. I really don’t care. Thanks for your help—and feel free to spread this to authors you know who might want to opine. I could use all the input I can get!

(Some of these are phrased awkwardly, but I was fighting with the form and decided that getting it to work was better than sounding clever)


I'm Curious

The Friday 56 for 9/8/23: Eclipse by Herman Steuernagel

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On September 8, 2023

In Currently Reading, News/Misc., Quotations, The Friday 56

Eclipse_ban.png

The Friday 56This is a weekly bloghop hosted by Freda’s Voice.

RULES:
The Friday 56 Grab a book, any book.
The Friday 56 Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay.
The Friday 56 Find a snippet, short and sweet.
The Friday 56 Post it.

from 56% of:
Eclipse

Eclipse by Herman Steuernagel

Mikka traced the outlines of the cell’s flooring tiles with her index finger. The guards had placed her in a chamber set apart from the other cells, down a long hallway and a further flight of stairs. Mikka suspected this cell was reserved for the most heinous of offenders, or those who had pissed the Front off the most.

Though it was dark and isolated, she knew it couldn’t possibly be their worst cell—she still had all her fingers. She could still breathe, and she had been there for hours, so oxygen levels must have been at least somewhat close to normal.

At least they had the decency to take the handcuffs off.

There was no chair or bench to sit on, so Mikka had resigned herself to the floor. Even the Front’s prison cells were more polished and in better condition than anything in the Tubes.

My thanks to Escapist Book Tours for the invitation to participate in this tour and the materials (including the novel) they provided. The opinions expressed by me are honest and my own.

Escapist Book Tours

The Friday 56 for 9/1/23: A Sh*tload of Crazy Powers by Jackson Ford

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On September 1, 2023

In Currently Reading, News/Misc., Quotations, The Friday 56

The Friday 56This is a weekly bloghop hosted by Freda’s Voice.

RULES:
The Friday 56 Grab a book, any book.
The Friday 56 Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay.
The Friday 56 Find a snippet, short and sweet.
The Friday 56 Post it.

from Page 56% of:
A Sh*tload of Crazy Powers

A Sh*tload of Crazy Powers by Jackson Ford

I’ve never been shot before.

I’ve been shot at, more than once. There are quite a few people who want me dead for one reason or another. And yet I have never taken a bullet. Until today.

Can confirm: getting shot sucks.

There’s no pain until I actually see the wound– the horrible, gaping hole in my flesh. Then there’s a whole lot of it. As if my brain goes oh, hey, that looks nasty. Here, have some agony to enhance the experience.

It’s like someone poured kerosene on my bicep and set it on fire. It’s the kind of pain that doesn’t actually let you scream, because it locks your throat up tight. All I can do is make this weird little hissing sound, forcing its way between my clenched teeth. And holy crap, that’s a lot of blood. Are there arteries in the bicep? How long do I have before… before I…

RinthCon 2323: Your Science Fiction Con of the Future

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On August 21, 2023

In News/Misc.

I got an email about RinthCon last week and was intrigued enough that I had to share this information with you all. I have plenty of questions about it, still. But I think that’s part of the point right now. Check this out!

RinthCon Banner

RinthCon 2323

Your Science Fiction Con of the Future

August 13, 2023 (HOUSTON, TX) – We all wonder about the future, but what about the science fiction of the future? You can get a glimpse of this and more by following RinthCon from August 24-28, 2023.

Set in the year 2323, RinthCon takes place in an asteroid beyond the orbit of Saturn. A freak accident with a piece of mysterious technology in the stall of a book vendor pulls people from the alternate universes of books to RinthCon. What will happen to the con when these books come to life?

Guest Authors
Jim Butcher, Fantasy
Fern Brady, Science Fiction
Steven Brust, Fantasy/Science Fiction
Cassandra Rose Clarke, Science Fiction
Rose Garcia, Fantasy
Davy Jones, Cartoons
KimoKawaii (Anime Convention), Anime/Manga
Mack Little, Historical Romance
Scott Oden, Historical Fantasy/Sword and Sorcery
Corrie Peters, Historical Mystery
John L. Simons Jr., Science Fiction

You can’t go to RinthCon in person, but you can follow the news, happenings and adventures of RinthCon at the addresses below and on the websites and social media feeds of participating creators.
Discord: https://discord.gg/Nyfr9x6Utu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quarantinedcon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rinth_press/
X (Twitter): @RinthPress
Threads: @rinth_press
Website: www.RinthPress.net

About John Simons – John is a science fiction author and publisher whose novel Explorers of Rinth will debut at RinthCon alongside Corrie Peter’s historical mystery novel Outfauxed. John is also the founder of Comicpalooza, Houston’s pop-culture and comic convention.

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The Friday 56 for 8/18/23: Light Bringer by Pierce Brown

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On August 18, 2023

In Currently Reading, News/Misc., Quotations, The Friday 56

The Friday 56This is a weekly bloghop hosted by Freda’s Voice.

RULES:
The Friday 56 Grab a book, any book.
The Friday 56 Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay.
The Friday 56 Find a snippet, short and sweet.
The Friday 56 Post it.

from Page 56 of:
Light Bringer

Light Bringer by Pierce Brown

The courtyard smells of hay, manure, leather, and horses. The smells wake memories of Virginia au Augustus. Of all the Golds who came and went through my grandmother’s palace, Virginia was my favorite.

I feel a faint longing for her easy smile and unpredictable conversations. Certainly that smile hid a mouth full of daggers, but Virginia had a way of making you feel privileged to have lost to her in a game of chess or an idle bet on which songbird egg would hatch first in the garden’s aviaries. I wonder if she still has time to visit her stables on Mars, or if like me, this war has swallowed her up. She was always happier after a ride in the Palatine’s park. Come to think of it, so was I.

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