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Posted by Justine at 12:52, March 31st, 2007 under Bloggery, Cons & Other Gatherings, Cricket, Listening, Praising, Ranting, Reading, Research, Sport, Viewing, Words & Language |
A question for you all:
Would you describe yourself as a fan, or a geek, or both? And if you do describe yourself in that way what do you mean by it? What's your idea of a "fan"? Or of a "geek"?
For the record I'm a fan but not a geek.
Posted by Justine at 10:58, March 30th, 2007 under Bloggery, Words & Language |
Posted by Justine at 12:58, March 29th, 2007 under Fans & readers, How To Ditch Your Fairy, Liar, Magic or Madness trilogy |
Scott's working so hard that bicycles have started growing out of his head:
I'm afraid of what's next . . .
Posted by Justine at 18:31, March 28th, 2007 under Scott's books, Writing goals & milestones |
I was going to rant all over my blog today about the bloody
ICC's idiotic decision to demand that
youtube take down all footage from the World Cup. But then I found
this excellent rant that says everything I want to say. Here's a taste of Andrew Miller's wrath:
Only three days ago it was suggested on this website that the events of the past week might serve as a wake-up call for cricket's fiscally obsessed powerbrokers. Fat chance. A game run increasingly by lawyers for lawyers, has deemed it necessary to go to war on the very online enthusiasts who can spread the word of a game whose reputation has been dragged through the mincer.
It is an ...
Posted by Justine at 9:15, March 28th, 2007 under Cricket, Ranting, Sport |
It's
Her Majesty's Dog not
Her Majesty's Dragon. Damn you, Naomi Novik!
Posted by Justine at 12:27, March 27th, 2007 under Manga, Reading |
John Joseph Adams doesn't quite have the full set (that would be Scott who's not done his bit---he's too busy writing Extras) but here are his interviews with the other Norton nominees:
Maureen Johnson who's nominated for Devilish
me for Magic or Madness
Susan Beth Pfeffer for Life as we knew it
Megan Whalen Turner for King of Attolia
Pending: Scott Westerfeld for Touching Darkness and Peeps
I finally took a break from inhaling manga to inhale Susan Beth Pfeffer's Life as we knew it. Wow. I'll admit I'm fond of post-apocalypse books to start with, but this is a decidely superior example. I read it in one sitting. Could not put it down. Go forth and read! My only complaint: ...
Posted by Justine at 12:20, March 27th, 2007 under Magic or Madness trilogy, Manga, New York City/USA, Praising, Reading, Scott's books, Sydney/Australia, Vainglory, Young Adult literature |
All my friends are zombies:
Posted by Justine at 13:13, March 26th, 2007 under Sydney/Australia, Zombies |
This morning at brunch we were subjected to dread awful music played too loudly. ((How loudly? It was audible. That was too loud.)) A whole CD's worth.
"What is this crap?" I asked. "I've never heard it before. I hope never to hear it again."
Scott looked at me like I was deranged. "You've never heard this before?"
I affirmed that I had not and was grateful that was the case. He continued to doubt me, asserting that the band had been huge in the eighties, and unless I grew up under a rock I could not have avoided hearing them.
"What band is it?" I asked. Scott looked blank and waved his hands around. "You know, one of those one-word bands ...
Posted by Justine at 13:46, March 25th, 2007 under Listening, Mangosteens, New York City/USA, Sydney/Australia |
I just received a lovely letter from a fan saying they'd just finished reading Magic's Child (that was quick!) loved it and now want to know what to read next. They want something that will give them the same "glowy" feeling. *Blush*
Now because I wrote the trilogy I feel really weird saying what books I think are similar. Might make it look like I'm writing tickets on myself and my trilogy. So can you help out my fan? What books would you recommend as a follow up to my trilogy? Preferably books that are readily available.
Thanks!
Posted by Justine at 8:58, March 24th, 2007 under Magic or Madness trilogy, Reading, Young Adult literature |
This comes from Jennifer Laughran at Books Inc in San Franciso who reports:
It's on the register! And we've already sold two in the five mins its been out of the box!!!!!!!!
Woo hoo!!!!
Now since Jennifer works at a book shop I thinks it's only fair that I keep the prize open. So if you don't work in a book shop and you're the first to send me a piccie of my book out in the wild there's a signed Magic's Child and matching book marks just for you.
But you'll still get your prize, Jennifer. You were first first.
Posted by Justine at 16:18, March 23rd, 2007 under Fans & readers, Magic or Madness trilogy |
Shashi Tharoor has written a
wry op ed piece for the New York Times on the World Cup and how Americans are oblivious to what is preoccupying a billion plus folks at the moment. It ends thus:
In any event, nothing about cricket seems suited to the American national character: its rich complexity, the infinite possibilities that could occur with each delivery of the ball, the dozen different ways of getting out, are all patterned for a society of endless forms and varieties, not of a homogenized McWorld. They are rather like Indian classical music, in which the basic laws are laid down but the performer then improvises gloriously, unshackled by anything so mundane as a written score.
Cricket ...
Posted by Justine at 9:20, March 23rd, 2007 under Cricket, Magic or Madness trilogy, New York City/USA, Sport, State of the World, Sydney/Australia |
Posted by Justine at 0:16, March 23rd, 2007 under Magic or Madness trilogy, Writing goals & milestones |
For the next month, there's an ad for Magic's Child up on
Locus online. Tis my very first one and I'm dead excited. Ordinarily, I can't stand ads but somehow it's different when it's an ad for one of my books. That makes me want to pat it and sing it songs. Lovely, lovely ad. Designed by the fabulous Courtney Wood who also made those beautiful screensavers which you can now download from the links in the sidebar.
There is now a cover for the Science Fiction Book Club's 3-in-1 version of my trilogy. It's called The Magic or of Reason.
In other vainglorious news, the
Hathor Legacy likes Daughters of Earth, describing it as ...
Posted by Justine at 11:35, March 22nd, 2007 under Bloggery, Cricket, Daughters of Earth, Magic or Madness trilogy, New York City/USA, Praising, Sport, Vainglory |
So, as mentioned I've been reading of the manga and the graphic novels and there has been much joy and bliss and wonder. As usual I don't mention those what I've read and not enjoyed.
Buddha by Osamu Tezuka (Vol. 1)
Fabulous. I don't have words for how much I loved it. Especially as I put off reading this one for almost a year. And I put it off for the lamest reason imaginable. See, back in the dark ages when I was in primary school one of my scripture teachers gave us all these Jesus comic books to read. They told the story of Jesus, and, well, there is no gentle way to put this: they sucked. The art ...
Posted by Justine at 21:04, March 21st, 2007 under Manga, Praising, Reading, Whingeing |
I was hanging out with a fabulous group of young adult writers t'other night and we got into a silly debate about the following question:
If you could only choose one which would you choose:
the publishing house with a wonderful editor who brings out the best in you, or
the house with fabulous publicity, marketing and sales departments?
A surprising number of authors plumped for publicity because they have a brilliant group of first readers who can critique their books so that even without a great editor they'd still be getting a kind of editing.
There were lots of attempts to cheat, like, "Can I have a pretty good editor and pretty good publicity?"
No! This is a hypothetical. You have to pick one!
A few ...
Posted by Justine at 7:43, March 21st, 2007 under Frippery, Publishing business |
If you're around the fair city of New York in the Manhattan vicinity on Saturday, you might consider wending your way to the fabulous Books of Wonder children's book shop where me and some other writers for teens will be talking about our stuff. We will even sign books for those who desire it:
Saturday, 24 March 2007, Noon to 2PM
Great Teen Reads
Lisa Barnham, Olivia Birdsall, Celeste Conway,
Justine Larbalestier,
Lauren Myracle and
Margo Rabb
Books of Wonder
18 W. 18th St
New York, NY
I met Olivia Birdsall last night (thanks for putting us in touch, Kelly!) and I can vouch that she is decidely witty. I have never met Lauren Myracle but her wit is legendary and New York Times ...
Posted by Justine at 13:12, March 20th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Magic or Madness trilogy, New York City/USA |
Posted by Justine at 23:43, March 19th, 2007 under Sydney/Australia |
Enough of you have been asking me what accents I think are sexy that I figured I'd best respond. My answer:
None.
There is no accent in the world that's intrinsically sexy.
When I was little I thought Southern USian accents were sexy. Then I met more people from down there, travelled to Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Louisiana and heard many decidely unsexy voiced Southerners. Turned out I just thought Elvis' voice is sexy. Which it is. But his accent is neither here nor there. He'd've had a sexy voice no matter where he lived.
Same for Clive Owen, Denzel Washington, Charlotte Rampling,
John Clarke, ((
And a few more because I love Messers Clarke & Dawe ...
Posted by Justine at 11:48, March 19th, 2007 under New York City/USA, State of the World, Sydney/Australia |
Posted by Justine at 11:26, March 18th, 2007 under New York City/USA, State of the World |
Every
world cup it seems
there's a debate about whether allowing in the so-called minnows of the game is a
good idea or
not. Because every world cup there are 200-plus run victories as Bermuda or Scotland or whoever are bowled out for less than a hundred by Australia or India or whoever.
It's happened again this year. Herschelle Gibbs even smashed a
world record 36 off an over against the Netherlands. For those whose maths is as poor as mine that's a six off every single ball. No one had ever it done it internationally before, not in ODIs and not in test cricket.
The argument
against the inclusion of minnows is that they help ...
Posted by Justine at 18:05, March 17th, 2007 under Cricket, Sport, State of the World |
Remember
way back when I asked you to help me to decide what to write next? You all told me the fairy book, which I dutifully wrote, but now I'm feeling all indecisive again. Can you help me out?
Here are the options:
The great Australian feminist monkey knife-fighting cricket Elvis mangosteen fairy novel . This one is written.
The compulsive liar book narrated by a---you guessed it---compulsive liar. Downside: will involve lots of outlining. I hates outlining. Plus it's going to be so hard! Upside: whenever I mention this one folks get very excited.
The beginnings of cricket historical romance. Downside: lots of research and all my cricket history books are in storage in Sydney. Upside: yumminess. I am besotted ...
Posted by Justine at 8:07, March 16th, 2007 under Liar, Manga, Research, Writing goals & milestones |
If you were to ask I would tell you that I am not a fan of leggings. I think they look pretty revolting under skirts, capris, long jumpers (that's sweaters to you Usians) or whatever you choose to pair them with. They're ugly and enhance nothing.
Of course, I'd change my tune in a heartbeat if by leggings you meant these incredible Balenciaga robot-leg creations. Leggings like these I can embrace. Or, you know, wear. Is that totally
Metropolis or what?
Unfortunately, the fabulous
Lauren McLaughlin who told me about these beauties says they cost about the same as a house, or at least, a very expensive car. Le sigh. Have to wait for the cheaper knock offs ...
Posted by Justine at 18:42, March 15th, 2007 under Fashion, Praising |
What is it with you people?
I tell you what an abomination in the sight of the Lord unicorns are and how much I love love love zombies and what do you do? You send me an endless stream of unicorn-related stuff. Gah!
Quit it already! No more!
Now zombie related links I'm all for. Fire away. Share your zombie love with me.
But the next person to so much as type or say the u-word anywhere near me? Well, that's a paddlin'.
I hope I have made myself clear.
Posted by Justine at 22:35, March 14th, 2007 under Ranting, Unicorns, Zombies |
Reason Cansino, the protag of my Magic or Madness trilogy, is somewhat of a mathematical prodigy, but she pales in comparison to
Terence Tao:
By age two, he had learned to read. At 9, he attended college math classes. At 20, he finished his Ph.D.
Now 31, he has grown from prodigy to one of the world's top mathematicians.
. . .
"I always liked numbers," he said.
A 2-year-old Terry Tao used toy blocks to show older children how to count. He was aquick with language and used the blocks to spell words like "dog" and "cat."
. . .
At age 5, he was enrolled in a public school, and his parents, adminstrators and teachers set up an individualized program for him. He ...
Posted by Justine at 15:41, March 13th, 2007 under Magic or Madness trilogy, Science, State of the World, Sydney/Australia |
Now available for your delectation: gorgeous
Magic's Child screensavers complete with animated butterflies. I just tested it and it made me squeal with happiness. It comes in mac and pc flavours. Happy sigh. Thank you, Courtney Wood, for all your hard work!
What better way to celebrate the final book in the Magic or Madness trilogy's arrival (just eleven more days) then to have pretty butterflies flutter across your computer screen?
And now I will return to my manga binge. I gave myself a much deserved (truly!) holiday: I went out and gathered up armloads of delicious manga and now I'm reading it. Why, oh why, did I only get the first four volumes of Monster?! What was I thinking? Everyone ...
Posted by Justine at 17:43, March 12th, 2007 under Magic or Madness trilogy, Manga, Praising, Reading, Vainglory |
Further to
Maureen's wittiness on the topic, I thought I'd add some (sadly) serious thoughts.
First, I've heard from pretty much everyone that reviews by punters on Amazon have zero effect on book sales. Let me repeat that for the amazon-review obsessed writers: Amazon reviews have zero effect on book sales. We writers are tieing ourselves in knots over nothing. Do not worry your pretty little head about your amazon reviews---it will not hurt your sales or your career---just your feelings. ((No laughing matter, of course. I believe I've mentioned the horrible condition that most writers suffer from:
thin-skinitis.))
Update: I was referring to nasty Amazon reviews having no effect. Should have made that clearer. Also I have since heard ...
Posted by Justine at 22:18, March 11th, 2007 under Bloggery, Reading, State of the World |
Posted by Justine at 15:39, March 10th, 2007 under Bloggery, How To Ditch Your Fairy, Praising, Whingeing, Writing life |
Posted by Justine at 9:17, March 9th, 2007 under Fans & readers, How To Ditch Your Fairy, Magic or Madness trilogy, Praising, Scott's books, Vainglory, Young Adult literature |
The
reading last night was lovely. I'm now convinced that around five minutes is the perfect length for a reading. I have a shockingly short attention span, but for five minutes long even I can stay focussed.
Of course now I have a whole stack of books I have to pick up to find out what happens next. Everyone was so funny and sweet and excellent. I do so love being read to. Much better than doing the reading . . .
Three years ago I talked about my very first readings and how not fun they were. I've read many many many times since then. I no longer experience blind terror, at this stage the terror has ...
Posted by Justine at 15:13, March 8th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Reading |
Posted by Justine at 9:47, March 7th, 2007 under Bloggery, Writing life |
Posted by Justine at 9:56, March 6th, 2007 under Best of Blog, Bloggery, New York City/USA, Publishing business, State of the World, Writing life |
Posted by Justine at 9:52, March 5th, 2007 under Bloggery, Whingeing, Writing life |
Next week there are three readings in Manhattan that you all need to get to:
Tuesday, 6 March, 7PM (Doors open 6:30 PM)
Andrea Kail and
Lauren McLaughlin
will be reading as part of
The New York Review of Science Fiction Readings
Admission is free but if you want to support the series a $5 donation would be lovely
South Street Seaport Museum's Melville Gallery
213 Water Street (near Beekman)
I don't know Andrea Kail's work but she shares a background in film and TV with Lauren and sounds most interesting indeed. Lauren's work I do know. She's awesome and her book Cycler is hilarious. It's about a girl who turns into a boy once a month. It comes out from Random House in ...
Posted by Justine at 14:31, March 4th, 2007 under Bloggery, Cons & Other Gatherings, New York City/USA, Reading |
Posted by Justine at 20:54, March 3rd, 2007 under Listening, Reading |
Scrotumgate and the never-ending debate about what words are appropriate for what age groups made me realise something very important: You USians talk funny!
See, in Australia where I grew up the words that some people think you should never say and others use all the time are called "swear words" and the act of using them is "swearing". Here in the United States of America they are "curse" or even odder "cuss" words and when you say them you are "cursing" or "cussing".
Both of which sound unbelievably quaint as well as kind of cute to my ears. It's as if I've been chatting with folks who appear to be from the twenty-first century and then---Bam!---all of a ...
Posted by Justine at 0:03, March 2nd, 2007 under Words & Language |
Posted by Justine at 0:05, March 1st, 2007 under Ranting, Reading |
