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This is old news to many of you but I just found out that Scott and me are finalists for the Young Adult section of the
Locus Awards. And the woo hoos ring out across the Larbfeld world!
YOUNG ADULT BOOK
Extras, Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse; Simon & Schuster UK)
The H-Bomb Girl, Stephen Baxter (Faber & Faber)
Magic's Child, Justine Larbalestier (Penguin Razorbill)
Powers, Ursula K. Le Guin (Harcourt; Gollancz)
Un Lun Dun, China Miéville (Ballantine Del Rey; Macmillan UK)
Quite the strong list, eh? Being on a shortlist with Ursula Le Guin makes me feel faint. Let me fan myself a moment. ...
Posted by Justine at 16:01, April 28th, 2008 under Magic or Madness trilogy, Vainglory |
Thanks to everyone for
all the photos. You are all the bestest and most wondrous people EVER! As Jeff Fenech would say, "I love youse all!"
It was kind of weird to see how many photos there are of me and Scott I never knew existed. Eerie even . . .
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly apologise to my sister,
Niki Bern, as well as my good friend,
Cat Sparks. I'm sorry I'm always so recalcitrant about having my photo taken. You were both right that some day I would be happy you both insist on documenting everything.
That said, I now no longer need to have my photo taken ever again. Hallelujah! I shall keep ...
Posted by Justine at 0:01, January 31st, 2008 under New York City/USA, Praising, Sydney/Australia, Travelling, Viewing |
Next weekend Scott Westerfeld and yours truly will be guests of honour at the
2008 High Voltage ConFusion science fiction convention. It's our very first time being guests of honour and we are stoked. TOTALLY stoked. In fact I'm so very stoked I'm thinking of celebrating with the purchase of a new dress. Surely, being guest of honour requires new clothes, right? I gotta look pretty, don't I? If you have an opinion on this Very Important Matter please to express it in the poll to your right.
I'm thinking this one, though with black gloves not white:
Vivienne Westwood's Watteau ball gown
Here's Scott and mine's schedule. Because we are joint guests of honour we are doing everything together:
FRIDAY 18 ...
Posted by Justine at 12:26, January 11th, 2008 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Fashion, Travelling |
Posted by Justine at 11:45, December 9th, 2007 under Unicorns, Vainglory, Writing life, Young Adult literature, Zombies |
Posted by Justine at 12:12, December 8th, 2007 under How To Ditch Your Fairy, New York City/USA, Scott's books, Writing life, Zombies |
Scott Westerfeld and
David Levithan at the
National Book Awards looking way too pleased with themselves!
Posted by Justine at 0:04, November 18th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Young Adult literature |
Posted by Justine at 13:58, October 25th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Fans & readers, Magic or Madness trilogy, New York City/USA, Young Adult literature |
Posted by Justine at 12:52, October 20th, 2007 under Book tour, Cons & Other Gatherings, New York City/USA, Praising, Scott's books, Travelling |
She
says my man ain't pretty:
At 44, Westerfeld isn't just another pretty face. With his cropped, sandy hair, furrowed brow and somewhat lumpy nose, he's not "pretty" at all, but he understands the calculus of beauty and fame that wields increasing power in young-adult lives.
His nose is not lumpy! I love that nose! He is too pretty! ((Okay, not "pretty" as in the pretties of his Uglies series because, you know,
ewww!))
That Ms. Goodnow better not cross my path any time soon. Grrr!
If you skip that one evil and wrong paragraph it's actually
not a bad article. I spose.
Posted by Justine at 13:18, October 19th, 2007 under New York City/USA, Scott's books |
We're two Saturdays away from an all-Aussie (+ one permanent resident) fantasy explosion: the Printz-honour genius
Margo Lanagan, editor extraordinaire
Jonathan Strahan, bestselling author of the Sabriel and Keys series
Garth Nix, not to mention Aussie-by-marriage
Scott Westerfeld, oh, yeah, and me!
Has there ever been such a line up?
No, there has not.
Saturday, 27October 27
3-5PM
Books of Wonder
18 West 18th Street
New York, NY
Stick it in your dairy. Tattoo the details on your little brother's cheek ((Okay, don't really do that. That would be wrong.). Carn out and see us!
We'll read (a little), answer all your questions (almost), and teach you how to talk Australian (maybe).
Posted by Justine at 0:01, October 19th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, New York City/USA, Sydney/Australia, Young Adult literature |
Photo taken by Scott from the window of our plane in Chicago
Posted by Justine at 19:37, October 16th, 2007 under Travelling |
Day 11 of the tour:
Tonight's appearance at Books Inc (Opera Plaza) was fabulous. Lots of rabid, smart, enthusiastic Scott fans and passionate arguments about David/Zane. For the record I like Zane better than David but prefer Shay to either one of them.
The most wonderful part of the evening for me was meeting London, who's a guy from Sacramento, who drove all the way to San Francisco (which is at least two hours!) to tell me how much he loves my books. Isn't that awesome? Also turns out he's a Sacramento Monarchs fan and has even met their big star Yolanda Griffiths. I was deeply impressed and we got to talk women's hoops which always makes me happy.
Equally happy making ...
Posted by Justine at 2:49, October 10th, 2007 under Basketball, Fan art, Fans & readers, Scott's books, Travelling |
Everything on the book tour has very short margins. The driver taking you places in traffic-laden cities has to calculate the odds of getting you to your next gig on time and allow for potential disasters so you often arrive with tonnes of dead time or with barely seconds to get up and start charming.
You have a one-day turn around on getting your clothes laundered. If you drop it off in the morning it has to be ready in the evening or you're wearing dirties to a gig. One hotel forgot to return the dry cleaning. And we stupidly didn't check till it was too late leaving Scott struggling to put a clean ensemble together. Aaargh!! (Fortunately the ...
Posted by Justine at 11:34, October 8th, 2007 under Bloggery, Book tour, Cons & Other Gatherings |
If this is Sunday it must be Oakland. What do you mean it isn't Sunday?! But this is Oakland, right?
Today has not been one of my better efforts. Let's see:
I almost broke one of Scott's toes,
Put the "signed by" sticker on several of his books upside down (worst
jacket monkey ever),
Left my bag with our passports in it behind at a restaurant and then managed not to hear the poor waiter sprinting after me and shouting with said bag in hands (but we got the bag back! yay most excellent waiter!),
Fell asleep in the middle of Scott reading me this thingie he's working on. (He is a most excellent reader. I have ...
Posted by Justine at 23:11, October 6th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Scott's books, Travelling |
At the book shop appearances Scott keeps being offered a free book as a reward for his hard work and charming-ness. We keep choosing mass market paperbacks because we're travelling and running out of spaces. Last choice: the latest Naomi Novik. (I started it last night and it rocks.)
If you were asked to choose one book from your favourite book shop what would it be?
Posted by Justine at 8:52, October 5th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Reading, Travelling |
Last night we went to
Anderson's books in Naperville, Illinois. Much fun was had. Scott explained the origins of the Uglies series and of Extras. The first is all about our society's beauty obsession; the second deals with
the fame thing. There was lots of Q & A. The questions were ridiculously smart and interesting and there didn't seem to be a single person who hadn't read at least three or four of Scott's books so he didn't have to worry too much about spoilers.
During the hours and hours that he was signing for the smart and very appreciative crowd I got to hang out with some fabulous folk who ...
Posted by Justine at 12:45, October 3rd, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Manga, New York City/USA, Praising, Reading, Scott's books, Travelling |
Internet access at last! And, sadly, I have to use it to work. While Scott is off entertaining littlies in schools all over Chicago to celebrate the official publication day of Extras I'm stuck in our hotel room slaving away. Le sigh.
The tour has been brilliant thus far. I've met many fabulous booksellers, authors, and sales reps---hey, Michelle & Anne!---and generally had a grand time. Running into
John Scalzi &
Liz Gilbert was a definite highlight. Liz is in Chicago too. Right now she's at Oprah's studios. That's right, she'll be on Oprah on Friday! Liz is one of my favourite people in the universe so if you get a chance do watch her on Friday's ...
Posted by Justine at 12:10, October 2nd, 2007 under Bloggery, Cons & Other Gatherings, Praising, Reading |
I am a jacket monkey which totally works for me as those are two of my favourite things. I love beautiful jackets and I love monkeys. What could be better than putting them together? (If I weren't pressed for time there would a picture of a monkey wearing a jacket here. You'll just have to imagine it.)
Today me and Nicola from
Nicola's books in Ann Arbor opened many many copies of Extras to the signing page for Scott to scribble all over. We were his jacket monkeys. I want a Jacket Monkey t-shirt. I've already earned it. So many copies! So many jackets! So many pages!
In other news I am regretting that I learned on an earlier trip never ...
Posted by Justine at 1:20, September 29th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Fashion, Frippery |
Not my tour but
Scott's tour for his latest book Extras. It pubs on the 2nd of October and is deeply awesome. In fact, it's my favouritest of the Uglies series. Aya is my new hero.
I'll be along at most of the
public events. If you're around come and say hello.
I plan to keep blogging everyday. You know, on account of I'm addicted. I managed it every day we were away at Dragoncon so I don't see how a little tour will stop me.
Hey, does anyone who's been on a book tour before have any survival tips? (Other than
bring lots of shoes?)
Update: I'd be delighted to sign books. I may have to skip a few of ...
Posted by Justine at 6:25, September 28th, 2007 under Bloggery, Book tour, Cons & Other Gatherings, Praising, Scott's books, Travelling |
Posted by Justine at 11:24, September 6th, 2007 under New York City/USA, Reading, Words & Language |
Because I have friends who insist on proper con reports I thought I'd talk about some DragonCon panels. Most of which were excellent and peopled by knowledgable and entertaining folks.
First I must rant:
Hey, Author People, yes, you lot, who respond to every question with deeply tedious plot descriptions of your own books and never mention anyone else's work---I have written down your names and the names of your books. And I will NEVER EVER EVER buy them or recommend them to anyone. You are boring and the death of many a potentially good panel. I am filled with hate for you and your kind.
Okay. I feel much better now. Now onto the good panels which were all part ...
Posted by Justine at 10:56, September 5th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Young Adult literature |
The worst thing about DragonCon---other than the way too many people thing---is that it's on the exact same weekend as the WNBA conference finals. I missed seeing Phoenix sweep San Antonio (woo hoo! Amy---sorry, Rebecca) and will miss all the Indiana-Detroit games (please Indiana win tonight!)
Seeing all those insanely brilliant costumes is some compensation I suppose. Riding on the train with Holly, Theo, Cassandra, Maureen and Scott ditto. Sitting around in a hotel room with them telling ghost stories also not too foul.
Which reminds me what are your favourite urban legends? Feel free to leave a link in the comments if you don't feel like telling the whole thing. So far we've done the finger nails one, the hook, the ...
Posted by Justine at 8:47, September 3rd, 2007 under Basketball, Cons & Other Gatherings, New York City/USA, Praising, Whingeing |
According to Scott these two didn't know each other---they were just grouped together by photographers:
Photo by Scott.
Posted by Justine at 19:02, September 2nd, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Viewing |
I'm not quite sure what to make of DragonCon. It's way bigger than any other con I've been to ever and, I gotta be honest, large crowds of people freak me out. And this place is nothing but huge crowds. On the other hand, the costumes are incredible.
Say hello to Mr Resident Evil 2:
Photo by Scott
Posted by Justine at 22:02, September 1st, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings |
And Theo Black is some peace keeper person from Farscape. He tried to get me to teach him an Australian accent. But, ya know, you're either born with one or you're not.
As usual Scott Westerfeld took the photo.
Posted by Justine at 1:16, September 1st, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Fashion, Frippery |
The train trip was fun. Biggest difference between travelling by air in the US of A and travelling by train is that the staff are happy and relaxed and like to talk to you. We heard all sorts of stories about train life (includuing gruesome stuff about what happens when someone throws themself under one).
Although the cabins are kind of on the squalorous side---especially compared to first class sleepers in Europe---it was fun hanging with Holly and Theo and Cassie and Maureen while kudzu covered forests zipped by. We dissected the YA publishing world, described the plots of our next five books, and planned collaborations that will never ever happen but would be amazing if they did. I could live ...
Posted by Justine at 22:01, August 30th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, New York City/USA, Praising, Viewing |
In not that many hours we---Holly Black, Theo Black, Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson and Scott and me---get on the train and head to Atlanta, Georgia for DragonCon. Is it bad that I'm more excited about the train than the con? And I'm vastly excited about the con.
I plan to blog from Atlanta but much depends on the outrageous internet charges of our hotel. I will do what I can.
My schedule of events at DragonCon can be found over on
Scott's blog.
In other news I finished the first round of editorial rewrites on The UFB today. I am knackered but really looking forward to not thinking about that book for at least a week or so. Yay!
Posted by Justine at 0:14, August 29th, 2007 under Cons & Other Gatherings, How To Ditch Your Fairy, New York City/USA |
Scott just hit his
tenth anniversary as a freelance writer. Congratulations, Mr Hardest-Working-Writer-I-Know.
He shares some cool statistics. Here's two:
in that time he's published well over one million words (gulp!),
and it took him eight years---that's right---eight years (!) before he was earning enough from writing under his own name to support himself.
Eight years is a loooong time and yet most writers don't ever earn enough to (comfortably) quit their day job. Scott has done very good indeed. I'm so proud.
Posted by Justine at 20:36, June 4th, 2006 under Praising, Publishing business, Scott's books, Writing life |
Tonight I have managed staying awake until 2:50AM. Well, that is the time at this moment. I am bedward headed, but not quite there yet. (Shelly, I am but a sliver of my former self. Apologies.)
Things I learned at WisCon today (or, er, yesterday):
Robin McKinley and Scott Westerfeld have completely different modes of writing. Scott's is more sensible, but Robin's sounds like a whole lot more fun.
Ex-friend Mely might possibly regain friend status. maybe. If Serenity is never mentioned. Ever.
Doselle is the same age as me! And Lauren.
Good wine that costs money is way better than free cheap beer, especially when drunk with the likes of Chris & Gwenda.
Elad is a darling.
Pan Morigan is amazingly talented and, on top of ...
Posted by Justine at 3:58, May 29th, 2005 under Cons & Other Gatherings, Listening |
So I just started this new blog thingie and now I'm going to the "leading feminist science fiction convention in the world" known as WisCon. I'll be away for a week and I haven't made up my mind whether to take my computer or not. I've taken it in the past and done bugger all work. Anyways I'm unlikely to blog, but you never know.
Here's my schedule for anyone else who's going:
Promoting Your Novel
Sunday, 2:30-3:45 p.m. in Senate B
John M Scalzi, James F. Minz, Justine Larbalestier, Eileen Gunn, M: Liz Gorinsky
Everyone knows that the vast majority of published novelists do not get sent on book tours or make appearances on "Oprah" and "Good Morning America." So what should the rest ...
Posted by Justine at 15:21, May 25th, 2005 under Cons & Other Gatherings |
