Guest Blog: Jennifer Alllis Provost

Join me in welcoming a new guest blogger: Jennier Allis Provost. Jennifer's novel, Copper Girl, will be released June 25, 2013. I asked her about the magic system in the novel and here's her reply.

Available June 25, 2013 from Spence City
Copper Girl by Jennifer Allis Provost

Making Magic From Scratch

My newest release, Copper Girl, focuses on Sara Corbeau, a woman who lives in a world that used to be full of magic, until it was forbidden. Then, magic rears its glorious head, and Sara’s forced to reconnect with her heritage. The farther I got into the writing process, the question became, what sort of magic did Sara reconnect with?

I knew that I wanted the magic system to be different, but, being that one can only suspend one’s disbelief so far, I didn’t want it to be too different. After all, there are certain basic principles of magic one must adhere to: it has to have some sort of cost, there has to be something (or someone) generating the power, and the power cannot be limitless. Especially the not limitless part; omnipotent protagonists do tend to be boring.

Inspiration struck in the most unlikely of places – the bathroom of a bar in Portsmouth, NH. The fixtures were a beautiful, rich copper, and I mentioned that copper was my favorite metal. A friend of mine mentioned that I should write a story about copper, and there it was: Sara’s magic would be derived from metal.

It was only a short hop from that eureka moment to my Elemental magic system, with the Elements in question being earth, air, fire, water and metal. Each Elemental would bear a mark of their respective Element somewhere on their skin. Have a peek at Copper Girl’s cover – that ain’t no tramp stamp on Sara’s back. That’s her Element, the copper that lives within her body, taking the form of a raven.

Of course, all the magic couldn’t be Element-based. Sara’s world is also populated by satyrs, mages and elves; in fact, quite early on in the story Sara meets Micah, a silver elf. There’s a definite line between the newer magic of Elementals, and the older magic of the hills, so to speak. That’s a pretty hard-core spoiler for later in the series ;)

So I ran with the idea of a copper girl and a silver elf; all Elementals pretty much stick to their own, but Sara does have a significant interaction with a water being. The sequel, Copper Ravens, will introduce both stone and fire Elementals. Sara, our copper girl, will need all the help she can get.


Jennifer Allis Provost is a native New Englander who lives in a sprawling colonial along with her beautiful and precocious twins, a dog, a parrot (maroon bellied conure, to be exact), two cats, and a wonderful husband who never forgets to buy ice cream. As a child, she read anything and everything she could get her hands on, including a set of encyclopedias, but fantasy was always her favorite. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior. 

Friend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jennallis

Follow her on Twitter: @parthalan

http://jenniferallisprovost.com/

http://jenniferallisprovost.blogspot.com/

Write that novel this summer...

Thinking of getting ahead on writing that novel this summer?

Break out the marshmallows and mosquito repellent!

NaNoWriMo, which sponsors the month of craziness in November, now has Camp NaNoWriMo for the summer. You're just in time for the July 1 session.

 "Ever dream of writing your novel in a month other than November? Risky enough to stoke the flames of your inner campfire? Willing to forge rugged new paths through the wilderness of creativity? Daring enough to step foot in a rustic cabin or pitch The Blue Tent of Whoa™? Then join The Office of Letters and Light at Camp NaNoWriMo!"

Read more at the Camp NaNoWriMo page.

Book Review: Dead Ever After (Sookie Stackhouse, #13) by Charlaine Harris

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm always surprised by the vehemence of some of the reviews I see about the Sookie Stackhouse series. To those who complain about Harris's writing style or how simple Sookie acts, read some of Harris' other series. Her other characters can be sophisticated and complicated. Sookie is an average person. She reminds us that we don't have to be the most educated, the most wealthy, the most polished to be a worthy human being. And she reminds us that we can all make mistakes in the name of love.

Some reviews of this last book in the series are angry for another reason: They're not happy who Sookie ends up with in the end. Harris is an experienced, skilled, writer, with experienced skilled editors. If she felt that was the best ending for her story, for her book, we can be sad, we can wish it were different, but we should stand by her decision to end the series the way she did.

Would I have ended the series the same way? No. But I'm still glad I read it, and I think it was concluded reasonably well. I'll miss Sookie, but I look forward to reading Harris's other works.

View all my reviews

The panel that would not die...

I forget the date that we originally scheduled the "Ghosts, Spirits, and the Aferlife" panel, or the day that we rescheduled it to. All I remember is that TWICE we were snowed out. But since I've been interested in ghosts and spirits since at least 1970, I was happy to commit to yet another reschedule. That day was today, May 18.

It was going to be tight. The panel was scheduled from 2-4, with a signing after, and then I had to rush to a graduation party for a very good friend. Still, I could do it. Just keep an eye on the time and all would be well. I'd be late for the party, but at least I'd be there.

Since my first book came out in 2003, I've developed a routine for events. I have a checklist and a packlist that I can print out and check off. My checklist includes two important tasks: Print out directions from maps.google.com and type the address into my GPS.

You might wonder why I do both. After all, the GPS should be good enough, right? That's what I thought when the computer was powering down and I realized I forgot to print out the directions. After all, I knew where I had to start the drive, and I would recognize the end part of the journey, so there was a pretty good chance I'd be okay, right? WRONG.

My first clue should have been as I left my driveway. "Proceed to route 146," it said. Well, that's fine, except that route 146 is 10-15 miles away and I don't remember going that way on previous trips to Annie's Book Stop. Okay, maybe the GPS is confused. Probably just hasn't connected to the satellites yet. I'll just get on the road, and worry about it after I'm on 290, which, I remember, is part of the route.

On 290, it's telling me to get back on Route 9. That's not right, but I can't remember which exit to take. I take one that I think must be close, figuring that my GPS will be RECALCULATING any second now, but no, as I'm nearing downtown Worcester, a highly urban area, it tells me -- and I swear this is true! -- "In 2 miles, prepare to go off-road."

I am serious. Off-road. In downtown Worcester. Can you say WTF?

Being a responsible driver, I pull off into a parking lot to call Annie's to tell them I'll be late and ask for directions. Oh, did I say that one of my instructions on my To Do list is to write the telephone number on the printed directions? (And you do remember that I don't HAVE printed directions...)

No problem. That's what 411 is for. I get the number and call Annie's. Of course, the first question I'm asked is "Where are you?"  Reasonable, right? But my stupid GPS has been directing me to take turns that don't match what I'm seeing on my GPS screen for the last half hour and I have no clue where I am! "I think I might be on Main Street, but I'm not sure."

I decide that since I have Verizon, I can download Verizon Navigator for a one-day use. I'll call back if I'm still lost.

I download Verizon Navigator. I thought it would be instantaneous, but no. I'm waiting, watching my cell phone as it says "Downloading images..." and then, at least 5 minutes later, "Downloading voices..." By now I'm late, officially late.

When it stops, I try to enter the address. No. Apparently there's been a problem with my download.

I return to my GPS, remembering that hubby had downloaded an open-source map to my GPS, using the removable memory. I pop out the chip, hoping it will default to the factory-installed map. I drive. Still no luck. I call Annie's again, describing my new location. This time it's better news: "I think you're really close. Hold on..."  She -- and I'm embarrassed to say I don't remember her name -- looks up on a map and finds where I am. She gives me directions.

After one false start (after all, I don't know where I am, so don't know which direction I should start out on), I'm on my way and arrive at Annie's.

I had almost given up and just gone home, which I might have done had I been able to find out how to do that. I'm glad I didn't,  though. It was a fantastic panel discussion, with a great audience. In the end, the Panel that Would Not Die happened. Whatever cosmic forces conspired against us lost. We were victorious!

But I will say one thing: I will definitely NOT start out for an event without a printed set of directions again :)

P.S. The party I went to after? Of course, I left the gift at home -- A gift that I had spent hours creating! Still, I got to the party and got to see wonderful people. Some times, when one thing after another goes wrong, I go into this weird acceptance mode and just go with the flow. :)

Today at 2 pm: Ghosts, Spirits, and the Afterlife

Well, it doesn't look like we'll get snowed out THIS time!

Ghosts, Spirits, and the Afterlife
Saturday
May 18, 2013
2 pm - 4 pm

A literary roundtable featuring New England members of Broad Universe

Terri Bruce, Jennifer Pelland, and Morven Westfield will share their differing approaches to writing about the subject matter as well as their knowledge of various beliefs, myths, and customs ranging from the lighthearted to the downright scary, from real-life encounters to those that are completely fictitious. The presentation will be followed by a book signing. Titles from each author will be available to purchase.

This event is free and off-street parking is right in front of the store.

Are you participating in the 2013 Broad Universe Scavenger Hunt? You can get signatures from all three authors, getting you closer to winning a gift card from the book retailer of your choice. For more details, see the description on Terri's site.

Please note that parts of this presentation are not for children.

Annie's Book Stop Of Worcester
65 James Street, Worcester MA 01603
Web site

Ghosts, Spirits, and the Afterlife - New Date

Yes, this is the panel that had to be rescheduled TWICE because of bad weather. We have our fingers crossed that there won't be any snow on the new date. Though I do remember snow once in May a long time ago, it wasn't as late as our new date, so I'm hopeful!

Ghosts, Spirits, and the Afterlife - New Date
Saturday
May 18, 2013
2 pm - 4 pm

A literary roundtable featuring New England members of Broad Universe

Terri Bruce, Jennifer Pelland, and Morven Westfield will share their differing approaches to writing about the subject matter as well as their knowledge of various beliefs, myths, and customs ranging from the lighthearted to the downright scary, from real-life encounters to those that are completely fictitious. The presentation will be followed by a book signing. Titles from each author will be available to purchase.

This event is free and off-street parking is available.

Are you participating in the 2013 Broad Universe Scavenger Hunt? You can get signatures from all three authors, getting you closer to winning a gift card from the book retailer of your choice. For more details, see the description on Terri's site.

 

Please note that parts of this presentation are not for children.

Annie's Book Stop Of Worcester
65 James Street, Worcester MA 01603
Web site

Dark Carnival of Authors, Saturday, April 13, 2013

This Saturday, April 13, 2013, stop by at Annie's Book Stop of Worcester, Massachusetts, from 11:00 AM until 9:00 PM to listen to readings, get autographs from, and chat with several authors of dark fantasy and horror.

The event will also include memories of and readings from the works of award winning horror author Rick Hautala, who passed away just last month.

Refreshments will be provided all day. The event is free. Located at 65 James Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Annie's has plenty of free parking.

Here’s the schedule from Annie's:

11:00 – Snacks, socializing

11:30 – Eric Dimbleby has been published in dozens of anthologies in the US, Canada, and Australia. In 2012, he won the “Best Speculative Fiction” award from the Maine Writer’s and Publishers Alliance, for his debut novel Please Don’t Go.  Eric’s most recent novel is entitled The Klinik.

12:00 – Jennifer Pelland has garnered two Nebula nominations, and many of her short stories were collected in Unwelcome Bodies, put out by Apex in 2008. Apex also released her debut novel, Machine, in 2012.

12:30 – Signing, socializing

01:00 – K. A. Laity is the author of the novels Lush Situation, Owl Stretching, Pelzmantel, The Mangrove Legacy, Chastity Flame and the collections Unquiet Dreams and Unikirja, as well as editor of Weird Noir and writer of other stories, plays and essays. Her stories tend to slip across genres and categories, but all display intelligence and humour.

01:30 – Jessie Olson is the author of An Ever Fixéd Mark and one of the founders of Worcester Writers Collaborative. She grew up in a small Central Massachusetts town with lots of trees and a complete lack of restraint on her imagination.

02:00 – Signing, socializing

02:30 – Errick Nunnally‘s successes include: the upcoming publication of his book, Blood For The Sun; a comic strip collection, Lost in Transition; first prize in one hamburger contest; the short story “Who Bears The Lathe?” in eFiction’s inaugural SciFi issue; the sci-fi short, “Legion,” in the anthology Doorways to Extra Time; two lovely children; and one beautiful wife.

03:00 – Rose Mambert is the editor-in-chief of Pink Narcissus Press and has published a number of short stories and poems, and co-edited various anthologies such as Elf Love, Queer Fish, and WTF?!. She is author of a rock and roll vampire novel, The Muses: The Blood Tour (2012, Damnation Books.)

03:30 – Signing, Socializing, Refresh Food

04:30 – Frank Raymond Michaels has short stories published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and Haunts, the former earning an Honorable Mention in The Year’s Finest Fantasy and Horror, Sixth Edition and the latter being made into a Sundance short film. He’s currently working on a sword and sorcery novel and more short horror fiction.

05:00 – Morven Westfield is the author of Darksome Thirst and The Old Power Returns, two vampire novels set in New England, often writes for The Witches’ Almanac, and produces the podcast “Vampires, Witches, and Geeks.”

05:30 – Signing, socializing

06:00 – Inanna Arthen began studying vampire literature and folklore in the 1960s, and since then, has become a scholar on the subject. She is also the author of the Vampires of New England series and owner of By Light Unseen Media, a small press dedicated to all that is Vampire.

06:30 – John McIlveen has written numerous stories, poems, and articles.  He is the author of Jerks and Other Tales from a Perfect Man, and his fiction has been published in Twisted Magazine, Deathrealm Magazine, Metromoms Magazine, Horror on The Installment Plan, Borderlands 5 (a.k.a. From the Borderlands), The Monster’s Corner (2011 St. Martin’s), Epitaphs (2011 Shroud), Under the Bed (2012 Sirens Call) , 21st Century Dead (2012 St. Martin’s), Suffer the Little Children (2013 Cruentus Libri), and Eulogies II (2013 Horrorworld)

07:00 – Signing, socializing

07:30 – TJ May wrote the graphic novel Catching Lucifer’s Lunch, and his short stories can be found in Shroud Magazine, Best New Werewolf Tales and his short story, “Vitamins,” was featured on Scary Scribes.

08:00 – Kristi Petersen Schoonover‘s short fiction has been featured in The Adirondack Review, Barbaric Yawp, The Illuminata, Chick Flicks, Afternoon, The Circle, Citizen Culture,  I Like Monkeys, New Witch Magazine, MudRock: Stories & Tales, Waxing & Waning, Wrong World’s multi-media anthology, I’m Going to Tell You One More Time, and many, many others. Her first novel, Bad Apple, came out in 2012, and she has published a collection of Disney-based ghost stories in Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole.

8:30 – Socialize, sign

Guest Blogger: Phoebe Wray

Once again, I'm pleased to host a guest blogger. This time it's author Phoebe Wray, member and former President of Broad Universe, who now has three books and multiple short story publications to her credit.

I asked Phoebe to participate in the "Next Big Thing" blogging meme where an author answers ten set interview questions. Here are her answers.

1. What is the working title of your next book?

Still unknown… J3 is what I’m calling it in my head, but that’s not the final one and it’s doesn’t make sense. Probably something like Jemma7729: The Legacy.  Or maybe Jemma: The Legacy…

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

Since this is a series, where the idea came from really goes back to why I wrote Jemma7729 seven years ago. It was because I was so pissed off about George Bush’s wars and waste of people and money. I sat listening the news and thought, “WHAT IF…there were a government so repressive it lumped all crimes and misdemeanors—from petty theft to murder—into one category: Inappropriate Behavior. That was the original title of the book. EDGE changed it when the published it.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

It’s science fiction. Sometimes additional categories… dystopian, futurist. The novels are set in 2241, in North America.

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Hmmmm. Hadn’t really thought of that, although I do have ideas about Jemma7729 as a SciFi Channel movie. A younger Paget Brewster type would be terrific as Jemma. At the time I wrote it, and I thought about Angelina Jolie. And, as I am still totally in love with Stargate SG-1 (I want to go through that gate SO much)… I always saw Teryl Rothery,  who played Dr Fraser, as Annie.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Unfair question!  I’ll quote what Louise Marley said… “Brave New World meets The Handmaid's Tale, with some serious ass-kicking along the way.”

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

J2 is published by Dark Quest Books.  EDGE Science Fiction & Fantasy published Jemma7729 but did not want to do a sequel. Dark Quest is publishing it as an ebook.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I developed it from a long short story to the first novel draft in about a year.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I guess what Louise said, above. Actually, I had not read very many SF books by women when I wrote it. Have since, though.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The idea. I’m interested in how we govern ourselves; how we make laws and what we consider putting bars around.

10. What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

J2 is a clone. She’s like Jemma, but not really. She has no life experience, outside of the lab. Plus, she is aged artificially. The scientist who made her was investigating longevity in clones. I wanted to think about how we learn things, what can be taught, what’s in our genes… Her brain is “enhanced” with microchips. She can’t control that. She HAS to keep learning. It’s a minor but important theme in J2 and comes back to bite her in the third book.

Review: The Stephen King Library Desk Calendar 2013

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Stephen King Library Desk Calendar 2013

Published by Bookspan, 2012
Art Director: Tricia A. McGoey
Designed by Joseph Zwielich
128 pages, spiral bound

You'd think that with all the electronic calendars, To Do lists, and other personal management software that there is no need for a physical desk calendar. That's exactly what I thought when I opened the gorgeous Stephen King 2013 Desk Calendar.

But then I got busy, and no matter how many lists and reminders I had electronically, at the end of the day, I knew what I had to do above all else and needed somewhere to write that down, somewhere where I wouldn't be distracted by lower-priority items. And that, dear friends, is where a physical desk calendar comes in handy.

But even if your schedule isn't as crazy as mine, you might appreciate the calendar just for the beauty of it. In rich dark greens and orange, the prismatic cover catches and compels you. The thick spiral binding says, “Use me. I won’t break” – and I don’t think it will.

Or, if not for the beauty, how about the interesting tidbits? For example, January 2 is the date that Stephen and Tabitha were married. Oddly enough, it's the wedding anniversary of two couples from his books: Annie Wilkes and Ralph Dugan (from Misery) and Lois Chase and Ralph Roberts (from Insomnia).

Articles and excerpts decorate each folio, making for interesting reading throughout the week.
Definitely an item of beauty and purpose for any Stephen King fan.

Available from the Stephen King Library.

Another Interview Podcast: Gordon Linzner

In this episode, I interview writer Gordon Linzner, who currently lives in New York, where he sometimes functions as a tour guide.

For many years the editor and publisher of Space and Time magazine, he also found the time to write short stories and four novels: The Spy Who Drank Blood (1984), The Oni (1986), The Troupe (1988), and The Hounds of Hell (2008, with Ron Fortier).

You can listen to the podcast directly at www.vampireswitchesandgeeks.com or download it from iTunes.

This episode concludes the series of short interviews conducted at Necon 2012, where I asked established writers about their vampire fiction. Many of them had written vampire fiction that I hadn't heard about because I was busy with work, night school, or life at the time of publication.

Previous interviewees in this series are writer F. Paul Wilson, who has been writing bestsellers for over thirty years; Heather Graham, guest of honor, New York Times bestselling author of over 150 novels and novellas; Jeff Strand, also guest of honor, who exquisitely mixes comedy and terror, Hal Bodner, witty writer and bon vivant; and Scott Goudsward.

Broad Universe 2013 Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunt! The New England chapter of Broad Universe is conducting a scavenger hunt. Print out a brochure, then get it signed by the authors pictured there, and you could win $100 worth of books.

Author Terri Bruce describes the hunt and provides a link to the brochure on her web site:

2013 Broad Universe Scavenger Hunt

How do you play?
1. Obtain the Scavenger Hunt brochure (you can download and print a copy here or you can get a copy at any event attended by one of the participating authors)
2. Between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013 obtain as many signatures as you can by attending author events featuring the participating authors
3. Be entered into the raffle once for each completed form - enter as many times as you like (the catch is that each author can only sign one form per person per event)
4. Full details are on the back of the Scavenger Hunt brochure

Read More: http://terribruce.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=272:2013-broad-universe-scavenger-hunt&catid=58:contests-and-giveaways&Itemid=116#ixzz2NiCCCjXj

Celebrating Women Genre Authors in the Classroom

Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester is holding a celebration of teachers the second week in March, 2013. On Saturday, March 16, members of the New England Chapter of Broad Universe, a non-profit, international, educational organization of men and women dedicated to honoring, celebrating, and promoting women’s contributions to the literature of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and other speculative fiction, will discuss celebrating women genre authors in the classroom.

This event is free and off-street parking is available.

Join Trisha Wooldridge, Rachel Kenley, Phoebe Wray, and Inanna Arthen for the discussion:

Saturday, March 16, 2013
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Annie's Book Stop Of Worcester
65 James Street
Worcester MA 01603

For directions: www.anniesbooksworcester.com/ or call 508-796-5613

Celtic Mythology and Its Influence on Fiction

Looking for a different way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year? How about attending a panel discussion where two New England authors discuss Celtic mythology and its influence on fiction.

"If you like stories featuring Druids, fairies, banshees, leprechauns, pookas, or silkies, then you won't want to miss this one!" says author Terri Bruce, who has always been fascinated with the origins of myths and legends, especially those featuring the afterlife or King Arthur. Her Paranormal/Contemporary Fantasy series, Afterlife, draws heavily on Celtic burial and afterlife beliefs and features pookas, hobs/brownies, banshees, and various other folklore creatures.

She'll be joined by author Helen Collins, who has a long-standing love of myth and legends, which she has formally studied. Helen has been on archeological trips through remote regions of Ireland and is the author of several science fiction novels, including Mutagenesis and Neurogenesis.

This event is free. Join them Saturday, March 16, from 1-3 pm at 

Books and Boos
514 Westchester Road
Colchester, CT 06415

(Note that the driveway is on Loomis Road.)

See their website for more information.

Ghosts, Spirits, and the Afterlife - Curses, foiled again!

Once again, an impending storm has interfered with our plans for a fantastic panel at Annie's Book Stop in Worcester scheduled for February 23, from 4-7 pm.

From the Annie's Book Stop in Worcester Facebook page comes this announcement:

"Due to weather concerns of snow, sleet and ice on Saturday the 23rd, taking into consideration the distance that some of our speakers would have to travel, we regretfully are cancelling our "Four Ghost Story Authors" roundtable event. We plan to reschedule this at a later date, hopefully when we are not competing with winter's rage."

Stay tuned for the rescheduling of The Event that Winter Tried to Stop! (Hey, three time's the charm, right?) Watch the Annie's Book Stop web page and Facebook page for details.

By the way, the bookstore WILL be open. The decision to cancel was based on the fact that some of the authors and attendees might be traveling from areas that will get the storm earlier than Worcester.

Another Interview Podcast: Scott Goudsward

In this episode I interview writer Scott Goudsward.

Scott's love of vampires began at an early age watching Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing on Creature Double Feature on Saturday afternoons. 

Scott always said he was going to write the massive vampire epic novel.  Trailer Trash was not it.  His first published story, also called “Trailer Trash,” appeared in the anthology The Darkest Thirst.  The novel was based on that story. 

Since then he has penned the screenplay for the short film “Granite Voice” and co-written two non-fiction books with his brother, David (Shadows Over New England and Shadows Over Florida). 

Currently he’s co-editing two anthologies for Chaosium with Rachel Kenley, Once Upon an Apocalypse, volume 1 and 2.  Scott's short fiction has most recently appeared in the Stoker Award-nominated anthology Epitaphs, and the forthcoming Carnival of the Damned and Atomic Age Cthulhu.

You can listen to the podcast directly at www.vampireswitchesandgeeks.com or download it from iTunes.

This series of short interviews are the result of me asking established writers about their vampire fiction. Many of them had written vampire fiction that I hadn't heard about because I was busy with work, night school, or life at the time of publication.

Previous interviewees in this series are writer F. Paul Wilson, who has been writing bestsellers for over thirty years; Heather Graham, guest of honor, New York Times bestselling author of over 150 novels and novellas; Jeff Strand, also guest of honor, who exquisitely mixes comedy and terror, and Hal Bodner, witty writer and bon vivant.

The next interview should be the one with writer Gordon Linzner, editor emeritus of Space and Time magazine.