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This weekend I’ll be a Guest of Honour at WisCon in Madison Wisconsin. WisCon is the longest running feminist science fiction convention in the USA.
I used to be a regular attendee and always had an amazing time. This will be my first time back in ten years. Pretty cool to return as a Guest of Honour, eh? I’m thrilled. Disbelieving, but thrilled, and in such company: Nalo Hopkinson is one of the finest writers of science fiction and fantasy ever. Sofia Samatar is an astonishing new voice. Her debut novel was rapturously received.
In addition to my convention schedule I’ll be doing one event open to the public:
Thursday, May 26, 2016 – 5:00pm to 6:45pm WisCon Guest of Honour Reception and Reading
A Room Of One’s Own
315 W. Gorham Street,
Madison, Wisconsin
Nalo Hopkinson, Justine Larbalestier, Sofia Samatar
As well as my Guest of Honour duties of speechifying etc. I’ll be on the following panels:
Fri, 9:00–10:15 pm Genre Blending
Whether it’s a steampunk fairytale or an end of the world love story between science and magic or a Hong Kong-style revenge space opera, stories are spilling over the edges of genre. When is it done well? What is left to explore?
M: Rebecca Holden. Alex Jennings, Justine Larbalestier, Loren Rhoads, Kristine Smith, Brooke Wonders
Sat, 10:00–11:15 am AMA with GOHs
Have a question for Guests of Honor Sofia Samatar, Justine Larbalestier, or Nalo Hopkinson about writing craft, writing life, or their fiction? Come to this Ask Me Anything session with your questions!
M: K. Tempest Bradford. Nalo Hopkinson, Justine Larbalestier, Sofia Samatar
Sat, 1:00–2:15 pm #KeepYAKind and Other Nice Tools of the Oppressor
There is always a point in the midst of heated Internet discussions where someone lifts their voice to make a call for Kindness, Niceness, Civility, or any other adjacent concept. These calls often go up when the issue at hand concerns an individual with privilege being called out by folks with significantly less privilege or cultural power. And Kind, Nice, and Civil become synonyms for Keep Your Mouth Shut. When this happens again, what tools can we use to dismantle this toxic dynamic and get back to the core matter? Are there secret code words we can deploy to neutralize the terms?
M: K. Tempest Bradford. Becky Allen, Betsy Haibel, Justine Larbalestier, Mark Oshiro
Sat, 2:30–3:45 pm Science Fiction and Social Change
Many people believe science fiction/fantasy is escape from reality into made up worlds. But all sci fi is based and rooted in this world’s problems and issues, and will reflect those back. Often times mainstream science fiction reflects back visions of the future or alternative realities that reinforce systems of power. But throughout history science fiction has been used as a means of envisioning progressive new worlds, and has also been used by those organizing to transform power dynamics and create a more fair and equitable today, rooted in the experiences of those who have been marginalized and silenced historically. Come hear a panel of presenters discuss the ways science fiction is being used on the ground to create social change.
M: Jacquelyn Gill. Carlie Forsythe, Justine Larbalestier, Fred Schepartz, Sheree Renée Thomas
Sun, 10:00–11:15 am Women Can Be Evil Too
Mikki Kendall and Justine Larbalestier discuss their research on women serial killers and psychopaths long thought to not exist.
M: Tanya D.. Mikki Kendall, Justine Larbalestier
Sun, 1:00–2:15 pm GOH Kaeseklatsch: Justine Larbalestier
Come hang out with Guest of Honour Justine Larbalestier and talk about whatever comes to mind! In honour of Wisconsin, we will sample cheeses. Note: Since this is in a parlor room, it may get crowded and attendance may be limited. Sign up at the Registration desk to reserve a seat.
Sun, 2:30–3:45 pm Women Writing SFF, All Around The World!
A reading recommendation panel! What books would be of interest to WisCon members? Whether Anglophone, in translation, or in different languages, from Indigenous to diaspora works, let’s share SFF we’ve read recently that encourages USian WisCon members to step out of our cultural bubbles.
M: Jaymee Goh. Jackie Hatton, Arrate Hidalgo, Emily Jiang, Justine Larbalestier
Sunday 4:00-5:15 PM How Not To Think About Women Characters
Debbie Notkin, Becky Allen, Megan Arkenberg, Claire Humphrey, Justine Larbalestier
“She’s such a Mary Sue.” “She’s only there to serve the story of a male character.” “Her characterization is so inconsistent” or “She’s too flat to be interesting.” As consumers of media;even feminist consumers;we have a whole language at our disposal when we need to justify disinterest or dislike towards a woman character. But as often as these idioms are accurate criticisms of a work, they can also be ways to avoid actually talking about the character AS a character. Some questions to consider: Do the ways in which we critique women characters result in a denial of their agency? Is describing women characters as “inconsistently characterized” a way to avoid seeking out their motivations? Is being a “foil” or a parallel always a subordinate role?
Quite the schedule, eh? I’m especially excited about talking evil women with Mikki Kendall. But I reckon they’ll all be fun.
If you’re going to be at WisCon I look forward to seeing/meeting you. I’ll be at the big sign out on Monday and am happy to sign whatever you want. Well, almost anything.
See you soon, Madison! I’ve missed you!
0 Comments on Me in Madison, Wisconsin as of 1/1/1900
Today’s the day you can buy My Sister Rosa in Australia and New Zealand! Woo hoo! A new book by me! Out today! *dances*
I hope you enjoy this charming tale of seventeen-year-old Australian Che Taylor’s adventures in New York City looking after his precocious psychopathic sister, Rosa Klein.1 Already critics are calling it, “Heartwarming and touching.” Would you believe they called it “Adorable”? Okay, fine, no one is calling it heartwarming, touching or adorable. More like “Creepy” and “soul-destroying.” But, remember, it’s a fine line between heartwarming and soul-destroying.2
This is also release day for Kirsty Eagar’s fabulous Summer Skin, which is a sexy contemporary take on Romeo and Juliet set amongst Queensland university students. It’s funny and hot and wonderful. You are in for such a treat with this book.
We will be celebrating their release next week:
Thursday, 4 February 2016 at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm
Kirsty Eagar and me will discuss our books
and talk of Sex and Psychopaths
And answer all your questions for we love Q&A! Kinokuniya
Level 2, The Galleries,
500 George St,
Sydney, NSW
I have two events in New York in the next week and a bit. The first is in Manhattan and the other is a little bit upstate in Rhinebeck, a gorgeous town I’ve heard much about, but never visited before:
Wednesday, 6 May, 6-7:30pm
Teen Author Reading Night
Melissa Grey, Corey Ann Haydu,
Justine Larbalestier, Lance Rubin,
Melissa Walker, Tommy Wallach. Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL
Corner of 6th Ave and 10th St
New York, New York
Look at that star-studded line up! It shall be a wonderful night. I’ll be reading a very short amusing bit from Razorhurst. Yes, even a book that’s been repeatedly described as “bloody” and “blood-soaked” and just won the Aurealis award for best Australian horror novel1 has funny bits. Honest.
Sunday, 10 May, 4:00pm
Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld Hudson Valley YA Society Oblong Books
6422 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, New York, 12572
Me and the old man will talk about our latest books, what books are coming next, what it’s like living with another writer—HELL ON EARTH! heavenly—and many other things.
We’ll also be at the Romantic Times Conference in Dallas in May. Where we’ll both be reading our juvenilia to an audience that may regret attending that particular session. I found a demented Raymond Chandler pastiche from when I was around fourteen. Breathtakingly awful. You’ll laugh till you expire.
Here’s hoping I get to see some of you soon!
Adult or Young Adult, I’ll have you know. Go, Razorhurst!
0 Comments on What I’ll Be Doing In May: New York! Dallas! as of 4/30/2015 12:49:00 PM
I’ll be launching Razorhurst in Melbourne next Tuesday. Details below:
Would love to see all you gorgeous Melbournites there! Yay, Batmania!
The Sydney launch went marvellously well. Thank you, so much to everyone who attended. I was overwhelmed.
Kate Elliott and I held the June book club over on Kate’s blog. We discussed the marvellous The Street by Ann Petry. This month’s book is Patricia Highsmith’s The Taste of Salt/Carol the first lesbian bestseller in the US with [redacted because SPOILER]. We’ll be discussing it on the last Monday (US)/ Tuesday (Australia) of the month.
0 Comments on Melbourne Book Launch + BWFBC as of 7/1/2014 8:15:00 PM
My latest book, Razorhurst, is almost a reality. In just a few short weeks it will be available for purchase in both Australia and New Zealand. There will be rejoicing at, not one, but two launches. The first is in sunny Sydney:
For cutting and pasting purposes:
Thursday 26 June at 6:30PM
Launched by the fabulous Melina Marchetta Kinokuniya
Level 2, The Galleries,
500 George St,
Sydney, NSW
I’m very excited to be launching my first solely-set-in-Sydney book in my hometown of Sydney.
The second launch will be in lovely Melbourne which I ardently hope will be super cold because we’re getting no winter at all up here in Sydney and I want to wear my gorgeous (yet currently useless) winter clothes:
In non-jpg form:
Tuesday 8 July at 6:30PM
Melbourne launch of Razorhurst
By wonderful Emily Gale Readings
309 Lygon St,
Carlton, Victoria
Hope to see you all there!
0 Comments on Razorhurst Book Launches in Sydney and Melbourne as of 5/31/2014 11:17:00 PM
In early March I will be at the Adelaide Writers Week. Which is the oldest and most prestigey1 writers festival in all of Australia.
I’ve never been before. Indeed, I’ve never done any events in Adelaide unless you count going to a friend’s wedding.2
Here are my events:
SEXUAL POLITICS: JUSTINE LARBALESTIER, BRYONY LAVERY, CHIKA UNIGWE
ADELAIDE WRITERS’ WEEK – MONDAY, MARCH 4 2013
Australia/USA/Nigeria/Belgium
West Stage, 3.45pm
As the debate about what it means to be a feminist is ongoing, this session brings together three writers, all of whom identify as feminists. Justine Larbalestier is a YA and fantasy writer, playwright Bryony Lavery is the author of iconic works including Thursday, and Chika Unigwe is the author of the novel On Black Sister’s Street, about a group of African women in the sex trade.
This panel marks the first time I’ve ever been on a panel with writers for grown ups (i.e. whose audience is presumed to be primarily adults, as opposed to mine which is presumed to be mostly teens) at a literary festival. I think it’s wonderful that there’s a festival in the world that is actively breaking down boundaries between genres and writers and readers. Honestly, I was so surprised when I saw this I thought they’d made a mistake. Then I looked at the whole programme. And, lo, it’s full of such inter-genre cross over panels. Way to go, AWF, way to go!
The readership for YA fiction continues to grow and grow. Yet for young women today questions of identity, sexuality and friendship remain as problematic as ever. This session asks – how do women write for girls? Join Isobelle Carmody, author of the Obernewtyn Chronicles, Justine Larbalestier, author of Liar, and Vikki Wakefield, author of Friday Brown for a spirited conversation about women and words.
Isobelle is one of Australia’s most popular YA fantasy writers. Her fans span generations and all clutch her books to their chests like they are precious babies. She’s wonderful and funny and genuinely does not think like anyone else I have ever met. I did a panel with her at last year’s Sydney Writer’s Festival and it truly was awesome. Mostly because of Isobelle. So if you’re in Adelaide you want to see this.
I’m looking forward to meeting Vikki Wakefield. I’ve heard good things about her debut novel All I Ever Wanted. Yes, it’s true, not all Australian YA authors know each other. But we’ll fix that after a few more festival appearances.
I like that they list all the panellists’ nationalities. I was excited when I saw there was a USian on both my panels. But a little bewildered when I looked the other panellists up and discovered none of them were from the USA. I’d been looking forward to asking where they were from, and if they knew NYC or any of the other cities I know, we could compare notes. Which is when I realised that I am the USian on those panels.
Oops.
In my defense I’ve only been a US citizen for a year. It’s easy to forget.
TL;DR:3 I will be in Adelaide in early March. Come to my panels!
Yes, that’s a real word. Shut up!
Which, no, I don’t. It was a lot of fun, but. I love weddings! So much love! So many wonderful speeches about love! So many opportunities for it to all go horribly wrong! Especially at doomed weddings between those Who Should Not Marry. Someday I’m going to write a Doomed Wedding book. Though to be clear: the Adelaide wedding was not doomed. Um, I think I’m digressing.
For the old people that stands for: Too long, Didn’t Read. You’re welcome.
0 Comments on Me at the Adelaide Writers Festival as of 2/2/2013 10:58:00 PM
Tuesday, 6 April, Doors open 6:30 PM, event begins at 7:00 PM
SoHo Gallery for Digital Art 138 Sullivan Street (between Houston & Prince St.)
Admission is by a $5 donation. (If circumstances make this a hardship, let them know and they will accommodate you.)
Me and Scott will be taking part in the Read This Books for NYC Schools Day on the 10th of April. Read This collects books for people who need them, especially schools without libraries, hospitals, homeless shelters, troops overseas, etc.
The price of admission? Your donation of two or more new or gently used board books through grade 12.
The readings will be short. Just five minutes each.1 I’ll be reading a letter from the 1930s novel (the novel I’m mostly working on right now) by my favourite character, Lizzy.2 Scott may or may not be reading a sneak preview from Goliath. He says it will depend on the crowd and his jetlag.
Hope to see some of you there.
My favourite kind of reading.
Well, she’s one of my favourite characters. I kind of love them all.
1 Comments on Two NYC YA Events, last added: 3/28/2010
Tuesday, 6 April, Doors open 6:30 PM, event begins at 7:00 PM
SoHo Gallery for Digital Art 138 Sullivan Street (between Houston & Prince St.)
Admission is by a $5 donation. (If circumstances make this a hardship, let them know and they will accommodate you.)
Me and Scott will be taking part in the Read This Books for NYC Schools Day on the 10th of April. Read This collects books for people who need them, especially schools without libraries, hospitals, homeless shelters, troops overseas, etc.
The price of admission? Your donation of two or more new or gently used board books through grade 12.
The readings will be short. Just five minutes each.1 I’ll be reading a letter from the 1930s novel (the novel I’m mostly working on right now) by my favourite character, Lizzy.2 Scott may or may not be reading a sneak preview from Goliath. He says it will depend on the crowd and his jetlag.
Hope to see some of you there.
My favourite kind of reading.
Well, she’s one of my favourite characters. I kind of love them all.
One of my highlights of NCTE was doing a panel on blogging with Laurie Halse Anderson, Maureen Johnson, Barbara O’Connor and Lisa Yee. The panel was put together and moderated by Denise Anderson, who was just splendid and had done a tonne of research. I was very impressed. They’ve all now blogged about the panel. (Links to their posts are on their names.) All except for me and Maureen. As I think it’s a sign of deep failure not to blog about a panel on blogging I am now fixing my omission. I doubt Maureen will, however, because hers is not that kind of a blog.
The panel was aimed at teachers and concerned with demonstrating how they can make use of authors’ blogs in the classroom. Denise observed that many of her colleagues were unaware of authors blogs and was on a mission to open their eyes. I suspect, though, that most of the educators in the audience were well aware of blogs and that was why they were there. Certainly the questions we were asked were very knowledegable.
We authors took the opportunity to ask the teachers not to set writing to authors as an assignment. Yes, that’s right, we whinged. We explained how much time it takes for us to answer questions especially when there are forty students writing us at once. Volume is not our only issue. The students tend to write asking us questions that are already answered on our sites, revealing they have the skills to find our email addresses, but not to find the answers to their questions, which are also in plain slight.
We also mentioned that some of the letters we get from students are flat out rude:
YOU MUST ANSWER THIS EMAIL STRAIGHT AWAY. MY HOMEWORK IS DUE TOMORROW. HERE ARE MY 456 QUESTIONS.
Laurie asked the following question: “Should we continue to spend classroom time on letter writing or has the time come to teach how to compose appropriate email communication?”
Our panel gave a very emphatic yes to the second half. Teach them how to write polite emails, please! I saw many heads nodding in the audience.
Another concern we had was students leaving comments on our blog making their phone numbers or email addresses public. We made it clear that we delete such information but thought that was another thing that could be addressed in the classroom.
We were all very clear that we love hearing from our readers and try very hard to answer them all. It’s just the students demanding we do their homework that we’re reluctant to respond to. We write for a living. Our novels are our top priorities, any additional writing comes after that. Which is why most of us started blogging in the first place—to have a method of communicating directly with our readers. We all agreed that the comments are the best part of blogging. Laurie said that she feels the readers of her blog have become family.
Laurie also mentioned that if they ever have parents wanting to remove a book from the school library or prevent it being taught they should get in contact with the writer because often the writer’s been through this before and can offer support. (Oh, look: it’s happened again, this time in Kentucky. And Laurie Halse Anderson’s Twisted is one of the books.)
Hmm, we seem to have agreed about many things. The only disagreement I can think of is when we were answering a question from the audience about the relationship of our blog writing to our novel writing. I said that I found blogging much more relaxing and easy than novel writing. While I craft it, the w
For those what will be attending Book Expo America, where publishing in the US of A is showcased, and there are dancing ladybugs and bears, as well as many free Advanced Readers Copies (ARCs) of upcoming books, here’s where I will be:
Friday, 8:00AM
Me and Scott will be at the YA breakfast. (I’ll be the wide awake one.)
Friday, 6:00PM
Me and Scott will be at the ABC Not-a-Dinner and Silent Auction. This time we better not be gazumped by some last minute annoying bidding person. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
Saturday, 3:00PM
I’ll be signing free ARCs of Liar in the Autograph Area Signing Table No. 9.
Saturday later
Various cocktail parties. I’ll be the one wearing feathers and gold lame and not drinking any alcohol because YA authors don’t drink. They don’t fuss or cuss or smoke or drink or lie or cheat or step on people’s feet or dance the hoochie-koo either. Just in case you were wondering.
What do you mean those are some of the lyrics from the song “Saved”? I have no idea what you’re talking about.
*cough* *cough*
Here’s Elvis singing “Saved”. It starts at around 5:30.
This version is from the 1968 comeback special1 which, everyone remembers on account of Elvis in sexy black leather,2 but my favourite bits are the campy big production numbers such as the gospel medley. (Apologies for the less than optimal quality. *shakes fist at youtube*)
Forgot to say that YA authors don’t dance the boogie all night long either. How could I forget that one? They’re heinous those all-night boogie dancers.
Next week the denizens of blogland what care about kids and YA literature will be interviewing many amazing writers such as Sonya Hartnett and Holly Black and Ysabeau Wilce (and, um, me). Check out the full schedule of interviews. If the smart questions I was asked are any guide I reckon they’ll be corkers.
Next week is also the annual summer American Library Association conference. I sadly will not be attending. Waaah! I went to the one in New Orleans last year (or was it the year before?) and it was just incredible. I had such a wonderful time I’d even contemplate going to the midwinter ALA conference. And youse lot know how I feel about winter.
To make me feel like I’m not entirely missing out I have a question for librarians and non-librarians alike.
For the librarians: What do you love most about your job?
For non-librarians: What do you love most about librarians and libraries?
I love finding books for people. This takes two forms normally:
1. The person who doesn’t quite know the title (or author or subject or whatever) of their book, but I find it for them anyway.
2. The person who is looking for something to read, but isn’t sure what they want.
In both cases it’s a wonderful little endorphim (did I spell that right?) rush to help someone out. And these people can be patrons, colleagues, young, old, anything.
PS-I just realized that I always spend a bunch of time capitalizing and whatnot on my comments on Justin’s post and then they just get wiped out. LOL!
PJ Hoover said, on 6/15/2007 9:02:00 AM
I love
1) that librarians truly love books.
2) the memories I have of finding my favorite books at my childhood library
3) the rows and rows of shelves
4) the feeling I get when I think I’ve discovered a book no one has picked up in a century
5) the special collections sections
6) the dust (weird, I know, but it goes along with old libraries)
7) the open arms librarians seem to embrace authors with
8) seeing my kids relive all my fond memories in libraries of their own
Sarah said, on 6/15/2007 9:58:00 AM
I’m a non-librarian and I love the infinite possibility that the library represents. You could, theoretically, put your hands on ANY book. Not only that, libraries are a monument to reading. You don’t go there to socialize (unless it’s a specific event, or in a study room) which creates an atmosphere much like a cathedral, but dedicated to learning.
Ariel Cooke said, on 6/15/2007 9:59:00 AM
OK, this is going to sound totally sappy but i love being a librarian because i actually get a helper’s high from fitting the right book to the right person. i love being valued for knowing about children’s & YA books instead of being considered a case of arrested development. the library is just such a haven after everywhere else i’ve ever worked, a list that includes book & magazine publishing, documentary film production, non-profit organizations and museums. people complain about politics at the library–ha! after journalism it’s like working among the gentle herbivores! not that there isn’t competition and backstabbing but in comparison it takes place in slow motion.
justine, i will be there at ALA next week and sorry not to get a chance to meet you and have you sign my beloved copies of your books.
your many beeg fan,
Ariel
Debby Kyritz said, on 6/15/2007 10:19:00 AM
As a children’s librarian I get to do two of my favorite things- read all the new books and hang out with cool kids! How could I not love this job?
Jen Robinson said, on 6/15/2007 11:34:00 AM
I’m not a librarian. But what I love about libraries and librarians is being surrounded by other people who genuinely care about books. I’ve also found that most librarians are passionate defenders of free speech, and opponents of censorship. This makes me feel safe, like the librarians are on the job, protecting past, present, and future books.
Although I’m not a librarian, I volunteer with and am on the board for the Foundation and Friends of my local library. I participate because I think that books and libraries are important, and can use all the help they can get.
amy fiske said, on 6/15/2007 12:11:00 PM
as a teen librarian, what i love most is working with teens. they kind of have a bad reputation - especially in libraries - but i get a huge kick out of them and i really love being a part of creating programs for them and connecting them with books they like.
oh yeah, the books. love them, especially when they’re free. i don’t actually get to read at work but i do have plenty of access to books. but i could probably have that anyway - it’s the kids that are the best part.
and i get to meet authors! i’m lucky enough to work for a library district that brings authors here for visits. how cool is that? we’ll get you and scott here some day, justine! and thank you for the shout out for librarians. you’ve made some librarians smile today.
heather whipple said, on 6/15/2007 3:31:00 PM
I went to library school because I was exploring Gopher (that’s pre-web for you youngsters) just to see what I could find when it occurred to me that there was a job that might pay me to do that. I also liked the idea of being able to research any topic but not have to write a paper about it. And that’s still what I love about it: finding out stuff about anything. It’s particularly fun when you can find info someone actually wants and show them how to do it themselves. Books are great and all, but it was the internet and online searching that sucked me in.
Librarian from London, UK, here. I think the thing I love the most is visiting local nurseries and reading to the children there. The way 4-year-old kids respond to books - and there’s a wonderful variety of reactions! - always makes me smile.
jonathan said, on 6/15/2007 3:56:00 PM
As a librarian i love being immersed in and surrounded by the world of literature. Add to that the chance to help children & teens find their way into or around that world and I can’t think of any job I’d rather be doing (except maybe writing - but who wouldn’t?).
simmone said, on 6/15/2007 4:32:00 PM
gem in nftu says she loves the state library because it’s filled with the perfume of knowledge … ahhh. I grew up at the old Ringwood library - everyday after school I’d go there to do my homework until mum finished work. as a littlie i gravitated to the ’stories from other lands’ section and then when I got a bit older I’d lurk in the adult section and try read huxley and art books. i never feel uncomfortable in a library.
The Bibliophile said, on 6/15/2007 4:47:00 PM
I love walking into a room (or a building) and being surrounded by books, by shelf after shelf of books stretching up to the ceiling. What better place for this than a library? There’s just so much to read. Authors I’ve heard of and ones I haven’t. Travel books and science books and picture books and cookbooks and magazines and fiction and history…A good library as it all and has a lot of it.
I love librarians because they care for and take care of all those books, and because they seem to know how to find the answer to any question. What a fabulous skill to have! (Oh, and because a bunch of my good friends as well as several ancestors are/were librarians)
shaolin librarian said, on 6/15/2007 6:10:00 PM
I’m fond of getting first crack at stuff that comes in. I also like hanging out with other people that value literature as much as I do, and occasionally amazing people with the ability to find the answer to the question.
Sally Lou Liz said, on 6/16/2007 4:19:00 AM
I work in a library, and I’m not a librarian. I’m a library assistant. Trust me, the place would fall apart without us
I love my job. I get a great deal of satisfaction from helping people find what they are looking for, whether it is fiction, non-fiction, websites, music, whatever. And, somtimes best of all, I get to see all the new stuff! I’m an avid reader, and can’t imagine working anywhere else. I can talk books all day long!!
Gabrielle said, on 6/17/2007 8:05:00 AM
I’m not a librarian. I like how many books there are in a library. I like to see my favourite authors’ books on a special shelf. I like rearranging the shelves so that my favourite books are better placed. I like how librarians are always nice, and how they love books probably as much as I do.
I can’t wait to go to ALA! Although I’m pretty sad you and Scott (As said by Maureen Johnson, the YA royal couple) won’t be there. But I’ll meet MJ, and tons of cool authors, which is good.
jonathan said, on 6/17/2007 2:32:00 PM
Be careful about saying things like “i like rearranging the shelves” in front of us librarians
Gabrielle said, on 6/18/2007 9:13:00 PM
Hehe. Well, I don’t do it often. But like, if a random book was put back at the wrong place, and in front of a good book, I move it. I’m not very naughty.
jonathan said, on 6/19/2007 1:26:00 AM
as long as you’re moving them from the wrong place to the right place, that’s ok.
depending on the shelving layout you could choose also certain books to be on face out display shelves.
all the wonderful writers who were at Reading Matters in Melbourne (including JL) are getting prominence on my display shelves at the moment. The only problem is they keep getting borrowed and I have to find more of their books.
On our way to Adelaide way back when, I checked out the bookshop at the Qantas domestic terminal in Sydney.
Lo and behold, there were multiple copies of Magic’s Child. Woo hoo! I’ve never seen one of my books in an airport bookshop before. But even better there were books by Maureen Johnson and David Levithan and Garth Nix!!! All friends of mine.
And now looking at the photo I see there are books by Jack Heath (who I met at Reading Matters in Melbourne) and Melina Marchetta (who we house swapped with) and Sonya Hartnett (who I briefly met at Reading Matters). So not only is one of my books in an actual airport bookshop, it’s there with books by people I know and adore who are amazing writers. Woo hoo!!!
Yes, it is very sad what gets writers excited.
Update: Wow. That was quick. Someone just emailed to say they can’t tell which book is which.
Here’s a closer look:
From right to left. Sonya Hartnett’s Forest, Jack Heath’s Remote Control, and Maureen Johnson’s 13 Little Blue Envelopes. Then there’s Magic’s Child and David Levithan’s Are We There Yet?. And, last but definitely not least, Melina Marchetta’s Jellicoe Road above many Garth Nix books.
7 Comments on airport bookshop happiness (updated), last added: 6/10/2007
Is that “The Dream Merchant” I see being all long-bookish and generally taking up lots of space? I love that book!
Justine said, on 6/9/2007 7:56:00 PM
Of course I know Garth! Australia is a teeny tiny country. We all know each other.
Mary S. said, on 6/9/2007 8:06:00 PM
I didn’t have any trouble spotting them at all. I picked up on the sunset-and-clouds coloring of the spine on Magic’s Child. It’s really got a lovely, eye-catching spine.
When I have my glasses off, I can’t see lettering at all (or any other detail–the whole world is a chaos of multi-hued blur), so I’ve learned to recognize books by color.
~Mary
Gabrielle said, on 6/9/2007 9:01:00 PM
You know so many cool authors. You’re married to Scott Westerfeld, for fudge’s sake.
The Bibliophile said, on 6/10/2007 3:39:00 AM
I *love* garth’s books. Do you know Markus Zusak as well? I think it’s amazing that all of my favorite YA authors know one another.
A: Pretty much everything, but I’m plumping down on the side of blogging.
Gabrielle says, “Isn’t it amazing to talk (and debate) with other writers?”
It sure is! I’m still buzzing from the high of Reading Matters and then last night it continued as I got to spend time with some of the top writers in the universe. Including—wait for it—Jaclyn Moriarty! Me and Randa Abdel-Fattah (who wrote the gorgeous and wry Does My Head Look Big in This?) were introduced to her at the same time and in unison we burst out with, “I love your books!” And proceeded to fangirl her. I’m such a dag sometimes. At least I wasn’t alone in my worship! Talking with both Jaclyn and Randa was one of the many highlights of this trip home.
Writing is a lonely profession. You spend oodles of time on your own: thinking, pacing, procrastinating, grumbling, and (eventually) getting words on paper. You get very little feedback on those words until than a year after you’ve finished deleting and pushing them around. Sometimes it feels like the only people you talk to are your agent and your editor and your cat. No matter how lovely they all are it’s not enough.
The occasions when you get to hang out with other writers are gold. You get to talk shop, hear about other writers’ processes, their relationships with their agents and editors and cats, hear gossip about writers you haven’t met. You get the warm and wonderful feeling of not being isolated. There are people who know exactly what it’s like to live and work the way you do.
I don’t know how I would have finished Magic’s Child—the third book in my trilogy—if it hadn’t been for Scott and Libba Bray sharing their war stories as they battled the third books in their trilogies. Not being alone makes the world a more manageable place.
And that’s one of the points David Levithan was making when he called for more books to be published in Australia by and about a greater range of people. If you’re a gay or lesbian kid there’s not a lot on the bookshelves here that touches on your experiences and what there is comes from overseas like David’s Boy Meets Boy. I still remember the shock of recognition the first time I ever read a book that was set in an area of Sydney that I knew: Patricia Wrightson’s I Own the Racecourse. Finding people like you in books is even more intense and way more necessary. Being alone can be wonderful, but being isolated not so much.
Most of us need to know we have peers.
The past few days has been chockfull of meeting people like me: Writers (like Jacqueline Wilson), Australian writers (like Simmone Howell), Australian writers who live in more than one place (like Jaclyn Moriarty). I am overwhelmed with the sense of having not one, but many communities. It’s a glorious feeling.
I am on a roll. Two ‘first comments’ in a row.
Go me.
Is that (one of the reasons) why you set up your blog? So you can communicate with the outside world duing your writing confinement?
Rebecca said, on 5/28/2007 12:58:00 AM
wow, yeah. with all the talk around about people who are getting ready to go to the big upcoming conferences, i’ve been thinking wistfully of the possibility of going myself (which doesn’t currently exist for about a million reasons). i’m not completely isolated, exactly, but a lot of my contact with fellow writers (especially during the summer, when i’m away from school) comes via the internet. which is great, but not like going to a writers’ meeting, or conference, or whatever. it’s also a very sad truth that most college students aren’t interested in ya lit. :p nor are people older than that. so there is something, but not a whole lot of people who enjoy the same thing i do. and that’s probably true a lot, no matter what you read or write about.
oh! jaclyn moriarty wrote the year of secret assignments! wow. that is a book i tried to read years ago, but i was unable to. i remember sitting in the bookstore, taking up the main row in the ya section for ages reading it and then being so annoyed that i had to put it down and leave without getting it. it is so weird how every now and then, someone will mention a book on a blog, and i’ll go look for it and realize that i’d heard of it already. like realizing that someone you just met was best friends with your best friend back in elementary school or something.
The Bibliophile said, on 5/28/2007 6:47:00 AM
I heard a news piece on my local NPR station about a year ago describing a communal space for writers for exactly the reasons you describe: writing can be hard and lonely and isolating. I think it’s really neat that you and Scott and John and Libba and Maureen, etc. have set up your own little community, and that you’ve been finding others!
Gabrielle said, on 5/28/2007 11:45:00 AM
You quoted me! I feel so special haha.
I’m a teenager, but I’ve been wanting to be an *official* writer since fifth grade. And you know, discovering all these writer blogs has made me want to be one even more. So I guess that’s a good example that knowing other people who share your passion does help. I also found that reading blogs and stuff gets me more inspired to write. Which is very good. www.misssnark.com is amazing. Too bad she just retired.
I’m trying to convince my Mom to go to Washington, DC for ALA. It would be so awesome if it works! It would be the first conference I’d go (although from the site, I’m an under-16-years-old *child*. So I’m not even sure I’d be allowed to do more than the exhibits. Sigh.
mckayla said, on 5/29/2007 8:36:00 AM
thats kewl and why not throw out the old dirty clothes and go shopping and buy more??? wouldnt that be funner??? i know i always have fun when i do cause im the one who has to wash the clothes here for my dad my son and i and anyways im only 15 so shoppings what i do best always gotta look good lol…and packing…thats just hell i say pack like two outfits cause your gonna end up needin more clothes when you get there
Jack Heath said, on 6/4/2007 8:03:00 AM
Hi Justine!
It was great to meet you at Reading Matters. You’re right - hanging out with other writers is by far the most fun part of this job.
So much has happened over the past few days I don’t know where to begin and frankly I’m too knackered right now to go into any detail. The Reading Matters conference was amazing. Lili and Mike did the most incredible job bringing together writers, publishers and librarians from all over. My head is still buzzing with it all.
There were several incredible moments of the conference. The three I can’t stop thinking about are David Levithan’s call to arms to Australian publishers and librarians to do more to support and produce young adult literature about, for, and by gays and lesbians; Margo Lanagan’s fascinating thoughts about what you can and can’t write about in our genre illustrated by examples from her new novel which I CANNOT WAIT TO READ; and Jacqueline Wilson’s keynote presentation about her career and new autobiography. She and David both made me tear up.
I want to sit down and write ten new novels. Sadly what I have to do is loads and loads of laundry. Ah, the glamorous life.
Thanks so much for all the comments everyone’s been leaving here. Sorry that I’ve had no internet access or time to respond. I do read every single comment and when I’m in one place for more than ten minutes I even try to respond to them. Normal transmission should resume in the next few days. It’s been a crazy hectic few months.
PS Apparently the debate went well. It was a draw.
14 Comments on Reading Matters, last added: 5/28/2007
Wow, the Reading Matters conference sounds amazing! I wish I was there. Hear, hear David levithian!
Have fun doing the laundry.
Andrew said, on 5/27/2007 5:21:00 AM
Justine - what were you doing up at 1.49 am blogging. Surely time to go to bed. Lili and Mike did a great job, and David, Scott (and you) were terrific contributors (no, sorry, better than that - definers of the debate…)
Thanks…
A
Justine said, on 5/27/2007 6:18:00 AM
Elmo: David was amazing.
Andrew: Actually the blog’s still running on NYC time. I blogged at 3:49PM. Much more reasonable! And thanks for the props.
Lili and Mike fill me with awe. I don’t know how they do what they do.
Gabrielle said, on 5/27/2007 8:17:00 AM
Isn’t it amazing to talk (and debate) with other writers? Sadly, my godmother apparently thinks I need a feather (literally!) and a bottle o’ ink to write, because that’s what she got me for my birthday. Sigh.
Gabrielle said, on 5/27/2007 8:19:00 AM
Oh, and Justine, I just finished Magic’s Child yesterday night! I had trouble finding it and I ended up ordering it at the Barnes & Noble. Amazing. You are amazing.
Rebecca said, on 5/27/2007 11:23:00 AM
gabrielle! hi.
i heard something somewhere about a podcast of this debate. is there a podcast? or is this just a big rumor? i hope it’s not a rumor.
jonathan said, on 5/27/2007 3:02:00 PM
The podcast will go up on insideadog.com.au sometime. hopefully soon. I suspect lili might chime in with some more info
lili said, on 5/27/2007 3:46:00 PM
*chime*
it might be a week or so before the podcast happens - it all depends on when the sound guy sends me the raw file, and how much cleaning up it needs. but it will arrive! on www.insideadog.com.au, in the ‘downloads’ section.
sjh said, on 5/27/2007 6:05:00 PM
Hey Justine, it was great to talk to you at Reading Matters. The whole conference was *amazing* - I’m still kind of incoherent with the awesomeness of it all.
Hope you have a fabulous time at BEA!
Rebecca said, on 5/27/2007 7:51:00 PM
i am jealous of all the people going to book expo and ala. i hope they’re as amazing as they sound!
and thanks for the podcast info, lili and jonathan.
Gabrielle said, on 5/27/2007 8:06:00 PM
Hi, Rebecca.
I can’t wait to hear the podcast. I went to www.insideadog.com.au. I love the Marx quote. This looks like a really good site. I posted about Magic’s Child on my blog http://crazy-gabrielle.livejournal.com (plugged!–I don’t know if that’s an actual word in the sense I mean it. Ah, well.)
Justine said, on 5/27/2007 10:15:00 PM
Gabrielle: Thanks so much! I’m so pleased you liked Magic’s Child. And, yes, insideadog is a fabulous site. Me and Scott will be blogging there in July.
Jonathan & Lili: Thanks for the podcast info. Though, to be honest, I’m not sure I could stand to listen to it. I hates the sound of my own voice. Eeek!
SJH: Great to talk to you too. The whole conference was *amazing* - I’m still kind of incoherent with the awesomeness of it all.
I feel exactly the same way. I wish it had gone on for several more days. But maybe we would have died from being so over stimulated. That or exhaustion!
Rebecca: I wish I was going to ALA too. I had a fabbie time there last year.
Rebecca said, on 5/27/2007 11:59:00 PM
i’m so hooked on book conferences now. from february through april i met more writers and librarians than i had in my entire life. *sigh* for a brief time, i was surrounded by people who understood me…. lol
“insideadog is a fabulous site. Me and Scott will be blogging there in July.”
yay!! that’s awesome. i just started exploring that site today b/c of jonathan’s and lili’s linking it. it looks so cool.
jnw said, on 5/28/2007 12:59:00 AM
hanging out with the ya community at reading matters - moving. inspiring. wonderful. affirming. indeed glorious. and a little bit exhausto. love it.
It’s a huge comfort to know that lots of people get stage fright or suffer from glossophobia (fear of public speaking). Folks like Rebecca Gibney, Kirsty MacColl, Laurence Olivier, Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield, Barbra Streisand. I am not alone.
Not even slightly alone. It’s so common to feel vastly nervous at the prospect of standing up and speaking in front of peoples that I’m amazed by the people who don’t get freaked out. What is their secret? A complete absence of nervous system?
Tomorrow night I have to get up in front of the peoples and attempt wit, charm, and persuasiveness. Um, gulp. I’ll be debating whether girls’ books are better than boys’ books:
Boys’ team: David Levithan (USA), Jack Heath (Aust), Scot Gardner (Aust).
Cost $10/$5 concession
Wish me luck! If I don’t fall off the stage, or break the microphone, or vomit, I’ll count the evening as a success.
*Simmone replaces Meg Rosoff who was unable to do the debate.
PS Am still stuck using stupid crazy expensive hotel internet. So still behind with email etc. Especially as this current hotel is against having an smtp server that works. Grrr.
you’ve got simmone on your team - you’ll win for sure. good luck! the roadshow theatrette is a great venue.
cecil said, on 5/22/2007 11:24:00 PM
best of luck to the ladies! I know you will kick the gentlemen’s asses!
xo
tole said, on 5/22/2007 11:55:00 PM
Good luck - you’ll be excellent!
I’ll hopefully be able to be there to cheer for you and send you encouraging thoughts.
Elmo said, on 5/23/2007 12:07:00 AM
The secret is getting up there and turning the fight or flight adrenaline into public speaking adrenaline. And wearing clothes that help to conceal the shaking of the leg!
You’ll be fine.
What actually constitutes as a boy’s book/girl’s book anyway..?
lili said, on 5/23/2007 2:01:00 AM
oh, and you will be fantastic.
lili said, on 5/23/2007 2:01:00 AM
I’ll just politely add that the event is COMPLETELY BOOKED OUT. if you want to come along in case of a no-show, feel free, though. but no guarantees.
(my secret to public speaking is: be an only child. people paying attention to me! hurrah! look at me!)
Justine said, on 5/23/2007 5:27:00 AM
Thanks everyone!
Lili: Sold out!? That means there’ll be an actual audience! Nooooooo!!!
Steve Buchheit said, on 5/23/2007 5:55:00 AM
Wow, I didn’t know books had gender? I mean, in the other romance languages they have gender, mostly male, but then a glass of water has a gender inthose languages. So, how can you tell if it’s a boy book or a girl book?
Patrick Shepherd said, on 5/23/2007 7:24:00 AM
I still remember the first speech I had to give, way back in high school, some forty years ago, which is an indication of just how traumatic that experience was…
But I found that as I got older and had to do more and more of such things, it really did get easier. I still get butterflies, but they normally disappear once I start speaking, even if my audience is a bunch of CEOs and my speech is critical to persuading them towards a million dollar decision.
Besides experience, the other thing I’ve found that really helps is knowing that you really know, in depth, whatever it is you are talking about. This gives you confidence that no matter how obscure an audience question is, you can answer it. And from what I’ve seen on your blog and in your books, the subject material for this little event is something you know quite a bit about.
P.S. I’m now about halfway through Magic and Madness, and liking it quite a bit!
John Klima said, on 5/23/2007 7:31:00 AM
I’m very weird concerning the public speaking thing. I’d rather speak in front of huge crowd of people I don’t know than to speak in front of a group of people I do know. When I do speaking event things, I tell people I know to not let me know they’re going to be there.
I know that most people draw support and comfort at knowing that friends and family are there for them, I’d rather not know. That terrifies me. People I’ve never met? Not scary at all.
Chris S. said, on 5/23/2007 8:13:00 AM
Best of luck! Forget the audience: just show those boys why girls books are better!
If, you know, you feel they are.
simmone said, on 5/23/2007 8:25:00 AM
but of course the important question is - what to wear?
mckayla said, on 5/23/2007 9:39:00 AM
best of luck to you i know you’ll be great
and what to wear? something really hawt or for you maybe cute but comfortable
Dawn said, on 5/23/2007 9:58:00 AM
Good Luck, JUSTINE!! I know you can do it!
hwalk said, on 5/23/2007 1:34:00 PM
i’m weird. i’m a girl, but I think guy books are better. especially fiction.
The Bibliophile said, on 5/23/2007 2:21:00 PM
I’m curious: what will your Pro Girls’ Books arguments be? And I always worry that I’ll randomly barf in front of lots of people, though I doubt that’s very reassuring!
alternatefish said, on 5/23/2007 2:51:00 PM
Elmo, I too wonder…what is the difference between a girl’s and boy’s book? Is it simply a matter of the main character’s gender? and will boys read “girl books?” I feel like girls are more likely to read boy books than the other way round.
speaking tip: don’t imagine the audience in their underwear. I tried that once for a class presentation and had to spend a few minutes pretending to cough while attempting to not bust out laughing. there are some funny-looking people in the world, and I have a vivid imagination.
mckayla said, on 5/23/2007 4:03:00 PM
i just ahb~so~lute~lee love your last name
Dess said, on 5/23/2007 4:19:00 PM
i don’t get stage fright to the point of throwing up, but i don’t do that well with crowds. Apparently, (so i’m told by my friends) the blood rushes to my face and i turn very red and i shake. im also not very coordinated to begin with so, if i have to walk, i’ll most probably trip. it’s not that fun. but what i do is have the mentality of “im going to look stupid anyway so might as well get it over with” and it works out ok. ive never once fallen (until i was off stage of course. thats another story) my friends thoroughly enjoy your Australian glossaries and have begun calling me “rather unco”
Penni said, on 5/23/2007 5:27:00 PM
Hey good luck Justine! You’ll be fiiiine. Maybe all the tickets sold to very quiet invisible people.
See you at the cocktail party afterwards?
Ally said, on 5/23/2007 6:21:00 PM
good luck with that justine! scott really really needs to update*
TypesetJez said, on 5/23/2007 8:44:00 PM
Hello, I’m one of those freaks of nature that doesn’t get nervous in front of people at all. I just have really thick skin, that’s all, but my advice to you is this: que sera, sera which means what will be, will be. And don’t worry about what people are going to think, if they are there already they must like you for something!
Just remember how many fans you have who completely adore you and your books
Rebecca said, on 5/23/2007 10:36:00 PM
good luck! you’re braver than i am, but you’ll be awesome. kick some arse!!
girl book = pretty much anything
boy book = something a boy can carry around school and not get made fun of for. which seems to be rare. although certain people will make fun of someone who has any book at all.
Dawn said, on 5/24/2007 6:25:00 AM
Ok, Justine, I just HAD to come give you your props. As a rule, I jump from book to book, author to author. That’s just how I am. Most of the time I’m reading multiple books at once, and when I finish one book, I usually don’t hesitate to dive into the next. I’d been reading Magic or Madness and The Last Days pretty much simultaneously for the last couple of weeks. Until last night. I totally couldn’t put Magic or Madness down, then when I finished I dove straight into Magic Lessons and finished that as well last night. I’m well into Magic’s Child, but I’m at work now, so I just have to sit here and be patient until my lunch hour rolls around. Not to take away from Scott’s books (which have always had a history of keeping me glued, i.e. Midnighters and Uglies triologies…) but this series is literally AMAZING. I’m sad that it’s taken me this long to pick them up (I’ve had all three on my bookshelf, waiting to be read) and read them! You’re wonderful, Justine!!!
Andrew said, on 5/24/2007 6:56:00 AM
…and it all went swimmingly and the girls…drew with the boys…
not because they/you didn’t kick ass, but because it was a silly (read ‘great’) subject.
ps and you were a terrific team captain…
Dawn said, on 5/24/2007 7:06:00 PM
Totally just finished Magic’s Child. Did I mention that you’re amazing, Justine?
alternatefish said, on 5/24/2007 9:37:00 PM
rebecca, I like your definition. I once read somewhere that girls will read books with boys in them but boys won’t read books about girls. I think boys need to get over themselves.
Rebecca James said, on 5/25/2007 3:42:00 AM
best of luck - you must be getting used to it, no???
I HATE any kind of public speaking - go as red as a beet and end up in a state of gibbering, incoherent, embarrassing for All concerned (even the audience) panic.
Rebecca said, on 5/25/2007 8:23:00 AM
“I once read somewhere that girls will read books with boys in them but boys won’t read books about girls. I think boys need to get over themselves.”
yeah, it’s sad. it’s not always the guys’ fault though. it’s societal values or whatever you want to call it. you know, it’s not MANLY to read chick lit or romance or books with pink on the covers. a lot of boys/men will get pretty twitchy at even the barest suggestion of a threat to their masculinity.
“I HATE any kind of public speaking - go as red as a beet and end up in a state of gibbering, incoherent, embarrassing for All concerned (even the audience) panic.”
you and i have that in common. that quite adequately describes what i go through every time i have to do a presentation in class.
Addie said, on 5/25/2007 12:52:00 PM
Good luck Justine!!! You’ll be grrrrrrrrr-ate!
Dawn said, on 5/26/2007 8:26:00 AM
You are definitely not alone. It took me 9 years of booktalking to finally shake that feeling like I wanted to vomit the night before!
jonathan said, on 5/26/2007 4:20:00 PM
Don’t know if you read these comments Justine, but for the record, your speaking over the course of the whole conference was fantastic. I really enjoyed hearing what you had to say in each of the sessions you were a part of. I have to admit to having never read your books. But I will now
lili said, on 5/26/2007 4:56:00 PM
what jonathan said. you kick arse.
debate podcast available as soon as i can bring myself to get out of my pyjamas and go back into the office…
jonathan said, on 5/26/2007 10:28:00 PM
c’mon lili, stop reading blogs & have a day off - you’ve earned it
Because that’s how much it’s costing me to be online.
I may need to do hotel-hatred management classes fairly soon.
In short:
Adelaide still gorgeous, still full of churches.
The wedding was awesome. I’m a sucker for weddings at the best of times. But this was more excellent than most. The bride’s speech rocked.
Despite the insane hotel gouging not allowing me to function in the 21st century, I’m more relaxed and happy than I’ve been in ages. Amazing how wonderful not working (and possibly not going online) and getting to hang out with my friends without feeling guilty is. More please!
Melbourne next. Where there will be much work and fun at Reading Matters. I’d link but that would lose me my second and third born children.
I leave you with a few questions:
Why is it not socially acceptable to say no to having your photo taken?
Have you ever bought books on account of reading blogs by their authors? Do you do it a lot?
Purple dress or red shoes? Can they be worn together?
PS Sorry for not responding to emails or comments. Blame the gouging hotels. Normal service will resume at the beginning of June.
31 Comments on Seven billion dollar post, last added: 5/24/2007
no thoughts on the photo thing or the dress-shoe color combination; but yes, i’ve definitely bought books now & again due to the appeal of a writer’s blogging voice. i think this is most likely to happen off a group blog with fairly high traffic–i think i read harley jane kozak’s novels (which i loved) because i liked her style at the lipstick chronicles blog, which in turn was one of the earlier & best written big author-driven crime fiction blogs. who else? hmm, can’t seem to come up with any names, perhaps that means it doesn’t happen that often–but certainly i feel strongly & more loyally a fan of certain authors who blog appealingly & regularly. like you, justine! (and i feel sure i was reading this blog before magic or madness came out, eh? so perhaps that counts…)
Rebecca said, on 5/20/2007 3:47:00 PM
you’re alive!! hmm, hotels usually have free wifi, in my experience….not that i’ve been to many. but starbucks and borders and b&n really need to quit charging. i mean, seriously. every other coffee house/bookstore is free.
photos- dunno. b/c people like photos? especially now. digital cameras, camera phones, even cameras on traffic lights (hate those things). people get their pictures taken whether they want it or not. and there’s the whole memory thing. people like scrapbooking and photo-albuming and putting pix of themselves with famous authors up on myspace.
author blogs/book buying- i’ve never bought a book b/c of author blogs in particular, but that is how i’ve discovered the vast majority of what i’ve read in the last two years. it all started with you and scott, seriously. i read his blog, found out about your books, read your blog, found out about tons of other authors from there. but usually, i’d just maybe read an entry or two, or hear someone talking about someone else’s book, then i’d go on amazon to find out about the book, and get it. so blogs have been the means by which i found out about books, but not the reason that i bought them.
purple/red- hmm. i would go with wearing them separately, but that’s just me. i like to blend in most of the time.
Malcolm Tredinnick said, on 5/20/2007 3:48:00 PM
I’m not sure it is socially unacceptable to say “no” to having your photo taken, at least not in many places. I’ll go further and say it is slightly rude for people to ignore your “no” if you’ve been polite. I have a number of friends who don’t like being photographed a lot and I think respecting that wish is neither hard nor unreasonable. At a wedding, it might be trickier, though.
I’ve bought books based on reading the author’s blog. I mean… I bought *your* books based on reading your blog, so there’s at least one example. Wouldn’t say I do it a lot, but I don’t read a lot an awful lot of author blogs (and I read a lot of books), so there’s a supply and demand problem. Will often go blog hunting after reading a particular author, though, so often with disappointing results.
Not touching the question requiring fashion sense. I’m a bit bereft in that department.
Little Willow said, on 5/20/2007 4:26:00 PM
Purple is the best colour ever.
TansyRR said, on 5/20/2007 4:45:00 PM
I buy books because of blogger voice all the time! It’s actually now my most common reason for trying a new author - that and recs from trusted bloggers.
I discovered the works of Cherie Priest, Elizabeth Bear, Poppy Z Brite, Diana Peterfreund and Mindy Klasky because I liked their blogs!
Veronica said, on 5/20/2007 5:15:00 PM
1) I’ve never noticed that it is. If someone I knew said no, I just wouldn’t take their picture.
2) No.
3) I’d wear ‘em together. In fact, I have done. Well, not your dress and shoes. But my own.
Gabrielle said, on 5/20/2007 6:12:00 PM
I think the photo thing depends. If you’re talking about at the wedding, then I guess it’s normal, people want “souvenirs.”
Actually, I’ve discovered a lot of authors with their blogs, and so I bought a lot of their books. It started with Scott, I read his blog, and then there was a link to yours, and then on yours there were thousands of links. I’ve discovered Maureen this way. Actually, I’d been eyeing 13 Little Blue Enveloped for a while, but sadly, the “slutty girl” cover had kept me at a distance.
Purple/red: Haha! I’m not too much of a dress fan, but I guess it’d depend on what shade of purple. But I do have red-and-black shoes.
Dawn said, on 5/20/2007 6:34:00 PM
I would have to say that, yes, I have bought and read books by an author because of their blog. I think reading an author’s blog kind of gives a feel of how they write…mainly because no matter what genre you write for, your style always comes out. I’d have to say that I found your blog because after reading some of Scott’s books I went to his site and found yours there…as well as Magic or Madness! The same kind of happened with my interest in both Sarah Dessen and Maureen’s books. I found them because I read some of John Green’s stuff, went to his site, and found mention of the two of them there. It’s actually interesting now to think of the impact.
alisa said, on 5/20/2007 9:10:00 PM
blogs: yes. i bought maureen johnson and john green’s books because i discovered them via their blogs. (through yours, i should add.) and i read scott’s books at the library because of you, too. and that’s also why i’m going to buy your books, when i can find them - because i got to know you on your blog.
red shoes/purple dress: i think some people can carry stuff like that off. i know i couldn’t, but if you can, go for it! if you have to choose one over the other, go for the red shoes. i love red shoes.
alisa said, on 5/20/2007 9:11:00 PM
and, i don’t know why it’s not socially acceptable to not have your photo taken. i don’t like mine taken either and people just think i’m being a party pooper.
Ted Lemon said, on 5/20/2007 9:45:00 PM
If you are a photographer, everything looks like an image. When an image tells you “don’t take a picture of me,” it just doesn’t compute. That’s my theory anyway. It’s not so much not socially unacceptable as it is a non-sequitur.
I don’t think I’ve ever bought a book based on the author’s blog. I read an author’s blog because I already like the author. I bought your first “Magic” book because you’re related to Scott, basically, but it turned out to be good, so we bought the other two. I do sometimes buy books when they’re recommended on blogs, but I’m not convinced this performs better than blind guessing.
Depends on what color purple it is. Color, particularly gross color descriptions, make poor discriminators. But I definitely wouldn’t wear the red shoes with the purple dress, unless they happen to be a rare combination that doesn’t clash - normally I would expect them to clash miserably.
claire said, on 5/21/2007 12:42:00 AM
without a look at the dress and shoes in question, i have no thoughts. maybe okay in any sitch if you match the shoes with lipstick and carry a yellow bag?
anyhoo, thought you’d appreciate this: a rumor made it back to me via my stabbing victim that i had pulled knife on him back when we were both at clarion west. what ACTUALLY happened was that a classmate had been wandering the room during crit time, taking action shots. since it was crit time, i couldn’t just leave the room, as i normally would, and couldn’t duck out of his pictures.
so, it being week 5 of clarion, i snarled something at him about not taking pictures without permission. he was displeased but didn’t say anything and, more importantly, respected my snarl-quest. after class, a different classmate, my stabbing victim, who hadn’t actually heard the exchange between me and the photographer, came up to me and said some fightin’ words about me not speaking for anyone else (i wasn’t). then he immediately, literally, RAN AWAY.
it being week five of clarion, and me being hard-wired to chase creatures who run away, i literally chased him through three rooms before he came to rest, hiding behind one of the clarion west staff members. she calmed things down a bit.
my skewed perspective isn’t that it’s not socially acceptable to not want your picture taken, but that it’s not socially acceptable to refuse people anything they want, no matter how intrusive. people SO hate to be told no, feel SO irrationally humiliated by it, that they blame you for being rude, and don’t stop to think about why.
jenny davidson said, on 5/21/2007 3:07:00 AM
it’s true, i also read diana’s book not just because of the recommendation here but because i liked her blog voice. it must be said, though, that the ratio in my reading between “a bookish blogger recommended this book” and “a bookish blogger i like wrote this book” must be something like 50:1, or at any rate if justine (for instance) recommends a book and also links to the author’s blog & i go and like the sound of the blog & buy the book i am counting it as a “regular” recommendation rather than one specifically prompted by the author’s blog. (also i’m sure i’m not alone in being more attracted to blogs that seem to be relatively unmotived by promotional concerns.)
The Scarlett Tree said, on 5/21/2007 3:16:00 AM
You need to get one of those mobile internet cards. Can access all over Australia from your laptop on your own bill. Is very cool.
And The outfit….bright reed and bright purple… nope…dark deep red and dark purple…great
John Scalzi said, on 5/21/2007 3:45:00 AM
It’s not rude to ask people not to take your picture, and anyone who says so is underdeveloped socially.
I’ve bought at least a couple books from people whose blogs I’ve read first, and, of course, I have a lot of readers who read my books after having read my blog.
I don’t think that particular dress/shoe configuration will ever work, but I assure you that I am not an authority on these things.
John Scalzi said, on 5/21/2007 3:46:00 AM
Oh, and, if you’re still in Adelaide, stop by Scalzi produce and say “hi” to Pat and Aldo.
Nichole said, on 5/21/2007 5:17:00 AM
Why is it that every photographer thinks that THEY will be the one to take an amazing picture of you that you (and the rest of the world) will adore for years to come, therefore they insist upon taking your picture against your will?
I have met very few that can actually do this. In fact, in times like those, most have managed to take the worst pictures possible. Pictures need to be taken from ABOVE eye level people! Grrr.
Maggie said, on 5/21/2007 5:43:00 AM
Why is it not socially acceptable to say no to having your photo taken? Good question, but I don’t know the answer.
Have you ever bought books on account of reading blogs by their authors? Do you do it a lot? Yes. I do it a lot. I even keep notes to remind me what was recommended.
Purple dress or red shoes? Can they be worn together? Yes. If you’re Pippi Longstocking.
Ally said, on 5/21/2007 6:45:00 AM
okay heres how it went for me..I bought scott’s books and then i went to his blog and then I found yours and then i found maureen’s and then i found brotherhood 2.0
so far ive got three of maureens and i’m going to buy yours next time my mom lets me get books
and the red hat ladies wear purple and red together haha
hwalk said, on 5/21/2007 7:38:00 AM
I read your books because I read a rambling on your website.
Ysabeau said, on 5/21/2007 8:10:00 AM
Purple dress–red shoes. Of course. Purple and red are Number 3 on the Magick Colour Combo List.
amy fiske said, on 5/21/2007 8:19:00 AM
or course you can wear a purple dress and red shoes. just tell people you’re going to a bollywood wedding. plus, you’ve won a norton so i think you can do anything you want now.
carrie said, on 5/21/2007 9:00:00 AM
i totally buy books based on blogs. in fact, i just blogged about how i found your books via blogs!
scalzi is wrong, wrong, wrong. purple and red are a definite go.
to be fair, aforementioned author claims not to be an authority on dress/shoe combo assessment.
Dess said, on 5/22/2007 12:33:00 PM
i sort of bought your books because of your blog, but also because a lot of people (on scott westerfeld’s blog) told me i should. so yeah i guess it was because of blogs. and the fact that i was thinking of reading them since i heard about them but never saw them in a store. (wait i heard about them on a blog. nevermind.)
AndrewN said, on 5/22/2007 2:41:00 PM
I ran across a Cory Doctorow short story, found his blog, and have bought everyone of his books since. I found out about your books through his blog and have bought most of your books. Reading your blog I found out about Scott, his blog and ultimately have also bought his books too. My niece has since read them also and is eagerly awaiting your next books.
Congrats on the award!
jessiegirl said, on 5/22/2007 3:05:00 PM
i pick up a lot of books because of author blogs, mostly authors i haven’t read before and then they get that one book to win me over. If it rocked, i’ll probably buy whatever they put out next, regardless of what it’s about. but if it was only so so, then the follow up purchase isn’t guaranteed.
red and purple always remind me of the purple hat society. which i understand to be a group of old ladies who dress up and go out to have tea, or coffee or plot world domination. they are always dressed to the nines in purple and red. bonus points for sequins.
TypesetJez said, on 5/22/2007 8:09:00 PM
Why? I have no idea, I mean I’m completely okay if someone says they don’t want their picture taken because the majority of people don’t like that.
Have I bought any because of a blog? No. Have I picked up a book at the library because of a blog? Yes, I do this all the time. Your Magic or Madness series, Scalzi’s Agent to the Stars, and Maureen Johnson’s Bermudez Triangle (which I just finished this morning)
Have I picked up a book at the library because of a blog and then bought it later? Yes, that would be your Magic or Madness series, I read the first two, then bought all three when Magic’s Child was a pre-order.
Red shoes. And I think it depends on the shades of the shoes and the dress, but I’m sure in some cases it would be okay.
Justine said, on 5/23/2007 12:15:00 AM
What an entertaining set of comments. Yummy.
I’ve lost count of how many books I’ve tracked down because of blog recs, but like most of you it very much depends on who is doing the reccing. But I definitely discovered Diana Peterfreund’s writing via her blog.
The clothing question was because I saw this woman in Adelaide wearing the most gorgeous fifties-style dress in a vivid eye-popping purple (more on the blue end of the purple spectrum) and she wore it with fifties pointy-toed pumps. She looked amazing! I had not considered the red/purple combo before. To be honest I don’t think I own shoes that aren’t black or brown. How boring! Perhaps it’s time I remedied that situation . . .
mckayla said, on 5/24/2007 7:45:00 AM
if you want to wear it wear it im sure you could get by with anything…
The last ten days were bloody AWESOME. I don’t have words. I met so many wonderful librarians, writers, students, teachers, booksellers, readers, and other peoples. All the appearances went splendidly. Texas rocks! I loves it! More details soon.
I plan to blog ever day for the next ten because after that we bugger off to Paris, Singapore and then three weeks back home in Australia and blogging opportunities are probably going to be thin on the ground. I read some wonderful books that I want to tell you about. I also have some writing theories I want to share. Not to mention all the appearances I’m doing this week.
There’s been a micro kerfuffle while I was away because some commenters have strayed far off topic in some of the comment threads. While this doesn’t bother me in the slightest, it led to some folks being deluged with comment notifications. I’ve now put up an open post for those who want to chat about whatever. Enjoy! If folks enjoy it, I’ll put up more open posts in the future.
While I was in Texas, my good friend Cassandra Clare hit The New York Times bestseller list with her wonderful and completely unputdownable novel, City of Bones—it’s right next to Scott’s Specials! She’s now been on the list for two weeks! Woo hoo!!!! Go Cassie! Go Cassie! Go Cassie!
Me, I’m going to sleep in my very own bed. Joy!
3 Comments on Back in NYC (briefly), last added: 4/21/2007
jason erik lundberg said, on 4/20/2007 10:03:00 PM
When will you be in Singapore?
Rebecca said, on 4/21/2007 12:12:00 AM
*beats head furiously against wall* i really really really really really really wanna read city of bones. gargh! but i am not allowed until finals are over. *resumes the beating of head*
Very flaky internet access—the wifi keeps dropping to one bar so I’m keeping this short. Also I don’t seem to be able to reply to emails, but I’ll be back in NYC by Saturday and will catch up then. If it’s urgent call me on the mobile.
We’re doing two more Texas appearances. Details here. Come say hi.
Also I’m getting a lot of people asking me the same questions about the ending of the trilogy so I’ve started a SPOILER FAQ over here [scroll down]. If you have questions about the trilogy that aren’t already answered you can ask them on the comments thread over there and I will respond. But please don’t ask spoiler questions in the comments for this post. Lots of this blog’s readers have not read Magic’s Child yet.
Hope no one’s too damp in NYC.
Okay, now I attempt to post this . . .
42 Comments on Last two Texas appearances + Spoiler FAQ, last added: 4/22/2007
Wifi. That’s a funny word…
*eh hem*
anyway, I would come hi…but I can’t, it would invlove crossing and extremely large body of water and a (therefore) a lot of money…which I do not have. however, I will be there in spirit.
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:14:00 AM
Thank you! I was wondering abou tthe doors!
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:36:00 AM
I looked at your website and it doesn’t have anyh appearances in america after april. will you be doing any? I love in California. I want to meet you too!
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:37:00 AM
I mean loveing in California is kind of funny. sorry for so many postings. hope you don’t mine!
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:37:00 AM
though loveing is kinda funny.
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:37:00 AM
ooops! I live in California, not love!
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:38:00 AM
Mind! Hope you don’t mind. I think I type to fast. I love your books. Did I say that already?
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:39:00 AM
Too many posts. Sorry! Had to tell you that I like Tom best.
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:39:00 AM
Magics Child was the best one. Especially the end bit that I want say what it was because of not spoling. but it was super good.
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:40:00 AM
but i like Jay-Tee and Reason to. I just like clothes. ANd he makes me laugh. I think he sounds cute.
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:41:00 AM
i like all of them really. even esmerelda.
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:41:00 AM
but not Jason Blaek. Hes awful!
rachel said, on 4/16/2007 11:42:00 AM
I’ll stop now. Sorry!
Dess said, on 4/16/2007 12:10:00 PM
wow rachel. thats a lot of comments
Ally said, on 4/16/2007 1:56:00 PM
seriously
Stephanie said, on 4/16/2007 4:08:00 PM
I heard you were in Texas again. :]
My librarian saw you and your husband at TLA and said the two of you were amazing!
Just thought I would drop by and say that…
Sorry ’bout the terrible internet connection…it happens.
-Stephanie
potato said, on 4/16/2007 5:03:00 PM
rachel: try to put all you want to say on one post so it doesn’t take up the whole thing!
Ally said, on 4/16/2007 7:08:00 PM
hey potato!
potato said, on 4/17/2007 7:55:00 AM
hey ally!!!i made it!!!
Ally said, on 4/17/2007 2:04:00 PM
hehe YAY! so what shall we talk about?
oh and every time she makes a new post we go to that so people dont get emails over and over
potato said, on 4/17/2007 4:32:00 PM
ally:
i don’t know what where we talking about befor???
oh and every time she makes a new post we go to that so people dont get emails over and over
what that didn’t make semce to me??
Ally said, on 4/18/2007 4:51:00 AM
okay like if someone checks that box down there they will get messages to know when people have commented and if we stay here and talk then they’ll keep getting these messages everytime we comment so we need to move around instead of staying in one spot
potato said, on 4/18/2007 3:58:00 PM
Ally: but i don’t want to move they should just not check the box!!!
Ally said, on 4/18/2007 6:05:00 PM
orrrr justine could take the box down..okay how about this, if anybody tells us to move we will move
potato said, on 4/19/2007 7:49:00 AM
o/k that works for me!!!
Ally said, on 4/19/2007 3:35:00 PM
Potato: is it cold there? its is like 74 here wait I have to put Farenhiet b/c there are foriegn people here..
potato said, on 4/19/2007 4:00:00 PM
ally: no it’s sunny but it’s farly coldd especially in the morning. are you in california???
Rebecca said, on 4/19/2007 5:07:00 PM
dude! you guys should start an ally and potato blog. that’d be totally awesome. and then we could all read it. it’d be like instant messaging, except cooler. if you like the idea and decide to do it, post a link, okay?!
calliope said, on 4/19/2007 5:55:00 PM
i totally agree with rebecca. that would be hilarious. what’s 74 degrees in fahrenheit? unless it was in fahrenheit. sorry.
Ally said, on 4/19/2007 7:17:00 PM
oh yeah calliope thats it I just dont know how to spell..
Rebecca:that would rock! haha it would be like a ally and potato talk show online haha that would be funny!
what do you think potato??haha
Rebecca said, on 4/19/2007 8:51:00 PM
yeah, dude. you could have special topics or whatever. maybe even interview people! that’d be awesome. hehe.
Ally said, on 4/19/2007 9:58:00 PM
aw like all the authors and people haha that would be cool
potato???
Ally said, on 4/19/2007 10:15:00 PM
oh wow there was a bomb threat?? ahh!
AND you got to meet Scott and Justine!! how dare you. no im just kidding. as you can tell i just read your blog..sorry but i was bored and it is currently 12:12(wow) and there was nothing else to do.. justine and scott should come to arkansas for the extras tour during octoberish but they probaly get tired of people telling them where to go..
off to bed i guess
Ally said, on 4/19/2007 10:18:00 PM
oh sorry potato no im in Arkansas haha big difference form california.. i wish i was in california..
sorry for the double wait no triple post. dont hate me..
Katerate said, on 4/20/2007 3:51:00 AM
I miss the days when comment threads were treated like comment threads instead of chatrooms.
I bought Magic’s Child yesterday, by the way, Justine .
potato said, on 4/20/2007 7:49:00 AM
ally:
i like the idea of our own blog but i have no idea how to do it!
oh that is far from cali is it by NY???
Doselle Young said, on 4/20/2007 8:21:00 AM
Hey, Justine:
I’ll see you in New York!
Yeah! That’s right. New York.
Mwah.
D
Rebecca said, on 4/20/2007 10:01:00 AM
ally and potato: here’s a link to wordpress, which is the type of blog that justine and scott use. all you have to do is click on “start a blog in seconds” and the site will pretty much tell you what to do from there. if you want, you can email me about it if you’ve got questions. my email’s breca_halley at yahoo dot com.
Ally said, on 4/20/2007 5:41:00 PM
hey potato will you e-mail me b/c for some reason its not letting me do yours
brasko2011 at hotmail dot com
sorry people for having conversations on here! im stopping….now
calliope said, on 4/20/2007 7:36:00 PM
continue conversations! there funny. cali is reeeaaaallyyyy far from ny (across the country). post a limn-++!
Dess said, on 4/22/2007 11:13:00 AM
im in Pennsylvania. its like 78 degrees farenheit(or however you spell it) its olny like the third day we’ve had warm weather this spring. stupid global warming messing up the season changes.
I have like a gazillion billion trakazillion emails in my inbox. This is the first chance I’ve had to go online in almost three days. It’s been crazy busy and exhilarating and fabulous and every big positive happy adjective you can think of.
San Antonio is wondrous. The Texas Library Association conference has been so extraordinarily wonderful I’m left without words. I’ve met so many amazing, fun, smart cool people I think my brain has exploded. Thank you everyone! Yay! Joy! Mangosteens! This trip has also been very educational: I know now how boots are made and have a much better idea of what distributors do.
Scott and mine’s presentation in front of what seemed like thousands of librarians, including Scott’s high school librarian, Darlene, was exhilarating. I’ve never had so much fun doing an appearance. Basically we just gasbagged about how we met, our books, writing, travelling, living in two countries, and answered lots of cool questions from the wonderful audience.
Then we signed what felt like a million books. I think I’m still floating.
To quickly answer two of your questions:
The beasts that shall not be named are evil. That is all you need to know. What do they need that horn for anyway?
1st Comment! Ohhh i just got what “beast” you were talking about. I thought you meant like a cow or something since you were in texas but i got you now
There is a “beast” in Narnia so i bet you don’t like that movie but the books are my 2nd favorite books
(tell scott to make a post please)
jessiegirl said, on 4/14/2007 11:51:00 AM
isn’t it possible that unicorns are only posing as good? secretly they are evil.
the horn filled with power must surely go to their head- since that is where it is attached- making unicorns slightly less benevolent that people assume.
zombies rule.
Candy said, on 4/14/2007 1:06:00 PM
hey, tell us more about scott’s high school librarian! my librarian really turned me on to books - my mom secretly visited her and told her not to lend me any more books because i was neglecting my chores. what did scott’s librarian think of his becoming a writer?
happy friday the thirteenth!
Dess said, on 4/14/2007 2:53:00 PM
sorry about that justine. but justine but maureen answered two of my questions i asked her in her blog and instructed me to do so. i felt indebted. i wount do it again. (or at least I’ll try) and besided i dont like those horses that happen to have a horn brotruding from their heads. vampires are cooler (expecially if his name is edward cullen). zombies are cool too.
Dess said, on 4/14/2007 2:54:00 PM
ahhh and i meant won’t not wount. i really cant type.
Dess said, on 4/14/2007 2:54:00 PM
oops that was supposed to say but justine, maureen… not but justine but justine.
Holly said, on 4/14/2007 5:15:00 PM
I really enjoyed your panel on Friday. You and Scott have such great chemistry and I loved how you would each just talk about the other. So cute! So cute, in fact, that I am sure no one will hold the Australia/Mexico comment against you
Emmaco said, on 4/14/2007 6:36:00 PM
Holly please tell us about the Australia/Mexico comment! I’m intrigued.
TypesetJez said, on 4/14/2007 7:52:00 PM
I’m with you on “the beasts that shall not be named” I don’t see what’s so great about them. Or what they can do. And the pointy object coming out of their head sort of freaks me out a little.
But the reason I’m commenting is to let you know that I (finally) wrote up a review of Magic’s Child! It’s posted here on my blog.
Ally said, on 4/14/2007 7:58:00 PM
australia/mexico comment?? hmmm
Ally said, on 4/14/2007 7:59:00 PM
Yay! Aargh! Woohoo! Eep!?? bwaha
Dawn said, on 4/14/2007 11:19:00 PM
I’m glad you had such a good time in Texas!!! I wish I could have gone, and I’m certainly glad that you were able to update your blog. Today I got my SIGNED copy of Magic’s Child, and I did sufficient boasting and showing off. I LOVE IT!! YAY!!!
lili said, on 4/15/2007 5:14:00 AM
friday 13th is only a good day if you don’t have to get up at 4:30 am to catch a plane, which is delayed anyway, so you don’t actually leave the state til 9:30, all in order to go to the bogan wedding of the year.
Cat said, on 4/15/2007 11:45:00 AM
I was in Mexico breifly somethime between late Friday the 13th and early Saterday the 14th. Friday 13th was the last day of my internet free mission trip to mexico. It started out well enough: on the top of a mountain, with my best friend, eating a tasty sandwhich. Then it was time to go down the mountian. On the way down I manged to do two things: sprain my ankle and knock my best friend into a river. Then I and the group of 98 people i was with boarded buses for the twenty hour trip home. About an hour into the trip, my ankle is throbbing and my allergy medicaion is wearing off, but I am completly out of food and medicine. Half an hour later, I am also out of food. Then, we reach the USA/mexico border where we had to take everything off of the buses put it through a scanner and reload the bus (which we were able to do in eleven minutes, well, it’s 11 when you subtract the time we lost when another bus almost ran over us.) The bus was ready to go again just in time for the ac to break. So, we open the windows and sunlights, which gave us some air flow until it started raining. We were able to switch buses (in the rain) in San Antonio between April’s 13th and 14th. I also bought pain medication for my ankle (which feel much better now) in San Antonio.
shelly rae said, on 4/15/2007 3:16:00 PM
Hey Justine–I suppose you’re too busy being a famous, fabulous author and such to watch any bike racing but you’ll be very pleased to know that your countryman, Stuart O’Grady did you proud in the Paris-Roubaix. http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007/apr07/roubaix07/?id=results
It was an awesome race! And a big first for Australia and O’Grady! yay!
Anon
Holly said, on 4/16/2007 10:00:00 AM
For those that asked about the Australia/Mexico comment, Justine slipped and compared Australia to Mexico saying that they are both lazy…it just came out kind of bad even though she was joking around. San Antonio is highly Hispanic so…y’know. I wrote out the whole conversation here:http://allellie.blogspot.com/2007/04/tla-or-bust.html
But seriously? Justine and Scott did a great job and were so funny!
Penni said, on 4/19/2007 12:34:00 AM
I bought Frederique (offspring) a unicorn for her 4th birthday. She did ask for one. But I suspect Frederique may have a healthy streak of evil in her. I am sure she intends to use it for dire purposes.
She’ll get a Zombie for her fifth birthday. Naturally.
We are in San Antonio. The river walk is fun. We have tickets to the San Antonio v Sacramento game tonight. I went to Little’s Boots to get fitted for custom-made boots. It was awesome. The Littles are good people. David Little even drove us back to our hotel. I will get my boots in six months. I cannot wait.
The hotel is lovely. We have a balcony. There is free wifi in the lobby but not in our room. I have yet to hang out with any librarians or writers.
In other news it is warm. I do not need a coat or a scarf or gloves. I love San Antonio.
How’re y’all doing?
16 Comments on I will be brief, last added: 4/14/2007
have fun! i was wondering if you guys were going to be making your way anywhere else around the US? i hope so!
John H said, on 4/11/2007 4:51:00 PM
Just finished Magic’s Child - very good! It snowed here in Chicago again - not so good…
kevin wignall said, on 4/11/2007 4:52:00 PM
hmm, fortunately i’ve been busy writing a book (just finished) so i didn’t notice you gloating the other day about a certain super eight match. of course, not to deny that aus are on top form, but we’re playing some shabby cricket at the mo.
hope you’re having fun in san antonio.
Rebecca said, on 4/11/2007 7:02:00 PM
i just got in tonight!! and you’re going to a spurs game. i am jealous. i have lived here my entire life and never been to one. not for lack of trying. go spurs go!
Dawn said, on 4/11/2007 7:47:00 PM
Its still pretty chilly here…and I’m not THAT far from you.
Cheryl said, on 4/12/2007 5:58:00 AM
Chicago. Snow. Bleagh!
maureen said, on 4/12/2007 7:44:00 AM
It’s sunny and 70 degrees here in England! Come here! No unicorns!
John H said, on 4/12/2007 8:46:00 AM
Damn! And I was all set to take the Unicorn Express to Stansted…
Addie said, on 4/13/2007 12:58:00 PM
hi! this is my first comment here. i like it!
Dess said, on 4/13/2007 1:27:00 PM
hi i was on maureen’s blog and she said something about a lamp with those horse looking things that happen to have a horn protruding from their head. i asked her why you hate them so much and she said ask you. well actually she said now would be a good time to put horse looking things that happen to have a horn protruding from their head related posts….
Ally said, on 4/13/2007 3:48:00 PM
Hi Justine! I hope your are having fun 615.88 miles and 9 hours and 25 minutes away from me. i could so drive there if i had a license and a car haha I found that on mapquest. Its a very handy little thing
Dana Robinson said, on 4/13/2007 6:10:00 PM
Hi! I was in the audience today when you and your husband were speaking. Listening to the two of you was so much fun. You two are amazing writers—keep it going, please. : ) Hope you enjoy the city!
Ally said, on 4/13/2007 8:47:00 PM
dana=lucky!
calliope said, on 4/14/2007 4:46:00 AM
hi justine? did you see any unicorns in san antonio? i think it’s a hotbed for unicorn sightings. here in ny, i see unicorns all the time. dont you just love unicorns?
Dess said, on 4/14/2007 7:45:00 AM
i dont particularly like unicorns but i would like to find out why justine has such distain against unicorns. i asked maureen johnson why you didnt like unicorns and she said… well just read above i already said what she said. so i hope you didnt see any unicorns there for fear of the unicorns being “acidentaly” hit by your car.
Tobias said, on 4/14/2007 9:05:00 AM
did you know that in the mmorpg Ultima Online only females could ride on a unicorn!!??! very interesting stuff!
Today we leave for San Antonio where we’ll be attending the Texas Library Association annual conference. I’m dead excited. We went to the ALA conference last year and it was fabulous. I met so many cool librarians and student librarians and writers and publishing people I thought my head would explode. Talk about over-stimulation! I look forward to more of it.
Unfortunately, we won’t be doing any public signings in San Antonio. So if you’re not signed up for TLA we won’t get to meet you. Sorry!
Our one public appearance of the trip will be in Austin:
Monday, 16 April 2007, 7PM
Justine Larbalestier & Scott Westerfeld Book People
603 N. Lamar (at Sixth)
Austin, Texas
This Texas trip is also a chance for us to catch up with Scott’s family—especially his wonderful dad, who we haven’t seen in ages—which is why we’re doing so few appearances. It was too hard to do signings and family visiting. Maybe next time.
If you’re in Austin come see us at Book People I hear it’s one of the best book shops around.
And so you don’t miss me too much while I’m gone, Jennifer Laughran of Books Inc and Not Your Mother’s Book Club fame kindly interviewed me. She asked me some of the smartest questions I’ve ever been asked. Yay Jennifer!
6 Comments on Ten days in Texas, last added: 4/10/2007
Hey, you know what they’re also having in San Antonio this weekend? A UNICORN LOVERS CONVENTION.
Justine said, on 4/10/2007 5:52:00 AM
Ally: congratulations!
Maureen: Do you want to be banned from this blog?
Jo Whittemore said, on 4/10/2007 6:25:00 AM
Yay! You’re coming to Austin! We’ll be cheering you on from the audience. (This is Jo from the YA listserv, btw).
maureen said, on 4/10/2007 7:11:00 AM
I hate unicorns, of course. I am here in London for the zombie convention. I’m on Team Z.
Dawn said, on 4/10/2007 5:57:00 PM
I will still miss reading your daily updates, Justine! I wish I could meet you and Scott in Texas…no one ever comes to Kansas. (Who would want to come to Kansas anyway? I’m trying to get OUT of it myself. )
Australia just thrashed England in their Super Eight match. They barely broke a sweat doing it. Ha ha!
I discovered this lovely review of the Magic or Madness trilogy by a future librarian. It’s pretty spoiler free if you want a squizz. I really liked this bit:
The magical abilities are also not what one expects—Reason has an amazing aptitude for math and patterns. Her friend Tom can create magical clothing, and Jay-Tee’s magic is in movement—like running and dancing. (None of this, ooh-look-at-me-I can-fly-or-read-minds . . . etc.)
I did that on purpose! And someone noticed! Woo hoo!
Also Scott just read me the almost last bit of Extras and it is good! So. Very. Good.
And on Tuesday we fly to San Antonio where it is much much warmer than NYC and there are many cool librarians and young adult writers for us to hang with. Happiness!
yeah me too..he should post like the back of the book on his website or something. that would be awsome!
ooh san antonio is only like a days drive away! maybe my mom will drive me..haha that would be a miracle if that happened.
are yall going to fly through arkansas? or like go around.
Well i hope you have fun in texas!
Mitali Perkins said, on 4/8/2007 6:04:00 PM
Hope to see you in San Antonio. I’ll try and come to your signing if I’m around.
Ted Lemon said, on 4/9/2007 11:17:00 AM
We just came from Austin, which is close to San Antonio, and wound up driving for six hours through sleet and freezing rain. I don’t know what happened to Texas - I thought it was supposed to be warm there.
Fortunately for you, the weather forecast suggests that they will be experiencing record heat the next couple of days, so you won’t have to deal with that. But don’t tempt the weather gods - you could be next…
Dess said, on 4/9/2007 11:32:00 AM
Im so jealous, Justine. While you get to go to san Antonio, im stuck here in Pennsylvania where its freezing cold. Yesterday was Easter and it was colder yesterday then on Christmas day! So jealous.
Rebecca said, on 4/9/2007 12:59:00 PM
“i thought it was supposed to be warm there.”
“the weather forecast suggests that they will be experiencing record heat the next couple of days”
my world has been turned upside down. it was THIRTY-EIGHT DEGREES here. i had to go out and get two new sweaters, because i had nothing. NOTHING!! and within 24 hours, it’s supposed to be back in the 80’s. what am i supposed to do? and more to the point, what am i supposed to do with these sweaters?
yay tla!!!!
Sara said, on 4/9/2007 4:02:00 PM
Thanks sooo much for mentioning my blog!!! I’d gush about how much I love your books… but I’m guessing that was already pretty apparent from my review.
(I was wondering last night why my blog stats were suddenly really really high, especially considering that it was Easter… now I understand )
What is wrong with this benighted country? It’s snowing! It’s April. Spring in this poxy hemisphere. It’s warmer back home in Sydney where it’s Autumn. I hates it! Snow!!! Aaaargghh!!!!!!
In other news John Green is silly with his friends over here. I knew they didn’t get any actual writing done when they got together. Now there’s proof.
Snow in spring is just wrong. I think the weather’s being crazy everywhere.
I write a fantasy writing newsletter and always include a publisher spotlight. I got a request to do one on an Australian publisher. Do you happen to know somewhere on the web I can find a list of some?
orangedragonfly said, on 4/5/2007 8:58:00 AM
over here in germany we had snow a few weeks ago. for weeks it was in the 60s and 70s…and then it snowed for a week!!!!! argh. at least these days it’s better, sunny and warm most days. (not that i can enjoy it, being stuck in the house. stupid pre-term contractions, argh.)
jenny davidson said, on 4/5/2007 8:59:00 AM
Sometimes it snows in April … (someone had to say it).
Dawn said, on 4/5/2007 11:56:00 AM
It was 80 degrees here two days ago and they’re forcasting snow for tonight. Um, yeah. Kansas is pretty messed up, along with the rest of the US weather, apparently. I like the snow, though. Its pretty!
Rebecca said, on 4/5/2007 12:11:00 PM
this probably won’t make you feel any better, but it’s supposed to be 37 degrees (F) here in texasland. That’s almost cold enough to snow. furthermore, i did not bring a sweatshirt home with me. yay! not.
Sean said, on 4/5/2007 12:48:00 PM
I live in Michigan, so we get lake-effect weather. So over our entire winter break, it was mid-sixties. Then it randomly got to where the wind-chill was 20 below zero. and then it was warm again, and now it’s snowing. People were wearing shorts and flipflops over the weekend. Now they’re wearing parkas. >.
Cheryl said, on 4/5/2007 2:29:00 PM
Fabulous weather here in San Francisco. You frequent the wrong coast, dear. (We are also closer to Sydney.)
John H said, on 4/6/2007 9:55:00 AM
Just be glad you’re not in Michigan’s upper peninsula - as of yesterday they’ve received three feet of snow with more on the way. That’s just wrong…
El and Rachel Brown correctly surmised that the fan half of my question was inspired by the bruhaha about whether John Scalzi should be nominated for a fan writing Hugo or not.
For the record: yes, Scalzi should, and I hope he wins for all the reasons that have been described in great detail here, here and here. I’m also not comfortable with people telling other people that they are or aren’t “fans” or “geeks” or anything else. Those are the kind of labels you get to choose for yourself.
The geek half was inspired by my being asked to contribute a story to an anthology about geeks and geekery. My instant response was to say, “No.” Not just because I can’t write short stories, but because I couldn’t begin to think of a geeky story. (Plus no way am I biting the head off a chicken. Ewww.)
Also I was just curious about how you lot define those words. Part of what’s interesting in the great Is-Scalzi-a-Fan debate is that there were so many different definitions of what a “fan” is, which led to much talking at cross purposes. Seems the same is true of “geek”. Veronica defined it the way I would, but Cecil defined it the way I would define “fan”.
A number of people take “fan” to mean someone who loves something uncritically. I can’t help but laugh at that when I think of the number of letters I’ve had from self-proclaimed Magic or Madness fans who tell me in minute detail the stuff they don’t like about the trilogy, just as much as the stuff they do. Clearly, these are slippery, slippery terms.
Thanks everyone for such fascinating responses.
So why do I call myself a fan but not a geek?
Let’s take the word “fan” first. I’m not a fan of science fiction, which may sound odd for someone who did a Phd on it, which became a book. To be honest the whole PhD thing was never a passion. All I’ve ever wanted to do is be a writer, but as everyone knows there’s no money in that, so I went for an academic career to support my writing habit. The subject of my PhD was an accident. I’d read sf as a kid but I’d read lots of other things too and, honestly, I think the vast majority of sf (film, television or film) is on the nose. Many of the so-called classics of the genre like the work of Isaac Asimov or Arthur C. Clarke or Star Trek or Blade Runner leave me cold.
It’s the world building that does it for me with science fiction, being transported to somewhere that is not like the world I know. I get that just as readily from books about places I’m unfamiliar with: Japanese crime books fascinate me; Australian ones not so much. I also get that button pressed by books from the past (Jane Austen, Tale of Genji*, Elizabeth Gaskell, Miles Franklin et al) historicals, fantasy, westerns and so on. Raymond Chandler, Patricia Highsmith and Jim Thompson create worlds that are almost completely alien to me. I adore their work.
I love the writings of Samuel R. Delany and Maureen McHugh and Ursula K. Le Guin. But I’m not convinced that it’s the science fictioness of their work that does it for me. I’m just as happy when they’re writing fantasy or memoirs or criticism or blogging or whatever else they choose to write. I love the way they string their words and sentences and paragraphs together. Yum.
If I were to be banned from reading one genre it would be less of a hardship for me if that genre were sf rather than fantasy or historicals. (Naturally, I exempt manga from all these categories.)
I’m also not a fan in the sense that Ulrika is talking about. That is I’m not a member of a community that came together around a love of science fiction in the late 1930s and is still going strong today. Or am I? I definitely feel like I’m a part of the WisCon community. For years I helped with the running of that particular science fiction convention. I was on the ConCom. Can you get much more fannish than that? And, like John Scalzi, I feel very much at home with many members of the science fiction community who definitely consider themselves to be fans.
However, I’ve never written fanfiction. So I’m not part of that thriving aspect of fandom. Nor do I read it. Though there are definitely books and stories I love, like The Wide Sargasso Sea, that are a kind of fanfiction—but the kind that plays around with out of copyright texts and thus gets to be published.
I’m happy to call myself a fan not just because of the WisCon thing, but because there are a lots of things I love. Elvis Presley’s voice. Cricket. Madeleine Vionnet and Hussein Chalayan’s clothes. The writing of way too many people to list here. I love Bring It On and Deadwood and Blue Murder and My Brilliant Career and ES and Nana and Osamu Tezuka and mangosteens and the food of countries like Spain and Mexico and Thailand and Japan and Italy and Ethiopia and the great wines of Australia and New Zealand and Argentina and South Africa and Italy and France and Spain and many other places.
I don’t think the word “fan” implies uncritical love. There are clothes of Vionnet and Chalayan’s that I think are naff, Cricket matches that bore me, Angela Carter books ditto, and Spanish food and French wine I’ve had to spit out.
So why aren’t I geek?
First up, the word is American and doesn’t have much resonance for me. I never heard it as a kid nor “nerd” neither. Not outside of a John Hughes movie. (That’s not true of younger Aussies.)
The people I know who are self-described nerds or geeks have passions for stuff that bores me. Video games, role-playing games, board games and the insides of computers. I have many friends who are into these things and, well, I am not like them in this regard. I do not know what “chaotic good” is, even though Scott’s explained it to me like a hundred times.
I’ve had flirtations with various computer games over the years, but my attention span for them is microscopic, and ulimately I’d much rather be reading a book.
Once I got into Go for about a year, to the extent that I was playing it with a bunch of Go fanatics on servers in Korea, and reading books on it. But it was largely research for a novel I was writing. When I finished writing the book my interest in playing Go lapsed. It’s still by far the best game I’ve ever played, but I doubt I’d even remember how anymore. I haven’t played since 1999.
Many of my geeky friends are also collectors.
I hate stuff. I spend a large chunk of my life recycling and throwing stuff out. I hate things that sit on the mantlepiece and serve no purpose other than to collect dust. I see no point in them. Nor in stuffed animals, or dolls, or collectable cards, or any of that. I love cricket but I have no desire for cricket stuff cluttering up my house and am endlessly giving away the cricket tat people give me (clothes excluded).
If I collect anything, it’s books, but I cull them ruthlessly and often. If I’m not going to reread it, or I’ve had it for more than a year without even cracking the spine and there seems little likelihood that I will, then out the book goes.
Also I have a terrible memory. Always have had. I can’t tell you what year Bring it On came out, or who directed it, or who all the actors are without looking it up. I have to read a book a billion times before I can remember any details about it and even then I’m pretty crap. I just did a test on Pride and Prejudice I don’t think I’ve read any book more times than that one. I got 5 out of 10. I would not be able to tell an original Vionnet gown from a knock off. I do not have the trainspotting gene.
So, yes to “fan” and to “enthusiast” (thanks, Bennett), no to “geek” or “nerd”. I’m also quite happy to be called a “dag”. Yes, I am also a “spaz”. (Though, Christopher, I say to you: Know thyself!) And “dilettante”? Oh, yes, that’s me. I have the attention span of a gnat**.
*I confess I have never finished The Tale of Genji despite repeated attempts. The bits I’ve read have been fabulous. It’s just that the book is so damned heavy and hard to read in bed. I know, I know . . . dilettante.
**Except for blogging, apparently. Bugger but this was a long post . . . Sorry!
9 Comments on Of fans and geeks, last added: 4/2/2007
“I do not know what ‘chaotic good’ is, even though Scott’s explained it to me like a hundred times.”
Cory Doctorow - and all things Cory Doctorow-ish — is a perfect example of “chaotic good.”
Sir Tessa said, on 3/31/2007 4:54:00 PM
For me ‘fan’ has connotations of ‘fandom’, which is a minefield, and every fandom I’ve drifted by with mild interest has very quickly put me off getting involved in anyway. I think, to me, ‘fan’ implies activity within the fandom, instead of just sitting and enjoying quietly, which I what I do.
‘geek’ has connotations of…well, I don’t know exactly, but I know I don’t wear it.
‘nerd’ comes from being a nerd at school. Somewhat outcast, not really mainstream.
‘dag’ is a beautiful word and also applies perfectly.
(I was about to type that as ‘perfically’. Ugh.)
Justine said, on 3/31/2007 7:40:00 PM
Sir Tessa: Mmmm, yes, we are all dags. Dags rule!
But what I’m hearing you saying is that you are not a fan because you do not join things or take part in communities. So really you’re saying that you’re a misanthropist. Yes, grumpy Sir Tessa?
Rebecca said, on 3/31/2007 10:37:00 PM
nothing wrong with long posts.
dag just sounds….really dirty, to my american ears. dunno why.
i have called myself a fan, a geek, a nerd, a dork, and a variety of other things. i give myself all the labels, instead of just one! ha.
Sir Tessa said, on 3/31/2007 11:39:00 PM
I’m a daggy misanthrope at that.
Justine said, on 4/1/2007 12:02:00 PM
Rebecca: That’s the beauty of it . . . you get to call yourself whatever you want.
There’s nothing dirty about dags. (Well, okay, if you’re thinking about the original meaning then, yes, there is, but let’s not go there, eh?)
Sir Tessa: You are an adorable daggy misanthrope.
Colleen said, on 4/2/2007 12:09:00 AM
It’s funny, but I never thought of “geek” as a derogatory term. My husband is an aviation geek, a business geek (he actually likes reading and writing contracts), a wood working geek and on and on. I thought geek just meant something you really liked and you enjoyed doing or learning about. (I would be an aviation history geek, a WWI geek, a polar exploration geek, etc.)
I also wonder when being a fan meant being an excessive fan. In other words, I saw Star Wars (way back in 1977) in the theater and I was a Star Wars fan. Other than my brother having some models that he built and hung from the ceiling, we didn’t have any Star Wars “stuff” but we liked the movies so I thought that made us fans. Same goes for certain music, food, tv, etc. Aren’t you just a fan if you like something - do you have to be crazy and dress up in costumes and read everything ever written about it and learn to speak Klingon or something in order to be a fan?
I think these words might have gotten mangled over the years or something. I mean really, how can referring to someone who has more than 10,000 Alaskan flight hours as an “aviation geek” be a bad thing? Not that I’m all worshipful of my husband or anything (perish the thought!) but he’s okay with the term geek - it just means he knows a lot of airplane shit and that’s okay.
We are also fans of science fiction movies and Guns N Roses. I hope that doesn’t scare anyone - ha!
Justine said, on 4/2/2007 6:02:00 AM
Colleen: I hope you don’t think I was implying there’s anything wrong with being either a geek or a fan. Absolutely not!
You both sound like quintessential geeks. Of course, as I said, people use these terms in lots of different ways. The way I’ve mostly heard “geek” used does not describe my relatinship to stuff that I love. Fan or enthusiast or dag fits it better.
Colleen said, on 4/2/2007 1:41:00 PM
Oh no Justine - I didn’t see any criticism, it’s just interesting to me how fan used to mean one thing and now seems to mean another and the same for geek.
I will admit I’m a Star Trek fan - but don’t ask me to explain all that Klingon dictionary stuff.
Now those people - they’re what….uber geeks?
You could hurt your head trying to figure all this stuff out you know!!
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 bestselling certified! And I’m sure Lisa, Celeste and Margo are also wit personified. You would be crazy to miss this appearance.
I’m now hearing that Magic’s Child is actually out on Thursday. First person to spot it in a shop and send me photographic evidence wins a prize. It may be a crappy prize, but it will be a prize!
7 Comments on An appearance + prize, last added: 3/22/2007
oh I wish I was going to be there! Lauren is FABULOUSO!!!!! You will love her! Please pinch her for me!
ox
Maud Newton: Blog said, on 3/20/2007 2:59:00 PM
[…] Books I’m ordering for my stepdaughter first thing Thursday: Justine Larbalestier’s Magic’s Child — which A. has been asking about for months — and Margo Rabb’s Cures for Heartbreak. […]
Dawn said, on 3/20/2007 3:04:00 PM
I wish I could be there! yes! Thursday is even better than Friday!
Margo Rabb said, on 3/20/2007 7:55:00 PM
Hi Justine,
Looking forward to meeting you on Saturday!
Justine said, on 3/21/2007 5:58:00 AM
Cecil: I’m really looking forward to meeting her!
Dawn: Lemme know which day you find a copy. Remember the prize! And it’s not that crappy, honest.
Margo Rabb: Looking forward to meeting you too!
E. Lockhart said, on 3/22/2007 7:09:00 AM
I will be there! Maureen will be there! My kid will be there! Sarah M. will be there! It will be a posse.
Rebecca said, on 3/22/2007 8:59:00 AM
nobody in this bloody state has your book yet. they keep telling me it’s not out yet. argh! *sigh*
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 eyes and can spot all the people in the room yawning and looking bored, and instead of convulsing my whole body (particularly my vocal chords) the terror just messes with my hands. I also hardly ever throw up or feel like I’m going to now. A vast improvement, no?
I still don’t really enjoy reading.
The hardest part is the minutes just before I read: the waiting-to-read part. I find myself in this strange hyper uncomfortable space not entirely capable of hearing what is going on around me, except my own name, cause when I hear it that means it’s time. I pick up my papers, read the words, sometimes the wrong ones, sometimes skipping a few, aware that my hands could get so out of control that the pages go flying, or I’ll spill water everywhere, or my stomach could revolt. For the last year or so none of those things have happened. I’ve gotten to the end without making too great a fool of myself. Progress!
My reward is the after-reading feeling. A lovely adrenaline rush that stay for ages and makes me feel like I’m floating and invincible and witty and charming. I can get by on that buzz for hours.
I’d still MUCH rather be read to.
How about you lot? Anyone got any horror stories of readings gone wrong to share?
12 Comments on Story read out loud in front of the peoples, last added: 3/10/2007
jeez. i get incredibly nervous doing anything in front of people. i get nervous making a sitdown informal presentation in class. sometimes i even get nervous asking questions in class. and god help me if i have to actually stand up and give a presentation. speech class, both high school and college, was living hell. i couldn’t eat anything all day before giving a speech. once, i got it into my head to play piano in front of the entire high school. it ruined the whole day beforehand. and then, when i messed up horribly during the performance, it ruined the whole rest of the day after. i swore after that i’d never subject myself to such terror again. i ask people what classes they have to give presentations in just so that i’ll know to avoid taking them. i am way better one-on-one.
doing a reading would terrify me, needless to say. i am in awe of those of you who can get up and do stuff like that. you didn’t seem nervous at all when i saw you speak.
Justine said, on 3/8/2007 6:20:00 PM
you didn’t seem nervous at all when i saw you speak.
Talking off the cuff in front of people doesn’t bother me much at all. I really enjoy doing panels and the kind of presentation you saw. (Q&A is always my favourite part.) But then I’ve been doing stuff like that for years and years now. So any nervousness I used to have is pretty much gone now.
It’s when I have to read something out loud that I wrote that I start to quake. But like I said it’s getting better.
I know it’s hard to believe but the more practice you get talking in front of people the easier it gets. Of course, there’s nothing that says you have to get better at it. There are plenty of successful writers who do no public appearances.
letitia said, on 3/8/2007 6:33:00 PM
i thought i was the only one who felt that way…and that it was a side affect of not being a “real” writer, aka published. nice to know i’ll be quitely vomiting after readings for years to come.
i feel like i need covet and chastize a little. you’re a fiction writer and in the enviable position of being a fabulous one. people like stories, and even the yawning people listen politely because they’ve been trained for stories.
i’m a poet. i’m not a narrative poet, and contrary to popular sentiment, this does not mean i’m a bad poet either. when people give me blank looks at a reading, it’s for real. it doesn’t mean that my writing isn’t their particular cup of tea. it’s the frozen, blank, terrified, glassy-eyed, how’d i wind up here, out-to-lunch gaze of people missing all my beautiful words because they want a story…or shakespeare or frost…but that’s a tale for another time.
well, i can’t complain too much because in an informal survey of my poet friends, we’ve decided that we’re pretty much universally inspired to write poems because of all the fiction we consume. even the poets are story-addicts. (WHERE’S MY NEXT LARBALESTIER BOOK ALREADY?!) is there any chance you fiction writers are the people still secretly buying poetry?
Dawn said, on 3/8/2007 8:06:00 PM
Tomorrow I have to do some reading of Shel Silverstein’s poetry to my Children’s Lit class. Granted, its only a class of 20, its still really scary for me for some reason. I really hated my Public Speaking class, and I had to work hard to get the grade that I did. My hands always get really cold and clammy, and I ALWAYS feel like I’m going to lose any meal I’ve had all day. I hope that perhaps one day I won’t feel that way anymore and improve like you have! That would be very nice.
Malcolm said, on 3/8/2007 11:14:00 PM
I’m not an author, but I am an avid enough consumer of books that I go to author readings sometimes when interesting people make the planet-wide journey out here to Sydney. I’ve seen some truly bad readings — where the author was either tired from a long book tour, or just not a good speaker and mumbled into their book whilst the audience looked for a fire escape. Most of the time, though, it’s a fun show, so I’m glad you guys (authors) submit to it. Thanks.
Making a massive generalisation, it seems like an author will be quite relaxed when talking off the cuff, then read a small passage from their book and it starts out very stiffly. But then, after a minute, they start to get into it and loosen up and it sounds more natural and fun. So it sounds like you aren’t alone in your internal state prior to reading, Justine.
(Now, if only you could have done this in, say, a month when I would have been in New York, I might have been able to go. ).
Maryrose Wood said, on 3/8/2007 11:15:00 PM
Justine, you were an absolutely knock-out reader by the only two measures that count, in my opinion.
1) You got laughs.
2) That Australian accent was UTTERLY convincing!
fabulous job! can’t wait for the book, now,
xoxox
m
Rebecca said, on 3/9/2007 12:59:00 AM
logically, i know that practice will help. it’s the whole actually doing it thing that’s the problem.
Diana said, on 3/9/2007 4:08:00 AM
I’ve read once. I’m not a fan. I’ve been to two author readings in my life. One was a group reading, at which four authors read, and only one really had the audience going. He was so amazing at it, I would be embarrassed to be anywhere near him at a reading. People were lined up to get his book.
YA authors, in particular, seem to value reading very highly. (I’ve never seen a romance author read.) I hope that’s not too important, since I don’t think I’m very good at it.
Justine said, on 3/9/2007 8:03:00 AM
Letitia: I definitely think you’re on to something—narrative poetry is still popular in various forms. One of the NYT bestselling chapter books right now, Ellen Hopkins’ Impulse, is in free verse. The desire for story goes very very deep. Much of the poetry I love and read over and over like Yvette Christiansë’s Castaway or Anne Sexton’s Transformations are strongly narrative.
Dawn: Good luck! Does it help to be reading such a marvellous poet? Or does it make it worse?
Malcolm: I’ll be doing anothe appearance on 23 March if that helps. Though that’s not really next month, is it? Anyway you’re in Sydney we do gigs at home once or twice a year.
Maryrose: Hah! What about you, you theatrically trained cheater you! So not fair having to follow you. People almost fell out of their chairs they were laughing so hard during your reading. I think in future you have to go last. Otherwise it’s just not fair!
Rebecca: That there is a catch 22.
Diana: I love hearing other people reading and I have to say overall the standard in YA is very very high.
I definitely think it’s worth practising, Diana. When I read well, like you observed with that good reader, I sell a tonne of books. A good reading is extraordinary. The trick is to practise, read something funny, and keep it short. Like I said five minutes is perfect.
Mary said, on 3/9/2007 9:59:00 AM
I was going to ask how an unpublished author could get practice, but really I already know where I need to start. Just have to do it. I am going to make a point to read to my writing group at our meeting this month. Though I get nervous enough bringing up agenda points, and these are my siblings! I’m so shy, quiet, non-confident… still hard to believe that I’m the one that started and leads the group.
Good to know that even wonderfully talented and published authors like yourself can get terribly nervous.
Justine said, on 3/9/2007 10:07:00 AM
I read out loud to Scott every second or third day or so when I’m writing a first draft. I think that’s had a part in improving my reading skills. It’s also an awesome way to hear what’s wrong with my writing and then fix it. Still, an actual audience will always be way scarier than the person you live with.
Good luck reading to your writing group!
Diana said, on 3/10/2007 8:52:00 AM
Do you really think reading aloud is important? Can I hire someone? what are your going rates?
If you’re in NYC in the next couple of weeks here are two YA events you might want to check out:
Me and Scott will be taking part in the Read This Books for NYC Schools Day on the 10th of April. Read This collects books for people who need them, especially schools without libraries, hospitals, homeless shelters, troops overseas, etc.
The readings will be short. Just five minutes each.1 I’ll be reading a letter from the 1930s novel (the novel I’m mostly working on right now) by my favourite character, Lizzy.2 Scott may or may not be reading a sneak preview from Goliath. He says it will depend on the crowd and his jetlag.
Hope to see some of you there.