First there was the artwork for The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon which made feel incredibly fortunate to have such a pretty little chapbook. I thought, second time around (assuming there would ever be a second time), I wouldn't be as fortunate. A nobody doesn't get to have two kick-ass covers. Guess, I was wrong. How beautiful is this...
Aaron Polson (publisher and cover designer) is now officially upgraded to demigod.
Seven weeks to the day of her release The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon has officially sold out. We had an initial print run of 25 copies, and then a second print run of another 25 copies, which means (for those who are mathematically challenged) that 50 copies of Olive Lemon are lurking in various parts of the world, from the UK, to the US, to Argentina, to Australia, to Sweden.
Thank you to everyone who bought a copy, read a copy, or perhaps stole a copy (we all have gremlins hiding under our desks, right?). Thanks to everyone who took the time to promote Ms. Lemon. And, a special thanks to Nate Lambert and Stephen Blundell for making this ride wonderful.
Two wonderful reviews of 'The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon' have appeared on the net this week. The first from Brenton Tomlinson over at his blog Musings of a Aussie Writer. I quote:
If you're new to the Catherine J Gardner brand of fiction, then 'The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon' will leave you in no doubt as to the unique voice, the mastery of the metaphor, and the exquisite use of vivid narrative description....
Full review here.
The second by Steven Pirie for The Future Fire. Again, I quote:
The result is a delightfully off-kilter dark fantasy that's a pleasure to read.
Full review here.
Oh, and be scared, be very, very scared... Tomorrow I unleash the Scary Dancing Apples upon the world.
My chapbook, The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon, is now available for purchase at Bucket 'O' Guts for $6 incl shipping & handling in the US (payable via paypal). If you live outside the U.S. you can email Nate Lambert at [email protected] and he'll get back to you with the price including shipping & handling. That is, of course, assuming you want to buy. No pressure.
Anyway, now onto some goodies. If you would like a free 'Olive Lemon' bookmark signed by me, then email your address to me at firemaiden (at) blueyonder (dot) co (dot) uk and I'll send one along to you. Here is a pretty picture of said bookmark:
And now onto some prizes:
First prize: Signed 'The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon' poster and a signed limited edition Olive Lemon jigsaw.
Second prize: A signed limited edition Olive Lemon jigsaw.
Competition Rules:
Promote Olive Lemon on your blog or website by either posting the below advertising poster on your blog, by mentioning Olive's release and linking back to my blog or to the Bucket 'O' Guts website, or some other ingenious wild plan that promotes Olive in some way. Anything really. And be sure to let me know you've done so by either leaving a note on this blog post or emailing me at the above address.
Competiton closes August 30th 2009 at midnight (your time).
Oh, and if you do buy a copy - thank you, thank you, thank you.
Why write when you can play around with your blog?
I've updated my
Bibliography page and hopefully made it that little bit more accessible. I've put a dividing line between then and now (if you read my last post you'll know what I mean). If you didn't, it doesn't really matter.
I'm getting excited and very, very nervous (what if nobody likes it?) about my chapbook. The edits are done and at the moment it looks like 'The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon' will be published in July. I should have cover artwork soon - it's difficult to gulp and yay at the same time. In the meantime, here's the blurb:
The Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon by Catherine J Gardner
"It is important to show no signs of madness even when the world about you is clearly insane…
Olive Lemon is determined to discover what lies beneath the polished veneer of her town. When the Mayor bans citizens from venturing into the grey streets of the neighbouring suburb, a tantalising place of tattoo parlours and screams, Olive’s world begins to snap apart like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.”
Very nice. When is this going to be available, again?
At the moment it's looking like October. Keeping my fingers crossed it is. (No pressure, Aaron). :D
Aaron did a fantastic job! Congrats, Cate!
I've been away for awhile and didn't even know about this! Too exciting and I love the cover--even the color!.
Good job with the cover Aaron.
I will pick this up, Cate. I've read your work before and I'd be really excited to get this.
Who's publishing?
!! That is all kinds of awesome, Cate. I really like it!
He did. Thanks, Lee
Thanks, Bobbie. Strange Publications is publishing it.
Thanks, Corinne
So lovely. : )
I like how both of your covers use butterflies. They will look nice sitting side by side on the shelf.
I'll certainly pick up a copy...
Nice! It looks really cool. October can't come soon enough. :-D
LOVE the cover! Can you give us a sample of what's inside the book?
You are anything but a nobody, Cate-- and that is indeed a completely friggin gorgeous cover. Mad props to Aaron!
Beautiful!
OMG, that is awesome! I love that cover! I can't wait to snap up my copy in a few months, too. :)
Looks great- looking forward to getting hold of this one!
Thanks, Rebecca
Jamie, I know!!! I've so got to include a butterfly in the plot of my next book.
Thanks, Steven.
Me neither, Anthony
Rose, the answer to that would be a huge YES - http://www.fantasy-magazine.com/2009/07/trench-foot/ - one of the stories previously appeared in Fantasy magazine.
Katey, he is soooooo talented.
Thank you, Jaym
Thanks, Kate
Thanks, Simon
I don't know who this "Aaron" fellow is, but he obviously has too much time on his hands. (Yes, October is looking good)
Aaron :D
Fantastic! Congrats to both of you.
ooohhhh pretty! You both did a fabulous job.
Thanks, guys. Though I just span in my chair while Aaron made with the pretty.
What a fantastic cover! Aaron continues to outdo himself! Can't wait to have this on my shelf! (or, to be more honest, in my To Read pile)...
Ha! Thanks, Barry.
Bloody brilliant cover :)
Ooh!
Wow. That is an amazing cover. Very impressed and more than a little jealous :)