Blackwood

Chicago! (Event and WorldCon Stuff)

Dearest lovely people of Chicago, we are coming to your city for WorldCon this week. YAY.

If you're not coming to the convention, but are in Chicago, then I have just the event for you (*makes hopeful puppy eyes*):

Friday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.: Angry Robot Author Showcase at The Book Cellar, featuring Gwenda Bond, Adam Christopher, Kim Curran, and Chuck Wendig.

Here be copies of Blackwood (officially out Sept. 4!) and Shift (Kim Curran, ditto) and Seven Wonders (Adam Christopher) and Mockingbird (Chuck Wendig). And I'm sure it'll be a fun event. So, come out, see us authors, get a signed copy, chat for a bit. The bookstore sounds amazing, and the Chicago Reader looks to have a handy map–which you probably don't need if you're local, but WorldCon folks are more than welcome too, obviously. Also, I hear there's a gelato place nearby for after.

If you are coming to WorldCon, I'm doing a few things there too:

– Friday, Aug. 31 at 1:30 p.m. (McCormick): Young Adult Trends panel (with Leigh Bardugo, Gwenda Bond, Aurora Celeste, Emily Jiang, Bryce Moore).

– Friday, Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. (Dusable): Reading. (I'll read from Blackwood, and maybe a little bit from the current draft of The Woken Gods. Quite possibly a Blackwood T-shirt will be given away. We'll see.)

– Sunday, Sept. 2 at 4:30 p.m. (Autograph tables): Signing.

And, yes, there will be copies of Blackwood available at the Angry Robot/Strange Chemistry table, which I'll probably stop by with some regularity, too. Every copy sold makes me beam and beam until an angel gets their wings. Every copy you buy and ask me to sign makes baby sloths somewhere do extremely cute things.

I'll also be at Christopher's programming items, whenever my schedule permits, and, of course, the bar. Come say hi.

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Whee!

So, remember I put up that big laundry list of stuff yesterday and was all: That's everything! Nothing more to see here. Turns out, I lied. Because Blackwood is on this: 

io9 Fall Preview: This Fall's Must-Read Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

In fact, it's right there at the top of the list. *faints* (Thanks so much to io9, seriously.)

I apologize if this is incoherent, for I seem to have forgotten to take allergy medication this morning and have had less coffee than normal. AND I got less sleep than normal, because I was completely wired after the fabulous party put together by regional Random House rep extraordinaire (and generally wonderful person) Eileen so I could meet and hang out with booksellers from our three biggest local bookstores (how lucky is Lexington to have Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Morris Book Shop, and Barnes and Noble? very) and a few other excellent bookish types and talk Blackwood. There was a giant powerpoint presentation projected on the wall with slides from the pinterest board and of the book cover (!) and I signed many copies of the book. (Psst: Other Strange Chemistry authors, lots of your galleys were given out as well! Excitement!) At any rate, a super-super fun evening with a bunch of wonderful people.

Which is meaning a super-drowsy Friday…

But there are still more relevant links. My cup runneth over.

I like that Miranda and Phillips are getting the romance love today. It makes me happy. But it's a little ironic, because I'm representing Team Stomp (aka action!) over at Rabid Reads today in the epic Stomp vs. Romp contest. I channeled Dear Aunt Gwenda to give five tips for surviving an action sequence. Excerpt: "No, if you have to be a villain, make it epic. Be the worst you possibly can–burn books of poetry, wear a false mustache and twirl it regularly, and remember the number one rule of villainous fashion (aka “Black is always the new black”)–and maybe, just maybe, you’ll get to survive two, three, maybe even a series’ worth of books."

Go read and vote Stomp if you're so inclined. There is also a giveaway you can enter for a signed copy of Blackwood. (Winners of other signed copies of Blackwood, they're coming as soon as my author copies show up…so VERY SOON. I resisted the impulse to steal copies last night…barely.)

Hope you guys all have an excellent weekend.

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Newsies!

Okay, I was going to put up my WorldCon schedule and a reminder about the Chicago event today, but I'm leaving that till tomorrow or Monday. Because this is something I'm superexcited about.

Blackwood is going to be an audiobook!

That's right, lovelies, if you prefer to listen to your books, you'll be able to get Blackwood that way simultaneously with its release the first week of September. You can read the full press release from Angry Robot at the link above, but AudioGO will be doing the Strange Chemistry and Exhibit A imprint books, starting with Blackwood and Shift. I have known about this for a little while, so glad to be able to announce it.

The Blackwood audiobook will be voiced by Stephanie Cannon, whose samples are amazing AND who–in addition to acting and voice work–is also a professional stiltwalker. (Those of you who know my love of all things circus will understand how happy this makes me.)

A few other cool things:

  • SFX review! I'm honored for the book to be beside my release sister Kim Curran and her excellent Shift. You can embiggen the photo to read the whole reviews, but I kind of want to marry the part about "Bond's sassy prose"–I have always wanted to have sassy prose. *beams*
  • I also kind of want to marry this review by Ole Imsen at Weirdmage's Reviews (which, btw, is in-depth, but not spoilery in the least):  "This is a great debut novel by Gwenda Bond, and it is a novel that deserves a place on the shelves of any Fantasy fan. And for those that are partial to Young Adult, this is a must buy."
  • A couple more reviews: Josh at Rabid Reads ("Recommended if you like a tempestuous and criminal read redolent of salt-spray") and by Kevin Holtsberry at Collected Miscellany ("I think anyone who enjoys YA – particularly the paranormal romance side – will enjoy this debut.  It has a nice blend of action, mystery and romance and is creative and witty without trying to hard to be cute"). (I so appreciate all the guys who've read and reviewed the book–who says men won't read a book with a romance and a girl on the cover?)
  • And thanks to everyone who spread the word and/or checked out Blackwood's excerpt this week (it has almost 1400 views as I post this–holy cats! nerves!).
  • There's also a new short "Amazon Exclusive" essaylet on Blackwood's Amazon page about my inspiration for the book and how it came together.
  • And, last but not least, while I was on the road last week I neglected to point to a new interview at Manga Maniac Cafe. (Question five was tough–this was a fun interview to do.)

For those who have asked: Blackwood's official release date is Sept. 4 in the U.S. and Sept. 6 in the UK. I do not know if copies will leak out early–except in Chicago next weekend–but please do send photos if you spot one. Eek!

And that's it for now, except to wish Amanda and everyone else on the other side of the pond a great launch party tonight at the British Museum. Go Team SC!

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All The Elsewheres Are Here

Or something, because, honestly, I have these moments where I go: THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING. I HAVE A BOOK COMING OUT .

And the rest of the time I feel like it's all imaginary.

The Strange Chemistry website has gotten a beeYOOtiful redesign from web guru and magican of all things technical and marketing and etc. at Angry Robot Darren Turpin. And today they've put up excerpts from all four the first SC books, including Blackwood. (This would be one of those moments where it FEELS REAL.) I'm attempting to embed it here, but you should go look at 'em all, like, share, if you feel so moved, etc.

(EEK! I hope you guys enjoy!)

 

 

Something else that makes it feel scarily real? Holding an actual copy of the book. Like so:

 

Me + Blackwood

 

Some other quick links:

  • New happy-making review from Tsana's Reads and Reviews: "I really loved both the main characters in this book. They work well together, playing off each other as equals. Rather than having one be the damsel in distress, both had different talents which together help them save the day." (Yay!)
  • And two more happy-making reviews: from Strangely Literary ("I think teens will enjoy this new tale and many of them will become intrigued with the history of Roanoke Island when they read the novel") and from my fellow SC author Sean Cummings ("…a breath of fresh air for those of us who are dead dog tired of brooding vampire boyfriends and shape-shifting were-things"; note: I can't wait to read Poltergeeks).
  • And, last, a fab list of YA novels set on islands by Kelly Jensen, who was kind enough to include Blackwood. I have a complete thing for island books, and immediately noted the ones here I haven't read.

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Signing Of The (Historical) Times (aka Roanoke Island Visit)

So, a trip report is merited, I think. Though I'm still a bit whirlwinded from the whole thing. Where to start?

Oh, yeah, THIS HAPPENED:

 

First Copy Of Blackwood Sold!

 

That would be me with several actors from The Lost Colony and the first-ever sold-in-a-bookstore copy of Blackwood. More on why this is basically the coolest thing that could have happened in a moment (though if you've already read the book, you understand).

Now that I've got that out of my system, I'll try to be more focused. Also, lots more photos ahead.

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On the Road, Misc.

I was delighted when Stefan Fergus asked me to do an interview for his Civilian Reader site. It's up now–I reveal a dirty reading secret (sort of!) and talk about genre and writing habits and other such things. Check it out, if you're so inclined.

This "reviewaka" of Blackwood made me happy (and I just love the whole concept of reviewakas). Poetry meets brief reviews.

And, finally, we're on the road! Cue up the Johnny Cash and Jim White! Today we'll hit the Outer Banks. If you're down there (or know people there, spread the word), then do come by Downtown Books tomorrow afternoon, anytime from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Though you might want to come at 1 o'clock–when Eleanor Dare and John Borden from The Lost Colony will be in attendance in costume!)

For now, the interstate awaits.

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Elsewhere-ing

The fabulous Kelly Jensen of the excellent blog Stacked invited me to be one half of a dual guest post that's up today on new-to-YA publishers–I'm talking about Strange Chemistry and my experience with them and Amy Spalding talks about hers with Entangled Publishing. A snippet from my portion:

Once Amanda started reading submissions, in the book went and we heard from her not that long after–she wanted it and she was really excited about it, though the Editorial Board (dreaded by all writers) still lay ahead. But the ed board said YES. Hallelujah, heavenly choirs, the usual. As a debut author at a small publisher, you can’t expect a “shut up, you’re buying this round” deal. BUT that’s also true as a debut author–or a midlist one, for that matter–at many larger publishers. Giant deals are far fewer than it seems. Really. 

So, a mix of my personal story and some publishing talk. Go thither to read the rest.

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More Blackwooding

A few new things!

Although the book isn't officially out until September 4 here (and September 6 in the UK), my first event is this week. If you're in driving distance of Roanoke Island (or lucky enough to live down in the Outer Banks), come out! I'm super-excited about this one, and will be tweeting and photo-blogging and things on the way and while we're there, and possibly Christopher and I will even manage a little travelogue video when we return (with some expert assistance from our too-kind friend Mandy, if it happens). (Maybe the hashtag will be #CROATOAN? Oh, I think so.) Here's the details:

Thursday, Aug. 16 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.: Blackwood Pre-Release Signing at Duck's Cottage Downtown Books (105 Sir Walter Raleigh Street) in Manteo, N.C.

The bookstore has been so wonderful to work with, and I'm told there's a chance there may be a couple of exciting drop-ins from local folks…in costume(!). Fingers crossed, though no promises can be made. (Updated: Eleanor Dare and John Borden from The Lost Colony show will be in the house at 1 p.m. Yay!) But I can tell you that regardless the New World Festival of the Arts will also be going on downtown that day, so fun.

There's a post about all the places I'll be for the next month at the Strange Chemistry blog. (And, of course, here.)

Some new Blackwood reviews (with some leetle spoilers, if you care about that kind of thing–but nothing too spoilery):

And the T-shirts arrived!

Team Blackwood!

That's it for now. More soon!

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Everyone’s A Winner (+ Gratuitous Pets)

The YA Scavenger Hunt winners have been posted over at the main site, along with many individual winners.

Computing the results of my bonus contest was harrrd work here, taking a group effort. It started with Hemingway helping read the numbers of entries from the desk:

 

Hemingway 'Assisting'

 

And that was only the beginning…

(Warning: Gratuitous pet photos ahead. Viewer caution is advised.)

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Surreality

That would be waking to this lovely tweet featuring my beaming editor holding a finished copy of Blackwood!

Amanda+Blackwood
And then beaming editor Amanda sent along a fabulous review of Blackwood by Faren Miller in this month's Locus (!). An excerpt: 

"Offbeat and imaginative, Blackwood mingles past and present, dark forces with a hint of pulp SF, along with many kinds of drama — from Shakespearean revenge to an amphitheater show where the island’s legend is just an entertainment for passing tourists. Whether viewed as young adult, genre mix, or a first novel, it belongs with the year’s best."

*falls over dead*

Less than a month now until the official release.

*jumps up and down*

As you were.

p.s. One more pointer to the Waterstones interview for the week-day crowd.

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