tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26587152024-03-13T01:55:46.915-05:00fringe elementi do not know everyone. i swear.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-43990496338655495942012-05-23T10:41:00.000-05:002012-05-23T10:41:33.207-05:00WisCon!Tomorrow morning I head North, to cross the Cheddar Curtain, to attend my very first WisCon!
Here is my panel schedule:
<table class="lined" >
<tr class="head">
<th> </th>
<th> Schedule </th>
<th> Location </th>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> <a href="/program/detail?idItems=1532">Chicks Dig Comics <small>(scheduled)</small></a> </td>
<td> Fri, 9:00–10:15 pm </td>
<td> Assembly </td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Moderator: Sigrid Ellis.
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Come celebrate the delightful truth: women create, produce, read, and really, really dig comics! Join the editors and writers of <i>Chicks Dig Comics,</i> a just-released collection of essays, as they share their love for this medium and the stories it can tell.</td></tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> <a href="/program/detail?idItems=1685">SF on TV <small>(scheduled)</small></a> </td>
<td> Fri, 10:30–11:45 pm </td>
<td> Conference 4 </td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Moderator: Richard S. Russell.
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Hello to <i>Terra Nova, Falling Skies,</i> and the fairy-tale shows <i>Once Upon A Time</i> and <i>Grimm.</i> So long to <i>V, Chuck, Stargate, Smallville,</i> and <i>Haven. Alphas</i> is a terrific cross between <i>Heroes</i> and <i>Fringe.</i> British imports include <i>Being Human</i> and <i>Merlin</i> as well as the good ol’ Doc. <i>Fringe, Warehouse 13, The Walking Dead,</i> and especially <i>Game of Thrones</i> gave fans plenty to drool over. And more! Handouts included. Since it's impossible for anyone to keep up with all the shows, audience participation is mandatory.</td></tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> <a href="/program/detail?idItems=1563">Women in Comics <small>(scheduled)</small></a> </td>
<td> Sat, 8:30–9:45 am </td>
<td> Assembly </td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Moderator: Jessica Plummer.
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> What did the past year bring us for women in comics? What fates befell female characters; what women are doing good work in the field? Discussion of Marvel's Fear Itself event and DC's New 52 reboot are welcome, as well as conversation about non-superhero and indy works.</td></tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> <a href="/program/detail?idItems=1604">Spoiler Rules <small>(scheduled)</small></a> </td>
<td> Sun, 10:00–11:15 am </td>
<td> Conference 4 </td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Moderator: Jeanne Gomoll.
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Guest of Honor Debbie Notkin wrote a fascinating essay, "On Spoiling the Plot." http://www.strangehorizons.com/2005/20050815/notkin-c.shtml
What are your preferences for plot spoilers? Do you hate it when people give away a major plot twist? Are you equally frustrated when someone gives away even minor elements of a plot in your presence? Is there a time limit for revealing spoilers? And why do the same people who hate to have book plots spoiled for themselves eagerly view very spoiling movie previews?</td></tr>
<tr class="even">
<td> <a href="/program/detail?idItems=1658">What I Like About You: Negotiating Layers of Fannishness <small>(scheduled)</small></a> </td>
<td> Sun, 10:00–11:15 pm </td>
<td> Senate B </td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Moderator: Cat Meier.
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> What does it mean to be a fan of a source? Fannish love takes many different forms: consumption, discussion, squee, analysis, transformative works, critique, and deconstruction are just some of the many ways we engage with fandom. How do we balance the many, sometimes competing modes of fannish engagement within ourselves and our communities? </td></tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td> <a href="/program/detail?idItems=1498">Can We Talk? <small>(scheduled)</small></a> </td>
<td> Mon, 8:30–9:45 am </td>
<td> Conference 4 </td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Moderator: Georgie L. Schnobrich.
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" style="padding-left:18px"> Let's talk about conversational styles and unshared contexts between (among) generations. Why do both the young and old so often hear only their imagined, inferred sub-texts? How can we find a way to really listen and hear each other? What are the difficulties, and how might we solve them? From our Greatest Generation to Generation Text, can we afford not to? Bring ideas!</td></tr>
</table>
<p>I'm VERY excited, as I've been hearing about the wonders of WisCon for many years, but have never been. If you will be at the show this week-end, be sure to say hello!</p>Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-81982176005920112282012-05-04T10:59:00.000-05:002012-05-04T10:59:27.211-05:00I've been BoingBoing'd!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2wz3lTZDP1qioh1no1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="439" width="500" src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2wz3lTZDP1qioh1no1_500.png" /></a></div>
Holy cats, the designs I created for Bordertownseries.com made it to <a href="http://boingboing.net/2012/05/04/bordertown-shirts.html">BoingBoing</a>, thanks to Cory Doctorow & Ellen Kushner.
I was not expecting that. But it’s kinda nifty. The swag itself is <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/betterw2/8180739">up in my Cafepress Shop</a>. If you'd like to learn more about the design process, I've created a <a href="http://fringe-element.tumblr.com">Tumblr</a> and have been posting bits about the projects I've been up to there.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-38573748634343644322012-04-11T13:35:00.000-05:002012-04-11T13:35:37.010-05:00What is a "Web Piskie" you ask?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96SS81GgpRkElOLOSLifPaOYVDNYB1wzEM3KTqsuQinW2fsuaySc6TIJ3tNXJf05l5SUyhI94XpgpGInEcJW7aW66xnz2Fi2MJu7gu3fIzGJ8kxQq6UHUxoPVT-Kp-Evi09AUHw/s1600/road_300x187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="187" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96SS81GgpRkElOLOSLifPaOYVDNYB1wzEM3KTqsuQinW2fsuaySc6TIJ3tNXJf05l5SUyhI94XpgpGInEcJW7aW66xnz2Fi2MJu7gu3fIzGJ8kxQq6UHUxoPVT-Kp-Evi09AUHw/s320/road_300x187.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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In my case, being the B-town Web Piskie means that I am in charge of updating <a target="_blank" href="http://bordertownseries.com">Bordertownseries.com</a>, and also the brand-spanking-new <a target="_blank" href="http://bordertownseries.tumblr.com">B-town Tumblr</a>.<br />
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I am relatively new to the world of Tumblr, this I admit. But part of the joy of the last few days has been surfing #Bordertown tagged content, and finding all the fan comments on both <i><b>Welcome to Bordertown</b></i> and <a target="_blank" href="http://bordertownseries.com/series.html">The Bordertown Series</a>, created by Terri Windling.<br />
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Keep spreading the love! And if you have a tumblr, please follow the <a target="_blank" href="http://bordertownseries.tumblr.com">B-Town Blog</a>, and feel free to reblog! Think of us as noobs with the dust of the world still fresh behind our ears. We need some Diggers to show us the Way around town.<br />
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In the meantime, keep checking <a target="_blank" href="http://bordertownseries.com">Bordertownseries.com</a> as we're adding content practically daily, and I'm sprucing the place up with new pretties all the time. Soon <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cafepress.com/betterw2/8180739">Trader's Heaven</a> will be jam packed with new B-town swag (I cannot tell you how long I have wanted a Khandromas tee-shirt, and how thrilled I am that I will soon be able to have one of my very own), new extras like desktop wallpaper and icons, and the <a target="_blank" href="http://bordertownseries.com/contest.php?news=bring-a-friend-to-bordertown">Bring a Friend to Bordertown</a> contest is well udnerway, with some AMAZING entries thus far!Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-37520215880692519252012-04-10T12:03:00.005-05:002012-04-10T12:19:50.734-05:00HAIL!FIVE exciting things to announce today!<br />
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Seanan McGuire has posted new <i>Incryptid</i> stories featuring Frances Brown & Jonathan Healy, and I designed the covers. <a target="_blank" href="http://seananmcguire.com/icshorts.php">Please check them out</a>!<br />
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<center><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/taraoshea/pic/0001190g/s640x480" width="311" height="480" border="0" /></center><br />
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I've entered four tee-shirt designs in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.welovefine.com/contest.php?id_contest=9">WeLoveFine's JEM design contest</a>. The winner gets to have her or his design produced as a tee-shirt (and officially licensed by Hasbro!) in addition to a cash prize. You have to register on the site to rate the designs, and the more folks who rate them, the higher the potential cash prize. So if you have a minute, and want to indulge my passion for frighteningly PINK glamour & glitter, fashion & fame, check it out!<br />
<br />
My Designs:<br />
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.welovefine.com/vote.php?id_contest=9#/id_submit=2359">Truly Outrageous</a><br />
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.welovefine.com/vote.php?id_contest=9#/id_submit=2364">Stormer</a><br />
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.welovefine.com/vote.php?id_contest=9#/id_submit=2362">RESPECT THE HAIR</a><br />
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.welovefine.com/vote.php?id_contest=9#/id_submit=2349">Showtime, Synergy!</a><br />
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Secondly, <i>Welcome to Bordertown</i> comes out in trade today!!! <a target="_blank" href="http://bordertownseries.com">BordertownSeries.com</a> has been redesigned (by yours truly), and editors Ellen Kushner and Holly Black are running a contest! <br />
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<a target="_blank" href="http://bordertownseries.com/contest.php?news=bring-a-friend-to-bordertown">Bring a Friend to Bordertown</a><br />
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Thirdly, <a target="_blank" href="http://rarelylynne.livejournal.com/282972.html"><i>Chicks Dig Comics</i></a> hits stores today, featuring an essay by me, and essays and interviews from a SLEW of amazing contributors. It's edited by Sigrid Ellis and Lynne Thomas and the official book launch will be at C2E2 this Sunday!<br />
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And lastly, Seanan McGuire's album <a target="_blank" href="http://seananmcguire.com/albums.php"><i>Wicked Girls</i></a> has been nominated for a Hugo Award in the "Best Related Work" category. I designed the cover, and could not be more thrilled that it has made it to the Hugos Ballot.<br />
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<center><a target="_blank" href="http://seananmcguire.com/albums.php"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/taraoshea/pic/000142qp" width="342" height="342" border="0" /></a></center>Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-77956008298348500432011-07-28T23:42:00.000-05:002011-07-28T23:42:47.549-05:00WorldCon 2011 - RenovationAs many before me have done, here is my WorldCon Schedule as it currently stands! Hope to see many of you at Renovation next month.<br />
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<b>Thu 14:00 - 15:00, For <i>Fringe</i> Fans (Panel), C1 (RSCC)</b><br />
TV's cross between <i>X-Files</i> and <i>The Twilight Zone</i> just keeps getting richer and stranger. It's got a great mad scientist and a hot FBI agent or two. Where is <i>Fringe</i> going? Why do we love it so?<br />
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<b>Thu 16:00 - 17:00, Cover Art in the Age of e-Books (Panel), A02 (RSCC)</b><br />
Should an e-book cover be different than a print book? Does it have to be standard book cover size and shape or can it slip loose of standard print constraints? How the market for cover art and design might change in the age of electronic publishing? <br />
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<b>Thu 19:00 - 20:00, Make Your Own Geek Chick Action Figure (Workshop), Hall 2 Demo1 (RSCC)</b><br />
Get your doll-geek on! There aren't enough action figures of female characters from film or literature, but you can make your own! Come learn how to transform fashion dolls to geek chick icons.<br />
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<b>Fri 14:00 - 15:00, Book Design and Layout (Panel), A11 (RSCC)</b><br />
A review of the process and challenges involved in designing and producing a book once the written word is in hand.<br />
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<b>Sat 10:00 - 11:00, KaffeeKlatsch: Sat 10:00 (KaffeeKlatsch), KK1 (RSCC)</b><br />
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<b>Sat 11:00 - 12:00, The Role of the Companion: The Impact of the Companions on the Doctor (Panel), A05 (RSCC)</b><br />
The Doctor's companions aren't just generic side kicks. Our view of the Doctor is influenced by his companions. And the companions change the Doctor, something examined a number of times over the last several seasons. <br />
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<b>Sat 13:00 - 14:00, Has <i>Dr. Who</i> Jumped the Shark or is Steven Moffat Just Messing with Us? (Panel), A09 (RSCC)</b><br />
<i>Dr. Who</i> has been a very popular show for generations. But is the new <i>Dr. Who</i> losing its way? Is bigger and younger always better? Is there a method to Moffat's madness? Since Season Six won't conclude until after Worldcon, speculations can abound!<br />
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<b>Sat 16:00 - 17:00, Autographing: Sat 16:00 (Autographing), Hall 2 Autographs (RSCC)</b><br />
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<b>Sun 12:00 - 13:00, Marketing Yourself on the Web (Panel), A05 (RSCC)</b><br />
Does web site design still matter in the age of social media? How should a nontechnical artist or author approach the question of how to market yourself electronically?Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-33694434498714682052011-06-23T23:38:00.000-05:002011-06-23T23:38:33.136-05:00CONvergence!I will be attending CONvergence 2011 next week in Minneapolis, and am on <a href="http://schedule.convergence-con.org/?s=Tara+O%27Shea">many, many panels</a>, sometimes with Seanan McGuire, sometimes with <i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i> co-editor Lynne Thomas, and sometimes with <i>Gargoyles</i> creator Greg Weisman. I am very excited, in part because I haven't actually been to a con with Greg in a zillion years and you can count on me geeking rather a lot, as I am a seriously hardcore <i>Gargoyles</i> fangirl. And also because the Tara-and-Seanan Show is always a good time, and usually involves at least one mention per hour of <i>Monster High</i>.<br />
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Please do come and say hello if you are attending!Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-25865115709099872942011-05-08T00:16:00.005-05:002011-05-27T13:59:17.661-05:00Welcome (back) to BordertownTwo blog posts in as many weeks! It's like the world has gone mad!<br />
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Right, so in the interests of keeping you updated with things what I have been up to, I'm honoured and excited to share with you images I've created, inspired by Terri Windling's <i>Bordertown</i> shared-world series, wallpapers and icons of which are now available on <a target="_blank" href="http://bordertownseries.com">BordertownSeries.com</a>. <br />
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Featuring stories by Charles de Lint, Ellen Kushner, Stephen R Boyett and Terri Windling (writing as Bellamy Bach), <b>Borderland</b> introduced me not only to a world where Faerie had returned and both human and fey runaways flocked to a crumbling human city where technology and magic were equally wonderful, unpredictable and dangerous (much like the B-town residents themselves), but to the nascent genre of urban fantasy which I had only sampled up to that point.<br />
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(In point of fact, you can blame Windling for that as well, as it was her <i>Fairy Tales Series</i> in the late 1980s which introduced me to Patricia C Wrede, Pamela Dean, Steven Brust, Ellen Kushner, Midori Snyder, and Kara Dalkey. Not to mention made me firmly believe that any book with a cover by Thomas Canty was worth picking up; a rule which has proved fairly reliable over the years, may I add.)<br />
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I had done a complete <i>Bordertown</i> series re-read in 2004, but since then the books sat on a shelf, drawing comments, and occasionally being loaned out (don't worry; I have loaner copies of nearly all of them) to visitors. They were constantly referenced, praised, geeked about and like most urban fantasy fans of a certain age, I imagined the stories I would have liked to have told, set in the Borderlands. As Emma Bull and Will Shetterly's B-town novels <b>Finder</b>, <b>Elsewhere</b>, and <b>Nevernever</b> were reprinted for the YA market, I continued touching wood and crossing digits that the original anthologies would be reprinted as well; or at the very least that a "Best Of" collection might emerge. But <i>new</i> stories? I never even dared to dream.<br />
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Then my dreams came true in February 2009, when editors Ellen Kushner and Holly Black announced they would be returning to Borderlands in a new anthology, <b>Welcome to Bordertown</b>, 13 years after the last anthology was published. Needless to say, I was beyond overjoyed. Because the <i>Borderlands</i> anthologies shaped my tastes as a reader, and influenced my life in so many ways since I first picked up the TOR edition of <b>Borderlands</b> in paperback from a university bookstore in 1992.<br />
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<center><img src="http://ljconstantine.com/blog/btown_cover.jpg"></center><br />
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Of course, my first thought was to wonder how B-town would look in the 21st century, a quarter century after the first stories were published? Sure, magic and rock & roll are eternal, but even with retro 80s nostalgia at its height and a whole new generation becomes convinced leggings really are pants, guyliner is completely acceptable if not expected at this point, and your hair can <i>never</i> be too big, I worried that the stories and world would seem dated; quaint even, to the current generation raised on computer animation, iPods, and smart phones.<br />
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I needn't have worried. Because the new anthology remains as relevant, real, heart-breaking, exciting and marvellous as the first one—with the added bonus that in <b>Welcome to Bordertown</b> we get to see how B-town reacts to the 21st century. <br />
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Ever wonder how the internet came to the Borderlands? Or how B-town holds their own version of Carnival? Ever miss Screaming Lord Neville's dramatic costume changes, or browsing the shelves at Elsewhere Books? Want to meet new Bordertown born-and-breds, humans with the dust of the world still behind their ears, or impossibly beautiful Truebloods with their own spinning racks of issues? <b>Welcome to Bordertown</b> has the hottest new bands in the clubs we know like the backs of our hands, the wildest old magic, and stories and poems and songs that make us laugh and cry no matter <i>where</i> we come from, or in what year we were born. Because no matter how much time passes between visits to B-town, people are still people (even when they're werewolves, elves, and dragons), and we still dream the same dreams. They may not keep us fed or warm, our dreams—but they keep us breathing all the same, and sometimes the only difference between <i>living</i> and <i>merely existing</i> are the dreams we have and the dreams we share.<br />
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The new <i>Bordertown</i> hardcover hits shelves this month, with stories and poems by returning B-town residents Charles de Lint, Ellen Kushner, Terri Windling, Steven Brust, Emma Bull, and Will Shetterly, as well as newcomers to its streets Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen, Nalo Hopkinson, Holly Black, Cat Valente, Amal El-Mohtar, and many others. And between its covers you'll find all manner of dreams, in all shapes and sizes. Maybe this will be <i>your</i> first B-town anthology. Maybe it will open your eyes to a world you never knew existed. Maybe it will teach you something you never knew about life. Maybe it will show you things you never suspected about yourself. There's only one way to find out...<br />
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What are you waiting for?<br />
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Bordertown <i>lives</i>. <br />
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Find your way.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-45057268849240188762011-04-24T17:02:00.002-05:002011-04-24T17:25:54.283-05:00Chicks Dig Time Lords nominated for a Hugo. Watch Tara's head explode.I am deeply honoured to announce that Lynne M Thomas and my essay collection <i><b>Chicks Dig Time Lords</b></i> has been nominated for a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thehugoawards.org/">2011 Hugo Award for "Best Related Work"</a>.<br />
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<center><img src="http://ljconstantine.com/blog/chicks-big-new.jpg"></center><br />
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Congratulations to the entire <i>Chicks</i> team, including assistant editor Michael Thomas, the book's designer Christa Dickson, cover artist Katy Shuttleworth, and all of our contributors and interviewees:<br />
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Elizabeth Bear<br />
Carole E. Barrowman<br />
Jackie Jenkins<br />
Deborah Stanish<br />
Helen Kang<br />
Lloyd Rose<br />
India Fisher<br />
Johanna Mead<br />
Francesca Coppa<br />
Sophie Aldred<br />
Jennifer Adams Kelley<br />
Tammy Garrison & Katy Shuttleworth<br />
Lisa Bowerman<br />
Jody Lynn Nye<br />
Amy Fritsch<br />
Seanan McGuire<br />
Kathryn Sullivan<br />
LM Myles<br />
Kate Orman<br />
Shoshana Magnet & Robert Smith?<br />
Mary Robinette Kowal<br />
K. Tempest Bradford<br />
Christa Dickson<br />
Catherynne M. Valente<br />
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As well as our publisher, Mad Norwegian Press, for taking a chance on this collection in the first place. It was a huge leap of faith on their parts, for which we are eternally grateful.<br />
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Also, congratulations to our fellow nominees in the "Best Related Work" category:<br />
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<b><i>Bearings: Reviews 1997-2001</i></b>, by Gary K. Wolfe (Beccon)<br />
<b><i>The Business of Science Fiction: Two Insiders Discuss Writing and Publishing</i></b>, by Mike Resnick and Barry N. Malzberg (McFarland)<br />
<b><i>Robert A. Heinlein: In Dialogue with His Century, Volume 1: (1907 – 1948): Learning Curve</i></b>, by William H. Patterson, Jr. (Tor)<br />
<b><i>Writing Excuses, Season 4</i></b>, by Brandon Sanderson, Jordan Sanderson, Howard Tayler, Dan Wells <br />
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I am now going to find the POOFIEST dress ever, for RENOvations shall be my Prom. I plan on dancing with everyone, and drinking a lot of spiked punch.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-6443942010109836132011-04-15T02:06:00.006-05:002011-04-15T02:31:10.222-05:00Social Tara is SocialAs always, I am truly <i>terrible</i> when it comes to updating my blog, and for that, I apologise. But this week has been full of lovely adventures. First off, in case you haven't heard, Chicago's <i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/oboc/11s_neverwhere/oboc_11s_greeting.php">One Book, One Chicago</a></i> selection for this spring is Neil Gaiman's <i>Neverwhere</i> [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Neverwhere-Novel-Neil-Gaiman/dp/0060557818/">Amazon</a>] [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mystgalaxy.com/book/9780060557812">Mysterious Galaxy</a>]. As someone who has read both the BBC Books version and the American version when they first came out, I was truly delighted--especially as I am currently re-reading the entirety of Terri Windling's Borderland canon in preparation for the release in May of <i>Welcome to Bordertown</i> [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Bordertown-Holly-Black/dp/0375867058/">Amazon</a>] [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mystgalaxy.com/book/9780375867057">Mysterious Galaxy</a>] edited by Ellen Kushner and Holly Black. So, I have had Magical Cities on the brain, you could say.<br />
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I wasn't able to attend Tuesday night's event at the Harold Washington Library, but I did trek out to the University of Chicago campus Rockefeller Chapel for Wednesday night's reading and Q&A. <br />
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Now, when most schools say "chapel", I tend to picture a bland, 1970s-built utilitarian space meant to accommodate ceremonies of any (or no) religious affiliation possible. Erm... no. When UofC say "chapel" what they <i>really</i> mean is a GIANT GORGEOUS CATHEDRAL. And Neil packed the place, and read from the pulpit which was a source of delight and amusement for all.<br />
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Having had the pleasure of hearing Neil read from his own work many times in the past nearly 20 years, I have to say that this instance stood out from all the rest for one main reason: <i>Order of The Odd Fish</i> author James Kennedy's <i>amazing</i> introduction. Do not take my word for it; see for yourself:<br />
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<p align="center"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/22402572" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" align="center"></iframe></p><br />
I very nearly genuinely damaged myself laughing. (Though, to be fair, breathing at the moment can cause me a bit of difficulty, as I am currently recovering from a nasty back injury.) However, the reading and Q&A more than lived up to that truly epic introduction, I got to visit with old friends and meet new one, and I stayed out far past my bedtime, having much too much fun. I may have paid for it the next day, but as they say (well, at least they said in Mindy Snodgrass' TNG episode "Up The Long Ladder") "Every moment of pleasure in life has to be purchased by an equal moment of pain."<br />
<br />
Then last night (I can say that as it is now just gone 2 AM, right?), I finally got to meet <i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i> [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Chicks-Dig-Time-Lords-Celebration/dp/1935234048/">Amazon</a>] [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mystgalaxy.com/book/9781935234043">Mysterious Galaxy</a>] contributor Cat Valente "in real life" as we say on the interwebs. She read from her latest novel, <i>Deathless</i> [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Deathless-Catherynne-M-Valente/dp/0765326302/">Amazon</a>] [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mystgalaxy.com/book/9780765326300">Mysterious Galaxy</a>] at The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square and she was just as much full of fun, poetry, wicked humour (and--in the end--beer) as promised. Note to any who travel to Lincoln Square staple The Chicago Brahaus in the future: the boot really is the size of a size 6 woman's riding boot which I'm fairly sure holds <i>at least</i> a litre and a half of whichever beer you order. While the entire table contributed to its eventual demise, I can tell you with complete sincerity that Catherynne The Great pretty much killed that soldier nearly all on her own, which I consider a testament to her will of iron and, frankly, her leg of wood.<br />
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Lastly, client and friend Seanan McGuire's thriller <i>FEED</i> [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Feed-Newsflesh-Book-Mira-Grant/dp/0316081051">Amazon</a>] [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mystgalaxy.com/book/9780316081054">Mysterious Galaxy</a>] from Orbit has been nominated for the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.shirleyjacksonawards.org/sja_2010_nominees.php">Shirley Jackson Award</a>, which is in my not entirely unbiased opinion entirely deserved. Also, the sequel, [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Deadline-Newsflesh-Book-Mira-Grant/dp/031608106X/">Amazon</a>] [<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mystgalaxy.com/book/9780316081061">Mysterious Galaxy</a>], comes out in May and believe me when I tell you, it's on hell of a ride, so you'd better buckle up and hold on for dear life...Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-42732419661564404042011-03-16T11:59:00.001-05:002011-03-16T12:00:21.827-05:00C2E2!Sorry for the late notice, but Lynne Thomas and I will be signing at C2E2 in Chicago this week-end at McCormick Place! We'll be appearing at the Alien Entertainment area on the main floor, Booth 947, Saturday March 19, 2-3pm! Bring your copies of <i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i> and <i>Whedonistas</i>, or pick them up from the booth at the show!<br />
<br />
And for you Middlefans out there, at 5:30pm there will be a <i>The Middleman</i> reunion panel featuring creator Javier Grillo-Marxuach, and series stars Natalie Morales, Matt Keeslar, Mary Pat Gleason, and Brit Morgan!Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-14203151004774086942011-01-14T13:17:00.006-06:002011-01-14T14:10:49.670-06:002011! Hurrah!So very many things to tell you all. And per usual, it's my own fault for not, you know... telling you sooner.<br />
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<i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i> co-editor Lynne M Thomas and I contributed an essay to Tor.com for their <i>Twelve Doctors of Christmas</i> series, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/01/chicks-dig-the-eleventh-doctor">"Chicks Dig The Eleventh Doctor"</a>. Be sure and check out the <a target="_blank" href='http://www.tor.com/blogs/2010/12/doctor-who'>entire series</a>, as it features essays from CDTL contributor Seanan McGuire, writer Paul Cornell, BOOM! Studios editor in chief Mark Waid, and many more!<br />
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Speaking of CDTL, I have been reliably informed by pretty much everyone on the planet that it is eligible for a Hugo award in the "Best Related Work" category. To nominate it, you need to have been a member of Aussiecon IV (WorldCon 2010) or a member of Renovation (Worldcon 2011) to nominate. <br />
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(If it ends up on the ballot, my head may actually explode. In a good way.)<br />
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Seanan McGuire is currently selling prints I designed with the lyrics to the song <i>Wicked Girls</i>. This is a limited print run of 500, and some signed and numbered prints are still available! <a target="_blank" href="http://seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com/311469.html">Check out her blog for details!</a><br />
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I am doing many, many conventions in 2011! Okay, at least 3. Okay, probably <i>more</i> than 3, but here are the shows were I know I'll be attending thus far. They are:<br />
<ul><li> <a target="_blank" href="http://gallifreyone.com">Gallifrey One</a>, Los Angeles, CA February 18-20</li>
<li> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.c2e2.com/">C2E2</a>, Chicago, IL, March 18-20</li>
<li> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.convergence-con.org/">CONvergence</a>, Bloomington, MN, June 30-July 3</li>
</ul>In other news, there will soon be 4 ridiculously awesome items I customised up for auction by Claudia Gray to promote her final <i>Evernight</i> novel, <i>Afterlife</i>. Check out <a target="_blank" href="http://claudiagray.com/blog/">her blog for details.</a><br />
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More stuff coming soon in the way of news, and hopefully not 6 months between updates this time!Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-73992797782360615622010-08-12T12:19:00.002-05:002010-08-12T17:13:19.525-05:00I live!You know that thing I do where I swear up and down I am not going to neglect my blog for months on end? And I promise con reports and so on, and then never deliver?<br />
<br />
Yeah. So. Erm...<br />
<br />
To catch you all up, I went with my friend and client the fabulous Seanan McGuire (aka Mira Grant) to San Diego Comic Con last month. It was my first SDCC, and it was fantastic. Not only did I get to hang out with people whom I adore like Mary-Elizabeth Hart, Tony Lee, Amy Mebberson, Jann Jones, Chris Moreno and Lauren Perry, Javi Grillo-Marxuach, and Paul Cornell and his equally-if-not-moreso awesome wife Caroline, I GEEKED OUT LIEK WHOA. I didn't make it to too many panels, it's true. There was some seriously late nights, followed by sleeping til lunchtime a few days. But as a social week-end it was glorious. I'm not too fussed by crowds or lines, and in terms of exclusives the only toy I rally wanted I did get (<i>Flashdance</i> Barbie) and before you point and mock and laugh AND JUDGE ME, I'd like to point out she lasted as Alex all of 24 hours before I redressed and restyled her as Sita Mohindas from the awesome <i>Early Voyages</i> comic written by Dan Abnett. Okay, wait... okay, go ahead and mock me. I clearly deserve it. <br />
<br />
So really for me the week-end was all about a) meeting people b) seeing people whom I already knew and c) introducing many people I knew to one another. When this results in a breakfast where two of the participants GLEEFULLY discuss flesh-eating viruses and parasite-ridden snails while the other two look on in vague horror, lemme tell you... some days, it's good to be me. Not always, mind you. But sometimes, it kinda rocks.<br />
<br />
In any case, in the fortnight since I've done another local convention, and had the first of two family visits. So things are a bit scattered. But there are new graphical goodies up at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.seananmcguire.com">SeananMcGuire.com</a> to promote her third Toby Daye novel, <i>An Artificial Night</i>, with there are more goodies to come in the coming days. I've also been working on something <i>Evernight</i>-related for Claudia Gray that I <i>think</i> once it's unveiled will make her fans go crazy. I hope.<br />
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There's more cool stuff from me on the horizon (hopefully) but until then, I am hip-deep in freelance graphics work and my kid sister (who is going to be 35 in a few weeks, for the record) is arriving tomorrow morning. So I should probably get the dolls out of the spare room...Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-25161249331594835002010-06-06T09:16:00.002-05:002010-06-06T09:16:32.077-05:00Crossing the Cheddar Curtain!I am headed off to Milwaukee, WI today for a signing with co-editor Lynne Thomas, Carole Barrowman, Jody Lynn Nye and Kathryn Sullivan today at <a href="http://boswellandbooks.blogspot.com/">Boswell Book Company</a>, 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee WI 53211.<br />
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Hope to see some of you there!Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-15298277214949070242010-04-26T14:46:00.000-05:002010-04-26T14:46:15.007-05:00Tired Tara is TiredI need to do a proper write-up of both C2E2 and the Chicks Dig Time Lords event in Madison, but I am playing catch-up right now, so instead I offer you The View From The Podium:<br />
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<p align="center"><img src="http://fringe-element.net/blog/images/madison-crowd.jpg"></p><br />
Thank you EVERYONE who turned out for the reading and signing at A Room of One's Own yesterday. We had a blast!<br />
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In other news: The first book in the <i>Newsflesh</i> trilogy by Seanan McGuire (writing as Mira Grant), <i>FEED</i> hits shelves tomorrow. have you been to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.miragrant.com/">MiraGrant.com</a> lately? It's chock full of brand new content and zombie-related goodies!Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-52872979198200619652010-04-23T23:34:00.000-05:002010-04-23T23:34:37.464-05:00Chicks Dig Madison!<p align=center><img src=http://fringe-element.net/blog/images/madison.jpg></p>In case you haven't heard, contributors Carole Barrowman (co-author with brother John Barrowman of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Anything-Goes-John-Barrowman/dp/1843173336/">Anything Goes</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/I-Am-What/dp/1843173794/">I Am What I Am </a>), co-editor Lynne M Thomas and I will be in <b>Madison, WI this Sunday, April 25th</b> at 2pm at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.roomofonesown.com/">A Room Of One's Own</a>, 307 W. Johnson St., Madison, WI, signing copies of <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Chicks-Dig-Time-Lords-Celebration/dp/1935234048/"><i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i></b></a>. <br />
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And as a special bonus, we'll also be joined by CDTL contributors Tammy Garrison (c-creator of <a target="_blank" href="http://tw-babiez.livejournal.com/"><i>Torchwood Babiez</i></a>) and veteran 'zine contributor Kathryn Sullivan!<br />
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So if you are in the area, please join us! We promise, there WILL be squee aplenty.<br />
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<small>(However before you ask, I am travelling on Saturday. Which means that if you spoil me for "The Time of Angels", I cannot be held responsible for my actions. Like the Doctor, I too can be worse than everyone's aunt.)</small>Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-43309675487947698412010-04-15T22:12:00.002-05:002010-04-19T11:50:31.991-05:00C2E2, OddCon, A Room of One's Own, and Paul Cornell at Tor.comI'm off to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.c2e2.com">Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo</a> at Chicago's McCormick Place tomorrow, and will be signing copies of <i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i> at the Doctor Who Store booth #1344 <b>Saturday, April 17, from 2-3 pm</b>. Please stop by to say hello!<br />
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Meanwhile, this week-end <b><i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i></b> co-editor Lynne M. Thomas and contributor Kathryn Sullivan will be at <a href="http://www.oddcon.com/index.php">Odyssey Con</a> in Madison, Wisconsin. The <b><i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i></b> panel is scheduled for Sunday at 11:30 am. <br />
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Also in Madison, contributor Carole Barrowman (co-author with brother John Barrowman of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Anything-Goes-John-Barrowman/dp/1843173336/">Anything Goes</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/I-Am-What/dp/1843173794/">I Am What I Am </a>), co-editor Lynne M Thomas and I will be in <b>Madison, WI</b> <b>Sunday, April 25th</b> at 2pm at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.roomofonesown.com/">A Room Of One's Own</a>, in Downtown Madison, signing copies of <b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Chicks-Dig-Time-Lords-Celebration/dp/1935234048/"><i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i></b></a>. <br />
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Lastly, Friend of Who-Loving Chicks Everywhere Paul Cornell (author of <i>Human Nature</i>, <i>Captain Britian and MI-13</i>, <i>Action Comics</i>, etc.) discusses <i>Chicks</i> in his latest interview with Teresa Jusino at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=59114">Tor.com</a>.<br />
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As always, to stay on top of all the CDTL-related events, <a target="_blank" href="http://facebook.com/chicksdigtimelords">check out our Facebook page</a>!Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-89114430828226020032010-04-06T09:47:00.003-05:002010-04-06T10:45:54.247-05:00Eagle Awards, Hugo Awards, and dinosaurs, O My!<center><img src="http://fringe-element.net/img/blog/forgotten.jpg"></center><br />
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The <a target="_blank" href="http://eagleawards.co.uk/nomination.aspx">Eagle Awards</a> are a bit like the Eisners, BAFTAs, and the Oscars all rolled into one for UK comics. They are named for <i><b>The Eagle</b></i> comics magazine, which I grew up hearing about from my dad, who read <i><b>Dan Dare</b></i> in <i><b>The Eagle</b></i> as a kid (this, by the way, explains a great deal about me right there). You can learn more about them at <a target="_blank" href="http://eagleawards.co.uk/">EagleAwards.co.uk</a>.<br />
<br />
Now, a lot a very nice people whom I have consumed vast quantities of alcoholic beverages with at conventions are elligible for nominations for <a target="_blank" href="http://eagleawards.co.uk/nomination.aspx">Eagle Awards</a> right now. For example, IDW's <i><b>Doctor Who</b></i> writer Tony Lee, editor Denton Tipton, artists like Matthew Dow Smith, Ben Templesmith, Pia Guerra, Al Davison, Kelly Yates, Paul Grist, Adrian Salmon, or <i><b>Captain Britain and MI-13</b></i>'s Leonard Kirk. And colourist Lovern Kindzierski who in addition to colouring <i>Doctor Who</i> also did the gorgeous, gorgeous colours on half of IDW's <i><b>Crew</b></i>, which I adore for being the only tie-in in the history of <i><b>Star Trek</b></i> actually devoted entirely to Majel Barrett's character Number One from "The Cage", who you may have noticed is my FAVOURITE. And in addition to the IDW ongoing <i><b>Doctor Who</b></i> comic, <i><b>The Forgotten</b></i> is also eligible, as is <i><b>Harker</b></i>.<br />
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So I think you should all go over there and nominate people, based on the strength of their work, and also the part where they are nice people. And then when they get on the ballot, I think you should vote for them for the exact same reason.<br />
<br />
And speaking of awards, the Hugo Nominations are up! And I am very pleased to see Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk's <i><b>Captain Britain & MI-13: Vampire State</b></i> is on the ballot. Why does this please me? Well, for one thing, it's a very good story. For another, Paul's a mate of mine, and I'm really pleased for him. And lastly, Pete Wisdon's girlfriend and I share a given name, and that never stops being awesome.<br />
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Also, if you are a WorldCon attendee, Seanan McGuire is on this year's Hugo Ballot for the <b>2010 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer</b>. You can view the full ballot for this year's awards at the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.aussiecon4.org.au/index.php?page=66">Aussiecon 4 website</a>.<br />
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Now, what's important to note here is that the Campbell Award comes with <i>a tiara</i>.<br />
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If you have ever wanted to see Seanan McGuire in a pretty dress, with a chainsaw and a velociraptor and a tiara, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE. She already has a) the dress b) the chainsaw, and c) the velociraptor. So really, it's up to you to make sure she gets the tiara.<br />
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Trust me: you <i>want</i> Seanan to get a tiara.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-46708643339180820242010-03-20T06:24:00.003-05:002010-03-20T08:33:36.825-05:00Hour of the WolfWeren't quite awake at 5am CST this morning? You can listen to <i><b>Chicks Dig Time Lords</b></i> co-editor Lynne M Thomas, and contributors Deb Standish, K Tempest Bradford, Cat Valente, and Katy Shuttleworth on "The Hour of the Wolf" hosted by Jim Freund at <a href="http://archive.wbai.org/">archive.wbai.org</a>.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-20519946470732625892010-03-15T03:07:00.003-05:002010-03-15T03:19:22.015-05:00Chicks Dig Time Lords launch!So, as of today, <b><i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i></b> is available in stores. <br />
<br />
*flails*<br />
<br />
Now I know how my clients feel (and as Seanan McGuire and Claudia Gray both have books hitting this month, I have suddenly developed all new endless wells of empathy and sympathy). Those of you who have pre-ordered copies may have already received them. Some of you have written lovely reviews on blogs, Facebook, and messageboards, and I wanted to thank everyone for helping to spread the word. Lynne and I are hugely proud of this book, and excited to finally be sharing it with you all.<br />
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For those of you who have not yet ordered a copy, and can do so online from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Chicks-Dig-Time-Lords-Celebration/dp/1935234048/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268345772&sr=8-1">Amazon.com</a> and <a target="_blank" href="search.barnesandnoble.com/Chicks-Dig-Time-Lords/Mad-Norwegian-Press/e/9781935234043">Barnes & Noble</a>, or (best of all) from <b>local independent booksellers</b> like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mystgalaxy.com/book/9781935234043">Mysterious Galaxy</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/book/9781935234043">Women & Children First</a>, or <a target="_blank" href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781935234043-0">Powell's</a>. Can't find a store near you? Check out <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781935234043"><b>Indie Bound</b></a>.<br />
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You can also find it from <i>Doctor Who</i> merchandise dealers such as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.alienentertainmentstore.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=A&Product_Code=CHICKS&Category_Code=DWS">Alien Entertainment</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.whona.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=W&Product_Code=CHKSDG&Category_Code=drwho">Who NA</a>. And internationally, it's also currently available in the UK from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.galaxy4.co.uk/product.thtml?id=2480&vts=-GICAQ">Galaxy 4</a>, and <b>Amazon.co.uk</b> and <b>Amazon.ca</b> will have book in stock shortly!<br />
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And last but not least, our publisher likes it when you order it directly from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.madnorwegian.com/product.php?item=chicks">Mad Norwegian Press</a>.<br />
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Visit our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/hChicksDigTimeLords">Facebook page</a> for full details on upcoming Chicks events in NYC and Madison, WI, or follow #chicksdigtimelords or #cdtl on Twitter.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-17712451837408750232010-03-08T23:03:00.002-06:002010-03-09T00:47:44.838-06:00would that this journal had a *facepalms* icon.Today was rather aggressively Monday. I apologise to all whom I spammed today with new post notifications! <br />
<br />
I was <i>trying</i> to import LJ entries to WP with tags intact, and forgot to disable cross-posting first. And as a result, I created a recursive loop and then had to delete triple posts in two different places, which apparently corrupted the Wordpress database. So tonight after work and freelance work, I blew the old database away and started from scratch, only this time with a (more) solid idea of how to daisy-chain my blogger/wordpress/livejournal/twitter/facebook feeds together.<br />
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Look at it this way... if I can get the bugs sorted out, then it'll work great from now on?<br />
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(I am now picturing people fleeing me in droves, and at this point, I really cannot blame them.)<br />
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To give this entry some <i>actual</i> content, <a target="_blank" href="http://claudiagray.com">ClaudiaGray.com</a> has been updated with new wallpapers and icons to promote <i><b>Hourglass</b></i> the third and penultimate novel in her <i><b>Evernight</b></i> series. People are going to be on tenterhooks until <i><b>Afterlife</b></i> comes out, let me tell you. Also, I learned many new and exciting things while working on those assets, up to and including how difficult it is to fake vintage NYC subway station decor.<br />
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In other news, I am still working my way through the ARC of Mira Grant's <i><b>Feed</b></i> so I can design nifty peachy-keen promotional materials for her, and this book had better hit twice as big as <i>World War Z</i> cos it's <b>fantastic</b>. <br />
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(Part of it may be that my journalistic heroes are Edward R Murrow and Network 23's Edison Carter. Make of that what you will.)<br />
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Lastly, I've already mentioned this on Livejournal but it got a bit lost in the shuffle of trying to become Queen of all Social Networking Media, but there is now a <b><i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i></b> <a href="http://facebook.com/chicksdigtimelords">Facebook Fan Page</a>, which not only has images from the Gallifrey One launch of the book, but events in Madison, WI and New York City, and folks area already sharing their reviews. So check it out. We're really thrilled beyond measure at the reception the book has had thus far, and are hoping that when it is released March 15, everyone who wasn't at Gally will have a chance to chime in!Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-11798631406471555732010-03-06T18:32:00.000-06:002010-03-06T18:32:15.188-06:00one last test, I swear! Also, re: the zombie apocalypseI promise, on my honour, that if this bloody thing actually <i>works</i> I shall only post entries for now on that contain <b>actual content</b>. Like me nattering on about fonts and design, or the awesomeness of <i>Doctor Who</i>, or how much I really enjoy sometimes scaring Phil Ford just the tinest bit with my deep and abiding love of <i>Gosford Park</i><br />
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No, really. Hand-to-heart.<br />
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*sigh*<br />
<br />
For those of you at home wondering what the hell I'm doing, it goes like this...<br />
<br />
So I've got this blog. And I've had it for nearly a decade. And I've cleaned it up, and exported the relevant bits to my Livejournal. But the true goal of this Rube Goldbergian game of social networking dominos I'm playing is to update the blog at blogger.com just as I have done since, erm, 2001ish. And then the WordPress blog at fringe-element.net syndicates the content via the RSS feed. Which in turn, cross-posts it automatically to my Livejournal. Then the Twitter feed picks up that I've updated the blog, and automatically posts a link, which <i>then</i> automatically posts that tweet to my Facebook status line.<br />
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The goal of all of this is to update in one place, and have it broadcast everywhere it needs to be broadcast.<br />
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The <i>real</i> goal, I admit freely, is blatantly using myself as a guinea pig to work out all the insane fiddly bits, so in turn I can simplify the lives of my clients. So that, for example, the nest time Claudia Gray has important news to share with her readers about the <i>Evernight</i> series, she can post in one place and magically it shall appear everywhere else she has fans following her.<br />
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I know I am late to the party, where the potential for the usefulness of the blogsphere is concerned. but I'm trying to get caught up as quick as I can.<br />
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So to give this post some <i>actual</i> content, here is a question for you all:<br />
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If the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.miragrant.com">zombie apocalypse</a> were to happen tomorrow, what 1) weapon 2) location and 3) ally would you choose?<br />
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For example, my answer tends to b 1) flame-thrower, b) Cheyenne Mountain and 3) Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.<br />
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How about you?Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-87961058298079863452010-03-06T17:08:00.003-06:002010-03-06T17:26:36.468-06:00this is a test...This is a test of the Project Cross-Posting World Domination Broadcast System.<br /><br />If this were a real emergency, there would be loads more screaming. And also, some explosions. And possibly shenanigans involving half a duck.<br /><br />This is only a test.<br /><br /><i>beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.</i><br /><br />We now return you to your regularly scheduled social networking experience.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-72605707081998586472010-03-06T15:44:00.002-06:002010-03-06T15:46:06.030-06:00Pardon our dust; we're renovating.So in the wake of the <i>Chicks Dig Time Lords</i> launch, I’m trying to streamline and consolidate my online presence. To that end, I’m working on fiddly bits with WordPress and ScribeFire so that when I update my WP blog on fringe-element.net it shall update this Blogger blog, my <a target=”_blank” href=”http://taraoshea.livejournal.com”>Livejournal</a>, and publish out a link to my Twitter feed and Facebook feed.<br /><br />(And if anyone has tips/tricks on how to do this, I welcome the help because I’ve been an Blogger and LJ user for nearly 10 years, but WordPress and ScribeFire are unknown countries to me, and I feel as if I desperately need a map and compass in order to navigate them. Both of which I do not have in my pack.)<br /><br />So if you see the same post in 3 places, don’t worry. That’s actually the plan. LJ also has unique content, and a lot more on my freelance career as a graphic designer for folks like Claudia Gray, Seanan McGuire, and RJ Anderson. Whereas for the next two months, I suspect this blog may be All <i>Chicks</i> All The Time.<br /><br />But no worries–I’ll continue to geek out about television and film here on Blogger as well, once the absolutely <i>shameless</i> public flogging of the book has passed.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-44221960075793725222010-03-03T14:55:00.005-06:002010-03-15T03:17:36.442-05:00Home from Gallifrey One: Blackjack 21There will be a proper con report eventually. In the meantime, allow me to tell you what it was like to see this in the dealer's room:<br />
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<img src="http://fringe-element.net/blog/images/zomg_blog.jpg" alt="photo by Michael D Thomas"><br /><small>Photo © Michael D Thomas 2010</small><br />
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The book is a physical thing you can touch! And stroke! And whisper sweet nothings to like Gollum in <i>Lord of the Rings</i>! <br />
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Possibly I did all of those things. But the real "OMGNOWAYREALLYYOUR'RENOTKIDDING?" moment was the first time I autographed it for someone <i>whom I had never met before</i> and had no reason to buy it other than "This looks nifty! I want to own it."<br />
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It's real.<br />
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Wow.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2658715.post-40775468976717097302009-09-09T10:09:00.009-05:002010-03-03T14:55:45.293-06:00Time Lords. Chicks' Dig 'Em.<img src="http://fringe-element.net/blog/images/chicks.jpg"><br /><br />I'm very pleased to announce that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Chicks-Dig-Time-Lords-Celebration/dp/1935234048/"><i><b>Chicks Dig Time Lords</b></i></a> edited by Lynne M Thomas and myself is now available for pre-order on Amazon.<br /><br /><i><b>Chicks Dig Time Lords</b></i> features essays by Carole E. Barrowman, Elizabeth Bear, Lisa Bowerman, K. Tempest Bradford, Francesca Coppa, Amy Fritsch, Jackie Jenkins, Helen Kang, Jennifer Adams Kelley, Mary Robinette Kowal, Seanan McGuire, Johanna Mead, LM Myles, Jody Lynn Nye, Kate Orman, Tara O'Shea, Lloyd Rose, Deborah Stanish, Kathryn Sullivan, Lynne M. Thomas, and Catherynne M. Valente, with interviews with Sophie Aldred, India Fisher, and Laura Doddington, and a special comic from <i>Torchwood Babiez</i>' Tammy Garrison and Katy Shuttleworth, and is coming from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.madnorwegian.com/">Mad Norwegian Press</a> in March 2010.Tara O'Sheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15673088070846434181noreply@blogger.com1