Octopus Holidays

The end of 2012 is fast upon us, Gentle Reader. If I had time to get contemplative and nostalgic I might. Perhaps next week. Holidays are busy in the world of Gail, full of hugely trying bouts of vast food consumption, epic rivers of tea, presents, and a great deal of driving. Woe is me.

Prudence is off my radar at the moment out getting critiqued. Wish me luck? This means I am attempting to complete all those tasks I put off in order to finish my draft. You know, tiny little things like overhauling my entire website, and e-formatting another short story, and last quarter's accounts. Small insignificant little bits and bobs.

What Gail is really doing

Look at me, all about the sarcasm this season. I can't help it, good cheer and sparkly lights make me come over all snarky.

Mine appears to have been a very octopus steampunk set of festivities. This does not warrant sarcasm but is, in fact, a serious business. Look at my pretties!

From my Popster. Octopus globe available here, source of steampunk one is unknown.

From Ellen (found similar here)

What Mum wrapped my pressies in, found here.

From the In Laws (Archie McPhee's)

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1913Mantle Paul Poiret, 1913 The Victoria & Albert Museum

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Modcloth Live in the Present Lamp Shade $80

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

1913 Cruise Ship Menu

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
7 Setting Basics That Can Bring a Story to Life

PROJECT ROUND UP
Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: First draft with betas.
Curtsies & Conspiracies ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Title changed. Copy edits done awaiting proofs. Release date November 2013.
Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 2: (AKA Changeless) Out now!
Etiquette & Espionage ~ Finishing School Book the First: Release date Feb 5, 2013.

BIG FAT SPOILER ALERT on the Parasol Protectorate series! Really, DON'T READ THE BLURB ON AMAZON if you haven't read the other books first!

The Omnibus hardback editions are limited run through the SciFi Bookclub only.

The manga editions, both now available in print.

Most short stories available in ebook form world wide!

The first Finishing School book ~ Out Feb. 5, 2013

Book News:

My book as an ornament.

Quote of the Day:
"It is, in my view, the duty of an apple to be crisp and crunchable, but a pear should have such a texture as leads to silent consumption."
~ Edward Bunyard

Charities Moo

Pat Rothfass's Worldbuilders Fundraiser for Heifer International is going on now.

Moo!

It features much loot from yours truly. Signed books and signed foreign editions as well as a hat tuckerization!

While we are on the subject, a quick word on charities.

In addition to donating to Worldbuilders for this annual fundraiser (which I'll probably continue for the foreseeable future), I support a select group of causes, schools, and libraries with both donated books and funding. I value literacy and education. That's how I enjoy giving back to my community because that's how I earn a living.

I prefer to stay private about the specifics of my philanthropic endeavors and have personal reasons for choosing causes. I spend a deal of time researching to ensure every one I choose is run efficiently and with few ulterior motives or agendas. I simply don't have the time to research, qualify, and support every request I receive. It's for this reason that I prefer not to endorse publicly (through retweeting or other means) additional charitable organizations.

I've adopted a policy of proactively finding causes dear to my heart, rather than responding to solicitations. I kindly hope that my Gentle Readers out there will understand and respect my wishes in this matter.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1950 Bettie Page

Your Infusion of Cute . . .


Your Tisane of Smart . . .


Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Believable Young Adult Romance

PROJECT ROUND UP
Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Working first draft. New release date March 2014.
Curtsies & Conspiracies ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Title changed. Copy edits done and in! Release date November 2013.
Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 2: (AKA Changeless) Out now!
Etiquette & Espionage ~ Finishing School Book the First: Release date Feb 5, 2013.

BIG FAT SPOILER ALERT on the Parasol Protectorate series! Really, DON'T READ THE BLURB ON AMAZON if you haven't read the other books first!

The Omnibus hardback editions are limited run through the SciFi Bookclub only.

The manga editions, both now available in print.

Most short stories available in ebook form world wide!

The first Finishing School book ~ Out Feb. 5, 2013

Book News:

Fan art of me! By Jenaveve Lester

Quote of the Day:
"Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function."
~ Unknown

Borderlands for the Holidays

Recently Borderlands saved me by stepping in to host my last signing of 2012. Since this event happened unexpectedly, during the holidays, I was honored that a dozen or so people made the effort to come say hi. There was even press coverage! At least half of attendees drove over from the Cow Palace after Dickens and then parked in the Mission, on a Saturday night, to see me! Now THAT makes me feel special.

Jared and I at Borderlands

I hopped BART, an uncomfortable experience at the best of times. Whenever I travel on public transit I can't help but fantasize about Victorian trains ~ first class of course! How wonderful would it be to someday take the Orient Express? (There's a wonderful BBC documentary on the train with David Suchet of Piorot fame.) unlike BART, Borderlands was a lovely and welcoming as always!

If you're interested in my outfit I did a Retro Rack post on the subject.

Books were signed, photos were taken, swag was given out. (I never have much swag so I just took a few odds and ends from my publicists as an apology for having to cancel the Dickens event.) And I received tribute!

Citron, book, pocket watch

After scenting my office beautifully for a day, the citron went off to a new life in marmalade. The pocket watch will make an appearance at an upcoming steampunk event (hopefully meaning I won't be chronically late for all my panels). And the book is sitting patiently on my bedside table.

Thanks everyone so much and have a happy holiday! May your break be filled with Indy Bookstores coming to your rescue, tenticular citrus fruit, and steampunk goodness!

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .


Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Zepplin Dress 1930s

Your Tisane of Smart . . .


Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Want to know what's keeping me so busy right now? Pretty much this: Unleashing the Internal Editor: A Self-Editing Checklist

PROJECT ROUND UP
Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Working first draft. New release date March 2014.
Curtsies & Conspiracies ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Title changed. Copy edits done and in! Release date November 2013.
Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 2: (AKA Changeless) Out now!
Etiquette & Espionage ~ Finishing School Book the First: Release date Feb 5, 2013.

BIG FAT SPOILER ALERT on the Parasol Protectorate series! Really, DON'T READ THE BLURB ON AMAZON if you haven't read the other books first!

The Omnibus hardback editions are limited run through the SciFi Bookclub only.

The manga editions, both now available in print.

Most short stories available in ebook form world wide!

The first Finishing School book ~ Out Feb. 5, 2013

Book News:

An Ivy hat bomb moment

Quote of the Day:
"Nothing is more nourishing than a well-made mutton broth with plenty of ride or barley in it, and the meat stewed down into the soup. This, with an honest milky pudding eaten with stewed fruit, is as wholesome a dinner as it is possible to give."
~ Steel & Gardiner, 1888