Author Gail Carriger

Character Study: Countess Nadasdy

2012-01-30T11:23:00.000-08:00

Its' been a while, and with the series coming to a close I figure I'd better get the last of the characters drawing boards up for everyone to see. Here we have, Gentle Reader, a collection of images that remind me of the Good Countess and her little band of trouble making vampires.

The image of this character was so clear in my head that when I went back, just now, to check my character notes in the World Bible, I found . . . nothing. Just a comment that she is the queen of the Westminster Hive.

However, I do know the following:

1. Looks like a shepherdess or a milkmaid
2. A little on the pudgy side
3. Dark hair
4. Rosy cheeks
5. Cornflower blue eyes

Here are a collection of images that remind me of her. Sometimes literally, sometimes they tie to her inner personality, sometimes they trigger a fairy story or a myth that I connect to here, and in one case the image is a clue to events in Timeless. I hope you enjoy!

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Fascinating article from Deborah J. Ross on her Apprenticeship with MZB. My first pro sale was also to Sword & Sorceress.

PROJECT ROUND UP
Deportment & Deceit ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Working rough draft.

Etiquette & Espionage ~ The Finishing School Book the First: Release date Feb 2013. In production. Have seen initial cover mock-up and it is stunning!

Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 1: Printed volume releases March 1. Have seen cover sketch for Soulless Vol. 2 (AKA Changeless) and it is beyond fabulous!

Timeless ~ Parasol Protectorate Book the Last: In production. Releases March 1. Preorder now if you wish.

Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
The steampunk scholar talks about teaching Soulless.

Quote of the Day:
"Tea does our fancy aid,
Repress those vapours which the head invade
And keeps that palace of the soul serene."
~ Edmund Waller, "Of Tea"

Dear Lord Akeldama: The 2012 Edition, Part One

2012-01-27T10:04:00.001-08:00

The Good Vampire answers all your most burning questions . . .

paranoidsistah asks:
My Dear Lord Akeldama, I was watching The Vampire Diaries last week and a certain taboo romance came to light. What say you on the topic of taboo romances?
General my dear dishy one, like killing one's sibling, they are taboo for a reason.

Diego Bruner asks:
How did you decide to let Ms. Carriger write about you in her tales when your work relies so much on stealth?
Ah well, little girkin, even I had to retire in the end. Besides, I don't tell her everything, nosy madam.

Rebecca asks:
Does a person's diet affect the taste of his blood?
Of course, pineapple button. Of course.

Marie Kloster asks:
Dearest Lord Akeldama, seeing as the fabulous you and your fabulous creator are the ones to go to concerning dresses, some help with the following problem would be absolutely spiffing:
I would very much like to sew my own dress for the senior ball at my school, and I am simply stuck for ideas. I should very much like something Victorian/Steampunk inspired, but because we are required to dance Les Lanciers I cannot choose anything with a proper corset, bustle, hoops or even a skirt longer than a walking dress (Oh, the horror...!), because it would be too constrictive for me, apparently, and a bother for the other dancers. Any tips on how I can still bring the Victorian goodness to the party without upsetting anyone would be much appreciated.
Firstly my creator has asked I point you in the direction of her thoughts on Thrifting for Victoriana post. I believe you might think in terms of Gothic Lolita both for style and for sewing patterns.

Plus Size Gothic Lolita Black Belted Military Dress 20W 2XL-L

Such dresses often have a simulated corset, which is entirely non restrictive yet gives the same look.

Do the dress up in a bronze, or autumnal colors, instead of black ~ which you know, bulmblekin, I loathe! ~ add some brass buttons and other details and you have a lovely steampunk look. Alternatively, you can find a full skirted shorter dress and pop a cute little vest on over it or kilt up one side of the skirt over a full short petticoat.

Diego Bruner asks:
Were you impressed or intrigued by the information passing and gathering skills of Americans during the American Revolution?
My dearest darling bonbon, I don't mean to be rude at all, but I am rarely impressed by . . . Americans.

Lady Star asks:
I was also wondering what is your favorite kind of art, is it Baroque or Rococo? Or another one all together? I do love doodle and paintings and I will be very interested to see how our young manga artist will portray your lovely home and boys.
Ah, what a difficult and challenging questions, gilded lily. Rococo, I think, is more to my taste, although I shouldn’t like to give the French too much credit. The clothing for the time, my dear, the clothing!

manyfacesofme22 asks:
Would you say that, in the modern age, there is a limit on how long a young lady may acceptably wear her hair? I am rather enamoured of your own period, in particular the gorgeous locks of the Pre-Raphaelite muses, but worry that in styling myself after them I come across as either terribly affected or not nearly affected enough.
The hair should be styled, no matter what the length, little ruby. That is the important part. Nothing is more embarrassing than scraggly ends, and in this I wish to draw the attention of werewolves in particular! Condition, trim, maintenance, there are some lovely products and pomades available out there. I do wish to add, little ruby, that you be wary of relying upon your hair to be your one beauty. Be cautious of investing your identity in being that "long haired lady." The moment it becomes your defining descriptor in conversation is the moment it should be cut.

Jami asks:
How in the world did I end up not only with the only dog in the world who likes - and even insists on - wearing clothing - but one who's a total diva and wants lace, ruffles, bling, and everything in pink?
Are you sure that dog is meant to be your dog?

Have a question for Lord Akeldama? He may have answered it already or you may leave it in a comment below.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Changing your pitch as a beginning writer.

PROJECT ROUND UP
Deportment & Deceit ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Working rough draft.

Etiquette & Espionage ~ The Finishing School Book the First: Release date Feb 2013. In production. Have seen initial cover mock-up and it is stunning!

Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 1: Printed volume releases March 1. Have seen cover sketch for Soulless Vol. 2 (AKA Changeless) and it is beyond fabulous!

Timeless ~ Parasol Protectorate Book the Last: In production. Releases March 1. Preorder now if you wish.

Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Boeklogboek reviews Heartless. Heartless earns its roses through seduction.

Quote of the Day:
"But now all his loves were streaked with grief; and all his griefs shot through with a terrible love. This borderless place he'd been shoved into was identical to the place before, but the old maps were useless, the language was subtly difference; and she stumbled over the future tense of its verbs."
~ Wesley Gibson

Victorian Interior Design ~ Hinds House Santa Cruz

2012-01-25T10:02:00.001-08:00

So I was down south for the weekend, for a special event and then some down time with the AB. We had booked into a lovely B&B but a snafu with the reservation saw us chivvied over to the historic Hinds House for one evening.

The Hinds House now and close to when it was originally built.

The Hinds House is an extended stay lodging, for a week or more only, but a fully furnished and decorated Victorian masterpiece from the 1880s. What a lovely and fortuitous occurrence, because Darcy wrote me recently with a question about Victorian interior design that I thought at the time, Gentle Reader, might make for a good blog post.

I have a room I wish to decorate in Victorian style and though I am fine when it comes to chandeliers, small statues, trinklings, etc, I haven't got a clue when it comes to wardrobes, table, chairs, colour of the walls, curtains, etc. Do you know anything about this or is there a book/magazine you would recommend me?

And then there I was staying in a Victorian house! So I could take pictures of classic middle upper-class style. Admittedly Americanized, but we won't quibble.

The Entrance Hall

Generally speaking the Victorians go on to the darker richer end of the spectrum, lots of organic swoops and curls, rich jewel tone fabrics (velvets and brocades, stripes and paisleys), dark mahogany wood, as opposed to Georgian which is more opulent with big windows, golds and creams, or Regency which is sparser, sharper corners, delicate flower decoration.

The sitting area of the Drawing Room showing some lighter Georgian influences.

I suggest watching some BBC costume dramas, like Cranford or North & South they always do their interiors research very well. Anything Dickens is good, one of my favorite's is the David Copperfield with Maggie Smith and very young Daniel Radcliff.

The Front Parlour

Generally speaking, rooms would be crammed with stuff and nicknacks, the Victorians were more fond of clutter than we are today. Very heavy velvet curtains, lost of lace on all surfaces, that kind of thing. This is where the costume dramas go wrong, they are often too generous with space, necessary for clean images and actors to more around easily.

The Dining Room

Chippendale furniture style was quite popular, and the newest Thing, but Victorians would also have been living with a furniture inheritance, so a mix of old Regency and Georgian and new Victorian is fine.

The music area of the Drawing Room

Walls were usually wall papered, or painted in rich colors, or both. There was always trim and usually several complementary colors.

The bed with quilt in Room 1.

This book is reputed to be a good beginners guide, I've not read it myself ~ Hints on Household Taste: The Classic Handbook of Victorian Interior Decoration (Dover Architecture). Here's a good blog on Victorian themed decors.

The claw footed tub in Room 1.

If none of these images work for you, the best recourse I can offer off the top of my head is the Victorian Web an online amalgam of information. Or just googling images of "victorian parlours," or bedrooms, drawing rooms, and so forth. "national trust house interior" also had some good results, though not all of them are Victorian.

The view from our room's balcony.

From the Hinds House website:
We are like a bed and breakfast that specializes in temporary housing, long term lodging, and corporate housing. We are one of the most affordable Santa Cruz weekly lodging alternatives. With a full kitchen, mail box, phone and wireless DSL waiting on your arrival.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Good writing advice from my agent.

PROJECT ROUND UP
Deportment & Deceit ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Writing rough draft now.

Etiquette & Espionage ~ The Finishing School Book the First: Release date Feb 2013. Have seen initial cover mock-up and it is stunning!

Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 1: Artwork is complete. Chapter by chapter serialization (online subscription required) ongoing at YenPlus. Printed volume releases March 1. Have seen initial cover mock-up for Soulless Vol. 2 (AKA Changeless) and it is beyond fabulous!

Timeless ~ Parasol Protectorate Book the Last: In production. Releases March 1. Preorder now if you wish.

Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Someone actually loves Changeless! Two someones! Ah-maze-ing. Changeless reviewed.

Quote of the Day:
"There is no safety in writing well."
~ Dorothy Allison

Details on the Manga Release

2012-01-23T17:26:00.000-08:00

Soulless Vol. 1 the manga is officially up for pre order. I'm very excited about this version of the book, the art is wonderful, you should see some of the dresses!

There's links to all the original character sketches on my website.

10 manga FAQs

1. The digital version has been serialized through Yen Plus over the past six months. Available by subscription.
2. This is the print version of the manga, it's officially called Soulless Vol. 1

3. You can get it in the USA or the UK.
4. A digital version of the entire manga will be available, shortly after the print release for all digital versions. It will be through Yen Press, no exact date so far, and no details on country restrictions. Sorry, I will let you know when I do.
5. Yen is already starting on the manga adaptation of Changeless, but it will be called Soulless Vol. 2.
6. The artists name is REM.
7. It is an adaptation of the first book, not a scene-for-scene copy. Dialogue and text was mostly taken from Soulless. I had approval and went over the copy. Yen was amazing about involving me in every step of the process, from initial character sketches to text to drawings.
8. I've seen it all, plus the cover art for the next book, and I absolutely love it.
9. It is manga ~ everyone is young, clean shaven, and cute. Yes, even the werewolves.
10. Yes, REM drew that carriage scene at the very end of the book. Mmmmm.

Rumor on the net is the Previews, the comic shop magazine, has Soulless Vol. 1 the manga for preorder (I think you have to find and go into a comic shop). Also they have chosen it as a staff pick, and it has a spread inside the cover of the magazine. I haven't seen it, but my spies are everywhere.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Advice for when you meet an agent at a conference.

PROJECT ROUND UP
Deportment & Deceit ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Writing rough draft now.

Etiquette & Espionage ~ The Finishing School Book the First: Page proofs done. Release date Feb 2013. Have seen initial cover mock-up and it is stunning!

Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 1: Printed volume releases March 1.

Timeless ~ Parasol Protectorate Book the Last: Releases March 1. Preorder now if you wish.

Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:

Soulless starts off someone's New year well.
Tracey is converted to the Parasol side.
Books I Hugged in 2011 fun little list, includes Soulless.
Amy reviews Soulless.
Soulless review from Logan Turner.
Fluffrick reviews Soulless

Quote of the Day:
". . . and that night they were not divided."
~ Radclyffe Hall, 1928 (banned book until 1948 for this one phrase because it refers to two women)

More on Calculating Victorian Travel Times

2012-01-16T12:14:00.001-08:00

Calculating travel times, and the weird corners we authors write ourselves into. So, Gentle Reader, I wrote this original post is for 1874 all about travel times, train vs. werewolf vs. dirigible vs. horseback. Now I'm in 1852 and technology is much more primitive.

My original post concerned London to Glasgow, a little over 400 miles. Now I'm calculating Exeter to London or there abouts, which is 200 miles driving in modern times (because there it no direct route, as the crow flies it's more like 160).

So in 1874 it took 4 days (96 hrs) get 400 miles by dirigible (c. 4 mph). Ugh, that's slow. Why did I write myself into that corner? Oh yes, Alexia had to be on board for a while.

"Giffard's first flight took place on September 24, 1852. He traveled almost 17 miles (27 kilometers) from the Paris racecourse to Trappes moving approximately 6 miles per hour (10 kilometers/hour)." (From this online source.) But that was with the wind and untroubled by weather.

Now my tech is advanced in Alexia's world, Giffard is flying the first aetherographic dirigible in the spring of 1852 instead of hte first working dirigible ever. But before he came along, flight had to be worse. So I'm making my old school dirigible fly at 2 mph. That's about 80 hours, plus some extras for shilly-shallying. So . . . 4 days. Its amazing how much time it took me to figure this out.

Just goes to show, pay attention in math, you never know when you are going to need it.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
My Daguerreotype Boyfriend

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
The publishing house procedure

PROJECT ROUND UP
Deportment & Deceit ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Writing rough draft now.

Etiquette & Espionage ~ The Finishing School Book the First: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Feb 2013. Have seen initial cover mock-up and it is stunning!

Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 1: Artwork is complete. Chapter by chapter serialization (online subscription required) ongoing at YenPlus. Printed volume releases March 1. Have seen initial cover mock-up for Soulless Vol. 2 (AKA Changeless) and it is beyond fabulous!

Timeless ~ Parasol Protectorate Book the Last: In production. Releases March 1. Pre-order now if you wish.

Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
New interview over on Pen to Paper.

Quote of the Day:
"Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house."
~ Henry Ward Beecher

Things an Alt-History Writer Researches

2012-01-13T09:28:00.001-08:00

With your kind encouragement, Gentle Reader, I present to you the occasional series . . . weird things from my search history! A sampling of things I've done and researched for Deportment & Deceit Finishing School Book the Second (so far).

Tasks . . .

Made an outline (failure)
Made a mind map (success!)
Drawn a massive dirigible schematic plan
(Which made me get my Brambly Hedge books out of storage, great house plans in there)
Clipped printed and sketched characters
Noted additional world facts and thoughts
Formulated more complete series arc

Look up . . .

Oil Paintings from 1814, any with blue dresses in them?
Deadly plants that grow in England
Events in 1852 London
London Protocol (Treaty of 1852)
Fashion in 1852
Queen Victoria's children and pregnancies
Wicker Hassocks
Evolution of Exams in Schools
History of Wedgewood Pottery
Internal schematics of early steamers
Etymology of the slang term peepers.
Serving tea & tea services
Introduction of military elements into lady's dresses in the 1850s (used English Women's Clothing in the Nineteenth Century)
Portraits in 1852
Opening of the season in London (family return just after Christmas, being associating in March, larger events begin in May) thank you What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew
A meal for mid March. (Things a Lady Would Like to Know March 16: Vermicelli Soup, Leg of Mutton and Current Jelly Sauce, Potatoes and Broccoli, Bakewell pudding)
Ways to tie a narrow cravat
Etymology of the word whizz
Expense and toxicity of oil paints before 1900
When did England officially abolish slavery? 1833
How to spell turbot
Location of British coalfields in the 19th century
History of drinking straws
Names of the parts of a piccolo

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Dan talks abut Amazon

Deportment & Deceit ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Writing rough draft now.

Etiquette & Espionage ~ The Finishing School Book the First: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Feb 2013. Have seen initial cover mock-up and it is stunning!

Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 1: Artwork is complete. Chapter by chapter serialization (online subscription required) ongoing at YenPlus. Printed volume releases March 1. Have seen initial cover mock-up for Soulless Vol. 2 (AKA Changeless) and it is beyond fabulous!

Timeless ~ Parasol Protectorate Book the Last: In production. Releases March 1. Preorder now if you wish.

Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Wildy Read reviews Heartless despite hating the cover.

Quote of the Day:
"A book is to me like a hat or coat - a very uncomfortable thing until the newness has been worn off."
~ Charles B. Fairbanks

Manga Special Preview Contest

2012-01-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, so my manga publisher, Yen Press, printed up and bound a short run of a sample of the first chapter of Soulless Vol. 1 (the manga). They did this Special Preview for NY ComicCon.

They had a few extra. So you know what that means?

Contest time!

I have 4 to give away.

Here's my thought. I'm always ask you to write reviews or take silly photos or whatever, for this one, since it's art based, I thought I'd encourage you to be artistic.

Here's what to do to enter . . .
1. Create something visual and Alexia Tarabotti related. This can be anything from fan art, to a costume, to a video, to a polyvore collection, to your own character board, to a fashion outfit, to a piece of jewelry, to a mug, so long as it is inspired by Alexia. It has to be your unique creation, not for sale. It doesn't have to be good. Just have fun.
2. Post it, or a picture of it, wherever you please so long as it isn't a closed forum. I want to be able to link to it, and see it myself.
3. Post a link to your art in the comments section of my Live Journal blog ~ below the contest announcement. (Sorry, blogspot's comments system annoys me.) I've enabled anonymous comments for the duration. (Will be interested to see how much spam I get.)
4. You MUST include a way of contacting you. If you forget and have to re-comment, ALSO re-comment with the link to the art.
5. One entry per person, please.
6. I'm going to give you some time for this one. You have a whole month, until Friday Feb 10, 2012.
7. Have fun!

Who wins.
1. I hate to play favorites, so winners will be random number generated.
2. Four people will win a signed copy of this unique manga special preview, and a signed copy of Heartless.
3. Yes you can enter something you completed before the contest started, but I'd love to see something new.
4. Everyone is eligible.

A note, I have disabled comments to this one entry.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
All sales are not crated equal.

Deportment & Deceit ~ The Finishing School Book the Second: Writing rough draft now.

Etiquette & Espionage ~ The Finishing School Book the First: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Feb 2013. Have seen initial cover mock-up and it is stunning!

Manga ~ Soulless Vol. 1: Artwork is complete. Chapter by chapter serialization (online subscription required) ongoing at YenPlus. Printed volume releases March 1. Have seen initial cover mock-up for Soulless Vol. 2 (AKA Changeless) and it is beyond fabulous!

Timeless ~ Parasol Protectorate Book the Last: In production. Releases March 1. Preorder, if you wish.

Prudence ~ The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
SF Book Club is doing a simultaneous release of the last Parasol Protectorate Omnibus with Timeless. This is the special for-club-members-only hardback edition that includes the last two books (Heartless and Timeless). The cover is lovely. I'll post it here when I get a bigger image from my publishers.

Quote of the Day:
"My hands are already dirty just from setting foot on this planet."
~ Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, Hellhole, 2011 (via Ansible, Thog's Masterclass)

Ramblings on Delays, Memories, and Characters

2012-01-09T12:55:00.001-08:00

One of the interesting things about being an author with one of the Big 6, Gentle Reader, is the time lag between finishing a book my end and finishing a book on the publishing end. I'm not complaining, just getting pensive and ruminative in my old age.

Those of you who follow this blog regularly over the past few years will have grocked some of thsi time lag. You can calculate about when I finish a project, about when I get copy edits and then galleys, and exactly when the book is released. Timeless, for example, I finished early last year, and it comes out the end of next month. The first Finishing School book, Etiquette & Espionage I finished late last year, and it will come out early next year.

I'm not criticizing the process, not in the least. I feel blessed as a writer ~ continually delighted with my agent, respected by my editors, charmed by my publicists, fortunate in my cover art, and lucky in my career. I guess I am just trying to articulate the odd distance I sometimes feel with regards to my own books.

Time spans between writing and releasing is the nature of the publishing beast but hell on a memory like mine. As a friend once said, "I have a mind like a steel colander." In a month I go out on book tour for Timeless and I remember very little of what I've written. As with Heartless I'm going to have to reread my own book, cover to cover. (Never good, because all I see are the flaws.)

On the other hand, this can be exciting. Someone will put a quote up on Twitter or Goodreads from one of my books and I'll say to myself, "Did I write that? Why goodness, I guess I did."

This might tie in to the idea of writer as conduit. Sometimes the words go in one end and out the other, in an organic and somewhat digestive manner, and with as little memory attached. If you see what I mean. Oh, lets get away from that analogy, shall we?

All I'm trying to say it that it is odd, and somewhat temporally disassociating, to sit down and start a project (as I am doing now with FS#2 Deportment & Deceit) knowing it will be years before it comes to fruition. I am excited to write it. I am learning all sorts of interesting (and not so interesting) facts about 1852, but often I feel I can't really blog about my trundlings through my current book because its release is so very far away.

What do you think, Gentle Reader?

Would you like some insight into my research despite the time lag?

What do you hope to see when you drop by my little corner of the internets?

Right now I can't really take the time to craft posts outside of my current project ~ that's the way of things when I am in the 2000-words-a-day stage of a book. I'll try to bring you some final Parasol Protectorate character studies and Dear Lord Akeldamas as Timeless gets closer and closer to release, but for me those characters are graduated, off in their own lives now. I have new babies to concentrate on.

Am I rambling? I think I'm rambling. I'll stop now.

Just FYI am am concocting a little contest to win copies of the promo sample chapter of the Soulless manga that was made for NY ComicCon.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Plagiarism & Copyright in 2011

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Feb 2013. Have seen initial cover mock-up and it is stunning!

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Creativedeeds says, "Oh Alexia, what fun you are to read about!"

Quote of the Day:
"To the British, Myat Toon was a bandit; to the Burmese he was a national hero. Such differences of opinion usually result in bloodshed."
~ Byron Farwell

Dragon*Con & Vindaoo

2012-01-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

Dragon*Con wins over WorldCon!

I'll be attending Dragon*Con this year in Atlanta, Georgia instead of WorldCon in Chicago. I'm sad to be missing the old favorite (and some good friends on the Chicago team) but I'm super excited for my first Dragon*Con. This will be my only visit to the deep south in 2012 (although Austin and Houston are on the tour), so if you want to see me that's the place. I won't be leaving the con for any outside signings in Atlanta unless something crazy happens. I might, however, hold a spontaneous tweet-up in a minor hotel bar if I have the time. It's likely to be a last minute thing entirely dependent on my schedule and health.

For my other events in 2012 please take a look at the Sightings segment of my website.

And now, totally unrelated . . . food!

My New Year's Goal for this year is to cook a new recipe each month. I tried to find and eat a new food (to me) in 2011. Well 2012 is the year of learning some new and exciting recipes. I already enjoy cooking quite a bit but the AB and I fall into patterns and tend to keep cooking the same ten dishes over and over. The AB ads to the resolution that these are also to be healthy recipes.

My delicious and easy new almond cake of yum, for example, does not count.

So, the first attempt . . . Vindaloo!

For New Years I made a big pot of my infamous annual Lamb Stew (it has a sordid origin story to do with rabbits and hobbits, but I digress). Yet there was so much good food at New Years the stew hardly got eaten. Sick of having it reheated every day for a week, we decided to try to turn it into a vindaloo.

Now, I don't normally cook Indian food. Thai ~ certainly. Mediterranean, Mexican, Latin American ~ absolutely. British ~ all the darn time. But Indian has always seemed a little overwhelming to me. So many spices! All at once! Don't get me wrong, I adore eating it, but cooking it?

Well the adventure was on.

I took this recipe and limited it down to proportions correlated to the amount of stew we had left, and then tinkered with it because I didn't have all the spices required. I estimated we had about 6 cups of stew left, with about 1 pound of deboned meat. So I used 1/4 the recipe. This means all my measurements bellow were converted to 1/4 table spoons, but I'm recording everything in whole measurements to make it easy to size up or down. I know, it's so Victorian of me.

3 of dried cilantro
2 powdered cumin
1 ground black pepper
1 ground cloves
1 ground chilli powder
4 brown mustered (just the sandwich kind)
1 powdered cinnamon
1 cayenne pepper
5 crushed garlic
1 fine granulated sugar

So remember these are all 1/4 tbsp measurements

To this I added:

1 6oz can of tomato paste
1 cup of Topal 2% yoghurt (the creamy Greek kind)
1/4 cup malt vinegar (What can I say? It's the British in me, it was what I had) Next time I'm going to take this down to 1/8, it was pretty strong and vinegary, and there was red wine in the stew already.

Mixed all spices together with liquids.

Bay leaves, lamb, potatoes, carrots, and salt were already in the stew in sufficient quantities. (Things I was missing: 1 cardamom, 1 turmeric, 1 nigella, 3 fresh ginger.)

Put on some rice to cook.

Heated up stew, removed some of the broth (I might not bother removing broth next time).

Fried up a small onion and small green bell pepper in a little olive oil on high heat.

Turned veg down to medium and added the prepared sauce. Waited until fragrant.

Then dumped all of this into the stew.

Let it cook on very low for about 30 minutes while I waited for the rice. It darkened nicely, and was quite thick. Added in a handful of baby spinach leaves near the end, because I pretty much put spinach into everything.

Came out pretty good. The AB loved it. Not exactly the best vindaloo but definitely Indian in flavor, made six me-sized potions.

Now, I know this is not exactly relevant to the writerly life and times you, Gentle Reader, may wish to read here. But honestly life as a writer is mostly rather dull, and the most exciting thing to happen to me each day is food. (Yes, Alexia got that from me.)

Next month's new cooking adventure is going to be all Victorian based. One of my betas and I are getting together to cook a feast for friends out of "Things a Lady Would Like to Know," Henry Southgate's 1876 masterpiece (and often used primary source for the Parasol Protectorate books). Since Victorian cookbooks don't relay proportions, times, temperatures, or any fiddly little details like that this is going to be fun! Possibly deadly, But fun.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .
Macy's NY Steampunk Themed Holiday Windows

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Where is steampunk going in 2012?

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Targeted PR, Cross-Promotion, and Knowing Your Audience

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
An aggregate of videos featuring self.

Quote of the Day:
"An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable invented to make them laugh."
~ Will Rogers

2011 In Review ~ New Foods

2011-12-29T11:10:00.001-08:00

Yes, I know Gentle Reader, but it is That Time, and upon occasion I jump on the trend. So here we have, 2011, in review.

Number of Conventions: 6
Number of appearances/signings outside of conventions: 12
Interviews (online/offline/podcast/virtual): 28
Comedy Shows: 2 (both to see Greg Proops)
Books Written: 2
Books Published: 8 (includes translation editions)
Dear Lord Akeldama Posts: 11

My New Years Goal for 2011 was to eat a new (to me) food each month. Some kind of fruit or vegetable or whatever I had never tasted before. Here's what I ate . . .

1. Black Cabbage

Tastes like very mild cabbage, a little tough. I like that it's dark in color so might be a bit healthier in general. But it's not something I will seek out on a regular basis. I'm not a huge fan of cabbage generally.

2. Sunchoke (Jerusalem Artichoke)

These I loved. In fact I've had it a few times since. They are hard to prepare as you need to peal the awkward shape completely but what you are left with tastes like a mild artichoke heart. Yummy. They can be roasted or boiled.

3. Longon

Like large grape-sized lychee. I'd eat them more except you can only buy them in very large bags, and I can't eat that many.

4. Green Tea Salad

I ate this at Burma Superstar in San Francisco (Inner Richmond) and loved it. I've never considered eating the leaf of the tea before, but why not? I've ordered it twice since and intend to get it anytime I can when I am in town.

5. Jack Fruit

For my adventures with Jack Fruit here's the blog entry on the subject. I've had the flavor before in a bubble smoothie, but never fresh. It tastes like juicy fruit gum and has a very strange texture. You eat the flesh around the seeds, a yellow to dark orange in color. Nope, this isn't Durian, although they are similar looking on the outside. Durian is smaller and, of course, very stinky.

6. Jack Fruit Seeds

A two for one with jack fruit for I learned I coudl also eat the seeds. These I pealed and boiled. A pleasing look to them. They taste like very very mild chestnuts, and were not all that exciting. Interesting for the experience but not exciting.

7. Mangosteen

My favorite of anything I tried this year. I'll be eating the queen of fruit any time I can in future. It's a juicy tropical tangy deliciousness. I'd had it dried but never fresh. Impossible to compare the flavor to anything else, it is it's own taste.

8. Dried White Mulberries

Nasty, sugary and flavorless, I didn't keep the container. Fresh might be better but I'm wary.

9. Green Pea Shoots

Delicious, I sauteed them lightly in a little olive oil and garlic. And I had them fresh on salad, a very mild pea flavor. I'll eat or order them anytime I can, refreshing greenness. Yummy!

10. Finger Limes

These are wonderful! I adore citrus. I've been trying to get my hands on them for ages, finally one of my friends found them at a farmer's market. The insides are like lime caviar. I can't wait for more to hit the markets so I can experiment with recipes.

11. Apfelschorle & Liverwurst

Two for one in Germany, as I don't thin Apfelschorle can really be counted as a new food. It's all processed. But it was yummy, and nice mix of apple juice and spritzer much less sugary than we would get in the US. Liverwurst is like patte, so, of course, I loved it.

12. Huge Grapes

These massive grapes turned up this fall, I'd never seen nor heard of them, nor could I find a proper name. The largest ones were ping-pong ball sized., two or three bites for each grape! I adored them, just like a fire grape in flavor and seedless.

I had so much fun with this goal the AB and I have decided to do another similar for 2012. We will be trying a new (healthy hopefully) recipe each month, perhaps more frequently. I shall try to remember to conical them for the accounting this time next year.

For your amusement, the Bugle's year end summation, Episode 176, The Best of 2011 (most recent podcast) is fantastic.

I wish you all a wonderful New Years, and here's hoping for the best out of 2012.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Ah la Greg Proops.

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
The Relaxed Writer's guide to setting New Year's writing goals from A Cat of Impossible Color.

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:

Japanese cover art for Blameless.

Quote of the Day:
"He had the proper outlook for a young Victorian officer: the belief that 'marriage was ruinous to the prospects of a young officer', a fierce desire for military glory, and the conviction that all English gentlemen were born courageous."
~ Byron Farwell on Garnet Wolseley

Alexia Tea A Very Alexia Christmas

2011-12-23T18:33:00.000-08:00

Miss Tarabotti, as some of you may well know, is rather fond of comestibles. Thusly, the holiday season is one of great joy to her, from a food standpoint if nothing else. (The shopping, it must be admitted, she could very much do without. Her sisters are overly enthusiastic on the subject.) However, she has some tips for coping with the holidays Victorian-style.

1. Mincemeat pie. Sounds awful, looks revolting, tastes spectacular. The Americans have sadly neglected this part of their British heritage but there is much to be said for meat soaked in alcohol and then encased in pastry. If unwilling to venture in the mincemeat direction, how about exploring the fine art of Christmas Pudding? (AKA Plum Pudding ~ and no, there are no plums involved, don't ask.) A dense fruity cake that is covered in alcohol and then set on fire. Fantastic.

2. Cloth wrapped presents. Instead of paper, why not invest in some fabric remnants from a craft shop or colorful little scarves from a thrift store and then tie with a ribbon? All the fun of unwrapping, none of the waste, and perhaps it will encourage others to reuse as well. As an added bonus, cloth wrappers can be used as emergency clean-up towels for the inevitable alcohol-related spill (see: inebriation caused by over-consumption of Christmas Pud, above.)

3. Roast goose. Benefits? Well, a goose is bigger than a turkey and more mean-spirited. Have you ever met a goose? The only bird nastier is a swan and, unfortunately, swans are protected by Queen Victoria (but I bet they're tasty). Thus goose consumption gives one a sense of self-righteousness and satisfaction all rolled into one.

4. Frills and lace. Perhaps not a particular favorite amongst gentlemen for themselves (unless one is of a Lord Akeldama inclination) but for the ladies... Donning a pretty frock and perhaps a corset is bound to make one feel better ~ a little constricted, but definitely better. On the other hand nothing, I am convinced of this, is funnier than a werewolf with a doily on his head.

5. Which brings us back around to drinkies. Lord Akeldama suggests a Pink Slurp (champagne & blood) but he's a vampire and they have questionable pallets. Alexia recommends substituting blackberry cordial for the blood resulting in a truly excellent and festive drink. Alternatively, for those particularly cold nights, one might opt for mulled wine, which can be a most delicious way to disguise the quality of one's vino.

Bottoms up!

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
On writing titles

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
My interview with Fangs for the Fantasy

Quote of the Day:
"Flabbergasted (adj.): Appalled by discovering how much weight one has
gained."
~ Unknown

Owning the Silly

2011-12-19T09:33:00.001-08:00

I'm going to say something for the record, Gentle Reader, because I have had some odd experiences with one particular word of late.

What word, Miss Gail?

You might well ask.

Silly.

No, not you for asking, that's the word. Silly.

And I want to go down the record owing it. Here's what I mean. I describe my books as silly. I don't think this trivializes them, or makes them any less meaningful to the reader (or the writer). They have their poignant moments, but I genuinely believe that their strength is in their silliness.

I'm not being factious when I say that the ability to make a stranger, half a world away, embarrass herself by laughing out load on the train is my most treasured achievement. (Well that and pin-ball prowess.) My favorite parts of my books are the silliest: Ivy and her hats, Lord Akeldmaa and his drones, the ridiculous machines designed to do the most absurd things, the encumbered Alexia falling over the edge of baskets.

I'm owning my silliness.

The best and most enjoyable times with my friends, family, and partners over the years have been the silliest. Stealing Brussels sprouts from my mother one Thanksgiving and stashing them all over the house (I hate Brussels sprouts) lives on in infamy and hilarity. Why shouldn't we value silliness? What's wrong with loving and being proud of the parts of you that make others smile?

I think this is why I love Ivy Hisselpenny so very very much.

The old saying amongst literary folk is that comedy never wins awards, but of an evening I'm reaching for Wodehouse over Steinbeck. Every. Single. Time.

In the end, I'd rather people wanted to read my books and enjoyed them than anything else. Period.

So color me Silly and Proud!

Speaking of which, someone has made a Parasol Protectorate quiz on Goodreads.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

One for Lord Akeldama.

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Some Ivy-ish hats.

Quote of the Day:
"Negligent (adj.): Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown."
~ Unknown

Stocking Stuffers, Gail Style

2011-12-15T12:50:00.001-08:00

I have finished my copy edits and am allowing myself a brief respite before the next book, Gentle Reader. No traveling for me this holiday season, I'm staying home and getting stuff done. All the interviews and calling cards and writing business I've put off while I finished Etiquette & Espionage now have to be answered. I'm trying to get another short story up for you before the end of the year. And there is still unpacking and associated nesting to complete. I'm not slacking off, I swear.

I'm not doing much, present wise. I find as I get other I find it less and less exciting. But I did have some thoughts on fun a cheap stocking stuffers.

1. Cover art fridge magnets.
Print out business-card-sized cover images of your friend's favorite books, in high gloss color, and adhere to business card magnets. ($5.99 for 25). This is also a fun way to make mementos for your book group.

2. Printed out short story.
Find some nice sepia tone or other fancy printer paper, buy a $0.99 short story by your friend's favorite author in .pdf form (or whatever) and print it out. Roll up and tie with a little ribbon. Pop into top of stocking, so cute! (Of course, for all the nay-sayers out there, I am not suggesting distributing or profiting from these print outs.)

3. I just finished reading Tea and Tea Drinking by Claire Masset. I found this excellent review here. I adored this little book and think it would make an great gift, it covers mainly the history of England's relationship to tea with many good pictures and interesting tidbits.

4. Speaking of tea, how about a box of the very best? Yes, you can now order the real English English Breakfast from Twinings via Amazon to the USA. And before you ask, it is ENTIRELY different from the red box one we can get here in America, in every way. No comparison, really.

5. Speaking of food stuffs, how about a really pretty bottle of fancy olive oil or some nice spice mixes instead of candy or chocolate as stocking stuffers. I like the Savory Spice Shop's mixes.

6. My mother and I have a tradition of Marmite in the toe of the stocking. But you could do a little container of any preserve, tapenade, or pickled item. Again a more adult present than tons of sweets.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
David reviews the series and brings a wealth of education and knowledge to his critique. "My favorite element is the language: Carriger captures the Victorian overspeak and neatly weaves in facts I’d forgotten, like novels being considered lowbrow, popular, entertainment."

Quote of the Day:
"All true tea lovers not only like their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year that passes."
~ George Orwell, "A Nice Cup of Tea"

Interview with Adam Christopher: Tea, Shortbread, New York & Other Comestibles

2011-12-13T13:42:00.000-08:00

Today I welcome to my blog a visitor from afar. In customary Gail fashion, I have sat him down, foisted tea upon him, and insisted he do that most horrible of things . . . gossip about himself. Adam was one of the very first podcasters to interview me for Writing Habits a few years ago when Soulless first came out. Now I repay the favor by asking him some personal, and we can only hope, highly embarrassing questions.

Read on, Gentle Reader, if you dare!

About Adam, the Authorbeast

GC: Tea or coffee and how do you take it?

AC: Tea, white, no sugar, in a mug. The milk must be non-fat too – try and slip me regular milk and I’ll know about it!

GC: Describe your personal style for author appearances.

AC: I can sum this up with two words: The Jacket. I got this trick off another writer friend, and it works brilliantly. When I’ve got The Jacket on, I’m working. I might do my actual writing in a Kryptonian Writing Gown (which is totally NOT a Superman bathrobe, honest), but when The Jacket comes out, it’s all business. You can identify The Jacket by the little wasp badge on the lapel (which actually came with it, which is pretty cool). As opposed to, you know, any old jacket. The Jacket, and the wasp, will be appearing together in New York in January, with me inside it (The Jacket, not the wasp).

GC: If I were to observe the writer beast in its native environment, what surprising thing might I see? What does the environment look like?

AC: If anything, I think if you saw my office, you wouldn’t not be surprised in the slightest. On my desk you’ll find a Batman statue, an Optimash Prime, a King George V tea tin, an iMac, a Macbook Air, an iPad, and an iPhone (or various combinations thereof, depending what needs charging). The desk is up against a wall, on which is plastered a gigantic picture of The Flash by Ethan Van Sciver (from the cover of The Flash: Rebirth #1), and next to that some actual comics – at the moment I’ve got Justice League #1 and the DC Comics New 52 preview on display, and a new 52 checklist postcard. These are actually slotted around the edges of a weird set of little mirrors that I can’t remove from the wall without pulling the plaster off. But they make an effective wall-mounted comics rack!

I live in a small village in Cheshire, England, with a canal running through our back garden. My office overlooks the back, so I get a glorious view of the canal and the fields and woods beyond. It’s my very own writing retreat, in my own home!

My other writing spot is downstairs, in the library. There’s nothing better than sitting in a comfy chair, surrounded by books. The above-mentioned Macbook Air gets most use there. Plus the library opens out into the garden. In summer it’s amazing.

GC: If you drive, what do you drive?

AC: A Peugeot 308. Black. I may or may not refer to it as the Batmobile. I deny I have a comic book problem.

GC: No deviating: vanilla or chocolate ice cream on a plain or a sugar cone? (Gail will use this to determine your level of sanity.)

AC: Chocolate, plain cone. At this point I’ll have to concede defeat and admit I don’t know what a sugar cone is. This is clearly some bizarre yet delicious American invention that I’m going to have to track down when I’m next over!

[Gail's interjection, for the others who may not know: Sugar cone = brown in color and not unlike cardboard in texture, plain cone = bond in color not unlike Styrofoam in texture. Adams choice is aberrant but not insane. I pronounce him acceptable for prolonged exposure. But be very very wary of those who opt for vanilla in a plain code, for this indicates psychopathic tendencies.]

GC: What's most likely to make you laugh?

AC: An episode of Community. An episode of The Goodies. An episode of Hancock’s Half Hour. Eric Morecambe in anything. Bill Murray in everything.

GC: Since writers inevitably end up in the bar, what's your poison?

AC: If I’m drinking drinking, then make it a g’n’t. Usually I’m not though, in which case I’ll go for ginger beer, but it has to be REAL ginger beer. Failing that, a coke. But, for the love of Gorilla Grodd, don’t try and pass off pepsi as coke.

Adam Christopher was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up watching Pertwee-era Doctor Who and listening to The Beatles, which isn't a bad start for a child of the 80s. In 2006, Adam moved to the sunny North West of England, where he now lives in domestic bliss with his wife and cat in a house next to a canal, although he has yet to take up any fishing-related activities. Adam's short fiction has appeared in Pantechnicon, Hub, and Dark Fiction Magazine, and has been nominated for the British Science Fiction Association, British Fantasy Society, and Parsec awards. In 2010, as an editor, Adam won a Sir Julius Vogel award, New Zealand's highest science fiction honour. When not writing Adam can be found drinking tea and obsessing over DC Comics, Stephen King, and The Cure. He is also a strong advocate for social media, especially Twitter, which he spends far too much time on avoiding work. Adam’s home on the web is here.

About Adam books

GC: What should readers eat while consuming your novel?

AC: Empire State is sort-of set during Prohibition, so I recommend readers have a drink rather than a snack while reading. Therefore, there is no substitute for Canadian Club whisky. During Prohibition, Canadian Club was smuggled in from north of the border and was a favourite of Al Capone’s. Some alcohol was smuggled in hidden in the centre of huge rolls of cheap paper; when Prohibition ended, this trade network continued, supplying the paper stock needed to produce pulp fiction and comic books. See, it all ties up!

If you don’t fancy the Empire State drinking game (rules to be determined, but possibly a shot every time Rad misplaces his hat), then I recommend tea and shortbread biscuits. Captain Carson would be pleased.

GC: What form does evil take within its pages?

AC: A difficult question - the nature of evil and the nature of the enemy (both in general and with a capital “E”) are fundamental to Empire State, so I don’t want to say too much. But on the surface, there are many foes for the hero, Rad Bradley, to defeat. Some are obvious, some less so. But… loose lips sink ships.

GC: Which one of your characters would you most want to kiss and why?

AC: Lisa Saturn, because she’s dangerous and cool and because she might look like Carrie Fisher circa 1977. I said might. Ahem.

But I think Rad deserves some affection. He goes through a lot and he’s a really nice guy. Aw.

GC: What's your favorite period in history and does it influence your world building?

AC: New York, the 1930s. It has everything – the insanity of Prohibition, the splendor of Art Deco, the beginnings of jazz, comic books, pulp fiction, science fiction. In fact, it might be the most science-fictional period of modern history. Ah, for the days when you had to wear a hat out of doors… the Empire State takes a whole lot from this period and mashes it all together.

GC: Which one of your characters would you most like to slap and why?

AC: Kane Fortuna. Oh, does he need a slapping. At least Rad thinks so. I’m inclined to agree but… I can say no more!

GC: Without spoilers, what's the funnest (or funniest) part of book?

AC: I’m partial to the car chase that opens the book – it’s night in New York in 1931, Jerome is piloting a gigantic Studebaker around slippery streets, and there is a car full of gangsters chasing them complete with tommy gun-wielding heavy standing on the running board. That sequence was fun to write and is, I hope, fun to read. It was actually one of the last sections I wrote, as the book had opened in a different place in an earlier draft. Oh, poor Jerome! He deserved a better fate. Maybe he’ll get to tell his story, one day.

GC: If your story smelled of something, what would that be?

AC: Kerosine. It’s that jet fuel smell you get an airport, and I imagine it’s the smell that fills Rad’s nose in his first encounter with the rocket-powered superhero, the Skyguard.

The Empire State is the other New York. A parallel-universe, Prohibition-era world of mooks and shamuses that is the twisted magic mirror to our bustling Big Apple, a place where sinister characters lurk around every corner while the great superheroes that once kept the streets safe have fallen into dysfunctional rivalries and feuds. Not that its colourful residents know anything about the real New York… until detective Rad Bradley makes a discovery that will change the lives of all its inhabitants.
"Adam Christopher’s debut novel is a noir, Philip K Dick-ish science fiction superhero story… As captivating as a kaleidoscope… just feel it in all its weird glory."
~ Cory Doctorow, New York Times bestselling author of Little Brother
"Stylish, sinister, and wickedly fun, Empire State is not your average sexy retro parallel universe superhero noir."
~ Lauren Beukes, award-winning author of Zoo City

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
None today, darlings, I'm tuckered out.

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Copy edits done! Awaiting galley. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Books and Quilts reviews Blameless. "I poured through it and found myself near the end long before I was ready."

Quote of the Day:
"How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book."
~ Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Technological Change in Steampunk Worldbuilding

2011-12-08T10:20:00.000-08:00

Mr Frankum asked me a very interesting question via private missive recently. I thought it was so worth of discussion that he would not mind if I infringed on a matter of nettiquette and postulated it here.

If Daimler and Benz invented the internal combustion engine c.1885, does that necessitate an automatic "stop" in the timeline for steampunk fiction, or, given that steam was on the table for powering automobiles until the Lucas strike at Spindletop in 1901 made petroleum a viable option, would that allow steam to be a logical and plausible power supply available to fiction writers 'til the latter date? (Which would also tie in, conveniently, with the death of Victoria and hence the Victorian age...)

(Also, I suppose the argument could be made that we're still using steam power, given that's what's actually operating the turbines at the dams where our electricity is produced...)

Wait...Did I answer my own question, or is this still a viable discussion?

The Dos-a-Dos (Back-to-Back) Steam Runabout was built in 1884 by George Bouton and Charles-Armand Trepardoux
for French entrepreneur Count de Dion, who named it 'La Marquise' after his mother.

I love this kind of question. I nearly did my PhD on technological change in an archaeological context. In line with that, the abandonment, replacement, and retirement of technology is a subject of particular interest to me.

Through archaeological and historical reports we know, for example, that old technology does not always give way to something newer and better. Progress is a concept adored by politicians, not academics. For example, a single catastrophic event, like the Hindenburg, can cause a wide scale rejection of an otherwise sound, efficient, and useful technology.

When writing steampunk it is often easiest to chose or invent just such and event in order to explain away the changes between a steampunk universe and the real Victorian one. In my world, for example, the telegraph is a failure so other forms of communication are invented instead. (Although it fails for scientific reasons internal to my universe, see the paragraph after next.)

If, for example, you had a Hindenburg-like explosion of the early combustion engine, killing thousands, combined with the wide scale production of the smaller steam motor suited to personal use, the second might outshine the first. Of course, this doesn't always work, the Titanic had little effect on the popularity of steamer travel. And there seems to be some (little) evidence to support the occasional synergy of discovery (see the oxygen molecule). Which is to say, sometimes a discovery (or invention) seems destined to occur.

However, because I'm an archaeologist and vested in the influence of culture on technological change (I have a very long paper on this subject I'm happy to pass along if anyone is interested) as well as serendipity, and the experimentation of the individual (two of the other mainstay explanations for technological change) I ended up altering the scientific nature of my entire Parasol Protectorate universe to accommodate a steampunk world. For me, it wasn't enough to just pick one major invention failing or succeeding over others (much as the alt history writer will change the course of one major battle), I needed to change the universe behind the science of invention.

Which is why I researched Victorian science and theory, threw immortals into the mix, and formulated a world wherein aether spheres and vital humors actually existed. Nesting steampunk tech and allowing certain things, like the combustion engine, not to develop under the paradigms and theories of oddball Victorian science, became, not only easy, but logical under these constraints. So long, of course, as the reader doesn't attempt to explain my world using modern scientific theory, because then it breaks down.

Sorry for the academic speak, I slide back into it so easily.

I guess what I am saying is that if I, as a steampunk writer, have developed a complex enough world, were steam power dominates for reasons inherent in my universe, the combustion engine shouldn’t be a problem because, well, it can't be. Ah circular logic.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .
I have found the source for the hatbox toolkit at last!
Tiffany's Tools

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Tried: Todd & Holland's Queen Victoria's 1876 Tea Blend. A mix of Keemun (probably 80% or more by visual estimation) and Yunnan black teas. A stunning dark whole leaf tea with leaves of gold scattered throughout (the Yunnan flower leaf). It brewed to a golden reddish color, which made me instantly wary, generally I take gold tones as a warning. I like my teas strong and brisk but mild in flavor, brewing to a nice dark brown, like Assam. (I know, I'm such a peasant.) Sure enough, there was a herby almost Darjeeling flavor to the blend making too perfumey for my taste, with burnt tannic and pine overtures. I would have preferred to taste each leaf on its own to render judgement, as I think the Keemun dominated the blend. Someone, someday, will open a black tea + milk tasting room and I will be a happy girl.

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Another ebook kerfuffle in the making. The mail online reports that "a formal investigation to discover whether international publishers Harper Collins, Penguin, Hachette Livre, Simon & Schuster, and Germany’s Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holzbrinck have ‘engaged in anti-competitive practices’."

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Working copy edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:

Paul reviews Heartless.
Travels Through lest says, "Heartless is exactly what readers have come to expect from the Parasol Protectorate with all sorts of steampunk madness from Alexia and Co."
Cate's Bookshelves reviews Heartless. "That's the problem, if there is one, with Carriger's plots -- you can't talk about them without spoiling them and the delight really is in the discovery."

Quote of the Day:
"TV. If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six. Open your child's imagination. Open a book."
~ Author Unknown

Snafus and Copy Edits

2011-12-06T14:32:00.000-08:00

It's been a nasty few weeks, Gentle Reader. I lost a huge chuck of my prepared blogs (with links to reviews and images, etc.) due to an unavoidable snafu (entirely my fault). Plus I'm being epically killed by copy edits.

It's not that these edits are particularly bad or brutal, in fact the copy editor is remarkably good. No, it's more that it's just a lot of work my end to make everything as perfect as I can with the manuscript. Double check for victorian meanings and origin of words and generally catch as many mistakes as possible. In order to do this, I try to read my books out loud (when I have the time). I find I catch more errors that way and word repetitions and writer's ticks. Plus the sing song nature of the text comes to life. This may be because I was raised with audiobooks (rather than TV) so I tend to think of books as oral traditions.

It's one of the reasons I was so pleased with my Parasol Protectorate audio book reader, Emily Grey. I think she does a great job, from what little I have heard. Sadly, that's only a little, I am psychologically unable to listen to my own work read by another. It's too unsettling. My agent says this is not uncommon among authors.

Anyway, I've gone dark so far as interviews, queries, and demands are concerned. I'm just still in the process of moving and these edits are taking it out of me. I'm trying not to neglect you all too much, but right now other beasts must be fed and watered.

Apologizes for any repeats in images and such, like I said above, snafu.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

In which cute contest winner is cute!

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Working copy edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date fall 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Missie reviews the Soulless audiobook.

Quote of the Day:
"Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly."
~ Unknown

Moving House . . . Continued

2011-12-01T11:00:00.001-08:00

Well, Gentle Reader, I have moved. I have taken up residence with the AB in a tiny little second floor flat in an old Victorian on an island. We are moving along swiftly, having already put together the furniture, unpacked, and disposed of most of the boxes. I have a functioning office, which is good as I am running behind on my Etiquette & Espionage copy edits. Part of that office is a new standing desk! Have you any idea how hard nice looking, inexpensive, standing desks are to find? I ended up with a "bar" which works perfectly!

The first things to get unpacked? My shoes. Yes, before my computer. Priorities, priorities.

There are still kinks in the Relocation Operation and I'm still terribly busy running around finding curtains and such, but essentially I've moved. It was a bit of a saga with us negotiating which objects and clothing to purge.

I sat in the AB's bed and pronounced judgement on shirts. The AB sat on my bed and pronounced judgement on dresses. All told I disposed of 8 paper bags of clothing, six pairs of shoes (the AB wanted me to get rid of more but I put my foot down - pun intended), and two boxes of kitchen stuff. It's liberating.

Give me another couple weeks, please, and I will get back to more standard blogging then.

Pip pip.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in last of the edits, waiting on copy edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Doesn't take me seriously.

Quote of the Day:
Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
~ Unknown

The Last Convention of 2011 ~ Teslacon

2011-11-22T11:14:00.001-08:00

Teslacon was my last convention of this year, and what a way to go out!

There were travel adventures that included ~ but were not limited to: missed flights, extensive lay overs, being verbally attacked by a psycho psychic, sushi consumption, Cleveland, lost luggage, and freezing cold. Luckily (or unluckily for her) the lovely and fantastically talented Unwoman was in the same situation as I. You know what they say about misery? Well it is all true, especially if Unwoman is the company.

@globug0822 on twitter, following the saga (which I reported via iPhone, only 3 days in my life and now I can't imagine what I did without it) wrote a little ode. My fans are so cute!

Speaking of cute fans . . .

And my fellow authorial (and ambassadorial) compatriots were pretty darn cute too.

Paul Magrs, The Airship Ambassador, Self, George Mann

All in all, once the saga of travel had ended a delightful con. Although, be warned stemapunkers, Teslacon is not like other steampunk conventions. It is what they call "Full Emersion," I'd call it a kind of mass-hysteria-meets-LARP. It was a mite startling, fortunately there was plenty of tea.

Oh and I nearly gotten taken by Steampunk Fett to be Slave Gail! Shocking!

I've also taken a great number of steampunk fashion photos which I hope to post over in Retro Rack this week. (I helped to judge the costume contest.)

Still packing for my relocation operation, if I don't get to blog again happy turkey day to those of you who celibate the festival of consumption. Catch you next week.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
The seven year pen.

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in last of the edits, waiting on copy edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:

Madame Lefoux's hat box for the modern age!

Quote of the Day:
Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
~ Unknown

Teslacon, Ho!

2011-11-15T16:56:00.000-08:00

Friday:

10-11:30AM Barnes & Noble signing (1 East Towne Mall, Madison, WI 608-241-4695)
Return to Teslacon, full schedule here.
4-5:30PM Q&A and Reading (could be a little an excerpt from Timeless)
5:30PM Crashing the publishing panel with Liz Gorinsky from TOR
7:05PM Opening ceremonies
8:00PM Mummy unwrapping

Saturday:

11AM Signing in dealers room
1-2:30PM with George Mann Q& A and reading
2:30-4PM Informal talk (and hopefully tea)
5:30PM Possibly judging costume contest
7-7:30PM Signing
8:30PM Ball and parties

Sunday:

10AM Panel with George Q&A and reading
Possibly one quick last minute signing

Fly back.
My only event away from the convention is the Barnes & Noble signing. I'm not staying in the area at all, so if you are not attending the convention, that signing will be your only chance to see me.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Inside the mind of an octopus

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
I'm doing a twitter chat on NanNoWriMo tomorrow, Weds Nov 16 at 6PM PST. You can follow me at @gailcarriger

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in last of the edits, waiting on copy edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Heartless is a 2011 Goodreads Choice Award Semifinalist Thanks everyone for mobilizing to vote for me! Semifinals round ends November 20.

Quote of the Day:
"Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person
who doesn't get it."
~ Unknown

Bad Gail, No Blog for You ~ Ketchup

2011-11-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

Contest winners of the Polish and UK editions have been chosen and emailed. As always, thank you all for playing. Worry not, Gentle Reader, there are bound to be more give aways in the future. You know it's one of my favorite things to do.

So sorry to have been a bad blogger, moving is hell on an OCF (as my friends say: it's not a disorder, it's a function). It's likely to continue a little while longer. My life is full of boxes, and will remain so through the end of the month.

I find myself contemplating the ramifications of psychological safety objects; i.e. the things one can not stand to pack until the very last minute. In my, case these seem to be my desk, one tea cup, the kettle, and my clothes. What does that say about me as a person? I'm a writer, tea aficionado, and superficial? Or, I invest identity in paperwork, am addicted to caffeine, and like to stay warm? You'd think it would be shoes and books but they are already boxed. (For your edification 49 pairs of shoes fits into 3 plastic tubs.)

3 grocery bags of clothing have gone to consignment, 3 bags to friends plus 2 bags of sewing stuff. About 10 bags of clothing plus other items have gone to charity, and one bag of books to the library. Conclusion from this mathematic word problem? I was living with too much crap.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Tiny working digital camera
Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Amazing video on dressing for the 1870s.

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Link not working, no time to de-bug, sorry.

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in last of the edits, waiting on copy edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
One of my male reader comes out of the woodwork.

Quote of the Day:
"Tea's proper use is to amuse the idle, and relax the studious, and dilute the full meals of those who cannot use exercise, and will not use abstinence."
~ Samuel Johnson

Confession Time

2011-11-11T11:15:00.001-08:00

Just because I feel like being terribly droll here is a list of silly confessions . . .

I like adverbs and I think they are much maligned in the popular press.
I talk to animals as if they understand. To the robin, "My, aren't you handsome?" To the cat, "You got problems." To the barking dog, "You're not impressing anyone."
I find bureaucratic inefficiency more irritating than anything else in life. Except maybe that jiggly leg thing, argh!
I have the smallest bladder of any grown woman. I secretly believe I was subjected to covert government experimentation and there is a mouse somewhere with my badder that never has to pee.
The thing about me that the AB finds most impressive is my ability to slice bread perfectly straight. Seriously. (My mum also swears she and my father divorced because she can't cut bread properly.)
I'm currently infatuated with real French macaroons.

I like punchy fragment sentences and ridiculously long run on ones.
I loathe Venetian blinds. What happened to good, old fashioned, curtains? Or better, shutters?
I have trouble remembering to drink water.
I did karate for three years and had the best spin kick in the class but gave it up when my then-boyfriend joined as I couldn't stand sparing with someone I kissed.
I have very strict doughnut protocols. My doughnut of choice is a French crueler. If they don't have it, I will walk out sans doughnut and feel very proud of my self-control.
Yes, I am as obsessed with tea as you think I am. I own 6 teapots, 3 electric kettles, 2 tea cozies, 24 mugs, around 40 teacups and saucers collected for over 20 years mostly from thrift stores ~ The Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition uses my collection for their tearoom. This assortment is currently scattered between 4 houses (friend's and relations).

The first full sentence I ever wrote was: my dad is always dusty and my mom is always dirty. (My dad is a carpenter and my mum a gardener.)
I like cheap sweet champagne, mid range full bodied red wines, and very expensive fruity whites.
If I don't write it down, I won't remember. No, really.
I'll eat or drink anything three times, on the theory that it hasn't been prepared right the first two. This means I've consumed guinea pig, alpaca, most animal innards, bathtub gin, homemade chicha, every exotic fruit I can get my hands on, and lots of cheese.
My favorite thing in life is to have friends over, feed them, and laugh.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Sharpest knife

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Science Fiction Weaponry

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in last of the edits, waiting on copy edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
Kaitharshayr must have Blameless now.

Quote of the Day:
"A dirty book is rarely dusty."
~ Author Unknown

Ketchup ~ Manga, Contests, LA Trip

2011-11-08T11:00:00.001-08:00

For those who have been asking, the Parasol Protectorate Manga is now listed online.

This will be the print version of the online edition that is currently being serialized trough Yen Plus and it should release at the same time as Timeless, which is officially March 1, 2012. See samples here.

I'm running two contests while I am packing. Well, not really contests. You don't have to do much. They are for the last of the foreign editions: Polish and UK.

I haven't listed this officially on the website yet, but I have agreed to go down to LA briefly for the Passion and Prose event February 24, with any luck some stores may already have Timeless. I hope to see some of you there.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

The perfect Alexia dress.

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in last of the edits, waiting on copy edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
In praise of the Parasol Protectorate.

Quote of the Day:
"If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer."
~ Alfred North Whitehead (1861 - 1947)

More with Contests and Moving

2011-11-07T09:58:00.000-08:00

Last chance for our last winner (#3) . . .

luvslavofnebhed
To claim the foreign edition prize. I said one week and I meant it! I still have received no email.

Tomorrow, I bump everyone else up and send off the books.
After that I'm going to post the remainders up for grabs on some kind of really easy contest basis, so check back again soon. I move at the end of the month and I'm not taking these puppies with me.

In other news, Gentle Reader, I am slowly but surely getting things in order for next year's touring and convention visits. They should go up on my website as soon as I can manage to figure out how to use my new computer to code the darn thing. Sometimes it's tough being a technophobe. Every piece of new technology is so very threatening. For example, I am, finally, investing in a smart phone and am absolutely shaking in my boots at the prospect.

There is also moving house going on right now so if you don't see me online all that much, I'm packing. And packing. And more packing. Pip pip!

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Moving House by inertiak
Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
The difference between read to read and reading to edit.

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in last of the edits, waiting on copy edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013. She's started waking me up in the middle of the night with ideas.

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

Book News:
A quick review of Heartless from Bookish and Tales to Tide You Over reviews Heartless.

Quote of the Day:
"I was just looking for a word for hat decorations & completely missed "cockade" - which is an ornament (such as a rosette) usually worn on the hat. I am highly amused, and hope to use this word often."
~ Kitty NicIaian

Dear Lord Akeldama: The 2011 Edition, Part Fourteen

2011-11-04T12:34:00.001-07:00

More from everyone's favorite vampire advisor.

nm_samantha asks:
What advice would you give to a newly created vampire?
Speak only when spoken to, introduce yourself properly before lunching, and consult your queen before leaving the house.

Diego Bruner asks:
How has the digital age changed your information gathering "hobby."
Ah, my little pixel, you never heard this from me, but it has had a greater effect on my dissemination of information. It is amazing what people will believe, especially with this new fangled wikipedia thingamabob. I can completely rewrite history to my own preferences. I mean, real my darlings, how else would you explain such a proliferation of fashion blogs?

Lady Star asks,
Do you like how the manga artist has given you form?
Oh don't I look so delightfully young? I am, as is the custom with most of us who have seen a few years pass by, rather more than delighted and flattered by any rendition that depicts me as lesser in years.

Lady Star asks:
I wouldn't be so bold as to ask the year, but when is the birthday of my favorite vampire?
My starling of the evening skies, I'm terrible sorry to say, I can no longer remember.

Beauasks:
Dear Lord Akeldama, I was wondering what your feelings were on drone hopefuls who prefer to "tread the boards" as they say? I was recently cast as Le Beau in Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It and much of my character work I have based off of your personality and fabulous image (I even get a folding fan which I get to snap open vigorously). I know it's terribly "wolfish" of me, but I had hoped to gain your approval. Yours (If you want me), Beau
Ah, darling Beau! (What a perfectly splendid name, by the way, I am quite compelled to call you by it, as anything I might create should be inferior. I should dearly love to see such a production! I to tend to build my little collection from young men of consequence, it suits my various hobbies, but I have been know to branch out. Actors, as you might well know, can ply their skills in many ways off the stage as well as on, and as such I can only say, perhaps I have indeed poached form the werewolf domain upon occasion . . . perhaps next time your are in town, you could send round a playbill?

hanna asks:
I have two questions. Firstly, I know that you've lived for several centuries, and I´m wondering what era is your favourite? Secondly, I'm guessing that you have met Ivy Hisselpenny several times. Which of her hats would you consider the ugliest?
I'm particularly partial to any era where in men are required to wear vert tight breeches, and lace, oh, and sparkles. I do love a man who sparkles. As for Miss Hisselpenny's hats . . . words fail me. (And believe me, my sugared violet, I don't say that lightly.)

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Marriage and children out of wedlock in the Victorian era.

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
"What's scarier than Halloween? Writers signing publishing contracts not fully understanding what they are signing." ~ My Agent

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Working fourth pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013.

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

Book News:
More FAN ART! (Yes I know, terribly realistic, but still fan art.

Quote of the Day:
"...is it just me, or does a “James Beard Award” sound like something a woman would win for dating closeted gay men? If that’s the case, then Renee Zellweger is in the James Beard Hall of Friggin Fame."
~ David Dust

Foreign Edition Contest Winners

2011-11-01T10:34:00.001-07:00

I had 73 entries into the foreign edition contest. I wish I could give books to everyone but as ever I left it up to the fates. I used a random number generator to chose 7 numbers between 1 and 73.

Here are the 7 winners:

1. jeepgirl77
2. ashura_oh
3. luvslavofnebhed
4. june_young
5. lady_obsessed
6. covarla
7. Sam Jehanzeb

Remember: I have 4 Polish, 2 Japanese, 1 German, 7 UK

jeepgirl77 gets to pick which translation first, and then ashura_oh picks are selected out of the remaining options, and so forth

You all have 7 days to get back to me with your choices, ranked.
Please indicate whether you want the books just signed or dedicated + signed or blank.
If you do not include an edition, I assume you are not interested in it.
Include a snail mail address.

You may email me directly gail +at+ gailcarriger +dot+ com
Or use the calling card feature on my website.

I will pop them in the mail to you ASAP.

Unclaimed foreign editions will go up in the blog on a first comment first win basis in a couple weeks. So those of you who did not win, still have another chance.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Social media is so easy.

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Working fourth pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013.

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

Book News:
Changeless review and Heather Pearson did another.

Quote of the Day:
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."
~ Mark Twain, attributed

Ketchup ~ Moving = Gail's Life in Chaos

2011-10-31T12:01:00.001-07:00

It's a good kind of chaos, my darling Gentle Reader. I have only one more event this year, TeslaCon. And I have only one more project due, the first Finishing School book: Etiquette & Espionage. Here is an example of the fashion styles featured in this series.

E&E is turning into one of those manuscripts I keep thinking is done and then . . . isn't. You know kind of like Babylon Five. I'm struggling to complete the last of the edits and hope tat by the end of this week it will be off my plate and I have the month of November free before I start up again on the second book in the series, Deportment & Deceit, in December.

But, Miss Gail, you might well ask, why are you stopping writing even for a few weeks?

Because . . . I am moving house. And when you have two closets of clothing and fifty-two pairs of shoes and have to go down to one closet half the size of one of the original? Moving house is so much more than just relocating stuff, it's getting rid of stuff too.

Yes, I have to purge. It's hard my darlings, very hard. Because I invest in clothing and then I take good care of it. So I have not only dropped a good deal of money on the items I own, but they are still in great condition, so getting rid of something feels . . . traitorous. More on this to come in Retro Rack, where I am sure to lament at length my various losses over the coming month and possibly give things away to readers of that blog.

My dream closet . . . someday

But it's not just clothing and accessories on the chopping block, oh no, books have to go. I buy paperbacks as a rule, and I am strict with myself about only keeping about 100 or so, but still. Then there are all the research books. And let's not even talk about my kitchen crockery habit. (I have a terrible weakness for square plates.)

I tell you, moving is a real challenge! And now I am going to avoid it by going back to work writing. I have a novel to finish, packing and purging can wait.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
All about cover art.

Timeless: Now in production. The release date on Amazon is correct.

Etiquette & Espionage: Working fourth pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013.

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

Book News:
Review of the Heartless audiobook.
Quote of the Day:
"We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us."
Winston Churchill

Podcasts for Characters

2011-10-27T09:50:00.001-07:00

There are some authors out there who listen to music while they write. Soem of them even make soundtracks for books. I am not one of those authors, Gentle Reader. As a former dancer I find myself wanting to twirl about too much when music is on.

I listen to a lot of podcasts however, mostly when I am driving, exercising, shopping, running errands, cooking, eating . . . Yeah, pretty much any time I am not writing. In fact, you might call me a podcast fangirl. This is one reason I love Balticon so much. So I realized recently that I associate certain podcasts with certain characters, in a Peter and the Wolf kind of way. Which is to say, they not only seem to tie in together but if I know that character has a scene coming up I will sometimes rearrange my podcast listening schedule to coincide.

Here's the association:

Lord Maccon ~ Scotland's Funny Bits
Alexia Tarabotti ~ BBC Woman's Hour
Lord Akeldama ~ The Smartest Man in the World
Professor Lyall ~ Modern Manners Guy
Lord Akeldama's Drones ~ The Bugle
Ivy Hisselpenny ~ What Not to Wear Video Cast
Felicity & Evylin Loontwill ~ Answer B!tch
Tunstell ~ Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
Floote ~ Judge John Hodgman

So if one of those is your favorite character, I wonder if you would like the associated podcast. And I'm curious, do you associate certain music with my books or characters? Do you use music when you are writing?

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
http://www.orbitbooks.net/2011/10/25/form-structure-and-scouting/

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Working fourth pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats! Release date sometime 2013.

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

Book News:
A bunch of Soulless reviews.

Manda's Movements says, "Straight away I was giggling at Alexia's attitude towards the people around her and life in general."
Books and Quilts
Andra
Fangs for the Fantasy's balanced take
Unleaded

Quote of the Day:
"Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors."
~ Alice Walker

Dear Lord Akeldama: The 2011 Edition, Part Thirteen

2011-10-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

Rebecca asks:

Opera, play, or symphony?
Play darling beccalite, whenever vampirically possible, but sometimes one must put in an appearance elsewhere. Operas are suited only to those who like opera girls, and in the symphony everyone sits, you can't observe what they are wearing at all well. So it's the play for me. I am a particular fan of Shakespeare, I do like men in tights.

Lady Emma of Portsmouth asks:
I assume you are acquainted with many noteworthy vampires, but I have to ask, are you acquainted with any werewolves... ..or are there any werewolves you hold in high regard?
My dearest pink peppercorn of Portsmouth, I don't hold anyone in high regard, that would be vexing for all concerned.

Suzanne asks:
Have you ever been at a loss when it comes to your distinctive and flowery terms of endearment [eg. my rose petal] that you use so frequently?
My darling grape-seed of the morning dew, me? Never! My creator, on the other hand, often walks around making tea and muttering endearments to herself and, on occasion, pauses mid conversation to make a note. Sometimes I suspect she created this Dear Lord Akeldama column so she could keep in practice, if you take my meaning. There was also one hilarious conversation with Gail's editor over whether my little terms of endearments ought to be capitalized, I was, naturally, in favor.

tsgeisel asks:
How do you feel about Fezes?
That a once fine chapeau has been subsumed by the supercilious.

Julia ask:
How long does one stay a drone before, Master/Mistress willing, succumb to the transformation? May I be so bold as to also ask how long you stayed a drone?
Ah me, such a serious question. When to metamorphose a drone is like knowing when to remove the tea bag from your cuppa. When the tea is ready, my butterfly upon a lilac branch . . . when the tea is ready, out comes the soul! I suppose one might say, if the drone has seeped properly into vampire culture, if he fits, if he is not . . . too bitter. One must be careful, of a certain, not to leave the drone for too long, he becomes too strong, too attached to humanity, too tannic. His soul not longer has anything left to give to immortality. It is a delicate balance. And the difficulty is, as with tea, every drone is a different blend and must be soaked for a different length of time. Oh look at me! I am soooo poetic!

wolfgang20 asks:
Have you had your portrait painted by any of the great masters? If so which ones? I can imagine you looking even more wonderful than usual in the fashions of the first Charles.
Oh, my dear you flatter me so! I might have sat for the occasional painter in my time, they have a prediction for putting me in as the pageboy or wearing yellow, I am never certain whether to be flattered by this or not.

scullerym8d0182 asks:
Lord Akeldama, I am a girl of considerable girth and would like to find a corset to affect the illusion of a waist, but alas sizing seems horribly confusing. Any tips?
My dear sudsy muffin, what would I know of ladies foundation garments? I pass you along to my creator . . .
Gail will be taking this question in her RETRO RACK blog very soon . . .

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Interesting data website of SF/F in Spanish: La Tercera Fundacion.

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Working third pass final edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats!

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

Book News:
Roswell Patch Soulless review.
Novel A Day reviews Changeless.
I Believe in Fairytale reviews Blameless.
Heartless review.

Quote of the Day:
"Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors."
~ Alice Walker

Back from Germany!

2011-10-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

Well, Gentle Reader, I am back in the land of interweb access and full sized blankets. I had a wonderful time in Germany where they seem quite fascinated with good Italian coffee and gelatto, amazing cheese, and marvelous pastries. A girl can live on such things.

Don't know what to do with tea, those Germans. You should have seen me trying to convince them to bring me milk (NOT cream, thank you very much), and when they did it was warm and frothy. Luckily the tasty breakfast buffet came with an ubiquitous cereal bar and so I merely snagged milk from there for my morning pot and drank delicious lattes the rest of the time.

The AB and I landed in Frankfurt but skirted quickly out of town to Wiesbaden, one of the spa towns and made post haste for the hot water. After 11 hours on a flight who doesn't want a nice bath and a sauna? Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme

The spa and an angled house, yes the house was leaning. So cute.

After that we went to Frankfurt for the Book Fair it was . . . an experience. It's like BEA only bigger and requires a map and at least 30 minutes to get around, the fair, mind you not Frankfurt. I met with many of my foreign editors and publishers ~ from Russia to Japan to Sweden to Italy to Germany and beyond ~ although not all of them, as it was so crazy a few of them didn't make the meetings.

With my Italian editor and having high tea.

One of my favorite things to happen in Frankfurt was visiting my fans. A small but excitable group meet me at the Horse and Hour British pub and sat outside in the cold drinking bear and chattering away. I was a little jet lagged so not quite up to snuff but I learned all sorts of interesting things about the Germany steampunk movement and Clockworker which left me well armed with information for my meeting with my German publisher (the very aptly named Urban) the following day.

Photo of self with Sam, who has a write-up in German of the event, is the creator of this marvelous piece of fan art.

"I dare to dream of lovely books getting beautiful faces."

The AB and I escaped before the fair really got crazy and went to spend five days off grid on the Rhine. It was stunning. We used Koblenz as our base and from there did totally touristy things like Riesling tasting, visiting medieval towns and castles, boat tours, and an unexpected flower show (the Buga).

In Koblenz we stayed at the Hotel Brennar which I highly recommend. The hotel would certainly have suited a low key Lord Akeldama resplendent with white walls and royal blue and gold accents.

The food in Koblenz would have suited Alexia. There is an endless supply of amazing eats. The AB and I tried everything from bratwurst with mustered and buns and ~ YES! ~ sauerkraut, to boat faire of puff pastry and chicken in gravy sauce ("Good for the ladies" says out steward) to super high end local cheese platters to pair with our Riesling to ultra modern cuisine.

The food on the boat.

Cheese platter to go with wine.

Ice cream disguised as spaghetti.

I did find one new fruit I wanted to try, Physalis but I had never heard of it and didn't have the courage. From the wiki article I probably would have enjoyed it.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
SF Signal mindmeld discusses recent reads with authors and whether we would recommend the book or not. I talk about The World Without Us by Alan Weisman

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
An interesting take on why an professional writer should self publish.

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats!

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

Book News:
Paranormal Wastelands enjoyed Soulless!

Quote of the Day:
"Plain buns are really one of the most harmless styles of refreshment (though the spirit quails at the thought of the ordinary station bun, which resembles nothing in life so much as a geological fragment), or sandwiches may be eaten, provided they are not of ham."
~ Lillias Campbell Davidson, Hints to Lady Travellers 1889

Ketchup for While Gail is Poodling about Germany Eating Sauerkraut

2011-10-07T16:16:00.001-07:00

In case you think that tittle is all lies, I actually love sauerkraut. Love eeeet! Now, where was , oh yes, a blog entry . . .

I'm off in Germany for a few weeks, Gentle Reader, please excuse the lack of updates while I am away. I am hitting the very first day of the Frankfurt Book Expo and then off for a bit of travel and vacation.

I have an informal Frankfurt meet up scheduled at the Fox and Hound Pub on Tuesday October 11, 2011 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. Feel free to stop by if you are near, get a book signed or just say hello.

Reminders . . .

The Win Foreign Editions Contest is going on all October.
You can enter on Live Journal or on Blogspot.

I have manged to drop two e-short stories to keep you entertained while you wait for Timeless.

My Sister's Song is the first short story I ever sold to a professional market, it's a humorous alt-history set in Roman times.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords (all other formats & countries)

Marine Biology is the most recent short story I sold to a professional market. It's a funny male/male paranormal romance set in contemporary times.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords (all other formats & countries)

Retro Rack is up and running. If I post anything from Germany, it'll be there.

Here's a selection of reviews, interviews, fan art, and other tidbits for while I am away . . .

* At WorldCon 2011 video interview, talking with Rome of SFBC about world building and the hardback omnibus edition of the Parasol Protectorate (Soulless, Changeless, Blameless) out now.
* In which I am interviewed in print . . .
* My unexpected appearance overseas in the Singapore Times.

* Nerds in Babeland reviews Soulless. "Overall, I was very happy at the end of the book. It can be read as a standalone, the story wrapping up without having to impatiently wait for the next in the series."
* Fiction State of Mind reviews Changeless. "It's also a joy to see such well developed female characters. Have I mentioned the humor yet? Alexia's deadpan observations and comments are rife with laugh out loud moments and the addition of her best friend Ivy and her sister Felicity provide ample comedic relief."
* Fiction State of Mind reviews Blameless.
* Love Vampires reviews Heartless.
* Parasol Protectorate feature in a Polish magazine.

* A reader does a Fantasy casting of Soulless.
Find my character studies on my website including some of my favorite choices for actors and actresses.
* Some fan art!

lord_maccon_in_anubis_form_by_mommyspike

Lord Maccon and Professor Lyall by Rebecca Nandi

by Theamaia

Wareweolves By Sarah Lynne Christianson

I hope you all have a lovely mid October. In my normal neck of the woods this means rain, which I love ~ it's an elegant excuse for staying in doors and writing! Expect me back online the week of October 18th.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence floats!

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

Book News:
Into the Hall of Books reviews Soulless and says, " It took me a couple of days to get into this book because of the way Miss Alexia Tarabotti speaks. She is quite the proper Englishwoman, after all. But once I got used to it, I fell in love with Soulless and devoured it."

Quote of the Day:
"It is just as well to furnish oneself on these occasions with one's own tea and coffee, which should be packed in airtight tins. The decoctions supplied to one under the names of the these useful and everyday articles are sometimes really too awful to describe, and the trouble of carrying about one's own supply will well repay itself."
~ Lillias Campbell Davidson, Hints to Lady Travellers 1889

New E-Short Story Available: Marine Biology

2011-10-05T09:38:00.001-07:00

Dearest Gentle Reader, I've dropped anther E-Short Story! This is very exciting to me as I am generally so terrible with technology and mainly occurs via J. Daniel Sawyer's help and constant vigilance. Really, I don't know how those without a Dan survive.

Marine Biology
A short tale of seduction, selkies, and sushi

Marine Biology is the most recent short story I've sold to the print market. It's a funny male/male paranormal romance set in contemporary times. You can get it for under the cost of your morning coffee ($0.99) and at . . .

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords (all other formats & countries)

Brief Description
Alex is a werewolf with problems – he’s unexpectedly alive, he’s quite definitely gay, and he’s been ordered into a partnership with one very flirty merman. In this short story, New York Times Bestselling Author Gail Carriger bring her comedic voice to contemporary fiction and male/male romance. This story was written for, and a first published in, The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2.

Explicit language warning but very little erotic content. 11,000 words. Original trade paperback length – 43 pages.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Some go advice for authors using twitter. I would include never auto DM, ever. And never spam DM, ever. I unfollow and block instantly under both those circumstances.

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence flies again!

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

Book News:

Adorable fan art by hisietari
Quote of the Day:
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."
~ Groucho Marx

Frankfurt Informal Gathering with Gail

2011-10-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

I've plotted a Frankfurt Germany Meet-Up!

Where? Fox and Hound Pub
When? Tuesday October 11, 2011. 6:30 - 8:30 PM

That's one week from today ~ eep!
Here's the Facebook Event's page via the Parasol Protectorate Group.

The plan is to simply invade this unsuspecting British pub. I am likely to be a little jet lagged but I really wanted any German fans who could get to Frankfurt to have the opportunity to meet me and get books signed without having to deal with the madness of the Book Fair (it begins on Wednesday).

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
British Railway Accident Rates in the 1880s

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad Book the First: Prudence flies again!

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

Book News:
For those eager for even more information on the new series, here's more on the Parasol Protectorate Abroad.

Quote of the Day:
"Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea."
~ Henry Fielding

New Series Announced! The Parasol Protectorate Abroad ~ Prudence and Imprudence

2011-10-03T10:02:00.001-07:00

It's official, Gentle Reader! The announcement has been made. In addition to writing the new YA series, The Finishing School, and shepherding the Soulless manga into existence, I will be writing a new adult series for Orbit called the Parasol Protectorate Abroad. If you've finished Heartless you know who that series will feature! The first one will be called Prudence and the second Imprudence.

For those of you who have been following my blog regularly, this was secret project PPA. I'll begin writing it next year, the first book to appear, hopefully, in 2013 but it could be more like 2014.

The delay is on me, Gentle Reader, for which I apologize. I asked for a bit of a breather. I've been writing 2~3 books a year plus travel and promotion for the past several years. During part of that time I was also teaching and traveling to excavate. I've ended relationships and started new ones. I've moved house, switched careers, had various medical kerfuffles, and commenced a second blog. I've taken tentative steps into self publishing. Mostly, I just need a break. And to take a break now means trickle down effects in the future. I need to balance my future deadlines as well, it was one of the life lessons learned early this year. Now, hopefully, one book will be due in the spring (Finishing School) and one in the winter (PPA). Release dates will depended on how the publishing houses decides to release the books and in what format. I will keep you informed as and when I can.

SPOILER ALERT for Blameless and Heartless
My intention with the Parasol Protectorate Abroad books is to explore the wider ramifications of my Steampunk British Empire, not just how technology has altered but how vampires and werewolves have evolved differently in other parts of the world. I'm not going to tell you too much, as Timeless will give you some set up for this series. But sufficient to say, that the Prudence currently in my head has much of her mother's go-get-em attitude mixed with a bit of her father's temper and a certain love of fashion the result of a particularly colorful upbringing. She and her crack dirigible team lark about performing Leverage-like infiltration and rescue missions at the behest of (but if asked they will deny everything) Queen Victorian and her shadow council. It is going to be so very fun!
Being a writer, of course, all this is subject to change without notice at the whim of the muse.

A reminder I'm running a contest this month to win foreign editions of the Parasol Protectorate books.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .
How to make a parasol from and umbrella.

Your Infusion of Cute . . .
Parasol Lollipops

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Some thoughts on sacrificing plot and character.

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

The Parasol Protectorate Abroad, Book the First: Prudence afloat!

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

Book News:
Frankfurt Germany Meet Up. Fox and Hound Pub Tuesday Night October 11, 2011.
Quote of the Day:
"The smallest bookstore still contains more ideas of worth than have been presented in the entire history of television."
~ Andrew Ross

The Foreign Edition Contest! Octoberfest!

2011-09-30T09:29:00.001-07:00

So my dear Gentle Reader, I am off to Germany soon and in honor of my little jaunt abroad I will be running a contest while I am away. It's the Frankfurt Boo Expo which means . . . your chance to win foreign editions!

This is the opportunity for those of you who would like to own some of the Parasol Protectorate books in translation to win them. As always, Gentle Reader, I like to offer up bribes for actions (it's the teacher in me). So, to tempt you, this is what you could win:

Prizes

The German editions of Soulless and Changeless

or The Polish editions of Soulless and Changeless

or The Japaneses editions of Soulless and Changeless (NOT the manga)

or The US edition of Heartless (mass market size)

or The UK edition of Heartless (larger, almost trade size)

How to Win

Post a 60 word (or more) review of Blameless and/or Heartless in a public book-orientated forum.
Yes, it MUST be Blameless and/or Heartless.
No, your personal blog does not count.
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, etc.. are the allowable venues.
Why 60 words? Because when I reviewed professionally that was our standard.

How to Enter

Write and post your review.
Leave a comment bellow with the link in it.
If you like, you can include the translation(s) you are interested in. (I'm just curious.)
If you comment here anonymously, also include a name/way to contact you.
You have the whole month of October to do this.
Yes, you can enter multiple reviews.
Yes, you can repost the same review to different venues and each time counts.
Yes, you can write reviews for both Blameless and Heartless.
But you need to LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT HERE FOR EACH REVIEW.

What Happens

7 winners will be random number generated and ranked. (Thus, the more you enter the better chance you have.)
I will announce the 7 winners by name/handle on November 1.
FYI I have 4 Polish, 2 Japanese, 1 German, 7 UK.
The first winner will get to pick which translation she/he likes best, and then the second picks out of the remaining options, and so forth.
You will have 7 days to get back to me with your choice or choices (ranked), whether you want the books signed or dedicated and signed or blank, and a snail mail address.
I will pop them in the mail to you. Ta da!

Inevitable questions

This contest is open to anyone, anywhere, any language.
You will not be judged on the quality or strength of your review(s). Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
I am out of Spanish and French editions.
If this works, I will probably run future similar contests for other languages (this will depend on how many copies I am given of each). This may include Hungarian, Italian, Thai, Russian, Swedish, and Turkish.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
Cleaner> Fireman> Engine Driver - Positions, Promotion and Pay at Faversham in the 1870s

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

Secret Project PPA: Announced at WorldCon & FenCon . . . coming soon.

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

Book News:
New interview up.

Quote of the Day:
"My test of a good novel is dreading to begin the last chapter."
~ Thomas Helm

Dear Lord Akeldama: The 2011 Edition, Part Twelve

2011-09-28T10:09:00.001-07:00

Did you, good sir, attend the first World's Fair? If so, how did you find the architecture and ambiance of The Crystal Palace? And which was your favorite pavilion?
My dearest darling sugarplum, Chicago is a tad far for one such as myself. But I did attend The Great Exhibition. I am, it might be said, still in ecstasies over the experiences there. Such wonders, such frivolity, such industrial sparkle ~ it quite took my breath away. What little I have left. But in actual fact, to my limited capacities, it was the Crystal Palace itself that was the true marvel. I am enamored of ridiculous architecture.

Anita asks:
I have noticed a resurgence in a 1970s fashion staple - the jumpsuit. Possibly even worse - the romper. As a gentleman of fashion what is your take on the jumpsuit?
Ah, Nitakins, what a very seious question you ask me! As a general rule my feeling is that the romper and the jumpsuit are best left to those who romp and jump about. Which is to say if you wish to dress as a child you should not be surprised if others treat you as such.

Mayor of "There" asks:
Having circulated among Ms. Carriger social milieu I notice that the verbal mannerisms of both yourself and the former Miss Hisselpenny are ever so slightly reminiscent of two of her circle. Is Ms. Carriger altering your bantering style in homage to her acquaintances or is what I am observing mere coincidence?
I assure you, good sir, that I am An Original! Shocking! The very idea! Any similarities between myself and any person living or dead are purely the consequence of my extensive influence and the result of the admiring masses. How do you know, dear sir, that these Algonquin artistic types are not modeling themselves upon me?

Mayor of "There" also asks:
What is the worst item of clothing inflicted upon a gentleman of style in terms of either comfort or appearance?
In order of discomfort my dear Mayoral Locality ~ the corset, the high healed shoe, and the pointed collar. Fortunately, all but one have been assumed by the fairer sex, who appear, on the whole, to be far more tolerant of such things. Is suspect this my be because they are, by nature's gift, a tab more squishy, on the whole.

nm_samantha asks:
What decade of the 20th century are you most fond of in terms of fashion?
Oh my dear, the 1930s. The zoot suit (it never officially came over here but that didn't stop me from wearing it!), the pin stripe, the new possibilities in men's hats that suddenly opened up and ~ that joy of joys, that beauty of beauties ~ the wingtip spectator.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .
DIY Parasols

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .
The Lives of Female waiting Room Attendants at London Bridge Station in the 1860s and 70s

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Some good advice.
Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

Secret Project PPA: Announced at WorldCon & FenCon . . . coming soon.

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

Book News:
Babbling about Books reviews Heartless. "Heartless is a humdinger of a book and a very satisfying continuation to the Alexia Tarabotti series. Every character Gail Carriger has created is refreshing and so very amusing. I found myself chuckling more than a few times and I just adore Alexia’s reactions to events."

Quote of the Day:
"I find television to be very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book."
~ Groucho Marx

FenCon Recap

2011-09-26T17:01:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time at FenCon, Gentle Readers. It has renewed my faith in conventions. Let me explain . . .

I tend to think of conventions as coming in categories:

SF/F local cons (anywhere from 200 to 2000, but usually around 800)
steampunk cons (you never know they seem to be growing exponentially)
WorldCon & World Fantasy (800 - 2000 these days)
Industry events (library association gatherings, literary events, book expos anything from 100 to 20,000)
The big beasts (DragonCon and ComicCons - huge)

Each different kind of gathering has qualities that make it wonderful and flaws that make it difficult. I've been getting a bit jaded over the past few years and seeing only flaws. FenCon has given me renewed pep.

Partly because I started out attending small local conventions, I tend to feel if you are going to start anywhere, start with them. FenCon has everything that makes a local convention wonderful without any of the drawbacks. It's well organized, well run, and (apparently) lacking in any of the drama I have come to expect in a fan run convention of any size. The hotel was ideally laid out with everything you need in a convenient loop on one floor. For the first time in my life, I did not get lost once! Anytime I was late it was because I was having a wonderful conversation with someone and couldn't get away, not because I was lost.

Taken by in ineffable Mr. Tee Morris

Yes, I know, being GoH makes a difference. But I've dabbled in organizing a convention myself so I know how unbelievably hard it is. I was looking for the cracks in the woodwork and for the fires being put out. Not to criticize such issues but so I could help if needed. The one thing the GoH can do is step in to be the "oh, shiny!" and distract in a crisis. Well, from my vantage point, it was seamless. I know there were fires, there always are, but they were so well dealt with I didn't even smell the metaphorical smoke.

If you want to try a convention for the first time, try FenCon. Is not only the behind-the-scenes organization either, the attendees are also so friendly. Could be Southern Hospitality, could be Texas, could be FenCon fandom, but I had many fun chats, surprise breakfast companions, and great times with fellow authors. I went in knowing only three other guests. Usually, that makes me nervous. I've said it before, one of the deciding factors these days in whether I go to a con is if friends will be there too. You don't need a safety net at FenCon because friends you didn't know you had are already there.

I know I promised you no more convention write-ups but I simply had to give FenCon a shout out. Go Dallas! Or more precisely, Go To Dallas! Next year, for FenCon!

In addition to all the other fun, there was an Ivy Hat Contest. I've posted about it on Retro Rack.

I enjoyed every panel I was on and they made the mistake of having me moderate one of them ~ Gail turns into Moderation Natzi under such circumstances. "Say on Topic! Stay on Topic!"

My FenCon schedule it still up on my website so if you'd like to get some notes and thoughts from any of my panels let me know which ones and I'll formulate a blog post for ya'all.

Convention Round Up

Outfits worn: 3.5 + Travel
Meals eaten out of Consuite: 7 (if you count tea, which I do)
Loot: So much I had to ask the staff to mail me a box back
Dallicks: 1
Ice cream consumed: 3 (I'm a bad girl)
Hot tubs taken: 4
Pairs of shoes: 4
Purses: 2
Luggage: only carry on (praise me!)
Bottles of water: 8
Cups of tea: 21
Business cards collected: 6
Strange Foods Tried: 3

I also got a flyer for something called AggieCon LINK. I visited their room party and learned all about the phenomenon. AggieCon is university convention. Isn't that nifty? Get'em while they're young! Makes me think they are training fans up right in Texas and that's why the FenCon peeps are so cool.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

From the London Party at FenCon. Three of my favorites!
Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

Secret Project PPA: Announced at WorldCon . . . coming soon.

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

Book News:
Devourer of Books reviews Soulless. "All in all it makes for a very enjoyable romp of a read. I definitely plan on continuing in this series."

Quote of the Day:
"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it."
~ P.J. O'Rourke

Character Study: Biffy

2011-09-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

Biffy appears briefly in the first Parasol Protectorate book, Soulless as a minor drone and then becomes gradually more important as the series progresses. In Changeless he plays a key role black in London spilling a cup of tea. In Blameless he is the catalyst for much of the events of Lord Maccon's story line. And has a whole new life by Heartless.

A personable young man appeared at his elbow with a solicitous cooling cloth draped artistically on a silver tray. Lord Akeldama dabbed at his brow delicately. "Oh, thank you Biffy. So thoughtful." Biffy winked and skipped off again. He displayed impressive musculature for all his grace. Acrobat? wondered Alexia. Lord Akeldama watched the young man walk away appreciatively. "I should not have favorites, of course..." he sighed.
~ From Soulless

(Lord Maccon has changed out of wolf form unexpectedly ,and is left naked in the streets of London.)
A toff of the highest water, dressed to the nines in a lovely cut-front jacket and stunning lemon yellow cravat, tied in the Osbaldeston style, materialized out of the darkness behind a brewing pub, where no toff had a right to be. The man doffed his top hat amiably at the naked werewolf.
"Why, I do declare, if it isn't Lord Maccon. How do you do? Fancy, aren't we a tad underdressed for an evening's stroll?" The voice was mildly familiar and laced with amusement.
"Biffy," said the earl, on a growl.
"And how is your lovely wife?" Biffy was a drone of reputation, and his vampire master, Lord Akeldama, was a dear friend of Alexia's. Much to Lord Maccon's annoyance. So, come to think of it, was Biffy. Last time the drone had visited Woolsey Castle with a message from his master, he and Alexia had spent hours discussing the latest hairstyles out of Paris. His wife had a penchant for gentlemen of the frivolous persuasion. Conall paused to deduce what that said about his own character.
"Hang my lovely wife," he answered. "Get into that tavern there and wrestle me up a coat of some kind, would you?"
Biffy arched an eyebrow at him. "You know, I would offer you my coat, but it's a swallowtail, hardly useful, and would never fit that colossal frame of yours anyway." He gave the earl a long, appraising look. "Well, well, isn't my master going to be all of a crumble for not having seen this?"
~ From Changeless

SPOILER ALERT, DO NOT READ FURTHER
if you have not read through Blameless

Original Notes

Human
Drone to Lord Akeldama
Medium height
Dark brown hair
Blue eyes
Hair styling skills

Secondary Notes

Sandalio de Rabiffano = real name (Spanish)
Aristocracy of some kind
Interior decoration skills

Fan Art of Biffy in Wolf Form

Wolf

Chocolate brown wolf with oxblood red stomach
Pattern of fur about his neck looks like a cravat

Biffy is one of those characters who was never meant to be a main dish, as it were, but seemed to have a lot to say for himself and took over as a result. By the last book in the series, Biffy is a main character.

Here is a collection of images that remind me of Biffy.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .

Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.
Next project: another e-short story.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

Secret Project PPA: Announced at WorldCon . . . coming soon.

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

Book News:
Gail interview up with the Short Story Geeks podcast.

Quote of the Day:
"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."
~ Anna Quindlen

Website Tinkerings

2011-09-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

We are currently working on rebuilding my website to feed off of BlogSpot instead of LJ. I apologize for this blog which is a tester blog and may appear off and on again over the next few months.

There is something about BlogSpot's image handling that causes the way it appears on the website to go bonkers. I am trying to pinpoint exactly what that is in the code. Please be patient with me. I hope you will be appeased by the fact that I'll be using never before seen images from the last site I worked at, Chokepukio, in Peru, near Cuzco.

Here we have some of the ruins as seen approaching the site.

Isn't testing fun?

And from a higher vantage point.

Tra la la.

OK, that's it for now.

Dear Lord Akeldama: The 2011 Edition, Part Eleven

2011-09-14T12:04:00.001-07:00

My darling Gentle Reader, yesterday was a bumper of a day. With your help Soulless wormed its little way to the top of the Kindle pile.

And I finished my latest pass of edits!

To celebrate I have taken a moment to consult with the Good Vampire and present to you a long awaited . . .

Dear Lord Akeldama: The 2011 Edition, Part Eleven

denisetwin asks ~
What are your thoughts regarding Monarchies vs Elected Officials? Do you feel term limits for elected officials are the best way to avoid the "power corrupts" situations that seem to lead to despots/nepotism in power or is there a better way in your opinion? Do you feel differently on this subject when it comes to a supernatural Council vs human politics?
My goodness gracious me, pudding drop, what a terribly dour question. I suppose if you asked me to consider it with any gravitas my temptation is to say it is entirely dependent upon the individual. The key, in either case, to to place into power a person who's natural character in one who does not wish to rule, and yet who has had an upbringing of strict adherence to ethics and responsibility. Inexcusably dull chaps as a general rule, but responsible and duty bound. And no poets. Poets should never be given any power whatsoever.

beezlefishy asks ~
How did you feel about the fashions of the Elizabethan era? And what are your thoughts on the corset falling out of use in modern times?
Now, my darling fishy-one, do you know the doggerel on Our Fair Bess? She was very lacking, as one might say, in the operatic endowments arena. The fashions of the day rather followed this trend, and while no one would ever accuse me of being a poodlefaker, I appreciate when a female has curves rather than not. I did think the fashions for gentlemen were quite delightful, so very many details and sumptuous fabrics and bejewelments.
As to the lack of corset in the modern day, a tragedy I dare say for female kind. Good posture is a thing of the past, not to mention various back pains and other sufferings that result of a woman spending most of her life . . . unsupported. As for corsets on men, I have never advocated this venture, it is deceitful.

adelheid_p asks:
Is iced tea a beverage that you would drink?
Pardon me? What!

Liam asks:
One wonders what your perceptions are regarding all those little children who think it "cool" to dress as one of your ilk, spend their nights partying in various "goth" clubs, and spending the other part of their lives living in their mothers basements. Any comments?
One must train up the next generation as best one can and weigh all young persons attire in the great balance of fashionable life. I mean to say, my darling boy, at least they are not sporting those falling-down baggy – dare I even dignify them with the name? – trousers.
* An interjection from Miss Gail who highly recommends the entertaining Goths in Hot Weather or the indubitably vital Gothic Charm School.

profbutters asks:
Can one rely over-much on corsetry? Is there a point when resistance is futile? I am thinking of George IV.
Oh, my, yes.
* Again Miss Gail interjects. She worked as a corset fitter for some nine years and would like to say that it is always worth a try. You would be surprised what she can do with a corset.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .
Mysterious Paper Sculptures found in libraries.

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Some very good advice for new authors.
Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: Handed in second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

Secret Project PPA: Announced at WorldCon . . . coming soon.

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

Book News:
Hilarious Video Montage review of Soulless.

Quote of the Day:

"By far the best means of carrying sandwiches with one. Shut up in a tightly-fitting box from the air, they keep fresh far longer, and the bread does not get dry. More than once, after a journey lasting from twenty-four to thirty-six hours, I have found some sandwiches, left and forgotten in their box, as good as when they were placed there."
~ Lillias Campbell Davidson, 1889

Dunking, Just Don't Do It

2011-09-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

I have never understood the dunkers of the world. Why take a perfectly decent cookie (or biscuit, if you would) and dip it into a perfectly lovely cup of tea?

All you end up with is a soggy cookie and crummy tea.

It should be some kind of grave sin against the universe. Like cutting up your entire plate of food before you eat it. Or chewing with your mouthful and open.

Anyway, that's really all I have to say this morning. I'm having one of those busy times. Life as a writer is distressingly unpredictable. I thought I had planned my year out with a little slow down at the end of it, so I scheduled in some real life appointments. Oops. Writing decided to race me to the finish instead, so, as you may have noticed, I haven’t been as much on the interwebs as usual.

There is something very exciting happening tomorrow with Soulless.

Mum and I in Australia together. I took my Mom with me Down Under as my date for the Hugos in 2010 when I was nominated for the Campbell.

In strange kind of symbolism, tomorrow (September 13) is also my Mum's 65th birthday. Those of you who have met that exuberant and august personage well know that some percentage of Alexia Tarabotti (I'm not saying how big a percentage) is based on her.

Being an expat Mum has a lovely British accent. She is the narrator on the little sample full cast audio of the first chapter of Soulless. She read me The Hobbit when I was eight, which started me on this fantasy madness and turned me into a reader, which turned me into a writer. When Soulless was published my lovely boss sent my mum flowers, "On the birth of your first grand-book." In a way, Mum could be blamed for all of this. So, happy birthday Mum, we all know one thing for certain, you alone are responsible for the tea addiction.

I am reminded of a brief Mum story. During the big earthquake of (what was it, 89?) . . . 89. We were hit pretty hard. It was tea time. I remember running outside with Mum and the Popster. Dad was crowing about the amazing power of nature and such ~ he's a poet, what can you do? I was muttering about finding open space, getting away from the house, safety precautions. The lawn was undulating like jello. The cats were going bonkers.

My mother spent the whole time staring at her mug of tea, trying to keep it from spilling a drop.

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
New York Times Bestseller List for the week you were born!
Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: The Finishing School Book the First: Slaving over second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

Secret Project PPA: Announced at WorldCon . . . coming soon.

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

Book News:
Conclusion of my interview with the Airship Ambassador.

Quote of the Day:
"Tea at the refreshment-rooms of railway stations and on board steam-boats is often a mere parody on the real article – fearful decoction which appears a principal part in the historical episode of Queen Eleanor and Fair Rosamund, and of which one hesitates to partake, lest it should have speedily fatal results."
~ Lillias Campbell Davidson, 1889

Dustave Doré & Victorian London's Suburbs

2011-09-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you for being so kind, Gentle Readers, during my LJ breakup troubles. I will keep you all well informed, and, as I said, try to keep this LJ blog as my backup if nothing else. I have taken all your suggestions to heart and as soon as we begint he trial switch I will let you know which platform works best with my website and go from there. And now, on to today's post!

Dustave Doré & Victorian London's Suburbs

Today's Blog is a Break for a Research Moment. You know you want one! Prepare to be . . . Derailed!

Just discovered the amazing illustrations of London by Gustave Doré. He mainly sketched the lowlife and slums from about 1860-1880.

Over London by Rai 1872 (From London- A Pilgrimage)

Low Lifes

London Bridge 1872

Dudley Street SevenDials (from London a Pilgrimage) 1872

Westminster Stairs 1872

On the London suburbs, according to contemporary guidebooks complied by Judith Flanders in The Victorian House.

Because of a direct railway Chamberwell and Peckingham: clerks
Hammersmith, Balham, and Leyton: lower middle class
Penge and Ealing: middle class (no direct railway)
Hampstead: upper middle
St. Jon's Wood: authors, journalists, publishers
Tyburnia, Bayswater, Haverstock Hill, Brixton, Clapham, Kenninton, and Stockwell: city men like stockbrokers, merchants, commercial agents
Sydenham, Highgate, Barnes, Richmond: the wealthy (swells & ladies)

GAIL'S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

I like the idea of a saucer and a scone plate in one.

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .
Have you returned your SFWA ballot?
Timeless: Galleys done, Timeless now in production. The release date on Amazon has been corrected.

Etiquette & Espionage: The Finishing School Book the First: Slaving over second pass edits. Release date Fall 2012.

Secret Project PPA: Announced at WorldCon . . . coming soon.

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

Book News:

Quote of the Day:
"The most convenient arrangement I have ever tried. However, was a little electro-silver reading lamp lent me a year or two ago by a friend when I was traveling to the Scotch Highlands, and had a long night journey from town. It consisted simply of a case to hold the candle – which it exactly fitted – with a strong, self-actign spring, which raised the candle to the proper height as fast as it burnt down."
~ Lillias Campbell Davidson (1889)