Far-flung friends and fans --
Here's where I'm going to be in the next two months.
I'm going to be at Readercon (Burlington, MA -- just outside of Boston) July 9-12, doing panels and a reading and the like.
I'm going to be at WorldCon (Montreal) the first week in August, doing ditto.
I'm going to be in Columbus OH, the end of August, visiting my sister Sally, and going to Context 22 (Aug. 28-30), where I'll be teaching a handful of writing workshops: Improv for Writers, Research Tips and Tricks, Writing YA, and Writing Historical Fiction.
Hope to see you somewhere!
Here's where I'm going to be in the next two months.
I'm going to be at Readercon (Burlington, MA -- just outside of Boston) July 9-12, doing panels and a reading and the like.
I'm going to be at WorldCon (Montreal) the first week in August, doing ditto.
I'm going to be in Columbus OH, the end of August, visiting my sister Sally, and going to Context 22 (Aug. 28-30), where I'll be teaching a handful of writing workshops: Improv for Writers, Research Tips and Tricks, Writing YA, and Writing Historical Fiction.
Hope to see you somewhere!
Hey All --
It's Good News Monday.
I just found out that my new novel -- White Sands, Red Menace -- has won the California Book Awards Gold Medal for YA Fiction.
If it weren't for my busted knees, I'd be jumping for joy. (I'm whistling and grinning a lot instead....)
--E
PS: More details as I know them, but the awards ceremony is at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco on Thursday, June 4th, and I think it's a public event.
www.commonwealthclub.org
It's Good News Monday.
I just found out that my new novel -- White Sands, Red Menace -- has won the California Book Awards Gold Medal for YA Fiction.
If it weren't for my busted knees, I'd be jumping for joy. (I'm whistling and grinning a lot instead....)
--E
PS: More details as I know them, but the awards ceremony is at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco on Thursday, June 4th, and I think it's a public event.
www.commonwealthclub.org
Click on image to enlarge.
In these troubled economic times, every penny counts.
So yesterday afternoon, I push the button on the microwave to heat up some soup,
and my back goes out. Out. As in, I cannot stand upright, I cannot walk, I cannot move.
I lay down on the floor, on an ice pack (because I have these things handy), and wondered how I was going to get up again,
since without the use of my knees, turning over was tricky to begin with.
After half an hour, I got up. I was 175 years old, but I made it slowly to the recliner, where I sat, very quietly, and ate a carton of yogurt so that I could take a painkiller.
The rest of the afternoon was an immobile, but relatively pleasant blur.
I got to my bed last night, and actually slept. This morning I have made tea and gotten more ice
and am in the recliner, typing. Back is marginally better. Knees are about the same.
I am not going to ICFA on Weds., which makes me very sad, because there are dear friends that I pretty much
only get to see there, and I will miss those conversations and connections.
Up until yesterday, thought I could manage it with wheelchairs in airports and at the hotel and all.
I would sit and have long talks, I would take ice packs with me, I could make it work.
But I can't.
I am not used to saying "I can't."
I am not used to being fragile (at least on the outside...)
If I need anything, I will ask. Really.
In the meantime, thanks for all the notes and good cheer.
--E
Almost three weeks ago, I slipped on rainy back steps and my feet went out from under me. I managed to land in a way that twisted both knees really, really do not like to be twisted. (Elise is fairly certain that I dislocated one kneecap for a bit...)madrobins and
I'm teaching a class at Book Passage in Corte Madera, so if anyone in the Bay Area is interested in having some fun, doing some writing, and exploring creativity, check it out.
Where Do You Get Your Ideas? Improv for Writers
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Book Passage -- Corte Madera
Four Wednesdays • Jan. 14 - Feb. 4 ($155)
Remember when writing was fun? If you’re stuck, out of ideas, or if your Editor/Critic keeps shutting down your muse — get out of your head and into this class. For four weeks, we’re going to improvise, play with our imaginations, and rediscover our creativity. We’ll explore characters, settings, plot twists, and dialogue, all using simple theater games.
What bubbles up will be the basis for in-class and take-home writing exercises. Wear comfortable clothing, and come prepared to laugh.
Ellen Klages is a writer and entertainer. Her first novel, The Green Glass Sea, won the 2007 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction and was a BookSense #1 pick.
NOTE: this class is an energizer for writers of all genres and is not specifically geared toward SF, YA, or children's lit.
To Register: Call Book Passage (415-927-0960, ext. 1) or sign up online at www.bookpassage.com
Where Do You Get Your Ideas? Improv for Writers
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Book Passage -- Corte Madera
Four Wednesdays • Jan. 14 - Feb. 4 ($155)
Remember when writing was fun? If you’re stuck, out of ideas, or if your Editor/Critic keeps shutting down your muse — get out of your head and into this class. For four weeks, we’re going to improvise, play with our imaginations, and rediscover our creativity. We’ll explore characters, settings, plot twists, and dialogue, all using simple theater games.
What bubbles up will be the basis for in-class and take-home writing exercises. Wear comfortable clothing, and come prepared to laugh.
Ellen Klages is a writer and entertainer. Her first novel, The Green Glass Sea, won the 2007 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction and was a BookSense #1 pick.
NOTE: this class is an energizer for writers of all genres and is not specifically geared toward SF, YA, or children's lit.
To Register: Call Book Passage (415-927-0960, ext. 1) or sign up online at www.bookpassage.com
Spent a lot of time at World Fantasy in Calgary making sure that friends in Canada (and Australia and England and...) would take me in if the unthinkable happened yesterday -- and it didn't. He won! Hallelujah. (News on my civil rights here in California not so good this morning, though.)
So to celebrate the victory of democracy, and my brand new book (White Sands, Red Menace), I'm going to be doing two readings in San Francisco in the next ten days. If you're in the neighborhood, come by and say howdy.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Borderlands Books
SF in SF
So to celebrate the victory of democracy, and my brand new book (White Sands, Red Menace), I'm going to be doing two readings in San Francisco in the next ten days. If you're in the neighborhood, come by and say howdy.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
3:00 pm
Borderlands Books
866 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
415-824-8203
www.borderlands-books.com
Saturday, November 15, 2008
8:00 pm
SF in SF
(with Geoff Ryman -- and special guest!)
The Variety Preview Room
582 Market St. @ Montgomery
1st floor of The Hobart Bldg.
Cash bar opens at 7:00 pm Readings 8:00pm
www.sfinsf.org
Thanks to all my friends who helped me get through a long, hard summer, so I can celebrate today.
coffeeem and I went down to try our hands. I had a .38 revolver, and if I'm ever attacked by a paper target at 15 feet, I may be able to hold my own.
</lj>
A nice shoutout to crookedfeet, who was the high bidder on the signed ARC. Thanks for supporting a good cause. Your book will be in the mail soon!
crookedfeet, who was the high bidder on the signed ARC. Thanks for supporting a good cause. Your book will be in the mail soon!Hey Ya'll --
The Live Long and Marry auction ends tomorrow (Tuesday, July 15th), so if you want to try and snag an advance copy of my new book -- or any number of other wonderful goodies -- you'd better hustle on over and take a look.
http://community.livejournal.com/livelon
All proceeds go to aid the fight to keep same-sex marriage legal in California, by opposing those who want to put an anti-SSM constitutional amendment on the ballot in November.
Civil rights. I'm for 'em....
The Live Long and Marry auction ends tomorrow (Tuesday, July 15th), so if you want to try and snag an advance copy of my new book -- or any number of other wonderful goodies -- you'd better hustle on over and take a look.
http://community.livejournal.com/livelon
All proceeds go to aid the fight to keep same-sex marriage legal in California, by opposing those who want to put an anti-SSM constitutional amendment on the ballot in November.
Civil rights. I'm for 'em....
I just got some advanced reading copies of my new book, White Sands, Red Menace, the sequel to The Green Glass Sea.
I've offered a signed copy up on the LJ Live Long and Marry auction site:
http://community.livejournal.com/livelon
In case the link falters, tags to search for are Ellen Klages, Green Glass Sea, signed book.
The auction runs from today (July 2nd) until July 15th, and is a fund-raiser to oppose the proposed constitutional amendment to re-ban same-sex marriage in California.
Bid early and often, and please feel free to pass this info on to anyone.
Otherwise you have to wait until WSRM lands in bookstores in October.
PS: And while you're looking, check out some of the other amazingly cool stuff other folks have donated! An original Ellen Kushner script? Signed copies of Madeleine Robins's Sarah Tolerance novels? It's like Christmas in July -- and for a worthy cause.
I've offered a signed copy up on the LJ Live Long and Marry auction site:
http://community.livejournal.com/livelon
In case the link falters, tags to search for are Ellen Klages, Green Glass Sea, signed book.
The auction runs from today (July 2nd) until July 15th, and is a fund-raiser to oppose the proposed constitutional amendment to re-ban same-sex marriage in California.
Bid early and often, and please feel free to pass this info on to anyone.
Otherwise you have to wait until WSRM lands in bookstores in October.
PS: And while you're looking, check out some of the other amazingly cool stuff other folks have donated! An original Ellen Kushner script? Signed copies of Madeleine Robins's Sarah Tolerance novels? It's like Christmas in July -- and for a worthy cause.
Thanks to everyone who responded with emails and good thoughts last month after my Dad died. It helped a lot. I'm coping, some days better than others.
I'm going to be spending a lot of time in Ohio over the next few months, dealing with the house etc., and also with my sister Sally, who has Down Syndrome and lives in a group home in Columbus. Sal's doing okay, under the circumstances, and has truly amazing caregivers, but there are a lot of issues that need to be dealt with and resolved.
For now, I'm back home, touching base with the rest of my life.
Next week I make my annual pilgrimage to Madison, for WisCon. Here's my schedule. (Note that the first two events are Friday afternoon, during The Gathering):
Toys: The Other Childhood Fixation We Didn't Leave Behind
Friday, 2:30-3:45 P.M.
Senate A
Reading
Friday, 4:00-5:15 P.M.
Michaelangelo's
Ellen Klages, Delia Sherman, P. C. Hodgell, Holly Black
Historical Research for Fiction Writers
Saturday, 1:00-2:15 P.M.
Caucus
Acting for Authors
Saturday, 2:30-3:45 P.M.
Caucus
(why isn't Ellen Kushner on this panel??)
Tiptree Auction
Saturday, 7:30-10:00 P.M.
Ballrooms
Cool stuff. Much fun will ensue.
Meanwhile, back in New York, my new book, White Sands, Red Menace, is in the final proofing stages, and there should be ARCs soon. Here's the totally cool cover, with a a rocket ship and everything!
And finally, for a bit of shameless self-promotion, my short-story collection, Portable Childhoods, is eligible for the World Fantasy ballot, so if you're going, and have gotten a nomination form, um..... well, you know. Deadline is the end of June, I think.
I'm going to be spending a lot of time in Ohio over the next few months, dealing with the house etc., and also with my sister Sally, who has Down Syndrome and lives in a group home in Columbus. Sal's doing okay, under the circumstances, and has truly amazing caregivers, but there are a lot of issues that need to be dealt with and resolved.
For now, I'm back home, touching base with the rest of my life.
Next week I make my annual pilgrimage to Madison, for WisCon. Here's my schedule. (Note that the first two events are Friday afternoon, during The Gathering):
Toys: The Other Childhood Fixation We Didn't Leave Behind
Friday, 2:30-3:45 P.M.
Senate A
Reading
Friday, 4:00-5:15 P.M.
Michaelangelo's
Ellen Klages, Delia Sherman, P. C. Hodgell, Holly Black
Historical Research for Fiction Writers
Saturday, 1:00-2:15 P.M.
Caucus
Acting for Authors
Saturday, 2:30-3:45 P.M.
Caucus
(why isn't Ellen Kushner on this panel??)
Tiptree Auction
Saturday, 7:30-10:00 P.M.
Ballrooms
Cool stuff. Much fun will ensue.
Meanwhile, back in New York, my new book, White Sands, Red Menace, is in the final proofing stages, and there should be ARCs soon. Here's the totally cool cover, with a a rocket ship and everything!
And finally, for a bit of shameless self-promotion, my short-story collection, Portable Childhoods, is eligible for the World Fantasy ballot, so if you're going, and have gotten a nomination form, um..... well, you know. Deadline is the end of June, I think.
My dad died about an hour ago. He was 85, had been in the hospital with pneumonia for a week, and was not expected to recover. But he wasn't expected to go quite this fast, either.
Not a lot of you knew him in person, but many of you have heard me tell stories about him. He was a fly-fisherman, a racounteur, a photographer, a painter, a life-long lover of covered bridges.
I flew to Ohio yesterday, and sat by his bed for an hour this afternoon. He knew I was there, and said he had errands for me to run. I'll never know what they were.
For most of my adult life, I lived on the other side of the country, in San Francisco.
But for six years, from 2000 to 2006, I lived in Cleveland. I drove down to Columbus and saw him a couple of times a month. We'd have dinner, watch football, drink single malt. Sometimes there were stories. We got to know each other.
Moving from San Francisco to Cleveland seemed inexplicable to everyone I knew. To me, too. But tonight, in hindsight, it is the one of the best choices I've ever made.
I'm writing this sitting on the floor of my childhood bedroom. I grew up in this house, and it feels very empty right now.
I love writing short fiction and genre fiction. But writing a kids book is a whole 'nother universe. I've been on the road for the last few weeks, doing school visits (Hi Aspen and Piñon and Sequoia students! Hi Horizons kiddos!) and Saturday's mail contained a whole packet of thank-you letters from kids at West Seattle Montessori School. The 1st-3rd grade class drew pictures to accompany their letters. This one, by Anthony Goss, particularly tickled me.
For many years, the people in this drawing were just my imaginary friends. They're very real to me, and now they're real to other people. How cool is that?
I love my job.
For those of you who've read The Green Glass Sea and are awaiting the further adventures of Dewey and Suze, the sequel, White Sands, Red Menace now has an official publication date: October 2nd.
And GGS will be out in paperback May 1st.
For many years, the people in this drawing were just my imaginary friends. They're very real to me, and now they're real to other people. How cool is that?
I love my job.
For those of you who've read The Green Glass Sea and are awaiting the further adventures of Dewey and Suze, the sequel, White Sands, Red Menace now has an official publication date: October 2nd.
And GGS will be out in paperback May 1st.
Anyone within shouting distance of Seattle (or Southwest Airlines) might want to check out the writing workshops — Writing Fantastic Fiction Series — at Richard Hugo House.
I'm teaching one called Child's Play: Writing YA Fiction (10-5 on Sunday February 24th. More details here.
(I'll also be doing a reading the next evening at 7:00.)
James Patrick Kelly will be teaching in March, followed by Elizabeth Hand in April.
It's a fabulous series, put on by Leslie Howle, and Hugo House is a great venue.
Take a look.
PS: Right now, the best way to contact them, register, ask questions, etc. is by phone. The number is: 206-322-7030.
I'm teaching one called Child's Play: Writing YA Fiction (10-5 on Sunday February 24th. More details here.
(I'll also be doing a reading the next evening at 7:00.)
James Patrick Kelly will be teaching in March, followed by Elizabeth Hand in April.
It's a fabulous series, put on by Leslie Howle, and Hugo House is a great venue.
Take a look.
PS: Right now, the best way to contact them, register, ask questions, etc. is by phone. The number is: 206-322-7030.
I just sent off the revisions on my new novel, White Sands, Red Menace , the sequel to The Green Glass Sea. (Hi, Sharyn.)
This room was once my guest room, and will be again someday, but for the last month, it's where I've been holed up, scribbling notes, cutting and pasting, looking up synonyms, backing up files every 11.6 minutes, writing, deleting, rewriting, spell-checking, fact-checking, rewriting, and killing adverbs willy-nilly.
It's downstairs (I live on a steep hill -- the front door is on the top floor) and is a cat-free zone, so many afternoons they've been sitting outside on the steps, howling at me, because they know I'm *in* there. This is not so conducive to contemplation and concentration. (They were even more annoyed the nights I fell over and slept on the futon, instead of going upstairs to my bedroom and letting them lie on me.)
Today I may watch television, see a movie, wear something other than my ragged-but-comfortable sweat pants. I may even go outside and talk to non-imaginary humans. It's a rich, full life.
This room was once my guest room, and will be again someday, but for the last month, it's where I've been holed up, scribbling notes, cutting and pasting, looking up synonyms, backing up files every 11.6 minutes, writing, deleting, rewriting, spell-checking, fact-checking, rewriting, and killing adverbs willy-nilly.
It's downstairs (I live on a steep hill -- the front door is on the top floor) and is a cat-free zone, so many afternoons they've been sitting outside on the steps, howling at me, because they know I'm *in* there. This is not so conducive to contemplation and concentration. (They were even more annoyed the nights I fell over and slept on the futon, instead of going upstairs to my bedroom and letting them lie on me.)
Today I may watch television, see a movie, wear something other than my ragged-but-comfortable sweat pants. I may even go outside and talk to non-imaginary humans. It's a rich, full life.
Literally.
I just found out this morning that The Green Glass Sea has won the New Mexico State Book Award for YA fiction.
I'm *so* thrilled. I love New Mexico, and hope this'll be an opportunity to take another trip there.
I've been sick all week, and this is such a bright point. (Doesn't seem to have affected the virus much, but I'm a very happy camper as I lie on the couch with my chicken soup.)
Tonight, though, Campbell's gives way to pozole!
I just found out this morning that The Green Glass Sea has won the New Mexico State Book Award for YA fiction.
I'm *so* thrilled. I love New Mexico, and hope this'll be an opportunity to take another trip there.
I've been sick all week, and this is such a bright point. (Doesn't seem to have affected the virus much, but I'm a very happy camper as I lie on the couch with my chicken soup.)
Tonight, though, Campbell's gives way to pozole!
