anon_cockatiel's Friends

cmpriest

11:56PM - Happy Holidays!

All right everybody — I’m about to go quasi-radio-silent for a bit. Tomorrow at the butt-crack of dawn I’ll be leaving for Kentucky, to spend Christmas with my dad (et. al.); so although I’ll have internet access once I get there, you may reasonably expect that my internet appearances will be intermittent at best.

Of course, I’ll probably Tweet.
Because it’s easy, and I’m lazy (and busy).

Anyway, have excellent and happy holidays — everybody, everywhere. Best wishes, good luck, and a superlative New Year to all. I’ll catch up with you when I can.

:)

[Crossposted to/from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

cmpriest

6:47PM - Real quick, why today is a day of squee

So … this morning I awoke to learn that the Czech company Triton is picking up rights on Boneshaker. This means I’ve made my first foreign rights sale! Ever! Folks, that means I have leveled up as an author. It also means that someday, people in the Czech Republic will be reading Boneshaker and that just tickles me pink :)

[Crossposted to/from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

cmpriest

3:41PM - Thanks, Evan

Via Kyle Cassidy - (beware of heartwarming ahead) - a 7-year-old boy named Evan saved up his allowance and donated all of it ($46.75) to the animal shelter from whence he adopted his cat. Get the whole story (plus a cute shot of his letter) right here at Kyle’s blog.

Thusly inspired, I went and looked up the shelter from whence we adopted Spain the Cat, nearly eight years ago now. The Pet Placement Center in Red Bank, Tennessee, is the oldest no-kill shelter in Hamilton County* — and like all shelters pretty much everywhere, it’s kept afloat by volunteers and donations.

So in honor of Evan, seven years old in Philadelphia, I put the exact same money into the paypal pot — on behalf of Spain the Cat, who was adopted as “Jeannie” in 2002. If you’ve enjoyed the exploits and photos of Spainy over the years, you are, of course, encouraged to drop a few pence into the bucket yourself.

Or, heck, throw some change at the shelter nearest and dearest your own heart.
‘Tis the season, after all.

[Crossposted to/from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

cmpriest

6:58PM - Quickie

• Nick of Time PDF — In case you were reading quickly, be aware — that link leads to a PDF download. Nick of Time is a holiday sampler of excerpts from twelve new novels, including Laurell K. Hamilton, Cory Doctorow, Scott Sigler, and yours truly … with the first three chapters of Boneshaker. That’s right, free!

• Clementine news — Right here, via Subterranean. The last paragraph of this particular set of announcements makes me all giddy! Clementine, my short novel that serves as a sort-of-sequel to Boneshaker, will be available for preorder shortly after the new year; and it’s slated to be published at the end of May, 2010.

• NAUGHTY KITTY - Honestly. I leave her alone for HALF AN HOUR to go check in on Caitlin’s cats, and this is what I return to. She set the numbers lock, shed huge tufts of hair between the cracks, and popped off the “escape” key. Little monster. Good thing she’s so damn cute.
  

[Crossposted to/from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

moriarty6

7:38PM

Well, folks, it's time.

This weekend I will be deleting this Livejournal and will be blogging exclusively at Way of Coffee. It will be a "real" blog, not just a professional blog about the shop, so don't worry about an endless stream of articles like "The Top 10 Uses for Nutmeg" or "How To Clean Your Roasting Machine's Ductwork with an Actual Duck".

I may also be blogging about martial arts at my kung fu school's site, but I haven't decided what to do with that site. There are some backend issues I need to resolve with it first, and also the more I think on it the more I think that blogging about martial arts is like dancing about architecture (as they say). I can blabber on about my training, but from my own experiences reading martial arts blogs--mainly being the fact that I don't--I can't help but feel like it's pointless to talk about. You either train or you don't. If you don't train, reading about training can occasionally be interesting but there's not really a point because you're not going to apply anything being discussed. If you do train, I doubt I can tell you anything you don't already know, or won't eventually learn under the right teacher. I'm also learning, through teaching, that most of the important concepts can't be conveyed without actually demonstrating it and walking someone through it very slowly.

As for blogging at End User, I have no idea. My employment with Amazon ends on New Year's Eve and most of you don't read that stuff anyway. I'm going to see if they want to contract me to continue working on it but who knows.

Next year is going to be interesting.

cmpriest

5:35PM - December 15, 2009

Things are quiet here at the homestead, by which I mean, I’m so busy that I have virtually nothing to blog about. In addition to keeping up with my day-job, I’m trying to turn a 500-page book around into something show-able by Christmas; meanwhile, I’m fielding requests for stock signings (I’ll always work ‘em in — it’s a nice problem to have) and trying to get ready for my holiday travels to Kentucky.

So. To be brief and self-promotional (’tis the season!), in case you didn’t see it — Boneshaker made Barnes & Noble’s list of top science fiction/fantasy novels from 2009! And I’m tickled pink to be in such good company on that list, I tell you what.

Anyway, if (by any chance) you’d like a personalized copy of Boneshaker — for yourself or someone special — you can always pick one up via the University Book Store (please follow directions at that link). I can’t promise you delivery by Christmas because I’m not in charge of the store’s shipping practices; but I can promise to head over there and sign mail order copies tomorrow … which makes your stocking-stuffing chances better than fair.

If you don’t care about signatures but you’d like some ordering options, here goes:

Boneshaker at B&N.com
Boneshaker at Amazon.com
(Amazon redux: For your Kindle)
Boneshaker at Powell’s
Boneshaker in digital formats by Diesel eBooks
Search for an independent bookstore near you.

If you’re local to the Seattle area, you may expect to find signed copies at the University Book Store, Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, and probably the Barnes & Nobles at both Northgate and Pacific Place.

Whew! I think that covers pretty much everything Boneshaker-related at the moment, and I offer sheepish apologies for this brief return to the Boneshaker Channel; but I hope this answers — in one fell swoop — some of the emailed questions I’ve been getting lately. Thanks so much for reading, everyone, and happy holidays of every sort to everyone who celebrates them.

[Crossposted to/from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

lissa_gross

7:53AM

I am awake, Phillip made oatmeal and coffee......

Why do I have such a hard time getting up?

cmpriest

2:57PM - Great weekend already

Yesterday was packed to the brim, I tells ya. Around noon Ellen and I crashed Kat’s Not A Christmas Party down at the Big Picture, where we hung out with the usual suspects, had a couple of rum-and-Cokes (YES at that hour and WHAT OF IT?), and watched Hot Fuzz which is brilliant and deeply hilarious. For the record, Kat could throw an awesome party in an empty soup can; so I dare you to IMAGINE how cool the event at the underground, booze-happy theater went.

Though Kat’s party was a tough act to follow, Caitlin gave it one hell of a go later on that evening — at her very first recital. Not a piano recital. Not a voice recital. A burlesque recital! Because she’s spent the last six weeks learning to creatively undress, that’s why. Aric, Ellen, San, Seamus (whose name I’m probably misspelling, my apologies!), and yours truly showed up for the 9:00 p.m. event, wherein there might have been another rum-and-Coke but there was DEFINITELY a whole lot of fun. The acts were great, and Caitlin wriggled her way down to red sparkly heart-shaped pasties in front of God and everybody, but we weren’t allowed to take pictures, so sorry. Don’t ask! I haven’t got any.

Afterward, we collectively dragged the birthday-suit girl out to a nearby bar and had a little post-burlesque celebration. Then come midnight we all turned into pumpkins and went home. BECAUSE WE ARE OLD. But let it not be said that we let a killer Saturday pass us by!

And the weekend ain’t over yet. In a few minutes, I’m going to wander over to Ellen’s place for her annual cookie-decorating shindig, which is guaranteed to be both tasty and cool. So please pardon the drive-by update, and if you smell a whiff of buttercream or a hint of sugar cookie, do think of me.

[Crossposted to/from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

lissa_gross

4:12PM

After a weekend of purging and scrubbing.....My house will be so "together" after laundry is finally done!

What a weekend!

Go ahead look in all the closets.....so CLEAN!

moriarty6

5:05PM

One more for no reason.



I'm not going to lie--my iMac is pretty nifty. In a few days I've recorded two songs, made a few sprite animations (having never done it before), made a DVD of YouTube videos for my grandmother's Christmas present, and done a fair bit of C coding. Since I got one powerful enough to game on (via Boot Camp), I have to say this is a handy piece of kit.

cmpriest

5:47PM - Start your weekend right

With links! From yours truly.

• Canadian Science-Fiction writer Peter Watts shanghaied at customs - This is just plain embarrassing. There is absolutely no excuse for what happened to this man, no matter who or what you believe. In short, “Hugo-award-nominated science fiction author Dr. Peter Watts is in serious legal trouble after he was beaten, pepper-sprayed and imprisoned by American border guards at a Canada U.S. border crossing December 8. This is a call to friends, fans and colleagues to help.”

• There’s still time to save Amanda Feral - Swing by Mark Henry’s place (click ye the link) for rules, regulations, and the kind of mayhem we’ve all come to expect from Mr. Henry. Likewise, as a heads up, you can order his books through University Book Store - just like mine. Details and instructions available at that same link.

• Caitlin Kittredge is live at Bitten by Books - And she’s giving away a copy of Boneshaker to a lucky reader/commenter. Also, you should swing by just because she’s fun - and because her new book just came out, and it’s awesome.

• Kyle Cassidy is also giving away Boneshaker - As part of a flash fiction contest he’s running through midnight Sunday. Go check it out! Even if you don’t want the book, read through the comments for fun stuff featuring his kitty Roswell and many steampunky adventures in brief.
  

[Crossposted to/from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]

moriarty6

8:00PM

'Sup ladies.





I get bored easily.

cmpriest

6:17PM - December 9, 2009

Last night’s event at Third Place Books was my very first solo bookstore venture,* so I confess I was nervous about it. Besides my usual What-If-Nobody-Shows-Up? insecurities, the weather was a thrilling 16 degrees by event time, which might as well be NEGATIVE A BILLION DEGREES in Seattle — where it rarely gets below freezing.

And yet … much to my personal astonishment, we hit standing room only, and the crowd was great! In fact, I feel like I leveled up a bit as an author, because this was the first reading/Q&A where I knew literally no one except the folks who’d shared a ride over with me (Caitlin, Suezie, and the guy to whom I’m married). Don’t get me wrong — I am immensely grateful to my friends when they show up for these things; it’s a relief and a comfort to have familiar faces in the audience. But this definitely felt like a shift, somehow — like word is getting out, and the book is gaining traction outside the usual circles. And I hope it bodes well for the future. [:: crosses fingers ::]

The aforementioned Suezie took pictures. You can see them here on her LiveJournal, presented with commentary.

My favorite audience member of the night was the teenage girl who announced that I was now the second of two cool authors she read, who nobody else had ever heard of. The first … was Clive Barker. I nearly peed with delight! What an awesome reader :)

Many thanks to the folks at Third Place Books for hosting the event, and hosting it so marvelously; and thanks also to everyone who braved the weather in order to come join us!

Things are kind of hectic over here still, between holiday travel plans and trying to get all my work commitments up to speed before Christmas. However, today I handed Bloodshot over to its editor; I filled out and mailed off two sets of contracts for other (shorter) projects; and I got started on the Dreadnought rewrites that need to go back by the 24th. Perhaps, by New Year’s, I’ll actually have my head above water. I might survive this season yet!

In celebration, I give you links:

• Updated Appearances Page - Because in the last couple of days I’ve agreed to do a few more events — and of course, I’ve had to cross off everything from this year. Third Place Books was my last event of 2009!

• War Rocket Ajax interview, live and loud - Click to hear us natter on about everything from New Jack Swing to barbecue, and Boneshaker, and steampunk, and everything else but the kitchen sink. Thanks again to Chris and Euge for … well … just for being so freakin’ cool.

• A sneak peak at something cool - Via John Joseph Adams, and presented with all his qualifiers. (But *cough cough* check out that cover!)

• Many thanks to Powell’s Books - For naming Boneshaker a staff selection for children and young adults. If you’ve been wondering about picking up this book for a young person, but you’re not sure if it’s appropriate — feel free to consult this FAQ over on the Clockwork Century, wherein I address the matter.

• Obama Weather - Because it amused me, okay? Plug in your city and dress up the president accordingly. [LOL!]
  

moriarty6

10:37PM - put me out to graze, give this beast a burden.

Random Fact #25: It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken

Today I formally resigned from Amazon.com.

It's been a great four years, and one of the most intense learning experiences of my life. I've had opportunities I could only dream of a few years ago, and gotten an education by watching how the insides of some of the biggest companies in the world operate. Amazon was easily one of the best things that ever happened to me, but it didn't come without its dues, certainly. But to make a very long and self-absorbed story short, it's time to make the transition into doing what is most fulfilling for me.

On January 1st I will be taking over Fremont Coffee Company as a 50% owner of the entire operation, and directing the wholesale division full time. I will also be taking the Mantis school I have next door to the coffee shop to a three-day per week schedule and hence be devoting more time to training and teaching, though I don't expect to ever make a great deal of money in martial arts and my plans don't depend on its success. Freelance writing is also in the near future, though I can't be explicit about it just yet.

It's a decision I've spent a (very) long time chewing over, but it's the right decision, and the right time to make it. This is a bit of a leap, and definitely a pay cut in the short term, but I've spent a long time planning for it; I have several revenue streams in place, and savings in the bank as a cushion, and the deep, abiding desire to not spend another day NOT doing the things I need to be doing with my life.

cmpriest

3:50PM - Tonight!

Tonight you’ll find me down at the Lake Forest Park location of Third Place Books — signing, reading, hanging out, and whatnot — starting at 7:00 o’clock. So come on out! Join me as I loiter in a warm, dry place, surrounded by books. (It’s a really groovy store … got its own food court and everything. I’m just sayin’. In case you’re on the fence about it.)

[Crossposted to/from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]