Elizabeth Bear is.
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| Ebear, what's the book? Lori |
| Thanks, Ruth. *g* That means a lot coming from an Asimov's cover babe!
It's an extremely long story about flight 9, and I don't want to ruin the punchline for anybody who either reads the book or gets a chance to see the Dateline, but essentially it entered the Twilight Zone, experienced a complex, inexplicable, semingly supernatural multisystems failure, was saved by the quick thinking and true grit of the pilots, and landed safely in the end. (After two of three reversals, even.) And there was a perfectly logical explanation. It's a Star Trek plot. It's just fabulous. And the cast of characters is the best part. |
| I tried to look up Flight 9 on the web, but all I got was that it happened in '82. Pre-Internet. Lori |
| Wow, Bear! Scifi.com! Way to go, lady!!! |
| Ha! Speaking of flights gone wrong, there's a whole series one of the Discovery channels (I think it's the Discovery Times Channel) about flights that didn't make it. All about how planes fall from the sky. Ling |
| Flight 9 is a veeery long story. *g* Like, a one-hour Dateline, and I bet they could have got more out of it. But fascinating from a science fiction writer's point of view, as it's an inside view of cascading failures caused by a very surprising source.
I won't ruin it, but worth trying to score the videotape or transcript. |
| Congrats E! That's very exciting! We're just selling everywhere! Must be something in the air, I bet.
what happened on British Airways? Congrats again! Ling |
| Jason, I'm pretty well acquainted with that feature of the publishing industry.
I have, in fact, never sold to the same market more than once. So I'd better just hope that new markets keep opening up.... otherwise I'm sunk. *g* |
| Re #91, "I'm already trying to figure out what I can write to send her next": Just don't get your hopes too high. I've sent several stories to Scifi.com after my first publication there, and none of them were accepted. Just got a reject yesterday, in fact.
But of course, I keep trying, and so should you. Congratulations again on your sale. Enjoy it! Jason |
| *g* And it's symptomatic of what a nut I am that I'm already trying to figure out what I can write to send her next.
Anybody want this 400-pound Guilt Gorilla that follows me around? He doesn't eat much, but he does demand a large daily word count. Hey, am I the only one who saw last week's DATELINE on British Airways Flight 9 and thought it was the cooooolest thing ever? |
| Cool! Congratulations! Lori |
| Yay E Bear!!!! You go girl! Jae |
| A 12k story at Scifi.com! That'll rake in the chips!
The premise sounds very intriguing, I can't wait to read it. (And if you're anything like me, Elizabeth, you can't wait to see it online!) :-) Congratulations again, Jason |
| Congratulations! That's a great sale. Sounds like a fun story too.
Patrick Patrick Samphire |
| Thanks, guys!
I am indeed pretty cheerful about it. It's a 12K novelette entitled "This Tragic Glass," which I have referred to jokingly as "an idea that was supposed to go to Connie Willis and got misdirected to me." It revolves around the unholy intersection of gender-bot software, academic poaching, time-travel devices, definitions of sexuality, and poetry. Also, it's a love story. I think it should be up in the Spring. |
| Yup, a splendid piece of work EB. Tell us more about the piece, and when it will show up.
Best regards, Gregory Koster Gregory Koster |
| Congratulations on the scifi.com sale, Elizabeth. I know you feel great about it. :-)
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| Hey! I just saw your news about Scifi.com! Congratulations!!!! Justin |
| I bought my NorEasCon membership this weekend. See you there, guys. *g*
Who else plans to make the trek to Bostonia? |
| Ruth: Well, things haven't been unmitigatedly wonderful, exactly, but I'll hope that the Forces of the Universe take the well-wishes in the spirit in which they were intended. *g*
Simon: Poems don't count, but I'm on the list for a short story in Shadows over Baker Street. Kind of an odd sensation to see my name up there with all those writers. *g* |
| Hey Elizabeth, shouldn't you be on the list for the Campbell-Awards this year for your F&SF; publications, or poems don't count? Simon Owens |
| Hey, Bear,
Hope things continue to go as exceedingly wonderful for you in 2004 as they seem to have gone in 2003. :-) |
| The ToC for the Winter 2003 issue of On Spec has been announced, and there I is.
http://editrix.typepad.com/editrix/2003/12/on_spec_winter_.html I recognize a couple of other Rumor Millers in that list, too. |
| thanks, and thanks *g* ebear |
| Congratulations on the sale, Elizabeth Bear. May this be the start of many. Trent |
| Well, hate to see you step down, but it's nice to be doing it under such good circumstances! Justin |
| *tosses furry bouncy catnip-laced toy to distact Kat*
*makes escape* |
| Terry, it's the book sale, and the fact that I've been asked to go back to full time at my day job, and the fact that A&A; has been taking off in terms of submission volumes, etc.
There are some exciting new features debuting in January, and I suspect I'll still be kibbitzing a bit, but I didn't feel like I'd been bringing 100% to the 'zine of late. And there's nothing sadder then a semipro circling the drain because the editors aren't willing to pony up and admit they can't handle the workload. Kat's pretty awesome. I think she's going to do a fantastic job. |
| Oh! That. Well, I suppose that might keep you busy. Not that I'd *know*, you understand...At least it's a GREAT reason to be overbooked! So to speak. Oh hey, I just got it...
Derr. |
| Terry, I suspect it's selling three books, which are going to be released over a period of eighteen months, that has her feeling overbooked. Literally. Charlie Finlay |
| ::wanders in, looking for toy::
Kat |
| Ebear, if it's something you can talk about here, could you fill us in on this "tad more overbooked than I thought" stuff? You're not ill, are you? Say it ain't so, sweetie! |
| And live with their 50%, no matter how odd it is. *g* ebear |
| Yup, Bear, I've been thinking about it that way for a long time now. Also what becomes of the book after you've let it go is similar. You can try to give it as much as possible so it will be as good as you want it to be when it's on its own, but once it's out there, you don't have much influence anymore.
Which is why telling readers how to read one of your works is rather silly -- like trying to make grown children come home again. You can be irritated by what becomes of it, but it's best to accept it with good grace. :-) |
| Oh, Ruth, that's a great analogy.
I never would have thought of it that way, but yeah. *g* The gradual process where the book needs you less and less and becomes more and more its own thing, discrete and individual. ebear |
| I don't usually get postpartum depression when finished with a short story, but I do get it for novels. Not that it's happened to me as often as to you. :-) I've finished three novel-length works of fiction (one a hyperfiction, which is why I phrase it that way) in a little over ten years. And yeah, I really miss those guys when I'm done.
It's a little like what I'm going through in real life right now -- my daughter (my youngest) just started studying architecture this year, and she's home less and less. It's pretty clear it's the beginning of the end ... let it go, Ruth ... :-) |
| Good description! That's spot-on. LOL! Yeah, I *like* that image, it's perfect for the feeling. Terry |
| As for me, after a big project, I usually have this odd feeling of wandering around the house sort of looking in empty cabinets that have been left with the doors standing open. As if there were all these people in my head not too long ago, and they've all packed up and left. Elizabeth Bear |
| My reaction to the post short story blues, or the post-novel (I can say that! :D ) blues is to quick, write something else to reassure myself I still know how to do it. It depends how I feel about the product I just finished. If the end gave me that "damn, I'm good feeling" I can usually surf on that for a day before my feelings of inadequacy kick in.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that looking forward helps. It's not about what you've finished - it's about sending it out, or fixing book two - about always saying "what's next?" And congrats on finishing the novel. :-) Jae |
| Finishing a novel (or a story that's been challenging) does leave you with that odd sense of relief, elation, and waiting-for-the-raindrop-to-fall. "Lost and gormless," I call it. I pace a lot. I start umpteen new projects, whether writing, housekeeping, at work...I've learned to curb my urge to start new projects because it's always a disaster. I've learned to wait it out for a few days. And I have to keep reminding myself I have an *excellent* reason to feel on top of the world! And then I do, for awhile. And then the daily grind re-engages and life goes on.
It's a very strange process. |
| Closure? We don't need no stinkin' closure!
More seriously, it helped me to realize that the post-completion crash was common. I once saw a graph of moods experienced by graduate students at certain points in their studies. Up here, down there. Up here, way down over there. So I plan for that. I leave quiet time, a sort of "sit and pet the kitty" time, and I tell myself that it is normal. Greg Greg Beatty |
| Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm blushing several interesting colors over here.
Actually, if I may be self-absorbed for a moment, what's really interesting to me is that I'm *not* over the moon right now. I'm really, really happy--but the feeling I have is very much like the one I had when I graduated high school and was staring my last summer as a teenager in the face. It was really good to be done with high school. Because high school sucks. But it was more an air of supressed excitement and a little apprehension about college than unmitigated glee. Sort of a contented sensation of achievement--I've been calling it a Friday-Afternoon-feeling--rather than the whooping glee I expected. In any case, it's a really nice feeling. And really nice to be done with this book draft that kicked my butt so badly, because I do feel like it's given me the skills to fix what was wrong with the middle book of the series. (Oh, the evil that is Book Two.) I hope the crash isn't too bad, though. I usually get pretty bad postpartum depression after finishing a novel, and sometimes even a short story. Do you guys find you have that problem, or something else? What's your closure like, if you don't mind my asking? I'm curious.... --ebear |
| The conga-rats are line dancing in overdrive! Rah, EBear!!! Eugie |
| Congrats on finishing another book too! What a week for you.
Ah, yes, I have several copies of 3.1 lying around here. When you're all rich and famous, I'm headed for eBay. TKF |
| It was just a matter of time--congratulations, EBear! SarahP |
| We like being around to share moments like this. This is a very cool moment.
Congratulations! :-) law Lori |
| Terry, actually, where I come from they call it a 'brook,' but the side of my family that uses the "God willin' " expression does pronounce 'crick' correctly.
Toiya, you can say you were the first person to publish any part of this mess! *g* And I just finished the draft of the novel that has been my life since June, so overall I'm (a) quite contented and (b) tired. And really happy I have you-all to share the moment with. |
| Congrats again! Ling |
| Ah, there's the explanation: You're obviously quality material, eBear, 'cause you pronounce "crick" correctly. Terry |
| Congrats, eBear!
::sniff:: I can say I knew you way back when... TKF |
| You sold MULTIPLE novels at once? Congratulations! Melissa Mead |
| Thanks, guys.
It is indeed a series--I call it the not-a-trilogy, because it's more three linked independent books--and I'm equal parts stunned and delighted by the whole thing: I started working on the concepts behind these books in nineteen ninety mumble. It's kind of a gritty, character-driven survivor story With some Cyberpunk, military SF, and space opera elements--and a generous admixture of hard SF. And Dick Feynman, God rest his soul. *g* The first book should be out for Spring of 2005, God willin' and the crick don't rise. |
| And add an extra Boooga from me! This is fantastic news!!!! Nice going! Justin |
| I am so impressed that I can only repeat Jay's astute observation of #40: BOOOGA BOOOGA BOOOGA!!! You go, Girl!!! Terry |
| (One more time.) BIG CONGRATS IN BOLD! Terry Bramlett |
| Ahem. Envy does not begin to describe my reaction. ;-) Congrats. BIG CONGRATS!!! Terry Bramlett |
| Congratulations!!! (Three exclamation points, one for each book in the sale :-) Jim C. Hines |
| Did I read that announcement correctly?
You sold a series? Congratulations! Greg Greg Beatty |
| Woo hoo!
Frank, are you handling the birthday spankings this year, or do I have to stuff more money down Jay's shirt? |
| Hey EBear -
Happy belated birthday. Or, as they say in Basque, Zorionak! Frank FrankWu |
| Boooga boooga boooga Jay Lake |
| Thanks, guys! I think the party is over in Jay lake's topic.... |
| Happy belated birthday! Melissa Mead |
| Happy B-day yesterday. Hope you had fun,
-Linz Lindsey |
| Happy B-Day. B for Bear!
law Lori |
| Happy B-Day! Justin |
| Spanking? I'm up for that! ;-) Anon |
| Happy Birthday.
I shall leave the spanking to the professionals! :) Ling |
| Happy Birthday!!!
::avoids jinxing jollities:: Let the spanking commence! Kat Allen |
| Greg, they approached me via email. I was, needless to say, geeked.
Apparently the Polish editors are reading Ideomancer avidly. I can see why: after all, I do. *g* I suspect the sale has a lot to do with the story being a blend of Norse/Germanic/Slavic fantasy tropes and thus fitting the market, and the money isn't huge (although it's more than Ideomancer was paying when I sold to them, back in the twenny bucks a story days), but considering some of the names they publish, I'll take that whuffie and run with it. They'll handle the translation and so forth. Darn internet pirates. Not nearly so cuddly as genre pirates, overall. Arrrrr! Swing 'em from the yardarm, me laddies! |
| Re: 29. That would be the Czechs with no cheques? TomW |
| Ms. E. Bear, would you say a little more about the sale to Nowa Fantastyka? How did that work? (Long delays? Did they approach you? Huge $?) Thanks.
I just had an essay published in a Chezch zine, but they, uh, pirated it. Greg Greg Beatty |
| That would be Tim Pratt's other brother Timm, of course.
He's mmmmmm good.... |
|
The July & August "Sweaty Summer Gods, Sex, & Death Double Issue" of Abyss & Apex is now up at http://klio.net/abyssandapex/ Featuring fantastic fiction from Timm Pratt, S. Evans, Kyri Freeman, Kathryn Allen, and Chelsea Polk. Bring your swimsuit and a bag of ice! *g* |
| Woo hoo! Bear's made the endangered species list... Run! Hide! Panic! Kat Allen |
| It was a shadow RM topic.
Oh dear. They're on to us! |
| Hey... wasn't this a shadow topic?? Tempest |
|
Hah! *dies laughing* So a quick Google gives me-- http://www.frankwu.com/quiz74.html *g* An interesting URL, given who first asked the question-- I direct your attention to number three. There ya go, Frank. |
| Hi Bear,
Just stopped by again after a long pause and noticed the "quote" you guys were wondering about, "standing in the sunlight blinking." Could it be you were referring to "standing in the sunlight laughing" in Brown-Eyed Girl? That's what come to mind for me when I see that. Ruth |
| Sue! Thank you--
I'm not all that prolific. I just have a policy of keeping all my stories out all the time. *g* There are some links to web-published stories at http://www.elizabethbear.com |
| Following both the Submission Report and R&A; topics regularly, I have to say - you must be one of the most prolific writers out there! I am looking forward to reading your work (will actively seek it out) AND I am very impressed with your webzine - you have excellent taste in literature. SueO2 |
|
Thanks, Frank. I wrote that in, oh, long about 1993, when I had seen one too many essays in my local paper on the "slacker" generation and how limpwristed and worthless we all were that particular week. :-) I was getting a froth on, I'm afraid. It's dated now, but it was--yeah, heartfelt. And damned if I know where the blinking comes from, but I am sure it's a allusion to somewhere. It sounds familiar to me too. |
| Hey Elizabeth, just wandered across your website, and read your essay about the slacker generation. Very cool. Very dense, very thoughtful and thought-provoking. Almost felt like 1994's version of "Howl." Where does the line "standing in the sunlight blinking" come from? That sounds awfully familiar. Cool essay - thanks. Helps me understand - I'm somewhere lost in the generation between Baby Boomers and slackers (a generation some call the Generation Jones, but I won't go into that now). Anyway, loved your essay. Now go forth and write more.
F FrankWu |
| Cath...
Blush. :-) I wouldn't be learning anything if it weren't for you guys. -eBear |
| On this chat-deprived evening, after rereading The Witches of Wenshar, after almost 'getting' the whole book of Deathwatch as I went over my scene list (with a second list of why certain scenes exist), I just wanted to say thanks for being around.
You always share what you're learning and that's really great. :) Cath |
| Well, we can use this forum to plot the eventual overthrow of the RM....
And the resurrection of long-forgotten Elder Topics, such as Jed's. |
| Oh well. Some oddity in the program, I suppose.
At any rate, on the topic of Bear: it'll be interesting to see how the latest research pans out. Or writes out, if you prefer. ;) Cath |
| I'm not sure what the criteria is for it showing, Cath. I emailed Kent about it a few weeks back, but I'm not sure if he got the message or not.
I don't think there's a post limit that kicks it into play, though, because the Tim Pratt topic showed up just this week and there were only 4-5 posts in it at the time, and it was on the main list. |
| Has anyone figured out whether a new author topic will *ever* appear in the list, frex if it gets 50 posts or something?
::contributing a post to the test:: Cath |
| I can be that evil, Elizabeth.
Just check out how my mind works over on Jed's topic. As Brando would say ... STELLA (Stealth Topics Everywhere, Limited Liability Association) |
| Snagy--
Are you evil enough? Or only moderately evil? |
| Definitely a valid theory, Charlie.
I know it satisfies my curiosity about my own topic. |
| Charlie, I love that theory. I'm adopting it as official policy.
We'll institute a system of color-coded threat ratings. |
| Aha! I have found you at last. Uh. . . now what?
You know, there's something to that 'outed' thing . . . blame Marsha. ;) Cath |
| Evil, it's part of the secret Shadow Rumor Mill which co-exists along side the public Rumor Mill and is prepared to step in and replace it in case of a catastrophic national writing emergency. Charlie Finlay |
| Of course, the invisibility is a program feature and not a bug. ;) Evil Genius |
| I think i have figured this out. the only way to get to bear's topic is to click on her name when she's logged in. Tempest |
| I don't come here often... but what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? Kat Allen |
| Mikal, I never turn my back on her -) |
| E. Bear--
Just a warning. You probably SHOULD worry about your hungry editor... Y'know, in Alaska they EAT bear... Mikal Trimm |