It's Not About The Machines
February 2021
This is one of those months where I have news I can’t yet tell you. It’s not big news by any means but it is agreeable news, and on the day to day level of writing, or working, or just living, agreeable, satisfactory, pleasant news however small keeps us warm (or cool, depending on the weather) and allows us to keep moving forward.
I do have hope that within the next few months many people and states/countries (although not all) may see a significant drop in COVID-19 cases as vaccination expands its reach. Of course not all countries and people have equal access, or any access. The impact of the pandemic will affect us for years to come and for too many people quite seriously for the rest of their lives. One reason I write fiction is because it allows me to channel my emotions and my analysis through a story. Narratives filter much of our lives in various ways, and science fiction and fantasy add another lens to that filter, a means to shine a light on unexamined assumptions or to alter perspective or to shape emotion so it tells a tale that might be too painful or difficult to speak in other forms.
Beyond my lack of anything brilliant to say, I offer some appearances, updates, and availabilities, plus a Finn photo.
Forthcoming online appearances:
Sunday 21 February 2021 1 - 2 pm PT: If you are a SFWA member or if you are not a SFWA member but have a Nebula Conference membership you can hop into the live recording of my next Narrative Worlds webinar on world building, in which KEN LIU and I will talk Technology: it’s not about the machines. It’s going to be great. The one hour discussion will be posted on SFWA’s You Tube channel about a week after the vidcast.
Wednesday 24 February 2021 6 pm CT: I will be in conversation with fantasy author DAVID DALGLISH on the occasion of the release of his newest novel VOIDBREAKER, the third of his The Keepers series. The event is hosted by indie bookstore Tubby & Coo’s Mid-CIty Bookshop in New Orleans LA. Come hang out! We’ll talk books and take questions.
Because of the tireless work of my agency, the Spiritwalker Trilogy’s audiobook (narrated by Charlotte Perry) is finally available in an “International Edition.”
It took a long time to make this release happen, so audiobook listeners outside the USA, check whatever retailer you use because the trilogy’s audiobook should be for sale now. The recording is no different from the original USA release; it was just a matter of region licensing.
Serial Box continues to release audio versions of my short fiction, with “On the Dying Winds of the Old Year and the Birthing Winds of the New” the latest release.
A reminder that the first three books of Crown of Stars are available via Tantor Media in audiobook form, narrated by Shiromi Arserio.
While I haven’t erased my bookstore I have temporarily closed it because of technical issues I’ve been having with getting proper postal fees set up. For the time being, if you are interested in buying an autographed book from me personally, email me and ask about availability. Then I can check, and also let you know in advance what the postage cost would be. My email is ke@imakeupworlds.com
Two new public posts over on my Patreon:
and
A Deep Dive into the Crossroads Universe Notebooks As a Way of Organizing World-building for Writing
I already shared this Finn photo on Twitter, so I apologize for those of you who are having to endure its incredible cuteness again but I love it so much because it looks to me exactly like a promo image for a forthcoming K9drama. After much cogitation I have decided this is a 1930s screwball comedy remake, His Dog Friday.
As always, thank you. I could not do this without you.
Kate Elliott