The Boundaries of Fiction
April 2020
Too often these days I remind myself that if I wrote this timeline in a book—if I HAD written this timeline in a book—I’d’ve been told it was too unrealistic, too much of a cascade of unbelievable coincidence and train wreck and cartoonish villainy. No one really says things like that out loud and gets away with it. Right?
Truth is stranger than fiction, which means a lot of things but in terms of writing fiction I take it to mean that oftentimes we seek in fiction a sense of patterning, of reassurance. A solved mystery can be reassuring. A heroic venture that succeeds can be reassuring. Family found; lovers reunited. Tragedy’s catharsis. Anger’s depth. Violence as impact. Not always victory or happiness but a recognized sensibility. Even horror can give the reader or viewer what they hope for or expect from the experience. But the lurching staggering gait of our out of control event cycle doesn’t stay inside the boundaries of fiction. It’s too real.
So I send my best wishes to you all that you can find whatever respite you need, some safety, enough toilet paper and medications and food, distance socializing if you wish for it and space to grieve for what is lost. And some joy and satisfaction along the way.
The good dog Finn sends his best wishes, in one of my favorite photos of him at the end of the this newsletter.
#
First things first.
Here is some GREAT NEWS that I am SUPER EXCITED about, so excited I have to use CAPS.
KING’S DRAGON is finally available in audiobook form.
I know — audiobook sales have tumbled due to people no longer needing them for their commutes. But if you have been waiting for the audio version of KD, or if you just want to try it out because it feels like a good audio time, it’s here.
The voice actor is Shiromi Arserio, and I love her narration. To me it beautifully captures the tone of the work.
Here’s a link to Tantor Audio’s book page, with a sample, and links for Audible.
You can also find it on Libro.fm (if you want to support indie booksellers rather than purchase through Audible).
I will say this: Tantor licensed the rights to the first three Crown of Stars books. If they sell well enough, they’ll record the entire series. So if you’re interested, now is the time to get the audio version, and if you know people who are looking for audio books right now, let them know! Thank you.
#
What am I doing? Writing, natch.
I had hoped to send email last month (March seems like a year ago) with a fantastic newsletter subscriber-only giveaway of 5 print Advance Reader Copies of UNCONQUERABLE SUN. And there are ARCs sitting in the Tor Books offices, which can’t be sent to me, and thus I can’t give them away to you.
However, there is a giveaway on Goodreads! 50 copies available, so for those interested, you can find the entry form here.
Obviously I hope many of you will pre-order or buy UnSun (my shorthand for the book), if you haven’t already. If you can. I hope libraries will also carry it for those who can’t afford to buy a copy; I love libraries and checking out books from libraries is also a great way to support writers.
The Macmillan page has links. Here also find Bookshop (indie) and Libro (audio indie).
#
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE.
Here are the page proofs of SUN, with my patented highlighter system to help me keep track of all the names, places, things, details, foreshadowing and set up, and easter eggs (gotta find them all).
Seeing the book for the first time in all its typeset glory ranks right up there (for me) with getting to see the cover for the first time. Bask in it!
#
Finn wants you to all to know: Keep your heads up and your eyes on a more hopeful future.
