We’re going to Michigan

[rolanni]

Well, actually, no. We’re not going to Michigan; the post takes its title from a song from Audiobody, called (wait for it) “We’re Going to Michigan,” which has gotten stuck sideways in my head.

(Audiobody was a great find; I have their CD “Do Something Difficult,” and I couldn’t be more pleased. Thank you, EepyBird)

So, anyway, a busy couple days here at the Confusion Factory. Work on Dragon Ship continues; putting the house back together continues; planning for our various winter trips continues (Chattanooga on January 19! Um. Eeep!)(Boston on February 17! Urg!); deliveries continue to arrive (this just in — and I do mean just; the UPS truck is driving away as I type — give-away ribbons, including but not limited to, Happy Birthday Theo! Want one? Come see us at Chattacon.). The guy who was to come back and finish the couple little chores in the house for us has vanished into the ether, sigh. And I have a call in to a young lady who will help me hang the paintings up in such a manner that they won’t fall down again.

Discoveries continue, too. Just yesterday I discovered that it’s harder to upload a video to Youtube than Youtube lets you know. Also, I learned that some folks think a book that you can’t give to a YA reader is by definition a bad book.

Someone in the recent past asked why our books aren’t in the SFBC (Science Fiction Bookclub) catalog. The short answer is: both Balance of Trade and Partners in Necessity were available through SFBC. They didn’t do well (though there was a while there where I couldn’t talk to a SF-reading mundane* who didn’t say, “But! I read your book from SFBC! Why weren’t there any more?”) and SFBC has passed on any more Liaden material.

So, anyway, this is a check-in post. Things — lots of things! — are in process. The cats are asleep. And! there’s nothing much to see here.

What’s going on with y’all? Everybody ready for whatever Winter Holiday you honor?

___
*”Mundane” is the word that self-identified, con-going, and/or fanzine fans use to connote people who are not self-identified con-going and/or fanzine fans.

Originally published at Sharon Lee, Writer. You can comment here or there.

Comments

[roseaponi.livejournal.com]

*addendum: mundanes do, however, self-identify as too broke to travel to cons and must settle for book club memberships :(

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

It's trickier than that, as with most everything. There are a *lot* of people who read science fiction, who don't identify themselves as science fiction *fans*. They just read the stuff.

It was for those folks -- who don't take Locus, and who aren't attached to the community of SF -- that the Science Fiction Bookclub was created. Just like the Mystery Bookclub is for people who read mysteries, but who don't *live* mysteries.

The trouble -- from the point of view of people who do *live* the genre, either because they're hardcore fans, or they're in someway involved professionally -- is that the folks who just read the stuff tend to think that the various book clubs represent all, or the best, or the most important work that's being published in that particular genre.

...which isn't even close to so.

And then there are those of us who simply read...

[charlie russel (from livejournal.com)]

Not all SF readers are the age-demographic of SFBC, nor are they all "fans". I can't imagine going to a Con -- it simply isn't me. But I've been reading SF since at least 1955, and hope to continue for many more years. It's libraries and actual bookstores that have been my source of new authors through most of those years, but now it's recommendations on Amazon. Or discussions on places like MobileRead. I buy every book you and Steve publish. And I don't need SFBC to tell me to do so.

Re: And then there are those of us who simply read...

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

No question the internet has helped get readers and writers in touch, as well as readers with other readers. Win-win-win, that.

I buy every book you and Steve publish.

Thank you, sir.

Re: And then there are those of us who simply read...

[charlie russel (from livejournal.com)]

And thank you for the good reads. I've whiled away many hours with your books, and they've been enjoyed immensely. And I can hardly blame you for the occasional missed deadline when I've been reading and should have been writing. :)

[cailleuch.livejournal.com]

Oh sigh. I read the title and as I am in Michigan, I said "when" and then read the post. Not meaning to imply anything by all this rambling but my hopes were up for a few seconds. Somewhat befuddled as this is exam week and my brain is fried from grading.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Sympathies on exam week.

*pauses to be selfishly happy that exam week has ceased to have any personal meaning in my life*

Try the song -- it's a nice song, maybe it will help with the brain-fry.

[magda-vogelsang.livejournal.com]

I too hoped for a moment that you were coming back to Michigan, since I enjoyed meeting you both at Penguicon a few years ago, and I know my friend Linda (who sent a couple of well loved Del Rey editions with me for you to sign) would love to meet you (she was in Italy last time).

I'll have to give the song a listen.

[saruby.livejournal.com]

I can think of many books I wouldn't give to a YA reader that are considered classics. I also think that some of the books they require YA readers to read cover subjects that they just don't understand. Not that the language or concepts are difficult, just that they require a bit more life experience than the average 14-16 year-old has.

Holiday Preparedness is falling behind schedule. I seem to have been knocked off schedule and am having trouble finding my concentration.

BTW, I WANT a "Happy Birthday, Theo" ribbon, but there is no way I am going to be in Chattenooga. Do you think you'll have any left for WorldCon in September?

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

I dunno if we're going to make the Chicago WorldCon. We've got some pretty heavy expenses coming up next year, and it's not looking like the budget'll stretch.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Dang. Thought you might be coming to Epic Confusion in January, and got all excited.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Man, the last Confusion I went to was in...1979? Steve and I were doing the traveling art thing, and we had a anatomically correct paper maiche mermaid, riding in the back of the station wagon. The thing was the size of a five-year-old and it amazes me to this day that we weren't stopped.

But, no; sorry to excite you. This January, Tennessee has us.

Cons, Fans, etc.

[claire774.livejournal.com]

Now that I remember it I found Lee and Miller in the SFBC. It was their multiple novel book Partners in Necessity. And then proceeded to read everything that L and M have written that I can find. So there's one success anyway coming out of the Club. There must be others. I can't figure out why they would pass you up. Strange.

I live so far away from everything its hard to get anywhere easily. I did venture out recently to Prescott AZ: a six hour drive around the end of the Grand Canyon over the Glen Canyon Dam through the snow and sleet. I must be getting old. I know I am. I used to do the drive from Phoenix to Los Angeles without too much ado. And also Phoenix to San Diego.

I am very impressed with your traveling and appearances. Also one can't be shy if one is an author these days. That's for sure.
C.

SFBC

[(Anonymous)]

hi Sharon
i love your (you & Steve) books and almost have all of the Liaden U books or will have as soon as i can afford them. retirement does put a crimp on things i used to buy without a thought as to cost.
Anyway reading the letter about SFBC, the first book of yours i bought was Conflict of Honors and loved it and was instantly hooked but your books back then were very hard to find. not in the book stores. found you online after i connected to the internet and got your chap books (now also getting them on kindle). so keep writing and i'll keep buying. thank you for giving me the joy of your stories. Alice Dang