Eagles Over the Kennebec

If you one of those who missed last night's Wild Party at Mysterious Galaxy in honor of the release of Trader's Leap, the twenty-third novel of the Liaden Universe® created and written by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller -- there's good news!

Through the magic of the internet, and the kindness of Mysterious Galaxy bookstore, you can see how it all went down.

Here's your link.

1   Today!  Is Trader's Leap Book Day!  This means the hardcover and ebook editions are available from your favorite vendor.

1a   If you have Just Now Realized that you would like to have a signed copy of Trader's Leap, Uncle Hugo's has a few more pre-signed copies.  Here's your link.

1b   If you -- yes, you; I see you there in the corner -- have finished reading Trader's Leap and Want to Talk About It, there is a spoiler discussion in progress at this link.  This is a moderated venue, so your post will not appear immediately.  It will be made public within 24 hours, and usually sooner, but we do sleep, and having the cats moderate just hasn't worked out.

2   Ambient Conditions:  Adventures in the Liaden Universe® Number 31 is now available from your favorite ebook vendor.  This chapbook contains two stories -- previously published "A Visit to the Galaxy Ballroom," and title story "Ambient Conditions," plus an authors' foreword.

2a   The paper edition of Ambient Conditions is available from Amazon only.  Here's your link.

3   Paul Semel interviewed Lee and Miller.  You can read the results here.

4   Tomorrow night -- that's Wednesday, December 2, at 7 pm PST -- Steve and Sharon will be reading from Trader's Leap, talking trash, and taking questions at Mysterious Galaxy.  If you'd like to be part of this festive occasion, you need to sign up in advance.  The instructions for doing so can be found at this link.

5   If you haven't read "Preferred Seating," the companion story to "Ambient Conditions," and teaser for Trader's Leap, you still have a couple of days to grab it while it's free at Baen.com.  Here's your link.

EDITED TO ADD 6:  The Theory, insofar as it has been expressed to us, is that, yes, there will be an Audible edition of Trader's Leap.  No, we don't know when.  We are sorry not to be more informative, but authors pretty much are the last to know.

And that?  Is all the news that's fit to print.

Everybody stay safe and stay healthy.

I am at the desk, fighting sleep-rays with More! Tea! and wearing my Sun Goddess cap so that I can see the computer screen.  This is not to be understood as a complaint.  I would much rather the sunshine than not.

This morning's check-in at Amazon reveals that pre-orders for The Wrong Lance now stands at 455, the most pre-orders for any Pinbeam Book since the mind-blowing 693 for Degrees of Separation, back in January 2018.

Which discovery led me to the realization that we are just entering a Lee-and-Miller Busy Season.  Let me just summarize what's coming down the road for y'all from now 'til the end of the year.

Of course you all know this, but it bears repeating for the Guy in the Back:  You can pre-order signed (but not personalized) copies of Trader's Leap from Uncle Hugo's right now.  Here's your link.

If you can't wait for the December publication of  the hardcover/ebook, you may purchase the Trader's Leap eARC right now from Baen.  You may also read the first nineteen chapters here.

But wait, there's more!  Let's do this chronologically.

October 27:  Release Day for  Accepting the Lance mmp AND The Wrong Lance

November 15 +/-:  "Preferred Seating" published on Baen.com

Date TBA:  Paul Semel interviews Lee and Miller.

December 1:  Release Day for Trader's Leap hardcover and ebook*

December 2:  Lee and Miller will read and talk, virtually, from Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore. There will be giveaways! The event is scheduled for 7 pm PACIFIC Time, so check your watches.  ALSO, you will need to set up an account at Crowdcast ahead of time in order to attend.  More information here.

December 15:  Ambient Conditions:  Adventures in the Liaden Universe® Number 31 Release Day!  This chapbook contains short story reprint "A Visit to the Galaxy Ballroom," original novelette "Ambient Conditions" and an Authors' Foreword. This chapbook is still in process, so no link yet.  Watch the skies.

And that gets us through the end of the year.

___________
*YES, there will be an ebook edition of Trader's Leap.  No, you can't pre-order it.  This is how it always is with Baen ebooks, because they offer eARCs.  No, there is nothing the authors can do about.  I DON'T KNOW if there will be an audiobook edition of Trader's Leap.  I have inquired at Baen and have yet to receive a reply.  As soon as I have an answer, I'll post.

This just in from Chuck Rothman, speaking for Albacon:

Due to the ongoing issues with Covid-19 health and safety, the Albacon Committee has decided to postpone the convention until Fall of 2021. Sharon Lee and Steve Miller have agreed to attend as Guests of Honor. Memberships will roll over, but, given the situation, we will make an exception to our usual policy and give refunds on request.

As previously advertised, Steve and I will be at Boskone.  In addition to our Duties to the Con, listed below, we are pleased to be Guests of Honor at NarniaCon, the convention-within-the-convention, run out of the coat check closet, naturally enough, in the Westin.  This year, NarniaCon will be hosting a scavenger hunt based on the game of Clue.

FRIDAY, February 14

Fandom 2.0: Being a Good Fan
Panel: 4:00 – 4:50, Marina 3 (Westin)
Modern fandom has developed a wonderfully interconnected network, with instant access to authors, fellow fans, and fan communities around the world. This instant connectivity is neither good nor bad, but it can be used in ways that harm as well as help. As fans, what responsibility do we have to each other, to our communities, and to the creators who make the work we love? Join us for a constructive conversation to help figure out how to build a stronger, more thoughtful community.
Steve Miller (M), Gerald L. Coleman, Charlaine Harris, Ginjer Buchanan, Erin Underwood

Journalism in Speculative Fiction
Panel: 5:00 – 5:50, Marina 2 (Westin)
From Wells and Orwell to Neil Gaiman, Cory Doctorow, and Annalee Newitz, there’s a long tradition of reporters becoming writers of SF/F/H. Our veteran newshounds report on what a background in journalism can bring to genre work. Are you already accustomed to research, deadlines, and low wages? Does the drive to get the facts mean it’s harder to make stuff up? Can reporters be written as good genre characters? While pounding out a hot story, must you wear a fedora?
Darlene Marshall (M), Clea Simon, Dan Moren, Daniel P. Dern, Sharon Lee

SATURDAY, February 15

The Future of Libraries
Panel: 10:00 – 10:50, Marina 4 (Westin)
The card catalog is already kaput. How long can stacks, carrels, and tome-laden tables last? How soon till the world’s One Big Library is seamlessly interconnected with everybody’s local, a collaborative sharing space with digital pipes to every seat and a helpful robotic assistant “manning” the “desk”? Any room left for the most systematically refined information storage technology of all: the book?
Fred Lerner, Suzanne Reynolds-Alpert (M), April Grant, Steve Miller, Debra Doyle

Pacing the Novel
Panel: 11:00 – 11:50, Marina 4 (Westin)
It’s crucial to the feel of the novel, but one of the least discussed aspects of fiction. How do you intensify a scene, bringing the reader deep into the narrative — yet still keep the novel moving along? Panelists share techniques for balancing intensity and movement within their work.
Tabitha Lord (M), Melissa Caruso, Steve Miller, Paul Tremblay, Sarah Smith

If you Like This, You'll Like That
Panel: 12:00 - 12:50, Marina 2 (Westin)
Just like it says! Our panel of experts will suggest new (and classic) reads for you, if you're looking for a new read and don't know what to pick next. Audience participation encouraged!
Joseph Siclari (M), Sharon Lee , John Chu, Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Tui Sutherland

Shaping the Genre
Panel: 1:00 – 1:50, Marina 2 (Westin)
With the evolution of print, ebooks, and audiobooks — not to mention other digital media — the speculative genre keeps changing. How has SF shaped and been shaped by society? Past transformational writers included Asimov, Bradbury, Butler, and Le Guin, to name a few. What authors are reshaping the genre today? How much do current technology and delivery media affect the power to mold SF? What role do publishers, large and small, play in the genre's evolution?
Julia Rios (M), Steve Miller, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, Shahid Mahmud

Developing Future Histories
Panel: 1:00 – 1:50, Marina 3 (Westin)
Is it still possible to write a future history? Is it still worthwhile? How do you build a future history, anyway? How about alternate futures based on alternate pasts? Let's dive into the great what-ifs and maybes of tomorrow!
Mark Olson (M), Dr Jonathan McDowell, David B. Coe/ D.B. Jackson, Sharon Lee, Michael Swanwick

Troubleshooting Troublesome Manuscripts
Panel: 3:00 - 3:50, Marina 2 (Westin)
Our intrepid authors come together to share tips and tricks for tackling the most notorious issues that arise when writing and editing their work. Find out how to fix hidden plot holes, dangling loose ends, and the endings that just won't end!
Joshua Bilmes (M), Matthew Warner, Steve Miller, Sharon Lee, Tabitha Lord

Autographing: Sharon Lee, Steve Miller, Tui Sutherland, Cadwell Turnbull
4:00 - 4:50, Galleria - Autographing (Westin)

SUNDAY, February 16

Friends of Liad Breakfast TBA
Sauciety, off the Westin Lobby, left
This is the traditional winter gathering of the Friends of Liad; think family catch-up time. This is not a convention event. All must be prepared to pay for their own meal (Sharon and Steve expect to pay for their meals; nobody needs to stand us a meal.). All are welcome!

Reading: Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
12:00 - 12:25, Griffin (Westin)

Kaffeeklatsch: Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
1:00 - 1:50, Galleria - Kaffeeklatsch 1 (Westin)

. . .they were fleeing Maine with a nor'easter nipping at their heels.

Since the Lakeshore Limited, aka Amtrak Train Number 49, leaves the Albany-Rensselaer train station at 7 pm, Steve and I decided to leave reasonably early (by which I mean, the sun was up by the time we were likewise), and take the Scenic Route.

This, we did, stopping in Keene, New Hampshire, for lunch, and wending our way gently through the warm and sunny day.  Shoppers in downtown Keene were wearing shorts and t-shirts, ignoring the predictions of Snowpocalypse for the morrow.

We arrived at the train station in time to wait two hours before boarding, and having dinner onboard (Steve had the chicken; I tried to have the butternut squash ravioli, but they were out.  Instead, they gave me (after due warning) mashed sweet potatoes formed with a melon ball and served under alfredo/spinach sauce.  It was. . .interesting.), returning to our room, and so to sleep.

Breakfast next morning was a "scrambled egg bowl," and then we arrived at Chicago Union Station with a nine-hour layover before us, which we shall pass over lightly.

We boarded The City of New Orleans, aka Amtrak Train Number 59, at 8:30 pm, were served from the lunch menu (we each had a. . .muffaletta?), and so to our room, and sleep. . .

. . .until 6:30 am, when the car attendant woke us so that we could de-train at Memphis, where we were picked up by Sylvia Cox in her hat as Guest Liaison for MidSouthCon.

Sylvia was everything that was accommodating and good-natured, got us to an IHOP so we could grab breakfast, drove us up and down River Street, so we could observe the above-flood-stage Mississippi River at first hand, and so to the hotel, where there was no waiting to get into our room, despite it being Very Early in the Day.

We repaired to our room and unpacked, then it was time to meet Jane and Pat in the lobby.  Pat filled us in on the history of the Memphis neighborhoods Jane was driving us through, until we arrived at the Children's Museum and!

The restored 1909 Dentzel Carousel which was for many years the centerpiece of Libertyland Amusement Park.

Here, have some carousel pictures:

After we finished with the carousel, we invaded the Children's Museum, which was just. . .awesome.  So much interactive stuff -- including an installation that taught you how to break into a safe; a real police car, and a FedEx jet.  Things to climb on, things to climb through, an air current raceway for balls and scarves, the ever-popular Legos, a grocery store, a discussion of the US Mint and how money is made. . .

Yeah, we spent some time there.  They ought to make these things adult-sized.

We departed the Children's Museum, reluctantly, and -- because there were flowers blooming in Memphis and Maine was by that point buried under a foot of new snow -- Jane and Pat took us to a Botanical Garden to admire the pansies, the tulips and the early daffodils, as well as some flowering trees.

Eventually, we came back to rest at the Hilton, had lunch, a nap, and woke in time to get ready to share the pre-convention dinner of chicken spaghetti with con volunteers and those other Guests of Honor who had arrived.  We had a lovely chat with Ellen Datlow, Editor Guest of Honor, and a changing roster of volunteers, as people broke for supper and then went back to the important business of putting the con together.

Friday was the first day of the con.  We toured the Dealers Room, and the Art Show, talked with folks we met around and about, including Glennis of the Missing Volume, and the lady who was selling kaleidoscopes, and...and...and...

Then, it was time for our first professional obligation:  Signing on Pro Row.

At 7 pm, it was time for Opening Ceremonies.  Each of the Guests of Honor were escorted to their seats by Batman or Superman.  I was escorted by Superman, while Batman did the pretty for Steve.

Each of the Guests were introduced and given a gift box full of whimsical and useful goodies.  Mike Resnick, the Toastmaster, told us a couple stories, we heard a little history of the convention, and it was official!  MidSouthCon was On!

Next morning, first thing, was the Teddy Bear Tea.  Despite the early hour, it was well-attended by a variety of plushies, who socialized with each other while their human companions told the story of each one, and did some socializing of their own.  Steve and I enjoyed ourselves, as did Lemmy, Jingles, and Hassan the Assassin.

We then had the opportunity to talk to a ballroom full of attentive people about the history and times of the Liaden Universe®, attended the Baen Traveling Roadshow, and did a panel on characterization and social world building before it was time for the banquet and the presentation of the Darrell Awards.  All the guests were brought to the front to be re-introduced to the convention, and asked to say a few words.

After the banquet, it was the Epic Women in Epic Stories panel, ably moderated by Toni Weisskopf.

Sunday morning, we hosted a breakfast in the restaurant for eight folks who had signed up to observe us before we were caffeinated.  Topics ranged from cats, to writing, to the weather, to cats, and also -- cats.

After, we read Select Portions of Agent of Change -- in celebration of the Thirtieth Anniversary -- to a small but appreciative audience and!

All too soon, it was Closing Ceremonies, and MidSouthCon was over for another year.  Except for the Dead Dog Party, where barbecue was had by all.

Because of how the trains run, we had most of Monday in Memphis.  We used our time wisely, playing tourist, visiting the Peabody Hotel in time to do a thorough tour before taking up a position on the mezzanine to see the ducks march out of their lobby fountain, down the red carpet and into the elevator that whisked them away to their rooftop penthouse.

After the ducks, it was a stroll down Beale Street, and a dinner, before moving on to the Memphis train station to wait for our ride.

MidSouthCon was a terrific con -- everyone we met was friendly and helpful, and sincerely glad that we had come to celebrate with them.

I didn't take any pictures at the convention, but here -- have some more carousel pics:

Those of you who stayed with us this far will recall that, at the beginning of the story, we were fleeing a nor'easter.  We returned home in the aftermath of a second nor'easter, which dumped eighteen-plus inches of snow on the head of most of New England.  Happily, New England knows what to do about snow, and the roads had been plowed and cleared ahead of us.  Our own plowguy had been in to shove snow out of the driveway, and clear the steps.

Today, the snow is rolling off our new metal roof, and the plowguy came by with his front-loader to push the pile of plowed snow back, so he'll have room to put the snow from the third March snowstorm, which is predicted for early next week.

And that?  Is all I've got at the moment.  Glad to have gone; glad to be home.

. . .it was hot.  All four cats were in my office, because Ceiling Fan, but -- it was still hot.  More hot coming tomorrow.  Yay, summer.

We have a title for the upcoming chapbook.  Here it is:

Sleeping with the Enemy
Adventures in the Liaden Universe® Number 22
© 2016 by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

For those coming in late, this chapbook will contain two stories:  "Chimera," which was published at Baen.com in May 2015 (I may have said April last night; we turned it in in April; it was published in May in support of Dragon in Exile, which was a June book.  Ta-da!), and "Friend of a Friend," a brand-new story, also set on Surebleak.  The book will include an author's foreword.

Distant early warning!  We will be increasing the price of this chapbook, and all/any future chapbooks, from $2.99 to $3.99.  Thank you for your understanding.

I had hoped to get Sleeping. . . uploaded at least to Amazon tonight, but -- it ain't gonna happen.  Possibly tomorrow night (more likely Sunday afternoon, though, because Book Signing tomorrow).  In any case -- soon.

As of right now, Alliance of Equals has 61 reader reviews on Amazon.  Only 139 more until we hit the goal of 200!

As alluded to above, tomorrow, Steve and I will be signing book and talking trash at our local indie bookstore -- Children's Book Cellar, 52 Main Street, Waterville -- at 2 pm.  Drop by and see us if you can!

And I think that's all the news.

Everybody stay cool.

So, back from the micro-mini book tour!

It was lovely to see so many happy faces, to have a chance to chat, to read, and, of course, to sign books.

We want to thank Maria Perry, Patty Cryan, and Brian for hosting us.  You guys rock!

#

Frequent auditors of this journal will recall that I have long had a love affair with socks.

When packing for the overnight in Wocester, I forgot to pack socks, which I've never done before (my default being to pack too many socks); I briefly panicked; and Steve offered to lend his spare pair to the cause.  Fortunately, there was a strip mall right across the street from our hotel, where we paused to eat a very pleasant lunch at Jasmine, then proceeded to the end of the mall and the TJ Maxx.

Where I found socks!  Even, dare I say it, socks that coincided with my Sock Ethic.  One pair was black with white splotches; the other pair had block prints of purple, yellow, and blue-and-white stripe on the foot part, and skinny yellow, pink, red, blue, green strips running up the calf.  I purchased these with glee; the cashier agreed that they were very spiffy socks and!

When I got back to the hotel and actually looked at my receipt, I find that the socks were "men's furnishings".  Really?  The label says they are Happy Socks, created in Finland, so if anyone reading here is suffering from Sock Ennui, you might want to check them out.

#

Thanks to everyone who replied to the Buy My Book post in the various venues, and in email.  Many notes were supportive;  a few folks, naturally enough, want to argue, which is kind of too bad, and I wish them a long life.

Which brings up another topic.

You will perhaps recall that, back in March, Belle and I had a bet about eArc sales for Alliance of Equals.  I said we could sell more than 500; Belle took leave to doubt it.  On the other paw, Sprite was of the opinion that we could earn out our advance on eArc sales.

I am pleased to announce that I won both of those bets.  We hear that we sold more than three times that 500 copies Belle thought we couldn't manage, but!  we didn't earn out the advance.

It's always gratifying to win a bet, of course, but both Belle and Sprite pay in kibble.

To those who bought eArcs -- thank you so much!

Which brings up another idea -- possibly half-baked.

I'm told that benefit accrues to titles on Amazon that gain certain numbers of reader reviews.  At the moment, the various levels escape me (maybe someone who has Google-fu and a couple minutes can find that information...).  The last couple Liaden books received 106, 88, and 163 reader reviews, respectively.  It would be Very Cool if Alliance could hit 200 reader reviews.  Note: These are honest reviews, not just one-liner, filler reviews, like "I really like this book."

Do you think we can do it?  We beat Belle, after all, and she's Pretty Shrewd.

#

For those who missed the news, Steve and I did an interview on the Baen Free Radio Hour.  It aired Friday.  Here's your link.

#

Today, now that we're home, I have accounts to do, and laundry to wash.  Steve and I need to go over the story notes I made before we headed off into the world.  And so on.

What did y'all do while we were away?

Many thanks to William Kilmer for the photograph from our signing at Annie's Book Stop, Friday, July 9, 2016.

So, Steve and I left the Cat Farm at slightly later than Omighod in the morning, and wended our way in the direction of Albany.  We discovered things.

For instance, we discovered that it was 91 degrees F/33C at Queechee Gorge, which was...quite a shock to the Maine-acclimated system.

We also discovered that, while you can take Route 4 all the way into Albany, you may not want to.

Also, World Famous Ruggles Mine is for sale -- which was. . .a shock.  The world is changing, and not in a good way.

We pulled into our hotel a little later than projected, ate a late and hasty lunch, changed, and boogied down to Sand Creek Road and Flights of Fantasy, where we were greeted by Joe Berlant, Harmony the cat, and all the rest of the enthusiastic and efficient FoF staff.  We had a goodly crowd of Liaden enthusiasts gathered, and were about two pages into reading Chapter 8 of Alliance of Equals when!

The power went out.

May I just say that it was as hot -- and perhaps even hotter -- in Albany than it had been at Quechee Gorge.

Audience and staff leapt into action, producing enough light-giving instruments that we were able to finish reading the chapter.  After, we sat in the hot twilight and answered questions about our writing , our process, and All That Stuff, until Joe suggested that we sign books while the battery-powered assists still had a little sunshine to help light the room.

We did that, and the meeting adjourned, as it really was too hot to continue.

Today we drove home, over hill, over dale, and over the Green Mountains, choosing Route 9 this time, until we picked up 4 again, somewhere in the middle of New Hampshire.  I pulled the short straw, and drove the first morning shift, which meant I got the Green Mountains.  I can therefore report with confidence that gravity still works, and also that I am a fan of twisty mountain roads, climbing or falling.

It was every bit as hot today as it was yesterday; we fled promised temps in excess of 93F/34C in New York, arriving early afternoon at the Cat Farm, to find the temps a slightly more reasonable 88F/31C.  We may get a thunderstorm tonight, they (They) say; or possibly tomorrow. That would be nice.

If you missed us at Flights of Fantasy last night, you have three more chances to catch us on the Alliance of Equals tour.

Friday, July 8, we'll be at Annie's Book Stop in Worcester MA, from 7-9 pm

Saturday, July 9, Toadstool Books in Milford NH will be hosting us, from 2-4 pm

Saturday, July 16, from 2-4 pm, we'll be signing and talking at our local indie, Children's Book Cellar, 52 Main Street, Waterville ME

Hope to see you -- and you, too! -- soon.

And, now, having returned, and crashed, and caught y'all up; it's time to unpack, get something to eat -- and crash again?  Yeah, that sounds good.

Everybody stay cool.