Eagles Over the Kennebec

Well, Audible has kindly provided me with ten codes that, in the right hands, will each automagically become a free Carousel Sun audiobook.

All I have to do is figure out how to get them into the right hands.

So!  Here's what we're going to do.

My birthday is this coming Thursday.  You know and I know that what I'll be doing on my birthday is slaving over a hot manuscript, but! that begs the Important Question, which is. . .

What OUGHT I to be doing on my birthday?

Plan my birthday celebration for me in comments here!  Top ten celebrations each win one of these codes good for a free audiobook of Carousel Sun, the sequel to Carousel Tides; the second book in the Archers Beach Trilogy by Sharon Lee!

Contest closes at 12:01 am EDT on Friday, September 12.

Given that I will be slaving over a hot manuscript, let's say that I'll award the prizes by Sunday, September 14.

Have at it!

I will answer questions about the Carousel Sun podcast (here) and other questions about the Archers Beach books.  Not all the questions, but, just maybe, your question.  You won't know until you ask, so -- ask!

I've screened the comments so they are only visible to the Woman Behind the Curtain.

This is a continuation and expansion of a discussion started over on Facebook, which was kickstarted by this summary of Carousel Sun:

Urban fantasy novel, sequel to Carousel Tides (2010), about a woman who returns to a small town in Maine and becomes involved in a faerie war. (Locus Monitor -- New Books, 4 February)

There are a couple of things wrong with the above.  Most notably, Carousel Sun isn't Urban Fantasy, because it takes place in Maine, and it does not take place in Bangor, Lewiston-Auburn, or Portland, which are the three "urban" areas in the whole state, according to the Federal Government.

I'm also wondering where they got this "faerie war."

We thought we'd be OK by calling the Carousel books "contemporary fantasy," but apparently "contemporary fantasy" means something Very Definite to some people.  (To me, "contemporary fantasy" means "a fantasy story that takes place Right Now.")

So, I've been giving some thought to how best to describe these books, as much in order to guide readers who would like this kind, as warn away those readers who come in thinking they're getting A Specific Thing that the books don't deliver.  (Like, oh, "faerie wars.")

Now, the best I can come up with as a sub-genre is "mundane fantasy." Kate, after all, doesn't get a free pass on anything for being Guardian -- it's Added Responsibility for which she goes uncompensated (cue Superman's Song). Fercryinoutloud, Gaby collects returnables, and I don't see Borgan flyin' no yacht. Felsic's crew -- wait, do you guys have Felsic yet? Anyhow, it's not like any of these folks are living high in the fancy condos; they're working people, doing their jobs.

So, like I said: "mundane fantasy" or maybe "blue collar" fantasy, though there has been some concern expressed that, while these come close, they don't quite Nail It.

Summing up, the points for discussion are:

1.  What are your expectations of "contemporary fantasy"

2.  If you had to tighten the classification for the Carousel books (Tides and Sun), what phrase would you use?  Please try to avoid spoilers for the books.

Have at it!

1.  Many thanks to everyone who donated to Liaden Universe® story, "The Rifle's First Wife," and to Splinter Universe.  Here's the link, for those who haven't read the story, yet.  And here's the link to a discussion of our plans for the site.  Both pieces may be read for free; donations are appreciated, not mandatory.

2.  Speaking of reading for free, "The Gift of Music," set in Archers Beach, Maine, is available at Baen.com.  Go here and scroll down.  Scrolling down is key.

3.  In answer to the several. . .concerned emails asking whether or not we're working on the next Liaden book -- yes.  Yes, we are.

4.  The electronic edition of Carousel Sun, the sequel to Carousel Tides, is now available directly from Baen and from your favorite ebook vendor.  The trade paperback won't be released by Amazon or BN until February 4, but!  Uncle Hugo's has signed copies available right now.  Here's your link.

5.  It's a bright and sunshine-y 1F/-17C outside at the moment, and I need to go into town.  Everybody stay warm.

1.  In light of Mozart's continued ill health, I will not be attending Boskone.  Steve is still planning to attend.  If Mozart takes a amazing turn for the better, I'll come down with him and cut a swath through the dealer's room, but at this point, that's not the way the smart money bets.  Y'all have a good time for me.

2.  "The Gift of Music," by Sharon Lee is available to be read, obligation-free, at Baen.com.  "Gift" takes place in Archers Beach, Maine.

3.  The Compleat List of Baen Hugo Eligible Works published by Baen authors is here.

4.  All pre-ordered signed and/or personalized copies of Carousel Sun have been mailed.

5.  Have I mentioned how very, very fond I am of this song?

Baen is running an ad for Carousel Sun in PW!  I am chuffed, I am.

In fact, I'm soooo pleased, I'm going to give y'all a sneak peak:

Well, let's see. . .

1.  You still have time to pre-order signed copies of Carousel Sun from Uncle Hugo's.  Here's the link.  Uncle Hugo's is the only bookstore offering autographed copies of Carousel Sun.  They have autographed copies of some of our other work in stock, as well.

2.  I supported Doug Thornsjo's Kickstarter campaign, and just before Christmas, received my Majors deck of the Tarot of the Zirkus.  These cards are amazing.  Provocative art, good hand-feel and weight, slightly larger than my favorite deck, The Halloween Tarot.  Take a look at the on-going project, and buy a deck for yourself, here.

3.  Mozart continues to make gains.  He's eating wet cat food again, not just beef baby food, is sleeping well, and taking an interest in the various projects going on around him.  Thanks to everyone for your good wishes.

4.  There's been some question about the release dates of upcoming publications.  This is what we know:
January 7:  Liaden Universe® Constellation, Volume 2, trade paper
January 15:  "The Gift of Music," free to read on Baen.com
February 4: Carousel Sun, trade paper
March 7: Necessity's Child, mass market
Early 2015:  Carousel Seas, trade paper

5.  I wish to report that it is not snowing!  It is, however, Pretty Darn Cold (for the purposes of this discussion, PDC is 3F/-16C).

As I type this, Central Time Zone Midnight is a bare eight hours away.  If you've been putting off pre-ordering your signed-and-personalized copy of Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee --- procrastinate no longer. Go here, place your order, and type your requested personalization into the "Special Instructions" box.  It's that easy.

This has been your Final, the Ultimate, reminder on this topic.

Lotsa stuff doing today, including deliveries promised between 10 and 2 (cue laugh track), so I'm going to be scarce.  The discussion of immortality is raising some interesting points -- thank you!

I did want to remind everyone that, if you want a signed-and-personalized copy of Carousel Sun, projected smash contemporary fantasy hit of 2014, your time is running out!  You have until midnight, US Central Time, on December 31, 2013 -- that's Tuesday! -- to pre-order your book.

Here’s the bullet-point version:

* You may now pre-order a signed copy of Carousel Sun (as well as many other Lee and Miller books) from Uncle Hugo’s Bookstore via this link

*You may also, for a limited time, have your pre-ordered signed book personalized. “Personalized” means you ask the author to write something special on the title page in addition to their name.  These can be as simple as, “To Marge,” and as complex as “To Marge in memory of that night in Seattle.”  Fair Warning: I, as the Signing Author reserve the right not to inscribe a book with a personalization I find to be, in my sole judgment:  (1) offensive, (2) too long, (3) anything else.  You will use the Special Instructions box on the order form to write out your personalization — Please check your spelling, ’cause I’m going to assume that you’ve typed it out exactly as you want it.

*There is a deadline involved if you want your pre-ordered signed copy of Carousel Sun personalized.  That deadline is December 31, 2013.  So you need to do this now.

*There will only be a limited number of signed copies of Carousel Sun available, they will only be available through Uncle Hugo’s SF Bookstore in Minneapolis.  The exact number of signed copies available depends upon how many are pre-ordered.  So, sooner is better than later to order, if you want a signed copy.

*Here’s the link again.

*The Uncle is doing me — and you! — a pretty substantial favor here, so please be courteous.  And while you’re at the Lee-and-Miller book page that the link above leads to, take a few minutes to look around.

Thanks very much for  your interest and support.