Submitted a short story to Zombies Need Brains, and a novel query for the Shadow Spy’s Daughter. Wednesday I go on a six-day writers’ retreat and I plan to do another novel’s revision and edit.
Book Review: Neuromancer by William Gibson
Classic 4+/5
Okay, I can’t summarize this one. Sorry. The central character, Case, lives in the underbelly of a hugely corrupt dystopian world, is recruited to do something that involves linking his brain to a computer, and I think he won in the end, but maybe not. I have to admit, I listened to this one on audiobook, mostly while driving, so I didn’t even try to follow the plot. It was very cool, and a prime example of cyberpunk, which is an important influence in SF. I’ve read a couple of other cyberpunk books, such as Snowcrash, and found the genre a lot like noir: very dark, very twisty, and ultimately depressing.
World Fantasy Conference
Just wrapped up WFC in Kansas City. Great weekend–connected with all sorts of old friends, and met new people as well. Great panels and readings, some business contacts. Launched Book 3 (Gathering of Ghosts) of my Addicted to Heaven series. All together: had a great time!
Book Review: The Memory of Water, by Emmi Itäranta
Science Fiction 3+/5
Noria Kaito, daughter of the Tea Master in Chinese Occupied Scandinavia, must keep secret the tea masters’ virgin spring, because water is a precious commodity over which wars are waged. Lyrically written with a frighteningly possible setting and characters the reader cares about, this novel has a quiet, but poetically justified ending. Don’t expect a thriller or adventure.
Gathering of Ghosts is out this week in print!
A good week: finished revisions to The Shadow Spy’s Daughter. Gathering of Ghosts is out this week in print, though the e-book won’t be for a month. Sigh. Last week my new book video, Janat’s Bargain came out on Youtube (trigger warning for addictions). Wednesday I head out to Kansas City for WFC–finally got my programming today! One panel and a reading. So that’s good!