#publishing event

The world needs climate fiction! So we're hosting #CliFiPit, 9/18 on Bluesky. Authors can pitch cli-fi in any genre from solarpunk, horror, or romance to fantasy, mystery, dystopian, utopian, etc. Authors, editors, and publishers can find more info at solarpunkmagazine.com/cli-fi-pit. Please share!

The @weneeddiversebooks Writing Symposium with Jackie Woodson & Kwame Alexander is a MUST if you’re in the DC area! 

The second book by fantasy author, Peter V. Brett debuts today, The Desert Spear. This is the follow up to his debut novel, The Warded Man (The Painted Man in the UK). Pete Brett is a good friend of mine--I've mentioned this countless times on this site before, because these days this is the transparency people have come to expect.

Attended the SFWA event on Monday night, the annual NY gathering of SF-ish folks at a new location, Planet Hollywood in Times Square, although I loved the Society of Illustrators location on East 63rd street, where it had been for several previous years.

Today was the first day of BEA, the official set up day as well as a day filled with conferences, panels, and discussions about what else - books. I first paid homage to Osprey, the military history publisher that I've consulted for, as they were very generous in getting me a badge for BEA weekend. I felt it was the least I could do to show up at the booth and help them set up for a bit. Here's John and Kerry hard at work. Also, I helped Shirley open boxes and sort books before I headed out to attend two of the conferences in the meeting rooms the convention floor. [Shirley - I'll put the other pic up on facebook soon.] I wanted to say hello to a few colleagues as they set up before I grabbed a bite then headed to the meeting rooms. The floor was a flutter with forklifts, people frantically opening boxes of books, and wandering eyes like myself, taking it all in. I visited a few more booths then headed downstairs to the Red Hot EReader panel which discussed many of the new options and technologies of ereader software and devices. This was informative as I have yet to purchase an ebook/reader yet, but as of now I'm still undecided on what to get. Then I attended the BEA Editors Buzz panel where 6 prominent editors discussed the books they were excited about. Since I was only able to nab two bound galleys I'll discuss them here. When Alexsis Gargagliano, an Editor at Scribner, discussed the wild ride of reading this unbelievable memoir, I knew I had to grab a copy. In Alex Lemon's Happy, his life seemed unreal, the amount of things that happened to him and the many things he did to himself sounded extraordinary. I was intrigued as it is also a story of redemption and I can't wait to take the journey with the author. If I find copies of the other books over the weekend I'll talk about them here soon. I do plan to review these two books when I'm finished with them.

I also grabbed the one graphic memoir discussed, Stitches by David Small. When Executive Editor at W.W. Norton, Robert Weil, spoke about this dream-like memoir by a multiple award-winning children's book author and illustrator, it sounded right up my alley.

I've already read 50 pages, and it reminds me of Chester Brown's I Never Liked You, another favorite of mine. It is certainly looking to be a classic graphic memoir and I see it getting loads of review attention. It is beautifully illustrated and contains hints of that warped childhood that we all can [certainly I can] identify with. [Apologies for the terrible jacket image grab, I couldn't find anything this late in the evening. Need to get that scanner.]

Later that evening I left for the Petrossian Resturant on West 58th Street, for a wonderful launch party for the U.S. release of, A Crate of Vodka.

The evening promised "a night of Russian caviar, cocktails, and conversation" with authors, Alfred Kokh and Igor Svinarenko. I had a blast, and was joined by my good friend Nancy. The party felt more like a publishing throwback with great conversation, piano playing, and of course...vodka. I'd like to thank Robert Miller, publisher of Enigma Books, for the invite.

Last night in Brooklyn, at The Zombie Hut, I threw a small launch party for my friend, Peter Brett, in honor of the upcoming March 10th release of his new fantasy novel coming from Del Rey books, The Warded Man. The cool folks at Del Rey were generous enough to donate a few books for me to give away at the event, and my lovely wife, Fotini, made awesome copper bookmarks stamped with the wards from the book. I wanted to thank Joshua and Eddie, of Jabberwocky Agency, for helping me set up. I know how proud they are of their author... and I am too. And this was my first time throwing a book-related party of any kind. I was a bit nervous (who, me?)

The party scene filled out nicely. Family & friends of Pete, publishing industry people, and many who were involved with various parts of the book's development were in attendance. It was warm and cozy by the fireplace, and although some were tempted to throw the copper bookmarks into the fire and recreate the burning medallion scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark... we restrained ourselves.

A good time was had by all. I want to than all the friends who helped out in various ways. I also want to thank the Zombie Hut for hosting the party - they were awesome. And so was Savoia, who I got to cater the party (just two doors down from the Hut). The food was a hit.

It was really fun to throw this party, and I feel that we all need to stick together through these rough times and celebrate when and where we can.

"... I'm fairly excited to see what you're capable of, if Morpheus is right and all...We're not supposed to talk about this, but if you are...Damn, it's a very exciting time. We got a lot to do. Let's get to it....

I had to start off with one of my favorite lines, from one of my favorite science fiction movies, from our trusty operator, Tank. I often remember the optimism in this scene, and refer to it all the time.

Today is an exciting day. I have some editing to do, a few manuscripts to start reading, and then I'm throwing a little launch party for a good friend, who has a new book coming out next week.