March, 2010

Chase The Dream Contest Winner!

I’m so excited for my friend, Vicki Bendau. Not only did she win this year’s Chase Dream contest, but her book, “Hooves of Thunder, Hearts of Silk” is set in 1226 A.D. Monogolia, east of Samarkind on the Silk Road.

I’ve got a link to her interview with contest administrators Leigh Michaels and Rachelle Chase in the title of this post. See this link to view her entry. Congratulations, Vicki!

Haikus Wanted

For all you who write Haiku:

Mayfly
Randy & Shirley Brooks started editing Mayfly in 1986 as a new approach to publishing haiku. We announced that we would publish an issue after we had acquired the quality haiku needed. All submissions are judged competition style, together before each issue. We are now biannual, publishing an issue every summer and winter.

We feel it is the duty of the editors and writers to make careful selection and proper presentation of only the very best, the most evocative, the truly effective haiku. We publish only 14 or 15 haiku per issue, but each haiku is printed on its own page. The writer is paid $10.00 per haiku.

Beth Revis’s Book Deal Celebration Contest

That’s right, the internet is full of good news this week. To enter a contest that’s made for readers AND writers, go to Beth Revis’ site. She’s got separate prizes for one writer and one reader. The contest ends April 3rd.

Under Heaven Is Under Auction

I just received the following from Guy Gavriel Kay’s publicist. I wish I could bid on this book, but I know it’s beyond me. If you can’t pay your bills on time, you really shouldn’t bid on a book. No matter how much you might REALLY want to.

To celebrate the worldwide launch of international bestseller Guy Gavriel Kay’s much anticipated new novel Under Heaven, Penguin Group (Canada) is auctioning the first book off the press anywhere in the world, autographed by the author. Signed and verified by the printer and the publisher, this first copy includes a product identification slip and letter from the printing press identifying the book as the first copy printed in Canada. The auction begins March 18, 2010 on eBay, and closes March 25, 2010.

All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Indigo Books & Music, Inc.’s Love of Reading Fund. The fund directly supports high-needs elementary school literacy programs across Canada. Guy Gavriel Kay will personally match the winning bid to a maximum of $1000 (CDN). Additionally, Penguin Canada will match the winning bid to a maximum of $500 (CDN).

Under Heaven will go on-sale in Canada on April 3 and April 27th in the U.S. Inspired by the glory of Tang Dynasty China in the eighth century, Guy Gavriel Kay melds history and the fantastic into something both powerful and emotionally compelling. Under Heaven is a novel on the grandest narrative scale, encompassing the intimate details of individual lives in an unforgettable time and place.

Earlier this month, Penguin Group (Canada) launched a website dedicated entirely to Kay’s oeuvre, and featuring an array of music files, artwork, and downloadable wallpaper and posters, plus a first chapter excerpt of Under Heaven, a journal by the author, Twitter and Facebook links, book synopsis, and Canadian tour information.

What moves you?

I heard an article on NPR about the death of a middle-eastern singer named Umm Kulthum. I’ve never heard of her before, at least not that I know of, but I found the reactions of her fans fascinating. They speak of being “transported” by her songs. They’d leave after a performance and not know where they were.

Does anything move you this much? Books do it for me – sometimes. Movies and music even more rarely. Maybe part of why I love research and writing so much is because THAT is what transports me.

I’ve had a character in the back of my mind for sometime and the late Ms. Kulthum may well help me to understand who my character is. I think I’ll go request some music from the library. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up in the land of my character’s birth. ;D