Justine’s New Cover

I got behind on my blog reading and just tuned into Justine’s blog again. It may interest you to know, we got the attention of Bloomsbury. They’re changing the U.S. cover of “Liar.” Check it out on her blog. The link is in my title.

New Novel

Anyone who has read my blogs will know I’m a huge fan of Guy Gavriel Kay. Well, he has a new novel due out in April, 2010. You can check out his site (the link is in this post’s title), but here’s a brief snippet:

UNDER HEAVEN will be published in April 2010, and takes place in a world inspired by the glory and power of Tang Dynasty China in the 8th century, a world in which history and the fantastic meld into something both memorable and emotionally compelling.

As with all of Kay’s books, I look forward to this one!

Authors of Asian Novels Yahoo Group

Okay, I kept pining after some sort of research site made especially for writers who want to do stuff set in Asia. I finally decided I’d do it. The group website’s URL is in the title, if you’re interested in joining. Please come with your list of fiction and non-fiction books that you’d like posted. I did input all of those books that were listed here, plus many more. I haven’t had time to input anything in the music database. If there are other databases or if you’d like to post pictures, feel free. I do ask that we keep all material and language clean. 🙂

My poor fingernails

I’ve given my entire ms to a Chinese friend to read. Will he like it? Will he be completely bewildered? His opinion means more than I can say as I’ve tried so hard to make the setting as authentic as possible. He will also be the first male who has read the entire thing – assuming he makes it through. LOL. Iya! This will be a long month.

Need to Travel to Asia?

In light of a comment made here today, I looked up data on receiving funds for writing and researaching in Asia. I found two excellent resources that I wish I’d known about seven or eight years ago! The first is courtesy of Lian Hearn. She mentions it on her blog, which I have a link to in my Favorite Sites Roll. Her site is something anyone interested in Asian literature should check out. The second option is one I just looked into. They have a swift response time. Alas, my current book is finished and I don’t need to return to China for further research on it. I don’t have enough information on my next book to know where in Asia I would need to travel, so here’s hoping someone out there can use this data.

1. Asialink Foundation is in Australia and seems to be made for Australian Artists (whether dance, visual arts, music or literature) to seek residencies in Asia for set periods of time. The deadline for the 2010 residences is September 4th at 5pm and they do not accept faxed or emailed applications, so you’ll have to move fast. For more information, go to http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/our_work/arts/residency_application_information.

2. Deadline October 31, 2009. Whoever wants to discover Central, Eastern and Southern Europe or China, whoever plans on a publication in German and wants to start for research trips in the East, can apply for funding. The publications should be able to reach a broader audience and help to bring about a greater understanding for the countries of Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, and China. Literary prose and essays, photo (text) books, child and youth books, but also scripts for documentaries and sound radio contributions are welcome.One can apply for all-inclusive research grants varying from 2.000 to 10.000 €. From all incoming applications, an independent jury selects several projects for funding. Apart from this monetary funding, the “border crossers” are supported in the public presentation of their work.
BORDER CROSSER GRANTInga Niemann via telephone (+49 30-816996-64) E-mail (niemann@lcb.de)http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=FSVUB&m=1f6lYATkwhYbK5&b=trTmOd3aprnprmdtC.NWSw www.lcb.de/grenzgaenger

I found the Border Crosser Grant via http://www.fundsforwriters.com/, which sends out free newsletters chocked full of info for writers. It’s obviously worth your time to sign up!

I do not know if there are other resources out there for doing the sort of expensive research required for this type of literature. If anyone else has a list, please feel free to drop a note on it!