Collectables … (not the skull of an ancient dragon)

Our beloved Voyager turns 15 in 2010, and we have a fabulous array of promotions up our sleeves to celebrate this milestone. One element we’re currently investigating is the production of limited special editions of selected titles. Now, these won’t be your average, run of the mill, standard hardbacks. These will be highly designed, lavish, beautiful collector’s items with added content such as maps, research notes and author’s comments – well, that’s what our idea of the perfect collectors’ edition is, but have we got it right?

What would make these special editions, well, special? What Voyager titles would you like to see given the “collectables” treatment? What features would you like these editions to have? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this, and all feedback will be greatly received. There are copies of Kylie Chan’s Earth to Hell to give away to the first five comments … THE FIVE COPIES HAVE BEEN WON but please keep your comments coming (there are replies on the Voyager Message Board too).

(cross-posted to the Voyager Message Board so the first five comments are included there too … )

Earth to Hell signings 2009

Get your Christmas present signed before Christmas ...

Kylie Chan is on tour as of next week – Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and then back to Brissy and she’s even doing a Christmas Eve signing with Marianne de Pierres! Keep an eye on Kylie’s website for further updates and tweaks. All the bookshops she visits will have copies of Earth to Hell for you to purchase, as well as the other titles in the Dark Heavens series.

BRISBANE
14th December: Dymocks Cnr Albert and Elizabeth Sts, 12-2pm.

CANBERRA
16th December, Dymocks Canberra City Centre, 12noon-2pm

SYDNEY
17th December, Infinitas Bookshop, Parramatta, 6:30 pm
18th December, Mt Druitt Angus and Robertson 11am-1pm
18th December, Chatswood Angus and Robertson  3:30-5:30 pm
19th December, Galaxy Bookshop Sydney City, 1pm-3pm

MELBOURNE
21 December, Dymocks 234 Collins St, 10am
21 December, Minotaur Bookshop, 10:45 am
21 December, Southland Shopping Centre in the afternoon - details to come.

BRISBANE – HOME AGAIN
23 December – Dymocks North Lakes, 11am -2pm
24 December – Angus and Robertson Carindale, 10am-12noon, with Marianne de Pierres, watch for the demented authors in the silly santa hats (says Kylie).

Keep an eye on Kylie’s website for updated details.

Don’t be afraid of your readers … by Duncan Lay

Book two of The Dragon Sword Histories

I had just finished another enjoyable store appearance at Dymocks Parramatta on December 6, and was talking to the co-owner, when he said something fascinating, to the effect of that I seemed to have the hang of talking to people about books, whereas too many authors are afraid of readers.
Now this store has regular author appearances, so he was obviously speaking from experience, but nevertheless I found it intriguing.

I mean, surely authors love readers?

I have been averaging three store appearances a month for a while now, where I’m just out the front of a book store, chatting to people walking past, starting a conversation and then selling a few books. With The Risen Queen out in about a week’s time, I have increased that and will be going crazy in the last few days before Christmas!

Over two hours I’m averaging about 20 sales, although speaking to more than 50 people in that time. It’s great to talk to these people, to hear what they like to read – and an honour when they decide to buy The Wounded Guardian.

Even if people don’t like fantasy, or don’t like the idea of The Wounded Guardian, they have wished me all the best, congratulated me on getting published and generally been lovely to speak to.

But, on reflection, it is confronting.

I have got past the hesitation, the trepidation at hailing random passersby and talking to them about my book.

But I can see how some people would be reluctant to put themselves out there like that.

You are going to get knockbacks. You are going to get sneers and snorts of derision – particularly if you ask tattooed teenage boys if they like reading.
Still, if there is one thing I have learned from these appearances, from Newcastle to the Central Coast to Sydney, people LOVE reading and, even more, love talking to authors, even fantasy authors they have never heard of before.

Get past the initial barrier and you will be rewarded in spades.

Putting your book out there, putting yourself out there, is massively confronting.

But it is also massively energising.

There’s no reason to be afraid of readers … but every reason to embrace them.

To all those I have spoken to at various book stores, thank you.

What do you think? How many author signings have you been to? Or are you an author who dreads store appearances? Post your comments below!

Duncan Lay is out and about doing signings for the release of his second book, The Risen Queen. You can catch him next on Sunday 13 December: Border Macarthur Square 11.30am-1.30pm, then at Dymocks Liverpool 2.15pm-4pm

Win the Dr Who Hornets’ Nest audiobooks!

Doctor Who fans will have been anxiously awaiting the new Hornets’ Nest audiobooks from BBC. Tom Baker reprises his role as the fourth Doctor in this series of five thrilling brand new adventures. ABC Shops has the entire series available this month at a special price.

For your chance to WIN a full series set of five CDs, including two that will be signed by Tom Baker, answer in 25 words or less: Who has been your favourite Doctor and why? Post your answer below (your email address will be hidden) and the most creative will win. Competition ends on 31 December 2010 and winners will be informed within 14 days.

Aurealis Awards finalists!

Congratulations to all the finalists for the Aurealis Awards 2009! And special congrats to our wonderful Voyager authors – especially in the ‘best fantasy novel’ where Voyager seems to have hit home! The winners will be announced on Jan 23 at the Awards ceremony in Brisbane.

best science fiction novel

Andrew McGahan, Wonders of a Godless World, Allen & Unwin

Sean Williams, The Grand Conjunction, Astropolis Book Three, Orbit

best science fiction short story

Peter M. Ball, ‘Clockwork, Patchwork and Ravens’, Apex Magazine May 2009

Peter M. Ball, ‘To Dream of Stars: An Astronomer’s Lament’, Apex Magazine October 2009

Christopher Green, ‘A Hundredth Name’, Abyss & Apex Magazine #31

Greg Mellor, ‘Defence of the Realm’, Cosmos #25

Mike Resnick & Lezli Robyn, ‘Soulmates’ Asimov’s September 2009

best fantasy novel

Peter M. Ball, Horn, Twelfth Planet Press

Trudi Canavan, Magician’s Apprentice, Orbit

Glenda Larke, The Last Stormlord, HarperVoyager

K.E. Mills, Witches Incorporated, HarperVoyager

K.J. Taylor, The Dark Griffin, HarperVoyager

best fantasy short story

Christopher Green, ‘Father’s Kill’, Beneath Ceaseless Skies #24

Ian McHugh, ‘Once a Month, On a Sunday’, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #40, Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-operative Ltd

Tansy Rayner Roberts, ‘Siren Beat’, Roadkill/Siren Beat, Twelfth Planet Press

Angela Slatter, ‘Words’ The Lifted Brow #5

Lucy Sussex, ‘Something Better than Death’, Aurealis #42, Chimaera Publications

best horror novel

Peter M. Ball, Horn, Twelfth Planet Press

Honey Brown, Red Queen, Penguin Australia

Stephen M. Irwin, The Dead Path, Hachette Australia

Tracey O’Hara, Night’s Cold Kiss, HarperCollins Publishers Australia

Kaaron Warren. Slights, Angry Robot Books

best horror short story

Felicity Dowker, ‘Jesse’s Gift’, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #40, Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-operative Ltd

Christopher Green, ‘Having Faith’, Nossa Morte, February 2009

Paul Haines, ‘Wives’, X6, Coeur de Lion Publishing

Paul Haines, ‘Slice of Life – A Spot of Liver’, Slice of Life, The Mayne Press

Andrew J. McKiernan, ‘The Message’, Midnight Echoes, Australian Horror Writers Association

best anthology

Alisa Krasnostein (editor), New Ceres Nights, Twelfth Planet Press

Keith Stevenson (editor), X6, Coeur de Lion Publishing

Jonathan Strahan (editor), Eclipse 2, Night Shade Books

Jonathan Strahan (editor), Eclipse 3, Night Shade Books

Jonathan Strahan (editor), The New Space Opera 2, Harper Eos

best collection

Deborah Biancotti & Alisa Krasnostein (editors), A Book of Endings, Twelfth Planet Press

Greg Egan, Oceanic, Gollancz

Paul Haines & Geoff Maloney (editors), Slice of Life, The Mayne Press

Robbie Matthews & Donna Hanson (editors), Johnny Phillips Werewolf Detective, Australian Speculative Fiction

best illustated book/graphic novel

Nathan Jurevicius, Scarygirl, Allen & Unwin

Bruce Mutard, The Silence, Allen & Unwin

Emily Rodda & Marc McBride, Secrets of Deltora, Scholastic Australia

Madeleine Rosca Hollow Fields, Seven Seas Entertainment

best young adult novel

Kate Forsyth, The Puzzle Ring, Pan Macmillan

Cassandra Golds, The Museum of Mary Child, Puffin Books

Glenda Millard, A Small Free Kiss in the Dark, Allen & Unwin

Scott Westerfeld, Leviathan Trilogy: Book One, Penguin

Sean Williams, Scarecrow, HarperCollins Publishers Australia

best young adult short story

Joanne Anderton, ‘Dragon Bones’, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #39, Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-operative Ltd

Sue Isle, ‘Paper Dragons’, Shiny #5, Twelfth Planet Press

Ian McHugh, ‘Once a Month, on a Sunday’, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #40, Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-operative Ltd

Tansy Rayner Roberts, ‘Like Us, Shiny #5, Twelfth Planet Press

Cat Sparks, ‘Seventeen’, Masques, CSFG

best children’s novel

Deborah Abela, The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen, Random House Australia

Kate Constable, Cicada Summer, Allen & Unwin

Jen Storer, Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children, Penguin/Viking

Gabrielle Wang, A Ghost in My Suitcase, Puffin Books

best children’s illustrated work/picture book

Graeme Base, Enigma, Penguin/Viking

Anna Fienberg (author), Kim Gamble (illustrator), Tashi and the Golem, Allen & Unwin

Pamela Freeman (author), Kim Gamble (illustrator), Victor’s Challenge, Walker Books Australia

Dan McGuiness, Pilot and Huxley, Omnibus Books

Gregory Rogers, The Hero of Little Street, Allen & Unwin

Kylie’s on tour!

Emma and Simone are on their own ... and descending into the very depths of Hell.

I am possibly the one who is most excited about the release of my next novel, Earth to Hell. I’ve received a constant stream of emails from fans since the release of Blue Dragon asking me ‘when the next one is coming out?’. The definite release date is January 1, 2010, but some book stores will have it as early as the 14th of December, and I’ll be touring the southern states to sign copies for anyone who wants to purchase them before Christmas. I’ll be signing in Brisbane city on the 14th, then I’ll be in Canberra on the 16th, Sydney on the 17th to 19th, Melbourne the 20th to 22nd, then back in Brisbane to sign again on the 23rd and 24th of December. Check my website at www.kyliechan.com for full details of where and when I’ll be, and bring as many copies as you like for me to sign. I look forward to seeing everybody there!

Kylie

Win a copy of the Avatar Activist Survival Guide

Take a journey into Pandora ...

Well, I don’t know about you, but I *have* to see Avatar. Simply because of the special effects/world building. And because of Sam Worthington. HarperCollins is publishing this film tie-in book for those of you who can’t get enough – out today. And if *you* would like to win a copy, just leave a comment below and tell us your top spec-fic film (ever) and why it is your favourite. Three most interesting answers will win a copy!

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED.

Congratulations to:

Katharine:

Serenity.

Because it had heart and dedication, with the message that you should do your best to archive what you know if right, even if it’s (seemingly) impossible. It was done in such a way that it made you want to be there, even though life out in the black is full of hardship. And reavers. And scary agents. And bugs! (“…I swallowed a bug!”)

Jess:

Willow

It had everything! Magic, sword fighting, good vs evil, brownies, fairies, a love story, wonderful landscapes, trolls (I hate trolls!) and a shirtless Val Kilmer…

and …

Janette:

Fahrenheit 451 – an oldie but goodie, just watched again recently. A great adaptation of a great book.

Love the subversive theme that ideas will always find a way despite the authoritarian state trying to control ideas by burning books. The tribe that preserves books through oral tradition. And the opening credits as voiceover not text – so clever!

And it’s such a time capsule in the digital age I wonder what our grandchildren will make of it?

We had a very hard time chooosing the winners – but thank you all for your interesting answers – you’ve added to the general Voyager movie night picks!

T.

PS. Browse inside Avatar via the HarperCollins Canada website.

Time to turn the light … on?

After our discussion on Duncan Lay’s post ‘The Trouble with Twilight’ - here’s a taste of the Harvard Lampoon poking a bit of fun at the Edward/Bella saga …

'He looked older than the other boys in the room—maybe not as old as God or my father, but certainly a viable replacement.'

Pale and klutzy, Belle arrives in Switchblade, Oregon looking for adventure, or at least an undead classmate. She soon discovers Edwart, a super-hot computer nerd with zero interest in girls. After witnessing a number of strange events-Edwart leaves his chips untouched at lunch! Edwart saves her from a flying snowball!-Belle has a dramatic revelation: Edwart is a vampire. But how can she convince Edwart to bite her and transform her into his eternal bride, especially when he seems to find girls so repulsive?

Complete with romance, danger, insufficient parental guardianship, creepy stalker-like behavior, and a vampire prom, Nightlight is the tale of a vampire-obsessed girl, looking for love in all the wrong places.

The Trouble with Twilight – by Duncan Lay

I’ve been appearing at book stores across Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney to sell and promote The Wounded Guardian over the last few months – and one topic that keeps coming up, as I chat about books in general and fantasy in particular, is Twilight.
Time and again mothers and grandmothers have asked me if The Wounded Guardian has strong female characters in it, because they are concerned about the portrayal of women in Twilight. The final straw, so to speak, came when I spoke to a high school principal, who said she loved the way Twilight has her girls reading but was worried about some of the messages within. She purchased a copy of my book to see if there were other options to get girls reading.
Although I have not read Twilight, it was obvious to me that there was a story here. That much community concern, across so many different areas, was too big to ignore.
Wearing my other hat, that of The Sunday Telegraph, I spoke to a variety of people and came up with an article that was published on Sunday November 15.
With thanks to The Sunday Telegraph, here is that article, with some added quotes that were edited out of the finished article for space reasons:

It is both a love story celebrated by millions and a textbook abusive relationship, a light-hearted fantasy aimed at teens and tweens that has disturbing messages about sex. Welcome to Twilight.

The best-selling book series and now blockbuster movies have captured imaginations across the world and inspired devotion in its fans.
Twilight also has many lining up to attack it, with accusations of everything from bad writing to betraying the vampire genre to Mormon brainwashing.
But leaving aside the mud-slinging, the literary world and schools are warning parents not to simply go along with the marketing hype and peer pressure, but to first understand exactly what it is their children are reading.

While they sing Twilight’s praises for encouraging people to read and inspiring debate about reading, the concern is the way the book portrays women – its key readership – and their relationship with men.

While older readers should be able to distinguish fantasy from reality, and put the story in context, along the lines of Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty, the concern is what effect it will have on younger readers, particularly those who are using Twilight as their entry point to reading. Twilight centres on Bella, a human girl, and her relationship with Edward, a vampire and Jacob, a werewolf. This love triangle is resolved when Bella has a child with Edward that begins to rip its way out of her, breaking her ribs and pelvis, forcing Edward to tear open her stomach with his vampire teeth to deliver it in an emergency caesarean – and so Jacob falls in love with this child.

While this is a disturbing end to the tale in many ways, critics say the problems begin much, much earlier.

Literary agent Sophie Hamley, of Cameron’s Management, likes vampire stories but says fans should get into Buffy, not Twilight.

‘Basically the books, especially the fourth, detail a textbook abusive relationship,’ she said. ‘The message seems to be that you can’t live without a man, particularly an idealised one.

‘In many respects Edward is constructed as a classic romantic hero – brooding and handsome, and even Mr Darcy was withholding. But the constant threat of violence, while possibly exhilarating for readers, is unnerving. If I were convinced that Twi-hards were reading other books to balance it out, fine, but for a lot of people this will be their first plunge into reading a series so there will be no context. ‘

Abigail Nathan runs Bothersome Words, a book editing agency used by publishers such as HarperCollins. She enjoyed the books but does have concerns.
‘Adults are frequently disturbed by the nature of Bella and Edward’s relationship, describing Edward as a stalker and Bella as a victim,’ she said. ‘Although Bella and Edward do not sleep together until they are married, it’s hardly a delicate affair, with Bella waking up covered in bruises.“It’s an interesting selection of messages, with Bella constantly pushing Edward to sleep with her, and ultimately ending up bruised and battered.’

‘One message that is clear is once Bella has Edward she forgets about her other friends and is all too willing to leave her family to have her “forever” with Edward. The message to women that they don’t need anyone else if they have their man, or their true love – that they can be happy that way, is a little disturbing.’

Fantasy author Glenda Larke is also concerned by the way Bella never finds strength within herself and must instead be always saved by Edward. ‘It harks back to a different age. Women my age had to fight to escape that kind of thinking. To present a heroine who never stands on her own two feet is to present a ghastly role model for today’s youth.

‘But no matter the criticism, it is clear the books have struck a massive chord with young readers. Fantasy author Kim Falconer said this cannot be ignored.
‘How do we get past the fact that they want it? They’re eating it alive - what is it fulfilling in them?’

She finds it concerning and wonders whether it is a symptom of a wider problem: Can women tell the difference between abuse and love?

Nevertheless, simply banning teens from reading it would make the problem worse and, anyway, Falconer is a ferocious supporter of free speech. ‘We can criticise it but without cutting off the lines of communication. You must talk about it, be there for dialogue.’

She applauds the way the series has women and girls reading but laments: ‘What a missed opportunity to inspire women.’

Mount St Benedict College is an independent girls’ high school at Pennant Hills. Principal Maria Pearson said it is very important for girls to develop the ’skills, resourcefulness and resilience’ to find ways themselves to get out of difficulty situations, rather than ‘expect to be rescued’. ‘We have it in the library and it does engage our girls,’ Ms Pearson said.

‘But it is important to deconstruct some of the themes. They need to have a conversation with concerned adults in their lives (about the issues it raises).’

So read Twilight – but it needs be accompanied by discussion of the issues raised, as well as a selection of books with strong female characters. Virtually any of the Voyager list, including the likes of Karen Miller, Glenda Larke, Kylie Chan and Kim Falconer would be suitable.

The Trouble with Twilight post originally appeared on Duncan’s blog on Tuesday 17 November, and the original article in The Daily Telegraph on Sunday 15 November.

Top spec fic books of the decade

After reading the Telegraph (UK) top 100 most influential books of the ‘noughties’ - we’ve decided spec fic (unsurprisingly) is not well represented. So we’re throwing the floor open to you – what are your top sf/f/h books of the decade? We’ll compile the list and put it up before the end of the year.