NOTE: Slight changes to the schedule (under the Events column below left) may occur, and I won't be able to update these listings while on tour. If you have any questions about a signing, please contact the store directly!
July 2009
Off
on the book tour!
As many of you happily discovered, Naamah's Kiss shipped a bit early in places, so I got some early feedback; all of it good so far (though of course I'm writing this prior to leaving). I only wish you didn't all read so fast! One of my favorite reviewers wrote a funny, insightful review for io9.com that made me laugh aloud, but there was a tiny error in it that sparked some thoughts about craftsmanship. To wit, she refers to Queen Jehanne as a princess.
I'm not nitpicking by any means; it made for a humorous angle, and it's a minor detail (although Jehanne herself might have something else to say about it). But I suspect I know how it could occur. There are various little narrative devices I use to achieve desired effects. In Naamah's Kiss, I wanted Snow Tiger's character to have a distant, iconic quality, reflective of the Imperial hierarchy in Ch'in, warming slowly to a more human aspect. One of the simplest ways I tried to establish that distance is by referring to her by title instead of name more often than not; as often as I thought I could without it being jarring and obvious.
Hence, throughout the last third of the book, the word 'princess' is repeated a LOT. Small wonder it could stick in one's mind!
Little details like this contribute in subtle ways. In a similar example from the latter Kushiel books, a number of characters close to Imriel call him Imri. The one character who never, ever does is Sidonie. Part of that is reflective of her reserved nature, but it's also reflective of the fact that she never sees him as a harmless boy one would call by a diminutive nickname. She sees him at first as a dangerous threat, and then as a dangerous temptation, and finally as a worthy partner. In every instance, she takes him very seriously.
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So, there are a couple of thoughts on the craft of writing, and how character is determined not only by what one writes about the character, but by how other characters react and respond to them. In other news, it appears I will be attending Comic-Con in San Diego this year. No details yet! Also, I've pulled the email link from my site temporarily, and will restore it when things are less hectic. In the meantime, check out the Tattoo gallery for more great additions, and the Fan Art Galllery for a new set of imaginary movie posters - unless you've already seen them on Facebook. Feel free to friend me if you haven't already! No guarantees, but I will try to check in from the road from time to time. On the homepage, I'm featuring a photo of Snow Mountain in China, the real-life inspiration for my White Jade Mountain in Naamah's Kiss. And yeah, it really is that amazingly gorgeous.
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Santa Olivia
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Wednesday, June 24th Wednesday, June 24th 4:00-6:00 pm Wednesday, June 24th Thursday, June 25th Friday, June 26th Saturday, June 27st Saturday, June 27th Monday, June 29rd Wednesday, July 1st Thursday, July 2nd Friday, July 10th Thursday, July 16th 
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,
US hardcover release, June 2009
Read the first chapter of Naamah's Kiss
Read the first chapter of Santa Olivia
Read the first chapter of Kushiel's Mercy
Read the second chapter of Kushiel's Justice
Read the first chapter of Kushiel's Justice
