Whispers at the Edge

Excuses, excuses- writers are full of them, but here's my list for no new WATE; Chasingthebard.com, editing Geist and having it to my agent by the time I leave for the States, getting Digital Magic ready for print and of course... the Double Trouble Promo.

My birthday is August 8th, but I will be spending it online for the Amazon rush at the charts. I'll be keeping vampire hours to spend time with Americans, but for my kiwi listeners the time to buy Digital Magic is from midnight 9th of August (crazy damn timezones!). So you could buy it first thing when you wake up =)

I will have my head above water shortly, and even a day off the day job, so a new WATE, in a new format heading your way by the end of the week.

WATE was nominated for a Parsec this year, but it has been that busy and the timeframe for submissions that short that I have yet to do that either. We'll see if they accept it late.

And the freebie?  Well I wouldn't want to leave my WATE listeners out, so here... Digital Magic, the sequel to Chasing the Bard, free and complete. Enjoy and spread the word about it and Double Trouble.

Regular programming will resume shortly. Thank you for your patience in this crazy time in my life.

If you are craving the sound of New Zealand- then have a listen to this podcast, Tech for Writers where Pamela interviews me (oh yeah and the uber nemesis Tee Morris) and we discuss life, technology and writing. Recorded before the lurgy silenced me. (Yes, it is possible!)

Tomorrow the first episode of Chasing the Bard becomes available www.chasingthebard.com If you like dark fantasy with malicious faeries and history, then have I got a story for you! Also featuring some fabulous talent from around the world that I am proud to have giving voice to my words. WATE should still be out tomorrow, but I know I am cutting it fine. Sometimes it is good to work under pressure. See you soon!

Taking a moment to pimp my own stuff... Chasingthebard.com is now live and active.  I am still working on the podcast which should be out in March, but this is where I will post news and updates until then.  Right now there is a teaser for the podcast, so feel free to pop on over and snag it for your podcast.  My head is buzzing with ideas for the cast and how to market it... it's going to be a blast and the few guest voices I have already snagged are making me jump with glee.

If you're listening to and downloading Mur Lafferty's Playing for Keeps (and why would you *not* be??) you might find a link in Issue 7 , an Easter Egg with a familar voice in it.  Yes, New Zealand's first superhero has landed... and she has issues.

I'll be appearing in Morevi Remastered- but with Leann unable to play Askana, yours truly will be stepping into her rather large boots and taking on this monumental role.  Wish me luck, and don't forget to subscribe!

I'm safely back guys, with bulging luggage and mind.  I survived the perils of DragonCon, being pimped by Tee Morris and airline food!  I have lots of audio and opinions to serve up, so the plan for October is to get my usual show out on the 15th but also several bonus shows (depending on how much of that audio is useable).

For today though I will rest; all those time zones are kicking me in the head, but Sunday I expect to get something out to you.

Before I go.... the spammers have finally forced me to move my email address.  I know, I know- I made fun of them and now they are getting back at me.  When you download 60+ emails a day and only one of them is actually legit... then it is time to move on!

If you want to email then it will be pip (at) pjballantine (dot) net

If they figure this out I will just draw you all an picture of how to find me and the secret handshake needed... shessshhh.

 

Just wanted to give you guys the run down if you are attending DragonCon or if you will be near any of my book signings.

At DragonCon you will find the booth in the Exhibitor's Hall. A whole posse of fabulous DragonMoon Press authors will be there with copies of all the titles - including Chasing the Bard.

I will be on the Podcasting UN Panel at 1pm Saturday and of course there for the Parsecs.  If you want to keep up with the podcasting track this is the feed you need to subscribe to http://dragoncon.libsyn.com/rss

Then onto the east coast, and if your in the area these are the two book signings. 

Creatures 'n Crooks Richmond, Virginia	September 7 7.00pm
Constellation Books Baltimore, MD	September 8 2.00pm

 

Also the magic of marketing Tee Morris has somehow managed a TV spot in the morning of the 7th on Virginia This Morning.  Boy am I glad I have done at least one other TV interview. 

Hope the short story posts OK while I'm away, decided not to redo Thorns of Life afterall, but something else... enjoy the surprise!

Cheers

Pip

 

Feeling all nostalgic today- you guys will know why.  So here's a picture of me, child of the 70s, teenager of the 80s and nearly grown adult today.  This is a classic NZ photo of me (proudly wearing the top my Nana knitted for me and the skirt my Mum sewed for me) with my friend David.  Yes, even back then I had more friends that were boys.  My cat (which my grandfather gave to me and said was 'most definately male') and her kittens were incredibly important to me.  Funny thing was the summer's were always longer back then.  We spent lots of time at the local creek looking for creepy crawlies and following the stream for miles.  Ah, the gorse bush scratches and sunburn.  Good times!

If you have any classic kiwi childhood memories then email author (at) pjballantine (dot) net and I'll use them in a show.  After wallowing in my own memories for a while I will be back next week with a new audio episode.  Catch you then!

New cast this week, I promise, but couldn't keep this news to myself.  I'm going to Dragon Con- along with other fabulous DragonMoon authors I'll be in Atlanta at the end of August for the madness that is this event.  Obviously America and I like each other a little bit....

My domination of the media world continues!  (yeah right...)

I will be on the TVNZ show 'Good Morning' on Tuesday 27th at about 11.25am, along with Norman from SFFANZ and Matt from Arty Bees Bookshop talking all about Sci Fi and fantasy.  Hopefully this will be a regular monthly slot.

Really nice to see the mainstream media taking an interest in speculative fiction.

So tune in Tuesday if you can, or the programme is available online at http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tvone_minisite_index_skin/tvone_good_morning_group

Click on 'Watch the programme', I will be towards the end so you can skip ahead if you don't want to watch the whole programme. 

Wish me luck with my first TV appearence !

Wow, Reader's Digest has named Podiobooks.com as the Best of the Web.

My novel Weaver's Web is hosted by podiobooks, and I am always in awe of the excellent work the lads there do.  Congrats to all of them- a well deserved award!