#Tordotcom hear me out

[taylachan]

Yes to TLT being animated like Castlevania, but in particular adapted by the people who wrote the one scene where everyone in Dracula's castle is debating whether or not Vampires can travel over running water.

ShdhshGsgsvs you are so right.

I still didn't watch Nocturne but nobody can convince me that a TLT Castlevania like adaption would be a bad idea.

They animated Alucard getting pegged by twins.

I believe they can animate whatever TLT throws at them.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The Canadian Miracle

"The Canadian Miracle" is a short story published today by @tordotcom; it's set in the world of The Lost Cause, my forthcoming @torbooks novel.

I'm serializing it on my podcast! Here's part one.

Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.

— Fred Rogers (1986)

It’s a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud.

— Bing Crosby (1927)

I arrived in Oxford with the first wave of Blue Helmets, choppered in along with our gear, touching down on a hospital roof, both so that our doctors and nurses could get straight to work, and because it was one of the few buildings left with a helipad and backup generators and its own water filtration.

Humping my bag down the stairs to the waterlogged ground levels was a nightmare, even by Calgary standards. People lay on the stairs, sick and injured, and navigating them without stepping on them was like an endless nightmare of near-falls and weak moans from people too weak to curse me. I met a nurse halfway down and she took my bag from me and set it down on the landing and gave me a warm hug. “Welcome,” she said, and looked deep into my eyes. We were both young and both women but she was Black and American and I was white and Canadian. I came from a country where, for the first time in a hundred years, there was a generation that wasn’t terrified of the future. She came from a country where everybody knew they had no future.

I hugged her back and she told me my lips were cracked and ordered me to drink water and watched me do it. “This lady’s with the Canadians. They came to help,” she said to her patients on the stairs. Some of them smiled and murmured at me. Others just stared at the backs of their eyelids, reliving their traumas or tracing the contours of their pain.

“I’m Alisha,” I said.

“Elnora,” she said. She was taller than me and had to bend a little to whisper in my ear. “You take care of yourself, okay? You go out there trying to help everyone who needs it, you’re going to need help, too. I’ve seen it.”

“I’ve seen it, too,” I said. “Thank you. I hope you don’t mind if I give you the same advice.”

She made a comical angry face and then smiled. She looked exhausted. “That’s all right, I probably need to hear it.”

My fellow Blue Helmets had been squeezing past us, trudging down the staircase with their own bags. I shouldered mine and joined them. Elnora waved at me as I left, then bent to her next patient.

I stepped out into the wet, heavy air of the Mississippi afternoon, the languid breeze scented with sewage, rot, and smoke. My clothes were immediately saturated with water sucked out of the ambient humidity, and I could feel myself pitting out. Squinting, fumbling for my sunglasses, it took me a moment to spot the group of angry men standing by the hospital entrance. Red hats, open-carry AR-15s. It was the local Maga Club. On closer inspection, a few of them were women, and while they skewed older, there was a smattering of young adults, and, heartbreakingly, a good number of small kids, holding signs demanding foreign agitators out of mississippi!

Bekka, a Cree woman from Saskatchewan who’d been my seat buddy on the helicopter ride, leaned in. “Straight outta central casting.”

At first, I thought she was right. Weather-beaten, white, unhealthy in that way poor Americans are, lacking access to basic preventative care. They looked so angry. Plus, the guns. But there was something else there, and I couldn’t put my finger on it until I spotted a sign being held aloft by a heavyset, middle-aged guy with wraparound shades and a sweat-sheened face: our lives matter too.

I knew he meant it in a gross way, but I couldn’t argue with it.

Read the rest on Tor.com, or listen to it on my podcast!

[redgoldsparks]

February Reading and Reviews by Maia Kobabe

I post my reviews throughout the month on Storygraph and Goodreads, and do roundups here and on patreon. Reviews below the cut:

Please Destroy The Internet by Michael Sweater (Silver Sprocket)

A short and funny collection of one page comics, many referencing the terribleness of the internet, miscommunications, the fickle nature of the creative process, and/or werewolves.

Writing The Other: A Practical Approach by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward (Aqueduct Press)

I've been hearing about this guide to writing characters outside your own lived experience for years, and as someone who wants to include rich diverse casts in my stories, I thought I should check it out! This book was published in 2005, and I think the conversations about own voices and diversity in the publishing world have developed quite a lot since then. I did find the first half of the book a bit dated. However, I loved the last essay in the book, "Appropriate Cultural Appropriation," specifically it's categorization of different writer's approaches to borrowing from other's cultures as Invaders, Tourists, or Guests. I'll be thinking about that metaphor for a long time, and trying my best to be a Guest as often as I can, and at worse a Tourist who pays for the directions and expertise I need to do a good job and not misrepresent cultures I didn't grow up with.

In An Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire and read by Cynthia Hopkins (Tordotcome)

My fourth read in the Wayward Children series. It's very interesting to me how Seanan McGuire keeps writing books in this series which the reader already knows the ending of, and how she maintains narrative tension when aiming towards a known ending. This one didn't hit quite as hard as Down Among the Sticks and Bones but I did enjoy seeing Lundy's life unfolding. The Goblin Market is a very magical and tempting setting, even if McGuire chose to skip over the biggest magical adventures Lundy had there and focus on the more mundane connective tissue of the going and coming from Earth. Honestly, part of why I keep reading these books is that they give me a lot of thoughts about writing, structuring a story, and what pieces of a tale you chose to tell- or not. 

Little Monarchs by Jonathan Case (Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House)

This is an ambitious sci-fi comic set in the near future, 50 years after a change in the sun's radiation killed all mammals on earth who lingered in the sun's rays. Small groups of humans managed to survive by hiding in basements, subways, tunnels, and caves and only venturing out at night. Now, 10 year old Elvie and her adopted guardian Flora travel the Pacific Coast trying to invent a cure. Flora has developed a medicine from the scales of monarch butterfly wings that keeps people temporarily safe, but it's not a final solution. They encounter various windfalls and dangers on the road- earthquakes, shipwrecks, a lost child, butterflies, enemies and allies. The art is dynamic and beautifully watercolored, but I got bogged down by the occasional dense text-heavy page, and overall the book took me a lot longer to read than comics usually do. But I still enjoyed it, especially recognizing the ravaged remains of classic west coast landmarks and Elvie's inventiveness and bravery. 

A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt (WW Norton Company)

I must be honest and say that this book was too literary for me, and that's on me, not the book. There were individual moments and lines that made me sit up and reach for a pen to underline, but the overall framing/voice of the book didn't work for me. However, if you are currently or have ever considered dropping out of a PhD program, returning to your small home town, and trying to process your entire community's grief and joy in one 150 page book, this one might just the read for you! 

The City We Became by NK Jemisin (Orbit)

This is my sixth NK Jemisin read, and while I enjoyed it a lot, it has a pretty different feel than her others, and didn't knock me over in quite the same way. Set in present day New York City, this book chronicles the first few days of the city awakening as a conscious entity and fighting the latest battle against an ancient and alien enemy that wants to prevent the birth of Earth city-beings. The story is fast paced and very easy to consume, and I had a good time reading it, even though I liked some of the six different POV characters more than others, and still don't feel like I fully understand the multi-verse conflict at the heart of the narrative. This book felt more cinematic and less literary than what I tend to expect from Jemisin, so if you've wanted to try one of hers but been intimidated by the dense world building of her fantasy, this might be a good one to start with. I will be very surprised if we don't see a film adaption of this series soon, as it feels almost written for the screen. 

And bonus, review of a Harper Collins book I read back in January and didn’t want to review until the strike was over:

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer (Katherine Tagen books/HarperCollins)

Now that the HarperCollins strike is over, I can post my review of this book! The beginning of this book is a solid, but conventional, slow burn romance between two teens on a long term space mission responding to a distress call from a space station on one of the moons of Titan. The main character is Ambrose Cusk, the smart, handsome, privileged son of the Cusk corporation, which invented much of the technology on the spacecraft, including the AI operating system. The distress call is from his sister, Minerva, who like Ambrose graduated from the top of her class in the astronaut academy. But Ambrose wakes up aboard the Coordinated Endeavor with no memory of takeoff. Also, he learns he is not alone on the ship. A second young man, from a rival country, inhabits the second half of the ship, sealed away behind one central connecting door. Initially suspicious of each other, the two must begin working together as they discover more and more strange incongruencies on their craft. If this isn’t enough to whet your interest, the book throws out a huge twist at around the 40% mark, one that absolutely surprised and hooked me in for the rest of this wild journey. Queer, original, and a page turner. 

[ash-and-books]

Rating:4.5/5

Book Blurb: She left all she knew to find who she could be . . . She grows up in the wild wood, in a cave with her mother, but visions of a faraway lake drift to her on the spring breeze, scented with promise. And when she hears a traveler speak of Artos, king of Caer Leon, she decides her future lies at his court. So, brimming with magic and eager to test her strength, she breaks her covenant with her mother and sets out on her bony gelding for Caer Leon. With her stolen hunting spear and mended armour, she is an unlikely hero, not a chosen one, but one who forges her own bright path. Aflame with determination, she begins a journey of magic and mystery, love, lust and fights to death. On her adventures, she will steal the hearts of beautiful women, fight warriors and sorcerers, and make a place to call home. The legendary author of Hild returns with an unforgettable hero and a queer Arthurian masterpiece for the modern era. Nicola Griffith’s Spear is a spellbinding vision of the Camelot we've longed for, a Camelot that belongs to us all.

Review:

A beautiful Arthurian story with a queer protagonist. This was definitely an interesting story, it follows the story of a girl who has only ever known her mother.. but her thirst for her path leads her into the world and as she grows she begins to meet new people, go on a life changing quest, meet her love, and discover who she is amongst Arthur’s court. It all starts when she gets a name for herself and discovers a dead body.. and soon she begins her journey with a hunting spear and mended armor, she will become an unforgettable hero and follow her birth path. I always appreciate a new spin on classic stories and finding one that is well written and with a queer main character? Amazing! I would definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys new takes on classics and who want to find something new and enjoy Arthurian stories

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tordotcom for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[aion-rsa]

TorCon 2021: Stay Home, Geek Out, Again!

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Tor Books & Den of Geek Present:

TorCon 2021

In partnership with Tor Books, we are thrilled to announce the return of TorCon, a virtual convention launched in 2020 to bring the entertainment and excitement of live book conventions into the virtual space. From Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13, Tor Books, Forge Books, Tordotcom Publishing, Tor Teen, and Nightfire are presenting ten panels featuring over 30 of your favorite authors in conversation with each other—and with you!

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Join authors including James Rollins, Charlie Jane Anders, Joe Pera, Catriona Ward, Gillian Flynn, TJ Klune, Alix E. Harrow, Seanan McGuire, Nghi Vo, and many more for four days of pure geekery, exclusive reveals, sneak peeks, giveaways, and more… all from the comfort of your own home!

Visit the TorCon Bookstore here.

Check out the full lineup below, featuring moderation from Den of Geek Editor Kayti Burt and Den of Geek Contributor Natalie Zutter, and save the date to stay home and geek out with us!

Thursday, June 10

7 PM ET/4 PM PT: Catriona Ward in conversation with Gillian Flynn Catriona Ward’s twisty and terrifying The Last House on Needless Street is one of the most anticipated books of the fall—and who better to join her to discuss all things thrilling and chilling than #1 New York Times bestselling author Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Dark Places, Sharp Objects)? This powerhouse panel is not to be missed. This panel is co-hosted by Den of Geek and moderated by Kayti Burt. Register Here

Friday, June 11

1 PM ET/10 AM PT: Chaotic Storytelling—Take 2! Back by chaotic demand! Last year, we tasked a brave panel of authors with telling us an epic story unlike any other. Now, we’re asking a new group of authors to spin us a brand new tale. Join us for take 2 of Chaotic Storytelling: 2 Chaotic, 2 Furious! Christopher Buehlman (The Blacktongue Thief), J.S. Dewes (The Last Watch), Andrea Hairston (Master of Poisons), Jenn Lyons (The House of Always), and Neil Sharpson (When the Sparrow Falls) will incorporate writing prompts from you, the audience, to create a brand new story—and talk about their craft and inspirations along the way. This panel is co-hosted by LitHub and moderated by Drew Broussard. Register Here

5 PM ET/2 PM PT: Nightfire Family *Blood* Feud Our new horror imprint, Nightfire, brings together some of your favorite horror and gothic authors as they go head-to-head in a horror-inspired version of the favorite game show… What tropes are fan favorites? Which movie franchise is the scariest? Join Gretchen Felker-Martin (Manhunt), Cassandra Khaw (Nothing But Blackened Teeth), Thomas Olde Heuvelt (HEX, Echo), and our host Lee Mandelo (Summer Sons) to find out during Nightfire’s Horror Feud! Register Here

7 PM ET/4 PM PT: James Rollins in conversation with Holly Black Holly Black joins James Rollins to discuss his new epic novel, The Starless Crown—plus make an exclusive announcement for Holly’s fans! Join these two #1 New York Times bestsellers as they talk bringing the thrills to fantasy, fighting the moon, stealing a god, new projects… and maybe even share a sneak peek at some of their latest work! This panel is co-hosted by Den of Geek and moderated by Natalie Zutter. Register Here

Saturday, June 12

1 PM ET/10 AM PT: All the Feels: Emotional Storytelling in SFF What’s the last book you read that made you sob? What about the last one that had a character you fell in love with, or a plot twist that made you gasp? Sure, sci fi and fantasy have all the coolest story elements, from ghosts to divine cities, robots to cannibalistic nuns…but the *real* reason we love these books is that they hit us right in the feels. Join Becky Chambers (A Psalm for the Wild-Built), Kerstin Hall (Star Eater), T.L. Huchu (The Library of the Dead), Alex Pheby (Mordew), Lucinda Roy (The Freedom Race), and moderator TJ Klune (Under the Whispering Door) as they talk about how to make stories more than just words on a page, and mastermind their next evil plot to make us all have emotions while we’re just trying to read! Register Here

5 PM ET/2 PM PT: Ethereal & Eerie: A Glimpse at Captivating Fall Reads Imagine: you long for another world—but then a door appears in front of you, out of nowhere. Step through, and end up in the remnants of a flooded kingdom, where tentacled beasts wait beneath the waves. Or maybe you’ll go to the American south, lushly gothic with ghosts lurking everywhere. Perhaps the door leads to a dangerous enchanted—and somehow romantic—hedge maze in Edwardian England, or to a world where there’s more than just one spindle, and more than just one sleeping beauty. Maybe your door just leads to a place where everything is perfect…or is it? Step through your door and catch a glimpse of fall’s most ethereal and eerie reads from authors Alix E. Harrow (A Spindle Splintered), Freya Marske (A Marvellous Light), Lee Mandelo (Summer Sons), Zin E. Rocklyn (Flowers for the Sea), and Catherynne M. Valente (Comfort Me With Apples). Moderated by Seanan McGuire (Where the Drowned Girls Go). Register Here

7 PM ET/4 PM PT: Charlie Jane Anders in conversation with TJ Klune Join internationally bestselling author Charlie Jane Anders (Victories Greater Than Death, Never Say You Can’t Survive) in conversation with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author TJ Klune (The House in the Cerulean Sea, Flash Fire) as they discuss writing SFF for adults and teens, crafting authentic queer narratives, and everlasting fictional characters that stay with readers long after they’ve finished the book. This panel is co-hosted by Den of Geek and moderated by Kayti Burt. Register Here

Sunday, June 13

1 PM ET/10 AM PT: Space is Gay! Only two things are infinite: Space and Gay. However, when it comes to SFF, the amount of spaces that can be queered is EVEN! MORE! INFINITE! Join Charlie Jane Anders (Victories Greater Than Death), Ryka Aoki (Light From Uncommon Stars), A.K. Larkwood (The Unspoken Name), Everina Maxwell (Winter’s Orbit), and moderator K.M. Szpara (First, Become Ashes) as they discuss queer science fiction spaces, extraterrestrial OTPs, and how in space, no one can hear your gay pining. Attendees can enter for a chance to win one of Tor’s limited edition Space is Gay pins. Register Here

5 PM ET/2 PM PT: Conjuring the Diaspora: Myths, Legends, and Classics Reimagined Join authors Ryka Aoki (Light From Uncommon Stars), Aliette de Bodard (Fireheart Tiger), Shelley Parker-Chan (She Who Became the Sun), and Nghi Vo (The Chosen and the Beautiful) for a discussion of how the Asian diaspora intersects with storytelling in the speculative fiction space. This panel is co-hosted with the Bronx Book Festival. Register Here

7 PM ET/4 PM PT: Jo Firestone in conversation with Joe Pera Joe Pera, from the Adult Swim show, Joe Pera Talks With You, has been lauded for his warmhearted comedic stylings. Now, join him and his co-star, friend, and fellow comedian Jo Firestone, to present a preview of his first book! A Bathroom Book for People Not Pooping or Peeing but Using the Bathroom as an Escape will combine Pera’s cozy comedy and artist Joe Bennett’s darkly playful illustrations, creating a funny and sincere guide to regaining calm and confidence when you’re hiding in the bathroom from life’s stresses. This panel is co-hosted by Den of Geek and moderated by Kayti Burt. Register Here

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