Goodbye 2009 and welcome in 2010

2009 – what a mixed bag of nuts you were.

A bunch of personal stuff was dealt with and sorted- which needed to happen. However there were a number of writing and podcasting successes that made up for all that.

The highlight has to be the two-book deal with Ace. As I have mentioned in various interviews on pod, I never really imagined it would happen. I knew my lovely agent Laurie McLean of Larsen Pomada was confident, but I am a ‘believe it when I see it’ type of person. So when Laurie pulled together a deal for Geist, and got a second book in there I was both ecstatic and pleasantly surprised.

With the economy being bad all around, the publishing industry is not keen on multi book deals for unproved authors. I am very proud of Geist, but I know that I will have to work my ass off to get it launched into the world at the end of this year… Tally ho!

The second book, which I started and nearly have finished, Spectre proved to be more difficult beast to deal with. It is my first real sequel and I discovered how much more difficult that is. However I know with a decent amount of editing the continuing adventures of Sorcha, Raed and Merrick will come out just fine.

2009 also saw the completion of my first real collaboration (one other failed completely and nearly put me off them altogether a few years back). I had a blast writing with Tee and it gave me renewed confidence that I could play well with others. Laurie has the 1st in the series of Books and Braun in her hands, and I really have all my digits crossed that it will sell. I love the world, and I love the characters.

Writing wise the other highlight was attending World Fantasy Con in San Jose. I got a glimpse into the world of publishing. It wasn’t so much about writing, but about the business. Having this taster has prepared me a little for the year to come.

Podcasting wise, 2009 was a good one.

I’ve worked in a variety of voice projects for other people. This has been a wonderful thing, which I get quite a buzz out of: feels like I am representing New Zealand out there. To be involved in so many podcasts is a real blessing and joy.

UPDATE; Oh yes, and as Tee Morris pointed out, Chasing the Bard: the podiobook won a Sir Julius Vogel Award. (In my defence I am writing this away from my desk, where the shiny, pretty award sits and looks back at me)

Erotica a la carte was a great deal of fun, and for a project I started as an experiment, continues on into 2010. I got some guest ‘chefs’ into the kitchen and it proved to be even more fun when shared. It was also short-listed for the best anthology at the Parsecs. Quite an honour for a podcast that had been on for only six months at that point!

Weather Child, the book that New York publishing said no American would be interested in reading, turned out quite the success in the podosphere. I got a real buzz out of how much people enjoyed it. I hope to get some movement in NYC on Weather Child once I have given it a good through editing.

Digital Magic was launched along with Dan Sawyer and Chris Lester’s projects; Free Will and Metamor City Season 2. I couldn’t ask for two more talented people to enjoy cross-promotion with. Mixing the voices into this project is a joy. And a two week schedule is one I feel I can keep up with as I go forward into 2010.

First things to do will be finishing the last edits on Geist, tidying and polishing Spectre and handing over the reins of Erotica a la Carte to another round of guest chefs.

Later on I am looking forward to the release of Geist in the American Fall, Balticon in May and WorldCon in Melbourne in September. It feels like a full dance card, but this is the year to make strides, put up or shut up… all of that.

I want to thank my listeners and readers, both those that have provided feedback and those that have stayed quietly appreciative. You’ve all made a difference in this one author’s life and I hope to bring you more creations n 2010 that might make a difference in your own lives.

This coming year will be filled with plenty of challenges and choices. My hopes are that it is a satisfying, happy and productive. I wish the same for you and yours.