Philippa Ballantine - Author

Award-winning Author of fantasy, science fiction, and steampunk

Podosphere

In the mouth of DragonCon

So my husband Tee Morris and I got back from DragonCon yesterday, and I have pretty much been asleep all day today.

It was 2008 since we were last year, and oh my the convention which was already huge has exploded…all over Atlanta. The convention is now over five offical hotels and is in the region of 50,000 attendees.

This year, as an official guest I was on panels, and did four signings (two at book shops in the dealer room, and the other two at the Pyr booth). This meant hoofing it around four of the five hotels, dodging photographers taking pictures of cos-players, and trying to get through the press of people. It was honestly more like the feeling of New York Comic Con than the DragonCon I remember.

That being said, it was still a fun event…just very, very tiring. Tee and I recorded a Shared Desk episode on the way home in the car, but needless to say, DragonCon is quite an event.

However, one of the highlights was definitely winning a Parsec Award for my story The Precarious Child, which was part of Season One of the Tales from the Archives. Tee had two stories, as did Grant Stone and Jack Mangan—so it was amazing to win the Short Fiction, Small Cast Parsec.

Then later on, PC Haring of Cybrosis fame, won for his story The Seven, in the Short Fiction, Large Cast category. So very, very pleased with the win for Tales from the Archives—a project Tee and I have loved doing, and are very proud of too!

So after getting a boost from all the fellow writers and readers and listeners at DragonCon, I am back to the grindstone, and should have book Three of the Ministry done and dusted shortly. Kindred and Wings, the sequel to Hunter and Fox is on the final approach, so still much to do. However, events like this are certainly part of the enjoyable aspects of being a writer. Thanks to all those who voted for the Ministry…you all really made my year!

Music to watch words by

If there is one talent I wish I had above all others, it is the ability to play a musical intstrument. But, much like my attempts at ballet, I knew when to quit.

So I enjoy listening instead, and my tastes are pretty diverse ranging from celtic to hip hop, Sinatra to Nine Inch Nails. My main requirement for music however is something to write to.

I can do a number of things while watching TV, but I need something to evoke moods and let my brain roam free when writing- yet not distract me from my own process. For this purpose I have found instrumentals the best at setting a mood.

So when I got a chance to listen to Alex White’s soundtrack for the Gearheart: Maiden Flight of the Avenger I wanted great things to set those sparks free. And I was not disappointed.

Alex is a multi-talented guy, who works with words, images and music. He’s the creator behind the wonderful podcast the Gearheart, and he’s making things happen for himself. I have no doubt that we’ll be seeing a lot more of him in the future.

Now onto the music. This could easily be a big movie soundtrack. With stirring epics sounds, horns, bells. Pursued by Flame is something I will put on when I am writing a chase scene, combining action and menace in the same score. Tale of the Tome begins with the sweet sounds you might hear from a child’s music box, but sails upwards into something exquisitely beautiful. My favourite track however would be Once More, the Curtain Rises. At times military, at times epic, at times almost Celtic, I know that I will be listening to this track over and over while writing the second book of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

Alex White has created something stirring and beautiful. Something that doesn’t need words to convey deep and wonderous emotion.

This soundtrack is one any writer would be moved by- and what’s more it’s a steal for a paltry $6.99. Go have a listen and then pick it up. It’s not that you will be supporting an indie producer – it’s that you will be getting a great work of music.

Love and fire

A while back I wrote a short story for my good friend PG Holyfield. The Tales of the Children are set in the world of Caern, and supported the release of Patrick’s Murder at Avedon Hill.

Writing in another person’s universe was a really fun opportunity, and it was nice to get to play with genuine elves. I have always been of the opinion that elves (and the Fey) are not portrayed as dangerous enough.

This floaty, dreamy vision of elves never really flew with me, so when I got to write in Caern, I was determined to write about elves as I imagine them; sharp, deadly and a race you really, really do not want to annoy.

So what happens when humans do what humans do, and invade an elven island. Yep, they bring a whole world of hurt down upon themselves.

Can humans gain a foothold on the island of Kandriel? If Syliene, an elven warrior and priestess of Thei-Shan has anything to say about it, the answer is no.

Have a listen here

A rare event

One of the other great pieces of news to come out of Balticon was the news of an emerging paying market- and one buried in podosphere goodness. I had a chance to chat with Scott Roche about Flagship the new ezine.  Scott and the team have great plans and I am looking forward to seeing how they proceed into the future.

But for now, this is a paying market that gives you a chance to not only have your words in print, but also in audio.

Here’s the official word.

Beginning July 4th, science fiction and fantasy fans will be given a new place where they can discover authors and stories they’ll be able to enjoy wherever they go.  Flagship, the new e-zine by publisher Flying Island Press, will soon be releasing short stories every other month in formats for the Kindle, the iPad and iPhone, and other electronic readers.

Flying Island Press also recognizes the increasing popularity of podcasts and other forms of audio fiction.  So, in addition to the e-zine, an audio version will be available to listen to on any MP3 player.  Stories they release will be available both in text and in audio, allowing the consumer to choose their preferred version.

Zach Ricks, managing editor for Flagship, had this to say.  “I wanted to hearken back to what some have called the Golden Age of Science Fiction.”  It’s his hope that “FlagShip will be a place for optimistic, entertaining fiction.”

Each issue will cost $1.99 for the text version or the audio version or get both for just $2.99.

Issues will be available starting July 4th, 2010 at http://flyingislandpress.com/flagship

Guest Lolita – getting steamy!

I feel like I am remiss in saying how much I enjoyed Balticon– and it wasn’t just being able to announce the Eos deal. It was without doubt the most fun I have ever had at a con. Low drama, high friendship. I got to meet old friends, and meet lots of brand new ones. The only downside was I feel like I missed out on spending quality time with everyone- but that is just me wishing the event could have gone on for another four days.

I highly recommend Balticon as a convention where you are going to meet cool people, have a great time, and yet not be as overwhelmed as attending something like DragonCon.

But in lieu of a full run down, I present my post as a guest Lolita over at Steamed. I give the dish on the steampunk awesomeness I witnessed at Balticon, and talk about the wonderous Jared Axelrod and his fabulous news too.

If steampunk is your thing (and I sure hope it is) then subscribe to Steamed and get the dish from the lovely Lolitas.