Philippa Ballantine - Author

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

Pip news

Diversity is king

If I haven’t said it explicitly I’ll say it here: I have officially handed in my notice at the corporate library. I will be a freewheeling writer and podcaster for the next 8 months or so at least. If things go well this may be a permanent lifestyle change, if not… well I will go back to the library world- which has always been a happy and comfortable environment for me.

A lot of things have led to this choice, but chief among them is how many opportunities and challenges I’ve had flying at my head. I don’t want to miss out on any of them, and it had got to the stage where I was doing as much as I could, while still working at a day job- even only a four day a week one. I knew that with more thing looming ahead I was simply not going to be able to manage both.

I want Geist to succeed, and I want to grab as many of these chances as I can. So I had to make a scary choice- and like the baby bird I keep mentioning I knew that I had to choose to jump.

I am sure some people are thinking I am all kinds of crazy doing this, so I feel like I should explain and clarify my position on doing it. I think I can make it work. I think I can make it work with diversity.

Geist is a book I am committed too- one I love and want to do well, but it is not the sole star I am hitching my wagon too. I am exploring all avenues to generate income. Right now, writing novels alone will not support me. (Especially with Geist about five months away from hitting the bookshelves)

So here’s the plan. Diversity in all things. It’s the whole don’t put your eggs in one basket parable.

Writing

I have Geist and the sequel Spectre coming out with Ace books.

I have also just sent over the final edits on for this anthology. I hope to do more work like this; for anthologies and blogs. I love writing non-fiction because it means I can use my librarian fu as well as my writing fu. If you have a paying gig then contact me pip@pjballantine.com

Audio

I will be bringing out a variety of content from my Erotica a la Carte table; high quality versions of the stories on CD and a print books.

I have just signed a contract to narrate a novella with a producer of audio content. This is the start of what I hope will be a decent revenue stream for me. If you have audio requirements that an experienced voice talent with a kiwi accent could fill, then please I am open to offers. (again pip@pjballantine.com)

All info and samples are here

So yes, times are hard, and writers have be more flexible and more diversified than ever before, however there is still opportunity out there.

Buckle up baby-bird– it’s time to fly!

Bard on your internet radio dial

Erotica a la carte has been lots of fun on Radio Dentata– and so it was lovely to be approached by Sean Owens of IRFT Celtic Radio about bringing Chasing the Bard to their station.

My celtic roots run deep with ancestors both Scottish and Irish. My two trips to Scotland were some of the most wonderful experiences- I felt a deep sense of home that left me in tears when I had to go.

Chasing the Bard fits nicely into their schedule and hopefully will bring some new listeners to the podcast.

So tune in for the Bard on 7th of March

Visionaries

Podioracket has been doing great work to promote and help podiobook authors. How Heather, Rhonda and the gang do it all I don’t know.

So when I was invited to be part of their first Anthology series I was very flattered. This series aims to expose listeners to a range of authors work, but rather than making people listen to a whole novel, these are short stories that will hopefully wet the appetite- sort of an amuse bouche for podcast novelists.

The series starts dropping on February 12th and will go for 16 weeks. My story is one from Erotica a la Carte, so it is on the saucy side, but it is also one of my favourite short stories, Measureless to Man.

There will also be a supporting series of Blogtalk radio inteviews. Further information is here.

Sound and fury

This month has sped by, but I wanted to touch base with you all.

Firstly I want to say thank you, thank you so much to all who have contributed to the ChipIn fund for Tee and Sonic Boom. In just over two weeks we have raised $20,000. That’s an amazing feat, and has renewed my belief in social media.

I will put up with the endless social media ‘gurus’ and the big companies trying to shoulder in without taking time to communicate. I will put up with blocking them, because the way people have responded has shown what social media is about. It might be new, but all it is really is another way for people to connect with people. To have that feeling of belonging.

But money is tight all over, and so I am organising The Boom Effect- check the site for more details. But there are some wonderful auction lots there, and all money raised will be going to a Trust Fund for Sonic Boom, Tee’s daughter.

Spectre is nearly done- as in 5,000 words done. It will need lots of editing, but I am happy with the bare bones of the story that I have carved out.

As for Geist, the final edits are in the hand of my editor at Ace, and I do have a publication date. November. This year!

Finally this site is undergoing some changes which you will see. I have moved themes and am in the process of tweaking it to my satisfaction.

So yeah, January. I will be glad to see the back of it, but looking forward to what other, better months have to offer.

My friend Mary Ann

In the next week I will be flying to the States. I do this every year at least once, because of one person- someone that I now consider family.

My friend Mary Ann. She and her family have hosted me every year since 2006- and every year I feel safe, happy and part of their lives. For this wonderful relationship that has been going on since 1999- gosh ten years- I have something to thank.  The internet.

Now the internet is blamed for a lot of things-porn, breaking up families, addiction with gaming… but there is also a lot of good out there too.  Before I got into the world of podcasting there was Mary Ann.

She’s my elder sister, and something about her makes me believe in reincarnation. We talk about being sister’s in the Highlands of Scotland- and I call myself her Little Sister Over the Ocean.  Though we only met in 2006, we had many, many emails written between each other.

Her husband David and her son Justin welcomed me–but not just me. My Mum and Dad actually got to meet them all before me. Mary Ann took my Mum around Washington.

Mary Ann and her family have taken me to Boston. I’ve spent time with her sister’s-now my sister’s in the Berkshires.

And I have never had a sister. I always wanted one as a kid- I just took a long time to find her.

That’s the love and hospitality I feel when I am with her. And that is a precious gift that I keep coming back for. So when people say bad things about the online world I just smile. They don’t know how many wonderful things it has bought me.