Philippa Ballantine - Author

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

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Another first- Special Guest

Yes, more news I have been sitting on for weeks (It’s dang uncomfortable I can tell you!)

I will be New Media Special Guest as Balticon – May 27-30 2011!

It’s my first big Guest role, and I plan to bring the A game to town. I’ll be reading from Spectyr- Geist’s sequel not out until June- and co-hosting with the charming Tee Morris, the release party for Phoenix Rising; a Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novel.

If you don’t know about Balticon- let me fill you in. It is the Maryland Regional Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, and it has quickly become the default con to attend if you want to see podcast novelists. It has plenty of other tracks to interest people as well such as Writing and Gaming. So all in all, a well rounded convention.

It’s held at the Marriott’s Hunt Valley Inn, just outside of Baltimore- and I can attest that this year I had a blast and next year is going to be even better. Not just cos I am going to be the Special Guest…but also a little bird has told me plenty of other podcast novelists will be in town. As an example, last year there was Tee Morris, Phil Rossi, PG Holyfield, Dan Sawyer, PC Haring, Nathan Lowell- and that’s just a taste.

So if you are craving some fun and frolics with podcasters, writers and readers then this is the con for you.

Looking forward to meeting you all next year.

Gute Nachrichten

Often I want to share news with you. Often I want to express my excitement. However these days I cannot just drop news, as I have publishers to consider.

So I pretty much end up looking like a total tease.

Then there are those times when I get the go ahead and I can share the whole story.

This thankfully is one of those times.

*drumroll* So here goes…

The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences will be available to more than just Americans. Yes, Germany, Australia and my homeland New Zealand will all get editions of both books.

This is not only great news for readers…but also for Tee and I. When you get an advance for a book, it is essentially a loan from the publisher to you, saying this is how much money they expect you to make. As an author ‘earning out’, means paying back that loan. It hangs over your head, and if you don’t earn out, selling new books is that much harder. Kinda like having a bad credit score.

So selling foreign rights helps pay back that loan, and get you one step closer to earning that thing you get once you have earned out– royalties!

So this news is very gute nachrichten (good news)!

Cover love

I have never been quiet about my love for the work of Jason Chan. He’s produced two wonderful covers for me, Geist and Spectyr, and I truly hope that he will stay on board for Wrayth, and Harbinger.

I also know those covers have bought attention to the writing within. Geist’s success has been aided by that cover. Covers sell books- paper, ebook–they just do.

So now’s a chance to give something back to Jason and highlight his beautiful work.

All Things Urban Fantasy is running it’s annual cover awards, and Geist is up for two; Best Female with Animal and Best Cover.
Click on over here to vote and show some love to Jason– let him know you think his work is awesome.

Spectyr revealed

I just got back from PhilCon where I got to spend sometime with Danielle from Ace Books. She’s a delight- and not just because she bought another two books from me!

She gave me the go ahead to reveal the cover for Spectyr- the second in the series coming in late June 2011.

Jason Chan has once again done a beautiful job, and I can’t wait to get this poster for my wall right next to Geist. There is the Rossin and there is Sorcha- this time using the cleansing flame, Pyet.

Spectyr bookcover

Two more…every dream come true

So here’s the news that I will be telling people at Philcon right at the moment this post drops.

This past week Danielle of Ace Books asked for another two books in the Geist world!

To say this makes me happy is an understatement. I love this world, and I love working with Sorcha, Merrick and Raed. The chance to continue their adventures is something I hoped for. I imagined maybe they might consider another book, so to be contracted for two is just wonderful.

The first book (titled Wrayth) needs to be handed into Ace on August 1st 2011- and the fourth (so far dancing around ideas for its title) on August 1st 2012.

As to publication dates- that I do not know. It is up to Ace and what their schedule is like. As soon as I know I’ll let you know. I also hope Jason Chan will be on board for the covers of these as well.

The whole concept of Geist was for a four book arc, and things are really going to change for my Deacons and the Young Pretender. Thank you for your continuing support, and keep reading and reviewing Geist. It all matters, and while this is a great sign, I do still need to make my mark in this new career of mine.

Geist lives!

It’s been two weeks since Geist went out into the world by itself. An exciting, crazy time in any authors time; first New York contract, first dive into the deep end of the pool.

So far I am still alive.

My first actual sighting of Geist was in Barnes and Noble, Union Square, San Francisco. I was spending the day with my agent, Laurie McLean, and she dropped me in. It was surreal and wonderful to see it sitting there- right in among the B’s. I signed those copies (after asking permission of course), and since signed copies in four more stores.

Stories began to trickle in through my various social networks of people finding it out there. It seemed like it was in lots of stores-even in airports.

Two more things bought amazement and excitement to the week.

Jeff Young sent in this picture of Geist in the Barnes & Noble towers.

And then this screen shot from the Science Fiction and Fantasy section of the ibook store. Geist, up there with Jim Butcher’s latest

Then last Wednesday we got the numbers for the first week of sales. I am happy to announce that Geist hit the Bookscan and Barnes & Noble massmarket science fiction and fantasy bestsellers list. UPDATE: This also occurred in the second week on sale!

Also the reviews started to come in, and I find fascinating what people are digging about the book. I have noticed two things out of the reviews so far; Sorcha is a mature heroine (she’s in her late 30s), and the lack of a romantic relationship between two characters. Yep, you heard me right-the lack of romance. Not to say there isn’t romance…but not between who you might think.

Here’s one of my favourite reviews so far.

Although the book is full of exciting action and amazing adventure, the trio created of Sorcha, Merrick and Raed is fascinating and the true heart of the story. Ms. Ballantine does an amazing job with the character development.  The trio each sees things in a unique way, bringing a full spectrum of views in each situation. I enjoyed the give and take that makes this relationship work.

With layer after layer unfolding before me – causing several twists and turns, I was on the proverbial edge of my seat. The book came to a satisfying conclusion, yet it was open-ended for subsequent stories. I for one, cannot wait!  I want to know more about the secrets of the Sensitives. I want to know more about how the bond works.  And I want to know what will become of this amazing trio!

– That’s What I am Talking About

So things have started off well, and I have to thank all those that have talked, tweeted and blogged about Geist. It’s not a hit out of the park, but it is a really great start. For a chick from New Zealand, it has been a heady couple of weeks. And there is more to come.

Geist has until after Christmas to get really well sold. You see in the New Year booksellers will do their returns. So think about Geist as a Christmas present–give the gift of lions, magic and the supernatural.