Philippa Ballantine - Author

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

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Tee Morris and Social Media

Tee Morris, the Social Media guru is heading to New Zealand. This is your chance to catch him and listen to his expertise. And here’s where and how to do it.

May 29-June 1
Conscription in Auckland, New Zealand

June 2
ANTI-Social Media, presented for LIANZA, 12pm-2pm
Room 420 Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

All a Twitter, presented for LIANZA, 3pm-5pm
Room 420 Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

June 3
Social Media Mainline Workshop for LIANZA, 9am-5pm
Computer Lab Room 433, Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

June 15
ANTI-Social Media, presented for LIANZA, 12pm-2pm
Seminar Room, Reserve Bank of NZ
2 The Terrace
Report at ground floor reception no later than 11.45am
Wellington, New Zealand

All a Twitter, presented for LIANZA, 5pm-7pm
Conference Room, Department of Conservation
18-32 Manners Street
Report at ground floor reception no later than 4.45pm
Wellington, New Zealand

June 16
Social Media Mainline Workshop for LIANZA, 9am-5pm
SOLD OUT (Waiting List available)
Computer lab 510, Level 5, WelTec Wellington Campus
11-17 Church Street (off Boulcott Street)
Wellington, New Zealand

June 17

Speak Geek to Me, for Te Papa Tongarewa: The Museum of New Zealand, 10am-12pm
Location: TBA
Wellington, NZ

Watch out boys she’ll chew you up

May 15th and Nina Kimberley the Merciless is coming out. If you love comedy, fantasy or women with swords (heck have all three) then on that day, buy this book. Christiana is a talented writer and we want her at the top of the charts on Amazon.

UPDATE And now the generosity continues- yes a free pdf copy of Nina Kimberly the Merciless. Have a read, have a laugh and one 15th May EST go buy your copy. The dark goddess will be there.

Video killed the radio star….

… well actually radio is still alive and well and living on the internet. And now Erotica a la Carte is being carried by the fabulous Radio Dentata. This is radio with teeth. Every second Thursday I’ll be sharing an evening with the likes of Helen Madden’s Heat Flash.

Once the back catalogue of EalC has been broadcast (which should be in July) Radio Dentata will be getting the stories a day before everyone else. So if you’re Jonsing for the fresh stuff it’ll be there for you. Frankie has some great shows and the whole station is worth checking out.

And don’t forget myself, as well as the Ubernemesis himself Tee Morris will be at Conscription, the National Science Fiction Convention. Check out the programme and come along and say hi. It’s going to be a good show- even if we are letting pirates in this year.

And now the time has come…

Yes, it is heading toward award season again, and the nominations for Parsec Awards are open again.

So what can you do to make the dark goddess happy?

Why pick your favourite of my works this year.

You can nominate Chasing the Bard as Best Speculative Fiction Story (Novel Form) and/or nominate Erotica a la Carte as Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast.

The if there is a particular short story among EalC you’d like to nominate (It doesn’t have to be mine even) then use the EalC feed, and then once it is nominated create a comment on the site. I think my two best are Multitasking and Measureless to Man, but feel free to nominate your favourite.

Weather Child is eligible, but I think, like Chasing the Bard last year, the best is yet to come so I think I would recommend waiting until next year.

Go here to nominate if you feel it is deserved.

Robo Boogie

Sat down and had the greatest chat with my good friend, fellow podcaster and DragonMoon Press author PG Holyfield– who is now part of the Dead Robots Society– a fantastic podcast about the craft of writing.

We go waaaaaay back and talk about my various podcast projects, hunting for an agent, finding one, and finally a bit about the future that lies ahead. This interview also contains snippets of my podcast fiction.

Download and listen

Celebrate good times!

It’s been a long time coming, and it’s something I will have to get used to- but it has happened. After ebooks, small presses, and riding the wave of podcasting- I can finally tell you all. I have reached that thing that I have been dreaming of for over a decade of active writing.

Yes, I have just confirmed that I will in fact be an Ace Books author. Ace is an imprint of Berkley Books (which is part of Penguin), and has a fine history. The deal is for two novels, with the possibility of more if those sell. The book in question is indeed Geist, and a to be named sequel.

This will take some major adjustment in my mind set- but as you can imagine is very VERY exciting. I can now say that like Scott Sigler and JC Hutchins I have moved into the big leagues. The names I will be joining in Ace include Ursula Le Guin, Tanya Huff, and Tad Williams to name but a few. These are stellar names, and it is a pleasure to be in the same stable.

This totally justifies my decision this year to go part-time in the corporate library, but I am not yet at the point where I can be a full time writer. That’s OK, I’m on my way. I expect there will be huge amounts of work ahead, but I am ready for it.

This would not have been possible without the assistance of three people. Gabrielle Harbowy who helped me edit Geist and get it ready for the big time. Laurie McLean, my agent, who is both an inspiration and a rock. And Tee Morris, who was my sounding board, kick in the pants and inspiration.

The final details are still being ironed out, and I will keep you all in the loop as things progress.  All I can say is…. YESSSSSSSSSS!