suzanne_mcleod

Plea for blog followers* - come and keep

gailcarriger my one and only [and rather wonderful] follower company and make me look less sad . . . please ;)

I found Gail through the rather convoulted method of chancing upon the cover for her new book - Souless- and thinking WOW!

Then I read the blurb! and thought DOUBLE WOW!

Soulless, book the first in the Parasol Protectorate Series, is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of vampires, dirigibles, and tea.

Blurb

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she is being rudely attacked by a vampire to whom she has not been properly introduced!

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire, and the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible.

Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society?

Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing?

Who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

It is either Jane Austen does paranormal, or PG Wodehouse does steampunk and will be released by Orbit US October 1, 2009.

See what I mean??!!?? This is a book I want to read!

( See the Steampunk Vampire Hunters ... )

Current Mood: pleased

Happy Book Birthday!!!!

The Adamantine Palace lies at the centre of an empire that grew out of ashes. Once dragons ruled the world and man was little more than prey. Then a way of subduing the dragons alchemicly was discovered and now the dragons are bred to be little more than mounts for knights and highly valued tokens in the diplomatic power-players that underpin the rule of the competing aristocratic houses.
The Empire has grown fat.

And now one man wants it for himself.
A man prepared to poison the king just as he has poisoned his own father.
A man prepared to murder his lover and bed her daughter.
A man fit to be king?

But uknown to him there are flames on the way. A single dragon has gone missing. And even one dragon on the loose, unsubdued, returned to its full intelligence, its full fury, could spell disaster for the Empire. But because of the actions of one unscrupulous mercenary the rivals for the throne could soon be facing hundreds of dragons . . .

stephen_deas has written a fast moving and action-fuelled fantasy laced with irony, a razor sharp way with characters, dialogue to die for and dragons to die by.

Woo Hoo and congratulations!!!!

Current Mood: excited

Feeling tired but accomplished, having updated spellcrackers.com today! Yay! It's not 100% how I want it, but then my photoshop capabilities are *limited* to say the least. But I ~~tore my hair out~~ had fun doing it. So if anyone gets a chance to pop by, let me know what you think, please :-)

Also there's still a chance to win a copy of The Sweet Scent of Blood at Amberkatze's book blog until the 22nd March! So what are you waiting for, go on over and tell Amber who your dream actor is to take to a desert island with you, there're some great posts already ...

And the post man delivered this treat today! Yum! Just look at this first line - 'Even the Lieutenant's ghost looked startled as the door slammed shut.'

( Living with Ghosts ... )

and yes, I know, I'm posting two days in a row ... I'm practising, okay LOL!

Current Mood: accomplished

Emerging from the edit cave to say that the latest round of tweaks and changes and copy-edits on The Cold Kiss of Death [Spellcrackers.com book 2] have been delivered back to my editor - here's hoping she likes them *crosses fingers*. And of course, after I'd pressed that *send* button I had this fantastic high, thinking that Yay! I'd passed another milestone for Cold Kiss. Then of course, five minutes later, I'm back in the usual panic zone ... But a walk in the sunshine - and a good talking to from my BFF who quite rightly tells me I'm much too close to the screen to actually see it objectively and I'm feeling more optimistic. I love this book, Genny has some great adventures, and a lot to deal with personally, as well as a murder to solve, and a good few surprises along the way. [some which surprised me while I was writing; always a fantastic moment when that happens ;-)]

Not only that, The Sweet Scent of Blood comes out on the 30th April in mass market paperback and Gollancz have given it a wonderful new cover! Yay! [Not that I didn't love the original, but
( see here for the full gloriousness!] )

Interview and Book Contest

Not so long ago, Amber of amberkatze.blogspot.com was kind enough to ~~grill~~ interview me about writing and research and what type of paranormal creature I'd like to be!

She also asked me which actor I'd take with me on a desert island - check out the interview to find out my answer to that [go on, you know you want to LOL! ] and all the other questions.

And if you leave a comment telling her which actor/actress *you* would take to a desert island, then you could win a signed copy of The Sweet Scent of Blood.

Current Mood: bouncy

1. *I am going to see *This Man* live in June!!! sqeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee - not only do I love his music, but this song holds a place in my heart from when I was writing The Sweet Scent of Blood.

2. The edits for The Cold Kiss of Death - Spellcrackers.com book 2 - are done [phew!] and are back with my editor - here's hoping she's happy! *crosses fingers*

3. **I now have internet/email again after an evil gremlin attack this week! - and wasn't that a major *headdesk* event. Hopefully the gremlins are gone for good, but ...

4. Last book read - Undone - very, eagerly awaited and as usual

rachelcaineexceeded my fan girl expections! All I can say, is I *want* the next book NOW!

5. I will be surgically removing myself from my computer and treating myself to the next episode of Being Human tonight! Yay!

* This is the first time I've tried embedding a youtube, sooooo if it doesnt work here's the link

** If you've tried to contact me, and I haven't replied, then please email again. And anyone have any exciting news on the f-list - congrats to you and let me know :)

Current Mood: excited

SF Site Best SF and Fantasy Books of 2008

Not only are there some wonderful books that have been chosen, such as

No. 7

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

No. 5

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman [a fab, fab book and one which I'm lucky enough to have a signed copy of with both Neil Gaiman's and Dave McKean's signatures! Yay!

Anathem by Neal Stephenson [The Winner!!]

but I'm overwhelmed and delighted that The Sweet Scent of Blood [SF Site's review here] has received a mention in the honourable and near misses!! A big thank you to SF Site and all those that voted.

Current Mood: ecstatic

kazdreamer is generously giving away a signed copy of The Sweet Scent of Blood - but be quick it ends [today] in a flash - all you have to do is leave a comment here

Current Mood: bouncy

Want to see a real ~~live~~ dead mermaid???

Left to right: Tom Lloyd, Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Jaine Fenn, Joe Abercrombie, James Swallow, Suzanne McLeod, Alex Bell, Mark Chadbourn, David Devereux

What can I say; this was so cool on so many levels that I’m just going to list them :-)

1. David Devereux’s got a head full of fab, fantastic and original ideas, [read his books and you’ll see!] but the group author signing/mini-con has to top them all, both for its concept and his generosity in persuading ~~threatening with unspeakable tortures~~* his fellow authors** to take part.

2. Readers brought [and bought] my book for me to sign! Whoo hoo! A big, big thank you from my heart to all of them.

3. I got to chat to old friends [among them Liz of My Favourite Books – check out her blog for more photos] and new about books, SFF and writing. To finally meet online friends in the real world instead of just cyberspace. The two hours of mixing it up with everyone flew by I was enjoying the company so much.

4. Forbidden Planet is awesome, a veritable bookshop heaven for SFF readers; the shelves are full of books!! [Okay, it’s a bookshop, I know, but these are shelves full of books by authors I love and those authors who are on my reading wishlist and are usually ones I have to order to get. I just don’t see their books on shelves all together like that in real life, let alone pick them up and ~~stroke~~ look at them, so FP is a SFF fans’ wonderland, a place to get lost in – literally at times *g* – and of course, there’s not just books, but all sorts!]

5. I got to buy new books and have them signed by some of my favourite authors!! Major squeeee time!

6. There’s was live footage by Nik of Loudmouthman and podcasts by David of GeekSyndicate – so it will be possible to watch/listen to us authors as we roamed free and uncaged by signing tables in the basement depths of FP – watch this space for further details.

7. And a mega thank you to Danie at Forbidden Planet, [Danie's photos here] for organising [this woman would be a world champion at herding cats after the practice she’s had on all us authors LOL!] and those at FP, London for hosting the event, and may there be many more like it.

*Check out Graeme's Fantasy Book Review for more info on David Devereux’s new book Eagle Rising – Graeme himself is one of the book’s star ~~victims~~ characters.

** Visit the authors’ websites

Joe Abercrombie

Alex Bell Alex's new website here!

Mark Chadbourn

David Devereux

Jaine Fenn

Jon Courtenay Grimwood

Tom Lloyd

Suzanne McLeod

Steve Savile

James Swallow

ETA: I met the fabulous

kazdreamer Yay! Also live journal hates me and refuses to let me put lj tags in the text so here is

david_devereux

lilifae [Liz] and

danacea [Danie]

ETA2: We also had a mystery author in attendance [ a vertiable god among authors!] more cool heaped upon more cool! Check out Danie's pics to find out who!

I'm excited and delighted to say that on Thursday 22nd January, starting at 5:00pm, Forbidden Planet will be hosting a mass signing/mix-it-up with the following authors: -

Joe Abercrombie
Alex Bell
Mark Chadbourn
David Devereux
Jon Courtenay Grimwood
Tom Lloyd
Suzanne McLeod
Steve Savile

And this isn't going to be your traditional signing;

danacea of Forbidden Planet describes it as book-buffet-party/wacky miniCon where the tables will be shifted to one side and the authors can mix it up with their fans. So if you're in and about Forbidden Planet,* London on the 22nd, come and check it out and say hello/ask questions/~~keep us from feeling lonely~~/chat to all of us :-)

Visit

danacea 's blog for some more details.

ETA: Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR

Current Mood: excited

Wishing everyone a Happy Hogmanay and all the best for 2009

Happy [Belated] Book Birthday to Tom LLoyd - The Grave Thief

A meme; I’ve been tagged by dragon_crier

dragon_crier( Meme )

Current Mood: cheerful

Merry Christmas* to everyone and wishing you all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year for 2009

*insert any and all appropriate festivities.

( Reindeer pic spam )

Current Mood: cheerful

Interview (and giveaway!) with Carrie Jones, author of NEED over at Jeri Smith-Ready's blog

From Carrie...

You could win:

1. Signed copy of NEED (Officially out tomorrow!!)*
2. A $15 gift-certicate
3. A surprise gift. Hint: It's cuddly and blue!

So what are you waiting for? Head on over there now!!

* yes, I know, I was early in my book birthday wishes, but hey this book is well worth being early for.

Current Mood: excited

Tomorrow is the release day for Need - Carrie Jones!

I was extremely lucky to win an ARC of Need; it’s a book I'd long been wanting to read [seriously, the cover alone sold it to me *goes green with cover envy* never mind the Amazon blurb …]

“Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since life’s been pretty rough so far. Her father left, her stepfather just died, and her mother’s pretty much checked out. Now Zara’s living with her grandmother in sleepy, cold Maine so that she stays “safe.” Zara doesn’t think she’s in danger; she thinks her mother can’t deal.

Wrong. Turns out that guy she sees everywhere, the one leaving trails of gold glitter, isn’t a figment of her imagination. He’s a pixie—and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He’s the kind who has dreadful, uncontrollable needs. And he’s trailing Zara.”

Happy book birthday, Carrie ;)

( Read more... )

Current Mood: excited

Phil Rickman explores the attraction of horror and nouveau-gothic fiction with authors Suzanne McLeod (The Sweet Scent of Blood) and Peter Luther (The Mourning Vessels). Listen here until the 20.12.08.

Phil Rickman [a best-selling crime writer] does a radio show where he interviews published authors about their books. [A very nervous me in this particular one!] Not only does Phil talk to Peter and myself, but also to Anne Rice!

At the same time he also invites aspiring authors to send in the start of their novel, along with a synopsis, which he then forwards to a relevant publisher for their comments. In this episode two aspiring horror authors have sent in their novels and Jo Fletcher *[my editor at Gollancz] gives advice about their submissions. John Jarrold [my agent] also talks about the current market for fantasy and horror.

( Ever wondered what a radio studio looks like? )

* no prizes for guessing that it was thanks to my editor that I was interviewed for the show *g*

ETA: if you're interested in science books the programme before Phil's is worth a listen too ;)

Current Mood: chipper

T'is finished!! Whoo Hoo!!

107,464 / 100,000
(107.5%)

We're off to see Quantum Of Solace tonight to celebrate, poor spouse has been utterly patient and wonderful, [as well as utterly ignored *sigh*] waiting for me to finish so we can go see this together ;)

Now I have to wait to see if my editor likes it *bites knuckles*

Current Mood: accomplished

Lori Devoti - Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Author - in celebration of her new release - Holiday with a Vampire II - is hosting 30 Days of Vampires on her blog. Fans of the Fangs should go check it out, there's interviews, competitions and guest blogs from editors and authors [including yours truly on the 30th Nov] enough to satisfy anyone's appetite for ~~blood~~ info *g*. The schedule can be found here.

*

And in other news, I'm utterly delighted that Ginjer Buchanan of Berkley Ace has bought the US rights to the first three Spellcrackers.com urban fantasies. The books will be published as mass-market paperback originals in the US, with the first [The Sweet Scent of Blood] appearing late in 2009 or early in 2010. I couldn't ask for a better home for my books in the US. :-)

The Sweet Scent of Blood [book one] is out now in the UK - Gollancz . The Cold Kiss of Death [Book 2] will be published in the UK - July 2009

Current Mood: ecstatic

The deadline for book 2 is calling, so I'm off to burrow in the writing cave. All social engagements, real or cyber [even my usual lurking *g*] are cancelled until I manage to type those two little words 'The End'. Email is still an option if there is anything urgent, or you have mega good news ;)

Current Mood: working
Current Location: The Writing Cave

19th - 21st September 2008

I will be attending Fantasycon in Nottingham for the first time - please come and say hello to me if you're going to be there. I don't bite, promise *g*.
I will also be reading from The Sweet Scent of Blood at 8 p.m. on Friday 19th September. Please feel free to come and listen.

And here's a chance to read War for the Oaks - Emma Bull - one of my all time favourite books *free* plus others to come!

Free Ebooks from World Fantasy Award Finalists

Last week we announced the return of free ebooks from Tor.com. We’re kicking things off this week with backlist titles from two of the authors who are finalists for this year’s World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. To download these and upcoming freebies, all you have to do is register at Tor.com.

Will Shetterly and Emma Bull are the first married couple to each simultaneously have a novel among the finalists for the World Fantasy Award—Emma’s Territory and Will’s The Gospel of the Knife. In commemoration of this, we’re offering registered Tor.com users free e-book editions of a pair of classics from the Bull and Shetterly backlists—Emma’s War for the Oaks and Will’s Dogland. Check them out here!

Each title in our giveaway program will be available for A Limited Time Only, so don’t delay. The books will be offered in a variety of formats, with no DRM. After this month’s pair of books, we’ll be putting up a new title every month, so make sure you register—and tell your friends about the great books (and blogs, and art, and conversation) that are free at Tor.com every day.

Current Mood: bouncy

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Souless- Gail Carriger [and sad . . . ]

'Ere be dragons ... Whoo Hoo!!!

Website updated - all shiny [well not actually shiny, but ...] and new ...

Writing Progress and Book Contest!

Friday Five!

SF Site Best SF and Fantasy Books of 2008

The Sweet Scent of Blood - Book giveaway!!

Mermaid Tales

Forbidden Planet Signing Report!

Forbidden Planet Signing

Happy Hogmanay, and a meme

Merry Christmas

Need ... Giveaway!

Happy book birthday - Need - Carrie Jones

Phil the Shelf - BBC Radio Wales

30 Days of Vamps - Today!

The Cold Kiss of Death

30 Days of Vampires

The Writing Cave

Fantasycon and free books!

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May 2009

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