Author: Brian

I studied and lived in Japan, got a Master's Degree in Sociology from the University of Oxford and an MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Now I write SFF novels about cerebral people suffering post-modern angst who cope by drinking lots of wine. And misusing magic.

I Personally Killed 12 Grins

Based on the latest feedback from one of my beta-readers, it came to my attention that my characters grin, blush, and flush entirely too often. When I used Scrivener to check word frequency, some form of the word ‘grin’ had been used 20 times! 20! That’s at least once per chapter.

It was both sick and sad to go back through with a digital shotgun and cull my flock of grins; still, I think it probably scans better as a whole.

I know I haven’t updated much lately, but that’s because *gasp* I’ve been pushing forward REALLY REALLY SCHMEALLY hard! I’ve just sent off the final proof to the printer for me to read and make sure one last time that everything is hunky-dory, and then it’s time to submit the dreaded ADVANCE COPIES for review.

That’s right, kids: we’ve moved on from BETA and gone to PRE-RELEASE. Interested in doing a review? Lemme know. The book still has spots for blurbs…

xoxo

A Bao Flies at 428 mph

The beauty of Virgin America is that if you’re willing to cough up the cash (and I am, of course; it’s a business expense) you get wi-fi, so transcontinental flights aren’t nearly as dull as they used to be.  Combined with the fact there’s a “booze button” in the display panel in front of me, I’d say I’m pretty well sorted.

Though I should be reading Librarian on my kindle YET AGAIN to look for more errors, I decided to tackle a short story starring a character who was actually created long before Lenna and her comrades — Tenny Orange.  In the grand, cosmic scheme of Bao’s universe, Tenny has his own arc much like Lenna, and the discerning reader will start to notice some connection, I imagine.

The short story is going to be featured in Moon Rabbit Publishing’s (our imprint!) first ‘zine, mooncrisis!, which it set for launch this summer.  We’re still looking for submissions — artwork, photography, short stories, reviews, or essays pertaining to science, science fiction, fantasy, and the like.  Interested parties contact ME, the Bao!

Anyway, it’s time to press the booze button again.  Chin chin!

Taxtastical Endings and Book Beginnings

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged or updated the site, but that doesn’t mean work on Librarian has stopped! In fact, despite having a job in a busy financial firm during Tax Season, I’ve managed to implement all of my copy-editor’s suggestions AND did another edit. I’ve produced a final proof!

Now that Tax Season’s over, it’s time to focus SOLELY on the production of the book, which will be (fingers crossed) launched in May as an ebook, trade paperback, and as a limited-edition hardcover volume! While most of you will probably go the digital route, I’ll be offering signed copies for sales through the website directly! Get excited; details are to come.

I’ve also seen some concept art for the book cover, and I know those who’ve gotten a sneak peak are just as excited as I am. 🙂

And all you other professional writers out there — did you remember to file your taxes appropriately? 😛

One More Red Pen

…whew. I’ve finally incorporated my copy-editor’s suggested changes and done a consistency check. That means, technically, the Librarian manuscript is 99.9999% ready for publishing! Thank goodness for that, because this book is CONSUMING. MY. SOUL.

I printed out the mock-up of the print edition, and it’s SEXEH! Now, all I have to do is actually sit down, read it in one fell swoop, and adjust any plot points or elements that don’t quite work for me. We’re getting close, kids, so stay tuned. And since the full text is available, anyone looking for a quick beta-read, lemme know and I’ll have it for you stat!

Proof in the Pudding

12 Days

…until the unholiness of Tax Season ends!

…until I’ve finished going over the copy-edited manuscript proof!

…until I stop running around like a lunatic (note: I’m just planning on stopping the running).

STAY WITH ME, KIDS.

HUZZAH! Grammar Beam

My wonderful, speedy copy-editor has completed the entirety of the manuscript for Librarian, so everything is still looking good for a May launch.  Excitement mounts!

I’ve also started soliciting beta-readers for the sequel, Apprentice, and so far the feedback has been YAY.  I’ll be glued to my MBP editing for the next couple weeks, but then it’s time to start pounding out some more chapters.

Stay tuned, kiddos!

No More Leprechauns

Sorry about the delay in blogging!  I was swept away in a tide of St Patrick’s Day fêtes, beer-filled reunions with old school mates, a ton of great food, and meeting up with the Master of my College, St Cross, at Oxford, and some alumnae about the new addition to the buildings.  Excitement!

Subsequently, zero work was done, New York City was a massive blizzard all weekend, and now I am back to my mundane existence and feeling rather melancholy about it.

But much fun was had, and I did experience some of the finer highlights the City has to offer…

Ponies and Bubbly
Ponies, pate, and bubbles.

And…

Brian Tackles Mega
The “mega” size Sapporo at my fav izakaya.